Here a couple of examples of Tracy Kendall’s textural wallpaper.  See more at her site, www.tracykendall.com.

Alphabet4 by Tracy Kendall

Cut Curves by Tracy Kendall

Isn’t this the coolest wallpaper?  It is called Silverprint designed by Tracy Kendall, www.tracykendall.com

And the following is dramatic and to the point:

Cutlery by Tracy Kendall

Tracy also designs dimensional wallpaper with sequins, buttons, and layered dimensional papers.  Very cool, but not too practical in the dusty desert of Phoenix…but I love them anyway!

Pantone announced THE color for 2010, and it happens to be my favorite color!  Turquoise!  That beautiful blue-green color, sometimes more blue than green and sometimes more green than blue.  Other names and variations of this color include aqua, aquamarine, ceruluean, pine green, robin egg blue, and teal, to name a few.

Pantone says this about turquoise:  In many cultures, Turquoise is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that to many people, Turquoise represents an escape, taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting – even if it is only a fantasy.

Locally, our fabulous candy store here in Phoenix was right on track:  Fun vibrant turquoise and red along with delicious candy–what else could anyone want?  Get to Smeeks as soon as possible for your sugar/chocolate fix!

I love Harlequin, a fabulous company in the UK with colors and textures in fabrics, wallpapers, etc to die for.  They were already in on this color (I posted about them early last year).  Here are some wonderful interiors by Harlequin:

Two wonderful variations on Turquoise

Don’t you love turquoise with vibrant yellows and that wonderful hot red-pink?  Turquoise and lime, turquoise and plum, turquoise and chocolate–it really is a versatile color that easily assimilates.

And speaking of that hot red-pink color–I have noticed it coming on strong everywhere.  I agree with Pantone that turquoise is both soothing and happy and certainly welcomed after 2009!

All this talk about tablescapes…how are you decorating your Thanksgiving table?  I personally think that the food is beautiful enough.   I always try to create the feel of abundance which can be done simply by overflowing small dishes with fruits, nuts, and including candles.    I like this simple idea of place cards from Martha Stewart:

Maybe you’re having a small gathering and don’t feel you need place cards, but rethink that–everyone loves discovering their names, especially children.

It’s also fun to print off pictures of the guests and use that as a place card–the guest finds his/her picture to determine where they’re sitting.  This can create discussion about the event where the picture was taken and often laughter.

Another conversation starter is to place a penny at each place setting.  Each person then reads the year of the penny and must tell something they were thankful for that particular year.

Fill your table with your all your favorites–from your favorite linens to favorite friends/family and favorite memories–Happy Thanksgiving!

Just a few more examples of beautiful tables designed by Phoenix Metro designers:

Winner "Best Use of Color" by Debbie Conforti

Debbie shared with me that much of her table was created with items purchased at Michael’s–the birds that “nest” as napkin rings, for example, came from Michael’s.  It shows that you don’t need to use expensive high-end decor to create a winning table.

I don’t know who designed this gorgeous black and white swan table, but I’ll find out and update you all.                        Very elegant!

"The City of Lights in Blacks and Whites" by Karen Wirrig

Another beautiful black and white table by designer, Karen Wirrig.  The textiles are especially stunning.  Karen designed this custom tablecloth that has the Eiffel Tower radiating out from the center.

The table skirt has the Eiffel Tower alternating with abundant kick pleats.  And the the best part (I think) are the chair covers.  Each cover represents a different part of Paris.  Karen had these pictures printed onto fabric which was then sewn into these seat covers by seamstress extraordinaire, Linda Tully, owner of Custom Coverings.  Linda’s business is not open to the public, but if you ever need special custom work, I would be happy to represent you to Linda.

Birds and pears were both very popular at this year’s Tableau and this table has both.  Porcelain pheasants encircle the centerpiece–I love that this designer juxtaposed sparkle and flat throughout her table–a soft natural gourd centerpiece with pheasant feathers playing off of the shine of the glasses and pheasants.   This is repeated with the pears nestled in the gold holders–beautiful.

I love the playfulness of this table.  Very much a garden party for this stylish rabbit.

To see more pictures of this wonderful event, go to Blacktie-Arizona and click on the IFDA-AZ-Tableau photos.

And even more pictures at Arizona Foothills Magazine (a sponsor of this event).

The third annual Tableau event (fundraiser for Ryan House–see previous posts for info) was held on Saturday, November 14, and was lavish, over-the-top fun and beauty!  This event showcases top Valley designers and their beautiful tablescapes.  In addition was a wonderful vintage fashion show by Robert Black/Ford Agency, wonderful raffle prizes, gaming, and more!

