Both fearsome and fascinating, wolves have a long and complicated history with humans. While they have been the subject of debate for thousands of years, wolves have managed to avoid total extinction, even when their population number dropped to 300 in the 1960’s. In honor of the wolf’s perseverance and prowess, Herend created the Lone Wolf as part of their limited-edition Reserve Collection.

Herend’s Wolf is the definitive lone wolf, being the first and only Herend figurine to wear a coat of alternating gray and platinum fishnet. This unique color mix captures the essence of a Gray Wolf, the most prevalent variety in the U.S. The eerily realistic-looking eyes add the finishing touch to enhance the drama of this Herend treasure.

Wolves are the descendants of prehistoric Dire Wolves, powerful creatures which roamed North America approximately two million years ago. Now extinct, these predators hunted prey as large as wooly mammoths. Even with such capabilities, as wolves evolved, humans never became a desired target. Contrarily, the hunter became the hunted. The Aztecs, for example, killed wolves for their livers, which were believed to possess healing powers. In Ireland, wolves were exterminated until the last animal was killed in the late 1700’s. In the U.S., a war was waged against the wolf in the 1900’s, as wolves were perceived as pests who threatened the American people’s safety and prosperity. 

Thankfully, measures were taken in the U.S. to protect the wolf’s dwindling populations, which plummeted to the brink of extinction. In 1974, the Endangered Species Act was enacted, and the wolf was among the first animals to be put on the protected list. Today, around 5,000 wolves inhabit North America, mostly in Yellowstone National Park and the Rocky Mountains. Conservationists are hopeful that wolf populations will remain stable.

Wolves are intelligent and gregarious animals. They form close relationships and strong social bonds with members of their packs. Even alphas are known to express deep affection for their families, going to great lengths to protect their pups. Herend’s Wolf is a symbol of strength and loyalty, making it the perfect gift for a member of your own pack.

To see more Herend figurines and collectibles, please click here.

If there’s one thing Rachel Zoe knows, it’s style. The designer, author, and distinguished fashion icon is recognized for her glamorous aesthetic and high-profile clientele. When she’s not busy running the Zoe empire, the self-described perfectionist enjoys hosting dinner parties at her chic California abode. In an interview with Domaine Home, Zoe shares which entertaining essentials make an at-home meal feel like an A-list affair.

At the top of her list? The Vertigo collection from luxury silverware company Christofle. Like Chanel and Christian Dior, Christofle is a symbol of elegance and prestige.  And Vertigo, designed by renowned French interior and product designer Andree Putman, is Rachel’s favorite.  Its unique element – a slightly twisted ring –  brings life and even a sense of humor to the otherwise immaculate silver objets. For her picture-perfect party, she relies on exquisite pieces like the Christofle Vertigo Three-Part Serving Tray for flawless food presentation.

Made of glass with silver-plated handles, the Vertigo rectangular tray is sectioned into three parts, so guests can sample a variety of hors d’oeuvres. Just as jewelry completes an outfit, Zoe knows that beautiful dinnerware puts the finishing touches on a well-dressed dining table. She advises, “Take the time to fill glass pitchers with sparkling and flat water, put condiments in charming crystal jars, and place food that comes to the table on chic serving trays.” Follow Zoe’s lead, and your friends will be itching for invites to your next soiree.

To see the complete collection of Christofle at Gracious Style, please click here.

Ever wonder what it would be like to host a party for Oscar de la Renta, Rachel Roy, Emily Giffin, Miles Redd, or Gil Schafer?  You don’t have to any longer, thanks to the book Soiree: Entertaining with Style by Danielle Rollins:

In this book, the first by the Atlanta hostess, philanthropist, and writer, you’ll find intimate gatherings like this one in Miles’s bathroom in Manhattan …

… to grand garden parties like this one in the backyard of her fabulous mansion Boxwood:

As we have worked with Ms. Rollins in the past, we were thrilled to find ourselves listed as one of her dinnerware sources.  Here’s a sneak preview of the fabulous settings featured in the book:

Do you love her style?  Then head over to Danielle’s site.  We also really enjoyed her interview with Ronda Carman in All the Best.

Ronda: “Who would you most like to meet and how would you spend the day?”

