Category Archives: belle maison

another fab book find…a must-have friday friend-1-1

23 Friday Jan 2015

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We have shared (belles are notoriously good at this) over the last few months several books that are beautiful both inside and out. Well, we’ve discovered yet another…eureka!!!!

We practically fell out when we happened upon this latest treasure. Another Jan Showers hit (see a previous post here), Glamourous Retreats is beautiful, attainable, and full of inspiration…

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That’s the cake, now for the icing….

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Woven raffia!!!  My stars, shut the front door, and we’ll be a monkey’s uncle! We would have done a backflip right then and there if only we were limber enough!

Another terrifically decorative addition to punch up bookshelves, enhance a coffee table, or perk up a side table.

Belles are bookworms…just sayin’

a&a

one of a kindness…belles are glassy-eyed over these babies

22 Thursday Jan 2015

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Over the holidays in San Francisco, a belle was sashaying down the street doing some window shopping (belles are professionals at window shopping) when a storefront positively stopped her in her tracks…glassybaby.

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This belle just had to venture inside!!

The colors were mesmerizing…a color for every occasion, relationship or mood. When lit with a candle, they become even more beautiful…if that’s even possible! Here are some of our faves…for obvious reasons…

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BFF…if the color doesn’t get ya, then surely the name will…and 10% of the proceeds go to Sloane Kettering for cancer research.

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Princess…well this should require no explanation but we love their definition…”true, she gets to enjoy magic carpet rides and royal dances, but sometimes she must grow her hair three stories long, bite a poisoned apple or kiss a frog. We define a princess as one who can pass through great trials to find love.” We couldn’t have said it better!

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Wingman…because every belle could use a good wingman now and then…and more importantly, every belle can be great wingman…all you gotta do is call.

The best part about glassybaby…beyond the beauty of their wares…is the beauty they pay forward by donating and partnering with multiple charities. Each piece purchased provides monies to countless needy charities. Don’t you want to start collecting them all?

They can also be used as small vases …

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Swooning!!

And now they even make drinking glasses…the proceeds of which go to support veterans affairs, helping veterans in need all year round.  This is a new belle collection in the making we don’t mind telling you…given that we’ve begun a new little endeavor (see “Two Drink Minimum”), we couldn’t help but fall for these as possible starter sets…

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Splash….when just a splash (or two) will do

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Happy Hour….enough said…

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Last Call…’cause all good things must come to an end….so you can start again!!!

A mighty incredible way to give to yourself, to loved ones, and to those in need…all in one fell-swoop, wouldn’t you agree? Multitasking at its finest!

So belles, time to get your glow on…inside and out…

a&a

a belle-worthy book for the holidays….or anytime really…your friday friend-1-1

12 Friday Dec 2014

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EAT DRINK NAP…about the only other words we love more are shopping and shoes, but we can dream about those while we’re napping!

Belles, this one has it all: catchy title, looks, recipes, decorating, entertaining and pampering…what more could a girl ask for in a book?!?!

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Perfection from cover to cover! Available here.

We’re thinkin’ we might want to belong to Soho House…don’t y’all? In the meantime, eat, drink, nap and enjoy !!

a&a

book it, belle…brilliant accessories for the home

23 Thursday Oct 2014

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Feel free to get out the fireworks and celebrate. We belles have come across two incredible design books that are as inspiring on the outside as they are on the inside…the total package, if you will.

Now, we have gone over decorating with books in the recent past. In case you have forgotten or would like a lil’ refresher, find examples here…and here (notice the books on the “dining/library” tables).

With these ideas in mind…just imagine adding these recent finds to the mix. First up…

Markham Roberts The Way I See It

This book is insightful, delectable and worthy of being in any belle’s home. You will find so many beautiful rooms and vignettes inside that your heart will just soar.

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But wait! Here’s the knock-your-socks-off part! If you happen to slip the cover off, just look what you get…voila!!

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We know!! Can you believe the gorgeous-ness?? Swoon worthy!!

Once you’ve collected yourself and caught your breath, we have another gasp-for-air option for your collection…

Glamorous Rooms by Jan Showers

A classic, clean, beautiful book of gorgeous, livable spaces….

