Easter Tablesetting Ideas

Easter has long been thought of as the beginning of spring.  It is the time of renewal, refreshing, the shedding of winter heaviness in favor of a lighter, even brighter outlook.  I love the spring, sans the allergies that come with the blooming flowers and trees.  It is always such a pretty time of year and being someone who loves nature and the outdoors, I find so much inspiration in it.  My family and I enjoy the walks in the parks, along it's trails, hanging out on the deck taking in the sights and sounds, driving down treelined streets and marveling in the colors.  It's like magic!

 

 

 How simple and lovely is this!  Just using beautiful teacups to place small Easter egg confections and placing them on the table or buffet.

 

 

Going into the yard and picking a few pretty stems and wrapping them nicely in the napkins will add so much to a minimal tablesetting.  It really doesn't take much.  It just takes a little effort and creativity.

 

 

Gerber daisy's can be found at your local grocery store very inexpensively.  Using an eclectic mixture of dishes and drinkware makes it special.

 

 

Last year I posted a great Easter diy project that Gillian and I tried that was a lot of great fun and ended being very pretty!  Here's the link (An Easter DIY Project my Daughter will love) if you think you'll like to try it out!

 

More stems and blooms and soft pastels make the table pretty.

 

Okay, if any of you saw my space at the 2013 Cathedral Antiques Inspiration House, you would know that I love using bird nests and small eggs in my designs.  It makes for a wonderful introduction of nature into any setting.

 

 

Happy Easter and Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 

Images



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Happy March and Have a Wonderful Weekend!

You know, this is one of the things that I love about a new month; no, it's not a new year, but it is a chance to do better, be better, and get it right!  You may not be able to start completely over and change some of the mistakes or misteps of the previous month, but you can take what didn't work and grow from it.   

 

March brings with it the beginning of spring.  Spring for me is like a refreshening of sorts.  This is when I am most motivated to clean not just my house, but my head, and my way of doing things.  Starting, of course, with my house!  Clutter, dust, and dirt in my environment always wreaks havoc on my psyche!  It signals a time of renewal.  The trees and flowers are in bloom, and so it is only fitting that there be a sort of blossoming of new ideas, energy, and fire inside of me to accomplish more and go further.

 

 

While in Ikea today I bought some succulents and an orchid.  I've bought all of these really cool planters and vases over time, that I've not ever planted anything in or rarely, on occassion, place flowers in.  I want to do better with this!  I want to try to keep plants and flowers in my home going forward.  I will count it a personal accomplishment if I can keep them alive!  This may not seem like that big of a goal, but it is definitely one for me!

 

 

One of my favorite rooms in any home is the dining room.  There is something about this room that draws me in and makes me want to sit and spend time.  This one is beautiful.  I love the green leather chairs with the dark finish of the table.  It is set with three lovely floral centerpieces in fresh white florals with striking green leaves.  The wallpaper and chandelier are truly gorgeous and totally finishes the space in the most elegant way.

 

 

Do you have any plans for spring? What type of spring cleaning will you do? Whatever this new season brings, I hope you take the time to make the most incredible moments and memories in your life and in the lives of others.

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 

*Images via my Pinterest boards



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Wouldn't Take Anything For My Journey Now...

Ahhhhh...it feels so good to be back home!  Well, back in the "home office"!  The Inspiration House wrapped Sunday evening and I experienced mixed emotions of it coming to an end.  On the one hand, I am so glad it's over because it's been such a long journey.  On the other, I met some of the most talented and wonderful designers that will forever have a place in my heart and my memories!  I want to mention William Mclure (Bill Ingram Architects), Sherry Hart (Sherry Hart Designs), and Lori May (Lori May Interiors, LLC).  These three were my compadres on the lower level of the house and we had the best times together!  I don't know how I'm going to get along without them!  Everyday spent with them was like spending it with long time friends.  We talked about everything under the sun.  They totally made my first show house experience one that I will never forget!

Sherry Hart, Lori May, William Mclure

  

 

You've just feasted your eyes on images from Sherry and Lori's feminine Stone Room!  Why Stone Room?  Because the space had these stone walls that were just begging for the two of them to come in and make them amazing!  Oh, and get this, they added wood planks to the ceiling!  The juxtaposition was just so beyond!

 

 

William and Bill Ingram of Bill Ingram Architects did the Hearth Room, which is just a doorway away from Sherry and Lori's room.  Upon first glance, one would think that both rooms were done by the same designers or that the designers collaborated on their plans for their spaces.  Not!  William and Bill's room is such a comfortable masculine antithesis to their space of cozy femininity.  The painting is the creative genuis of William!

