alfresco: ivy at the shore

 

There's something so soothing about this green and white Ivy print!

Maybe it’s the outdoor nature of it combined with a nostalgic feel...

Here in Newport Beach, we have very mild weather, due to the onshore breezes we get so often. So setting an alfresco table is always a great idea! 

I don't know what it is exactly about this glorious green and white ivy print, all I know is I'm in LOVE! You can find this pretty tablecloth and napkins over at Pacific and Rose, along with a few other pretty ivy patterned items.

And how about those pretty white snapdragons? I grew them myself this year in my cut flower garden along with these pretty blush colored Desdemona roses.

 

Each place setting features a vintage French onion soup lion bowl filled with a personalized bouquet of one Desdemona rose wrapped in a sprig of English ivy. 

My favorite bamboo flatware is the perfect choice for this elegant alfresco tablescape.

 

FUN FACT: Do you recognize this vintage Franciscan Ivy dinner plates in the first and second photos? 

It's a classic that's been around since 1948, and more importantly, you may recognize it in a black and white version, because it was featured on "I Love Lucy" for years in those darling scenes where Lucy and Desi are in the kitchen having breakfast. It was Lucy's everyday dishware!!

I hope you’ll follow along with me on Instagram for all the latest projects and décor I will be sharing in 2025.

 

 

 

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.

 

traditional home: gorgeous kitchens

 

I’m just popping in today to share some

amazing

kitchens I’ve recently seen in 

Traditional Home magazine.

As a true enthusiast of so many different styles,

I love seeing unique mixes of different design genres

creating true eclectic décor.

One thing I know for sure is

a kitchen has to be bright and cheerful,

afterall,

 that’s were many of us spend

a majority of our time!

One thing that’s most important is how a room 

makes you feel.

Add elements that you love,

but remember not to make your kitchen feel cluttered.

How can you not feel happy seeing this

beautiful light fixture?

Do you have anything special on your kitchen wish list?  

All these lovely photos are from Traditional Home magazine.

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.

brunch at The Ivy

Last weekend, my mother and I went to one of our most cherished places, The Ivy restaurant in Beverly Hills.

 

The Ivy is just magical.

We arrived on Saturday morning, bright and early and got a cozy table on the world-famous patio with lovely views of the surroundings.

 

In celebration of my mother’s birthday, we each ordered our favorite brunch item, the Crabcakes Benedict, yum! In addition to this amazing little feast, they also serve their complimentary homemade scones with butter.  

 

As an extra added bonus, today’s post is all about The Ivy’s decor and amazing ambiance that immediately enraptures you within seconds of stepping inside.

 

Here are the cozy elements that we need to take note of…  

  

ü pitchers of beautiful roses everywhere

ü blue and white transfeware plates on the walls

ü bowls fresh lemons, oranges and limes

ü lots of cozy chintz pillows

ü terracotta pots filled with geraniums

ü shabby chic old shutters and wooden elements

ü vintage floral artwork

ü antique French signage

ü gracefully aged white picket fences

ü colorful twinkle lights for alfresco evening dining

ü white tablecloths

ü a backdrop of old brickwork

ü a fabulous patio

I'll say it again...

Every inch of The Ivy is magical.

Here’s the view from our cozy corner table, and you can take a peek at the Crabcakes Benedict. 

I actually found this image on The Ivy’s Instagram page, because with all the excitement, I forgot to take a photo of our own food plates.

 

Every time I visit, I’m just amazed by the quaint decor, accessories and attention to detail.

The Ivy began its life during the 1980’s in a cozy little vintage cottage. Since then it’s been attracting celebrities, locals and visitors from all around the world.

Love these blue transferware plates on the yellow walls.

There are several rooms inside The Ivy, as this was once a little home in the cutest vintage cottage style. 

This room has a glorious display of  majolica plates, baskets, mercury glass and flower pots made from shards of dishes. 

 

Can you believe how many pitchers and vases of roses there are at The Ivy? 

The secret in recreating this look is to buy roses in light pink, dark pink and yellow, with a few coral colored roses thrown in as an accent.

This is the back room, which is filled with dozens and dozens of still life paintings on every wall, as well as some antique French Republic memorabilia.

 

Ooooh, that plate rack and those green cabbage dishes… 

so cute!

 

So French!

 

I recently found three floral still life paintings like this one at a yard sale and have listed them on my eBay shop.

 

This is the view from our table at the iconic front window of The Ivy cottage. And here it is at night time all lit up with colorful lights. 

 

Wouldn’t this be fun to recreate at home for a small patio or outdoor dining area? The colorful lights are here all year long, not just at Christmas time.

 

Another one of my favorite corner tables, that features an open window, filled with colorful geraniums and more art, and a fluttering-breezy-curtain moment.

 

I hope you enjoyed this fun little tour of The Ivy. It’s really inspired my to actually go to more estate sales and yard sales, always looking for those special treasures.

 

Some of my fun vintage finds have just been listed on my eBay Blog Shop, if you’d like to take a look here.

 

Two of the three little floral paintings I just acquired have already sold over the weekend, but I’m always on the hunt for more!

 

ciao! fabiana

 

 

For lots of fun extras, follow me on instagram!

 

 

 

hosting a 4th of July brunch

 

July 4th is almost here! Today’s creative combo is Red, White & True Blue featuring two vintage-inspired patterns: Buffalo Check and Capri Stripe!

 

Why be all matchy-matchy, when you can create your own unique look?

Here I combined two classics from for a fun nod to patriotic décor  using coordinating blue stripes and red checks by Solino Home.

The tablecloth in the Capri Stripe pattern, coordinates so well with so many different napkin styles from the Solino Home collection, but especially love it with the bold red check.

Texture is brought in with raffia placemats and my new napkin rings. This pretty bamboo flatware is my “go-to” for so many of my tablescapes. It adds an elegant but casual note to any table.

Yummy croissants and ripe, red strawberries are welcome addition to this table and make it an official "brunch" setting!

Singular Shasta Daisies stand watch over the center of the table in individual vintage glass bottles.

 

What better reason than the 4th of July to go all out with the red, white and blue décor? I get so inspired just by the stars and stripes flying proudly on so many beautiful homes in our neighborhood.

 

Remember to "Making it nice" for Independence Day! It's so fun to pull out the red, white, and navy and set a beautiful table or two for this long holiday weekend.

Shopping info:

Capri Stripe Tablecloth

Red Check Napkins

Raffia Placemats

White Farmhouse Plates

Rattan Napkin Rings

Bamboo Flatware

 

One tip is to start with an inspiration piece and then lay the foundation with a pretty runner or tablecloth. It’s as easy as pie! And speaking of pie, I’m off to make our favorite Apple Crumble pie.

 

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.