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And this cover is no less heart thumping!!

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Couldn’t you just squeal with delight? We aren’t ashamed to say we did!

The two little beauties together…

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We might have mentioned before…we are sorta into “collecting”…and love the idea of finding more books as divine as these…so please share if you have made any of your own happy, book-ish discoveries!

Accessorizing…in all different ways…is very important, belles…and these are perfect examples of how to get your style on in your own belle maison!!

a&a

freshen that air, belles…a super-scented friday friend-1-1

17 Friday Oct 2014

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Now here is something that will ring your belle!  We all love a beautiful scent…not over-powering, fresh, clean, pretty.  And when we can have this in a home air-freshener, and it doesn’t plug in or twist up, how exciting!  Well…we have found it!

Agraria, out of San Francisco, makes these gorgeous tassels that are treated with the most beautiful scents.  Hang one in your closet, the coat closet, the powder room…wherever you would like to infuse a waft of fresh air.  And, by the way, they make a great gift!

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Order online from Agraria or “smell-n-buy” at Neiman Marcus.

Scents include Lime & Orange (pictured), Meditteranian Jasmine, Lemon Verbena, Cassis, Balsam, Bitter Orange, Lavender & Rosemary, Cedar Rose, and Golden Pomegranate.  Now don’t they all sound absolutely delicious!!

ring-a-ling!

a&a

towels from ikea…a belle-worthy friday friend-1-1

26 Friday Sep 2014

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Might come as a surprise, but belles don’t always prefer puff and fluff. Take, for instance, bath towels. Now, mind you, we love soft, fluffy blankets and such, but when it comes to the everyday bath towel, we prefer function to fluff (who really needs a towel that is too large and fluffy to wrap around the freshly-showered body??…not these belles!)

We have found an excellent option in a quite unexpected place…IKEA!!

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These towels are not too large…not too small…not too thick…not too thin…JUST RIGHT!

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And MAJOR bonus…they have this handy loop making them just right for hanging to dry (they have beach/pool towels too…yay!!)

Although IKEA doesn’t sell the towels online, you can check out the options here. Take a look at the FÄRGLAV and the HÄREN…then use this as an excuse to spend the day browsing through the Swedish wonderland in person…a novel concept!!

a&a

switch it up belles…living room/dining room flip-flops that really work DO PHOTOS!!!!

25 Thursday Sep 2014

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We belles both live in homes with some age on them…in fact, we only hope we can last as long as they already have…pushing 90 years! Now, although a home with some “character” makes us both quite happy – and never at a loss for a “project” (upgraded plumbing…and while we’re at it, honey, how about we just re-do all the bathrooms), we find that we have to be creative when it comes to making an “antique home” more functional for 21st-century living.

Take, for instance, our formal living rooms and dining rooms. While we belles simply adore a formal dinner party with all the fixins’, we find that our entertaining of late tends to fit in the more laid-back realm. So…we started to re-think the placement and use of our formal dining rooms by doing some flip-flopping (to brilliant effect, if we must say so ourselves!). Our old dining rooms are now our living rooms…and vice-versa (kind of), and we are loving it!!  Here are the results:

Belle Maison no. 1…

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Here, the dining table (styled as a library table) has been placed in the former living room. With ample seating remaining in the room, this is a welcoming area for family and guests alike…

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The view from the banquette side of the room. Notice that there is plenty of room to slide the leaves back into the table for the next formal dinner

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This room (the former dining room) now “catches” guests as they amble from the kitchen (through that door) to the outdoor entertaining area to the right…

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Notice the outdoor entertaining area just out of the French doors (this is the view from the new library/dining room).  Working brilliantly so far!

Belle maison no. 2…

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This is the former dining room.  The kitchen is to the left…outdoor entertaining area is through the French doors.  Guests congregate here now that the switch has been made…not so much when it was a dining room (just sayin’)

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This is the other side of the room, with the new, re-styled dining room through the opening…

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Again, this dining table has been styled with more of a library feel…

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with seating around the fire.  (junior belle is loving this room for homework!!  Bonus!!)

Again…keep in mind…we’ve left plenty of room to have leaves put back into the tables. With just a couple of minor adjustments, the rooms are ready for a formal dinner party in a snap!

