Little Hands Virginia Tablescapes Showcase
I was honored and excited to participate in the inaugural Spring Tablescapes Showcase benefitting Little Hands Virginia, a nonprofit that ensures children in Central Virginia have essentials from birth to improve their outcomes in life.
For this festive showcase, I created a playful yet elegant tablescape that drew on some of my favorite travel memories, my love of balancing classic forms with bold colors, and my desire to bring some energetic whimsy to a fundraising event for a noble nonprofit and mission.
Hints of travel inspo are found throughout this colorful and cheery design. For example, I wanted orchids to be a focus of the centerpiece after falling in love with them in Thailand. Hot pink origami napkins are a nod to the time I spent in Japan, and I paired bamboo plates with small-print batik-inspired placemats (and also threaded the bamboo theme by using white bamboo-backed chairs).
I can never resist combining old and new so I incorporated vintage champagne flutes along with modern handmade tumblers on the table. In addition to the floral table skirt, the table setting pops with punches of pink and orange (hence the tablescape’s name “Tropical Punch”) as well as more neutral details such as ivory French silverware from my own collection.
I loved being a part of this wonderful event and am looking forward to the 2nd Annual Spring Tablescapes Showcase.
My Favorite Holiday Traditions
Thanksgiving may be in the rear view mirror, but I like to keep the spirit of gratitude going as we move full speed ahead into the most magical time of the year. I love the holidays because they offer the opportunity to transform everyday spaces and celebrate, regardless of your beliefs!
With the holiday hustle and bustle ramping up, I’m looking forward to squeezing in as many of my favorite traditions as possible before the year ends. These beloved events and activities actually force me to slow down and to pay extra attention to the things and people that are important to me. My time with family and with friends means the world to me, and my favorite traditions include hefty servings of both!
One long standing tradition is a dinner party for friends that my husband and I throw. Some years, we even ask people to dress in costume to get into the festive spirit. One non-negotiable: a series of questions that get answered and submitted anonymously. As part of the evening’s fun, we try to figure out who said what. It’s a fun way to break the ice and learn new and occasionally surprising things about old friends.
As for food, I often prepare a smoked turkey gumbo, a nod to my husband’s New Orleans roots, as an appetizer. Every year I make a bunch of milk punch with a recipe handed down from my husband’s uncle–it’s always a crowd pleaser! Dinner itself can vary year to year (and on especially busy years, we rely on a caterer to make our holiday load a little lighter). For dessert, one of my favorites is a coconut cake, but the offerings vary year to year. What never changes is the rejuvenating and comforting experience of laughing and being together with friends.
Unsurprisingly, decorating the table is another favorite holiday tradition. I love to change the theme yearly to stave off monotony. One year I used woodland animals and wintery blue accents for inspiration; another I leaned into crisp peppermint colors, and last year, a Scrooge-themed table (complete with gold “coins” as table decorations). This year, I was captivated by the Nutcracker and inspired by Sugar Plum Fairy-eque pinks and whites. Be sure to watch my Homeworthy episode, “Inside a Willliamsburg-Style Home Decked with Nutcracker Decor” for the full tour!
A holiday decorating idea that I reuse year after year is a Victorian card ribbon over the mantle. I originally spied a ribbon festooned with cards and displayed over a chest at Major Dooley’s home, Maymont, and I adapted the idea for my own home. I love how my fireplace is framed every year with photos of the people I care about so I can see their faces while relaxing after holiday prep and activities.
Another much anticipated holiday ritual is making cinnamon buns for friends and family. I deliver these sweet treats right before Christmas so that they can enjoy an easy and delicious breakfast once the present unwrapping frenzy is over. Of course, we make sure to save some for our family as well!
I’ll take these traditions over anything wrapped in a bow, but if you’re still looking for present ideas for friends and loved ones, be sure to check out my gift suggestions over at Glam Pad’s 5th Annual “Christmas with the Tastemakers” Shopping Guide!
Happy holidays!
