Decorating Inspiration

I believe that rugs are the soul of a room, especially wool rugs. I have spent time with Tibetan refugees who escaped persecution over the mountains into Nepal. These wonderful people make their living hand weaving the most incredible rugs. Sitting together, singing ancient songs that move their hands and hearts to tell the most magnificent stories of color that you can imagine. I am lucky enough to have hand carried some of these rugs and weavings home as a constant reminder of the gentle souls of the weavers and their incredible craft.

If you can afford it, wool rugs are a good investment from their durability to their ease of cleaning. So often in my world of decorating, they provide inspiration for a room’s complete look. I work within a range of natural color drawing out and duplicating patterns and motifs that might be found within the rug. I totally love the pops of hidden color that so many tribal motif rugs are known for.

We are lucky today to have so many good resources for factory made knock offs of these cherished originals. As it is not easy to furnish a home all at once and we have to make our homes attractive on the budgets that we have. For a lot of look, for a whole lot less, try mixing natural sisal rugs among your heavier wools. They compliment each other well, as there is a consistency in their natural fiber and natural color. The bindings of these natural rugs provide a wonderful way to add a border, or pop of color to brighten the room.

Watch The NBC Ten Wedding Giveaway February 13Th at 11:00 a.m.

I love an inside peek into the world of TV, who doesn't right ? It was no surprise that I jumped to work with Providence affiliate NBC Ten's "Wedding Give Away". I was part of an exclusive list of vendors who came together to give one lucky couple the wedding of their dreams. The handsome couple were married on January 16Th at The Crowne Plaza in Warwick, Rhode Island. Along with a slew of amazing vendors, my crew and I had a great time working on this television project. Look for the airing of this show on February 13Th, 2009 at eleven in the morning on WJAR Channel Ten.

CMP Goes Hollywood

I am so psyched to have been chosen as the Wedding Stylist on a national reality show being produced by the The CW Network. I thought seeing the America's Next Top Model girls and both Ms. Jay's by the pool at Caesar's Palace was a thrill. This certainly tops that. While I would love to go to Hollywood to film, it is exciting to have Hollywood building a presence in our own back yards here in Massachusetts.

While I can't reveal the details behind the show, I can give you an inside peek as to what the wedding will look like. We will be filming at the famed Fairmont Copley Hotel in the Back Bay of Boston. What an amazing hotel. I love the history, the grandeur and all of the gorgeous chandeliers. My favorite part of the hotel is the gorgeous pooch in the front lobby. Catie Copley, a gorgeous lab with a stunning fur coat that greets each and every guest with a smile. Maybe she can be the flower girl? Love it.

You won't believe what this costs

I was asked this week to submit ideas to Boston Bride Magazine for the cheapest, best looking table top ideas, that can be made at home.

Being an yankee at heart, I was thrilled at the chance to make cheap, chic.

First I hit Building 19 and found a ton of glass containers that I thought would make great candle holders. I gathered the glass containers in varying sizes to form a nice cluster. I love the basket weave of the smaller votive holder. Very Nantucket Basket. I used scaps of ribbon and shells that I gathered on the beach to dress up the taller pillar candle holder. I then took the rest of the shells and gathered them around the base of the cluster. Alone, I think that it looks really great and the price can't be beat. The candles and glassware cost $8.00. The cluster on a cocktail table alone at a seaside wedding would be so sweet.

I used the cluster of candles and shells along with a floral arrangement for a guest table arrangment. I simply arranged the flowers that I picked up at the local Stop and Shop with a bit of greenery in a vase that I picked up at the Christmas Tree Shop. Total cost $9.25. It is hard to believe that a $8.00 cocktail table arrangement and $17.25 per guest table could look so good.

Save the Date for Chatham Bars Inn

The new year brings so many creative projects for me to think about. I am so flattered to be hired by a bride and her family as their wedding designer and planner for a gorgeous wedding at The Chatham Bars Inn. I am busy working on the flowers and decor and some of the designs for the print material.

I just finished the proof of the save the date using an original sketch that the bride commissioned me to draw. We decided that it would be a great way to pull in an elegant, romantic seaside touch. I love it and I am thrilled to hear that the family loves it as well. Now to send the proof off to the printers. I can hardly wait to see and touch them.

Happy New Year

With 2009 here, I have an excitement that I have not had in a long time. Last year had so much for us to digest, that is just has to get better this year.....right? I know that I have had my nose to the grindstone as of late and I am excited to show you what I have been working on. 2009 will bring so many changes to my company. A new address for my offices, a new website, and a move north into the Boston markets for the many services that I offer as a company.

I am excited to cheer in the New Year and send my wishes to all of you for a safe, happy, healthy and prosperous 2009.