Tuesday, February 15, 2011

RED ON RED, by Stephanie Hoppen



RED ON RED
By Stephanie Hoppen

Available here on Amazon.

With February being the month to celebrate RED and Pink, I went to my bookshelf to pull out one of my favorite decorating books to share for FFT. RED ON RED, as the sub title says, is all about "creating stunning interiors using reds and pinks."


Poppies in Santa Fe, NM

This is definitely the go to book for inspiration if one wants to add the punch of red into one's life. Gorgeous photos fill the pages of this book starting off with a a double page spread of a painting of a single poppy by Galley.



Original Oil by Fatima Ronquillo

With occasional text of descriptions and decorating philosophy, the author shares examples of the various emotions RED elicits when used in decorating one's home, and illustrates how RED will provide a variety of style or set various moods.


There are plenty examples of rooms painted or draped in vibrant Red, but for those of us who aren't adventuresome enough to live wrapped in walls of red, Ms Hoppen offers a wealth of eye candy though other details.



It is RED used as an accent color brought in through simple details and accessories that peeks my interest, and there is no shortage of exquisite RED details and accessories within the pages of this book.



Stephanie Hoppen 

covers styles from Baroque to Gypsy.



Accents can be as simple 

as a stack of books with RED spines . . .




To hand-painted 

details on furniture . . .




It might be a cachepot 

for a house plant or . . .



Stylized flowers 

holding court on a bookshelf to . . .



Fresh flowers 

in a vase.



Details might 

offer a touch of romance . . .



A bit of mystique . . .




Or the whimsy of 

folk art from a foreign country.



Textiles such 

as vintage quilts . . .



Or accent pillows . . .



Provide details that offer 

a chance to layer textures of RED.




Fresh fruits and vegetables 

on a kitchen counter . . .



Jars of 

pickled peppers . . .




A bowl of fresh red cherries ~

Ms Hoppen suggests it's easy to bring in touches of RED.



The glorious photos throughout the pages of RED ON RED illustrate how occasions of entertaining in our homes offer the perfect opportunity to bring in the energy and the glamor of RED.



Be it a party theme 

that features RED . . .



A simple accent 

of RED through a textile . . .



RED accented china . . .


Photo Courtesy of Susan @ BNOTP

Or gorgeous Ruby RED stems of crystal.

RED definitely makes a statement at a dinner party.


And that brings us to Food For Thought in RED ON RED.



Rather than a table of RED accents, this year's Valentine's Day table at HFTS was set with a theme of chocolate brown and gold ruffles as a nod to those RED heart shaped boxes full of ruffled golden foil cups of delectable chocolates. It was the . . .


~ Red Velvet Cup Cakes ~

The sweet ending that 

presented the piece de resistance of RED.




My dear friend Maggie @ Normandy Life also baked Red Velvet Cupcakes for her Tea Time For My Valentine post that you can visit here. Maggie's are much prettier than mine, but I'm serving just as she did, one for you, one for me, and one to share.


RED ON RED

is a beautiful decorating book that will feed your soul.

Next Food For Thought ~ March 1st
Click here to add a book review of your own.


Clink the links below to join the following parties this week:



Friday




Sunday, February 13, 2011

Key To My Heart



My sweet husband has held the

key to my heart for over 36 years.




He doesn't believe in 

contrived holidays like Valentine's Day,

though he often gives me flowers through the year ~ just because.



Or special little treasures 

~ just because.




He is truly 

"MY SWEETHEART"!




German Charlotte ~ Alice's Key #9
Beth @ The Gypsy Journal


My sister has held the key to my heart

since we were young children.

There's no one like my sister.

She is always, always doing thoughtful

things for others ~ just because.




A vintage silver tray edged in gorgeous flowers

and butter knife adorned with acorns ~ her birthday gift to me.

She knows how to make my heart sing.

She's the kind of "sweetheart" that only a sister can be.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Click the link below to join Beth and others sharing this month.




