As an art history major, I always loved the grace and beauty of classic statues…

Now that I design weddings, I love the idea of using them in a wedding ceremony decor or as an extra touch during cocktail hour…

I think they look best in a garden setting, but an elegant ballroom with great architectural detail could work too… Would you consider using statues for decor?

I’m sure you all know Elizabeth Messina’s stunning and luscious work, but did you know her book, The Luminous Portrait, is available for pre-order right now? The book will be filled with Elizabeth’s stunning portrait work and wisdom on how to create the look yourself.

And on a personal note, knowing and working with Elizabeth, to see her passion and generosity, (and having her support way back at the beginning of my journey,  see her guest post right here), I’m so excited to see this next evolution in her career. I’m certain this will be the first of many books, congratulations Elizabeth!!!!

I love this sweet elopement photographed  by Patrick Moyer on Harbour Island… Can’t you just smell the salt water?

The color of water, some quite time with the one you love, sounds like perfection…

I’m eating up this bold color, what i like to call “punchy red-orange.” Mixed with white, this color combo just feels like the incarnation of the swinging sixties.

Ummm… How awesome is this very modern, red-orange, dollhouse? I covet it so… And the most awesome sixty’s couch with the most perfect pillows ever? Add it to the covet list too.

Photography, from top, left to right:

This gorgeous wedding I did in September was featured on Grey Likes, last week… The theme was spanish with a strong color palette of orange and blue.

For the ceremony I had a simple arbor built. Then I draped it with alternating strips of orange and blue fabric.

For the bride’s bouquet I used a mix of locally grown dahlias in various shapes and sizes mixed with muscari, orange garden roses, tulips and calla lillies. For the grooms’ bout I used a calla lillie and wrapped in the same striped ribbon as the bride’s bouquet.

For seating cards, I placed a single clementine to hold the card down which acted as a paper weight and a fun snack for guests.

For the tables, I used La Tavola‘s fun retro linen in blue. I love the fun geometric pattern. And for even more pops of color I painted cement containers in two tones. The tall rectangular containers were painted a red and orange while the star shaped container was painted with cobalt blue and turquoise.

For guest tables, I used large wood boxes surrounded by white tile I painted. I simply taped a triangle on one side of the tile and then spray painted the exposed portion a pretty orange/red. I loved, loved the bold color palatte of this wedding, would you be so bold?

After our lovely tea we wandered around Granchester and stopped in to have a pint…

Then we took a short cab ride back to Cambridge proper where we watched people punt down the river Cam…

And for the last stop of the day, we visited one of my favorite English Gothic chapels… the amazing King’s College.

One of my favorite places in the world, is a little orchard that has been serving tea and scones to Cambridge students since 1897…

We sat under the trees eating scones with clotted cream and jam…  And the words by Rupert Brooke, who wrote about this idyllic spot, still hang in the air, “And is there honey still for tea?” (The Old Vicarage, Granchester).

I love classic blue and white china. There’s just something so elegant and timeless about it.

Um, how awesome is this writer’s desk with three dimensional blue and white tile?

And of course, classic chinoiserie blue and white china adds an exotic element to this classic combo. Would you use blue and white tile in your home? Your wedding design?

I love this unexpected color palatte of aqua and red and it just seemed just so appropriate for a California Christmas/holiday table…

For flowers, I used shades of crismon and red with hints of purple. I don’t usually like red roses, but these cabbage roses are kind of amazing.

A holiday wreath with rosemary…

A happy little ranunculus in the arrangement.

And a congratulations to Jose Villa & Joel Serrato on their wedding and publication in Martha Stewart Weddings. Check it out here.

And a sweet remembrance for a Jane Packer, she helped shape and create the modern floral industry. Check out Chelsea’s sweet remembrance post here.

A little holiday table I designed a few weeks ago is up on Style Me Pretty! You can check it right here.

I’m a big fan of Tara’s work over at Ink & Wit. Every year she puts out the most adorable wall calender and every year I buy one.

I love this detail shoot of a modern chair and bowls. There’s always something so peaceful and happy about her designs.

A bear and a balloon? Too sweet. You can see more of Tara’s work right here and buy the calender right here.

To me there’s nothing better than a serious piece of estate jewelry, especially when its a stunner like this art deco ring. I’m seriously obsessed with this ring and its for sale at 33 Jewels if anyone’s on the market for a seriously showstopping engagement ring.

I made this bouquet to go with the ring… its a soft cascadeing bouquet made up of hellebores and queen anne’s lace.

Would you rock an estate piece of jewely for your engagement or wedding ring?

I love the idea of a cozy, intimate wedding held over the long thanksgiving weekend. Lemon, herbs and the thanksgiving feast would serve as decor for the dining table. Accents of mustard and lemon, mixed with heirloom blue and white china, and brass candlesticks would give the tablescape a sophisticated and cohesive look. Would you hold a thanksgiving wedding?

Photos, left to right, first row, then second row:

Tomorrow’s my birthday and I’m planning on a day of antiquing, Full of Life Flatbread Pizza, and Enjoy Cupcakes! What are your plans this weekend?

Photos from left: {Row 1} 1. Beaux Arts Photographie 2. Styled by Kate French {Row 2} 1. Ellen Silverman 2. Deirdre Rooney

I love the idea of a wedding in a secret garden… Wrought iron chairs, aged terra cotta pots, lots of ivy, garden roses, and candlelight… Simply lovely and so very romantic!

Photos from left, to right, top to bottom: