CHRISTMAS TIME MEASURES ANOTHER YEAR GONE BY.......

                                               Thank you Scentimental Gardens.....................

I believe we are all feeling a sense of exhaustion from the joy of making others happy (what I personally so love doing).  We have prepared holiday fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner, not normally on our everyday menus.  We have created invitations and planned parties for the special people we hold so dear. We have shopped for and wrapped that special gift and joyfully given to each and every one.  We have made a Christmas dinner possible for a family less fortunate.  We have cherished the yearly traditions of movies on Christmas night, stories and lit candles representing the Christ child.  We have attended church on Christmas Eve, only to drive  back home through our village with streets lined with luminaria, announding the birth of the Christ child.  When all is said and done, DECEMBER 25TH, IS NOW A MEMORY.  We look ahead to a new year filled with promise and anticipated resolutions.  We pray for PEACE in the world.   We reach out to the BLOGGERS in our lives with appreciation for what they do and what they share..........and many of us new to the scene, so happy to be a part of this community.  To those we have met and to those we have yet to meet, and to those who do not celebrate Christmas, I wish you time filled with your own traditions and values. 


HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL WHERE EVER YOU MAY BE.

Lots of love,
Mary Anne
   

         

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS.................

NOT A CREATURE WAS STIRRING........................FOR THE EXCEPTION OF THIS BLOGGER WHO IS STILL WRAPPING GIFTS AND PREPPING FOR OUR CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER.

WE STARTED THE CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER TRADITION MANY YEARS AGO WITH 

 CLOSE FAMILY FRIENDS. WE TAKE TURNS HAVING THE CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER.  WE STARTED THIS TRADITION OVER 17 YEARS AGO.  A LOT HAS HAPPENED TO DEFINE WHERE WE ARE TODAY.  HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATIONS, COLLEGE GRADUATIONS AND CULINARY SCHOOL GRADUATION (YEAY!)   OUR CHILDREN HAVE GROWN AND HAVE CHILDREN OF THEIR OWN.   MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE ARE ALL TOGETHER ON CHRISTMAS EVE AND THIS YEAR IT IS OUR KITCHEN AND OUR HOME. 

I AM SURE MANY OF YOU HAVE HEARD OF THE TERM, MISE EN PLACE.  (everything in its place).  WHEN ROGER ARRIVES WITH THE SIDE OF SALMON AND THE BEEF TENDERLOIN, I KNOW THAT THERE BETTER NOT BE ANYTHING ON THE COUNTER AT ALL!  NO DECOR TO INTERFERE WITH HIS PREPARATION OF THE MAIN PART OF THE CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER.  HE IS A PRETTY EASY GOING CHEF, BUT IF THE COUNTERS ARE NOT CLEAR.....LOOK OUT CHARLIE BROWN!! 

WE START CHRISTMAS EVE BY GOING TO CHURCH......TALK ABOUT HAVING TO BE ORGANIZED FOR THE FAMILY THAT HAS THE BIG CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER.......

THERE WILL BE 14 OF US THIS YEAR.  FAMILIES HAVE GROWN, BOTH FAMILIES HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN AND WHEN THEY ARE DONE, THEY ARE DONE! SO, TIMING IS EVERYTHING.

  

 SOME OF THE BABIES ARE STILL TOO YOUNG TO REALLY KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON, WHILE THE OLDER ONES WHO STILL BELIEVE JUST WANT TO GET TO BED SO THEY CAN GET UP!  "IN HOPES THAT ST. NICKOLAUS WILL SOON BE THERE" 

                                           EVEN THE REINDEER ARE GEARING UP FOR THEIR PART OF THE EVENING........................thank you Scentimental Gardens..................

WHILE I SO ENJOYED THE DECORATIONS, THE PREPARATIONS, THE SHOPPING, THE  CHRISTMAS HOME SHOWS, FLORISTS, SEASONAL TABLESCAPING AND MORE, THE CHRISTMAS SEASON IS A SEASON OF JOY AND THANKSGIVING FOR THE BIRTH OF THE CHRIST CHILD WHICH IS THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS.

