Smitten | Billy Cotton

Since I've been cooking a lot more and sharing some of the photographs and recipes here on the blog I've realized that I'm in desperate need of simple, plain white dishes.  I've been collecting vintage china for a few years now and while these highly decorative pieces spice up a fancy fete they detract from the visual impact of simple foods like say, the soft pretzels I made last week. Plain plates, especially classic white allow the food to be the star.  So last week I set out on a mission to find the perfect refined white tableware. Enter Billy Cotton. Love at first sight.  There's something about the shape of the French Bowl that has be seriously smitten.  Oh and the handle on the pitcher, to die for!  My Birthday is coming up next week so I may have to treat myself to a few pieces.

I have a crazy tableware addiction so I'd love to hear what kind of dishes do you use?

My Christmas Tabletop!

I know, I know, Christmas is over but I've been avoiding opening my computer so I'm just now getting around to sharing my final tabletop design. Inspired by the beautiful silver + gold china I inherited from my great aunt (and blogged about here) I created a sophisticated little table using mostly pieces I already owned mixed with a few newly acquired goodies.

It was a tabletop filled with memories + meaning.  The crystal wine glasses belonged to my grandmother, the silverware was my great grandmother's, the silver bowls belonged to my aunt + the pewter salt + pepper shakers were gifted to my parents for their wedding.  The only items purchased were the gold chargers from Save-On-Crafts, the decorative birds + the champagne-colored mercury cachepots from Pottery Barn.

I made the herringbone napkins with linen I purchased from Fishman's Fabric (blogged about here).

I purchased peonies, hypericum berries, dusty miller, bay laurel + gold magnolia leaves from my favorite Chicago wholesale flower market + made four different arrangements.

I love how the flowers compliment the metallics + mercury glass.  The Dusty Miller leaves are my favorite because they look like they're cover with frosty snow.

This smaller arrangement was placed at the "kiddie" table -- I purchased the vintage silver footed bowl at P.O.S.H. a few months ago.

So, what do you think?!  I'm absolutely thrilled with how it turned out!

(Images Kristin Kerr for Simply Smitten)

Naughty or Nice?

There's nothing better than picking up a magazine that you don't usually purchase + finding something wonderful. In this case, a unique holiday entertaining idea as published in the December issue of Southern Living. It's no secret that I perfer metallics around the holidays, just look at yesterday's post, but this glam "naughty or nice" Christmas Eve cocktail party designed by the folks at Gatsby has me rethinking red + green. The details are what make this party so darn cute...lumps of coal and cocktail napkins printed with "naughty or nice" confessions to Santa. It seems like the type of party that encourages one to let their hair down and enjoy the company of others... it's whimsical (I usually hate that word) but sophisticated.  I mean, c'mon, who wouldn't want to score an invite to this bash?

(Images via Laurey W. Glenn for Southern Living)

A Silver, White + Gold Christmas

If there's one thing I love more than designing interiors it's putting together a fabulous table setting. My parents host Christmas every year so I get to indulge in some serious tabletop designing this time of year. Talks of the table settings usually start just after Thanksgiving with my mom and I emailing pictures back and forth but after inheriting my great aunt's china this year's design kind of felt like a no-brainer. Red and green for Christmas? So predictable. This year I'm reaching for my favorite basics--natural Belgian linen, gray herringbone and crisp white mixed with my vintage silver collection, mercury glass, shimmering gold and something bright.

In seeking some inspiration I discovered this tabletop created by Camille Styles and I'm completely smitten.  Camille knows her way around the table and I just love the way she mixed the modern metallic rimmed dinnerware from West Elm with the Horta etched champagne flutes from Anthropologie. Heavenly!

Are you as inspired as I am for a classic white Christmas?

(Images via Kelly West Photo for Camille Styles and Statesman)

Happy Thanksgiving!

My posts have been few and far between this week because I've been having too much fun hanging out with my family and boyfriend to even think about opening my computer! But before I take off to celebrate with my family in the suburbs I thought I would check in and thank you my dear readers, design lovers, and commenters. Thank you for following along as I share my adventures, ideas and passion with you each week. Your encouraging comments have made writing Simply Smitten a whole lot of fun! Happy Happy Thanksgiving! 

 (Image via Eddie Ross)