In the remote, dreary Jutland coasts of 19th-century Denmark, a pair of spinster sisters took in a Parisian woman named Babette as their housekeeper, even though they could not afford to pay her.  For the next fourteen years, Babette cooked the bland meals demanded by the sisters’ late father, whose strict religious beliefs they still followed.

Then, one day, Babette won the lottery.  But instead of going back to Paris, she spent it all making the most lavish feast the sisters and their fellow believers had ever seen.  Course after course of the most exotic delicacies were served on the most beautiful china.  As the feast progressed, its sensual pleasures overwhelmed even the most hardened souls, as the diners reconnected with each other, forgave old sins, and re-kindled long lost loves.

Finally Babette reveals that she was once the head chef of the famed Cafe Anglais in Paris.  The sisters were horrified!  Babette had spent her last cent on them and could not go back to her glamorous life again.  They sob that she would be poor for the rest of her life.  But Babette tells them, “an artist is never poor.”

This novel by Karen Blixen, of Out of Africa fame, was made into a movie in 1987 and became an instant classic.  It won an Oscar for Best Foreign Language film, a Cannes Film Festival award, and a Belgian Grand Prix.  Even Pope Francis mentioned it as his favorite film in a New York Times interview.

Recently, one of our clients from Brazil recreated this very film after some serious research and shared her photos with us.  Her table is spectacular:

The first course, blinis demidoff:

Followed by a salad:

A potage a la tortue:

The main course, cailles en sarcophage:

And of course, dessert!  The savarin au rhum:

And to make it a really special occasion, beautifully dressed guests at the party!

Did you recognize Haviland’s Imperatrice Eugenie dinnerware on the table?  This is the same pattern Babette ordered from France for her feast and is especially appropriate to the story, since the Cafe Anglais was one of the greatest restaurants during the Second Empire, when Empress Eugenie and Emperor Napoleon III were at the height of their power.

For more photos and tips on how to create your own Babette’s Feast, please see our inspiration gallery.

We hope this will help you celebrate your Thanksgiving.  Remember to be grateful for the kindness of others and enjoy the pleasures of good food, good friends, and loved ones.  Don’t forget to share your special celebration with us — just write us or instagram us with #graciousstyle.

And thank you, Renata, for having shared these stunning images with us.

What’s the perfect gravy boat for your Thanksgiving feast?  Naturally, a question for Bon Appetit’s big November 2015 issue:

And one of the answers is the Vista Alegre Venezia Gravy Boat:

According to the editors, “The intricately patterned piece has a pointy spout for daintier pours (and less mess).”  See if you agree:

Click here to see the rest of the Venezia dinnerware and other Vista Alegre collections.

In L.A., where we are surrounded by so many people in the (movie) industry, Halloween is serious business.

For the past several years, local artist/photographer/baker Christine McConnell has taken over her parents’ house and made it over for Halloween.  Last year, her design was inspired by Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas:”

This year, she created an even more over-the-top version, inspired by “Monster House:”

Over in Beverly Hills, local real estate agent Michael Libow’s Spadena House (better known as “The Witch’s House”), is perfect for trick-or-treating. Designed by Hollywood art director Harry Oliver in 1920, it’s been carefully renovated and a must-visit on Halloween.

And of course, don’t forget the West Hollywood Carnaval, the world’s largest Halloween street party:

But what if you love to party and you’re short on time?  Halloween’s easy, because you can take things you already own and just add accessories.  Here are a few ideas.

See how just one Witch Hat napkin ring transforms this black and gold setting.

One black skull is all you need on your console table:

Same idea on your dinner table with one white skull:

If you’ve got a few glass jars in the kitchen, fill them with candy and label them (get your candy here and  free printable label here) to create a Halloween Party “Specimen Table”:

And for the little ones, keep it simple with Hershey’s Kisses:

Happy trick-or-treating!  Click here for more Halloween party ideas.

Father’s Day is less than three weeks away on Sunday, June 21st, so we thought we’d help you remember him with these thoughtful gifts for dad.  And for a limited time, enjoy free shipping on all orders over $75.