TO MY NEW FRIENDS AND THEIR FAMILIES, ALL OVER THE WORLD,  I ASK YOU TO REMEMBER, THAT JOY COMES TO THE WORLD THIS NIGHT OF WONDER AND AWE, AND IS CRADLED IN THE ARMS OF CHRISTMAS.  BLESSINGS TO ALL OF YOU ON THIS WONDEROUS NIGHT.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

OH CHRISTMAS TREE.......THE RED MUST GO!

A LITTLE BIT OF CHRISTMAS IN THE KITCHEN..........I love the red tulips with the Christmas greens. You have seen these water filled tubes before.......they are in front of my sink and are reflected into the mirror behind.  I have no window over my sink.

Those red accents on the "gold" tree just didn't make it.  As I sat in our Great Room looking at our tree at night, those red ornaments really bothered me.  Then my daughter called and she said, "Mom, it looks junky, I don't like the red."  She had read my blog and thought that the addition of red was just too much.  I too kept looking and looking and there was something that just wasn't right.  So, guess who took off all of the red........??????   That would be me.....I also added the nest too!  A gold rush it is, but I do like it much better.   In this season of opulence and access, collections being added to each year, when do you stop using all of those things that won your heart?   

SIMPLE JOYS OF THE SEASON........................................

I love lambs and they are so at home on my tumbled marble counter top.  Yes, I did use

tumbled marble when we put on our addition a few years back.  Love the look and the patina

that has just seem to happen over the last few years.  As a designer, I knew it was risky, as a

designer using it in my own home, I was willing to take the chance!!  I have never been sorry.

 

I purchased the painting this summer from Sally Weaver, a local artist that I know quite well.  Because of my lamb collection, I knew I just had to have this simple, but beautiful painting...............she loves lambs too!

 I added fresh greens to the nativity scene and it made a difference, a difference that I liked very much.  When we have guests, I light the candle inside the hurricane.    The only light in this area comes from the tiny Christmas tree and a battery operated candle in "the stable".

My winter scene sits on one of my very favorite pieces of furniture,  in the bay window in my living room.............it is a patisserie table that I purchased in France.  

Well, I am giving a Christmas Tea on Sunday ..................so much to do, so much to accomplish and still so much to wrap (and send!!!)  I hope you are all enjoying the season.  It is such a beautiful, but crazy time.  P.S.  I am so happy that you have all been added to my list of THINGS TO DO!!!

ALEXA HAMPTON...........The Language of Interior Design

                                                           Susan Schultz and Alexa
   

Last week our Chicago Merchandise Mart, Hickory Pearson Showroom, hosted Alexa Hampton with a  book signing.  Needless to say, I entered the showroom with 'camera in purse', a smile and a hello to my liaison and showroom manager,  Susan Schultz.  The showroom was full of designers, books in hand, in line to have their books signed by Alexa.  Wonderful hors d' oeuvres covered two hickory tables that had been redefined as a place to taste the yummy offerings, enjoy a glass of wine and talk with fellow colleagues.  After asking if it would be OK to take some pictures of the event and purchasing my book, it appeared that the line had somewhat diminished and it was my turn. 

                                                                                           

                                                                                               

Without a doubt the showroom had gone to a lot of trouble creating a space

for Alexa, daughter of renowned designer and icon, the late Mark Hampton.

Her favorite flowers and one of her chandeliers overhead,  marked the spot.

There is something to be said about having the opportunity to meet someone whose

furniture you have sold and the daughter of one of the most influential designers of our time.

It was my turn, and I had been told she was wonderful,  engaging, down to earth and comfortable!

I asked her if I could have a picture with her and write about her new book on my blog.  Her response, "I am

so flattered that you would want to do this.  I would love to have a picture with you, I am so honored."

Alexa and me.

  

I asked her how long she had been in business with her father.  She started with him

when she was 12 or 13.  She traveled the world with her family visiting museums, architectural high points,

galleries and private homes around the world.  While her friends were vacationing ski resorts, beach

resorts and the like, she was dragged to France, Italy, Greece and England by her dad so she could

get an education unlike any other child her age would ever have.  These trips served as a basis for

Alexa and where these forced interests would eventually take her. Alexa has been running her father's design firm in Manhattan for the past 12 years.  Today, as an adult, she looks back on those days with her

dad as "priceless".

