Friday, December 30, 2011

Tuscan Style is Finally Here!

Thank you Sherry at No Minimalist Here for telling me that Tuscan Style was out, otherwise I would have never known! Well, eventually. But you know what I mean--right?

So, even though I was sick with the flu, I downed 3 Advil and we drove to Barnes and Noble and bought 6 copies!

No one prepared me for the excitement of seeing our home in a magazine. Although, Bonnie Broten, who was the stylist for the shoot did try!

With all the styling and rearranging of furniture, plus John Granan's amazing photography,
they captured the essence of the house and location.
I took these photos during the shoot just in case the article didn't get published! I still can't believe that it actually was!

Taking a look behind the scenes, I love how Bonnie used roses and grapes from the property to make simple arrangements. She taught me that less is more. Something I'm working on!

She staged the top of the hutch in the dining room using old books and my favorite vintage oil painting of grapes.
I haven't touched it since!

She gave the Welsh cupboard a new look too with my roe deer antlers, vintage plates and a collection of local wines.

She used figs, grapes and grape leaves from the garden to create this tabletop vignette in the pool house.

It didn't make the final cut, but just look at the light captured here!
And this is just from my camera--not John's.

They were quite a team, those two!

It was such a fun time with Bonnie and John, truly an experience of a lifetime.
Something we will never forget. And now it has all come full circle.
We're still pinching ourselves.....!

For more on the photo shoot, read the post I wrote back in September here.


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Thursday, December 29, 2011

2011 Tablescapes in Review


I'm looking back at the tablescapes I did in 2011.
Come take a walk with me down memory lane.
Just click on the link to visit the post.






























Looking back at the tablescapes I did in 2011, I realize that many of them were actual "working" tablescapes, as opposed to "staged." I had fun creating table settings for Ashley's company, Tourshi for her catering jobs. We were quite a team!

Then she met a man and ran off to New Mexico! And the rest is history....
At least it has a happy ending!

I look forward to creating more tablescapes in 2012!

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for the very last Tablescape Thursday of 2011.
Be sure and visit!

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Monday, December 26, 2011

Christmas Tablescape 2011


Using the same Spode plates from last year, I created a new look, simply by using new plaid napkins.

My vintage red and green glasses are a constant, especially at Christmas.
They're like jewels on the table!
More sparkle came from Grandma's sterling silver which I am honored to have received and pass down.

It only made sense to recycle the wedding centerpieces into the Christmas table centerpieces.

I used three white hydrangeas in their bark covered containers and the succulent candle wreaths on the end.

After dinner, I gave the centerpieces to Grandma and Auntie Ann.
They should have taken more! I have 24 of the hydrangeas left over and 7 succulents!

It was a lovely dinner with traditional Armenian faire of lamb shish kebob, rice pilaf, grape leaf dolma, and root vegetables.

It was extra special this year with the newlyweds at the table!
Our family is definitely growing.
So far, I have enough plates for everyone!

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Sunday, December 25, 2011

A Candlelight Christmas Eve


Christmas Eve is always the "quiet before the storm."
A time to just relax after all the preparations for Christmas Day.

I like to play Christmas music and light every candle in the house!

Just sit back and enjoy all the decorations. Reflect....

Smell the scented candles and pies baking...

And enjoy a glass of wine...

While creating the tablescape, last minute with flowers and decor left over from the wedding!

Stay tuned for the final reveal!

Merry Christmas from the Arabian Family!
Wishing you a wonderful, happy day with your family!
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