Inspired by the ornamental stone, the rich, regal color of jade can be added to your home to compliment any color scheme.

To see more throw pillows, click here.

There’s an amazing house in the December 2013 issue of Veranda magazine:

The owners have achieved an almost perfect balance of traditional yet modern design.  The columns, cornices, and arches remind us of the Spanish Revival style which are synonymous with California, but the doors, outdoor sculpture, and general brightness of the space make it perfect for today as well.

The dining room of the house strikes the same traditional yet modern balance:

So naturally we ask: How do you set this table so that is equally traditional yet modern, in keeping with the rest of the house?

We propose the Anna Weatherley Indigo Blue dinnerware.  Like the house itself, its traditional shape is unadorned in its modern simplicity, and it has an intense indigo blue to match the art:

Match it with Alain Saint Joanis’s Arabesque silver-plated flatware, whose Moroccan-inspired handles pay homage to the house’s Spanish Revival roots:

Finally, Varga’s Nouveau Simplicity stemware completes the traditional yet streamlined look, with carved petals inside the cups which echo the arches of the house:

To submit a room for our Instant Makeover, simply post a comment here or tweet us @GraciousStyle

This room from Traditional Home was done up to the nines, with silk drapery, antique furnishings, and even a throw blanket for a spice of color:

But there’s one thing out of place here — the lighting fixture.  It’s too small, doesn’t fit the style of the room, and looks off-centered.

Fortunately, lighting offers a lot of possibilities, as many of the top interior designers and architects have created lighting fixtures that express their style.  Here are three possibilities based on the look of the room.

The Suzanne Kasler Michele Chandelier in French Gilt finish plays to its feminine and antique sensibilities:

Alexa Hampton’s Myrna Chandelier in Natural Brass picks up on the golden tones of the room while staying more neutral:

Finally, Suzanne Kasler’s Seymour Chandelier in Belgian White finish emphasizes the antique details found in the bed, side tables, demi-lune bench, and chair:

To submit a room for our Instant Makeover, simply post a comment here or tweet us @GraciousStyle

What has made Herend’s figurines some of the most beloved and precious collectibles in the world for over fifty years?

It must partly be how cute they look, like these owls:

Or this magical bunny:

Or even this kitten caught in the moment of mischief:

And who will kiss this lucky frog?

Look closely, and you’ll see some of the special touches that make Herend figurines unique:  the pearl-like porcelain, the fishnet pattern (originally created in 1858 to imitate the feathers on a rooster), and the delicate 24 kt gold detailing.

And of course, because every piece is hand painted by an artist who has trained for at least three years before they are qualified, the subtle variations make them charming and completely unique.  Here is one of them at work on a special edition Fireworks Dragon:

Did you know that each Herend figurine can take an artist up to 16 hours to paint by hand.  How long would it take you?

See all Herend figurines at Gracious Style.

We at Gracious Style love to keep up on great style blogs, and Marisa Marcantonio’s Stylebeat is no exception. In fact, we’ve decided to become a sponsor, and the former style editor for House Beautiful and O Magazine recently returned the love in a holiday-themed post featuring some of her favorite items from our shop.

She chose a palette of greens and browns with metallic accents to enhance this season’s holiday tables.

For more on lifestyle and design, visit Stylebeat’s treasure trove of ideas here.

Creating a picture-perfect Thanksgiving table can seem daunting with so many choices available. Luckily, the editors of Coast Magazine have done the hard work for you! They’ve curated an excellent Thanksgiving selection in their new blog, Creating a Thanksgiving Tablecsape, featuring several items from Gracious Style’s catalog.

They’ve included some of our beautiful tableware in seasonal hues of gold:

We’re just thrilled to be included in Coast Magazine’s feature! To read more about West Coast style, visit their site here.

The secret is out! For over twenty years, Visual Comfort has been the premier American resource for signature designer lighting.  Home to a small group of labels featuring some of the most influential names in style, this exceptional brand has consistently produced a wide range of high-quality, sophisticated lighting for every room. Formerly known only to a select group of wise interior designers, Gracious Style is proud to make this incredible line available directly to our customers.

Under the creative direction of legendary designer E. F. (Sandy) Chapman, Visual Comfort has set the standard for the art of lighting. Utilizing only the finest authentic, natural materials, including bronze, porcelain, alabaster, quartz, forged iron, honed woods, and handblown glass, their focus on exceptional craftsmanship and skillful engineering ensures that every piece has a custom feel. With over 80 options, each lavish finish is fashioned to enrich and patina with age, creating a “living” finish that grows with you throughout time and place.

With collections that span from traditional classicism to contemporary chic, internationally acclaimed designers such as Barbara Barry, Suzanne Kasler, Alexa Hampton, and Thomas O’Brien each enrich Visual Comfort’s creative philosophy with their unique visions. Strong architectural silhouettes, subtle iconic elegance, bold neoclassicism, vintage moderne, country industrial, and French antique are all at home in Visual Comfort’s design aesthetic, giving a refreshing twist on formality without betraying traditional sensibilities.

Design, mechanics, sculpture, touch, and sight all combine to create a freestanding still life with each Visual Comfort piece. Equally fashionable and functional, good lighting can be an exquisite architectural statement itself, or can extend the style of a room by interjecting a subtle accent. Visual Comfort’s collection of inspired lighting, designed with personality and integrity, is capable of turning any room into a living work of art.

Begin to beautify your home environment today, by viewing our entire Visual Comfort collection here.

Which is your favorite Visual Comfort lamp?  We’d love to know!

We adore this series of giclee prints from Natural Curiosities. Chosen to inspire, amuse, and enlighten you, there is one for everyone you know.

Available unframed or framed. To view our entire collection of Notable Quotables, click here.

Company’s coming?  Why don’t you update your guest room with these essentials … any of them will make your guests feel pampered.

To find more bedding, candles, clocks, hangers, rugs, bath accessories, and lamps, visit GraciousStyle.com.

Wish you could instantly change the look of a room?  Throw pillows are an easy way to transform the way your room looks and make it more comfortable.  Here are some tips to give your rooms that designer look:

– To add interest, the fabric on your pillows should be different from the upholstery fabric on your furniture.

– Tightly woven fabrics (like cotton and linen) in similar colors work well in modern environments.

– Velvets, silks, and jacquards look great in classic settings.

– Fringed pillows are a great way to vary the texture on your pillows.

– Choose feather-and-down fillers over polyester fills. They are more comfortable and look more natural.

– Choose an odd number of pillows: three, five, or seven usually work best.

– Select a matching pair of pillows and place them on the outside of your sofa and work your way in. We like 22- inch squares on the outside, and smaller rectangular pillows in the center.

– Choose colors and patterns that complement your decor, but vary the scale and intensity of the designs.

– Use pillows to introduce a pop of new color to your room.

– Use pillows to brighten up darker spaces.

– Use pillows in your bedroom: they add texture and color and they’re great for reading.

– Spice up your outdoors with indoor/outdoor throw pillows.

– Bring your travels home: pillows are great reminders of places you’ve visited …

… or about to visit.

Inspired?  Come see our entire collection of throw pillows.