Thanksgiving Inspiration

I'll be spending the day baking with my children and getting ready for Thanksgiving. My entire extended family is coming to my house so I want everything to taste amazing and look perfect (just a little personal stress!) I thought I would share with you a few inspirational Thanksgiving table photos I have been saving, to help you with your Thanksgiving tablescape.

Martha Stewart steals my heart above with a beautiful wheat sheath tied with a satin ribbon upon a linen tablecloth. I love the simplicity of this - I just wish I had a linen tablecloth and a wheat sheath - Definitely putting it on my list for next year!

I adore this next linen tablecloth with the inspirational script. I love the dried corn tied with ribbon and the bowls filled with nuts and candles. Simple and lovely from Country Living.

I can't recall where I located this photo, but I love the pheasant feathers and the setting in front of the fireplace. We have too many people coming but if you have just a small gathering, the spot couldn't be more cozy. Finally a great way to use your pumpkins left over from Halloween. I am going to get several bunches of fresh flowers at the market today and have my very talented sister (the organized one) arrange them inside my Halloween pumpkin.

After a very stressful Fall, I am counting my blessing and have much to be thankful for. I count you, my readers high on my list. Wishing you and your families a very joyous Thanksgiving.

xox-Gina

Surroundings Holiday E-Magazine & Saturday's Marketplace

(Photo by Michael J Lee Photography via Surroundings)

Check out Linda Merrill's Surrounding's E- Magazine this weekend when you have a few moments of quiet time. Stunning images, gift ideas and great holiday tips from many top designers and bloggers, including one from Willow Decor! (was that little old me on page 7??)

Click HERE or on the photo

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Relax and enjoy some Holiday design inspiration then let me know what you think! Be sure to check out more of Linda's amazing work on her blog Surroundings or during her fabulous design podcasts via The Skirted Round Table.

Also, my sister and I, (the one who wonderfully organized my Toy Room to Teen Room), are headed to The Wellesley Marketplace Craft Show this morning. If you have time and live nearby try to stop in. It's a huge juried show with fabulous items. The best part is that the show's profits are returned to back to the community through the wonderful work of the Wellesley Junior Women's Club. For more information about Marketplace click HERE.

Have a Happy Saturday!!

Here's What You're Saying & The "How To"!

(Country Home)

I have gotten a tremendous amount of mail on my recent Dutch Doors post. Its seems this charming design element really resonated with all of you. First I heard from Karla at Its the Little Things That Make a House a Home blog. This very talented lady found a wonderful old solid wood door and created her own Dutch Door. Read the "How To" HERE! The photo above is her new Dutch door - isn't it fabulous?!! Thanks so much, Karla, for sharing it with us! Next I heard from a reader whose friend recently installed interior Dutch Doors in each of her children's bedrooms. She thought it was a fabulous way to be able to walk by their rooms and not see the mess on their floors!! Having two pre teens, I loved that idea!!
Then I heard from a reader who just wanted to bring in light to an otherwise dark space, but keep the dogs inside! She also loved the feeling of being open to the outdoors - and no bugs! Wonderful! Everyone agreed that no matter what the primary use, Dutch Doors added a charming design element to their homes. A warmth and personality all their own - and that my friends, is what decorating is all about!!

I loved hearing from each and every one of you!
(all photos unless otherwise noted House Beautiful)

Welcome Back Thru Dutch Doors

(Traditional Home)

One of my favorite design elements are Dutch Doors. I love how they make an entryway immediately more casual, warm and fun. I have always imagined my children playing, each on a different side of the door - playing store, lemonade stand or ticket booth.

Looking out from a Dutch Door when the top is open is wonderful, as shown above in this fabulous ocean front home from Coastal Living. When we redo our beach house, adding a Dutch door is at the top of my list. So over the years I have collected several images of my favorites.

This natural wood Dutch door, which I found via BH&G, is high on my list of favorites. I love the iron work and my husband Dave, loves natural wood color.

Here is another beautiful entry from BH&G. This Dutch Door is surrounded by glass. Notice the diamond pattern on the sidelights and the transom. Very pretty.

