Happy Valentine's Day

A romantic dinner for two.

One setting for Madame...

...the other for Monsieur.

We'll be celebrating Valentine's Day in style!

What are your Valentine plans?

Be My Guest--The Tartan Room

 The Tartan Room was originally going to be my mother's room.

A tiny little room, but with its own bathroom and very private, it would have been perfect for her.

Unfortunately, she never even got to see it as she passed while it was just studs and only a vision in my head.

This room is so tiny, only a full size bed fits, so I wanted the bed to be the focal point.

I chose this blue and green tartan bed from Ballard Designs.  The fabric is a Suzanne Kasler print and I love the detail of the white grosgrain studded ribbon.

A blue and white stripe duvet cover and white shams let the plaid take center stage.

This room could also be called the "Nautical Room" with the ship paintings and anchor pillowcases. 

 

My new love of blue and white porcelain is finding a place in this room too with a pair of Ralph Lauren lamps.  They're too short, so I used books to elevate them.

 The ensuite bathroom is super tiny so I kept it clean and simple.

It also has the only bathtub in the house.  I gussied it up with a marble surround which matches the sink.

I used every bit of that marble slab!

 This area went through the biggest change in the house.  Originally, there was a door to the outside where one of the windows are now and the only entrance to the room was from the family room.

Not an ideal set up. 

 

The doors to the outside and family room were closed up.

 Now the entrance to the room is at the bottom of the stairs, creating a private suite.
 The architect wanted a closet on the right side of the little hallway, but I opted to put an armoire here instead. 

There's no room for a dresser, so the bedside tables stand in with four drawers of storage available.

Our granddaughters love sleeping here when they visit because they get to watch cartoons in bed when they wake up!

I repurposed a sofa table to anchor the television and provide more storage. 

The botanical prints on either wide of the bed were my grandmother's.

 I kept the walls white, but am so tempted to paint or wallpaper one wall!

I think instead of wallpaper or paint though, I may end up with drapes on either side of the windows in the matching Suzanne Kastler plaid. 

 That same fabric could also replace the toile fabric in the armoire.

There will be no question then about this being the Tartan Room!

Oscar definitely likes the Tartan Room, and sometimes when I can't find the kitty, she is in here curled up on the blanket, asleep.

I have a confession.

I love sleeping in here too!

Sources:

Upholstered bed:  Ballard Designs 

Bedside tables:  Pottery Barn

Sheets and shams:  Pottery Barn

Duvet cover:  Ikea

Pillow cases:  Ralph Lauren

Blanket:  Ralph Lauren

Lamps:  Ralph Lauren

Window coverings:  Presidio Classics

I'm linking up to Savvy Southern Style

Tartan In My Closet For The Holidays

Is it tartan season yet?  

November is the perfect time to bring it out of the closet and wear it!

Here are a few tartan pieces that I plan on wearing this season, starting with these GAP pants.

I plan on dressing them up with heals, or dressing them down with a chambray shirt and tennies.

One of my favorite purchases from last season is this Kate Spade Saturday satchel.

It's been hiding in the drawer for too many months.

Just last week, I splurged on these pumps from Coach.

I'm not sure how I'll walk in them, but OMG how gorgeous are they?

Yes, those are studs along the bottom and they are made out of haircalf!

I don't always wear red tartan...

This coat is a subtle plaid of olive and blue, just in at our store, Les Méchantes.

It's by J.O.A. and is the perfect warm coat for fall.

But of all the tartan in my closet, I love this cape the most

It was a gift from my daughter, purchased in Scotland and carried back in her suitcase.

It's the real deal!

Happy Tartan Season!

(I'm joining The Tartan Parade at The Polohouse.)

Ralph Lauren In Paris, The Best Of Both Worlds

Isn't it ironic that we would find Ralph Lauren to be one of the highlights of our trip to Paris!

Located on Boulevard St. Germain, I was inspired immediately with the beautiful wool plaid and leopard pillows in the courtyard.

