Knight Moves: 11/10

11/30/2010

Last Day of November

I can't believe that it's almost December! The fall always flies by. I think the season seems short here in Texas because the leaves don't really start changing until Thanksgiving...then it feels premature to put up the Christmas decorations because we were just getting settled into autumn.

So, last week our entry looked like this...

And now it looks like this...

Be sure to notice my super cool Greek key pen...just received it as a gift and I LOVE it!

We stayed in town so I brought out the tree and all of the decorations this past weekend. Since we've only lived in this house over a year, I'm still accumulating holiday decor. Our last house was under 1500 square feet so it only took a few things to fill that space, and they don't go as far here. Our previous living room size is also the reason why our tree is so thin...I'm hoping to get a fatter one next year!

Anyhow, I've been shopping for some new items and I've come across lots of great stuff. I got a few things at Target, Z Gallerie, and West Elm. I also found a fabulous local source for greenery...in case you live in Dallas, it's Mary Cates and Co. in Inwood Village. I got an awesome Magnolia garland (on mantel below) and a really cute wax covered pinecone wreath (shown above).

Here's what I've got going on the in living room so far...I need to start buying and wrapping presents so the the bottom of the tree doesn't look so bare!

I still have more to do...especially in our den, because I've got nothing in there. I really want this retro tinsel tree for that room. I'd also like to get a big wreath to hang over that windowpane mirror in there. We'll see how far my Christmas budget takes me!

Have you started decorating yet?

11/23/2010

Spotted at World Market

I have been on the lookout for a well-priced breakfast table for someone, which led me to the World Market website. I wanted to check out their selection because they have some nice looking, basic pieces of furniture that are actually made of solid wood. I found two really great options....

Agra Pedestal Table - $400

Charlotte Extension Table - $359

I also found lots of other great bargains on the site.

Sophia Chair - $260 for two

Easton Desk - $170

Suzani Rug - $350

Vidrio Glass Table Lamp, Purple - $60

Bamboo Cocktail Collection - $7 for a set of four

I really want to trot over to my local store today and grab a bunch of their table linens...they are pretty and CHEAP. $16 for a set of four placemats and $12 for a set of four napkins!?! I'm all over that!

Autumn Bouquet Textiles

Tree of Life (Brown)

Tree of Life (Green)

Suzani Placemats

Cute stuff, don't you think?

11/19/2010

Rosenwald's Rugs

So, it's hardly been a week since I declared a moratorium on rug talk and I'm already calling it off. I'm back to flat-weave rugs again, but I promise, these are spectacular and certainly worth talking about!

They are designed by Jill Rosenwald, who is a very talented designer and artist. I have one of her ceramic bowls and I love everything on her Etsy shop. She is brilliant with colors and patterns, so it makes perfect sense that she would design gorgeous rugs. For a while now, she has been working with Surya to produce a line of rugs (which are very reasonably priced), and she's continuing to work with them on some new flat-woven designs. She offered a sneak peek of the soon-to-be-released rugs on her blog, In Flagrante. According to her blog, she just got the following images of the rugs from India...

I LOVE this colorway...you can see more on her blog.

This pattern is fabulous, very classic and chic, but still modern. It's the same as the one on the tray below.

Monogram Caviar Tray in Hampton Links Navy

I used this before in a bathroom mood board...I'm pretty obsessed with it.

Also from her Etsy shop, this would make a great gift.

Copper Bowl in Newport Gate Navy

Anyhow, I am really pumped about the new rugs and can't wait for them to come out! I'm thinking one might have to go in my breakfast room.

What do you think of them? If you had to pick a favorite set, would it be from Jill, DwellStudio, or Calypso Home?

11/18/2010

Thanksgiving Tablescape

Where has the time gone...I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week! In honor of the holiday, I pimped my dining room and set up an autumnal tablescape. I planned to do it for the HomeGoods blog, and thought I'd share it here as well. I give a little more information on that post, so be sure to take a look!

The flowers are just cheapo ones I found at the grocery store while buying cold medicine. The colors are great and I think the big centerpiece should look better after a day or two, because the roses haven't opened up yet.

The exercise reminded me that my entertaining arsenal has a few holes in it! On my list: napkin rings, monogrammed chargers, champagne flutes, and a tablecloth that will fit our huge table.

Are you hosting Thanksgiving at your house? What's on your supply list?

11/17/2010

The Talented Ms. Bekman (and Ms. Snow)

Sorry for the delayed post today...this week has been full of work and I've been sick, so my progress is slooow and blogging got moved to the backburner. Hopefully the fog in my head will lift and I'll get to feeling as vibrant as the painting below sometime soon.

Riffing on Louis – Point of Tranquility, 2010 by Jessica Snow

The piece is part of the Multiple Plot Points show on view at the Jen Bekman Gallery. Jen Bekman is the woman behind 20x200, a site dedicated to making art accessible with prices for prints starting at just $20. The above is an acrylic painting available for purchase at the gallery and the below are prints available for purchase at 20x200.

In One Ear, Out the Other by Jessica Snow

Louis the Third by Jessica Snow

Cascade by Jessica Snow

Besides the price, the nice thing about ordering a print is that you can choose the size, options range from 8x10" to 30x40." If framed correctly, they can display as beautifully as an original...the orange piece shown in Eddie Ross' design below is a great example.

via Apartment Therapy

Even if you aren't in love with the artwork shown on this post, be sure to check out the gallery and 20x200. They both offer a broad range of styles and on 20x200, the selection changes every week. The site is very well designed and which makes it easy and fun to stroll through. Play around with the different categories and the color browser. It sorts the pieces by hue which is super helpful if you're hunting for a artwork that must work within a particular color scheme.

11/16/2010

Graphic Image Giveaway Winner!

I am pleased to announce that Mason Talamo is the lucky winner of the Daily Journal + Wrapped Pen combo! The prize is on its way to you as I type this :) Congrats Mason and thanks so much to Graphic Image and to all of you wonderful readers who participated!

Not Quite a Sofa

I'm going to change things up in our living room...more specifically, the area in front of the fireplace needs to be reworked. I'm not happy with it, so I've decided to sell the linen settee and the silk striped chair and start over. The scroll armed chair is going to get reupholstered and the rest is to be determined. Obviously, I'll want at least one other seating piece and I don't want a sofa since there are already two in the same room. So, a chaise lounge or an oversized bench might work.

I've been on the prowl for just the right piece for many moons and there are plenty of options. After seeing the below conversation sofa from the J. Crew Collection store last year, I'm pretty obsessed with the idea of getting a Tête-à-Tête style...not only does it look amazing, it would also tie the two halves of the room together if it faced the fireplace. Getting the size right is the tricky part in my situation and I'm afraid it could be awkward in terms of function. This is a situation when I wish "trying on" a piece of furniture was possible!

via Lonny

Anyhow, here are some of the best I've seen. Keep in mind that the colors shown aren't necessarily what I'd choose...I'm always limited to the images I can grab from the site. As usual, some are way beyond my budget, but they are still fun to ogle over!

Edward Wormley Tête-à-Tête Sofa - 1st Dibs