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I don’t normally write about weddings, but I recently had the pleasure of being part of a magical weekend in Tuscany.  The entire event was truly unforgettable.  Full disclosure here–the groom is my nephew, Ryan, and I have a special place in my heart for him and his beautiful bride, Chisato.

Guests arrived in Italy from all over the globe to celebrate this special couple and their wonderful families.  (The bride’s sister had herself been married only a few months ago — in Hawaii!  This family has logged some serious mileage!!).  Our home for the weekend was the charming Borgo San Luigi, nestled in the Tuscan hills in the village of Monteriggioni.

The night of our arrival, guests were treated to a buffet of homemade pizzas (the chef made them in front of us!), pasta, salads and a delicious spread of Italian meats and cheeses.  The poolside supper was followed (of course!) by homemade Italian gelato.

 The next day, it was off to Chianti, where we spent the afternoon at the Badia  a Coltibuono winery.  The drive to the Chianti winery resembled a postcard, with winding roads overlooking the hills of the Tuscan countryside, dotted with olive orchards and vineyards. The vineyard, a former monastery, dates back a thousand years (yes, that is 1000)! Although the grapes are no longer grown at this site (the altitude makes for less than favorable growing conditions), the wine is aged here in solid oak casks.

Many of the “important” reserve bottles are stored here as well.  While many of the older bottles were lost or taken during the Second World War, there remain a handful of bottles from the 1930s.

The winery is surrounded by picture perfect gardens and includes some of the original furniture and artwork built and used by the monks who lived there for centuries.  I was as fascinated by the interior as much as the wine cellars!

Following a tour of the winery, we feasted on a five-course meal accompanied by different wines (of course!).  This was not for the faint of heart!

I loved the simplicity of the centerpieces–pots of fresh, locally grown herbs and lemons.

The dress code for the day was “garden chic” and it was so fun to see all the colorful floral dresses!

I thought it was the perfect occasion for my Danielle Rollins floral dress!

Despite a forecast of rain, the morning of the big day brought sunshine and blue skies.  The ceremony and reception were held at the Borgo Stomennano, near Sienna.  This magical villa was built on ancient Estruscan and Roman ruins, still visible today.  The setting, surrounded by the lush Tuscan countryside, is the stuff of fairy tales.

Guests gathered in the early evening and were greeted by a string quartet.

Flowers adorning the wedding arch and seats were in blush pinks and creams with accents of green.

Coming from two different backgrounds, the bride and groom included elements from each in their wedding ceremony.  The bride, who was born in Japan and raised in the US, introduced us to the “333” ritual.  The significance of the number 3 is that it cannot be divided by 2.  It also symbolizes love, wisdom and happiness.  Ryan and Chisato each drank three times from three cups of sake.  Ryan, who was raised in the Jewish faith, broke the wine glass, as is the tradition in a Jewish wedding.  This symbolizes that the old life is broken and a new life is beginning.

The moment we had all been waiting for finally arrived.  The bride, in an exquisite ivory dress of silk and lace (and a million dollar smile!), walked down the aisle to oohs and aahs and genuine tears of joy.  Her groom even shed a few! They wrote their own vows, each spoken from the heart.  Once the ceremony concluded, the party began!  The cocktail hour featured wine, prosceco, a raw bar, and a bountiful spread of Italian meats and cheeses.  A veritable feast, and this was only the beginning!

Dinner was served a pebbled garden under the trees, lit by candles and strings of lights…a truly SPECTACULAR setting.

After feasting and toasting, the guests were led to the pool terrace, transformed to a dance floor, magically lit by ceiling of lights.  Following the Italian tradition, the wedding cake was “made” before our eyes.  Two chefs prepared layers of wafer, cream filled with chocolate morsels, topped with fresh berries and sugar.  A truly impressive show!

Chefs preparing the traditional Italian Wedding Cake

Chisato and Ryan share their first dance

Dancing and partying continued into the wee hours of the morning.  No one wanted to leave this moment.  I’m quite certain that everyone realized that this experience, filled with beauty, family and love, was one to treasure forever.

The magic of a Tuscan sunset

Photo: Zach Hilty/BFA.com

Each year,  The New York Botanical Garden hosts its festive and fabulous Orchid Dinner.  This year, the big event was held at the storied Plaza Hotel. All proceeds from the Dinner (and the sale of rare orchids during the cocktail hour) support the Botanical Garden’s orchid research collection and conservation efforts.

Orchids auctioned at the event. Photo: Zach Hilty/BFA.com

I was honored to be invited to create a centerpiece and tablescape for the big event.  I was in the company of other interior designers from around the country, as well as floral designers, fashion designers and architects.  The only requirement was that the centerpieces must feature orchids as the principal element.  Other than that, we were left to our own inspiration and creativity.

A sketch of my design plan   by Jane Gianarelli

I got to work looking for a backdrop my table and I needed to look no further than the Osborne & Little showroom.  The Designer’s Guild Fabric, “Orchidea” was the perfect point of departure.

To me, the fabric looked like a painting, with the orchids moving across the canvas.  A big thank you to Osborne & Little for donating this stunning fabric to my project.  The rest of “my story”  seemed to come easily after that.

To finish off the tablecloth, expertly fabricated by Sidotti Decor in Long Island City (without whom I wouldn’t be in business), I used two trims by Samuel & Sons – a grosgrain trim in a soft lavender, and a velvet cord in a deep aubergine.  Just the right touch!

Now to the tabletop:

After searching for awhile for some plate chargers, I found the perfect one–a glass charger by Villeroy and Boch in a deep aubergine.  Just the right amount of drama against the orchid fabric.  I am so grateful for the support of Villeroy and Boch for donating these beauties!  I needed something relatively neutral with the pattern of the tablecloth and the drama of the chargers, so decided to use a set of plates from my own inventory–a lovely set of limoge porcelain plates in the shape of a flower (how perfect is that?)

And for the seat cushions, I used one of my favorite silks from Manuel Canovas, “Salsa” in lilac, piped in the same deep aubergine velvet that we used at the base of the tablecloth.

A sucker for monograms, I turned to Leontine Linens for some napkin inspiration.  To balance the cool pinks and lavenders of the tablecloth, I opted for a beautiful green, embroidered with a thread called raspberry ice.

For glassware, there is nothing like the beauty and quality of William Yeoward Crystal.  One trip to the showroom and I found some stunning goblets calling my name:  The Vita Goblet in amethyst for wine and the Eliza Goblet for water.  The amethyst crystal catches the light in such a beautiful way, at the whimsical pattern of the Eliza Goblet plays off the more serious, traditional style of the Vita.

Now, for the most important part…the orchids!  I have collaborated with Anthony Ortiz on many successful projects, and we began brainstorming.  I knew I wanted height, color and a bit of drama.  We loved the look of bleached manzanita branches and decided to create a “tree” of Vanda orchids from these wonderful branches.  This mimicked the movement of our tablecloth and added height, color and drama!  To balance the height, we used some mimi phalaenopsis orchid plants at the base of the centerpiece.  The shine of  black glass vases juxtaposed the matte finish of the branches and also was the perfect neutral against the white and pinks of the tablecloth.

Invitations were sent and the big day was fast approaching!

February 7 arrived and it was off to the races!  We headed to the flower district and then to the Plaza Ballroom to get to work!

It takes a village….

In a matter of hours, the Ballroom was transformed into a fanciful garden.  Each table was beautiful and it was fascinating to see the different creations and interpretations of each designer.

I was honored to be a part of such a wonderful evening. It was a magical night supporting a great cause, with so many talented designers showcasing their creativity and imagination. I feel privileged to be among them.

“Christian Dior: Couturier du Reve” (Designer of Dreams) was a masterpiece about a master.  After months of hearing and reading about this exhibition (and drooling over the extraordinary images), I had to see it for myself.  Although one never needs an excuse to go to Paris, there could hardly be a better one!  And what made the trip even more special were my traveling companions, my two daughters.  What could make for  a better girls’ trip than Paris and Christian Dior?!!

The exhibition at the Louvre’s Musee des Arts Decoratifs attracted thousands of visitors from around the globe.  Even with reserved tickets, there was a long line to enter — and those without tickets waited in line for an average of 5 hours!  But nobody complained.

The exhibition was an extraordinary retrospective of the seventy years since the creation of the Maison Dior. It explored the life and genius of Christian Dior, as well as also the work of the six artistic directors who followed Dior.