She spoke to an audience of about 75 designers for about 30 minutes with a question and answer session.

I enjoyed her relaxed manner, her unrushed and candid presentation of who Alexa Hampton was and her wonderful sense of humor.  Her audience was at ease with her, and her with them.

Her book is a must and offers great insight into her own design portfolio.  She has also highlighted her

own home in Manhattan with wonderful photos showing great detail, for which she is so well known. Her father's high standards for design have left her a gracious, capable and highly sought designer.

A must..................one more thing to learn............how to turn a photo!!

CREATING CHRISTMAS..........triming the tree III

                                                                        

                      

Well, all of the Christmas boxes are back to the storage area and Christmas has been "created" in our home......some of those boxes are still filled and I felt it was time to let a few things go for this year.  There is something to be said about simplicity, tho' I do love my collections.   The trimming of the tree.

Strangely, there is something to be said about a tree with nothing on it but white lights.  One year that is all we had on the tree for the exception of a 15" nest with golden eggs.  A spotlight was directed to the nest with 3 golden eggs and it was awesome and so simple.

                                                                                 

                                     

I have always done a gold tree from the time our traditional tree became bare and each child took their own ornaments to their own homes.  This year I decided to add a little color.  One thing I love is the layering of the extra large ornaments which can be seen in this photo.  That is a clear glass ornament which so beautifully reflects the white lights and gold ornaments around it.  It almost looks like gold glass.

                                                                          

Another extra large glass ornament that shows its clearity.  These ornaments range from 12" in diameter down to 6" in diameter.  They are very effective when placed way back into the tree.

                  I love the addition of the red ornaments to the tree this year.....heavy laden it is.

Here is the first Dee Gann santa that I ever owned.  His name is Pierre Noel.  Dee knew I

was going to France and planned to shop Marche Opus.  I asked her if I could bring anything

           back for her.  OMG, she gave me $300 to buy vintage buttons, pieces of French fabric,

beaded blouses, tiny beaded bags, velvet leaves and flowers, what ever could be added to her

collections of what creates a Dee Gann santa she would graciously accept.  I must say, it was

great fun being a Dee Gann elf shopping the vendors at Marche Opus!  She made this Santa

from some of the baubles I brought back.  Note the beaded gray lapel......it is the bottom

of a French womans skirt..................all of those beads have been applied by hand.

A peak through the dining room window.

As I end my CREATING CHRISTMAS stories and photos, it wouldn't be

Christmas without what began this whole season.

I wish you all a blessed holiday season filled with the traditions that only you and

your families can create.  Where ever you may be and whatever your traditions provide,

I wish you all a season full of love, comfort and peace.

CREATING CHRISTMAS...........II

We painted the dining room a few weeks ago.  It is a soft gray by Farrell and Ball called Hardwick White.  Many would say it isn't white at all.  (F&B Paints are English in origin and Hardwick White was originally created to touch up old white lime wash at Hardwick Hall.)  I am not a tablecloth person.
I prefer chargers or place mats.  I do own a few white damask tablecloths that are starting to show a little wear so my mission was to find something other than white when I went shopping.  Here is one of my new tablecloths...........I found a Ralph Lauren charcoal gray and decided to bring it home and do a white and green table.   I just started layering.....................

I used a vintage black lazy susan base, put a vintage white parrot inside and wrapped cedar and pine cones around that.  The table is dressed with extra large dinner plates by Casafina, vintage lettuce soup bowls and star plates that I found in San Francisco about 10 years ago.

 

I wanted something other than a bright colored napkin.  I was shopping at West Elm (have they changed!!) and I found these wonderful taupey-gray napkins

with woven silver threads.  Yes, I decided I needed those!  Love 'em.

