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

I have created a couple of spellbooks for Halloween this year

How creepy and fun!  More to come!

A great new furniture/product line was launched last night at Inside/Out Furniture in Scottsdale.  Larry Lake, a fabulous interior designer, has started a new venture as a product designer.  While it is a little hard to see in this picture, this contemporary chair has a completely suspended seat that looks sleek and modern.

The frames come in a variety of beautiful colors.  The fabric choices are nearly endless.

In addition, Larry has also developed a line of rugs and accessories.   These furnishings and products are only available through your interior designer.  If you don’t have a designer, feel free to contact me!  You will be seeing more of Larry’s beautiful furnishings in upcoming publications.

Scheduled to open in Phoenix in 2010, Ryan House is a nonprofit children’s palliative care home.  This special place has captured the hearts of Phoenicians, and there are numerous individuals and organizations coming together to raise funds, donate time and services, and generally make this beautiful home happen.   I am proud to be participating in a great upcoming fundraising event for Ryan House to be held November 14, 2009.

Ryan House, designed and planned by Orcutt Winslow Architecture

Here is the fun part:  International Furnishings & Design Association (IFDA), Arizona chapter,  is hosting a party to raise funds for Ryan House.  This just isn’t any party…as an IFDA member, I am privy to some behind-the-door details, and this is going to be a spectacular event!  Tableau features fantasy tables created by some of the Valley’s best designers.  This event is open to the public during the day of Nov. 14th.  By evening, attendees get to dine at these beautiful tables, participate in a fun evening of Monte Carlo style gambling with lots of prizes and raffles.  Remember, all the proceeds go to Ryan House–this is a don’t miss fall event!

Here are a couple of pix from last year’s event:

“Let Them Eat Cake” by Celia Schauble and Linda Tully of Custom Coverings

“Dinner at Versailles” by Karen Wirrig of Karen Cole Designs

Again, go to www.ifdatableau.com if you would like to design a table yourself, to attend this event, or just to donate.