Danielle: “Can I squeeze more than one into a day??  In my ultimate dream day, I’d meet with Miles Redd in the morning to work on the finishing touches of a Gil Schaefer designed home.  Next, I’d head to a fitting of the perfect dress with Oscar de la Renta in his showroom. Then, I’d spend the afternoon in the garden alongside Bunny Mellon (if she were still alive today), cook dinner with Thomas Keller, and for a finale finish, co-host a party with the fabulous Carolyn Roehm.”

Is that fabulous, or what?

Thank you, Ms. Rollins, for including Gracious Style in your beautiful book!

This is a true story:

In 1989, the British Rail Pension Fund showed the finest Tang Dynasty porcelain horse ever found at a Sotheby’s Hong Kong Auction.  That same night, thieves broke into the Sotheby’s warehouse, held the staff at knife point, and made off with the horse.  The heist made headlines around the world, and the Hong Kong organized crime squad was called in.  They set up a sting operation, pretending to be buyers, and recovered the stolen horse.  It was then transported in a convoy of seven armored cars and sent to London, where on December 12, 1989, it sold for a record-setting 3.74 million pounds, or $6 million ($10.7 million today after inflation) to an art dealer from Tokyo.

Such excitement is just another page in the history of the legendary horses.  During China’s Tang dynasty, horses were loved and revered as symbols of imperial power.  Emperors and noblemen gave them names like “Wind” or “Dragon.”  Poets rhapsodized about them.  Artists created porcelain horses that captured their strong, muscular builds in life-like poses.  Merchants, on the other hand, were forbidden from riding horses — such a noble creature was not to be wasted on the ostentations of the merely wealthy.

Today, Tang horses are among the best-known Chinese art.  Relatively ordinary ones are selling for about $250,000, while a premium pair sold at Sotheby’s in 2013 for almost $4.2 million.  For your collection of Tang horses, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Most Tang horses are only 15 inches tall.
• All Tang horses are made from ceramic.
• They were made to accompany the rich and powerful in the afterlife and buried with their owners.
• Most Tang horses are equipped with full riding gear.
• Almost all Tang horses have highly stylized, combed manes and a short, upturned tail.
• They come in both glazed and unglazed versions.
• The glazed versions usually come in three colors, hence the Chinese term sancai or “Three Color” horse.
• Of the glazing colors, cobalt blue is the rarest and most prized.  Only 5 percent of Tang horses have the blue cobalt glaze, which was more expensive than gold at the time.
• Tang horses have traditionally appealed more to Western than Chinese buyers, who avoided them as burial goods.

As a gallery specialist recently told The New York Times, “You want crisply defined medallions, beautifully articulated, hand-finished faux-fur saddlecloths and harnesses with bells and floret motifs. When all these elements are perfect, you’ve got a home run.”

While you wait for the next one to come up for auction, here are a couple of modern versions to add to your collection.  L’Objet’s unglazed Tang horse in large or medium, has a zen and modern look:

Herend’s limited edition Reserve Collection Tang Horse reinterprets the Tang original in the company’s signature sapphire blue fishnet design, with 24kt gold highlights:

Do you think today’s designers have outdone the ancient masters?

Mother’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate Mom for the amazing individual she is. So why not give her a gift that is just as unique and special? Whether the traveler, gardener, or entertainer, Gracious Style has just the right gift for every type of mother.

For the Traveler: In soft cotton, John Robshaw’s bohemian throws are practical gifts for the jet-setting mom.

For the Entertainer: In all of spring and summer’s freshest hues, Juliska’s tableware makes the hostess shine at every party.

For the Sommelier: Inspired by Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, Moser‘s Dionys Decanter Set is the perfect gift for any wine connoisseur.

For the Comic: Rani Arabella‘s quirky yet sophisticated style is ideal for any mom with a great sense of humor.

For the Bookworm: With a swing-arm feature, Suzanne Kasler‘s gilded iron wall sconce gives just the right light for bedtime reading.

For the Gardener: Handpainted in the hills of Tuscany, this richly saturated planter brings the warm Italian sun to her garden.

For more great Mother’s Day Gifts, click here.

Renowned wedding planner and designer David Tutera knows how to make anyone’s special day unforgettable. So when he asked to feature our L’Objet Antique Bow Tie and Lorel Napkin Rings in an upcoming wedding, we were thrilled to participate! With a regal purple, cobalt, and gold color palette, these beautiful table accents have never looked more lovely.  All images courtesy of Yodsukars Photography.