                 I had been looking for a real pretty green wine glass for the last 6 months (way before Blog
                 fever hit my soul) and I was shopping at Pier 1 and much to my surprise, there they were.
                Evidently, others felt the same.  I bought the last 7 (if I break one at least I'll have 6) The
                clear wine glass with the ring above the stem is Simon Pierce.

                                                                           
                             This is presently what I have on the breakfast table.  It has been done in
                             granny apple green, red and white.  I have used red napkins and woven
                             napkin rings with silver deer.  I found the white plates with the red galloping
                             horses at West Elm about two weeks ago.  (OK, classic story), as I was setting
                             the table, my husband said,  " Did you buy more plates?"  I said, "Oh my gosh
                             no, I have plenty of plates!!!!!"  Woops!                      
                                                           

                                       How could you resist these?  I always say,  when something                            

                                       speaks to you, listen with your heart..........hmmm.

At the end of the breakfast table I brought out my old wooden floor grate (purchased at

Brimfield in Chicago on Clark Street).  I then added a small collection of depression glass

and filled them with tea lights.  At night when the tea lights are lit, that little floor grate

just seems to come to life as all of the facets in the cut glass just seem to dance.

 

Here they are lit at night, tho' a little hard to feel the ambience.

 

                    The deck off the dining room.................needed a little touch.   Incidently, I took the French
marble table back out side.  It just wasn't working inside as I thought it would.  Less is more.

                                                                        Well, kinda'.................


                                      See you soon.  I am just finishing our Christmas tree.

The Making of REDD HERRING..............

                 REDD HERRING................A DIVERSITY OF DAILY LIFE......                                          

It was the Christmas walk that brought everyone into town for the arrival of Santa Claus and a new restaurant called REDD HERRING.  We began the transformation just 45 days ago............following are some of the early photos of the 'before' shots and the progression from start to finish. 

                                                                                

   This was the fixture that was hanging when we took possession of the new restaurant space.

                                                                     
                  This is the fixture that I chose for the same space............it was custom made for us.


Roger Herring is the chef/owner of Socca Restaurant in Chicago which began its 6th year earlier this year.    He is now the chef and creator of REDD HERRING, Clarendon Hills.  It was a proud evening for family and friends, as  co-owners, Brad Falk and John Bell opened the doors to an anxious crowd ready to discover the new menu and venue at their new local restaurant.   

                      This was the look when we took over the space. Note the
                      wood bar....

                                                              

                                                                                     

                       This is what the bar looks like now...........we wrapped the wood bar with copper.
                       While not visible, I ordered a bronze mirror for the back bar wall.  I used a bronze
                        mirror because of its compatibility with copper and also because it is less reflective
                        than a clear mirror.  I then selected a chocolate brown over sized subway tile and them
                        installed vertically!  You can see them at one end of the bar. 

                                                                             

                       This was last night just before we opened the doors to our hungry public.  What

                        a difference from the first bar photo!

                                                           

    

                     The countdown week.............a visit from dear friends on their daily walk.          

While this is not a REDD HERRING, so to speak, it was painted for the Socca Restaurant in the city

on Clark Street.  When the restaurant was named, I just knew that we had to bring this image to the

new restaurant.  It served as a lot of inspiration for me as we proceeded with the design.

                     This is the niche as you look from the bar to the front of the restaurant as seen below.

                        Brown "leather" bankettes were installed to encourage comfort of seating

                        and more seating area.  Butcher block tables were ordered. 

 .

                        REDD HERRING encourages family dining and last night there were over 100

                        red balloons for the children after they came in with their parents to get warm. There

                        were red balloons everywhere!!!

                        Hot cider and chili was given to those that came in from the cold.

 

As you are leaving or as you come in, this is the entrance to the restaurant.  The glass tiled

column looks as though one might have been sitting at the bar too long............just an illusion, I promise.

 

                         The restaurant had emptied out, lots of wonderful comments, good food samplings,

              and good times!  Even one of the owners, John Bell,  seemed to show a sense of happiness as well.           

The south side of REDD HERRING.

Tuesday night this past week was our "Friends and Family" night.  Here we have one happy mom/designer, a proud dad and a very happy chef!!!    BON APPETITE!