To view more Father’s Day Gifts, click here!

Mother’s Day is just one month away; be sure to remember her with these thoughtful gifts.

And for a limited time, enjoy free shipping on all orders over $75.

To view our full sale section, click here!

With spring in the air and Easter on its way, Herend’s bunnies come out to play!

 They’re nestled in leaves, inside a top hat, or a hot air balloon – now how cute is that?

We love the sweet message these little guys send, so get one for yourself, or give one to a friend!

Overcome with bunny affection? Take a look here at our whole collection!

February is on its way, and love is in the air! If you’re stumped on what to get that special someone, we’re here to help. To find a gift as different and original as the one you love, consider what you love most about him or her, and read on…

If you love her cooking… complement her best dishes with dinnerware that will bring out the colors and shapes of the food.

If you love his artistic eye… encourage his creativity with a bold art piece. This crystal sculpture’s bold geometry and rich color make it a unique statement for any room.

If you love her elegance… a set of Varga stemware is a timeless gift. For a romantic touch, compliment a pair of flutes with a bottle of champagne, and propose a toast!

If you love his green thumb… a rustic terracotta planter can house a beautiful to nurture as a couple. Measure it now, and see how much it grows by next February 14th.

If you love her sense of adventure… present her with a travel book to dazzle the eye. Pick out one that will remind her of travels together, or of somewhere you want to visit. Having trouble deciding? Nothing says love like Paris.

If you love his sophistication… delight his refined side with a caviar set. This stunning silverplate bowl comes equipped with vodka glasses, perfect for sharing!

Need more ideas?  Check out our Valentine’s Day section.

It’s a brand new year, and that means getting started on some resolutions! For many, these goals are centered around health or weight loss. Whether you’re planning to shed some major lbs, or are just interested in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, here are five easy fixes that will promote good habits:

1. When preparing to sit down for a meal, try using a smaller plate to serve your food. The same portions will look much fuller and make you feel more satisfied. If you don’t already have some, treat yourself to a beautiful set of salad plates, which are smaller than dinner plates, but can still hold a hearty, balanced meal.

2. The color of your dinnerware can affect your eating habits as much as the size. Certain colors, such as red and yellow, can trigger hunger. To eat smaller portions, try using a rich eggplant purple or cool blue plate, which are appetite suppressants.

3. If your home has a set of stairs, energize them with a bright runner rug. Using stimulating colors will boost your energy level and motivate you to hop to the top. Once you reach the last step, run back down and up one more time!

4. One easy way to improve your overall health is by drinking more water. The simplicity of this step has made it easy to overlook, however. Give yourself a quick reminder with a colorful water pitcher and set of tumblers. Try putting lemon and cucumber slices in your water for a fresh, delicious twist.

5. Snacking can be a hard habit to break. Give yourself an easy alternative to chips or candy by keeping healthy options handy. Place a beautiful fruit basket or nut bowl on your counter so you reach for those first.

2015 welcomes in the Year of the Sheep!

What does it mean?  If you or a loved one were born under any of these dates, the Chinese believe that people born under this Zodiac sign are tender, polite, clever, and kind-hearted:

Feb 1, 1919 – Feb 19, 1920

Feb 17, 1931 – Feb 5, 1932

Feb 5, 1943 – Jan 24, 1944

Jan 24, 1955 – Feb 11, 1956

Feb 9, 1967 – Jan 29, 1968

Jan 28, 1979 – Feb 15, 1980

Feb 15, 1991 – Feb 3, 1992

Feb 1, 2003 – Jan 21, 2004

Feb 19, 2015 – Feb 7, 2016

While Chinese New Year doesn’t start until February 19th this year, here are some of our favorite finds to remind us of this peaceful, nurturing animal throughout the year:

Happy New Year from all of us at Gracious Style!

Kick off your new year with a bit of luxury. With new additions to our sale section, it’s easy to indulge!

To view our full sale section, click here!