The Well Appointed House by Melissa Hawks

Silverleaf & Mirrored Bar Cabinets

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:52:00 +0000

At our sister retail site, The Well Appointed House (bookmark it if you haven't!), we've received many requests from designers looking around for silver and mirrored pieces to use as a bar. Here are a few recommendations:

Our Silver Pearl Sideboard is new and features a beautiful rubbed silver leaf finish. We like it because it has traditional lines and legs but with a modern twist. It's perfect to add to a formal setting and says "we'd like to have a little fun, here! C'mon over and pour yourself a drink!". It's not too serious and not too stuffy. Though it might seem like a good idea to use a silver or mirrored console table as a bar, you really need to have storage space below for stirrers, straws, spoons, napkins, shakers, and all of the other accoutrements.

As you can see, there is plenty of room for drink prep on top and the cabinets open with shelves inside that can be moved for storage of liquor bottles. Not bad! If you're concerned about the finish on top, trace an outline of the surface and go to your local mirror and glass workshop and have them craft a piece for added protection.

For a much more casual (and less costly) look, check out our Roland Bar in Nickel:

We like the aged finish and refined elegance of our Antiqued Mirror Sideboard as well:

Here's another great option:

Click here to view this Antique Silver Leaf Mirrored Cabinet.

Both of these have shelves for the little things and cabinet doors for bottles. Add a nice buffet lamp and a vintage poster, a painting or mirror above it and voila! Be sure that your bar is well appointed! Here are some tips on what to include:

Shared Children's Rooms & Guest Rooms with Twin Beds

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:06:00 +0000

I've got three young children, and with two girls, I spent a good amount of time designing and decorating their bedrooms. I deliberated over the furniture, the wallpaper, the carpeting, the paint colors, the fabric covered headboard (in one case), where to place the lamps, personalized linens and of course the dolls and Steiff bears to adorn the shelves. I wanted to make each room unique and special -- giving each her own identity and space. (My girls are 10 months apart and so they easily blend into a twin-like existence)

Well, separate existences aside, they have practically moved into one bedroom and they insist on sleeping together at night. I've come to find out that five and six year old girls have p-l-e-n-t-y to chat about at night, and their bedtime chatter can prolong any hope (or delusion on my part) of them sleeping. Since they are growing so fast, and showing no signs of separating, I'm beginning to think it's time to investigate separate beds in the same room.

Twin beds can be beautiful in a shared space. Here are a few of my favorites from my Pinboard on Pintrest (you can follow me here)

From caitlincreer.com

From home-styling.blogspot.com

From thebooandtheboy.com

From bostondesignguide.com

From thedeskofannie.blogspot.com

From cozycanadiancottage.blogspot.com

From rowhousenest.com

From decorpad.com

From bhg.com

A few hard-to-resist bunk beds as well:

From houzz.com

From withtwocats.com

Of course, there are some very creative designers out there!

From pearls-n-curls.tumblr.com

From spicerandbank.blogspot.com

I thought you'd find some inspiration in this entry! If you are in the market for twin beds, check out our collection at The Well Appointed House....I've got a whole category of Children's Beds, Lofts and Trundles. Enjoy! -Melissa Hawks

Do It Yourself - A Painted Desk

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:13:00 +0000

We all love a good do-it-yourself project and why not take an old (and perhaps beat up) wooden desk and give it fresh, new life?

We love this bright yellow desk, painted to perfection with a red interior for good measure!

Photo

Mirror as Headboard --Not a bad idea!

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 02:59:00 +0000

When you're someone who loves home decor, as I do, it's always exciting to see a photo that makes you say, "WOW! Why didn't I think of that?!"

Here's one of those photos, from our friends at Better Homes & Gardens. How many times have you been at a favorite antique shop and seen a mirror so large (yet beautiful) that you ask yourself, where could I possibly fit that? Well, here's your answer. Use it as a headboard! It's quite elegant! Enjoy!

Tree of Life Panels in This Month's Veranda Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 02:03:00 +0000

I was just perusing this month's Veranda Magazine (January-February 2012) and was pleased to see the Tree of Life panels that I sell on my retail site prominently featured in the dining area in this year's annual Designer Visions showhouse, designed by Thomas O'Brien at 1212 Fifth Avenue.

This is just a snapshot of my issue...

Photography by Max Kim-Bee for Veranda

If you like the colors and scale of these pieces, think about them for your own home! You can hang them separately or as a triptych.

Tree of Life 1, $1000

Tree of Life 2, $900

Tree of Life 3, $900

The framed pieces were inspired by the film Avatar and the message behind it. The pieces pay respect to mother nature by introducing a spectacular tree of life that has been hand painted. Take a peek at them by clicking on the links above! Enjoy!