Gift Guide
The latest Sara Hillery Interior Design Gift Guide is here! Scroll through to find the perfect gift for the most fun-loving friend or family member on your list!
The queen of edited elegance released a new book!
These cheerful playing cards provide a little more style than your typical red or blue set.
How fun are these metal earrings? Everyone on my team has a pair!
Chinoiserie is always in style!
Such a happy book on how to decorate and live well.
A custom backgammon board brings back a classic game in updated colors.
This simple and bright planner will keep you organized in style in 2023.
I love the curves and color on this lantern sconce!
So excited about these winning pillows in last year’s “Made in VA Awards.”
I love this tumbler – There is something so fun about polka dots on a table!
This needlepoint pillow in such a bright color is way too much fun!
Love these napkin rings in a dogwood motif as a nod to my home state of Virginia!
My friend published this book last summer and it still is a favorite!
Anyone who knows me knows that I love anything that looks like it can walk.
A simple topiary can elevate any space.
These are the best notecards! I included a custom set in my Lenox Hill tablescape.
A touch of the tropics for your next dinner party!
I cannot get enough of this cheery batik print!
Add bamboo details to your holiday table and celebrate the season in style
Peak fashion meets peak comfort. And how fun are these pom-poms?
Perfect year-round from Mardi-Gras to Christmas!
Museum Fix
Museums are slowly opening up, and returning to more traditional travel is (knock on wood) on the horizon, but jetting around to the latest exhibitions seems ambitious at the moment.
For those of us who are still committed to armchair travel to get our fix of arts and culture, we have some compelling online options, several of which are hands on and fun for the whole family.
One of the silver linings of the pandemic is that museums and galleries have put more of their pieces and the stories behind them online, so you can access them anytime!
In addition to exploring the museum’s mind-bogglingly extensive online collection of folk art from all around the globe, you can try your hand at some of their DIY art projects, inspired by traditions including Mexican paper making and Japanese fans.
Through podcasts, articles, videos, and more the Tate offers a deep dive into numerous pieces in its collection and the passionate creators behind them. We also recommend the Create Like An Artist series, with fantastic hands-on projects for both kids and adults with options including soap carving, making chocolate paintings inspired by Jackson Pollack, and using the techniques of master watercolorist Joseph Turner.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi
Online options at this gorgeous museum are extraordinary. We could spend days exploring, from an online book focusing on clothes and costumes in the collection to curated playlists to spoken word poetry inspired by various galleries to a “futuristic audio and visual experience”.
Looking for some bite-sized art education? The National Museum of India’s Museum at Home features short videos on sculptures, artistic traditions, and more. The video gallery also offers quick, insightful dips into India’s fascinating art and history.
This quirky Toronto museum focuses on shoes throughout history (yes, the collection is as amazing as it sounds). With the museum’s #BSMFromHome offerings, you can brush up on your knowledge of various shoe-making techniques, get a virtual tour of exhibitions, or de-stress with some shoe-themed coloring sheets.
If you haven’t been able to cross off the architectural wonders of Petra off your bucket travel list (or if you just want a return trip), this comprehensive “tour” of the Rose City might satiate your wanderlust for a short time. It’s not technically a museum, but there’s enough history and art to make for an educational and inspiring armchair voyage.
The Freshest Holiday Décor Trends of 2020
The Holiday season is in full swing, and if you are looking for ways to refresh and up the ante of your holiday décor, look no further! we have created a list of our favorite, freshest, and most festive holiday decorating trends for 2020!
BLUE IS BIG!
“Classic Blue” was named Pantone’s color of the year for 2020 so there’s no huge surprise that hues of blues might pop up in holiday décor, blue feels unique and fresh, especially for Christmas décor!
We love mixing in Chinoiseries pieces with our decorations. These blue and white porcelain pieces, planters, and ginger jars have been popular for quite some time now, but utilizing them for holiday decorations is trendy and fun. Not to mention, if these are a staple in your everyday home décor, you’ll be saving time and energy when it comes time to pack up the holiday decorations!