L’Objet‘s Antique Bowtie Gold Napkin Rings add drama to these velvety plum napkins.

These gold Lorel Napkin Rings emphasize the eternal bond of this beautiful union.

These gorgeous napkin rings contributed to the perfect tabletop for this elegant ceremony.

A special thanks to everyone at David Tutera for including us in your beautiful photoshoot!

For more dazzling napkin rings, visit our full collection here.

This Mother’s Day, give Mom the gift of wrapping up in comfort in any of Yves Delorme’s sumptuous bath robes and towels. Gracious Style is celebrating the occasion with a special Mother’s Day sale, coming soon! From April 26 – May 11, enjoy a 20% discount on all Yves Delorme towels and robes.

Show Mom how much you care with the Je T’Aime collection, French for “I love you.” For an extra special treat, consider the Beaucoup (French for “a lot”) collection.  Together, these are the perfect way to say , ‘I love you a lot.’

No matter which collection you choose, a gift from Yves Delorme is a thoughtful gesture that is sure to warm Mom’s heart.

To see the complete collection of Yves Delorme at Gracious Style, please click here.

Baby Showers can be so much fun – ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the adorable gifts presented to the mommy-to-be. If you’re looking for a baby shower gift that’s a little more inspired than yet another onesie, try some of these unique options:

Bambini is a smaller sized version of our best-selling Aladdin flatware – just right for children’s little hands. Brilliant lattice detail holds clear acrylic handles in happy colors for the perfect gift for the mother-to-be or baby.

Bundle your baby up in the softest cashmere blanket from Rani Arabella. The candy-colored stripes on the Fuchsia blanket would add a charming pop of color to a girl’s nursery. The Yoyo baby blanket is also available in Blue for little boys.

A perfect treasure to celebrate the new arrival, this Baby Love Cup will make young memories last with its tarnish-resistant Alloy material and beautiful silver-like luster.

With its timeless design, Christofle’s picture frame is the perfect way to highlight baby’s first moments.

A perfect keepsake to grow up with, Herend‘s Teddy Bear Figurine will be a gift to treasure for all the years to come.

A delight for both boy or girl, Kassatex‘s Zoo Friends Collection makes bath time a treat, not a chore.

Soft as a cloud and cute as a button, this adorable blanket is just the right size for a new-born.

Babies have sensitive skin, so pamper them with Children’s Linen Wash. This gentle detergent is specially formulated for fine baby bed and bath linens, and is fragrance and allergen free.

For more great Baby Gifts, please click here.

This outdoor courtyard from Traditional Home‘s February 2014 was a major project — just look at the inset of the before picture:

Wow!  An outdoor fountain has become an indoor/outdoor living space.  But for whom?  The matching pillows and cushions makes this space look like a showroom.  Pillows should be the most exciting part of the room, a place where you can really show off your personality and sense of style.

So let’s take our Pillow Personality Test — which outdoor pillow are YOU?

Serious and Sophisticated?

Beach-y and Carefree?

Exotic and Romantic?

Flower Child?

or Flag Lover?

 Submit a suggestion for an Instant Makeover by commenting below or tweeting us @GraciousStyle.

Color can be controversial when it comes to decorating your home. Some people instinctively gravitate towards it, while others shy away, preferring more muted, monochromatic environments. Not Nanette Lepore. The contemporary fashion designer, known for her peppy, pattern-splashed clothing, is making a major statement with her new home collection, Nanette Lepore Villa. Inspired by her global travels, and the vibrant color palette of her ready-to-wear line, Lepore injects the same liveliness and flare into Villa, using bold hues and striking prints fearlessly.

Exotic patterns and rich color combinations abound in Villa’s debut collection. Villa is intricate, yes, but never overwhelming. Jewel tones like cobalt blue, teal, fuchsia, and emerald add sophistication to graphic patterns like peacock feathers, animal prints, and Ikat.

In 2005, the whimsical fashionista commissioned Jonathan Adler to outfit her New York home.  As he recalls, “Nanette insisted we choose furniture that was light and movable because they are a family that dances.” The dance-party hostess collaborated with Adler to transform her townhouse into a space that felt colorful, collected, and eclectic. When it came time to design her own home collection, Lepore applied her same mix-and-match, cheerfully chaotic approach.  She says, “I set out to create something that was daring, energetic, and exciting to come home to.”

Which is your favorite piece from Villa? See the entire collection, and shop the look here.