Happy Halloween

Photo Credits:  http:steveaudic.blogspot.com

Buona Notte

I was hoping we would have a little cool weather here in LA to feel like fall – or at least pretend it was.  The temperature has been in the 80’s and even 90’s.  I’ve been fantasizing about fall in New England.   I found this picture and it reminded me of my years growing up in Connecticut and driving down the back curvy roads admiring the fall foliage.  I miss walking in the leaves, the rustling sound they make below your feet, making leave piles and jumping in them, and when the wind blows how they swirl in the air.  Fall in New England, I miss you!

 

PHOTO CREDITS:  Photo by Hugh Morton

Restaurant Design in Roswell, GA

Last year, I was visiting my friend Laura in Roswell, GA.   Laura and I went to college together in Boston and a number of years ago relocated to Atlanta (as I continue to blog you will learn all about my friends).  Every year her husband goes on a “guys golf trip” and we usually do a “girls weekend”, which, I need to mention includes her three young children (I know you were thinking ladies lunches, spa days, etc. – ah NO!).  Instead, it typically means hanging out at the house and visiting with her neighbors and local friends with pizza and the kids.  We always have a good time.  Usually, at night we sit on her back porch (which I love) and catch up on everything (me with my wine and Laura with her Ultra Lites). We’re always saying we’re going to bed early and then a few drinks later, we’re still chatting and next thing you know it’s 1 AM. 

During my visits, she usually gets a baby sitter for one night, and we make it our “big night out”.  One year we went out in HOT Atlanta, to a trendy restaurant that she was dying to try (she never gets to go living in the burbs) and then some club she had heard about (you know your old when you pull up to a club in a mini van).  We took one look around, had a couple of drinks and we were out of there faster than you can say mini van (btw is very comfortable).   Nowadays, we typically stick around her “Peyton Place” town, which has a charming downtown with quaint local eateries, that, I so enjoy.  Our favorite is Pasties.  Last year, Laura had heard about this new restaurant formally, a steak restaurant (I think).  She told me the original decor was all dark wood, dark lighting, and a complete contrast to what it is today.  She thought I would love it.

You would never guess pulling up to this strip mall, that, it would host such a beautiful restaurant.  The outside was non-descript with outdoor tables but, the minute we stepped inside, I felt like I was in LA (in terms of hip and stylish).  If I could live in a restaurant, this would be it.  The restaurant was done in all white, vintage linens, capiz shell chandeliers, etc.  It was love at first site.  The owner and designer was a lovely French woman, I had the privilege to meet, while, I was in the restaurant.  I told her, I was so inspired by her restaurant.  It screamed ~ sip champagne and indulge.  We decided to sit in the bar vs. the restaurant because we loved the look of this large table that was placed in the center of the room with high bar stools.  It was community seating.   What I loved about the bar area is it had a standard bar with various seating vignettes, which, offered privacy if you were with a friend or on a date.  There we’re two wing chairs in front of the fireplace made of leather with linen pillows on it.  If we weren’t eating it would have been the perfect people watching spot.  Over our long table, were a series of capiz shell chandeliers giving off a beautiful illumination creating a breathtaking ambiance.

The restaurant concept itself, reminded me of a design project I did in school.  One of my commercial projects was an all white restaurant.  I remember getting a 4.0 for the space planning and design by an instructor (who was an architect).  He told me that it would be a beautiful restaurant and I should use the plans should I ever design in the commercial market.  However, his main critique was my color scheme.  I know your all guessing right?  HMM!  I wonder what it could be?  AH!  Yes, white!  He did not think it was practical. What does an architect know, right?  Sorry don’t want to offend anyone.  He doesn’t do design.  Hence, as a looked around this restaurant, I knew my gut had been correct.  It can be done and look fantastic.  It’s all in using the right materials.

The restaurant had an L shape space plan.  The main entry was a separate room with arched doors on both sides.  One arch leading to the bar and side room and the the other to the main dining area and private rooms. The main dining area was open and spacious with fabric chandeliers throughout the room.  The dining area continued around the corner with more seating and individual rooms for private parties and social engagements.  The private rooms offered banquette seating and leather walls, tufted, (vinyl, I think) in stark white with it’s own chandelier over the table.  If this was LA – this is where all the celebrities would sit and everyone would be peeking around the corner to see “who’s who” in the rooms.  The rooms were delicious!  To the left of the bar, was “The Side Room”,(looked like an indoor porch), which was mixed with old and new materials.  The exterior of the room had banquette seating as well, with long linen pillows from Europe made from old vintage linens.  It had a mix of vintage and new clean lined tables.  The pillows made me want to curl up with a book on a rainy day. It was romantically lit and a perfect place to have a party or an intimate gathering. It was the perfect place to catch up with a friend. The food and champagne was delicious and I will definitely be back.  Next time, I want to sit in the wing chairs and people watch. 

 

Main Entry when you walk in – was hard to capture on camera.

 

I loved this lamp – it looked like coral sitting on the table by the hostess.

