a little getaway...

Everyone needs a little getaway now and then! More on this locale in a few days… 

ciao! fabiana

kitchens with character

What adds character to a kitchen and personalizes the space most? Well, I think it’s having a few elements that are perfectly imperfect! A rustic wood floor, an unfinished ceiling, 

whimsical lights, mismatched chairs, flowers from the garden, the possibilities are endless! There are so many ways to personalize your kitchen and add character. What's your favorite way?

This kitchen stopped me in my tracks! Amazing barn doors on the pantry and a colorful rug are the first things I notice about this fabulous kitchen. 

Using a variety of textures is a sure way to add layers to your design and create a live-in look. 

Just imagine if this beautiful brick wall was not here. This kitchen would be quite bland. And YES to that lovely light fixture and lucite bar stools!

A small all-white beach house kitchen gets a burst of fun by bringing in patterned cement tiles on the floor and shelf brackets that echo the swirly floor pattern.

Chairs are an excellent way to bring character into a space. Remember to contrast styles and textures. Mix, match and experiment. xoxo 

ciao! fabiana

photo credits:

House & Home

Leeann Thornton

Traditional Home

Orange Coast Magazine

House Beautiful

the alfresco life

Wow! We’ve had a few days of stormy weather, but today, the sun’s out, and I’m looking forward to the warm spring months ahead. I’m starting to plan for an outdoor dinner party or two, and here’s a little Sunday inspiration...

Alfresco dining under a shady tree is the ultimate way to connect with nature and enjoy a lovely meal with family and friends. 

Pick a sheltered spot. Think of this space as an outdoor dining room. Comfortable chairs and a rustic wood table are the perfect starting point in setting a glorious alfresco table. 

For me, comfort is the operative word. I want to spend quality time in the backyard while entertaining, so having few throw pillows and an umbrella is always useful. 

I can save myself return trips back to the kitchen by staging a pretty supply table filled with extra water, beverages, napkins, and condiments. And, I'll have a few little throw blankets on hand, in case guests get chilly.  

String lights, lanterns and candles are perfect to transition afternooon into evening. 

Dockside dining is so luxurious and relaxing!

If you’re fortunate enough to have a rooftop deck, take advantage of the situation and invite your friends to share the views!  

Or, save yourself the fuss, and stop in at one of your favorite outdoor cafés. The Ivy is everyone’s favorite choice in Los Angeles! 

I invite you to stop by my new Ciao Tablescapes page. It’s a collection of my favorite tablescapes that I’ve created since starting my blog in 2011. I'll be constantly updating this page with new favorites, so check back often!

If there are any holidays or themes you’d like to see, leave me a comment! You can find the tab at the top of my page or simply click here.

ciao! fabiana

💕

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”.

photo credit: Veranda, Flower Wild, My Inner Landscape, SB Digs, On Love Street, 
Midwest Living, Deer Pearl Flowers, The Ivy Restaurants, Merriam-Webster

the brontë sisters and the durrells

Juliet, this one’s for you! If you miss Downton Abbey, you may like this news. There’s now a new two–hour Masterpiece movie about the Brontë sisters, called To Walk Invisible, set to air in March on PBS. 

Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë were sisters and writers whose novels have become classics, most notably Charlotte's Jane Eyre and Emily's Wuthering Heights. Charlotte’s letters fill in details for this story, which follows the sisters during a three-year period. 

During that time, they rise from ordinary, unmarried women to the secret authors of the world’s most sensational literature. In the meantime, here's a preview:

Another show to watch for right now on PBS is The Durrells on Corfu. Based on the true-life stories of author and naturalist Gerald Durrell, it recounts his life with his widowed mother and three older siblings, after they abruptly leave England to live on the Greek Island of Corfu. 

Based on their real lives, this slightly eccentric family learns to adapt to living on Corfu during the 1930’s as World War II approaches the rest of the continent. The scenery is amazing and it provides the ultimate escapism for us watching from home!   

And here’s a preview of The Durrells in Corfu: 

                                            

ciao! fabiana

the flower chef

My go-to book for arranging flowers is always Carly Cylinder’s “The Flower Chef”. Carly’s easy to use book offers step-by-step instructions and gorgeous photos that make it easy for any beginner like me!

In the book, Carly shows us how to create a variety of arrangements in a “recipe” format. She’ll tell you how many flowers and supplies you’ll need and then offer easy instructions to replicate her gorgeous designs.

This is one of my favorite looks!

Carly is so creative! You can even watch her fun Flower Chef videos on You Tube.

She makes any party look amazing!

P.S. This book makes a GREAT gift too!

I invite you to stop by my new Ciao Tablescapes page. It’s a collection of my favorite tablescapes that I’ve created since starting my blog in 2011. 

I'll be constantly updating this page with new favorites, so check back often! If there are any holidays or themes you’d like to see, leave me a comment! 

You can find the tab at the top of my page or simply click here.

ciao! fabiana

💕

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”.

downton and disneyland

Two of my favorite worlds collided last weekend when Downton Abbey darlings, Michelle Dockery and Laura Carmichael popped in to Disneyland. Here they are posing with Goofy. 

Oh boy, how I wish I could have run into them that day!

It looks like cute Michelle wore her Mickey ears all day long! Here she is enjoying a snack with actor Michael Fox. Do you remember him as Andrew the footman on Downton?

Well, he and Laura Carmichael aka Lady Edith have been dating for a while now. How sweet!  

Cheers!

ciao! fabiana

joanna gaines entertains

Joanna Gaines, the "Queen Bee" of HGTV, knows how to set a table for her friends! She starts with a eucalyptus and herb runner down the center of her table and also embellishes her chandelier the same way. 

Soft peach colored cabbage roses and ranunculus are then added to the table.

Tall brass candlesticks provide plenty of ambiance  and drinks are served in stylish mason jars. 

Each place setting is anchored by a rustic wooden bread board, and an elegant white napkin. 

  

Isn't it charming how each guest gets their own set of gourmet condiments to add to the lunch baguette? Such a sweet little gathering! Joanna, how do you do it? 

Isn’t this the cutest paper doll showing some of Joanna’s favorite fashion choices? Seen in Country Living magazine.

ciao! fabiana

💕

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”.

Shop for MAGNOLIA books here: