Dress your table in white (this summer)


Basic. Casual. Formal. Elegant. Timeless. Timely. Versatile. Adaptable. Overlooked – The simple white plate is all of these. Consider the simple white plate to be the little black dress for your table. The simple white plate pairs well with all accessories, can be used at any meal, any time of the day from a casual breakfast in a SoHo loft to a lovely garden luncheon en plein air, on a warm and sunny afternoon, to a formal gathering at day’s end.  The simple white plate is fitting for a simple summer meal, an intimate afternoon fall tea, or an elaborate holiday fete.

There is nothing as versatile. It will never compete with rivaling colors or patterns. Instead it complements everything on your table – from linens to china to silver to glass and crystal. It will never appear too clunky or too delicate. It will never be too simple or too fussy. You can dress it up. You can dress it down. The simple white plate is, in itself perfection – overlooked perfection.

Whether you prefer a neutral, colorful, or bold table a white plate is the most accommodating of all. It’s perfect for layering. Whether placed on top of a large dinner plate or charger, or gently tucked under a simple yet delicate salad plate for pattern, elegance, even a touch of whimsy. Pair a simple white plate with a vintage piece, or simply allow it to shine on its own. Whatever your style there may be no plate more perfect.

For those seeking to furnish a first, a second or even a third home, consider investing in a set or two of simple, sturdy white dishes. You might want to think outside of the typical box-store – though Williams-Sonoma, Juliska and even Pottery Barn do offer lovely whites, why not add your own touch? Visit local consignment stores, vintage and antique shops for some pieces with character. Don’t worry if you can’t find a full set, it’s much more fun and perfectly acceptable to mix and match these days. If you happen to find some with patterns such as lattice, basket weave or floral, these all will add a lovely texture to your table without being overly distracting. And, if a plate or two should break, as plates are apt to do, it will be much easier to fill in the missing pieces!

Perhaps the single most important reason to dress your table in white is to properly showcase your food. There’s a reason why restaurants prefer to serve on white. Food is so much more than nourishment. It’s art for your table. A lovely meal deserves to be showcased. An artist works with a white canvas, a chef works with a white plate. Whether you’re a talented home cook, seasoned chef, gourmet or gourmand your food deserves to be noticed without the distraction of busy patterns and colors.


via Style me Pretty

via D Weddings

via Stone Gable

via Stone Gable

via Pinterest, original source unknown

via In Sock Monkey Slippers

via Indulgy



Maximizing your space :: The Dining Room Library


I wrote an article last year for an international publication that was titled "Are dining rooms becoming obsolete?" As I researched I posed the same question on my Facebook feed. The responses were overwhelming - I never expected such a dialogue. All sorts of people chimed in from current homeowners to Realtors, builders, architects and decorators. What was the general consensus? Well, the results were split down the middle. Many favor a traditional home with a dining room, even if the dining room is used only on occasion. The other half preferred to use the kitchen as their main dining and entertaining area, claiming that dining rooms are a waste of space - most of these people live in houses without a traditional dining room set up. Many found alternate uses for these unused rooms. Dining rooms have been converted into offices, dens, playrooms. If there are no doors separating the dining room from the rest of the house, traditional as well as pocket doors can always be added. 

I happen to love a dining room and while they really don't get used as much today as they have in the past, why not keep the dining room but make it more functional - more multi-faceted if you will. Your dining room could be part office or library. There's no reason why these rooms can't be used and made to be more functional. Books and art and artifacts complement and lend themselves beautifully to the home office, home library and dining room. 

Use your dining room table as a desk. If you are concerned about your table getting marked up you can cover it with a table cloth or skirt and cover it with a custom cut piece of glass to place over the top. This will not only protect your table, but glass is easy to keep clean and wont get dinged or marred by office equipment. Because we use so little paper these days and because our laptops don't take up much space, we can easily stash away all office equipment. A dresser, bureau or armoir are great pieces to in which to stash your office supplies - paper, laptop, copier/fax/scanner, phone, pens, etc. At the end of the day there is a designated location in which to store your office items so that your guests can come over for some good food and wine and have a nice enjoyable and relaxing evening. 







Books and food, what a perfect pairing!


Stylish Notes on Decor :: Bunny Williams' Treillage, New York City



Located at 418 East 75th Street (between 1st and York Avenues) Treillage, owned by Bunny Williams and her husband, antiques dealer John Roselli, might be slightly off the beaten path, but all lovers of home decor must make a point to visit this delightful store. Bunny and John have carefully selected every item in the shop for every area of your home and garden, Treillage offers furniture, antiques, decor, lighting, and art. 

To walk through the doors of Treillage is more than simply walking into a store. It's like walking into an experience, with kind finds strategically placed in every nook and cranny, for as far as the eye can see. Carefully created vignettes carry you from one scene to another. The natural sunlight streams in through the the store's expansive skylights adding a sense of warmth and calm. A trip to Treillage is like going antiquing without any of the work or hassle - All the very best has already been hand-picked for you! 

On Friday March 21st, I was invited by Bunny Williams' publicist to visit Treillage to join a select group of designers and bloggers who were visiting New York as a part of Modenus' BlogTourNYC. If you recall, I was one of the lucky few to attend BlogTour London - which I wrote about in great length. This was simply an offer I could not pass up!

I was a few minutes late in joining the group with thanks to the ever tardy Metro North train lines. Bunny had already gathered everyone together to talk about her latest collaborations with Annie Selke's Dash and Albert rugs as well as her new outdoor furniture venture with Century Furniture. She was eager to tell us all about her new registry at Treillage. The renown designer also shared some advice for both the professional as well as the novice just setting up a home for the first time.

Most importantly, Bunny believes that you should finish what you start - Finish decorating one space before you move on to another. If you don't you'll tend never to complete a project and you may run the risk of not ever finishing up a room. Of course there's much more to share, but I must keep you coming back for more!

Meanwhile, won't you stroll through Treillage with me? Come see some of the many wonderful items she has in her store! And the registry I mentioned above, it's not just for weddings. You can create a wish list as well. I think I might. My Birthday is just two months away!





































I hope I have convinced you to pay Treillage a visit!
They are located at 418 E. 75th St., New York, NY.
Their telephone number is: 212-535-2288


Jessica