Christian Dior started his career as an art dealer in Paris, but the crash of 1929 forced him to close his gallery and he began to work as an illustrator.  His talents were quickly discovered and he began creating illustrations for some of the well-known fashion houses in Paris.  In 1946, he followed his dream and opened his own fashion house at 30 Avenue de Montaigne in Paris.

Even with the Allied victory in World War II, the mood was somber and fashion of the day was rigid and masculine.  Christian Dior’s first collection, presented in 1947, was the antithesis of this. He brought a breath of fresh air to fashion and celebrated elegance and femininity with his “Bar Suit,” a tailored, soft shouldered jacket over a chic, accordion pleated skirt.  This revolutionary style became known as “The New Look,” and was enormously successful.

Christian Dior believed (and I agree!) that what made a woman fashionable was not only her clothing , but also her shoes, handbag, hat (I wish women still wore hats!) accessories, makeup and even perfume.  In 1947, Dior was the first designer to introduce his own perfume, the legendary Miss Dior.  Although it seems that every fashion line and celebrity has a perfume, Dior was a real pioneer in launching a perfume.  The Dior perfume collection now consists of more than one hundred scents, including such iconic names as J’Adore and Poison.

A picture tells a thousand words, and the arrival of Christian Dior on the international fashion scene coincided with the emergence of photography as an art form.  Dior’s creations were soon captured by some of the most talented photographers of the day, including Irving Penn, Richard Avedon and Cecil Beaton. An entire wall of the museum was devoted to a collection of fashion magazine covers featuring models wearing Dior creations.

CHRISTIAN DIOR AND COLOR

Christian Dior truly appreciated the role of color, explaining that:

“A Touch of Color is all you need to change your outfit. . . an emerald scarf, a bright red dress, a sparkling yellow wrap, royal blue gloves.”  For Dior, each color has an important meaning:  black is the color of absolute elegance, white is purity, red reminded him of the façade of his childhood home in Normandy (Dior became known for his red so much that it has become known as “Dior Red.”)  Orange and violet were symbols of the Orient, and pearl gray was reminiscent of the 18th century.

This color story was so exquisitely conceived and displayed.  It separated the fashion by color and included not only “life size” dresses, but miniature dresses in the same intricate detail, as well as handbags, shoes, jewelry, etc.  The colors were beyond gorgeous and I could have spent a day studying each and every detail!  A few of my favorites:

LES JARDIN DE DIOR/THE DIOR GARDENS

“After the woman, flowers are the most divine creation” —Christian Dior

Flowers were an important source of inspiration for Dior and his first collection is informed by the notion of “femme-fleur” (woman-flower).  Walking into this  salon in the exhibition was like walking into a wonderland.  Suspended from the ceiling were white flowers and leaves, and the dresses on display were not only breathtakingly beautiful, but so creatively and effectively displayed.

Take a look:

Something one doesn’t see often in a museum exhibition is a live presentation.  This one demonstrated the production of the iconic “Lady Di” leather handbag.  An artisan from Florence took us through all the steps in creating the leather bag made famous by Princess Diana.

And here is the finished product!

The exhibition also featured the work and inspiration of the six artistic directors of the House of Dior who followed Christian Dior and examined how each was faithful to the spirit of Christian Dior while exploring new frontiers to appeal the modern woman:

Yves Saint Laurent—1958-60

Marc Bohan—1961-89

Gianfranco Ferre—1989-96

John Galliano—1997-2011

Raf Simons—2012-15

Maria Grazia Chiuri—2016-present

The exhibition concluded with a magical room inspired by the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles, featuring twinkling lights and dresses displayed from floor to ceiling.

The final section is footage of the many luminaries who have been outfitted in Dior creations, among them Princess Diana, Princess Grace, Jacqueline Kennedy and Elizabeth Taylor, as well as more modern celebrities like Celine Dion and Julianne Moore shown behind a display of the dresses.

The exhibition was not only a history lesson, but a feast for the eyes, unlike any show I have seen.  And what a thrill it was to experience this with my two daughters.  Although gone are the days where ladies wore hats and gloves with their ensembles, it was such fun to have a glimpse into those days and to fantasize about wearing some of that finery!

My Sweet Traveling Companions!

The French expression “joie de vivre” has become part of our vocabulary, but while we frequently invoke the concept, its true meaning is often overlooked.  Its direct translation is “joy in life” or “zest for life.”  Translated into practical terms, it means that adding a little extra effort can make even everyday activities or moments a bit more special, thereby bringing that much more joy to our lives and to the lives of others.