Laura and I sitting in the bar – the table was in the middle of the bar area, which, ran the entire length of the bar.

 

The table in the bar area with the capiz shell light fixtures over head with the arch doorways into the entry way.

 

One of the two leather wing chairs in front of the fire place with a vintage linen pillow.

 

The capiz shell chandelier over the bar.

The room off the bar to the left.  Banquette seats with beautiful vintage lines pillows that are becoming so popular now.

 

This side room right off the bar had a these beautiful capiz shell chandeliers sprinkled throughout. 

Capiz chandelier up close.

Vignette seating sprinkled throughout the bar – antique covered chairs in velvet and linen with a rustic table.

 

The banquette that went around the entire room.  Loved this corner nook with the antique table. I just want to take a nap here on a rainy day.

Beautiful blue vases popped again the warm whites on the table (I’m almost positive they are West Elm).

Laura sitting at the long table – I love the wine cubbies in the background. 

The arches which were located throughout the restaurant transitioned you from one room to another.

 

Me and Laura checking out the private rooms.  They were sexy!

The main dining area.

 

 

If Visiting Roswell, GA be sure to stop by Bistro VG and tell them Peggy & Fritz sent you.

ADDRESS:   Bistro VG - 70 West Crossville Road - Roswell, GA  30075 - Phone:  (770) 993-1156

Fall Table Setting

Every fall, I buy gourds and usually sprinkle them on my dining room table with seasonal fresh flowers.  This year with funds being tighter than normal buying fresh flowers weekly is not in the budget.  Therefore, I had to improvise.  I was at Trader Joes and saw these rosemary topiaries.  I loved the shape and the way herbs look inside the home. For $7.99 (even if they last a month) – that’s $7.99 divided by 4 comes out to just under $2.00 a week.  Where can you by a bouquet of flowers for that?  I wanted olive trees but our local nursery doesn’t get them in until Christmas time.  The rosemary looks great and feels festive.  I’m still looking for something rustic to put them in or use to burlap and tie them with raffia or twine.  For under $20.00 you can buy some gourds and fresh herbs and dress up your dining room table to give it a little fall feeling.  Living in LA where it can be 80’ we have to pretend it’s the holiday season.

 

 

 

Photo Credits:  All photos taken by me.

 

Flea Market Finds

I went to the Long Beach Flea Market on Sunday.  I was so excited, it was Ginger’s birthday, and thought it would be great for her to get a nice long walk in and spend her morning sniffing everything.  I’ve never brought her to the flea market and didn’t you weren’t allowed to bring your dog, unless, the dog is carried. PLEASE!  I did not bring my carry bag, it was warm, and for the first time in the  history of flea market shopping, I couldn’t find the person selling the flea market carts. I thought, I would buy a cart and some fabric – put it down on the bottom and I can wheel Ginger around.  She’ll have a blast people watching and I can take my time. However, the cart guy was nowhere to be found.

I was excited to see there were a bunch of new vendors and I really wanted to share with you my new finds.  However, a dog in one arm and a painting in the other didn’t make for easy photo taking.   My arms were getting tired from carrying Ginger, so I raced through the front vendors just searching for portraits. I did manage to score a bargain in my frantic search!  A lady was selling a bunch of portraits all for $10.00.  Three women were scouring through the paintings snatching up all the good ones, just as arrived. I was in flea market envy!  I did manage to find this lady for $10.00.  I guess they were all done by students.  I got home and showed it to my friend Nick and her Aunt Cyndi who was visiting.  Aunt Cyndi immediately named her Emily Rose. I love a bargain and if those ladies weren’t there snatching up all the paintings, I would’ve  had 4 or 5 more (do I sound bitter?).  Let me introduce you to my new portrait, Miss Emily Rose.

 

Wine Bags

I love tasteful wine bags and found these while browsing on-line. I’m always looking for materials other than the standard paper wine bags. With the holiday’s upon us it’s a great way to dress up wine or champagne bottles.  The recipient will be impressed for sure!

 

Corkscrew Jute Wine Bags - Wisteria

 

Acts of Kindness Wine Jute Bags – Wisteria

 

Wine Bottle Accessories – Pottery Barn

 

Handmade Wine Bags - Etsy

For the Sports Enthusiast - Amazon

 

PHOTO CREDITS:  Photo 1 and 2:  Wisteria, Photo 3:  Pottery Barn, Photo 4 and 5:  Etsy, Photo 6:  Amazon

Night Light

I know it’s been some time since I posted.  Look for upcoming blog posts and keep sending me your ideas.  I have gotten some great ideas for posts courtesy of my friends.  Look for your concept ideas soon.  In the meantime, feast your eyes on this fabulous lighting from Anthropologie and Napa Style.  I love the vintage feel of these lights made from interesting materials such as wire, mercury glass, and mason jars.  They would make great pendant lights in an old farmhouse or cottage house. 

 

 

Photo Credits:  Napa Style and Anthropologie