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.“

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.

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.

Sir Elton John’s love of interior design and gardens is legendary, so it’s no surprise that the luxury candles he has created with NEST Fragrances founder Laura Slatkin are extraordinarily scented and gorgeously packaged.

Featuring a festive blend of evergreen evergreen and balsam fir needles combined with rich woods and sparkling citrus, the Sir Elton John Holiday candle is decorated with an etching of a coat of arms belonging to a noble family that lived in Luxembourg during the 1800s. After modifying the design to include gold, red, and green seasonal holiday foliage, calligrapher Bernard Maisner blended in handwritten lettering in a Gothic style from the medieval era and an italic script from the Renaissance period.  For warmth and color, Sir Elton added a deep aubergine color to the glass.

For a lighter feel, the Woodside Garden candle features a sophisticated and arrangement of notes inspired by flowers from Sir Elton’s floral gardens at Woodside in Old Windsor, England, including hyacinth, freesia, rose, and jasmine.  Housed in a brilliant translucent chartreuse glass container stamped with a regal gold crown, Woodside Garden’s packaging includes lavender roses and green foliage drawn into the artwork.

And as an added bonus, a portion of the proceeds from their  sales of these candles will benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

See our entire collection of NEST Fragrances.

Vagabond House is a family-owned American company specializing in fine pewter tableware, servingware and giftware. Largely inspired by nature, their exclusive products are designed to be unique, functional heirlooms for those who seek to express tradition and style in both family and formal entertaining.

Pewter was prized in colonial America, and continues to be a popular material today. Its subtle sheen is beautiful and doesn’t require polishing like silver. Pewter is perfect for those who appreciate quality but don’t want to spend a lot of time on upkeep.

Here are a few of our favorite pieces:

To see our entire Vagabond House collection, click here.

We’re excited to bring you the best of Jonathan Adler’s quirky and cool home collections. Adler, originally trained as a ceramicist, is well known in design circles for his bright, cheerful colors, irreverent patterns, and generally groovy aesthetic.

His bath towels and shower curtains will liven up any bathroom:

And his whimsical brass sculptures are both interesting to look at and useful:

To see our entire Jonathan Adler collection, click here.

Did you know the French are also passionate about tea?

While the English are famous for their tea-drinking, the French have loved tea since the early 1600’s.  Tea was a favorite drink of the French royalty, who believed it would cure illness and old age.  Eventually it became associated with the aristocracy and the upper classes, and tea drinking acquired its own elaborate tea ceremonies and etiquette.

Today, you can find chic tea shops through Paris, offering exotic blends from all over the world in that ever-so-stylish French way:

We wanted to recreate this feeling back at home, so we held a tea tasting in honor of our new line of teas from Le Palais des Thés.  Powerful and inviting aromas surrounded us.

First we sampled Thé Des Alizes, a fresh green tea packaged in a delightful green and yellow tin that perfectly suits the carefree smell and taste of its contents. As we opened the tin, we smelled notes of fruity white peaches along with that classic green tea scent.  The first sip was clean and mild; not bitter like so many traditional green teas. The overall experience was a wonderful combination of fruity scents with a complementary subtle taste.

Thé Des Vahines Rooibos was next and it was a calming contrast to the more refreshing green tea. Rooibos is simply the Afrikaans word for “red bush”, referring to the plant with which an herbal tea is made. Again, with this tea, the scent was strong, yet not overwhelming. It was almost as intoxicating as being in a chocolate shop, with notes of caramel, vanilla, and almond floating in the air. The tea leaves were very fine and made for a smooth flavor with a slight lingering sweetness. Thé Des Vahines Rooibos is caffeine-free, making it a perfect treat for any time of day.

Finally, we tasted an updated version of a classic English tea, Thé des Lords. This is an Earl Grey with strong bergamot flavor and a vibrant overall scent. The leaves are very dark and created a deep flavor with a subtle smokey note. It has an intense flavor that would stand up to a dash of milk, though it’s mild enough to drink black, depending on one’s preference. We liked Thé des Lords as it was not too bitter and would be a great pick-me-up in the mornings.

Parisian cookies from Poilane and chocolates from Jean-Paul Hevin were also served at our tea and made for a decadent experience. The sweet treats went perfectly well with each of our teas.

We are really excited to be carrying fine teas from Le Palais des Thés.  We found that each of them was true to its traditional roots, yet pleasantly infused with new flavors and scents.

If you read any of the popular decorating magazines, you’ve probably seen Pine Cone Hill‘s bright bed linens on their pages. We’ve long been fans of the colorful collections designed by Annie Selke, and we’re thrilled to be able to offer them to you.

They have so many wonderful designs. There are duvet covers:

Sheets:

And matelasses:

There is also a collection of bright, cheerful bathrobes and sleepwear.

These bright colors are the perfect antidote to the chilly fall weather that will soon be upon us.