saturday inspiration for fall

Coastal tablescape inspiration 

The next big project I have is a little over a week away, so I’m already working on inspiration for that tablescape. I’ll be back at Blue Door Cottage for a magazine photo shoot and already have a bit of a theme going there, which is totally coastal!

Of course, I've already done a tablescape for a dinner party at this adorable little cottage with rented tableware, but this time, I'm bringing some of my favorite pieces to set the table and to style a few other vignettes.

Imagine some of the pieces from this table setting, pictured above, but with a little bit of cobalt blue thrown in for fun!

Tablescape from Blue Door Cottage in July

Speaking of blue, I do like to sneak in a little blue in my fall décor. Have you all been decorating for fall yet? I’m slowly getting there, and as soon as I start bringing home some pretty pumpkins, it’ll definitely feel like fall around here. 

Here are some favorite fall snapshots from last year...  

Sunflowers are so perfect for this time of year! 

And decorating with a basket full of apples is not only pretty but so practical too! Need a healthy snack? Grab an apple or two! 

Plaid throws are near the top of the list for fall essentials, and of course I love to use them with the fringe draping off the top of the table. It’s such a cozy look for fall.  

Elevate those pumpkins with simple candle holders or cake pedestals. I want my beautiful pumpkins front and center! 

This pretty fall table appears in the super fabulous new book Cozy White Cottage by blogger Liz Marie Galvin. Do you follow her blog? I’ve been a fan of hers for a really long time. 

Liz Marie Galvin

The Cozy White Cottage book officially comes out on September 24th, but I received an advanced copy to review, and I can tell you it’s filled with tons of inspiration and lots and lots of decorating advice. It's now available for pre-order.

In the book, Liz Marie shares "100 ways to love the feeling of being at home." If you love cozy, you'll love this book! I’m going to do a formal book review of it in about ten days or so with lots more details and photos. 

I hope your weekend is inspirational! This past week has been really hot here in So Cal, so it's been slow getting our fall stuff rounded up, but this is the perfect weekend for that, and I can't wait to bring it all out!

ciao! fabiana 

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liv tyler's chic new york brownstone

I don’t know about you, but I just love celebrity home tours, so today I’m sharing Liv Tyler’s chic and beautiful New York brownstone that was recently featured in Architectural Digest. 

Liv was totally hands-on with the total gut and renovation of this historic 1861 home. She ultimately has taken it back to its former glory, even if it meant recreating historic moldings, doors and details. 

Situated on a beautiful corner of the West Village, this home is pays respect to the past while also keeping up with the times. The kitchen is especially fun!  

ciao! fabiana 

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Photos and screenshots via Architectural Digest

collections: black & white transferware

As Halloween approaches, we start seeing more and more spooky holiday décor everywhere we go. I like to pace myself and enjoy the September fall décor that’s so cozy, but the truth of the matter is when we spot something perfect for Halloween, we have to grab it up now!  

Sure, we’re more than a month and a half away from Halloween, but I start thinking about table décor now for that special holiday, and the perfect all-around look for and elegant Halloween-themed dinner involves black transferware. 

It’s something I like to look for all year long, but shops like Home Goods, World Market and Target often have great black and white plates this time of year.   

And black and white is so easy to mix with other colors and styles of plates. Last year I paired this transferware, Johnson Brothers' Black Asiatic Pheasant, with green cabbage plates for an elaborate Harry Potter  inspired dinner party for Romantic Homes. 

A few years before, I used these same plates for an elegant dinner party. This striped runner accented the plates perfectly and white pumpkin plates were used for the salad course.

Of course, orange accessories are a no-brainer when it comes to Halloween. All I added were brightly colored napkins and votives for just the right amount of pop. Tea stained cheesecloth is a great substitute for cobwebs and adds a more interesting effect to the table.   

This year’s table uses softer stripes and another style of pumpkin plate, which I can’t get enough of! This look is more fun and vibrant and the colored glass reminds me of candy.  

Here’s another pattern I love. Spooky black roses are perfect for Halloween and it reminds me of the interesting vignettes that Roger's Gardens creates every Halloween. 

I don’t know why, but some plates with birds are just creepy enough for this fun holiday....

But my love of black  and white transferware doesn't stop at Halloween. There are plenty of patterns that are lovely for other holidays as well. Take Christmas for example...

This pattern happens to be a black transfer printed design, but then they go in and had color a few details with red and green. 

One of my all-time favorite patterns is this Joyeux Noel plate. I've used it several times over the years in slightly different ways. These plates look so pretty accented with all green and white. 

Black and white gingham is a fun contrast to the simple pattern of these plates, either with a gingham check dinner plate or...  

Linens like this large patterned table runner paired with mini-check napkins. I just love this look! Do you remember it from the December issue of Romantic Homes? Don't you miss that magazine so much? I do!!

Here are the deer plates paired with the “Halloween” plates I love so much. Not bad...  

All in all, I do have a special place in my heart for black and white transferware, and it proved to be just the right choice for accenting my dining room wall too! 

  

ciao! fabiana