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BTD Chandelier Challenge! Finalists named
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: ::Surroundings::
Click on image for larger view.The BTD team - Laura K, Tbone, The Scarlett and Linda Merrill have confabbed and we have selected
- Fifi Flowers
- Francoise McAree
- Sheila O'Meara
- Anne Payne
- Annilee B. Ramirez
- Kimberly Saquing
Meanwhile a big congratulations to the finalists and a hearty THANK YOU to all fourteen of you who took to time to create such beautiful design boards! I can promise, it was not easy for us to cull the list down to six!
Marrakech shopping: and Laurence Landon plays with fire in Sidi Ghanem
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: My MarrakeshDo you remember Laurence Landon? That adorable and charming French designer of lovely things -- including candle holders and lights -- in Marrakech?
The lucky blogging girl was on hand for the opening of her new showroom in Sidi Ghanem, Marrakech's industrial zone just outside the city, where those in the know come to shop.......
Listen here....
In her vintage haute couture, Laurence arranged the flowers until they were just so....
And lit the candles of her own beautiful pieces, one by one.
Until everything was flickering and aglow.
Soon it was all perfect and ready....
The guests began to trickle in, and there was much oohing and aahing by candlelight....
Moments later Laurence Landon's showroom was full. Why there was even Serge, the jeweler, and Valerie, the realtor to New York's fabulous interior designer (and blogger) Martin Raffone (who is buying a little riad in Marrakech....)
They all devoured the most delicious canapes (Oh, those French....they do see to every little detail, don't they?)
And admired more of Laurence Landon's work, with its shimmering inlays. (So elegant that it made her think of this special blogging Canadian interior designer, visiting Marrakech over Christmas.... )
Then they feasted on the very prettiest crumpets....
Followed by yet more coveting of Laurence Landon lights....
And drank glasses of wine.....
Not quite as many glasses as Landon candles but nonetheless.......
And when the evening was over, the blogging girl hopped on the back of the wine bottle's camel and set off for her Marrakech home in the olive grove.......
***********************
324 Z.I. Sidi Ghanem
40000 Marrakech
Tel: 063-727002
Monday-Friday: 2-6:30 and by appointment
Photo Finish
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: Bluelines
Posted by ScottRecently I had the pleasure of working with photographer Kate Mathis again.
I met Kate years ago when i first started as an prop stylist assistant and have enjoyed her company and work ever since.
Many of you may recognize her work from the Martha Stewart product packaging photography. She shot both the craft line for Michaels to the Macy's collection.
Kate can take images like the simple paper flowers below to the sublime level.
With a discerning eye for composition and impeccable perspective and lighting, it's always a pleasure to be on set with Kate.
Below are a few shots from our most recent collaboration. (Food styling by Megan Schlow.) You can also look at her online portfolio for inspiration.
Happy Diwali!
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: Rang-Decor {Interior Ideas predominantly Indian}
Wishing all you lovely blogger friends a very happy and bright Diwali! The 'Festival of Light' where the lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within every human being.
Sorry for the late post, have just about found some quiet time to sit down and assimilate all the festivity around me:-) Today I am going to share the festivities in our home....Welcome!
A simple rangoli made with white poster colours greet you at our doorstep. My favourite Frangipani flowers in terracotta bowl.
Traditional brass peacock lamps at the entrance.
Tealight candles in 'Chai' glasses add light and festivity to our dining table which is dressed in it's colourful best;-) Also seen here are some traditional Indian Sweets.
Flowers & candles...what more can you ask for:-)
Waiting to burst some sparkly fire crackers with my family:-)
Happy Diwali and thanks for all the encouragement, suggestions, appreciations and love that all of you have shown me during the last couple of days.
Thanks Everyone!!! Have a great Diwali!
Villa Balquisse
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: Rang-Decor {Interior Ideas predominantly Indian}
My International pick today is from one of the most exotic places~ Bali.Villa Balquisse- a tropical retreat set between coconut groves & mangroves in Jimbaran. The retreat has old Balinese Villas that have been restored and decorated in an eclectic style.
The interior designer's latest travel ifluence her designs- you'll find exquisite cushions & bed linen created from Java silks & Jaipuri sari's.
You can relax by the emerald swimming pool made out of natural stone or walk down to the beach which is only a 300 meters away:-) 
Enjoy a sumptuous dinner made by their Chef under the twinkling stars...
Each Villa is decorated in a unique style.
They have 3 bedroom, 4 bedroom, 5-bedroom & a 9-bedroom villa! So take your pick, enjoy a great mediterranean style holiday with family and friends...
Exotic flowers displayed in unique artifacts handpicked by the owner. You can buy some of the furniture & lamps from their online store Villa Balquisse Living
Absolutely love the cream canopy drapes & simple rustic furniture.
Soak in the Balinese hospitality, the great attention to detail, de-stress with some amazing massages & enjoy the heavenly food prepared by the Chef.(images from Villa Balquisse)
Two for joy, immense joy...
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: Rang-Decor {Interior Ideas predominantly Indian}Today I am sharing with you not one but two great spaces which have got imprinted on my mind ever since I saw them a couple of days ago.
The first on, is designer Jivi Sethi's ultra-stylish residence in Assagao in Goa.
Jivi Sethi's home which is featured in Vogue Magazine, this month is an eclectic blend of antique objets d'art with contemporary furniture. 
