Monthly Archives: December 2011

A Look Back at Our Top Posts from 2011

30 Friday Dec 2011

Posted by in Celebrations

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Top 10 of 2011

At the end of the year it’s always nice to look back at what we’ve accomplished in the past 12 months. It has been a very busy year for Chateau & Bungalow, but from wedding planning to adding new contributors to the blog, I’d say it’s been our best yet! Of course that’s about to change because we have some really amazing stuff lined up for 2012 already! And while we love hearing that everyone loves all that we put out there, there are definitely some posts that people just can’t get enough of. So here, in no particular order, is a look back at our top 10 posts of 2011.

1. Newport Wedding: Sweet Berry Farm

2. Kitchen Ladder Lust

3. Green Apple & Pink Flower Arrangements

4. A Christmas Bulb Gift Crate is Gorgeous and Inexpensive

5. Lobster Quadrille Wallpaper

6. A Beautiful Fall Wedding in the Berkshires

7. Life is About Using the Whole Box of Crayons

8. Spread the Light with this Mason Jar Fixture

9. Papier Mache Graduates from School Projects to Fabulous Decor

10. White Christmas? We’re Dreaming of a Colorful Christmas

Thank you to everyone for making 2011 such a huge success. We wish you a very happy and healthy New Year, and we can’t wait for all that 2012 has to bring!

A Ribbon Must Have

29 Thursday Dec 2011

Posted by in Accessories, Shops We Love

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, ,

If you want to get a jump on next year’s holiday preparation, then check out these great velvet ribbons that are now on sale at Sundance!  All ribbons are on wooden dressmakers’ spools with pearl pin stops and plenty of yardage (10 yds.).  Never enough ribbon . . . grosgrain, fancy, plaids and more.

I’m sure you can find something to do with the spools once you’re done with the ribbon too!

If you like this post, then you might like these:
DIY Holiday Card Scrap Book
Famille Summerbelle:  More than Maps
Simply Wrapped

DIY Decorations for Your New Year’s Party

29 Thursday Dec 2011

Posted by in Celebrations, D.I.Y., Parties

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decorations, , New Year's Eve, Pinterest

It is time to celebrate another year and ring in the New Year with a little fun.  If you’re hosting the party, or heading to one, here are a couple of our favorite DIY party decorating ideas from . The DIY Zig Zag Accordion Streamers (above) by Oh Happy Days is surely a crowd pleaser!  Colorful and easy.

Have left over Christmas ornaments? This DIY Bubble Chandelier by Twig Decor uses clear ornaments, but you could also add colored ornaments for a little party pop! Just a bit of fishing wire, ornaments and hang near a light fixture for the sparkle.

Before you put away all of your glassware, use them for a quick and colorful buffet. Any clear vessel from vases to votives to martini glasses can be filled with crudite, dips, cocktail sticks and more.  And, it can also be done for the sweeter side of your festivities with fruit and candies!

If you are hosting a dinner party, this look with the clear water/wine bottles and varied sized candles looks amazing.  This DIY Clear Bottle Candle Holder arrangement is an oldie, but goodie from Happy Mundane that would make a stunning New Year’s table.

And the evening wouldn’t be complete without a twist for your cocktails.  Try this DIY Tinsel Drink Stirrer project from our friend Martha.  Just tinsel, skewers, hot glue gun and some scissors, and voila!

Wishing you all a Happy New Year in 2012!

If you like this post, then you might like these:
12 Days of Holiday Decor Ideas:  DIY Gold Tinsel Tree
Double the Fun:  Disco Ball Piñata
12 Days of Holiday Decor Ideas:  Cranberry Tea Lights

Double the Fun: Disco Ball Pinata

28 Wednesday Dec 2011

Posted by in Accessories, Celebrations, Parties

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Confetti System, gold, new disco ball, New Year's Eve, New Year's Eve Decor, Piñata, silver

If you can’t find your disco ball and you want a little sparkle twirling from your ceiling this New Year’s Eve (or any eve for that matter), then consider the metallic piñatas from Confetti System.  An great update on a classic!  And, the piñata has a trap door so you can add anything you want to the confetti inside.

If you like this post, then you might like these:
Glassy Baby Will Light Up Your Life
Party Pom Poms
Holiday Ice Bowl with Cranberries and Greens

Unify Your Bookshelves with Custom Book Bindings from Juniper Books

28 Wednesday Dec 2011

Posted by in Accessories, Home Office, Inspiration, Living Room

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Book Collections, Book Shelf Styling, , , Built Ins, Custom Book Bindings, Customer Book Covers, decor, design, Juniper Books

There are few things more tedious than sorting your books to try to find a way to display them in pleasant manner. While we know it’s best to unify them by colors, what’s a person to do when their books are all over the map in terms of looks. Well, how about a custom book binding featuring whatever phrase or image you’d like. Juniper Books can make it happen for you.

As Juniper Books offers carefully curated selections of books, you can choose a new collection to add to your existing one or you can send your own books off to be custom covered…

in a design that suits your tastes!

You can also have your books fabric wrapped or leather bound or vellum wrapped. Or just pick a cover color and font color and have them all the same.  Yes, there is literally something for everyone’s style. I’m already rather obsessed with book shelf styling, but these really make me long for those built-ins I’ve been designing in my head for the living room. What an easy way to take an ordinary display from ho-hum to wow! The possibilities are endless.

