To Do: Alley's House 9th Annual Art Auction

There is only one thing better than buying art, and that's buying art for a great cause. Fortunately for you, tomorrow you can do just that by heading down to the Gallery at Midtown. Proceeds will benefit alley's house, which you know as a nonprofit near and dear to our hearts. alley's house empowers teen mothers and their children by supporting them as they achieve financial and education independence. The live auction this year will feature many Texas artists, including two live art paintings. For me details on the event and featured artists, please visit alley's house blog here.

 

Toast: Happy Weekend

Isn't there something about this image that just evokes fun? Who is she celebrating with - friends, family, a significant other? The best images offer more to the imagination. So here's a toast to the weekend and a new month (where did January go?); may what's beyond the door be the best yet.

billet-doux: place settings

Oh, how we love a beautiful place setting. Having a gorgeous an inspiring pattern makes it easy to change the look seasonally by incorporating different chargers and accent pieces. When we look for patterns for home, we often think of their ability to transform with different layers as well as stand the test of time in their design and durability. That's why we are so excited about the Scalamandré for Lenox patterns and Oscar de la Renta's tropical inspired line. (We wrote about the Scalamandré Zebra pattern here.) These look like the perfect additions to your personal collection, and they would be easy to change up throughout the years. 

 Top: Our favorite from the Lenox collaboration is the Bouvier pattern, based on the Scalamandré Tuileries silk print Jackie O used in her NYC bedroom - very chic. 
Middle: The  best-selling Love Birds (left), a perennially fresh pattern of one the earliest and most beloved Scalamandré patterns, and (right) Toile Tale,  an enchanting Chinoisierie pattern of beautiful flowers.
Bottom: Oscar de la Renta knows the beauty of tradition, as well as life in the tropics. This blue + white line of hand-painted stoneware is based on his beloved Punta Cana lifestyle - something we'd love to incorporate in our lives and our home. Plus, think of how cute they would look with Rattan chargers or dressed up with Barcelona Silver. 

If You're thinking about zebra print

Scalamandré is known for quality designer fabrics; you probably are aware of their cult classsic pattern, "The Zebras," from its appearance on wallpaper in nearly every interior design blog and shelter magazine. Now this cool design is coming to tabletops with their fine china partnership with Lenox. How cool is that? We can't wait to get it for our own tabletops, as it is a look we have gone for again and again with clients. The biggest thing to remember with such a strong print or pattern is not to be afraid of it. Go ahead; get wild!

All the cool kids channel Margo from The Royal Tenenbaums. Left: A frame from the film. Right: The Zebra Pattern by Scalamandré for Lenox.

Left: The pattern on wallpaper for ELLE DECOR | Right: Image via THE NEW YORK TIMES

We'd pair the collection with rattan chargers and dark linens for an exotic theme and Barcelona Silver and Gold China for a more regal look. If you don't have the Zebra china collection, use a pattern linen and keep the tabletop simple with deep colors for a dramatic look. The Dallas Opera accomplished this perfectly with the 2012 la Traviata Onstage Dinner.

Add a little zebra print to your tabletop. | 2012 TO DO ONSTAGE DINNER, la Traviata

 

RENTALS: Black Chiavari with black cushion / Cut Crystal Glass Chargers / Silverbead Flatware / Silhouette Stemware 
Planning + Design, MORGAN VAUGHN | Linens, BBJ | Rentals, P.O.S.H. | Florals, DR DELPHINIUM | Photography, LYNN MICHELLE PHOTOGRAPHY

Tabletop Tuesday: Chevron Chic

Our dear friend Bartus put together an inspired tabletop featuring one of our favorite prints - chevron. By supplementing his own collections with couture accent pieces, he designed a chic tablescape perfect for any festive soiree. We will have more to share from Bartus in the coming weeks, but this is a great introduction to his creativity. 

Rentals: Gold Florentine Charger , Gold Lace Stemware / Mixed with Bartus' own china collections.

Gold Chiavari with Black and White Striped Cushion / Bartus added the chevron print with accent napkins.

 

Chevron print - a favorite of ours.

Bartus Taylor

Creative Director / Event Designer

Buzz Event Planning & Design

718.954.2368

Posh Pairings: Accent Goblets

With last week being focus on square china, we thought we'd show you how take your plain white china to a P.O.S.H. place setting with unique accent goblets that show your savvy style whatever your budget.

Get the look with P.O.S.H.
Earth Angel: Pair a natural tabletop of succulents and wooden elements with silver metallic accents. RENTALS: Square White Porcelain China / Silver Rimmed Goblet / Silver Goblet / Silver Compote
Pretty Pastels: Take a creamy palette from boring to pretty with a pop of color and delicate patterns that matches a heavenly floral centerpiece. RENTALS: Light Pink Chloe Goblet with Gold Leaf Glassware.
Golden Grace: Classic blue + white stripes on a gold tabletop call for the Midas touch. RENTALS: Gold Lace Glassware / Gold Square Salad Plate / Gold Lyons Flatware
Rustic Chic: Simplicity must never be mistaken with boring; keep the allure alive with the slightest details. RENTALS: Schott Zwiesel Pure Tritan Glassware / Riedel Glassware / Rattan Square Charger / Simply Platinum China / Silverbead Flatware
Citrus Sights: Shock the senses and excite your guests with a bright palette. RENTALS: Square White Porcelain China / Green Classique Carnival Glassware