Room Inspirations

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 03:03:00 +0000

Sometimes it nice to just browse lovely spaces. Here are a few I've chosen for you from Phoebe Howard's website. I love her work. This room has such a happy and soothing shade of sky blue, and the scale and placement of the artwork and wall decor is perfect. The pleated curtains provide rectangular lines that mirror the room. The beige and ivory tones of the sofas are a nice contrast.

Take inspiration with our Beige Poof Ottoman, similar to the ones pictured in the photo above.

This sunny spot is gorgeous! It's reminiscent of my own sunroom. I love the mix of furniture styles - the Asian influence to the coffee table, the transitional feel of the brass floor lamp, the pagoda/chinoiserie inspired window treatment, the French sofa at left and the Foo dog-like table lamp.

Take inspiration from our Antique White with Gold cocktail table:

Here's another beautiful room. It's so simple and elegant. The paneling is gorgeous and the hints of blue add richness:

Take inspiration with the Blue and White Collection at The Well Appointed House, where you'll find all of the blue and white decorative items you'll need for any project.

I'll close with this treat of a dining room! It's so soft and inviting! It's perfect!

And it's lovely to see our mirror over the fireplace! Buy it at The Well Appointed House for $1850

Enjoy!

A Film, A Friend and a Beautiful Life: Shooting Beauty & Kerri Miceli

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 04:04:00 +0000

It's rare that I blog about people in my life.

However, my heart is heavy this week at the passing of my dear friend, Kerri Miceli. As I plan to attend her memorial service this week, I couldn't help but do a post on our friendship. We met when I was not yet in Kindergarten and have been friends ever since. I learned quickly from this little girl, who happened to be in a wheelchair, to never judge a book by its cover and that the word "disabled" applied to her body but certainly not her mind or her heart. Little did I know at age 5 that this girl would teach me some of the greatest lessons of my life. Kerri's smile would light up a room, as it did at family events and holidays and at my wedding in 2002.

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward." No one embodied this concept more than my friend Kerri.

Photos copyright Melissa Hawks - That's me with Kerri Micelli at my wedding in Boston, Photo at bottom right is Kerri dancing with her father.

As my mother noted, "from the first moment of meeting Kerri, she had a twinkle in her eye, a creative mind full of potential, and a spirit to enjoy everything life had to offer, in spite of severe physical limitations. Kerri was the essence of a gifted young woman who turned a personally difficult world into one of continued adaptability and enrichment".

Her smiles never ceased, despite incredible obstacles and certain discomfort resulting from Cerebral Palsy. Her thoughtfulness was constant and she treated us to beautiful letters and poetry, as well as gifts in the mail for my children - even though I knew the act of getting somewhere to buy something and then send it with a card that was difficult to write was a feat. The physical act of doing simple acts was a level of difficulty that few of us can imagine and frankly I'm confident in saying, we take for granted. Her giving spirit was always present. She epitomized purity of heart and soul. If God sends down angels, I am quite certain she was one.

Life from a wheelchair, offered her a unique perspective and Kerri was featured in the documentary film, "Shooting Beauty".

Shooting Beauty, is an eight-time audience award-winning documentary. The film tells the inspirational story of an aspiring fashion photographer, Courtney Bent, whose career takes an unexpected turn when she discovers a hidden world of beauty at a center for people with significant disabilities. Shot over the span of a decade, the film puts the viewer in Courtney's shoes as she overcomes her own unspoken prejudices and begins inventing cameras accessible to her new friends. Courtney's efforts snowball into an award-winning photography program called "Picture This"—and becomes the backdrop for an eye-opening story about romance, loss and laughter that will challenge what you thought you knew about living with a disability—and without one. My friend Kerri was one of the people featured in the film. Please watch the trailer here.

Shooting Beauty featured on the Making a Difference segment of NBC's Nightly News with Brian Williams

What I most loved about Kerri was that she never complained about her limitations, but focused on the positives. She excelled at poetry and writing and being a good and steadfast friend. So many times since meeting Kerri I wished that I could take her place for a while so that she could walk, run, swim, ride a bike, hike a mountain or simply just get around with ease -- let alone have a meal or take a shower without help. She was always happy for her friends' health and good fortune. I was well aware, as I was giving birth to three healthy children, that my good friend desperately wanted to have this same experience. I knew that physically, this might be unlikely, however she was always there with a smile. She loved children. I was truly in awe of Kerri's "goodness" and her ever enduring positive outlook.

Her parents set the example to me of what family is and the incredible power that devoted parents can infuse into a child who needs help or assistance. They taught Kerri that she could achieve and accomplish despite any physical limitations that she might have. I've never met two more compassionate, selfless or devoted parents than Tony and Jemi Micelli. Their level of organization and attention to detail in the care of their daughter was the well-oiled machine that enhanced her life so much. I know that the world is filled with good people and everyone has their angels, but in my world, they simply are as good as it gets.