If you like this post, then you might like these:
OPEN HOUSE:  Book Shelf Styling
Etsy Pick of the Week:  Ladder Bookshelf
Books on Display

Make a Statement with Polish

27 Tuesday Dec 2011

Posted by in Holidays, Inspiration, Parties

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color, gold, grey, nail polish, Nails INC, , the Thames

I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for.
Georgia O’Keeffe

With so many holiday parties and special functions going on, I know many of us choose to manicure our nails.  We polish them in hues that coordinate with our outfits or follow the season’s trends, it’s a simple way to make a personal statement.  I don’t paint my nails often but when I do, I am always struck by how the the color I choose can make me feel.  The shimmering gold nails in this Shannon Blue photograph make me think this calm cozy person is ready for a little fun.  It’s a great color choice for this time of year.

Dark polishes can also make a statement and are currently my favorite.  Nails INC has a color out called, The Thames.

It makes me feel strong and confident, even if I am just sipping my morning coffee.

If you like this post, then you might like these:
Color Wheel:  Warm Corals and Cool Greys
From Red Carpet to Your Home
It’s a Red, Red World 

Famille Summerbelle: More than Maps

27 Tuesday Dec 2011

Posted by in Accessories, Home Office, Living Room

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Famille Summerbelle, hand paper cut by Julie, London map, NYC map, Owl Ribbon Tape, Paris map, SF map

San Francisco hand paper cut by Julie at Famille Summerbelle in Slate GreySince maps are out of fashion due to smart-phone technology and Google maps, these prints of original hand paper cuts made by Julie at Famille Summerbelle are a fantastic nod to the old art of cartography!  As a native San Franciscan who left her heart there years ago, I am drawn to the SF map (above) for the details of places and streets that remind me of my childhood.

If it is another city that is dear to you, then perhaps their maps of London, Paris or New York in a range of colors will suffice.

London Map hand paper cut by Julie at Famille Summerbelle in Slate Grey

Paris Map hand paper cut by Julie at Famille Summerbelle in Cerulean Blue

NYC Map hand paper cut by Julie at Famille Summerbelle in Night BlueFamille Summerbelle is a jewel created by Anglo/French duo Simon Summerscales and Julie Marabelle that highlights their passion for design as well as their life experiences through their products.  In addition to the prints, there are quirky ribbon tapes (below), wallpaper, bags, pillows and surely more to come.

Owl Ribbon Tape by Famille Summerbelle

Going “Green” in Style for the New Year!

26 Monday Dec 2011

Posted by in Accessories, Eco-friendly, Parties

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Anthropologie, cotton linen napkins, My Drap, reusable napkins

So I ordered the reusable napkins in the fuchsia, lime green and navy color ways, I couldn’t resist!  They are even better in hand.  The textile quality is durable, yet nice to the touch; the perforations leave clean edges when removed from the roll; and the colors are saturated, which will be important for multiple uses.  We used them for a C&B meeting, and finally after a week I had the courage to wash them . . .

that’s right, I washed them!!  Can you tell which ones are the used and now laundered napkins?  (The two on the right.) The best part is that I was able to place the napkins in the washing machine on the delicate cycle, hang dry them for less than an hour and use the iron for a quick touch up. Presto, the napkins are ready to use again.

While I found my napkins at Anthropologie – one of our favorite shops – these napkins are made by My Drap, and they offer a wider range of colors and products including dinner napkins and placemats.  If you are planning a New Year’s party, then consider ordering these for your party and all of your parties in 2012 and beyond.

Dear Santa -

23 Friday Dec 2011

Posted by in Accessories, Dining Room, fabrics, Furniture, Holidays, lighting

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Asprey, Chakki, Isabelle Abramson, iVictrola, Louis Vuitton trunks, Matt Richmond, Melon Tea Set, Porcelain Pendant lamps, Serena and Lily

It has been many years since I have written, but since we have all been so good at Chateau & Bungalow this year I thought I would send you a wish list.  Perhaps you might have extra room on your sleigh?  We’ll share!

Any powder room would look amazing with a pair of these Isabelle Abramson Porcelain Pendant lamps.  If not these, then any of Isabelle’s one-of-a-kind porcelain works of art would be a unique addition to our homes.

It is always enjoyable to add to the butler’s pantry, and Asprey’s answer to a refined coffee or tea service – Melon Tea Set (above) – would be wonderful to add to our collection.  After the holidays it would be nice to relax with a soothing cup of tea.

And, this Chakki in the dark walnut finish would be a cozy spot for our tired feet.  Since you can customize the upholstery, you might consider one for your home near the fireplace.

Vintage steamer trunks  - Louis Vuitton trunks are my favorite! – are so useful and would look amazing in any room in the house.  We’ll need to get organized in the New Year, and a trunk would be perfect for storing all of the holiday decorations.  (Okay, we’d probably use it for a few of our favorite things!)

And, after an exhaustive search it seems that these iVictrolas by NYC designer Matt Richmond are all sold out?  Any chance you have an extra one?!

Since we know you are very busy spreading cheer to all, we’ll cross our fingers and hope this letter gets to you in time.  Let us be one of many to wish you a wonderful Holiday Season and a Happy New Year! All our best,

Chateau & Bungalow

Simply Wrapped

22 Thursday Dec 2011

Posted by in Celebrations, D.I.Y., Eco-friendly, Holidays, Inspiration, Kids, Parties

≈ 3 Comments

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cardboard, gift wrapping, labels, recycle, ribbon, stamps

It seems that every year I am scrambling to wrap my gifts and get them under the tree.  I am also always trying to find ways to wrap them in creative and eco-friendly ways.  Remnants of ribbon, tissue boxes and bags are always lying around my house and I love to re-purpose old wrapping supplies.  It can be easy and also pretty good-looking.

These were easy to put together.  I used a little left over ribbon and tied it around a recycled box.  To make the tags I cut a circle out of some card board and used my daughter’s alphabet stamps to label them.  Cute, simple and good for Mother Earth.