Here is the table that won People’s Choice:

"A Rose is a Rose is a Rose" by Karen Egan

Fun jesters put smiles on everyone’s faces:

Sue Ellen Barnes and Amanda Hamlin

I was privy  to the table setups the night before:

Setting the table for “Crystal Elegance” by Julie Heiland and David Kraze

“Crystal Elegance” won Best Hollywood Glam

More pictures to come!

Aren’t holidays all about friends, family and of course, food?  And the icing on the cake is the table where everyone joins around.  It really is a gift to the guests to set a beautiful table.  You can get some wonderful ideas for setting a gracious table from this weekend’s event, Tableau, held at Scottsdale Plaza Resort on Saturday, November 14, 2009.  Here is an example:

Designed by Karen Wirrig

Karen Wirrig, along with about 20 other designers, will be designing tables again this year–a fabulous event that has the added bonus of benefiting Ryan House.   If you want to attend, contact me for tickets.

Additionally, Rustic Stuff in Scottsdale has the most lavish, over-the-top Christmas in their retail store this year.  It really is enchanted and words fail me to describe it.  Plus, this weekend only, Rustic Stuff is offering 20% off their Christmas trees (which if you have never been there, they’re indescribable–you have to go), ornaments, swags, a phenomenal opportunity to get holiday treasures you will not find anywhere else in the state (and I’m not exaggerating) at discount before Christmas.

The fun begins!

 

Just nine days away, there is still time to attend this wonderful event!  Tableau is held by International Furnishings and Design Association at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort in Scottsdale, AZ.  All proceeds go to support Ryan House (see previous post for more info).   Here is what you get for your support:

Public Preview/Day Event 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 11/14/09:  A chance to view approximately 18 over-the-top, lavish tablescapes by some of the Valley’s best designers!  Do you need ideas for your holiday tables?  Do you want to support a local nonprofit?  Then come on down!  The tables are highly secret and will be a surprise to all.  Only $25 per person with a chance to enter a raffle to win fabulous prizes.  Here is an award-winning example from last year:

Kaleidoscope - Best Use of Color by Adrienne Hart & Maggie Anderson of H2Originals

If  you want even more fun, join the festivities in the evening!  For $150, you will get to view all the tables, dine at one of them, enjoy a fun Monte Carlo night of playing games casino style, and another chance to win great raffle prizes.   Additionally, there will be a Hollywood glam type of fashion show–not kitschy Hollywood,  but really truly glamorous vintage gowns and dresses will be modeled.   Fashion by Robert Black will be presenting this sophisticated fashion show.  Here is a dress from his extensive vintage collection:

Madame Gres White Silk Crepe Dress - circa 1950s

If you want day event tickets, you may contact me directly.  However, the easiest way is to go to IFDA’s dedicated website, www.ifdatableau.com.  Click on the “Attend Tableau” button and it will walk you through the steps to attend either the day event or evening event.

Sponsors of this wonderful event include:  Arizona Foothills Magazine, Sources & Design, Forty, Rustic Stuff,  Repps, Fashion by Robert Black, Ford/Robert Black Agency AZ, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Scott Sandler Photographic, Southern Wine & Spirits of Arizona,  Steinway of Phoenix, Inside/Out, Dunn-Edwards, EuroDream Kitchens, and The Cookson Company.

Be sure to support these wonderful companies!

A local mixed media artist group I participate in created torsos representing different countries where women survive war.  We auctioned off these torsos October 30th at Art on Boston in Chandler, AZ.  We raised almost $1000 for Women for Women International, a group that counsels and trains women survivors of war.

The highlight of the evening was hearing the story of Rose Mapendo, a Congolese survivor who spent 16 months in a death camp.  If you all remember the movie “Hotel Rwanda”, this same genocide moved to the Congo where Rose witnessed the murder of her husband and she and her children were nearly killed, all for being Tutsi.

Rose Mapendo now represents Mapendo International, a group that relocates war refugees.   Currently  living in the greater Phoenix area, Rose’s story was well described in Phoenix Magazine by journalist Joshua Schoonover.  Click here to read Rose’s story.  Rose is a remarkable, kind and gentle woman and I have been blessed to meet her.

I will be getting back to traditional design blogging…”Designing a Mindful Life” is not only about great design, but I believe also about designing an honorable life for yourself.  If you are able to contribute in any way to these organizations that I support, or organizations that touch your own heart, you are designing  your own mindful life that becomes larger than your daily activities.

We always have a lot of fun at Halloween.  Here is a very small sampling:

Interior of Checker Medicar decorated for Halloween

Trick-or-Treaters welcome committee

The girls with their pumpkins:

Kristi

Stephanie

 

Hillary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Halloween pumpkins:

Jonathan's pumpkin

A few of the pumpkins