I will never get over the loss of Kerri -- she has and will have an incredible impact on my life. Her presence most definitely shaped me and the way I look at others. It's because of her that I volunteered time in both high school and college with disabled children. Kerri had a will and personal motivation in the face of adversity to wake up each day and "do", it was her ability and not her disability, that mattered -- and I know so many people who laze about and "don't" or "can't" or "won't" (there's always some excuse, is there not?). I close this personal tribute with two quotes by Helen Keller that remind me of my friend:

"If I regarded my life from the point of view of the pessimist, I should be undone. I should seek in vain for the light that does not visit my eyes and the music that does not ring in my ears. I should beg night and day and never be satisfied. I should sit apart in awful solitude, a prey to fear and despair. But since I consider it a duty to myself and to others to be happy, I escape a misery worse than any physical deprivation." - Helen Keller

"Death is no more than passing from one room into another. But there's a difference for me, you know. Because in that other room I shall be able to see." - Helen Keller

Thank you, Kerri! We'll miss you. A special thank you to all of the warm hearted caregivers and friends of Kerri at UCP of MetroBoston in Watertown, MA.

Entertaining & Fashion: The Hostess Gown!

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 02:22:00 +0000

A charming article on the hostess gown ran in this past Sunday's Style section of The New York Times. Alexandra Jacobs did a piece on this "now defunct garment, popular from the 1930's to the 1970's" - which was worn by well appointed hostesses to greet her dinner guests in style.

As Alexandra points out, the hostess gown was a billowy, oversized dress with a forgiving waistline, so that the lady of the house could kick up her heels and lounge comfortably in her home on large throw pillows while entertaining, with a cocktail and long, lady-like cigarette in hand, no doubt. Engaged in relaxed conversation one minute and heating appetizers the next - or firing up the fondue pot, for that matter.

ABC Photo Archives, via Getty Images

Associated Press

Donna Reed in a hostess gown in 1964 (at top) and an Oscar de la Renta evening caftan from 1963 - both images from Jacob's article in the New York Times.

Well, times have changed -- but it looks like there are still some good options around for hosting in style. Read Alexandra's article to see where some modern day Donna Reed's get their hostess ensembles. One that was not mentioned is the "Signature Hostess Gown" from a great website called Society Social, which I think you should check out!

Roxy and her team at Society Social have created a fabulous, floaty and very "mingle-worthy" full length hostess gown for $165! Order it in one of seven colors for your next party! Enjoy!

Setting your New Year's Eve Table

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 23:46:00 +0000

New Year's Eve is next weekend and it's time to ring in 2012 in style. If you're going to be hosting your own celebration, get your sparklers ready and take a look at some fun ideas we've gathered for you!

This is a great one from A Taste of Home. Gather your best clocks from your nightstands and bureaus (feel free to borrow a few, too!) and place them around the table to make a festive and timely centerpiece. You can set them all to strike at midnight or just leave the sounds of excitement to your guests! The clever touch in this table setting is the wristwatches used as napkin rings!

Here's a great all-white New Year's Eve table styled and decorated by Caroline Anderson and Sofie Lawett. Its simple elegance allows the focus to be on the candlelit, serene evening atmosphere once the lights are dimmed!

Here's a playful clock cake, posed to strike at midnight! Pick up some gold icing at your local baking store and you can do this yourself! No Fiona Cairns baking skills required!

Photo

This was a cute idea - put rock candy sticks in the champagne glasses for some added fun and whimsy!

No New Year's celebration is complete without a fabulous kiss! Here's a cute quote that we came across on the internet.

Here's a great photo from Flickr. It's New Year's Eve, NYC, 1965 by Joel Meyerowitz.

Here's another classic, and one that should serve as inspiration this holiday! It's none other than Hollywood couple Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward sharing a New Year's Eve kiss in 1961.

I'll close with this. Enjoy your New Year's Eve planning!

Holiday Images from This Week on our Facebook Page - Join us There!

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:43:00 +0000

There are just two days until Christmas! Shoppers are still busy shopping on our retail site, The Well Appointed House, where we're currently offering 20% off many items.

It's been a busy week on our Facebook page. If you haven't joined yet as a follower, "Like" us there and you'll get access to sales and tips. There was a lot of sharing and commentary from our followers. Here's a sampling of some of the images we shared this week. Some of our favorite sites and smells of getting into the holiday spirit. Take a look!

Photo from the Camilla at Home Blog

A whimsical Christmas tree! Photo

Don't have a fireplace? Live in an apartment? Don'y worry, just make a Santa key to hang on your door on Christmas Eve! Photo We also loved this table setting with the angel wings! It's the details like this that really make a table!

We loved these decorated Reindeer Donuts!

This was a cute one! If you're familiar with the Elf on the Shelf, then you know how hard it is to keep the elf on the move in interesting spots around the house! We do this at my house...