Nobody teaches this better than the French.  As a young student living with a French family in the Loire Valley, I gained an appreciation for this joie de vivre, as they daily expended that little bit of extra effort that so bettered the quality of our daily lives.  I remember that my French mother and father, Jacques and Mimi, both of whom were “en retraite” (retired), would prepare their cafe au lait on a silver tray, with croissants, butter and jam, and the daily newspaper, and return to their bed to begin the day with a few moments of calm and reflection — and since they were  French, who knows what else?   Not all of us have this luxury of lazy mornings, but every once in a while, why not?  Although I was rushing off to class without the time to linger over my own  cafe au lait, that memory has stayed with me after all those years.  There is something so sweet about this quiet, shared start to each new day.

Another memory was a picnic my family took during a visit to Normandy.  My French mother (seemingly effortlessly) spent some time in the kitchen the morning of our departure and off we went in the car.  Upon our arrival and after finding the perfect spot for dejeuner, Madame proceeded to pull out her linen tablecloth and napkins, silverware, and china.  And then came delicious salads, bread, fromage, wine (of course!) and fruit tarts.  No peanut butter sandwiches and chips for this crowd!  And how much more pleasant it was to eat delicious food prepared at home on real plates with lovely linen napkins.  With a bit more effort, a simple, family outing became a memorable and most enjoyable event–one that I will not forget.  I see this same refusal to accept lower standards when I visit the Paris markets.  When it is time for the mid-day meal, the merchants and their families bring out table linens, silverware, beautiful multi-course meals accompanied by wine, and thoroughly enjoy themselves.  Entirely the opposite of an American lunch hour!

We can all find ways to have a bit more joie de vivre.  My daughter and I like to make cranberry spritzers (cranberry juice and seltzer water).  I suggested that we make them a bit more festive, by serving them in a pretty wine glass with a sprig of fresh mint.  And voila!  A simple weeknight drink becomes that much more elegant and enjoyable.

And it is simply unquestionable that a cup of tea tastes so much better in a porcelain cup.  Why save our good things for special occasions?  Make a daily cup of tea a special occasion!  I love to collect vintage porcelain cups, so I have a lot to choose from.  But all it takes is one pretty cup (or two, as it is nicer to share these moments with someone) to have your own version of “high tea.”

We all have such busy lives, and often dinner is on the go or is a take out Chinese or pizza night.  Well, how about serving the Chinese takeout on your pretty china with cloth napkins.? For some reason it just tastes better that way and it is much more enjoyable.

Finally, we are all attached to our phones, computers, iPads, etc., and it is probably the last thing we look at before bed and the first thing we look at in the morning.  One ritual I have developed for myself is to try to take a few minutes (usually over a cup of coffee) and just reflect on the day to come.  (I haven’t yet gotten to the point of using a silver tray with a croissant and butter, but I am working on it!)  Once we look at emails, Facebook, Instagram, it’s off to the races.  I think we owe it to ourselves to have a moment of peace without the digital clutter.  Easier said than done, but worth a try!

This little jewel of an apartment was a pleasure to decorate.  The clients are a lovely couple from Houston who live part time in New York City.  This duplex penthouse is on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and includes two bedrooms, two baths and three terraces.  A real luxury in New York!  As the apartment is a rental, the clients didn’t want to invest in a lot of elaborate painting and wallpaper.  We had roughly six weeks (during the holidays, no less!) to get the apartment ready, so my Los Angeles-based design partner Missy Calvert and I got to work! The space was freshly painted in a cream color.  In the interest of keeping things simple and cost effective, we opted to design around this neutral backdrop.  Our client’s late father was a prolific artist, and his collection dictated the color scheme in the public rooms–deep golds, oranges, black and white.  We included a mix of reproductions and carefully selected antique pieces with vintage lighting and accessories.  Given that the clients hail from Texas, we also made sure to add a bit of Texas vibe to the decor.

The living and dining rooms are actually one big room, so we divided the space with the furniture layout into a dining area and a sitting area.   The antelope rug adds a bit of fun, and works well with the colors and other elements of the rooms.  The dining chairs are from Restoration Hardware–an excellent price point, as well as being quite sturdy and comfortable. The dining table is a reproduction and the chandelier is gilt metal with crystal from France, ca. 1940s.

