I’m always thrilled when my boyfriend volunteers to do the dishes… until I hear the chilling sound of another glass shattering in the sink! Between him and his brother, those 4 hands have broken a good 20 or 30 glasses over the past year. My solution? Mario Luca Giusti‘s durable, beautiful, boyfriend-proof drinkware.

In so many colors and styles, these glass-like acrylic pieces were just what our kitchen needed. Now, when I hear something tumble into the sink, I keep my feet up and remote in hand, knowing he’ll never break another glass.

 

For more fun and easy styles by Mario Luca Giusti, click here!

Taking a turn from tradition, the folks at Mothermag.com put their heads together to create a tabletop that is super fun and colorful. Using our delightfully versatile Jars Tourron Jade Dinner Plates, a bright Modern Fiesta scene came to life. Here, we share some of stylist Natalie Bowen’s tips on creating this fun and festive look in your own home…

“If your napkins don’t match, don’t worry. Mixing bright hues and prints in the napkins—and all over the table—adds to the colorful, fiesta feel, perfect for birthday parties, baby showers, and the like.”

“Using a statement coaster adds a nice finishing touch, as does an assortment of vintage, mis-matched silverware.”

“Use fresh mint or herbs from the grocery store or your own garden as part of the floral decor topping the plates.”

“We love the “fiesta” theme, because almost anything goes when it comes to the color palette. This is a real opportunity to use several of your favorite flowers for an awe-inspiring centerpiece or smaller arrangements.”

A special thanks to Mothermag.com for these stunning images!

For more from our Jars Tourron Jade Collection, click here.

After our recent trip to visit Peter Marino’s new Chanel stores in Paris, we’ve been seeing gold everywhere.  But this time around, it’s more chic and textural.   The trick?  Find a softer gold that’s infused with champagne, so it feels warm and organic.  You want to bring just enough luster into a room to make it come alive, but not so much that it feels overdone.

Here are three ways to do it:

1. Combine gold with neutrals.

2. Combine gold with faded antiques.

 

3. Combine gold with anything exotic.

Interested in learning more?  Check out our Gold Rush board on Pinterest.

 

With guests arriving from out of town and the holiday fervor in full swing, there’s no better time to add that little extra something to your home decor. Snag one of these great sale items and start sending those invites!

 

 

To view our full sale section, click here!

There are times when you want an instant burst of color in your dining room, and nothing will do that more quickly than a brightly printed tablecloth.  Beauville’s collections, designed and printed in the Alsace region of France, are meticulously silk screened with up to 20 colors for a look that is vibrant, yet sophisticated.

Here’s a sneak preview of the line, which we’ve just introduced at Gracious Style:

And to match these linens, solid napkins in fifteen colors:

Are you in love?  See the complete collection of Beauville table linens here.

 

Thanksgiving is one of the most traditional holidays celebrated in the United States. While many homes partake of the classic turkey dinner, there are so many ways to celebrate this festive time of year. So what is your Thanksgiving style? Take our quiz to find out what kind of Thanksgiving you will have, and what you need to make it the best day of the year.

1. Thanksgiving dinner makes you think of

A. A formal affair with all the trimmings

B. A family potluck

C. Dinner out at a nice restaurant

 

2. When you host for the holidays, you

A. Serve grandma’s traditional turkey

B. Make the best pecan pie your friends and family have every tasted

C. Try a tofurky

 

3. If you could be invited to Thanksgiving dinner at the home of someone famous, you would go to

A. Martha Stewart’s soiree

B. Oprah’s fun festivities

C. A party at Prince’s place

 

4. After dinner, you plan to

A. Sit by the fireplace sharing family memories

B. Put the kids to bed and serve cocktails

C. Go out on the town, and sleep in on Black Friday

 

5. When you set your table, you use

A. A crisp white linen tablecloth and fine china

B. Bright colors and durable dinnerware

C. Cocktail napkins and a corkscrew; you’re not the chef tonight

 

6. Your favorite way to eat turkey is

A. With cranberry sauce

B. With your best friend’s famous green bean casserole

C. In a tortilla – Turkey Tacos!

 

7. The one thing everyone should bring to your Thanksgiving celebration is

A. Their best manners

B. Their favorite dish or dessert

C. Their sense of humor

 

8. To decorate your home for the Holiday, you

A. Get out the good crystal, and prepare the guest room

B. Put pumpkins and pilgrims wherever possible

C. Roll out the bar cart

 

9. When you show pictures of your evening, your friends exclaim

A. “How elegant!”

B. “How fun!”

C. “How unique!”

 

10. When you celebrate again next year, you

A. Do everything the same way, it’s tradition

B. Invite even more people!

C. Add spicy curry sauce to everything

 

Mostly A’s: Your Thanksgiving will be A Time for Tradition. You love to keep things classic, and understand the importance of your family’s past times. When preparing for this time of year, be sure to press your fine linens, polish your silver and set our your best china. You may want to buy a few extra napkins, and even an additional place setting or two to ensure you’re prepared for the perfect party.

 

Mostly B’s: Your Thanksgiving will be Fun with Family and Friends. When you celebrate for the holidays, the more the merrier. Because your festivities will include a lot of people, and possibly kids, too, be sure to use table linens that are easy to care for, as well as lots of seasonal decor to make your home feel lively and welcoming.