In this case, the mom painted the kids' noses red while they were sleeping...and set up the elf like this for them to find. Photo

Another cute idea! Candy Cane placeholders. Photo

Great idea from the "Not so Idle Hands" blog. Flour and glitter to make Santa footprints!

We love the wreaths on the windows in this charming room!

A fabulous idea from bhg.com! Christmas tree cupcakes made with upside-down ice cream cones!

We got many laughs from this Christmas Card!

We're not sure what's really going on here, but we were intrigued by the Christmas tree shape of this one made out of lightbulbs!

Can you imagine coming upon this tree magically lit in a forest? Perhaps in a dream on Christmas eve?

This was a favorite! A classic!

A delightful Santa's Brunch! Photo

Last Day to Save! 20% TODAY ONLY at www.wellappointedhouse.com !!

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:53:00 +0000

Save 20% on Last Minute Holiday Shopping!

We're in the homestretch here at The Well Appointed House! While you finalize your holiday shopping, Save 20% now on the entire website (except Art for Kids, Global Views, Uppa Baby and select other lines) today only until midnight!! Coupon code is JingleJingle


Personalized Cell Phone Cases			Our New Devon Chest		Toys for Boys!


Monogrammed Necklace			Totes		Dollhouses & Toys for Girls

Apply your last minute holiday shopping savings to over 5,000 luxuries for the home. The Well Appointed House is the premiere shopping destination for home decor enthusiasts "in the know". Featured twice in Martha Stewart in 2011, in the Harper's Bazaar gift guide and other top magazines, Melissa Hawks and her team at The Well Appointed House are constantly adding the latest trends in decorating to the website. Whether building a new home, decorating a nursery or simply buying housewarming gifts or gift baskets, The Well Appointed House is the place to be! Celebrating ten years in business...

Check us out today in Vanity Fair Magazine's GIFT GUIDE!!

Call 914-400-4360 and speak with our Customer Service Manager, Heather, if you need help ordering!

Save 20% OFF NOW!
Happy Holidays!

The Well Appointed House Gift Guide: KIDS!

noreply@blogger.com (Gabrielle Katz) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 04:47:00 +0000

Let's face it, if it weren't for the little people, the Holidays wouldn't be anything. Give them the gifts that will define their holiday memories with a little help from The Well Appointed House!

Probably the most iconic gift a little girl could get is a dollhouse. I still remember running down the stairs of my grandparent's house (shrieking at 6am) discovering that santa had brought me a bright pink Barbie dollhouse. This one... well, let's just say this one more than tops my old one.

Okay, so technically this isn't a dollhouse. It's a custom Well Appointed children's playhouse! Although something this extravagant takes time to build and it is a little hard to be conspicuous about such a backyard force, it is a dream item, which one very lucky little one would eat peas for. If you are looking for something that fits under the tree a little better -- then this dollhouse fits the bill.

Accented with a snow roof and trees, this is the quintessential dollhouse that will keep your little girl occupied for hours playing house. Fill it for her with some amazing Rosebud furnishings like this master bedroom set.

Do you have a natural born performer? Encourage their creativity with this adorable puppet theatre. The chalkboard marquee allows them to proudly display their upcoming performance and the set easily folds up after the curtain has closed.

Does your little one have a need for speed or is your husband grooming a future car aficionado? This red vintage pedal car will have all the girls at pre-school a gasp!

Perhaps you are looking for an alley in the kitchen (or someone that likes to cook!). This adorable vintage inspired kitchen has plenty of room to encourage the next Top Chef to do his or her thing. The Well Appointed House has plenty of kitchen accessories and additional kitchen sets in our play kitchens section to ensure your little one's pantry is always stocked.

There is something so christmas about trains. Rather than surrounding one around the tree, give your future conductor something that will last past the holiday season. This train table, and our others like it, are customizable down to the engraving on the side so you can tailor it to the needs of your family. It makes for a great bonding activity and nurtures a hobby you can all participate in.

For more gift ideas, like this sweet Hansa stuffed Dalmatian, visit The Well Appointed House's extensive toy collection! It's Santa's first stop for those on the nice list! And don't forget to take advantage of our $100 off every $500 spent promotion! -Gabrielle Katz, The Well Appointed House

Fabulous Home Decor Finds for Under $250!

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:09:00 +0000

It's that time of year....time to pull out your wallet and buy for others. Christmas lists seem endless, yet many of you are entertaining for the holidays. We've pulled together just a few of our favorite home decor pieces for under $250 from The Well Appointed House.

First, our Lilypad Mirror $243. It's charming and a great conversation piece. It's 27" x 20". Place it over a wet bar sink....on a smaller wall, in a bathroom....the possibilities are endless:

Everyone needs a place to organize magazines and newspapers, and we love this Directoire Style Magazine Rack. It retails for just $140 and we love the simple, yet elegant lines:

Every entryway needs a spot to organize umbrellas in style and why not try one of our Crisscross Umbrella Stands (we like the one in white) for just $178?

