Spring Shower

Last Friday night called for showers in Dallas, but the most beautiful one happened on Saturday in honor of a wonderful and dear friend, Caroline. The setting was my favorite restaurant, Le Bilboquet, a restaurant I have frequented with her many a time. The side terrace with a boxwood wall and bistro chairs make for the ideal backdrop for any event. Beautiful flower arrangements in some of my favorite blue and white pots framed the tables. Gorgeous blue and white monogrammed napkins were my gift to the bride, and they tie in perfectly to go with the bride’s future china pattern.

Favors included votive size candles that were placed next to place cards created by my self-taught and incredibly talented friend, Margaret Moore. Her writing is incredible!! Overall, it was the ideal setting for a shower full of Rosé, french fries, good friends, and lots of laughter (and even a few tears)!

Enjoy these pictures of the festive and fun bridal shower!

Venue: Le Bilboquet

Napkins: Preppy Paper Girl

Place Cards: Moore Ink. 

Flowers: Cebolla

Favors: Diptique Candles

Bridal Shower by Christina Dandar for The Potted Boxwood 21

Le Bilboquet provided the perfect backdrop for an even more perfect luncheon.

Bridal Shower by Christina Dandar for The Potted Boxwood 15

Gorgeous monogrammed napkins by Laurie Byrne of Preppy Paper Girl @lboriginals.

Bridal Shower by Christina Dandar for The Potted Boxwood 11

Bridal Shower by Christina Dandar for The Potted Boxwood 2

Cebolla Fine Flowers did the outstanding arrangements in my own blue and white vases.

Bridal Shower by Christina Dandar for The Potted Boxwood 4

My very close friend Margaret Moore did the place card calligraphy. She is self taught and VERY talented!

Bridal Shower by Christina Dandar for The Potted Boxwood 8

Bridal Shower by Christina Dandar for The Potted Boxwood 5

This beautiful cake was completed by Frosted Art Bakery. The fresh flowers made for the perfect spring touch. Also- the cake was SO yummy!

Bridal Shower by Christina Dandar for The Potted Boxwood 6

Votive Diptique candles made for really sweet, simple,  and useful favors.

Bridal Shower by Christina Dandar for The Potted Boxwood 7   Bridal Shower by Christina Dandar for The Potted Boxwood 10

Bridal Shower by Christina Dandar for The Potted Boxwood 20

I love how we split up the blue and white vases high and low. The more arrangements you have, the more you get a lush garden ambience- which was what I was going for!

Bridal Shower by Christina Dandar for The Potted Boxwood 14  Bridal Shower by Christina Dandar for The Potted Boxwood 16 Bridal Shower by Christina Dandar for The Potted Boxwood 17

The gift table.

Bridal Shower by Christina Dandar for The Potted Boxwood 19   Bridal Shower by Christina Dandar for The Potted Boxwood 22 A really lovely afternoon celebrating a really wonderful bride!

My Favorite Type Of Bunny

I can’t believe Easter is about to be upon us this weekend. While I know the holiday is not all about bunnies and eggs (John 3:16), I thought it would be fun today to show one of my favorite homes from my absolute favorite Bunny- Bunny Williams.

Bunny understands how to remain understated, timeless, and abundantly chic in the most classic and truly beautiful way. Her home is every bit elegant, and her garden is every bit enchanting.

photos via One Kings Lane

 

Bunny Williams via OKL 13

Bunny Williams via OKL 16Bunny Williams via OKL 2   Bunny Williams via OKL 5 Bunny Williams via OKL 6  Bunny Williams via OKL 8 Bunny Williams via OKL 9 Bunny Williams via OKL 10

Bunny Williams via OKL 15

Bunny Williams via OKL 3Bunny Williams via OKL 11 Bunny Williams via OKL 12  Bunny Williams via OKL 14

Bunny Williams via OKL 4  Bunny Williams via OKL 17

Bunny Williams via OKL 7Bunny Williams via OKL 18 Bunny Williams via OKL

Pink Perfect

I love pink. I shamefully admit during a portion of the 5h grade I pretended that I didn’t like the color. Obviously, that was only to seem cool (I mean I was still playing with Barbies). Today, I am posting to prove that pink is an even cooler color than it ever was. It is known that pink is the color of breast cancer awareness. While it isn’t February, it is the day before a best friend of one of my best friends (someone who I have traveled with and come to know) is undergoing a double mastectomy. While it may not seem like a huge deal to many people, the big deal is that she is 29 and she doesn’t have breast cancer. BUT- she recently tested positive for the BRCA2 gene,  which means she has an extremely high risk of getting breast or ovarian cancer in her lifetime.

