One of the necessary additions to a great bed ensemble is the pillow protector. A good pillow is a major purchase today, so it’s a good idea to protect it from dust and dirt. Our Fiona pillow protectors, made of the same Italian-spun 300TC Egyptian cotton sateen as our best-selling sheets and duvet covers, are a fantastic value and adorn the pillow with the quality it deserves. Read more

Time to replace your old, worn-out bath towels?  Maybe you’re redecorating and need a new, bold color?  Or you’re looking for a great wedding or hostess gift.  Whatever the question, we’re sure these beautiful new bath towels from Sferra Fine Linens are the answer. Read more

French interior design master Alberto Pinto has long been known for creating stylish, custom interiors for exclusive clients. He takes a personal approach to each project and has a keen eye for effortlessly combining pieces from different periods to create stylish, individual interiors that have been called the “haute couture of interior decorating.” Read more

On our last trip to New York, we met with a new company called Prouna which specializes in creating exquisite dinnerware encrusted with Swarovski crystals.  We loved that Kamran Bahadorzadeh, the founder of the U.S. branch of the company, actually first chanced upon the line in Korea while he was looking for a gift for his 30th wedding anniversary.  The pieces were a huge success with his wife and friends, and now he and his two daughters have brought Prouna to the U.S. Read more

If you love Sferra’s table linens and you need something that’s stylish and easy to clean, we’ve got great news for you.  Sferra has just introduced three new lines of easy-care vinyl placemats that can easily be wiped clean, so they are perfect for everyday use in your kitchen and breakfast table. Read more

The VIETRI story is one of family and friends.  In 1983, Lee Gravely took her daughters, Susan and Frances, on a trip to Italy.  They were delighted by the colorful, handpainted dinnerware made by local artisans and used in the legendary San Pietro Hotel. Read more

In keeping with our simpler times, Libeco Home’s table linen collections are fresh, pure, and very relaxed.  Every piece is made from Belgian linen, so they are highly absorbent, lint-free, and non-allergenic.  They’re perfect for use this season, and  since they get softer with every wash, we can see them going from the table to the washing machine and back again.
Read more

Although snow is still falling in much of the country, in L.A. the rains have stopped and the sun is shining brightly.  We’ve spent the last two weeks planting  in our yard and lots of birds have kept us company.  The trees in our neighborhood are stripped of leaves, but there is something very moving about seeing the sculptural shapes of trees during winter.

Which got us to thinking … usually, spring dinnerware is full of color and flowers, but what if we could find something that’s more timeless?  Something that would work all year long?

Happily, Raynaud has two new lines of dinnerware that fit the bill.

The Ombrages Limoges dinnerware collection is a stylish, modern take on a classic floral pattern. From the French ombrages, meaning “shadows”, the playful design evokes the movement of light and shadows in a summer garden. Exquisitely crafted by French artisans following age-old techniques, every piece in the collection is slightly different, lending the entire setting a custom look.  The black, platinum, and yellow colors remind us of Kelly Wearstler’s designs.

And if you like birds, the Bird Limoges dinnerware collection is whimsical, yet refined. It’s available in a neutral palette of grey, taupe, and celadon, so it would work well if you lean toward antiques and weathered pieces.

Gracious Style is an online retailer of sophisticated, high-quality products for every room in the house.  We love helping others create warm and welcoming rooms for themselves.  To read more, visit our blog.

Springtime is still a long time away, but we have a wonderful pick-me-up for you. If you’re dreaming of April flowers, take a look at these bright, beautiful new plates, mugs and trays from Raynaud.

Fleur Exquise is French for “exquisite flower” and we think they are very appropriately named! Available in four richly colored flowers, the designs remind us of French Impressionist paintings. They’re sure to banish your winter blues.

Go grab a cup of coffee and spend a few minutes with some gorgeous flowers. We’ll wait for you.
 

Feel less blue now? Why not send this to a friend and brighten their day as well! Springtime will arrive soon, but for now enjoy some spring dreams.
 

It happens to the best of us: drinks can spill and plates can drop.  Over time, dining tables can really sustain a lot of wear and tear, especially during the holidays.  Tablecloths help, but with larger spills, clanging of plates, or dripping wax, tabletops can easily get damaged.  Sometimes the repairs are easy, but with antiques and precious heirlooms, often they are not.  Since good furniture is an investment, it’s much better to be prepared.
Read more