Don't be late for work or school with our fabulous Hopewell Wall Clock for $198. It's a nice size at 24" in diameter:

If you're in the market for a very inexpensive side table for a petite room, check out our Silver French Flea Market Table, $143:

If you need to brighten a space, try our Large Clear Glass Star Chandelier, which retails for just $222.50:

If your walls are bare and you need some quick cover, take a look at our fabulous wall art - many pieces are under $100! This Visit Santa Monica Print retails for just $86 and we have many others like it!

This is just a sampling of what we've got for under $250 at www.wellappointedhouse.com

Take a look for yourself!

Happy Shopping!

Announcing the Winner of Our $200 Gift Card Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 19:49:00 +0000

We're so excited to announce the winner of our $200 giftcard giveaway! Thank you to all who entered, posted comments and are followers of our blog! The lucky winner is JANA GOODE! Please contact us at customerservice@wellappointedhouse.com and we will send you details!

Creating Fabulous Outdoor Holiday Arrangements in Urns or Pots

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:50:00 +0000

It's that time of year and if you haven't started putting out your holiday decorations....it's that time! I am recycling below a post I did two Christmases ago on how to create holiday urns. Take your outdoor pots, remove any dead Fall mums or flowers and fill them with holiday greens! Here's a "How To" that I created for you all:

1. Fill urn with topsoil if it has none

2. Organize your greens in piles so that you can work efficiently. Buy varying sizes and textures, to add dimension to the arrangement. Get some 'droopy' greens that you can drape over the edges of the urns to give softness and buy some stiff, taller greens that you can place at center. Be sure to get varying heights as well so that you can build the arrangement as you go.

3. Start working from the outside in, filling as you go.

4. As you begin to reach the center of the circle, start placing the taller greens (boxwood stems and others) there to give height to the arrangement.

5. Once you have reached the middle section, you can get creative. In past years I have used red or burgundy sticks to be festive. At local stores in our area, you can buy glitter covered sticks in many different colors. This year, I decided to introduce some gold into my main arrangements (by my front door).

6. Place the colored accents sticks at middle. In my case, they are covered in gold glitter and glisten in the sun and moonlight in the evening. They are magical!

By a side door to my home, I did another, smaller arrangement. In this one I incorporated some red botanical accents to the arrangement. Be creative! You can add just about anything to the greens. Use your imagination!

2011 Update: I did that post above in 2009 and another great option is to buy the little mini-spruce trees, place them in your pots and do the greens shown here around those trees. Then you can top your mini-trees with battery operated Christmas lights for quite an effect. I did that on mine this years and will post pictures soon!

-Melissa Hawks

The Maison de Luxe Show House at Greystone Starts Tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 02:19:00 +0000

The national designer show house at the Greystone Estate in Beverly Hills, CA opens tomorrow!

As a National Historic Landmark, Greystone Estate is the largest, most majestic designer show house in the country. A Baronial-style residence built in 1928 for the Doheny family, the estate is over 46,000 square feet (wow!) on 18.5 manicured acres. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Friends of Greystone, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the restoration of Historic Greystone Estate. The showhouse runs through 12/22.

Here's a preview of what's there this year:

This room looks like it could be the tween/young adult bedroom for the storybook character, Eloise, don't you think? I think it's the black and white bows...but it's very interesting nonetheless!

It all looks fabulous! Take a peek on their website and we'll keep you posted on more photos!

$200 Gift Card Giveaway! Shop for Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 01:21:00 +0000

It's that time of year....for a fabulous GIVEAWAY! We are so excited to offer up to one lucky follower a gift card for $200 at The Well Appointed House retail site http://www.wellappointedhouse.com
We will send it in the mail and you'll be given a special coupon code to redeem on the site.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO TO ENTER?

It's simple! You need to be a registered follower of the blog and post a comment below! We will select a lucky winner at random! Good luck!

The Well Appointed House Gift Guide: For Him

noreply@blogger.com (Gabrielle Katz) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:35:00 +0000

Whether that him is your dad, husband, brother or friend, The Well Appointed House has plenty of gift options that will melt even the manliest of hearts.

Cufflinks. These may seem like a throwaway present but gifting a set of monogrammed cufflinks make them special; it shows thought and care and let's be honest, he'll use them! For under $100 dollars, they may just be the sweetest thing inside his stocking.

For the man that loves golf, give him the gift of organization! This golf storage system is perfect to keep in his trunk and provides storage for shoes, balls, spikes, gloves, tees and towel. It's the next best thing to a caddy!

For the man that has everything and loves to entertain this Manhattan cocktail set is ideal. In it contains everything to mix a masterful cocktail and the rosewood designer box is just the cherry on top. Chuck Bass would approve.

