Leslie Fine Interiors» Lynda

Festive Table Settings for New Year’s Eve

Lynda — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 19:14:12 +0000

I know that many of you are busy doing your Christmas shopping and planning for that holiday, but New Year’s Eve is just around the corner! If you are entertaining on New Year’s Eve, here are some ideas for setting a festive table to ring in 2011.

Take out your good china, pull out your vintage pieces and fancy plates and set a layered table. Quite luxurious!

Photo credit Eddie Ross

How about pretty pink for your New Year’s event? The small envelope is used both as a place card and a place to note your New Year’s resolution!

Photo credit Better Homes and Gardens

The palette of blue, white and silver is a great antidote to the heavy colors generally used for Christmas decorating.

Photo via My Home Ideas

How about having a little present at every place setting? It adds a bit of fun (and intrigue) when everyone sits down at the table.

Photo credit Eddie Ross

You can’t go wrong with an all white table setting. The little vases of greenery and silver branch are elegant.

Photo via My Home Ideas

Fun idea: scatter small alarm clocks around the room that are set to go off at midnight!

Photo credit Martha Stewart

Feathers are an easy way to add a bit of fun to the table.

Photo credit Better Homes and Gardens

How do you decorate for New Year’s Eve? I’d love to hear your ideas.

Luxury Steamer Trunks from Louis Vuitton

Lynda — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 22:54:04 +0000

Vintage Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunks with the iconic LV logo are coveted by both fashion and antique collectors. The trunks reflect the golden age of travel when a trip across world generally included steamship travel. Trunks were carefully designed to hold various pieces of clothing and accessories – one side was for hanging clothes and the other housed small drawers. The trunk was put on its end to create a “closet” while traveling. Quality LV trunks can be purchased through auction houses and fine antique dealers. The prices can range from $5,000 to $50,000 and up. The pricing of the piece generally reflects the providence of the trunk and its condition. As you can imagine, trunks that were designed for international travel often show signs of wear and tear which makes a well preserved piece quite valuable. Trunks that belonged to a well known person will also sell at a premium. If you want to collect one or more of these pieces, make sure that you do your research and work with a reputable dealer or auction house. In a traditionally decorated home or even in a more contemporary space, a vintage LV trunk used as a cocktail table or end table adds an interesting sense of history and a timeless quality. Any chance of a vintage trunk stored up in your attic? You might have a valuable piece of furniture to display!

Tommy Hilfiger's Home via HGTV

The photos of the individual steamer trunks are from the book 100 Legendary Trunks from Louis Vuitton.

Holiday Magic in the Big Apple

Lynda — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 21:35:20 +0000

As a New Yorker, I love to get to the city any time of the year. But, there is definitely something special about visiting the Big Apple in the month of December. New York City really knows how to get dressed up for the holidays! I love viewing the department store windows which exhibit incredible creativity and ingenuity. In particular, Bergdorf Goodman’s windows seem to get more elaborate and creative each year. In fact, this year’s displays are absolutely spectacular. Bergdorf Goodman’s theme for 2010 is “Wish you Were Here” – the execution is pure magic. Check out their take on fantasy travel which is decidedly much more glamorous than any kind of travel today. Click on this video to see the making of this year’s windows. Really amazing!

These beautiful photos are taken by Heather Clawson at Habitually Chic. You can see more photos of the windows by visiting her blog.

If you love Bergdorf’s holiday windows, I suggest you grab a copy of their new book from Assouline, Windows at Bergdorf Goodman. This limited-edition revisits the legendary windows over the past decade and would make a great holiday gift.

Cheers! Toast the Holidays with a Martini

Lynda — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 21:40:46 +0000

For your next holiday celebration, crank up the music and mix up some martinis! These glasses are sure to create a festive atmosphere. I’ve even supplied some classic and trendy martini recipes for you to try. Cheers!

