Conversations with Gracious Style

What do Oprah and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Models Have in Common?

Shannon — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:56:36 +0000

They both love Fresco Towels!!! Fresco’s beautiful patterned beach towels, bath towels, and tote bags are getting rave reviews from all over.

The tote bags were featured in O Magazine‘s August 2011 issue (and the towels were featured in the December 2010 issue – they’ve been in Oprah Magazine twice!)

Shown here is the Rainbow Stripe Tote Bag ($96). There are also matching bath towels available.

In the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, models recline on our favorite Fresco beach towels.

The towel shown in the photo is the Bohemian Damask Royal Blue Beach Towel ($149). This pattern is also available in bath towels and a tote bag.

We love Fresco Towels, too! They come in a rainbow of rich colors and patterns, inspired by Persian carpets, French damask, and modernist art. The bath towels are a fun, easy way to spice up your bathroom decor. The beach towels and totes are a fashion-forward look for summer. We think you’ll love Fresco Towels, too!

See the whole collection online at our Fresco shop.

And don’t forget, we are offering FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $100. To get your discount, enter code FREE0212 when you check out. (Details: Available online only for orders of $100 or more before taxes. Valid for orders shipped via ground service or equivalent within the 48 contiguous states; does not include express shipping or shipping surcharges on special items. Not valid on sale or clearance items. Offer valid through 11:59 pm EST, February 29, 2012. Not valid on previous orders, orders with trade discounts, or when combined with any other promotional offers.)

Bring Home Tailored British Hotel Style: The New Belgraves Hotel in London

Shannon — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 16:36:48 +0000

If you’re traveling to London, there’s a new luxury hotel in Belgravia that’s been getting rave reviews. Blending traditional British hospitality with an American attitude, the Belgraves hotel features crisply tailored and relaxing interiors.

Decorated by British designer Tara Bernerd, the 85-room hotel is just a ten-minute walk from Harrods and Knightsbridge, and one mile away from Buckingham Palace.

The hotel is a seductive oasis in the heart of the city. Done in neutrals with pops of warm color, the interiors are modern and plush. Like other Thompson hotels, the bedrooms are luxuriously appointed with custom-made 400 thread count Sferra bed linens and bathrobes.

Belgraves Studio Suite Bedroom (photo courtesy hotel)

Belgraves King Deluxe Bedroom (photo courtesy hotel)

The exquisite marble bathrooms feel like miniature spas with walk-in showers, soaking Japanese bathtubs, and gorgeous views of the city. And while you’re there, you can relax with Penhaligon’s amenities and oversized Sferra bathrobes.

Belgraves Bathroom (photo courtesy hotel)

Do you like the look? You can bring home the relaxed, tailored style with Sferra linens, available at Gracious Style:

Sferra Grande Hotel Duvet Cover

Sferra Celeste Sheets

Sferra Dorsey Throws

Sferra Fairfield Bathrobe

And as our gift to you, enjoy FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $100. To get your discount, enter code FREE0212 when you check out. (Details: Available online only for orders of $100 or more before taxes. Valid for orders shipped via ground service or equivalent within the 48 contiguous states; does not include express shipping or shipping surcharges on special items. Not valid on sale or clearance items. Offer valid through 11:59 pm EST, February 29, 2012. Not valid on previous orders, orders with trade discounts, or when combined with any other promotional offers.)

To read more about the new Belgraves hotel in London, head to Chic Traveler blog.

Enter Our Oscar Party Design Contest and Win a Key Tassel Candle!

Shannon — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:47:51 +0000

Oscar fever is in the air! This year’s Academy Awards are on Sunday, February 26. We’re looking forward to Oscar parties, how about you? If you’re dreaming up some party designs, be sure to enter our Oscar Party Design Contest!

Photo courtesy of Loren Javier on Flickr

Here’s how to celebrate your favorite movie with our design contest: Just create an idea board for an Oscar party using at least three products from Gracious Style. You can use Pinterest, Polyvore, or your own blog.

Once you’ve created your board, post a link to your design in the comments section, below. Don’t forget to include your name and email address so we can contact you if you’ve won. (Don’t worry, we’ll never share or sell your email.)

The winning design will receive a small Key Tassel Candle ($95) in white, made by L’Objet. The winning design will also be featured on our blog.

Small Key Tassel Candle

We’ll pick a winner on Monday, February 27th, so get your entries in by midnight on Sunday the 26th. You can enter as many different designs as you’d like. We look forward to seeing your ideas!