It's no secret that men aren't chomping at the bit for a spa day, but it's also no secret we like our men well groomed and who doesn't want a little pampering? Mucho up his spa day gift card with this plush and masculine monogrammed robe. He'll use it long after his facial is complete.

Every man likes to be lord of his manner, so honor that with a beautiful personalized wall plaque from renowned Whitehall Products. Choose the signage that works with your home and show him how much you appreciate the home you share.

Buy him his favorite bottle of spirits and pair it with a flask like this sterling silver carved beauty above. It shows you really went the extra mile and didn't just head to the liquor store before you came over for Christmas dinner.

If he is lucky enough to get an I-pad this year, than wrap it in something he'll never want to take off, like this colorful Jonathan Adler i-pad case.

Men can be tricky to shop for, but we've got them covered! See more gift ideas for the boys here!

-Gabrielle Katz

The Well Appointed House Gift Guide: The Tween

noreply@blogger.com (Gabrielle Katz) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 01:35:00 +0000

Is your daughter one Beiber tee-shirt away from a mild obsession? Does your little cousin constantly hog the ipod at family functions in favor Katy Perry? If you answered yes, then it sounds like you have a tween on your hands. The girl who is just discovering her diva side can be difficult to shop for but at The Well Appointed House you will find gift options that will guide her style as she grows and serve as a nice respite from licensed tour goods.

It goes without staying that kids are seriously hooked up nowadays when it comes to technology. Not only does every eleven year-old have a cell phone but they have an i-phone. Keep them ahead of the curve by outfitting their favorite accessory with a cool and age appropriate i-phone case. The one above is a little piece of New York paraphernalia from Dylan's Candy Bar. It's priced at $19.95 to $24.95 depending on what phone your tween has. Not only does it feature a funky yet playful candy design it is also scented to smell as sweet as it is.

If your tween is a little more label conscience then she will surely flip her collar for a Lilly Pulitzer printed I-phone case, $19.95. It comes with the name she loves in a print that she won't soon tire of. Lilly also makes a great selection of ipad and laptop cases, which are the perfect gift to keep her looking stylish in the library.

With all the technology accessible to teens today the handwritten note is becoming a lost art form. Discourage this by gifting a stylish and personable set of Dabney Lee notecards. Select the print that she'll love, finish it off with her name or monogram and she'll swear off texting at least for a week. Well..

If you really want to get her something she will keep forever, this sterling silver monogramed bracelet is just the ticket. Its simple design and classic composition is something she will love to show off now and later learn to layer with a collection of other important bangles. It's an impressive gift and it's under $100!

The Well Appointed House is, at the core, the e-destination for, well, home decor, so why not inspire the interiorista in your tween with a great little something for her room. An accent pillow, like this colorful Trina Turk kaleidoscope pillow, is a fun alternative. Either choose something that goes with her current room's theme or choose something that will challenge her to add other DIY additions or create a wish-list of other items she will collect over other holidays and birthdays. It's a way to encourage creativity and a great way to nurture her personal sense of style. Plus... come ninth grade, those Beiber pillows have got to go! -Gabrielle Katz, The Well Appointed House

The Well Appointed House Gift Guide: Mom

noreply@blogger.com (Gabrielle Katz) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 23:45:00 +0000

Her's are the hardest items to check off the Christmas list. Why? Because she's mom! It's tough to know just what to get the woman who made each of your holidays so special. Plus, they can be so darn picky. For our next installment of our Holiday Gift Guide, we sort through the perfect presents for mom!

I heard a rumor that moms are the ones that generally do most of the cooking? Should that be true in your home a perfect little something to show your appreciation is this customizable recipe box. Go the extra mile and write in some of your old time favorites, or some new ones you heard her talking about. Add with coordinating salt and pepper shakers, wrap well and serve first thing Christmas morning.

Should your mother have a green thumb, give her these rustically chic vases, which you can monogram with her initials and customize the decoupage base just to her liking. This way she can show off her prize-worthy hydrangeas and always think of you.

For the mom who is also the hostess with the mostest, this Lilly Pulizer monogramed lucite tray is the tops. She'll show off her skills in the kitchen or the bar in the chic and stylish way you strive to achieve.

If your mom is an interior design buff, which she is likely to be, then she'll more than appreciate these Zebra umbrella in the fashion of Scalamandre's famous wallpaper. Available in red or yellow.

Make sure your mom is still a cool mom by keeping her cellular situation up to date. These Dabney and Lee cell phone cases fit various iphones and blackberries so no matter which device she uses to call you at the most inconvenient of times... she's covered. Available in an array of bright and colorful patterns you can further customize with her initials or name.

Frame this year's Christmas Card for mom in this fun, holiday appropriate frame. Each year she can bring it out to accompany her Holiday decor and switch in the current year! Customize with your monogram or personal saying.