 

The boys from upstairs, Jonathan Gonzalez (Petite Maison) and Bryan Alan Kirkland (Bryan Alan Kirkland Designs), became quick pals of mine too. Bryan designed the living room and kitchen in the attic apartment and Jonathan designed the bedroom and the bathroom. Their design aesthetics couldn't be any more different! Polar opposites actually! Bryan's use of color in an Art Deco inspired space is so refreshing and energetic. Jonathan's French inspired interiors were very lovely and lady-like, but not so much so until a gentleman wouldn't feel comfortable. The one thing that the lower level had in common with the upstairs attic is that both levels had to undergo renovations in order to get our spaces to a workable blank canvas. Maybe this is why we all felt an immediate connection? Hmmm, probably not! The six of us all have this amazing energy that just worked and the last week of the show, you could usually find us huddled together doubled over in tears of laughter that resonated throughout the main level of the house!

 

Jonathan, Me, Bryan

 

Jonathan's French inspired Boudoir and bath; so feminine and lovely!

 

Bryan's Art Deco pad takes away your blues immediately!

 

Jonathan and Bryan's spaces are polar opposites, right???  That's one of the wonderful things about show houses; there's something for everyone.  Even if it's not your taste, you can still have an appreciation for the aesthetic.  If you've not ever toured a show house before, I certainly hope that after seeing these incredible images, you will!  My new designer friends are totally talented and truly fantastic people!  You would love them all if you had an opportunity to meet them!  You would!  Really!

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 

*If I'm not mistaken, my blog title is from one of Maya Angelou's books.  If you know, please send me an email so that I can give proper credit! :)

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A Flair for Outdoor Living and Entertaining: Janus et Cie

I posted, a couple a weeks ago, pictures I'd taken at an event celebrating the opening of the new Janus et Cie showroom at ADAC (Atlanta Decorative Arts Center), and I wanted to follow up with these most amazing images that were shared with me by the showroom the day of the party.  Click here to see more pictures from the grand opening celebration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you seen a more beautiful and colorful table!  Most of the candle holders and votives are kept in inventory and can be purchased to take home that day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love what you see here and would like to experience the showroom firsthand?  Contact Residential Specialist, and my friend Jessica Warner for an appointment, or to let her know you would like to stop by.  The showroom sells to the public and will work with you to pull together your new design project or freshen up what you currently have. 

 

J A N U S e t C i e

349 Peachtree Hills Ave., Building A-1, Atlanta , GA 30305

T 4 0 4 . 8 5 5 . 3 4 4 4

F 4 0 4 . 8 5 5 . 3 4 4 5

 

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 

*All images via Janus et Cie; Atlanta, Georgia



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Delights In White

I love the classic, clean, crisp purity of white!  Whether it is in interiors, fashion, art, or accessories, it is the one color along with red and black that packs a serious wallop!  My favorite blouse is white!  My favorite dishes~ white!  My bedding~duvet, shams, sheets/pillowcases; white, white, white/white!  Here's the thing about white, as much as I love it, I will only use it as a wall finish in a room if the elements of that space are truly wonderful!  Oh, but how do I love it on trim and molding!  White is great for highlighting, but horrible at disguising!  If you're confident that you have a keen eye for detail and a knack for layering textures, patterns, and finishes~by all means, go for it!  Not so sure you can do an all white interior, take some cues the images below and introduce bits here and bits there!  Have fun with it and remember there is nothing you can do that can't be undone!

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

*Images

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How Beautiful Is This...

I'm writing this posting while sitting in a shaded spot at the park.   I thought instead of enjoying another gorgeous day from a window, the kids and I would get out and experience it first hand.  As we were walking, to my hand-picked spot in the grass, my son says to me "it's a beautiful day, Mom".  I say to him, "yes, it is isn't it!".  I love that at twelve years old, he appreciates the beauty nature bestows upon us.  For the next eight weeks I will post daily during the week and ocassionally on weekends, and I will try to post by noon eastern time; however, if I should not make this time, please understand that I am either working on a couple of projects that are still underway or spending time with my family.  I will always share with you whatever is inspiring me that day, for you see, as many of you can tell, I love to talk!  And I love being able to express whatever is going on in my head with those interested in reading it!  Thank you so much for stopping by when you do and making me apart of your day!  It is so appreciated, and with that being said...

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

*Images via [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]

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Lovely White Place Settings

Recently, I attended a discussion panel where the participants on the panel were considered leading influencers in the design industry.  It was a very casual, fun, and insightful event where "real talk" was the objective.  The highs and lows of the industry were discussed; from experiences, clients, personal opinions, etc., etc.  The discussion turned to entertaining and how to give the best advice and direction to our clients regarding tablesettings, decoration, invitations, food, so on and so on.  One of the panelists said something that made me, honestly, kinda question why she was on the panel!  She said that white tableware, serveware, and the like were boring and went with nothing.  It was essentially a waste.  Really?  Seriously!  Anyhoo, that didn't sit well with me since I've seen some of the loveliest tables set with white plates, bowls, and serveware, as the foundation for everything else.  I love colorful, patterned china that you can mix and match with other colors and patterns to create an absolutely amazing table!  However, there is something to be said for simplicity!

Have a lovely day!

Rhonda

*Images



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