Holiday Round-Up: 2010 Calendars

Dabney Lee at Home Monogrammed Desk Calendar ($25)As the end of the year rapidly approaches, I'm beginning to look forward to the start of 2010 with a renewed sense of optimism. Like many of you, 2009 was a year of great anxiety for Dave and me. In many ways, I know that we are very blessed to have made it through the year with our jobs, bank accounts and sanity (relatively) in tact. Indeed,

Create Stunning Festive Windows!

Don't you just love the festive season! I say this with tongue in cheek, don't get me wrong I adore Christmas, the fairy lights, trees and of course the receiving and giving of presents!

What I'm not too keen on is the hype and over commercialisation! The one thing that always please me is the opportunity to spend money on the all important finishing touches in the lounge and dining room which make the festive season so special.

I've decided on a chic and stylish theme this year which is minimalist, working on the adage that less is more! As the garden Christmas tree remains in-situ I ensue the windows are sparkling clean and have invested in lightweight voile curtains with trendy metal openings which compliment the curtain poles. I'm also going to hang bunches of baubles in pretty pastel shades to act as temporary tie-backs!

As you can see with little expense and inspiration from different pages of interior design blogs you can dress your windows in keeping with your Christmas design theme in your lounge and dining room to create stunning interior which will ooze with creativity as well as chic styling!

Image: Belle Maison 23

Suzanne Kasler: Southern Elegance Redefined

Looking back on the various designers and decorators that I've featured here on Odi et Amo over the past year, I was surprised to see that I really haven't showcased the Atlanta-based decorator Suzanne Kasler yet. Suzanne's work represents what is best about new-traditional Southern design -- interiors that draw heavily on classic French design with a graciousness and warmth that have become

Giving Back this Holiday Season

Today, I'm joining in with several bloggers in a collaborative effort spearheaded by Paloma Contreras of La Dolce Vita, in order to make a difference for a very deserving charity. Pencils of Promise is a wonderful 501(c)(3) organization (which means any donation you make is tax-deductible) out of New York that partners with local communities and organizations to build schools of early-stage

Dear Santa...A Gift Guide for Me!

Matha Stewart LivingI toyed with the idea of compiling a gift guide or two for the holidays this year, but ultimately ditched the idea because (a) I'm fairly certain the blogosphere has maxed out on gift guides this year and (b) gifting is and ought to be personal -- you know your family and friends far, far better than I do and any suggestions I have would be far inferior to whatever you can