Thursday, February 10, 2011

~Have a Heart ~

The happy, whimsical art of Mary Engelbreit has
long delighted many of us and filled our lives with joy.


"Have a Heart"
Each of Mary's witty sayings brings a smile to
my face, and this is certainly among one of my favorites!

This card is from 1994.

The little heart shaped box is 
dated 1996 by Michael and Co.

Both inspired this needlepoint pillow
that I stitched all those many years ago.

With oodles of decorative stitches to create texture and dimension,
this project offered hours of fun with my needle in hand.

Here it is again on a 
pinkolicious heart shaped tin.
You can click here to see my other
Mary Engelbreit valentine tins in a previous post.

Plate, 1988, by Applause Inc.
Another of Mary's words of wisdom:
" TWO hearts are better than ONE."

There's no better time to share
one's heart than on Valentine's Day.

And a heart shaped box full of chocolates
is often the perfect valentine.


I've gathered my Mary Engelbreit valentine boxes together to share with you today. This tray vignette served as a centerpiece here for a chocolate inspired Valentine's Day table set for two.

Collected through the years, each box is made of paper
and ready to fill with one's own SURPRISE.

This one proclaims another 
of my favorite M.E. sayings.

Sweetie Pie 
is too cute for words.

LOVE and another with
Ann Estelle and her friend, Gracie sharing a secret.

ALWAYS and the reverse of the
Ann Estelle and Gracie box above,
"Life has no blessing like a good friend."

PUT YOUR HEART IN IT ~ Always the best of advice.


The front of the Have a Heart Box shown above
and a sweet garden of hearts box:
"Sow good services, sweet
remembrances will grow from them."

I think we'll all agree, Mary Engelbreit is the
Queen of Hearts!

Two new designs for this year with Mary's
stylized flowers and checkerboard patterns.


Happy Valentine's Day!
Have a heart before heading over to the following parties.
Click the links below to join in the fun.







Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Will You Be My Valentine?



Valentine's Day 

is just around the corner.




So today's table 

is set for two.



My valentine likes 

simplicity and loves chocolate.



So the table is set with layers of bold

bands of gold and brown upon white.




Square red placemats anchor the Ambiance Vintage Garden chargers, while gold ruffled edge glass plates hold Kate Spade Cordell Place Chocolate salad plates by Lenox. The wide, chocolate brown border is a nice compliment to the petite berry bowls in our wedding china, Palermo Brown by Richard Ginori.




Brown enamel flatware by Christophe

continues the chocolate brown theme.




As do the 

crystal stems by Denby.




To add some fluff and a feminine touch to the layers of chocolate, I tucked in colorful napkins by April Cornell. The rosy plaid sprinkled with the bright blooms offered the perfect touch of pink.




This shy little girl has 

a message for her valentine . . .




"Will you be my valentine?"




Off goes cupid's arrow zooming

right to her sweetheart's heart!




With a box of chocolates in hand,

I do think he IS her valentine.




Chocolates by Lina's Coco Couture.

Here, have a heart!



~HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! ~

Click the links below to join the celebrating at the following parties:








Sunday, February 6, 2011

Your Special Valentine


Ann Estelle Paper Doll ~ HOME COMPANION, April May 2001

Ann Estelle is still in her robe and slippers because she slept-in this morning. She has had a busy weekend with all the Chinese New Year festivities. Click here if you missed her Chinese New Year Party.

1997 by Charpénte

Valentine's Day 
is just a week away.


1988 - Midwest Importers of Cannon Falls, Hong Kong

Do you have something 
special in mind for your valentine?


1986 - Midwest Importers of Cannon Falls, Hong Kong

Perhaps you plan 
to bake a special pie.


Not Dated - Midwest Importers of Cannon Falls, Hong Kong

Or spend some time together, 
just the two of you.


1988 - Midwest Importers of Cannon Falls, Hong Kong

I'd go to the end of the Earth 
for my special valentine.
Sharing my small collection of Mary Engelbreit valentine tins at the following blogs. Click the links below to see what others have to share this week.