 

Mostly C’s: Your Thanksgiving will be An Unconventional Evening. You love thinking outside the box, and thrive in diverse environments. While tradition may not be your style, your Thanksgiving will feel special and exciting. If you go out to eat, many restaurants have chef’s specials for the holiday. If you host, even just for cocktails, try setting the scene with bold glassware and fun napkins to show your spirit.

Thanksgiving is just a month away, making this the busiest time of year for hosting and entertaining. To keep yourself organized, just follow these ten easy steps.

Four Weeks Until Thanksgiving

1. Count who’s coming: Make a list of all your guests. This will help you determine how much food you need, what size tablecloth to use, and how many places you’ll set. It is always a good idea to have extra napkins and place settings available, and don’t forget that hosting Thanksgiving requires plenty of serving dishes and platters.

2. Plan a menu.  Place orders for turkeys, side dishes, and desserts.

3. Order flower arrangements.

Three Weeks Until Thanksgiving

4. Plan your decor: The start of November is the perfect time to set up your Thanksgiving decor, and enjoy it all month long. Whether you prefer Herend‘s precious woodland creatures or Simon Pearce‘s delicate glass pumpkins, adding a few seasonal items to your home will keep you and your guests feeling spirited.

Two Weeks Until Thanksgiving

5. Clean your house thoroughly.  Check carpets, walls, and all lighting fixtures: you want your house to shine!

6. Prep your guest rooms.   Be sure out-of-towners feel welcome and comfortable with fresh towels and sheets in festive fall colors.

One Week Until Thanksgiving

7. Purchase all non-perishable items.  Thaw frozen turkeys.

Two Days Until Thanksgiving

8. Iron table linens, set dinnerware and serving pieces out.

One Day Before Thanksgiving

9. Bake vegetables, side dishes, and pies.  Pick up flowers and prepared foods.

Thanksgiving Day

10. Bake the turkey, light the candles, and enjoy!

For more ideas, visit our Thanksgiving shop.

 

The holidays are coming! With busy homes filled with family, friends and out of town guests, the bathroom gets a lot of traffic during this time of year. Here are five ways to keep your bathroom fresh and guest-friendly throughout the season.

1. Start with the basics, and replenish your towel supply. Have several extra sets to cover your entire household plus visitors.

 

2. Bath accessories are a quick and easy update that can make a big impact.

 

3. Swap out your shower curtain.

 

4. Robes are essential for keeping cozy around the house; make sure you have some spares for guests, too!

 

5. Add some fresh hues! A bathmat or rug is the perfect place to try a small splash of bold color.

For more on choosing bath linens, click here!

Holiday season is just beginning, and picking the right table linens is an essential step for all hosts. To help you make the perfect choice, we’ve broken down the five basic questions to ask before making your decision:

1. What material should I choose?

Because they are strong and absorbent, we recommend natural materials like cotton and linen.   But if you are short on time, there are great easy-care table linen collections available which are either stain-resistant or wrinkle resistant.

 

2. What size tablecloth should I buy?

For formal settings, we recommend that tablecloths should hang down 10″ to 12″ evenly around the table. In contrast, casual events call for cloths that have 6″ – 8″ drops.

To calculate the size of tablecloth you need, measure the length and width of your table and add twice the desired drop to each dimension. For example, if your table measures 48″ wide and 84″ long, and you would like a 12″ drop on each side, your tablecloth should be:
48″ + 12″ + 12″ = 72″ wide
84″ + 12″ + 12″ = 92″ long

For round tables, measure the diameter of your table and add twice the desired drop. Following the example above, 48″ round tables would require 70″ round tablecloths.

 

3. What shape should my tablecloth be?

On square and rectangular tables, we suggest using the same shape tablecloth. On round tables, either rounds or squares may be used, while on oval tables, either oval or rectangular tablecloths may be used. If you have several tables that you use often and your budget is limited, a nice alternative is to use placemats and napkins, which will work in any situation.

 

4. What should I consider in choosing linens for a special event?

There are several important factors to take into account when choosing table linens for a special event:

– Location: Choose colors to complement the existing décor of your dining room. For outdoor events, let the setting be your guide. Generally, bright colors look better in sunny locations, while pastels are wonderful in garden settings.

– Season: Spring and summer colors tend to be lighter, while bolder colors are more appropriate during the colder fall and winter months.

– Theme: Colorful linens are one of the most effective ways to set the mood you want to create. Vibrant colors add drama, while soft colors evoke a more refined atmosphere.

 

5. Do I need a table liner?

Although designed to last a lifetime, fine table surfaces are often exposed to excessive wear and tear. To help protect your tables, thick felt table liners are designed to reduce noise and protect your tabletop against heat and scratches. Unlike ordinary liners, these are plush and generously sized (approximately 5″ larger than your table) to extend over the edge of your table in order to create a softer drape underneath your fine linens.  To read more, see Protecting Your Table with Felt Liners.

 

For more information on Choosing Table Linens, click here!

The leaves are turning, a brisk wind is blowing, and the magic of the fall season has just begun! Create an inviting retreat for yourself this season by adding some fall spirit to your bedroom. Here are a few key pieces to get you started:

– Roll out a warm wool rug on hardwood floors, or layer on top of carpet to welcome your toes out of bed in the morning.

 

– Keep soft throws at your fingertips to grab on a cold night.

 

– Embrace the season’s hues in rust, chocolate and crimson. Try a new throw pillow, or get some soft new sheets in these timeless colors.

 

Delight your senses with the warm glow of candlelight.

 

Always have a plush robe ready to go. Whether you use one post-shower, or just for lounging, this will always make you feel pampered.