Lolita Holiday 2010

Tinsel Lolita

Lolita Leopard

Swank Martini Company Mardigras

Crate and Barrel's Verve

Pomegranate Martini

Ingredients

1 oz vodka (or citrus vodka, if you have it) 1/2 oz Cointreau orange liqueur 3 oz pomegranate juice chopped ice 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice, for garnish lemon slice, for garnish sugar, for garnish

Directions

Wet the rim of the cocktail glass with the lemon juice. Place sugar in a saucer and dip the rim of the cocktail glass into the saucer, to produce a ring of sugar stuck to the lemon juice as a decorative rim around the glass. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Add ice so that the shaker is about a third full (ice plus ingredients). Shake for 20 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass. Squeeze a couple of drops from the lemon slice into the glass, then garnish the side of the cocktail glass with the slice of lemon.

Cranberry Martini Recipe

Ingredients

1 oz vodka 1/2 oz Cointreau orange liqueur 3 oz cranberry juice chopped ice lemon slice, for zing and garnish

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Add ice so that the shaker is about a third full (ice plus ingredients). Shake for 20 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass. Squeeze a couple of drops from the lemon slice into the glass, then garnish the side of the cocktail glass with the slice of lemon.

Dirty Martini

Ingredients

60ml (or approx 2 oz) Gin 10ml (or approx 1/4 oz) Dry Vermouth 5ml (or approx 1/8 oz) olive brine 3 green olives (add or remove olives to your taste) small wedge of lemon (optional)

Directions

Into a cocktail shaker, pour the Gin, Dry Vermouth and olive brine. Add ice. Shake well. Rub the rim of the martini glass with the wedge of lemon. Strain and pour contents of cocktail shaker into a martini glass. Drop the olives into the martini before serving.

Classic Martini

Ingredients

75ml (or approx 2+ 1/2 oz) Gin 15ml (or approx 1/4 oz) Dry Vermouth 1 green olive OR a twist of lemon peel 6 ice cubes

Directions

Into a mixing glass, toss a handful of ice cubes (about half a dozen), then pour in the Gin and the Vermouth. Stir well. Some may prefer shaken! Strain and pour into a martini glass. To finish, either drop a green olive into the bottom of the martini glass OR arrange a twist of lemon peel on the edge of the martini glass.

Saketini

Ingredients

25ml (or approx 3/4 oz) Sake 25ml (or approx 3/4 oz) Vodka 7.5ml (or approx 1/4 oz) Gin 1 slice cucumber ice

Directions

Into a mixing glass filled with ice, pour the Sake, Vodka and Gin. Stir vigorously to ensure the contents are well mixed. Pour and strain into a frosted martini glass. To finish, arrange the cucumber onto the rim of the glass.

Martini Recipes via martinirecipe.net.

Great Mountain Style

Lynda — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 23:49:38 +0000

This Aspen home recently featured in Mountain Living demonstrates that high style and ski home living can go hand in hand. There is just no need to fall back on the mountain decor cliche of antler chandeliers, quilts and nondescript furnishings! It is important that your vacation home be a luxurious spot for total relaxation and enjoyment. Although this condo only measures 1170 square feet, the space seems quite generous thanks to a great floor plan and soaring spaces. The home’s mix of industrial elements, warm leather furnishings and beautiful woods creates a welcoming and stylish vacation home. Clearly, the space was designed for comfort and durability with plenty of easy to clean furnishings and hard wearing finishes. The thoughtful lighting plan allows the dark interiors to feel quite bright.

Wouldn’t this condo be great for unwinding after a day on the slopes? Being a skier myself, I know that I would enjoy this home!

The architect for this project was GRW Architecture and the interior design was created by the home owner Bob Mayer.

Leslie Fine Interiors would love to help you design your mountain home, either here in the East or out West! Give us a call at 617-236-2286 to schedule a consultation.

My Picks for your Pooch

Lynda — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 21:18:03 +0000

Calling all dog lovers! You’re going to love this post . . . Since so many of my clients are crazy for their pooches, I am always on the lookout for clever ideas for dog beds. Gone are the days when a folded blanket in the mudroom was all your furry friend needed – dog beds have gone high style! Why not give your dog a bed that fits well into the style of your home? There are a variety of options on the market that will suit just about any type of décor from the ultra modern to traditional and tasseled. Here are some of my picks:

This dog bed from HEX is made from recycled tennis balls. (I don’t know if it’s comfortable, but it would be a great conversation piece!) This one is particularly appropriate for a sports-loving family.