Although the courtyard was tempting to sit outside, the weather didn't permit it.


More leopard and plaid in the dining room!

Of course I love the chargers!


The menu is all-American.  Hamburgers and fries!


After lunch, we explored the four floors of the magical world of Ralph...


...What's not to love about this world!


It's easy to forget you're in Paris while at Ralph Lauren.
Everywhere, on every surface is the American influence.


But look out the window and make no mistake, you're in Paris.
It's the best of both worlds!

When Antlers Meet Tartan

 I lusted after these antlers on the Neimann Marcus website for a little too long because now they're gone.

The problem is, I couldn't decide which one I wanted.  The burlap, the red tartan or the green plaid.

I even had a couple in the shopping cart!  

Too late, "you snooze, you lose!"


Then, along came this lovely...

On One King's Lane and I nabbed it!

Someone actually stretched the tartan fabric over the plaque and then if that wasn't enough, added the enamel number.

I swoon!

 What I love is that it is vintage, authentic and hand made.

Don't get me wrong, I would still want one or more of the plaques from Neimann Marcus if they ever become available again, but this beauty is the real deal!

Tartan and antlers, a winning combination don't you think?

Linking to Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

Got Tartan?

1stdibs

Happy Tartan Day!

The Irish have St. Patrick's Day, the Italians have Columbus Day, and now the Scots have National Tartan Day.

Although I'm not Scottish, I still love tartan, so to celebrate, here are a few of my favorite tartan images, recent tartan acquisitions and whatever else...

Starting with tartan wear, not to be confused with tartanware!

I love how tartan plaid can be both casual like this exquisite coat..

...and formal like this ballgown...

Isabelle Randall

...or this wedding dress!

And this wedding dress.

Both casual and formal, this dress rocks!

Gorgeous silk taffeta tartan dress and unmatching jacket.

Peruvian Connection

This silk taffeta plaid skirt is what I'm planning to wear for a friend's formal wedding next January!

Country Living

Tartanware represents the bibelots and collectibles from Victorian days, like this little plaid knife.

Jeffrey Bank's private collection of tartanware. I love those napkin rings! From Romancing the Plaid book, a photo of a photo...

I just bought this tartanware cigarette case on Ebay, to be used to carry business cards!

How about tartan upholstered walls?

Love this subtle blue tartan which mixes well with denim.

House Beautiful

Plaid sofas are perfect for this ski chalet.

House Beautiful

Isn't it amazing how plaid goes with everything?

I can't ever get enough of this room! Transferware, plaid and toile, it all goes with the graphic carpet!

Remember this photo from my Airstream post? How amazing is this?

Upholstered in tartan! From Romancing the Plaid book, a photo of a photo...

While I was in NYC, I wore my new Ralph Lauren wool tartan scarf/shawl. It was much appreciated during the two cold and rainy days.

My "go to" readers, another recent purchase from Jeffrey Banks was there when I needed to read those menus, price tags and the map!

When I got home from NYC, a package was waiting for me with this in it!

A follower of Vignette Design sent me her vintage lunch box and thermos, along with two long Pendleton skirts! She no longer wanted them and knew that I would appreciate them!

Do I ever! Thank you "R" for these wonderful tartan gifts!

Speaking of NYC, I wish I knew that the New York Tartan Day Parade is this Saturday, April 10th.

I would have gone a week later just to see this! Maybe next year...

HAPPY TARTAN DAY!

Want more tartan?

Visit the official website for NYC National Tartan Week here.

The king of tartan, Tartanscot will have an incredible post. Don't miss it!

Sarah at Hyacinths for the Soul has a lovely Tartan Day tea post.

And Babs at Upstairs Downstairs has a gorgeous tartan picnic post for your viewing pleasure.

Check them out!

Still want more tartan? Geez!

You could check out my past posts about tartan here, here & here.

Now, go put on some plaid, ok?