Designer

………………For me designing a table setting is so much more than a table cloth, plates, glasses, knives, forks and spoons…….It’s all about creating an exciting atmosphere….a fantasy world for dining…..The vases and flowers chosen can create an entire  look and feeling. The accent metal color will create a warm or cool environment and mood……Lighting is always key, and changes the surroundings from day time lunches with natural light reflecting off everything on the table…to night time dining…..when special lighting creates a whole different feeling…it casts a spell……a FANTASY!……Decorative items like the pieces of drift wood….lower left photo…or a funny little cow ornament have no special purpose other that to add texture and conversation……Gracious dining takes thought and planning, and it’s always more than just the food being served……You always want your guests to enjoy the entire experience….. to feel something special!

……………….Choosing flowers is very important to every table setting……I wanted all WHITE FLOWERS…….but instead of real flowers that will only last a week at best….I decided on all Faux. I chose white BABIES BREATH, and WHITE DELPHINIUM with lots of delicate green sprigs added in…They all look REAL!!…..I used SILVER METAL and WHITE CERAMIC vases that have a sand blasted finish. I also tied a raffia cord around the necks of the white vases to coordinate with the straw place mats….The over all feeling is that of calm, softness and elegance.

………….I think the BROWN and WHITE color scheme, for me, is the perfect transition from the ornate Christmas decor to a more colorful Spring table setting later in the year…..There is something relaxing when color is kept to a minimum, and WHITE is a main accent…..Also, the simple change from GOLD to SILVER also adds a sense of coolness and calm.

……………….I always try to carry the theme of the dining table to other areas of the room…..In this case the “scroll table” under the large Egret painting….On this long table I have added the same white vases that are on the main dining table filled with Babies Breath….With those there is an addition of brown glass vases which look so good with my antique oil jars with the shells and barnacles attached and my African masks….all in shades of brown, and brown and white…….In the center is a large white ceramic vase that has a vintage look filled with the white delphinium…….Creating these little areas opens the eyes to the entire room.

………………..HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my BIG BROTHER MAURO…..I have looked up to my older brother my entire life……..He and I are very much alike and very different…When I was very little I remember him drawing ELEPHANTS for me…..I marveled at them….and thought they were GREAT!….Maybe that’s where my love of elephants stems from?!….Growing up, due to the age gap of 7 years, we didn’t have much in common and led very separate lives….different friends…different interests……It was only when I became an adult that the age gap seemed to disappear…He’s great at mechanical things….math and computers. He knows how to fix almost everything, and if he doesn’t know he learns how!  I’m constantly calling him for HELP!….He often says to me, “Lou, I already told you how to do that….why don’t you write it down!??”….and my reply always is…”but that’s what I have you for!”……I wish we lived closer so we could see each other more often….He could join Lou and me for breakfast on Sunday mornings!…..I love my brother with all of my heart!!……..I know he would do anything for me………..H was the cutest baby!!!….The funny thing is….he looks pretty much the same today!……LOL…….Happy 84th BIG BROTHER!