While it may seem extreme to some, I find it to be very brave and admirable. Lesley has an amazing travel blog called The Road Les Traveled. She explores the world for all of her followers to see, and it is comforting to know she can keep doing that without having to worry about the evil of cancer putting an end to her travel plans.

What can you do? Wear pink today! Support Lesley Murphy as she undergoes this life changing procedure tomorrow. Support all the women who have faced breast cancer and support all the women who are fighting the battle as we speak. Tag your photos- #LesleysBreasties #LesNipsBRCAintheBud #BreastCancerAwareness #FightLikeAGirl

Here are some pretty pink rooms to brighten this very pink day.

Bedroom by Suzanne Kassler

Perfectly pink bedroom by Suzanne Kassler.bedroom via Domino

One of my favorite bedrooms via Domaine Home

Ben Pentreath design via AD

Ben Pentreath design.

Lee Radziwill Apartment via AD

Nothing is quite as romantic as Lee Radziwill’s home. Via Vogue

pink degournay wallpaper in entry

Pink Chinoiserie

Miles Redd knows Pink

Miles Redd masterpiece!

De Gournay knows best.

 Pink dining room via Mario Buratta

Mario Buatta shines with pink and green.

pink dining room via Traditional Home

Beautifully pink via Traditional Home.

David Hicks makes another timeless classic with pink.

pink room via veranda

Beautiful pink dining room via Veranda.

Timothy Corrigan Apartment via AD

Timothy Corrigan pink dining room via AD

Kerry Spears

E- Design has definitely become more of a trend recently, yet it is hard for some people to grasp the concept. Often our lives are so busy, that we don’t have time to have constant meetings and walk-throughs. Also, designers that have to constantly be on the move can have trouble developing a strong base. It is really a win-win for everyone involved.

Recently I came across designer Kerry Spears. Her design is a chic and effortless combination of modern traditional. As Kerry explains it, “I work the same way and give as much attention as I do with my clients in person, only everything is done online, over the phone, FaceTime and email. I work with my clients on every detail and create a turn-key e-design service. My plan is to create a design service for individuals that like my style, but don’t want to pay to have me fly in for meetings and installations.”

With a mindset like that, why wouldn’t you turn to e-design? See my interview with Kerry, as well as a beautiful project she designed below.

Kerry Spears E-Design

Kerry Spears Design 4

How would you describe your personal design aesthetic?

Transitional. I love traditional interiors, however, I have a thing for bright, modern fabrics. I like to keep things fresh by using classic design trends so that the rooms can last for decades, but add a splash of modern flair to keep it current. The contrast between traditional and contemporary is what makes transitional interiors so visually interesting to me.

Kerry Spears Design

What are your design pet peeves?

When curtain panels don’t touch the floor. In my opinion, there should be a slight break in the bottom of the fabric. I also cringe when I see art hung incorrectly. As my mother-in-law would say, “don’t fall victim to high hanging”

   Kerry Spears Design 5

Best advice you ever received about design/decor?

If you love it, use it! There’s always a way to incorporate a favorite family heirloom or some crazy modern piece of art. After all, your home should be a reflection of you and describe your life story.

Kerry Spears Design 3

Who inspires you?

I have such a design crush on Katie Ridder. I love the way she elegantly uses loud, bright colors and bold patterns in both fabrics and wallpaper. She takes stepping outside the box to a whole new level. I am also currently obsessed with Mark Sikes. He is more traditional and refined in his interiors, and uses a softer color palette. He also has a way of filling every space and detail, without making a room feel overcrowded. If you blend their styles, I think I am somewhere in the middle.

Kerry Spears Design 2

What is on your nightstand?

A wedding photo, my favorite scented candle, a stack of design books (what designer doesn’t) and usually 2-3 toys that my dog brought me.

Kerry Spears Design 6

Potted Boxwood is?

Potted boxwood is timeless chic.

Garden Dreams

Happy Monday! With a nice amount of rain in Dallas yesterday, I am admiring everyone’s green landscapes. I felt I hadn’t posted a beautiful garden in awhile, and I discovered the perfect one.

I simply adore this classic and timeless (built in 1743) Charleston home belonging to Cindy and Ben Lenhardt. My reason is very transparent. The grounds of the home are simply swoon worthy. Ben is a natural green thumb, and it shows with just the right amount of formality and natural grace that one can only hope for in landscaped grounds.

Honestly, I am just going to keep staring at these lovely photos. No words needed….

Photos from Traditional Home.

Charleston Garden via Traditional HomeCharleston Garden via Traditional Home 2 Charleston Garden via Traditional Home 3 Charleston Garden via Traditional Home 4 Charleston Garden via Traditional Home 5 Charleston Garden via Traditional Home 6 Charleston Garden via Traditional Home 7