Another photo I have had for some time from favorite designer, Windsor Smith via (Joni at CDT). Though a very neutral space, I love the punch of turquoise brought into the room when the top of the door is open.

Here is another turquoise door I found at Design Sponge. I love how the color of the door is repeated again on the inside of the bookcase.

Another painted door from Coastal Living, this time in yellow. See how Dutch doors add a bit of whimsy and lend a casual feel to a space. This is the type of feeling I am trying to achieve at the beach house.

Brooke at Velvet and Linen has a Dutch door in her gorgeous home. Can't you just feel the welcoming warmth in her house! Beautiful!!

A perfect entry! I adore this shot from Traditional Home. The Dutch door gives the illusion of a larger space. The black painted door, iron work and brick floor are sublime!

Here a laundry room/mudroom from Country Home, achieves the same illusion of space with a Dutch Door and with tile set on the diagonal. Cute dog!

(photo-Jack Arnold Homes)

This door has a lovely arch and X design on the bottom. The door is fully closed, but if you look closely you will see that it is in fact a Dutch door.

This door from Coastal Living also has the X design on the bottom. This seems to be a common element.

(Photo by Eric Roth for Catalano Architects)

You have seen this lovely room before at Willow Decor. It's from our talented friends at Catalano Architects. Notice to the far right a beautiful Dutch door. See the rest of this spectacular home here.

(Country Home)

The next two photos are kitchens with Dutch doors. This is my favorite room for incorporating a Dutch door into the design.

(photo Coastal Living)

In both instances the open top of the door really brings the outdoors in! I love the look but do have concerns with bugs flying in, as I have never seen a Dutch door style screen.

(Delaware Historic Society)

Above and below are two antique doors which caught my eye. I like this first door because I think the scale of the door is very interesting. I like the larger top. I would love to see the entire house but my suspicion is that the house itself is also very grand.

(photo - This Old House)

Finally - this my favorite door of the bunch . I love the color, the antique hardware, the small window and of course how wonderful it looks with the stone surround. Over the next several months I'll be on the look out for an antique Dutch door. If you have a Dutch door, let me know how it "lives" and if you are thinking of adding one to your home let me know which one you prefer.

Also check out Karla's Its The Little Things That Make a House a Home blog. She took an old door she found on the side of the road and created a gorgeous Dutch Door - see how she did it HERE. Thanks so much Karla!!

Lovely English Tudor- Is that in London?

What a beautiful English Tudor. The setting is spectacular! When I happened upon it I thought it must surely be a lovely estate in a small hamlet outside of London! Not so, this wonderful treasure is located on almost three acres of rolling hills in Greenwich, CT - a suburb and only 45 minutes outside of NYC.
Let's have a tour! You enter through a gorgeous stone entry with a beautiful, arched door.
Your first stop is the library/entry hall. Take a close look at the detailing of the walls. I love the secret wall of books that swings open to reveal a doorway. Also look at the staircase through the doorway.
Here is a closer look at the staircase. I adore the railing and soft curve. A glass and stone gallery leads you the living room.

The house is filled with period mouldings, leaded glass and limestone fireplaces.

I love the family room and the wall of french doors which invite you to enjoy the spectacular view. Notice the coffered ceilings.

The architectural detail in the dining room is sublime. Notice how the windows are not only trimmed out with molding, but also boxed out with column like detailing. This creates deep transitions to windows. I especially like how they kept this room white. You can enjoy the detailing with out being overwhelmed by it. Despite their reputation, Tudors can be light and bright. Here the kitchen is done in white with marble and wood counters. Clearly it has been updated and renovated over the years. I like the shape of the hood.

The nearly untouched Great Room is perhaps the home's most dramatic. The striking fireplace and wood beams are wonderful. Notice the curved floor to ceiling window.



I love to see old homes restored to their original grandeur. The home is currently for sale. To see more of it click here. And if you end up becoming the new owner, let me know and I will drive down from Boston for visit!
(all photos Sotheby's)