a trough full of seashells

My friend Merideth has the cutest little coastal décor shop named MerMade Designs, right here in Newport Beach.  

Don’t you love how she styled these rustic wooden troughs full of seashells? 

It keeps the spirit of summer alive all year long! Just a little reminder of those glorious days at the beach!

And here’s another look… literally, a boatload of seashells!  This one was designed by Barclay Butera Interiors and was showcased on the Newport Harbor Home Tour.  

ciao! fabiana

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While I’m here today, I wanted to share some of my "Tablescaping Essentials" with you. I have a whole page on the Amazon website with my favorite picks for setting a beautiful table.

Quite often time is of the essence, and I have last minute projects or events to work on, so I turn to Amazon for one or two day delivery. You’d be surprised at how many amazing items they have to offer! And I'm constantly updating this page with my new favorites. 

You can check it out here, at “Tablescaping Essentials”.

For more Newport Harbor Home Tour inspiration,
check out this brand new book:

color inspiration: yellow in kids' rooms

I love a little hint of true yellow in a child’s room.

Aren’t these vignettes so fun?!

ciao! fabiana

images:
Pinterest
House of Turquoise
The Simplified Bee
House Beautiful
Lonny

5 recipes for late summer tomatoes

Those summer tomatoes just keep coming!  Here are five of my favorite go-to recipes that I have made over the years, but especially this year with my lovely crops of heirloom tomatoes.

Roasted Tomato Basil Soup  is a recipe from Ina Garten and is one of my family’s favorites, especially paired with grilled cheese sandwiches. I make a big batch and freeze half for another time.

Stuffed Artichokes remind me of my grandmother who made a similar recipe, and wow, what a treat!

Alexis’ Chopped Vegetable Salad is named for Martha Stewart’s daughter.  I make this salad during the summer when it gets really hot out. It’s cool and refreshing, as well as yummy and nutritious. 

Zesty Spaghetti alla Puttanesca is a classic Italian dish that you must try, if you’ve never had it! The puttanesca sauce gets its flavor from olives, capers and anchovies. 

Pasta alla Checca is a quick and basic pasta made with lots of fresh tomatoes. 

If you try one of these recipes,

let me know what you think!

ciao! fabiana

succulent ideas for fall

The transitional time between summer and fall is a great time to replant some of those large pots in the garden, and succulents are the best choice for low-care, beautiful pots.  They always look great, and you can get so creative with the different varieties there are to choose from. 

The colors, textures and size of different succulents really let you create unique arrangements that will grow and grow to become more and more beautiful.  And why not try filling a pumpkin or large gourd with succulents?  

Find a small pot that will fit perfectly inside your pumpkin, so that the edges don’t show.  Then just plant it tightly with your choice of small succulents.  Voila! You'll have a gorgeous fall arrangement that will last you at least through Thanksgiving!   

Small branches are cut into ¼ inch slices and layered around the perimeter of this glass bowl. The addition of spanish moss along the bottom edge completes the look. Pebbles on the bottom of the container will keep it from getting water-logged.

A tall spiky variety looks great 

surrounded by rosette-shaped succulents. 

Mix and match.  It all looks great! 

ciao! fabiana


photo credit:
Roger's Gardens

a neutral fall palette

I'm keeping my fall décor neutral so far this year, keeping with the white, soft metallics and natural materials as my color scheme. I’m sure I won’t be able to resist a pop of orange here and there as we get closer to Halloween, though!  

Updating vintage jack-o-lanterns with metallic spray paint is a great way to neutralize your holiday décor and create a little bit more of an elegant look.  Right now my jack-o-lanterns are turned backwards, so they look like pumpkins.

Once October hits, I'll turn their little faces forward!

Here are a few that I painted in soft gold.

before and after

This little white pumpkin was found at the Dollar Tree. I really like how this little inexpensive guy can just be nestled in with the real and vintage pumpkins in the vignette.

ciao! fabiana

happy labor day

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

ciao! fabiana

rustic table decor for fall

Rescue an old wood plank and use it as a table runner for rustic autumn look. Just add greenery, mini pumpkins and a variety of pillar candles to create your own unique tablescape.

ciao! fabiana