He has styled his home with loads of glass, mirrors & chandeliers. I love the way he had brought in the old goan charm by using antique chandeliers, old wine bottles & loads of floral arrangements:-)
Look at the fusion of antique goan wooden cupboard with contemporary glass & lacquer coffee table designed by him:-)
Flowers everywhere...*sigh* Love the way he floats the 'Parijat' flowers with the orange stalk upwards adding colour & texture to the arrangement
Another thing striking is the use of vibrant colours, his home is filled with art from his friends blending in with his own pieces of heirloom from his family home in Amritsar & Delhi.
There is something fun, colourful, vibrant & eclectic in this space which reflects the personality of this very creative & stylish designer. 
Join me in gliding along the backwaters in a 'Kettuvallam' or the traditional Houseboat. Earlier these boats with coir and bamboo roofs were used as cargo boats but nowadays they are used as 2-3 room houseboats cruising along the Malabar coast. 
A passage along the side of the boat. The boat is lit by oil lamps in the night. You can see a traditional brass lock on the door.
A small deck at the tail of the boat from where one can watch the magical sunsets in the backwaters.
The arches of the boat have been constructed with palm-leaf matting, woven into a bamboo frame and tied together with coir ropes (very eco-friendly, I must add)
Imagine sleeping under this romantic canopy and waking up to the gentle sound of the oars splashing the water.....now that's a thought!On that note, I take your leave for a couple of weeks. I am taking a 'Winter Break' and will be doing some travelling and practicing loads of photography:-)
Meanwhile do check out Neece Clark's Shop Online. She has some amazing paintings up for sale for the holidays.
Will also be keeping my eyes open for fellow blogger An Indian Summer's Bazaar which is opening in January 2008.So do visit her too where she will be bringing to you '...an eclectic mix of select Asian and Indian crafts and products of exquisite design and high quality.'
Bed, Breakfast & Fireplace...
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: Rang-Decor {Interior Ideas predominantly Indian}
King's Cliff~ Yes, that's the name of one of two places we stayed during our trip to the beautiful hills of Nilgiri in Tamilnadu.
The well manicured green lawns with white wrought iron chairs & exotic varieties of flowers almost takes you back hundred years when butlers in white served hot cups of high grown Nilgiris tea to the 'Sahebs'. Well, they still do:-)
So we sat back and soaked in the beauty of the view of the hills through the windows of 'Earl's Secret'- The restaurant which lives up to it's reputation of serving delicious food. 
Sinfully delicious brownie with ice cream & chocolate sauce which they serve you on the porch after a heavy afternoon lunch & before you doze off reading a delightful novel.The nine rooms are named after the works of 'Shakspeare' and each comes with a fireplace. *sigh* well it's been a while since I have been near a fireplace and slept to the sound of crackling wood.
A live-band playing our all-time favourite rock numbers, the bright winter sun, the chirpy birds, the waiters serving hot tea with chocolate cream cookies... 
Night falls, temperature dips, peaceful silence & a knock at our door. In comes a man with chocolate-mint candies, an extra woollen quilt & firewood to light our fireplace:-)
We were in heaven:-) Sweet dreams people, next post when I wake up;-)Mom's and Birthday Presents
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: katiedid
Sunflowers, Ornamental Peppers and Rosemary from the Sacramento Farmer's Market
Is it a dilemma for any of you to pick a birthday present for your mother? When a person is trying to rid themselves of the clutter that accumulates after many years on the planet, what do you give that doesn't add to the problem? My Mom is one of the most interesting people I know. She has lived in California: Pasadena, Venice Beach, Malibu Canyon, Napa and Healdsburg and Petaluma. She lived near Santa Fe New Mexico in a village called Galesteo and also in Taos. She lived on Vashon Island in Puget Sound. She lived in Hawaii for a period of time as well. Along the way, she gathered beautiful things and mementos from all of the friends that she has acquired.
This Country Beidermeier armoire has traveled from Pasadena in the home where I grew up, to Galesteo New Mexico, to Vashon, to Healdsburg, Petaluma, and now to Sacramento. The marble topped table has traveled the same path. There is a crow from an artist, John Cannell, in New Mexico sitting on the armoire with two large metal finials that I think came along in Headlsburg. Then, there is the large handcrafted tin framed mirror that was purchased from an artisan friend by the name of Robert Stanfeld from Santa Fe, New Mexico.
There is this Folk Art man standing next to a carnivorous plant, which is so beautifully cool I think! I mean, who's mom chooses a plant like this?. The man is from a New Mexico Folk artist as well. And the Lamp is from Mom's antique Dealer days in Healdsburg. It used to be a beverage dispenser.
TV/Sitting Room
My mother collects ironstone, and has one of the most interesting collections I have seen A few of the pieces are atop just a portion her overflowing bookcases. (Now you know where I got my book fetish......and my ironstone interest.) The small hexagonal table is Victorian, picked up from an antiques dealer in Napa. And on top is an Indian Basket from my Father's side of the family (a few generations ago) filled with very old American Indian pottery shards gleaned from a forgotten New Mexico dumping site. The green Art Deco lamp is by Weller one of a pair and is from Mom's Healdsburg days. The glass pedestal the lamp is sitting on is an old Gas Pump cylinder.
So what does one give when a person doesn't want or need anything else?
We brought books to read, flowers to enjoy, goodies to eat, and wine to drink.
We brought our very favorite cake: a Pims Cake from Freeport Bakery, our favorite bakery. (It is a rich almond cake topped with orange marmalade and chunks of chocolate fudge, modeled after the Pims English Tea Cookie).
But most importantly we brought ourselves, our time, and too much love to fit in any sort of wrapped up package. And the undying promise of more.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!