These chinoiserie painted oyster shell ornaments are another great way to incorporate blue into your décor this year.
Another way to use blue this holiday season is by using classic navy. Not as bold as black, but just as chic, navy is an unexpected and gorgeous color to use while decorating!
Blast from the Past
With all of us living through a global pandemic, it’s no surprise we are yearning for the idyllic holidays of the past. Try raiding grandma’s attic for vintage decorations!
A throw back to a Victorian trend, try displaying your holiday cards over your mantle. You and your family will love seeing all of the season’s greetings you received this year!
These iconic ceramic Christmas trees have become popular again after taking a back seat for decades. We love this version in an updated all-white colorway!
These traditional Christmas tree Highball glasses provide the perfect subtle festive touch to any holiday cocktail!
Pretty In Pink
This one is just fun! Pops of pink provide an unexpected and crowd-pleasing ambiance. It’s definitely not a traditional look, but we love how surprising and cheeky it is.
A forest of pink bottle brush trees is a great and easy place to start if you’re unsure how to tackle the pink Christmas trend. Scatter these across a credenza or mantle for instant fun and charm.
Bright shades of neon pink are sure to make a big splash! Try using pink ornaments and garland to create a unique and crafty mantle vignette.
For a more classic look, try dusty pink rather than a brighter shade. This combination of crisp, white table linens, crystal drinkware, long leaf eucalyptus, and dusty rose blown glass ornaments is absolutely gorgeous!
Mix and Match
This one is definitely a favorite of ours! A maximalist approach creates such a warm and collected look for the holiday season!
Layering, and layering, and layering pattern, textures, and colors is key here. Don’t be afraid to embrace several different colors and patterns!
If you’re unsure where to begin with this trend, try out a block printed tablecloth as your base and build from there.
Scandinavian Chic
In contrast, Scandinavian minimalist décor with natural elements, this straightforward yet chic style will be everywhere this year.
With a focus on, simple, fresh, and natural materials, these wreaths are a tasteful nod to the minimalist elements we associate with Scandinavian design.
A great way to add depth and drama to your minimalist décor is to embrace black! It might seem crazy to use black for your holiday decorating, but when mixed with fresh greenery and sleek Scandinavian elements, using black makes for show stopping décor!
No matter how you decide to decorate this holiday season, we hope you stay healthy, happy, safe this year!
Celebrating Fall and Thanksgiving in Color
One promise we made ourselves during this challenging year was to add sprinkles of joy whenever possible. So for our Thanksgiving table this year, we moved it outdoors! We wanted to change it up a bit this year, we’ve been having a wonderfully mild Autumn and wanted to take advantage of the nice weather before Winter. Moving outside also allowed us to gather and remain Covid-safe.
We leaned heavily into our love of natural elements, vintage details, and handcrafted pieces, and plenty of color, of course! Instead of creating a monochromatic or neutral color palette, we embraced a variety of warm colors to give us and our table guests some life and vibrancy.
We began with a fresh white cotton tablecloth that had been hand block printed with repeating blue patterns reminiscent of leaves and tree branches. A rattan charger grounds each place setting along with folded and draped gorgeous ikat napkins in dreamy purples and pinks. The green bamboo dinner plates from Blue Pheasant add gloss and texture, while flatware in gold and green tie into this color scheme while adding modern flair. Vintage Kaiser white bowls from Germany finish off the clean and composed look of the place settings.
For drinkware, we chose chic yet distinctive variations from typical clear glass. Blue, vintage inspired goblets and hand blown “tortoiseshell” glasses offer a faint whisper of the exotic and prove that unconventional matches can work beautifully together.
A vintage brass bowl overflowing with globe amaranth and coleus leaves and surrounded by mini pumpkins, apples, and figs makes the table feel especially romantic. By drawing from colors found throughout nature and pairing surprising textures and tones, we created a table that celebrates the simplest and most pleasurable of joys these days: sharing an intimate meal with loved ones.