On a gray,rainy Spring day it is time to focus on small treats to brighten your day. Candles are a lovely and inexpensive way to decorate and personalize your space. There are so many great candles to purchase today but I remain partial to classic French Diptyque candles for their elegant simplicity and scents. Once upon a time before the internet, you could only purchase these candles in small shops in Paris or New York. I first purchased a set from the original Diptyque shop in Paris in Saint Germain on a Spring visit with my husband seventeen years ago. There is also a shop on Madison Avenue in New York. But, of course, now you can also purchase...
I love the city of Chicago. It is a big city with great architecture, restaurants, museums, neighborhoods and shopping with a "Midwest feel," code for "people are friendly." ( I am from the Midwest so I get it!) The city sits right on the shores of Lake Michigan, with miles of lakefront with beaches, sail boats, and park space right on the water. The city is known for its architecture, with fabulous walks to view architecture from icons such as Mies van der Rohe. The Lincoln Park Zoo and the Field Museum of Natural History are always big hits with my boys. On my most recent weekend visit, I went to my personal favorite spot and a must see on...
Spring is finally here and the flowers in Baltimore are beginning to bloom. The daffodils are up. Soon we will have tulips,quince, magnolia and lilacs. Fresh flowers are a decorating must for me. They are an instant brightener of mood as well as a room. I recall my freshman year of college at the depth of winter in Boston and feeling incredibly blue. My weekly purchase of fresh flowers from the corner market for my dorm room, often with my last few dollars on my tight college budget, was often what got me through those dreary days. To this day I will spend my last penny on fresh flowers each week. No special occasion required. They are a decorating must. ...
My family is about to embark on our spring break trip so I have travel on my mind. Travel is a tremendous source of design inspiration. Seeing new environments, spending time in new locales, homes and hotels, and shopping in local boutiques and markets are all sources of design ideas. Last year we traveled to Italy, which of course, was incredibly inspirational. The photo here is the view from our rental home in the village of Monterosso al Mare on Italy's Northern Mediterranean coast. The house is the summer home of a Milanese family that has been in the family for several generations. It was decorated so chicly yet it was a classic family beach house. It was a blend...
I am firm believer that one can never have too many books, especially big, beautiful design and art books. I am happiest when surrounded by family, friends, books and flowers (and perhaps a glass of lovely French wine.) There is something truly wonderful about holding a book in your hand. And reading and thumbing through art and design books is a constant source of inspiration. Shelves filled with books and other objects are a true decorative statement. And books, when thoughtfully selected for the recipient, are a wonderful gift for your mother, the hostess, a dear friend, or your child's teacher. I am pleased that MarigoldGray is now offering a selection of high quality, highly sought vintage books on...