Bring Home Luxury Hotel Linens (Without Smuggling Them in Your Suitcase)

Shannon — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:57:03 +0000

What’s your favorite part of staying at a luxury hotel? For some, it’s the fluffy towels; for others, the soft white sheets. In fact, Forbes Travel Guide reports that towels and sheets are some of the most often stolen items from luxury hotels.

You don’t need to risk arrest to take home the same luxurious products used in your favorite hotels, however. These same quality linens are available to purchase here at Gracious Style. We can even ship them right to your door!

Sferra sheets are a mainstay at luxury hotels, including the Tides Hotel in Miami and the newly opening Belgraves in London. Grande Hotel is their signature hotel line of bedding:

Grande Hotel Bedding by Sferra

The collection includes sheets, duvet covers, pillow cases, shams and bed skirts in most sizes. The embroidered hem is available in eight colors and a pure white option.

If you love hotel bathrobes, Sferra has three styles to choose from. All are made using durable ringspun cotton for softness and absorbency. The Edison robe features a light weight, soft, waffle-weave robe in a classic kimono style. The Fairfield is a thick robe with a shawl collar in ultra-smooth cotton velour. The Berkley is the most luxurious of the three, with a waffle weave shell, a terry combed cotton lining, and a terry shawl collar.

Berkley Hotel Bathrobe

Peacock Alley bed linens are used in select Inspirato locations and many luxury hotels. We especially love their Virtuoso Sheets and Riviera Hotel blanket. Irresistibly soft, this 100% Egyptian cotton waffle blanket infuses old world charm with classic European hospitality.

Riviera Hotel Cotton Blanket

Fanfare bath towels bring the comfort of plush hotel towels to your home with a towel perfect for everyday use. Woven of white, 660 gram Egyptian cotton with a dobby border.

Uptown Hotel Bath Towels

Peacock Alley also makes fabric shower curtains and spa bathrobes.

Follow these links for the complete Peacock Alley linen collection, and the Sferra linen collection.

We’re in Love! Five Valentine’s Day Gifts Under $200

Shannon — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:30:52 +0000

Can you believe it’s almost February already? Soon it will be Valentine’s Day – here are our top five favorite gifts to give your beloved:

Red is the color of passion, and these candles from L’Objet are beautifully painted in red porcelain. And when the candles have outlived their 35 hours of burn time, your loved one can store trinkets in the jar.

China Love Scented Jar Candle $95

These adorable plates make a great gift for the love in your life!

Amore Plates $48 for four

This heart-shaped tray is designed by Mary Jurek, a former jewelry designer for Tiffany & Co. Beautiful and useful, it will bring a sparkle to the table.

Heart Shaped Serving Tray $102

To remember that special occasion, we love L’Objet’s extraordinary picture frames. Plated with 14 kt gold or platinum and studded with Swarovski crystals, these are worthy of your most precious moments.

Picture Frames from $90

Say it with pillows – “P.S. I Love You” is written in script across these cuddly linen pillows. Designed by Peter Som for Sferra Linens, they coordinate with the Peter Som bedding collection. They also look great on a chair or sofa!

P.S. I Love You Pillow $140

Happy Valentine’s Day! For more great gifts, visit our Gift Shop.

Video: Watch How French Knot Table Linens are Hand Embroidered

Shannon — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:26:41 +0000

Our popular Sferra French Knot table linens feature tiny white flowers that are intricately hand-embroidered using French knots. A French knot is an embroidery technique in which the yarn is knotted around itself like this:

French Knot Stitch

As each piece is hand embroidered and hemstitched on fine Italian linen, no two are exactly alike. When you buy a French Knot tablecloth, you are truly getting a one-of-a-kind, handcrafted heirloom. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at an artisan embroidering our French Knot linens:

French Knot Embroidery from SFERRA on Vimeo.

Though painstaking, the finished results are extraordinary. In the tablecloths, both the center panel and outside border of our French Knot tablecloths feature bands of the hand-embroidered flowers.

Sferra French Knot Table Linens

The French Knot collection is available in napkins, placemats, runners, and tablecloths. We think they add a touch of old-world elegance to the table. To see more, follow this link.

Afternoon Delights: January is National Hot Tea Month

Shannon — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:29:03 +0000

Did you know there’s a month devoted to tea? It’s fitting that National Hot Tea Month falls in January, because what could be more comforting than a warm cup of tea on a chilly winter day?

For a beautiful collection of tea (and coffee) pots, cups, and accessories, visit our Coffee & Tea Service store. We have everything you need to host an afternoon tea.

