I have loved taking the week off to spend time with family, friends and to catch up on a few loose ends around The Studio. I have also taken this week to look back on a few of my favorite projects, blog posts and of course prepare for a fabulous 2013! I have been fortunate to have met and “worked” with so many driven, successful and motivational people in this industry.  There is nothing more rewarding that inspiration and unconditional support, especially in this competitive industry.

Tobi Fairley has been one of those people and I can say THANK YOU enough to her and the great team she surrounds herself with.  This past Spring, Tobi asked me to participate in a   Get The Look post as an opportunity to spread the word about my design Studio and of course my online boutique, Shop Ten 25.  I loved pulling the post together so much, that I later decided to make Get The Look Monday standard on my blog!

So one of my 2013 goals is to pay it forward! As my business grows and you lovely readers continue to support the changes around here, I can’t help but think of what I was going through 4 years ago when I decided to start this chapter in my life!  Seeing my business grow &  having others reach out to support me has been overwhelming…in a good way!  I hope that we can all remember what it was like to branch out on our own, start something new and be so thankful for any morsel of advise to keep us going!

Wishing you all a wonderful and successful 2013!! It WILL be amazing.  Take a look at the Get The Look pieces from Tobi’s blog this past spring, all of the pieces have links for you too!  And while you are on her blog, take a look around, there are TONS of fabulous things to inspire you too!

Yesterday I posted details on the lounge are in the Home For The Holidays Dining Room. So today, I wanted to share the details of the actual dining area and it’s Christmas decorations.

The dining table was the most challenging piece for me to finalize in the room. The two tables that I had my eye on were the only models in the showroom so I was not able to bring them down to the Holiday House. BUT, the sweet guys at The Platt Collections made it happen.  This Vintage Collection table screams Hollywood Glam and I was jumping up and down when they called to tell me that I could use it!!

The table scape was a piece of art in itself. Terry placed three stainless vases along the center of the table and filled them with pheasant feathers and three colors of the beautiful glitter “astroid” flowers. I loved the way they fell from the vase creating a whispy feel.

He also placed multiple sizes of resin horns along the length of the table and filled them with the green and aubergine ornaments, glitter astroids and other metallic pieces to tie everything together.

Since the table had a glass top, the black and white  Hyperion graphic rug anchored the area and I loved the way the pattern popped through the glass. When walking around the second and third levels of the Trade Mart, the pattern of the rug looked beautiful.  I selected this indoor/outdoor rug from The Rug Market and since they did not have the 8×10 available, I placed two 5×8 rugs together. I think it turned out perfectly and even created a larger anchor for the table.

The Alyce Side Chairs from The Platt Collections are stunning and were perfect for the Vintage Table but they were the only ones in the showroom.  I asked  Global Views for these Marilyn Leather Chairs and they came through for me again!  The ivory leather and dark espresso finish looked beautiful in the room and the nail head detail brought in a masculine touch.

I must have spent two weeks looking for the perfect chandelier to go above the dining table.  I found a few that I loved but the same issue of it being the only piece in the showroom kept me from finding a piece.  The girls over at Cyan design hooked me up with the brand new Jellyfish Chandelier. I was once again jumping up and down and couldn’t believe that I was able to snag such a unique piece.

The black silk drum shade has a silver metallic lining and the clear Murano Glass tentacles are absolutely beautiful!

To finish off the space and balance out the other end of the room,  Terry brought in two tall Christmas trees and placed them in aluminum urns for a chic and glamourous look.  He stuffed the trees with green, aubergine, white and silver ornaments in sets of three and in singles.  Just when I thought we couldn’t add anything else to the tree, Terry brought out more flocked ornaments, glitter astroids like the ones on the table and glitter evergreen sprigs to create movement around the tree.

The room also needed something bold and graphic to complete the end corners and balance out the Christmas trees. These black octagonal mirrors look beautiful in a grouping, we stacked three of them next to each tree.

I HOPE YOU HAVE ALL ENJOYED THE 2010 CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE SERIOUS ON THE BLOG! I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE WHAT EVERYONE COMES UP WITH NEXT YEAR. I HAVE BEEN INSPIRED TO MAKE MORE OF AN EFFORT TO DRESS UP MY HOUSE NEXT YEAR!  MERRY CHRISTMAS! – ABBE