Tablescapes – à la Maison Home and Lifestyle

It’s January in Central New York and I’m already dreaming about spring… Sunshine, fresh green foliage and flowers – I can’t wait!

In the meantime, there are so many ways to bring the outdoors in – including freshening up your tablescape. Fresh flowers, centerpieces and seasonal linens are always an option to bring in natural elements, but how about your dinnerware?

This gorgeous Riviera pottery is designed by the famous French floral designer, Christian Tortu. The detailed design on these Hydrangea leaf salad plates are amazing.

Whether used in your tablescape, as appetizer plates for your spring gathering, or adorning a sidetable or night stand – they are sure to add a refreshing touch of nature.

These petite Laurel Leaf plates are a perfect little dish for olives, condiments… plus how pretty would it be on a bedside tables and a little jewelry tray for rings and such?

Simply to pretty to hide away – consider using them as art when not in use – hang them with plate hangers or display them on your mantel or buffet with an table top easel. Stunning!

pottery - white beaded platter bowl with laurel leaf plate

florals and hydrangea leaf salad plate - better

Decorating, Gift Ideas, Living Beautifully, Tablescapes

New Life for Tired Flowers

June 11, 2018June 11, 2018 à la Maison

One of the easiest ways to breath a little life into a fresh cut flower arrangement that’s starting to fade is a fresh water and a snip of the stems.

Look over the flowers and discard any that are truly past their prime (limp or browning petals, etc). Working with the flowers that have potential, remove them from the vase so you can thoroughly rinse out the vase and add fresh water.

Because you’ll probably working with less flowers/greenery, now is the perfect time to get creative and re-arrange the stems to create a totally new arrangement. Many times, I’ll opt for a trio of smaller vases to create a little floral vignette for a new centerpiece or accent to a tray.

Select the vases or vessels you’ll be working with and clip the stems at an angle to the appropriate high for the vase and style of arrangement you wish to create.

If desired, add fresh greenery (I’ve just mixed in a bit of lilac greenery that I slipped from the yard) and embellish with ribbon if desired.

Quick and easy updates that will prolong the life of your flowers!

Decorating, Living Beautifully, New at à la Maison, Tablescapes

Living Beautifully… Simple & Elegant Accessories for the Dining Room

June 11, 2016June 9, 2016 à la Maison

The dining room in the year’s Parade House was dressed simply in cream and silver with a few organic touches to soften the room.

The centerpiece, a sleek trio of silver & glass hurricanes are quite contemporary, so a bit of moss was added to soft the look.

Our abundant floral arrangement of faux branches set in acrylic water will last forever; and catches your eye as soon as you enter the room.

Beaded cream pottery set on a silvered rattan placemat have a bit of a relaxed feel with a folded gray napkin and a single fern leaf.

Decorating, Living Beautifully, New at à la Maison

Parade of Homes… Accessorizing the Kitchen

June 9, 2016June 9, 2016 à la Maison

This year’s Parade of Homes kitchen was a show stopper with a blend of sleek contemporary white cabinets, white quartz countertops and a reclaimed wood tray ceiling – together they bring in the perfect blend of contemporary style and rustic chic.

The open shelving in the kitchen had beautiful live-edge black walnut shelves and was the perfect location to stage as an wine bar and entertaining area.

Rustic wine stoppers, wood chargers, greenery and wired glass jars were mixed with glassware warm up the space and bring in an organic feel.

We were thrilled to have a special guest admiring our work… Mariel Hemingway, 2016 spokesperson for Cambria, stopped by for a peak at the kitchen and the stunning Cambria quartz countertops.