About decorating for Hanukkah. I mean, let’s be honest, Christmas gets all the billing and Hanukkah, well it’s not even a step-child. It’s like a cousin from a previous marriage. It’s okay, relatively speaking, Hanukkah is not the most important Jewish Holiday. And, let me tell you, we don’t decorate for Yom Kippur! Or really even Passover… In the spirit of equity, I thought I’d explore small statements for those of us who don’t get to trim a tree. There’s a lot to be said for lighting candles with family for 8 nights, saying a prayer, and being thankful for small things.
I like the rusticity of this. Menorahs can be so cheesy and ugly, especially if they are from the 80′s!
If you’re having dinner complete with potato latkes and brisket, place this on tabletop for some apres dinner fun!
Serve dessert on these…
What kind of festival of lights is it without cool candles?
Someone who shall remain nameless will kill me for this, but this is one cool menorah.
And this is something we could all use, regardless of denomination: Amen!
I recently travelled to Landry & Arcari Rugs in Boston to explore options for the Holiday Show-house I am participating in on December 3rd to benefit the Concord Museum. As usual, I got distracted as we browsed their extensive collection; I saw things for various clients and of course, for myself.
What I went nuts for, though, is something that in my past life I would have NEVER been interested in, but now I have become mildly obsessed with: over-dyed rugs. Half traditional, half totally modern and vintage in nature, these wild saturated beauties bowled me over. These are (usually vintage) hand knotted rugs where the original dyes were removed and then they are literally over-dyed with rich solid color that bleeds into the weave and takes on a brave dimension throughout the pattern of the rug.
They would definitely be the star of a room, but in the right setting, with the right type of home, what a bold look. I could see an over-dyed rug in a modern home with minimalist furniture and accents or in a more transitional setting, but one thing is for sure, they are not for the faint-of-heart. They are available at many upscale rug dealers, ABC Carpet being a great resource as well. Would you dare?
Additional images from Loom Rugs and Kilim.com
I won’t lie. As I sit in the room at the Elliot Hotel in downtown Boston going over concepts with my client, I experienced a tinge (well, more like a fit…) of envy. Have you ever seen a crazier or more completely fabulous living room ensemble, for someone who would dare to do it?
The large scale floral is the drapery, the white, pink and purple geometric on chairs, and this ottoman with gilded finish on the legs, perhaps in the fuchsia animal print. Paired with an ivory linen chesterfield sofa and a Stark Natura Sisal carpet. The other fabrics will be assorted pillows and more to add to this mix. Hang it up; I am done… My change of address card will be forthcoming because I’m moving in!
Believe me, I am not the hostess with the mostess… I am an avid (and pretty darn good) cook, but I am a stinky baker, and I don’t do “tablescapes”. My feeling is that I want my table to look a lot more organic. I don’t mean hemp tablecloths and unbleached linens— more just that it appears like we are going to sit down, eat a lot and perhaps mess it all up. No centerpieces for me , no contrived decor or even napkin rings.
For me, a great tablecloth, special china and real silver if you have it, plus the addition of simple fresh flowers or a huge bowl of fruit, perhaps a candle or two, and that’s it. I try to make the food the star… Anyway, tablecloths are tricky. I do like simple white, but without the right accouterment, it appears too hotel-esque. And most printed ones out there are appallingly ugly.
Having said this, if your dining room is super formal, perhaps white is the way to go and let your china and silver etc be the star. While my dining room has a few formal elements, the vibe in there is still not-fussy. If this is your story, you can play around with table dressings and be a bit more funky and casual. I love ones from John Robshaw and they have that Anglo-Indian thing I love. While I am not a huge French Country person, I must admit I adore these tablecloths from Garnier Thiebaut, and own several in chartreuse, olive, turquoise and purple combinations.
The design of them is very Provencal, but the boldness of the color combinations tones that whole thing down. Too boot, they are now made with some technology that makes the cloth totally repel water, wine and all wetness.
