Happy Birthday to Odi et Amo!

Amy Atlas EventsI began this little blog exactly one year ago today. At the time, I started Odi et Amo as a way to combat some intense boredom at work (last winter my company was in serious turmoil and we were all but shut down). Little did I know how big a part of my life blogging would become over the course of 2009. Not only has Odi et Amo's readership grown well beyond my circle of friends

And the winners are....

Well y'all, Dave and I flew in from Dublin yesterday afternoon and, after a much-needed 11 hour sleep, I'm back in the saddle today. Once I've sorted through the many, many pictures I took, I'll be sure to share a few here later on in the week. For now though, I'll just say that we had an absolutely marvelous time. Our time in London and Ireland was inspiring, restorative and even romantic. I

There's still time to win!

Don't forget that there's still time to enter for a chance to win one of three design books. To enter, simply leave a comment on the previous four posts entitled "Optimum Optimorum". In your comment, be sure to let me know your favorite: dining room chairtable lampaccent tablemirrorEntries will be accepted up until midnight on Tuesday, July 14, and three winners will be selected by 10 am that

Optimum Optimorum 4: Mirrors

Mirror, mirror on the wall, whose the fairest of them all? Mirrors are a favorite design element of decorators not just because they're pretty, but because mirrors have amazing space (and light) enhancing properties. While any old mirror will help make a room look larger and brighter and, when properly positioned, can maximize a good view, a beautifully designed mirror can function as art in its

Optimum Optimorum 3: Accent Tables

Occasional tables. Accent tables. Side tables. No matter what you call them, they're the undeniable workhorses of any room. But not only do these small tables hold books, lamps, accessories and the occasional evening cocktail, they also serve a strong decorative element as they help create conversation areas and finish off the look of a space. A small table on either end of the sofa can keep it

Optimum Optimorum 2: Table Lamps

I'm back after the long weekend with a second installation of my Optimum Optimorum mini-series, which is highlighting "the best of the best" in home accessories available for purchase online. Today, I've got a roundup of my favorite table lamps. Lighting is an often ignored -- but incredibly important -- element of design and table lamps are a great way to create atmosphere in a room and provide

Optimum Optimorum 1: Dining Chairs

As I mentioned yesterday, Optimum Optimorum is a Latin phrase meaning "the best of the best" and I thought that, while I was away on vacation, I'd bring you some tightly edited selections of the best of the best in home decor. Today, we'll kick things off with dining room chairs.My obsession with finding "the perfect" dining chairs for my new house continues unabated and I've spent entirely too