Entertaining at Newport’s turn-of-the-century seaside “cottages” (read: “humongous mansions”) was clearly not a casual affair. But after last year’s austere holiday party season, we must admit that we find the over-the-top opulence of these dining rooms kind of appealing, even if there aren’t exactly any formal banquets looming in our future.
I'm a sucker for unusual solutions to space challenges. And this one made a shortcut to the top of my list of successful outside-the-box space ideas: a guest bed in the kitchen.
Q: We just bought a dining room table and chairs and we'd love some ideas on how to take the traditional dining room set and the room's mouldings and make it more funky and unique. Paint color, window treatments, rug, lighting, and art are all needed in the space. We are willing to spend some money to make our home a more interesting place. We just need some help figuring out how to do it without much free time — my husband and I have a 3 year old daughter and identical twin infants!
Sent by Liza
I'll admit that when it comes to hostess gifts, I lack a certain amount of creativity. I usually opt for the standard bottle of wine. But nothing says afterthought like a crumpled brown paper bag. Here are some chic alternatives that will make even a $7 bottle of Trader Joe's Merlot look like a million bucks.
These mid-century side chairs have been recovered in white, but if that isn't your thing these could be really fun pieces to reupholster.
Printing napkins, coasters, or glassware with custom graphics or text isn’t as expensive as you might think and doesn't necessarily even require graphic design expertise. We love the idea of sending our guests home with a one-of-a-kind brandy snifter or other personalized glassware as a party favor.
Thanksgiving is fast approaching. And given that it's also Entertaining Month on Apartment Therapy, it seemed an appropriate time to see how you feel about assigned seating for dinner parties or holiday meals...
Name: Susan & Matt Sandler
Location: Bedford, New Hampshire
Susan is an interior designer who studied design and architecture in Boston and recently relocated back to her cozy hometown of Bedford, New Hampshire. She and Matt bought this 1940's ranch a few years ago and make all of their design decisions mindful of the home's architecture.
If Haiku were a three-dimensional art form, Japanese artist Yuri Fukuda (a.k.a. Emogayu) would be a master of it. A recent exhibit at the Archip Gallery Theater in Brooklyn, New York featured the artist's Volcanoes, a series of hand-crafted earthenware vessels inspired by the natural energy of flowing lava.
This set of solid teak Danish Kai Kristiansen dining chairs needs a bit of work, but would be simply amazing reupholstered.
THIS WEEK
• Welcome Hometta ENDS 11/6
• Kartell Lighting Sale
• Rhody Craft 100
• Atocha Design Sale
• Smith & Hawken Liquidation Sale
• Todd Farm Antiques & Flea Market
COMING UP
• InsideOut: The Museum School Art Sale
• Crafts Showcase at Brookline Arts Center
• MGBW Book Launch Tour
Jump below for more information...
Wes & Kayla’s admission in yesterday’s wonderful house tour that getting their apartment looking just right took a lot longer than they expected really hit home for us. It’s been over two months since we moved in to our new place and instead of plowing through projects, our to do list just keeps getting longer and longer.
Lago, an Italian design company, recently launched a new line of fun, modular shelving available in a delicious array of colors.
Combining two of our favorite things (bikes & beer!), French architect Raphael Betillon takes forks from old bicycles found in junkyards or bike cemeteries, cuts them in half and repurposes the bike hardware into a one-of-a-kind beer bottle opener.
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