Then there always is the gift that keeps on giving... a Well Appointed House Gift Card. Encourage her to complete her master bathroom room of help her discover her decorating diva side with a gift card to her favorite home decor retailer. No matter what she picks she will always have you to thank! -Gabrielle Katz, The Well Appointed House

The Well Appointed House Gift Guide: Co-Workers

noreply@blogger.com (Gabrielle Katz) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 23:17:00 +0000

Some of the toughest gifts to shop for can be those for co-workers. You either have to deal with price caps or office politics and who wants to be known as the person that gave a $10 Starbucks card? For our first holiday gift guide, here's some of our top picks to gift to your office mates.

The good ol' gift cap. It keeps you from dropping major monies for each one of your co-workers but it also makes you highly susceptible to passing out snuggies and let's just be honest, the snuggie had it's moment... moment over. Above is this 12 month desk calendar from our Dabney Lee collection. An obviously useful tool to have on hand at the office, each month features a different patter and color combination to keep things fresh. Perfect at $25!

These buckets are great for holding pens and other little desk nick-knacks. They are also customizable, monogram ready and start at $12.

This Jonathan Adler iphone case is available in a multitude of pattern options and also meets that under $20 frame. Giving a present like this sows you appreciate your co-worker enough not to give a throwaway gift and that you have a savvy-chic eye.

For a boss or an assistant you may particularly want to give something special to, these Dabney and Lee desk accessories are thoughtful and meaningful. Above, this letter tray is a chic organizer which you can completely customize down to the recipient's initials. Below is this fabulous desk blotter, which adds some serious style to a workspace. Not only is it the ultimate landing pad for all your most important papers, it also has a monthly calendar to keep you organized.

Be sure to order all your personalized items ASAP to ensure they get there in time for the big gift exchange! Now, let's hope all your co-workers read this! -Gabrielle Katz, The Well Appointed House

Add a Little OOMPH to Your Room

noreply@blogger.com (Gabrielle Katz) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 04:32:00 +0000

It's not hard to transform a room that's in a serious rut; sometimes all you need is a little extra oomph, which was the founding principal for Amy Rice, Patty Hoople and Louise Brooks when they developed their furniture collection "Oomph." It was love at first site discovering this brand, which epitomizes fun and chic decor, which are key criteria Melissa uses when selecting items to go on The Well Appointed House. Oomph furniture and accent pillows bring contemporary sophistication with a playful twist.

Each piece in their lacquer collection allows you to choose from one of their many chic Benjamin Moore color offerings and a few even have some extra special table topper customization options. Here are a few of the many standouts from the collection.

This Demi Lune side table is a staple piece. With sleek lines and a color for every design scheme, it's a certain bright spot in any entry point or living room. Leave with the lacquered top or add a special topper from the ones below.

Love the intricacies of this Newport Coffee Table. It truly are the little details in a piece that make it.

As far as side tables go, this little quatrefoil shaped gem really takes the cake. Again, totally customizable to fit your needs, and it really does add a little something special to a room, especially one that is small and you need to make the most of each piece from a functional and creative point of view.

The 'Tin Table IIZ is a little different. It has an elongated quatrefoil shape and a brown and white, almost zebra-like top. Tres Chic.

And then there are these great Nantucket nesting tables which works just as well in a Manhattan apartment as they do in a shabby chic beach house.

This Harbour Island side table is shriek worthy good. Available in all of Oomph's signature color offerings the table is accented with your choice of either natural raffia, painted raffia or white wash raffia sides. Oh and that little pull out draw, that's just a bonus.

In Oomph's mission to overtake your home's decor these designing women moved on to conquer the world of textiles and boy are we glad they did. Above is their Pom-Pom pillow, great for your living area or bedroom and available in five fun colors, obviously.

And then there is the classic slipper chair which is available as shown or you can customize with your own fabric specification.

Good things come in two's, which is exactly why we love this Siamese chair! Choose from a number of different linen options or customize with your own, this chair is quality at its best with an air of casual elegance.

Shop The Well Appointed House's entire Oomph collection here and see what a little oomph can do for your space.

Black Friday Sale Preview! Save 25% at The Well Appointed House!

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:33:00 +0000

Our Black Friday preview sale has started! Save 25% OFF most items at The Well Appointed House, http://www.wellappointedhouse.com

Some lines such as Uppa Baby, Art for Kids and Global Views are exempt from the sale, but get your holiday orders in now! We are up against holiday shipping deadlines - especially for personalized items, so make your selections!

The coupon code is BlackFriday2011C

Hostess Gifts Wrapped & Shipped!

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:53:00 +0000

We know how busy the holidays get and the last thing you want to do when your stack of invitations to fabulous parties stacks up...is run around shopping for hostess gifts! So we've taken a bit of the headache out of the process for you with these fabulous hostess gifts! We've been hard at work in the studio at The Well Appointed House assembling gift baskets for delivery to you during this busy time!

