5th Avenue, Christmas in NYC

Christmas Day. Walking around New York. No news that the city is full of creatures....

 Fabulous.

 French.

Furry.

 Fantastic.

It takes a certain person to love the "crowds of crowds" on Fifth Avenue.

I'm not one of the certain.

Sidewalk vendors were out en masse, taking up so much walk space it was a nightmare dodging other pedestrians. And some pedestrians seemed to go out of their way to slam into a human rather than step on a street vendor's poorly produced wares.

As my family will verify, I experienced an anxiety episode at 5th and something, declaring "I'm never walking on this street ever again!"

I did manage to calm down. And we had a very happy Christmas.

And I will walk on 5th again.

Just not on a holiday.

Thanks for reading,
Linda Pakravan

Merry Christmas!

And safe journeys there and back to all who are travelling.

Thanks for reading,
Linda Pakravan

A Tale of Two Trees, Part II

An earlier post was "a tale of two trees, part I", our big family tree.

Part II is the little tree in the foyer, my pet project.

With much love, thanks and appreciation to my patient family without whose guidance and light stringing expertise, this tree would not have been possible.

Thanks for reading,
Linda Pakravan

can't choose a color?

Doesn't everyone have a few loved ones or friends on their Christmas gift list that fall into the "unique and tasteful" category?

And of course staying on budget is a requirement.

Unique, tasteful and budget. The primordial problem giving rise to this observation: "having plenty of funds is no guarantee of good taste, however, having little funds and great taste requires a lengthy shopping expedition."

I've been admiring these lovely agate coasters from Blydesign thinking they might solve this quandary. They come in sets of 4, gold or silver edged, and a wide range of colors.

Katherine Bly Cromer handcrafts these natural beauties in Charlotte, NC. Here are just two color options.

This blue is beautiful.

Smashing pink!




And then this morning I got an email that they are now available in a mix of colors. Perfect for color lovers, or for those amongst us who just can't decide!

3-4" in diameter (roughly). A set of 4, a unique gift and a delight to the eye. $62, and Blydesign is offering free shipping through December 21st.

By the way, I receive no compensation from Blydesign. I just love them.

Thanks for reading,

Linda Pakravan

2011 Color of The Year

Last week Pantone crowned Honeysuckle the 2011 color of the year.

I like this pink. Similar to Zepherine Droughan, my thornless climbing rose:

I have been impatiently waiting to use "Good Day Sunshine", this incredibly happy hand printed linen from Schumacher. "This simple, one color floral hand print features a modern silhouetted "garden" in alternating waves of color against a crisp linen ground." I love it.

Is the song playing in your head yet? Or on your iPod?

Floor length drapery panels showcase Good Day Sunshine's charm and huge, 60.25", vertical repeat! Big floor cushions would work too.

Walls painted with Farrow and Ball's "Elephant's Breath" gray paint, a warm neutral, provide a soothing backdrop and let "Good Day Sunshine" take center stage. Pillows in a gray linen or velvet, a shade darker than the wall, contrast corded in black or honeysuckle, on a nice, slubby, white linen sofa. Slipcovered so we can throw it in the wash.

The media have already picked up on Honeysuckle. Lonny magazine's December 2010 issue:

Neiman Marcus used it in an email and their ad on the NY Times site. T Mobile uses a more intense version for a TV spot. We'll see it cropping up more and more in the near future. Let me know where you spot it.

Turquoise and orange fans, no need to worry. Honeysuckle will play nice with your favorite colors. 

Thanks for reading,

Linda Pakravan  

the Mad Men Xmas table....

HouseBeautiful's pictoral review of vintage holiday decorating had some lovely bits of nostalgia, and one or two ideas that could translate well to today. Like this double runner from the December 1943 issue.

I've never seen a double table runner, and thought, I can do that.

But I'll skip the finger bowls.

So I copied and enlarged the pic.

Then, hold the phone! Look at all the cigarettes! Two at each place setting! In individual ash trays! A silver urn holding spares, matching lighter.

"Roger, darling, please pass the Zippo". "My pleasure, Joany."

Don't forget to include the American Cancer Society in your holiday giving.

Thanks for reading,
Linda Pakravan

A Tale of Two Trees, part I

For the first time ever, we put up our family Christmas Tree while the December calender was still in the single digits! The 22nd, or the day of Christmas week with the worst weather, usually finds us at the tree lot, at night, frozen fingers de rigueur.