Anna Weatherley Yellow Posie Teacup

Anna Weatherley Individual Sugar and Creamer

Mary Jurek Morning Glory Sugar and Creamer

Mary Jurek Melitta Honey Pot

Mary Jurek Lotus Tea Strainer

And to brush up on your teatime etiquette, Socially Savvy has some great tips. Here are a few pointers to get you started:

- Afternoon tea is generally served between 3 – 5 pm.

- Afternoon tea typically includes a variety of teas and three courses: finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries.

- Royal tea includes all the offerings found in afternoon tea, plus a glass of champagne or sherry.

- Light tea is a lighter version of afternoon tea which excludes finger sandwiches.

- On a tiered stand, the bottom tier is reserved for finger sandwiches, the second tier holds the scones, and the third tier is for small pastries and bite-sized sweets.

We love afternoon tea after a long day of shopping and as a great way to catch up with old friends. Around the country, some of our favorite afternoon teas are found inside elegant hotels. In Los Angeles, both the Peninsula Beverly Hills and the Montage Beverly Hills do a beautiful job with afternoon tea.

What is your favorite place to enjoy afternoon tea?

Top 10: Decorating with Coral Accessories

Shannon — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:00:54 +0000

Maybe it’s because we’re dreaming of a tropical getaway (it is the middle of winter, after all) but we’re slightly obsessed with coral themed accessories. In any color, coral is a beautiful way to bring a bit of nature into your home. It also fits in well with a nautical or beach theme … even a dreaming-of-the-beach theme.

Here are our top 10 coral accessories:

Kim Seybert Coral Beaded Table Runner

Raynaud Cristobal Dinnerware

Alberto Pinto Lagon Dinner Plate

Coral Napkin Rings by L'Objet

Kim Seybert Coral Branch Napkin Rings

Vagabond House Coral Pewter Flatware

Waylande Gregory Coral Round Box

L'Objet Coral Jar Candle

Anali Coral Linen Hand Towels

Raynaud Cristobal Candlesticks

Have you used coral in your decorating?

Decorating with a Powerful Creature: 2012 is The Year of the Dragon

Shannon — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:55:04 +0000

According to Chinese astrology, 2012 is the Year of the Dragon; this year, Chinese New Year falls on Monday, January 23rd.

Dragons are much admired in Chinese culture; they are symbols of strength and power and thought to bring good luck. Designers love dragons because they visually breathe life and flair to every space. Here are a few dragon-themed pieces to bring good fortune to your home. Aren’t they gorgeous?

Raynaud Constellation Dragon Charger

L'Objet Dragon Salt & Pepper Shakers

Varga Dragon Crystal Glassware

Dragon Jar Candle

Wedgwood Dynasty China

Au Naturel: Unique Hand-Glazed Dinnerware From Jaune de Chrome

Shannon — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 17:54:57 +0000

Used at Alain Ducasse restaurants around the world, Jaune de Chrome dinnerware features a glazing technique that combines rich, deep, metallic glazes with sophisticated colors.

Created and managed by ceramist and painter Christian Le Page and fashion designer Catherine Badaire, Jaune de Chrome is the only brand to master these unique glazing methods. A stunning effect is created when colors develop and crystals group together. Due to the nature of the glazing, each piece will show slight variations in color and pattern, for a truly unique dinnerware collection.

We’ve added several new collections to the Jaune de Chrome line. Here are five patterns that show the depth of the company’s artistry.

Tortoise is the company’s most popular pattern, with a design inspired by tortoiseshell. It’s available in Gold Finition (with a thin gold border) and Gold Incrustation (with a wider, more detailed gold band.)

Tortoise Gold Finition

Big Bang Gold is made by hand rubbing a gold glaze onto pure white Limoges china. The glaze is then dusted with specks of 22 kt gold.

Big Bang Gold Dinnerware

Aguirre is a chic accent for any tabletop. To create the rich pattern on these dishes, Jaune de Chrome artists hand paint a mix of brown pigments with rich metallic glazes onto pure white Limoges porcelain. The plates are then edged with gold or platinum.

Aguirre Platinum Finition Dinnerware

To create the intricate Cream Scale pattern, Jaune de Chrome artisans hand apply a combination of various cream, tan, and brown pigments with rich metallic glazes onto pure white Limoges china.

Cream Scale Dinnerware

And Paysage, just introduced this year, is a painterly interpretation of a sandy landscape using a soft blend of creams and tans.

Paysage Charger Plate

There are many more beautiful patterns available. You can see them all here.