This is the same view with the room set for a large dinner (16 guests last night!):

tables all set…..

So…after we played around with our own rooms, we had a couple of belle-friends begging for an overhaul themselves. We were more than happy to oblige and got straight to work…there’s no time like the present! (and if we had allowed them to over-think it, they might have chickened out…no fun!)

Belle Maison no. 3…

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This delightful space used to be the formal dining room in this belle’s house.  Although it seemed logical to have it located just off the kitchen, it actually created a bottle-neck for guests trying to navigate from the kitchen to a bar area located just to the right.

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Here, you see the kitchen door (to the right) and the bar area straight ahead.  By moving the dining table into the former living room, guests can now move about freely while visiting before dinner (and the hostess only has a few extra steps in order to reach the dining area…totally worth it!)

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…and the dining table is now in a more “roomy” room…perfect for this particular belle-hostess who loves a large, seated dinner party

Belle Maison no. 4…
(Some cool before and after photos)

Living/sitting room adjacent to the kitchen/bar…check.

Making use of the dining table while enjoying the fire…check.

Ability to throw a formal, seated shindig in a snap…check.

Now, we belles call that a smashin’ success!!

The men-folk are talking about our shenanigans behind our backs…but we know they secretly like the new digs. A little change adds some spice to the home life, just sayin’. So…grab a (strong) friend and switch it up, belles!!

a&a

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belles are bookish… bookshelf stylin’

21 Thursday Aug 2014

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Bookshelves are an art form really…an opportunity to let your creative juices flow, display your taste in literature and your particular collections; but they can be a task so overwhelming that you are paralyzed into ignoring them or you pull a Scarlett…”after all, tomorrow is another day”.

We are here to tell you it is time to face your fears, harness your hesitation and jump right into the deep end! Come on in….the water’s fine! Once you get started, it can be very therapeutic and ultimately gratifying.

We thought we’d give y’all a little inspiration from some belle homes in our neck of the woods.

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The above photo shows a bookcase that is in a bedroom. Notice the use of all white books to keep everything serene, family photos lend personality and small collections add warmth. By stacking books and layering the objects and pictures, you add interest. Having things that mean something to you is a great way to fill those bookshelves that are in the more private areas of your home.

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Above are living room bookshelves. Again, mixing objects, collections and artwork in with the books adds character. We love the idea of adding small paintings and framed pieces into your bookshelf, it has a way of drawing you in…beckoning you to take a closer look. The red in the books is balanced on various shelves . Laying the books on their side is a great way of using them as platforms to display. The mercury glass adds a nice contrast to the leather of books…a little play with texture…shiny and reflective vs. matte and rich. Also notice that you can see the way the collection of horse artifacts runs throughout the shelves.

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And books don’t have to be the main attraction as only a few are used in this photo. The focus is really on the collections. They even have a way of distracting from the fact that there is an ancient, no longer used stereo that has yet to be removed…just throwing that subtle hint out there, dear belle…you know who you are!!!

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A collection of sliver stirrup cups and jiggers makes a beautiful display and the gathering of pitchers might remind you to use them for drinks or flowers instead of having them hidden away in some storage cabinet. So pull out those pieces you have tucked away and enjoy them…for their beauty and their usefulness.

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Open bookshelves in a kitchen don’t have to be boring…forget about the expected cookbooks. Why not display your prettier china? What’s the point of having it if you don’t use it, right?

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We belles are big fans of neutrals, but what we love most of all is accessorizing with color. We follow this formula when we dress and when we decorate. Adding this pop of green to the kitchen sure cheers up the joint and is still crisp and clean. This collection of majolica, and lettuce wear brightens up the kitchen and your day.

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A whole wall of bookcases can be really intimidating, and this set of bookshelves was, admittedly, daunting. But using the same devil-may-care attitude and just remembering to balance color, books, pictures and objects, it just becomes like the collages we all did in grade school. In this instance, taking one shelf at a time helped. We think it turned out pretty well and creates an element of warmth and character to the den.

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This last photo is another bedroom bookshelf. The majority of the books are fashion or home decor books. The pink majolica softens the hard line of the shelves and the books. Again, an effort was made to keep the effect calm and serene. After all, your bedroom should be an oasis. But y’all knew that already….