We've created a few options at different price points and they all come wrapped in our signature colors with a notecard for you to fill out. We've thought of it all!

Basket #1 Coffee & Coffee Cake $50

This basket comes with Barefoot Contessa Blend Ground Coffee and Barefoot Contessa Sour Cream Coffee Cake Mix. Delicious! Your gift recipient will enjoy gourmet coffee and receive a delicious gourmet coffee cake mix.

Basket #2: Coconut Cupcake Heaven $75

This elegant gift basket comes complete with a beautiful sky blue stoneware mixing bowl, a matching spatula, a baking whisk, and Barefoot Contessa Coconut Cupcake & Cream Cheese Frosting Mix. The perfect treat to welcome someone to their new home or just a gift to send someone to let them know you are thinking of them! We think this it the perfect gift for a houseguest to bring when arriving for a weekend!

Basket #3: Outrageous Mint Chocolate Housewarming Gift $75

This elegant gift basket comes complete with a beautiful white Nantucket stoneware mixing bowl with a preppy basket weave design, a blue baking spatula, and Barefoot Contessa Outrageous Mint Chocolate Brownie Mix. The perfect treat to welcome someone to their new home or just a gift to send someone to let them know you are thinking of them!

Basket #4: Ice Cream Dreams, $65

This petite gift basket comes complete with two pewter ice cream bowls - each has a Parisian motif that says "Brasserie" and then "Les Deux Palais". Inside the ice cream bowls, we have tucked a special surprise! A jar of Stonewall Kitchen's "Dulce de Leche" sauce and a jar of "Rasberry Liquer Hot Fudge Sauce". Now all you need is a pint of ice cream! The perfect treat to welcome someone to their new home or just a gift to send someone to let them know you are thinking of them!

Basket #5 Powder Room Gift Basket, $88

This elegantly wrapped "Powder Room Gift Basket" includes a gorgous handmade decoupage tissue box with roses, bees and butterflies and our signature Well Appointed House candle, which comes in its own beautiful packaging. The scent is "Rhubarb" and it's a lovely fragrance for any powder room.

Basket #6: Cafe de Paris Cheese Board Set $56

This petite gift basket packs a powerful punch! It comes with a charming "Cafe de Paris" Les Fromages enamel cheese board, an elegant silverplate Reed & Barton cheese spreader with a preppy bee design and a beautifully embroidered kitchen towel that features an elegant cheese board!

Our fabulous rhubarb candles can also be ordered for $42.

If you just can't make up your mind but love our store, send a Gift Certificate in the mail! You can request any amount! We will create a special coupon code just for your gift recipient and work with them to select the perfect gift!

Our Black Friday Sale "Preview" starts tomorrow for "Insiders" of The Well Appointed House! Be sure you've added your name to our mailing list to receive the coupon code! Happy Shopping and enjoy this holiday week! Please call with question - you can reach our Customer Service Manager, Heather Haan direct at (914)-400-4360 or send us an email at customerservice@wellappointedhouse.com. We can also work with you on Corporate Gifts and volume discounts.

-Melissa Hawks

Parisian Chic: Elie Saab

noreply@blogger.com (Gabrielle Katz) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 19:35:00 +0000

Elie Saab is becoming the darling designer among the top A-list celebrities. His designs are undeniably feminine with a hint of old world Hollywood glamour for the modern woman. Saab's Spring 2012 was indicative of his design aesthetic with plenty of bright colors and a whole lot of bling. Take a look at some of his stunners.

This emerald gem has already been worn by Actress and GOOP maven, Gwyneth Paltrow.

With award show season fast approaching we will be sure to see a lot more of these looks walking the red carpet and with some simple decor additions it's easy to add this ultra-glam, couture elegance to your nest. Here are some pieces that do the trick!

Our Chrome Retro chandelier is not only glitzy it's green! This fixture uses energy efficient LED lights and low wattage bulbs so you can be responsibly glamourous!

This venetian mirror brings a couture element to your room with it's hand etched detailing throughout its antique mirrored finish.

You don't really get more glamourous than this fully mirrored bed! With sleek lines accenting the ultra modern piece this bed is a focal and conversational point in any bedroom. Add a white faux fur blanket like this one for a very Parisian chic look.

You don't need something as grand as a queen size mirrored bed to get an element of the trend. This mirrored tray with antique gold accents will add a little something special to your space.

Elie Saab's collection was rich with color, just like this Dransfield and Ross pillow in chartreuse. The long and lush ostrich feathers add the super luxe element that is indicative of his collection.

Cap off your over the top Parisian chic space with this shimmer pendant chandelier. This is all of the fun of a disco ball with none of the gaudiness.

All of these pieces and Elie Saab's have the same common thread: they are scene stealers that walk the line perfectly between chic and over the top.