I was so happy when the Columbia County Historical Society invited me to decorate a mantle and wreath for their annual Gallery of Wreaths. It’s such a festive event and an important fund raiser for the group. This year the show is being held in the James Vanderpoel House, the main historic site owned by the group and an architectural gem of a building.

The wreaths are really beautiful and the variety of styles is a testimony to our local talent. You can bid on the wreaths by calling 518 758 9265. The show is open through next weekend. For details check out the their website CCHS.org.

The chartreuse ribbon is an unexpected color choice, but the range of natural greens and dash of burnished gold is only enhanced by the color.

A detail of the elements I used for the wreath and the garland.

This wreath was made by a local artist and store owner, Linda Heard of Lindowen's American Country. Her clear vision of American primitive always fascinates me.

This charming wreath was done by the local Girl Scout troop.

Thank You Zuniga Interiors and All the Best!

It's been a really hectic couple of weeks and I owe a thank you to Zuniga Interiors blog and All the Best.

Michelle Zuniga who writes, Zunigainteriors.blogspot.com included me in her distinguished series “Designers Tell Their Favorites”. She has also profiled Anna Spiro of Absolutely Beautiful Things and Joni Webb of Cote de Texas.

All the Best did a profile on the amazingly talented designer, Sallie Giordano who works with her mother uber designer Leta Austin Foster. Within the profile there is a wonderful room she had done in Gramercy Chocolate. I really love the way she set the fabric into panels. It’s a modern interpetation of traditional. Thank you Sallie for the inspiration.

Events of the Week

What a fun few days in the city. Last Monday night the Times Tower was the setting for Elle Decor's Women in Design event. Le toute le monde turned out for the evening. Charlotte Moss received the Elle Decor Vision Award, and then joined Kelly Wearstler, Michelle Nussbaumer and Holly Hunt for a lively panel discussion lead by Margaret Russell. Photos courtesy of Elle Decor.

Charlotte Moss accepting her award.

Holly Hunt

The panel discussion.

Tuesday night was the launch of the new Tony Duquette lighting collection at Remains Lighting. I met the charming Ruth and Hutton Wilkinson. He was signing his new book, More is More and talking about the new line.

The new Duquette chandelier.

The very stylish sconces.

Thomas and I then raced over to Bergdorf Goodman’s seventh floor for Alessandra Branca’s book signing for her wonderful new book The New Classic Interiors. The book is now in it’s third printing and all the proceeds go to various charities.

Alessandra signing a book for one of her fans.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from Kinderhook. The village is decked out in it's scariest finery. Our local landscaper Herminio, rigged up this super puppet scarecrow for an extra scary touch on the village green.

BOO! How cool is the face carving?

In motion it's really fantastic.

The All the Best Podcast

When my friend Ronda Carman, the author of All the Best, was here last weekend she did a podcast interview with me. You can listen to the interview here. Thank you Ronda and can’t wait for your summer next visit.

Traditional Home Magazine

The November issue of Traditional Home features one of the three spaces Charlotte Moss designed for the prestigious Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club Showhouse. It’s really exciting that the fabric I designed, Beekman in Charlotte’s custom Orchid color, is in the main shot of the spread.

Charlotte and I at the opening night party.

Getting Ready for the Holidays

I have a thing for trays, there never seems to be enough of them and it is almost impossible to find stylish ones. So I have taken matters into my own hands. Using fabrics from my collection I have added several smart new trays and accessories to my signature collection in time for the holidays.

The small tray is cute and practical. When we host cocktail parties we used them for passed hors d’oeuvres. I also use one every morning for my coffee and toast.

At long last my sunglasses have a fixed home and I have added a half hour to my day because I always know exactly where I left them.

The large tray is my Gramercy pattern that was used in Aerin Lauders master bedroom. It’s a chic statement piece for any room.

The Celeste large tray uses the same fabric that I used for the Tastemaker Entertaining piece in House Beautiful, it's such a festive tray.