Anyway, we hope that these photos and ideas get you motivated to give your bookshelves a shot. Please don’t keep “shelving” the task for later. Give it a go. And if you have any tips or tricks of your own, please share.

We belle-ieve you can do it!!

a &ya

bringin’ the outdoors in…fabric smarts

17 Thursday Jul 2014

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Time for a reality check…we all have creatures creating messes in our humble abodes….dogs, husbands, cats, husbands, children, husbands, clumsy guests, husbands. (Did we mention husbands???) Although we belles strive to keep a fairly neat and tidy home, despite our best efforts, accidents and spills happen…usually on the most expensive fabric we own. Well, belles to the rescue!!!

Recently, one of us was forced out of her home and into a rental for 9 very long months. (Someday we may bore you with the saga if you show interest). Among the many tasks involved in getting the old homestead back in working order were repairing, replacing and recovering a substantial number of pieces of furniture. One such piece was the living room sofa.

This belle’s house contains two dogs, two daughters, and one spill-prone husband. So with a mandatory change on the forefront, we decided to make practical, yet belle-worthy choices.

This is where the idea of using high-end outdoor fabric came in…durable, stain resistant, and surprisingly luxurious, it just seemed to make sense. And although some of our suggestions might be a bit more expensive than other options, it is totally worth it knowing that a temper tantrum won’t ensue the moment a dog hops on the sofa, a child decides to eat Cheetos in the living room sans napkin, or the husband tells his best knee-slapper while serving red wine to guests who talk with their hands!!!

With outdoor fabric, cleaning is a piece of cake: mild detergent, club soda, or our particular fave, hydrogen peroxide, will remove most stains, spots and spills with ease.

Enter Perrennials…our favorite upscale outdoor fabric line. The website is open to the public and one can even order samples to decide which styles and colors suit your decor best. Once you know what you want, you will need a decorator to order. But…since you will have already made your choice(s), it should be a minimal cost outlay.

They have a terrific array of colors and fabrics…including velvet!!!

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And pattern galore:

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And what belle doesn’t like a little accessorizing??? They have trimmings aplenty:

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So our first step into the perennials pool was both timid and daring at the same time. We wanted to keep it neutral (timid) in pattern so that we could add or change color when the mood arose. We picked a velvet because it is in the living room after all. And we picked white (daring) to lighten up the joint and because we wanted white…so there.

We chose “Between The Lines”…an elegant classic velvet which will stand the test of time and taste.

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In the color way Blanca

Divine isn’t it?? Couldn’t you just eat it with a spoon?!? So far we are loving our foray into the Perrennials ocean of fabulous options.

Here is how it all turned out…several months in mind you….

First, a close up:

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Gorgeous and still holding up like a champ!!

And now the panoramic view:

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And there you have it!! So far we are most pleased. It has more than met our expectations. We know it will meet yours as well! One more peek just because we can…

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Cheers!!
a&a

let’s be clear…ways to lighten up our home décor

12 Thursday Jun 2014

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We are partial to acrylic furniture and both of us have a piece or two in our homes. They are great to float anywhere, create surface area, and avoid the crowding effect. A great way to add without adding clutter.

Here are some of our favorites…

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Crisp, clean…and clear!

One source we have found for stylish, sensibly-priced lucite pieces is Wisteria. We have been stalking them for some time now…as belles occasionally do. They are a purveyor of stylish, on-trend home furnishings and decor…and we love their home styling…makes us want to purchase absolutely everything!!

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So…while doing some Wisteria “stalking” recently, we found these acrylic wall brackets and just had to share! Great for any decor…modern, traditional, beachy, country, eclectic…whatever your home’s mood, a pair of these can only amp up the style.

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The perfect way to display a pair of urns, porcelain, coral, artwork, silver or whatever your lil’ heart desires.

Right now Wisteria is having a sale. $50.00 off a purchase of $200.00

These brackets are priced at $129.00 each so may we strongly suggest you invest in a pair. Otherwise, you’ll regret it and we will have to say we told you so.  Snap ’em up, belles!

a&a