EMBELLISHED PLACEMATS

We all know that placemats are not just a great way to protect our table, they can be a beautiful way to compliment home decor, and they can also help make a decorative statement at dinner parties. 

For me, embellishing placemats is easy and fun.  It's one way to make sure our table looks unique.

When making placemats sometimes I start from scratch using fabric and other times, I repurpose simple placemats by embellishing them and giving them a theme.

 

Whenever gifting placemats to a hostess or as a housewarming gift, I place them in a matching fabric bag in order to make them unique.

                             

Placemats within mesh gift bag

Round fruit placemats

 

It's Coffee Time!

Check out my it's coffee time selection for unique or custom, handmade 

kitchen towels and placemats.

Coffee themed placemats

Placemats in matching bag

Cotton bag

Coffee themed placemats

MY LOVE FOR ARTICHOKES

 I think I’m in love with artichokes. I love to eat them because they are delicious tasting. When they are in season, I simply want them every day. 

                   

They are so beautiful that I love to look at them and even decorate with them.  

                                        

 The best way to prepare an artichoke for cooking is to first cut off the pinchy edges of the leaf.  

                                         

While many stuff them with breadcrumbs, olive oil, and garlic and love to slide their teeth through each leaf, I prefer stuffed baby artichokes for their delicate hearts.

                      

                         

                                          

Finally, let me say to those who have never eaten an artichoke, you have no idea what you are missing!

ACCESSORIES that make a HOUSE my HOME

 LA CASA E IL GIARDINO: Accessories that Make a House My Home (casa-giardino.blogspot.com)

Art:

BOTANICALS AND CHINTZ

 LA CASA E IL GIARDINO: SAY YES TO BOTANICALS AND CHINTZ ! (casa-giardino.blogspot.com)

GIFTCARD PACKAGING FOR A FASHIONISTA

Choosing gifts for fashionistas can be hard as they have everything.  In case you're not sure what to buy, a gift  card for one of her favorite stores is a good choice.   

One way to make the gift card feel more personal, pick a unique way to wrap it.

      
                 
 

Sewing and Updating Decor as Pandemic Continues

 At the beginning of the pandemic, the mask thing happened … and people dragged sewing machines out of their closets.  Now two years in, I’m still adjusting to the ways the Covid pandemic dislodged me from my basic routines and still seek comfort in sewing.

Since I have decided to hunker down in my home for the winter, there are things I did to make it feel much cozier like updating the decor without spending a lot of money.

To make our family room look and feel cozy and warm, I started with comforting colors, texture and lots of florals in pillows to keep things feeling fresh and warm.

Chocolate brown is back!   From cognac to burnt umber play well with other colors as a deep neutral for rich elegant timeless spaces.

Who would not want a room that feels like a warm hug?