After many years of practice, getting the tree in the stand and stringing lights is remarkably easy (my role is advisory so I'm not speaking for all parties involved). But as you can see in this pic, quite happy, thank you.

it's a very tall tree

Once securely in its stand and twinkling with lights, we start hanging ornaments. Invariably the discussion turns to our favorites. Some of us can't choose just one, but have a top five.

Me? I love my "Kid Ornaments". Lovingly made, they never fail to make me smile. Treasures made by our daughter, her childhood best friend and cousins; it isn't Christmas until they are hung.

How about a virtual ornament swap? Email a pic of your favorite kid ornament, or any favorite ornament, and why you love it. I'll publish the stories and pics here on the blog throughout December. Email me at pakravan.adg@comcast.net.

The tale of two trees? Yes, it's true, I do a smaller tree in the living room, referred to in our household as "Mom's Tree". But that's another post.

Thanks for reading,
Linda Pakravan

Bryan Ferry's London Home

Who knew that rocker Bryan Ferry was a secret interior designer?

Rita Konig's The City Squire in Saturday's WSJ magazine profiles Mr. Ferry and his London home.

If you are pressed for time, here are the best bits:

"...interior designer Nicky Haslam once observed that, whereas most rock stars liked to trash their hotel rooms, Bryan Ferry was more inclined to redecorate his."

great bar

“Having all these things you love is like having a lot of pets all in the same room,” he says.

“Fabrics are important,” he says, “because I don’t go for that hard-edged modern look; I like frayed edges.”               

         

      (perfect example of "if you live long enough you'll see and hear everything". In a million years would I have thought "fabrics are important" would be uttered by male lips not in design?)

“Decorating is so interesting to me,” he explains, taking a seat on his 19th-century French sofa. “I like to control my environment. How it looks, feels and sounds. I couldn’t imagine asking someone else to decorate it.”

     (and just when I was fantasizing decorating with him to the soundtrack of As Time Goes By...)

                      ................. link to article and the pics by Alexia S:   Bryan Ferry

Thanks for reading,
Linda Pakravan

Deck the House!

Now that my historical tree is finished, its time to start on our house. I made this wreath last weekend.


Red is a good color for our house.



We will get the trees tomorrow and this afternoon I'll cut evergreens for garlanding. Can't wait. I love holiday decorating.

Thanks for reading,

Linda Pakravan

Andover Historical Society Christmas Tree Exhibit

The Historical Society of our beautiful town, Andover, hosts a yearly exhibit of Christmas trees. Each tree is decorated with a theme inspired by objects in the museum's collections. Twenty trees will be on exhibit December 3 through the 22nd in the Amos Blanchard House on Main Street. Free and open to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays 10 AM to 4 PM. Click here www.andoverhistorical.org for more info.

My tree was based on sea shells sent back to Andover by missionaries in the 1800's. These young missionaries, graduates of the Andover Theological Seminary, went as far away as China, the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii), Africa, India, Ceylon, Burma and Turkey. In addition to churches, they established schools, colleges, native seminaries and hospitals. 

Blue mesh with a little sparkle was used for a garland of waves, strung shells, put a compass rose on the top, scattered sailing ships along the waves and hung clear iridescent glass bulbs that reminded me of water bubbles.

My tree on the 2nd floor landing.

The Blanchard House on Main Street

Some of the shells on display.

Stop in and take a look at all the beautiful trees. Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 AM to 4 PM. Free.

Thanks for reading,
Linda Pakravan

"Follow Me"

As much as I love Boston, there is little to compare to New York's holiday windows.

If you haven't yet seen Bergdorf Goodman's video on making their holiday windows, don't miss it, here's the link. I love the music, "Follow Me" by Audrianna Cole.

For my fashion fans, note the lovely carnation studded frock at 1:24; I'm almost certain it is an Oscar de la Renta, from his Spring '11 collection. Let me know if I've erred.

http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/store/catalog/templates/silo.jhtml?itemId=catstore&parentId=cat000000&siloId=catstore&ecid=BGEC112310HolidayWindows&ncx=n&uEm=pakravan.adg@comcast.net

I am so glad to see the carnation make its reappearance in polite society. Oft abused, labeled ubiquitous, pedestrian, common; this useful floral specimen should rightfully regain its place in our hearts and arrangements.

Although I must admit, dyeing them green for St. Patrick's Day did nothing for their image.....

Thanks for reading,
Linda Pakravan