Royal Copenhagen’s Star Fluted Bone China dinnerware was inspired by a service that was first produced in 1895. With its elegant wreaths of pine, red ribbon bows and gold accents, it’s the perfect background to a joyous Christmas table setting.

Check it out in the latest issue of Victoria Magazine:

To view the entire collection, click here.

Coveted by collectors worldwide, Daum makes extraordinary pieces that take your breath away.  From intricate vases that bring beauty and style to the home to lifelike sculptures that delight the imagination, Daum elevates glass to the highest art using a technique called pâte de cristal.

So what is pâte de cristal? It’s a process which begins with an initial clay model sculpted from detailed artist’s sketches. From this model, a negative mold is formed, into which hot wax is poured. Once the wax is set, a new plaster mold is formed around it and the wax is melted out.

Next, fragments of luminescent crystal in a variety of colors are inserted into the mold, which is then placed in a kiln for ten days to allow the pieces to melt and flow into each and every crevice. The result is a completely unique work of art that glows with stunning color.

Since they were founded in Nancy, France in 1878, Daum has collaborated with over 350 artists, including Salvador Dali, Arman, and Paloma Picasso. With so many creative minds at work, every piece by Daum is unique and extends the imagination.

See more art and decorative pieces from Daum at GraciousStyle.com.

Just what makes some people great designers?  In an age where Steve Jobs has become synonymous with Creative Genius, I found it interesting to read about somebody with an arguably greater impact on how we live today: Coco Chanel.

Whatever you may think of the Chanel products of today, Coco Chanel epitomized the trend that made women dress like Grace Kelly (and Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy and Princess Diana … you get the idea) rather than Queen Victoria.  She is famous for many of the staples of modern fashion, including the little black dress, women’s trousers, the white pearl necklace, and the shoulder bag.  She’s even credited with making tanning popular.

Chanel’s complex life has inspired numerous movies, including Coco Before Chanel and Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky.  There are also many lavish fashion books about her, such as Assouline’s Chanel 3-Book Set.

The Gospel According to Coco Chanel, however, took me through quirkier journey with her, interspersing her (in)famous quotes with the story of her life:

Through her rags-to-riches-to-rags-to-riches-again tale, you get to see her intensely focused vision, which practically cut her off from the rest of the world, and her unyielding determination to see that vision through.

The quotes alone should give you a good idea of what she was like:

“The most courageous act is still to think for yourself.  Aloud.“

“Gentleness doesn’t get work done, unless you happen to be a hen laying eggs.“

“Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door.“

“Money is a good servant and a bad master.“

“There is time for work, and time for love.  That leaves no other time.“

“The answer isn’t to climb down but to climb higher.“

We’ve got it! Tables, chairs, throw pillows and more from oomph are just the thing to add some color and pizzazz to any room in the house.

See our entire collection of oomph.

During the holidays, we love bold, beautiful tables for entertaining.  Julia Knight’s designs, based on shapes and colors found in nature, are the perfect building blocks to create a memorable spread for any occasion. In her own words:

To me, entertaining is about enjoying friends and family, about making anytime perfectly fun or perfectly elegant.

Julia Knight’s serving pieces and dishes are designed to be layered like pieces of an essential wardrobe for your table. The colors and shapes are selected with the whole collection in mind, so you can mix and match away! It’s so easy to create a beautiful table that is uniquely yours.

Learn more about Julia’s inspiration and the artistry behind her pieces in this video:

To see the entire Julia Knight collection, click here.

Annie Selke is the creative mind behind the wonderful, colorful Pine Cone Hill line of bed linens and pajamas. We love her fresh, cheery style, which is evidenced equally in her mid-century modern home as it is in her designs for Pine Cone Hill.

Take the tour:

Who doesn’t love a puppy? The wagging tail, the slobbery kisses…and all of the dog gear. From beds and bowls to leashes and toys, dogs need a lot of stuff. Unfortunately for the chic dog owner, dog equipment has historically been, shall we say, less than stylish.

Luckily for us, dog owners no longer have to choose between a well-decorated home or Fifi’s comfort. Wagwear has filled in the gap with stylish, functional dog accessories that you and your pup will both love.

Founded in 1998 by former fashion designer Amy Harlow, Wagwear offers “puppy chic” leashes, dog beds, carrying bags and more in cheery colors and sturdy materials.

There are leashes and collars:

Beds:

Carriers:

And so much more! See the entire collection of Wagwear dog gear.

Ever wonder why it’s so tricky to get that sweep of eye liner perfectly straight? Or apply your concealer in just the right spots? The reason is that most mirrors have at least some distortion.

Chances are, you’ve never given much thought to the quality of the mirrors you look into every day. But if you think all mirrors are the same, then you’ve never looked into the unmatched clarity of a Frasco mirror.  These are the best in the business today.

Used at beauty counters in fine department stores around the world, Frasco mirrors are completely distortion-free and made with optical quality silvered glass and premium grade brass.  The finish on Frasco mirrors is guaranteed for three years against manufacturing defects.

Each Frasco mirror is made by hand in Germany and goes through 40-90 different steps in manufacturing to ensure a perfect product every time.

Take a look at the process:

View our collection of Frasco mirrors at GraciousStyle.com.

You hear a lot about luxurious cashmere blankets, scarves, sweaters and more. But what exactly is cashmere, and what makes it so luxurious?

The experts at Sferra explain:

Cashmere is wool from the Cashmere goat. The majority of the world’s Cashmere today comes from China and Mongolia, with the finest found in the Gobi Desert region of Inner Mongolia. Cashmere goats produce a double fleece. The fine, soft undercoat (or underdown) of hair is mingled and must be de-haired from the straighter and much coarser outer coating of hair (or guard hair.)

Cashmere is characterized by its fine, soft and strong fibers, which are highly adaptable and skillfully spun into yarns. This luxuriant wool provides a natural, light-weight insulation with a silken feel. The resulting Cashmere fabric is highly durable and will last for years if cared for properly.

We have several cashmere throws and they really are softer than any other wool products. One of our favorites is the Dorsey Throw from Sferra:

Although cashmere is best cared for by dry cleaning, you can wash it. Use a specially formulated detergent for cashmere, as normal detergents are too harsh for this fine fabric. We like The Laundress Wool & Cashmere Shampoo.

The secret to beautiful hair is no longer hidden. We’ve recently discovered Mason Pearson hairbrushes and we’re not alone in our infatuation with them. The company has been producing the same top-quality brush since 1885 and continues to impress beauty icons the world over. Heidi Klum has revealed her love of these handmade brushes both on InStyle.com and on her own AOL website. Emma Watson has told Marie Claire the Mason Pearson brush is a beauty must-have for her; she has one in pink.

Creating the perfect hairbrush may seem simple, but Mason Pearson is meticulous in every innovative detail. From the natural boar bristles and extra-smooth nylon bristles to the hand-polished handle and specially-designed rubber cushion, each element comes together in one essential beauty tool that will last a lifetime. So why do they put so much care into such a simple item? Because it is more than just a brush; it’s the key to healthy hair.

Mason Pearson brushes are made specifically to stimulate circulation in the scalp, exfoliate the scalp and cleanse the hair shaft, as well as to distribute vital natural oils throughout the hair. Following their prescribed routine of brushing 40-60 strokes each night and detangling hair before and after shampooing will bring you manageable, beautiful hair. Just ask Heidi and Emma.

View our full collection of Mason Pearson brushes and combs at GraciousStyle.com to determine which one is right for you.