a summer gift for the table

Weekend brunch calls for a pretty little bowl of berries and my Bronze Song Bird Wood “Tidbit” Bowl from Vagabond House is perfect for adding a little hint of summer to the table.

 

It’s another one of my favorite Vagabond House pieces that just makes an elegant statement at any table.

 

Think of the possibilities for this little beauty…

I filled it with strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, and them sprinkled on a few cheery chamomile and blue borage flowers.

 

Thanks for stopping by today. Just wanted to let you know, Vagabond House is offering a 10% shopping discount to all my readers! 

 

Here’s a discount code for all my followers for

10% off until August 31, 2022:

 

CIAOFABIANA10OFF

ciao! fabiana

 

 

For lots of fun extras, follow me on instagram!

 

 

 

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links.

 

 

a newport harbor home tour exclusive

Blackband exclusive photo

Do you know Blackband Design? They’re one of my favorite interior designers, and this year we had the privilege of walking through one of the most beautiful waterfront homes they’ve designed, during the Newport Harbor Home Tour. 

Here’s an exclusive look at one of the seven amazing homes that were featured this year on the tour and is also currently gracing the pages of the newest Traditional Home magazine.

I'm sharing exclusive photos from Blackband Design and the home tour, as well as pages from Traditional Home.

Take a peek...

 

Blackband exclusive photo

Blackband exclusive photo

Blackband exclusive photo

Blackband exclusive photo

Blackband exclusive photo

Blackband exclusive photo

Wendy Blackband, exclusive photo

For more on the Newport Harbor Home Tour, follow them on Instagram, and follow Blackband Design on Instagram too.

ciao! fabiana

 

 

For lots of fun extras, follow me on instagram!

 

 

farmhouse style magazine for summer

 

Have you picked up the summer issue of Country Sampler Farmhouse Style magazine yet? It’s jam-packed with great décor, farmhouse inspiration, DIY projects and recipes.

 

I have a few projects and recipes featured in this issue, and this one is my favorite. It’s Dugan’s Drawer Bed!

 

The assignment was to create an interesting DIY transformation using a discarded wooden drawer. After a few little tweaks to a dresser drawer, some cheery paint and a comfy cushion, Dugan’s all set for a life of leisure.

 

Another easy transformation was this happy marriage between a wrought iron table base that had a broken glass top and a round herringbone wooden tabletop that had an ugly base.

 

We just combined the two better halves of each project and created this lovely table that now sits proudly in my living room.

Also in my living room is this furniture transformation. This antique card catalog cabinet was found at a local second-hand shop.

 

I elevated it with a set of black iron hairpin legs. It’s got 18 little drawers that hold so much!

 

Some easy summer fixings are also featured in this pretty summer issue, and two are my favorite recipes for potluck gatherings. 

First is the quick Triple Berry Dump Cake. It's one dessert that has lots of healthy ingredients, and still tastes so good. 

It literally takes minutes to prepare and then you just pop it in the oven and then serve with ice cream or whipped cream. 

 

I’m a recent converter to the love for deviled eggs, and now I have to say I’m officially a super-fan!

 

This recipe is one that I’ve made dozens of times for friends and family recently, and these little egg treats seem to just disappear within minutes of serving.

 

You can find both of these recipes in the back of this Country Sampler Farmhouse Style issue in a section called “Potluck Favorites”, where you’ll also find several other delicious recipes that are so great for summer.

 

This issue is THE perfect reading for a summer’s day. Take a few minutes to relax, kick up your feet and soak up some real inspiration!

 

 

 

ciao! fabiana

 

 

For lots of fun extras, follow me on instagram!

 

 

 

You can check out some of my favorites here at “Tablescaping Essentials”*. 

 

 

 

 

 

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links.

how about a summer Clam Bake?

It’s the holiday weekend, and we finally made it to the first unofficial weekend of summer, woohoo!

I was so inspired by this gorgeous new Marine Life Soup Tureen from Vagabond House and created a fun, feminine take on a patriotic New England style "Clam Bake". 

 

Afterall, pink is technically a shade of red, so here’s my take on that theme. 

When I think of Clam Bake, I also associate it with summers spent in Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard, so of course pink hydrangeas come to mind!

 

This tureen is the perfect size for a lovely little sea food feast for the family. My favorite recipe includes clams, shrimp, potatoes, and corn on the cob. 

I love how the gorgeous solid pewter top of this stoneware tureen features so many quintessential creatures and seashells.

 

Here’s a slightly different color palette and a dish of my favorite Clam Bake recipe. 

Easy Clambake for the Weekend

 

      Serving Size: 4

1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled

6 cloves garlic

3/4 lb. peeled and deveined shrimp

3/4 lb. clams, scrubbed

3/4 lb. mussels, scrubbed and bearded

10 oz. small red potatoes

2 ears fresh corn, shucked and cut into 6 pieces

1/4 cup vegetable stock or white wine

1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning or similar

1 teaspoon chopped parsley

melted butter for dipping

lemon wedges

    1.   Par-boil the potatoes and corn until they are cooked. Drain and set aside.

    2.   Heat up a cast-iron skillet on stovetop. Add the melted butter and sauté the garlic. Add the shrimp, clams, mussels, red potatoes, and corn. Add the stock or white wine, and Old Bay seasoning. Turn the heat to low, cover the skillet and cook for about 10 minutes, or until all the shellfish are cooked. Sprinkle on the parsley, stir to combine well.

   3. Serve immediately with melted butter and lemon wedges.

 

I love this Marine Life Stoneware Tureen so much, that I created this pretty vignette for this tureen in my living room, adjacent to the dining room.

 

Vagabond House always has the most unique pieces that are so perfect for any gathering! They also make gorgeous gifts.

BEST OF ALL...

Here’s a discount code for all my followers for

10% off until August 31, 2022:

 

CIAOFABIANA10OFF

ciao! fabiana

 

 

Shopping info

 

Marine Life Stoneware Tureen: Vagabond House

 

Tern Grey "August Tablecloth": August Table

Pink Gingham Napkins: Similar found here

Red Napkins: Solino Home

Table Runner: Similar found here