For the Modernist – clean lines, sleek and oh so chic!

For those who believe that every room should have a bit of animal print. (This particularly appeals to me even more now since my recent safari in South Africa!)

The WOW designer dog pod creates a cozy den for your dog. Very 60′s with the shag rug and all!

This hand painted dog bed is for pet owners who believe that more is more. Very sophisticated!

Hmm – I don’t even know what to say about this one!!

If you want to be a bit more understated, your dog’s bed can be custom made with the fabric used in other parts of the room.

All the dog beds shown are available from Beyond The Crate (with the exception of the HEX tennis ball bed and the final photo, which is a custom design). I would love to hear your reactions to these – any dog owners out there who wish to comment?

A Boston Treasure

Lynda — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 21:37:19 +0000

If you are looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, plan a day at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts. The new Art of the Americas wing is ten years in the making, and the expansive wing has transformed this Boston institution. The new space has allowed for many works to come out of storage including entire period rooms. The large wing incorporates a unique mix of sculpture and paintings and offers visitors the chance to appreciate many different art forms in one space. In this video, Museum Director Malcolm Rogers discusses the new wing and its importance to the museum. As you will see, the wing is stunning, and it offers its guests both a place of beauty and quiet reflection.

Glittering Gold

Lynda — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 23:39:28 +0000

Add a twist to your holiday table with contemporary gold flatware. Gold is a “hot” accent this season, and these flatware styles with their clean lines and gold tones will update any table setting. The gold adds a bit of the unexpected to the table and creates a special look. Mix and match these pieces with contemporary shapes or patterned traditional pieces – either way the look is fresh. Have some fun and get creative!

Midas Golden Cutlery from the Conran Shop

Gold Sambonet from H Art

Linea's Ice Oro

How about adding some other gold pieces to the table to compliment the flatware? Here are some suggestions:

Michael Wainwright Truro Gold Charger - for a more traditional setting

Another charger from Michael Wainwright - Lines Gold Charger - for a more transitional/contemporary setting

Classic Gold Banded Stemware by Vera Wang for Wedgewood

Firelight Gold by Lenox - traditional style with a simple gold rimmed edge

For an elegant holiday table, use these items with a crisp white or ivory tablecloth. Add some beautiful flowers, some candles – and you are ready to go!

New England Design Hall of Fame Gala

Lynda — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:33:15 +0000

On November 11th, I attended the fourth annual New England Design Hall of Fame Gala. It is an event I always look forward to as I have the opportunity to mingle and socialize with my peers and colleagues in a festive atmosphere. While the inductees are always the stars of the evening, this year’s event truly celebrated the entire New England design community. It is no secret that the past couple of years have been difficult for the building and design trades. However, this wonderful event celebrated the resiliency of the Boston area community. We all reveled in our ability to continue to create great work for our clients and support each other in our creative business endeavors.

In recognition of Thanksgiving this week, I am most thankful for my colleagues throughout the New England building and design communities.

Here I am - enjoying the gala with (left to right) Andrew Terrat, Steven Elbaz and John Trifone - all of Mitchell Gold Bob Williams

To all the inductees and my fellow design and building professionals – well done. Here’s to a great 2011!

2010 New England Design Hall of Fame Inductees

Roger Lussier, Katherine Field, David Hacin, Keith LeBlanc, Eugene Lawrence, Manuel de Santaren, Thomas Catalano

Leslie Fine Interiors» Lynda

Top Blog Posts of 2010

Festive Table Settings for New Year’s Eve

Luxury Steamer Trunks from Louis Vuitton

Holiday Magic in the Big Apple

Cheers! Toast the Holidays with a Martini

Great Mountain Style

My Picks for your Pooch

A Boston Treasure

Glittering Gold

New England Design Hall of Fame Gala