Wednesday, November 25, 2009

"Decadent on a Dime" Holiday Decor 2009


"Decadent on a Dime" Holiday Decor 2009
By: Laura Green Thome


November 15, 2009


Making your Holidays sizzle this year is a stretch for most of us! As we celebrate the most important things in life we realize that they are not things at all. The way we celebrate the most important gift of all is to make meaningful time for one another as we celebrate ‘the reason for the season’. Using what you have and adding to or simplifying your décor can add a whole new appreciation for things passed down and things new.

Most of us have boxes of garland, old crèches, lights that do and a few that don’t work—even the boxes of unopened ornaments from years past. Well this is the year to do a little digging and find new ways to use your collection. Why not rummage around a little sooner this season and make time to have your children and grandchildren part of the process? Have them help you un-box old ornaments and collections group them according to type or color around the house. Then decide which rooms will be part of which ‘theme’. The preparation can be as meaningful as the season if you take the time to enjoy it!

For instance, if you have found a collection of gold ornaments in glass that are fragile and have a collection of ivory, white and crystal toned ornaments—group them together on a tree in your living room pairing them with white lights and adding curly willow branches interspersed throughout the branches to add a toned down twist. In the same room add a few old pieces of silver on the coffee table with unused ornaments or festive spice covered balls, cinnamon is one of my favorites. Fill an unused crystal server with mounds of wrapped peppermints on a side table—hopefully lying next to an old photo album to peruse as you crunch peppermint and remember good times with loved ones.

For a handmade touch string popcorn interspersed with cranberries or try your hand at making a paper-chain out of all white paper to add to the décor with out adding to the bottom line.

If you have a large box of multicolor lights in knots, take the time to unknot them—throwback to the eighties and fill your tree with lots of color everywhere! But then pair the colorful tree with a nubby burlap skirt and simple burlap table coverings with mounds of colored crystal serving pieces filled with multicolored chocolates, this will simplify an already full palette and allow it to grace your home with an understated elegance.

Another finishing touch is to shop early for your wrappings & trimmings and make sure that whatever theme or palette you have decided upon is carried throughout the season in the invitations, gift tags, wrappings, ribbons and bows. So start unpacking and making your holiday preparation take on a whole new meaning this year~!
A few of my favorite places to shop for the upcoming holidays are:

Erika Reade~Buckhead, Atlanta
BD Jeffries~Buckhead, Atlanta
Roswell ~ Antique District & Market on Canton Street

Laura Green Thome will be speaking on Holiday Decor at Cest Moi on November 23, 2009 7:30-9pm 1100 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta, GA

Laura Green Thome, founder of L. Green Studios, LLC a Full and Limited Services Interior Design Studio located in the Buckhead area of Atlanta. Current studio work includes projects throughout the Southeast including Atlanta, Athens, Birmingham and Houston. Laura brings a palette of classic style elements together emphasizing simple sophistication. She works closely with clients to pull together a well positioned home poignantly capturing their personality. For More Information Contact:
info@lgreenstudios.com

Monday, November 23, 2009

From Carriage House to Guest Cottage~Moving In/Installation

Dining Room Oly Studio Table reflection~Photo Courtesy of L. Green Studios
Hardware Detail...


Guest Bath Detail~Photos Courtesy of L. Green Studios



Master Bath Detail~Photos Courtesy of L. Green Studios


Detail at Living Room~Coming together...

Windsor Oaks Details Coming Together




Saturday, November 14, 2009

Defining your Home with Fresh Flowers & Plants



Defining your Home with Fresh Flowers is one of the easiest ways to make it stand out to guests and friends. You have the ability with your choice to change the entire atmosphere with color and texture that can be changed as often as you like. I prefer a simple backdrop in overall decor so that you can edit the space with organic choices. For example, above add a maidenhair fern to and already simple and sophisticated side table to add freshness. Below, you could choose a pale pink dozen or so roses and put them in a square glass vase as a tight full piece on your entry table.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

From Carriage House to Cottage Continued


The transformation is taking shape, before long the interior construction will be complete and the countertops and floors will go in!! We used Benjamin Moore's Linen White on the Walls and Marscapone on the Ceiling and Trim...enjoy watching as things come together!!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Mountainbrook, Alabama Installation


Detail shots from installation in Mountainbrook (Birmingham) with one of my favorite clients yesterday, we are seeing the color palette and pieces taking shape, so rewarding!! We just finished the final drapery installations for the main living spaces--Beautiful Ivory Silk Panels throughout the Great Room with ball fringe in a dusty gray blue and bisque, Linen Bisque Panels in Breakfast Room with Cilantro & Linen White Striping on walls, Dark Taupe and Gray Green Stripe in the Dining with Putty on the walls--Exquisite!!

Printed Linen on a custom English Arm Chair combined with a Ralph Lauren Chenille, Sisal & Silk Panels--Does it get any better! Loving the combination so far...
Wedding silver, inherited silver, purchased silver--use it all for beautiful collections throughout your home, I love it slightly tarnished as it increases the depth of the reflections...
Love this Susie Pryor piece from Bennett Street as the focal point of the Great Room over the faux painted mantle with old brick... (http://www.bennettstgallery.com/susie_pryor2.html)
Detail of small albino pumpkin to ring in the season...

Really great gourd lamps in mustard with fresh & simple white orchids...