In the front entry, we used a William IV mahogany cabinet from our shop. The entry is small and not very wide, so this piece was the perfect size.  It serves a useful purpose and looks lovely with a silver tray, the French 19th century mirror and Murano glass lamp.

This side table in the Living Room is from our collection, a neoclassical style Italian round table with a Greek key motif on the apron and leather top.  With all the rectilinear pieces in the living room, the round table adds a softening touch.  The framed intaglios add a bit of interest on either side of the sofa without competing with the main painting.

This chrome and brass mid-century Jansen style etagere from our collection adds a bit of visual interest to a small alcove and is a great place to display books, accessories and family photos.

We wanted to soften the space underneath the stairwell, and so added this vintage bench, upholstered in a striking mango velvet from Designers Guild. The planters add a welcome touch of green.

A cowhide rug lends a bit of Texas to this Guest Room!

We wanted to create a restful Master Bedroom, in soft blues and creams, as an oasis from the hectic pace of New York.  The bed is from Eloquence, lamps from Circa Lighting. The chaise is from the Kristin Drohan Collection, and the mirrors from Ballard Designs.

This vintage brass bar cart from our shop was the perfect addition!  We found a pair of low French chairs in a flea market–great detail and perfect scale for this space.  We covered them in a beautiful Cowtan and Tout velvet with a Samuel & Sons orange leather piping.

The outdoor terrace is such a bonus in New York–outdoor space is a real luxury!  We carried the orange color palette outdoors since the terrace is visible from the apartment–a nice complement to the gray upholstery.  Teak furniture from Kingsley Bate; pillow fabric from Thibaut’s indoor/outdoor collection.

The apartment is a perfect “home away from home” for this couple and their family and friends.  We loved working together and I wish them much happiness in New York.

The holidays are a wonderful time of year to entertain. One of my favorite holiday traditions is the annual holiday coffee I host in my home. I love outfitting the apartment with holiday decor and baking my favorite holiday goodies. I invite all my lady friends for coffee, conversation and holiday cheer!

It is a lot of work to get everything decorated, the baking done and the coffee brewed early in the morning. That said, my friends appreciate the morning fete, as it gives them the remainder of the day. But with preparation, the event doesn’t need to be hectic. Here are a few of my holiday entertaining tips that I follow for my event:

#1. A trip to the Flower District

I always pay attention to florals when entertaining. Blooms bring nature indoors and add a warm, elegant touch to the home. A couple of days before the event, I head down to New York’s flower district on West 28th Street. It’s such a nice resource and inspiration for holiday decorating. I buy pointsettias, amaryllis plants and magnolia leaves. 

#2. Get a head start

Never leave anything for the day of the event, or even the day before. I put up the tree and decorate the house well in advance. I start a baking marathon the week before. Breads (pumpkin, banana, cranberry), blueberry muffins, and my favorite–raisin scones.

I will share my recipe for the raisin scones as they are a big favorite, click here for the recipe.
The key to the scones is the fabulous scone pan I bought years ago at Williams Sonoma. I don’t think they carry it anymore but Sur La Table has a similar one. Just mix the ingredients, knead the dough, and divide it into triangular sections.  Voila–beautiful raisin scones!!  I serve them with whipped cream, butter  and raspberry preserves.

#3. Choose the right serveware

Once the home is decorated and goodies baked, I set the table. I love bringing out the good porcelain cups and saucers for this event. Our lives are so rushed and harried, it is nice to enjoy coffee or tea in a pretty porcelain cup! I set out the cups and saucers in a triangle pattern and the corner of the dining table.  I mix some of my Wedgewood wedding china with vintage pieces that I have collected over the years – I love mixing colors and patterns. I serve everything on classic trays, either silver or ceramic.  Some are wedding gifts and others I pick up in my travels. I believe in using our nice things! Of course it’s smart to also be practical, and I always buy cute holiday-themed disposable cups in case more guests than expected appear. 

#4. Set the mood

I always dim the lights in the dining room to create a warm, inviting setting. Harsh, bright lights are no one’s friend. I also scatter festive holiday objects about the room, the more whimsical the better. And we can’t forget the music. I turn on a classic holiday playlist from Spotify that instantly puts guests in a great mood. 

The coffee is brewed, candles lit, holiday music playing and the guests begin to arrive!