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These vintage faience geese and ducks from France bring a definite charm to any decorative arrangement in your home, at any time of year. The backdrop of this vignette is a one of a kind aluminum tray from the Middle East standing behind a hand wrought metal pear tree topiary springing to life seemingly from marble planter.  For holiday simply add green pine boughs and some red berries to this display to make your home festive through the new year. Enjoy our St. Tropez candle to add the beautiful fragrance of pine and berries into you home as well.

Create a coastal holiday feel in your home with these shimmering trees and wreaths made of luminescent abalone shells.  They will lend an elegant and earthy air to your surroundings.  Your own shell collections can also be displayed to further amplify the theme.

From Kim:

This magnificent ceiling is not in some far off city such as Rome or Istanbul.  It's  located about 90 miles south of us  in downtown Los Angeles.  This is the magnificent ceiling of the Lodwrick M. Cook Rotunda at the LA Public Library!  I recently took a day trip via train to the city with my father, arriving at the stunning Union Station and then walked all over downtown. We had the grandest time in this not often explored architectural treasure trove of a city.

This stunning mosaic was created by Julian Garnsey.  The Globe Chandelier is representative of the solar system and was designed by Goodhue Associates.  The globe is made of translucent blue glass, hand painted with the continents.  The planets and moon can be found in the chains suspending the globe from the ceiling.  There are 48 lights representing the 48 states in the union at the time when the building opened in 1926.

"Here in these halls the petty distractions of the earthly pilgrimage may be laid aside and their place taken by the inspiration and serenity that come from communion with the poet the prophet the philosopher the artist the scientist indeed with all those who themselves have caught a glimpse of the things that are not transitory in their natures but have eternal values."
-Everett Robbins Perry
From his address at the dedication of the Los Angeles Public Library

Beautiful henna-dyed bone inlay boxes from Marrakech ranging from tiny to large, each a unique piece!  A stylish and useful addition to your home!

This is a truly unique piece of art with a timeless handwritten message on Venetian plaster surrounded by a one of a kind wooden frame with antique fabric detail. Stop by the store to see it in person!

Dear Friends,

A few months ago, I decided to take on a personal challenge – the Ultimate Hike benefitting CureSearch for Children's Cancer. I was invited by a dear friend who lost her young nephew to cancer. I will be joining four friends from the bay area to make up our team: The Ramblin’ Roses.  On November 23rd, we will hike 26 miles in one day on the Pacific Crest Trail. I know, a bit daunting but we are committed!

In order to add some fun to our fundraising, we have created a “store” for you to “shop” from. Please click thru here to check it out.  If nothing else, you will be entertained by some of the creative perks the Ramblin’ Roses have come up with as we try to raise over $20,000 for this worthy cause. Quantities are very limited – in many cases only 1 is available -  so please visit the site soon. Any donation is appreciated and you will also find a link there to donate directly on our CureSearch fundraising site, if you prefer. The Ramblin’ Roses appreciate your support; together we can make a difference in the lives of children with cancer. 

CureSearch for Children's Cancer is a national non-profit foundation that raises funds for children's cancer research. Your donation is an investment in the lives of the more than 40,000 children, adolescents and young adults who are currently undergoing treatment for pediatric cancer, as well as in the 36 children who are newly diagnosed each day. 

Best regards,

Kimberly 

From Kim:

For years, I had heard of a French language emersion school located in the south of France on the French Riviera.  Situated in Ville Franche sur Mer, in a villa on a steep hill overlooking one of the deepest natural harbors of the mediterranean, the Institute de Francais is an intensive 9-5/ 5 days a week commitment for one month.  My high school French was sorely put to test - and I came out the other side with a diploma stating most improved!  During the weekends, we (adult) students from all over the world would take the bus to Nice, walk to the market nearby in Beaulieu sur Mer, (where I found fabulous Italian clothing for the store) and take bus trips to the surrounding areas.  Shown here is an image from the garden of Foundation Maeght located in St. Paul de Vance. Inaugurated in 1964, it is a private foundation conceived by Marguerite and Aimé Maeght, a showcase of contemporary art and architecture surrounded by nature. Works by Giacometti, Miro, Chagall and Braque, among other artists collaborated in creating a unique creation and experience.

If you haven't already, jump over to Town&Country to check out 

Decorator Stephen Sills' gorgeous guest house:

Photographs by François Halard

From Kim:

Several years ago I was granted the opportunity to attend the Peru Gift Show in Lima. I was thrilled to go as this is the home of alpaca! It's one of my most favorite fibers in all the world. Over the years, I've bought many things made of this incredible fiber for Maison K such as throws, sweaters and now fingerless, texting-friendly gloves! Here was an opportunity to discover new vendors and resources in a country and continent I had never visited before.

While there, I felt I should take advantage of my proximity to Machu Picchu and plan a visit, even though it had never been a destination on my Must See One Day list.  I am here to report, that my visit to that extraordinary citadel in the sky remains one of the most spectacular experiences of my life. There is a majesty and epic spirit there that is transcendent.

Given my quick itinerary I only spent one evening at the super charming Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel and would happily stay there again to further explore this wondrous region. Inside, it's filled with vintage handwoven textiles, tile floors and fire places, and outside surrounded by luxuriant jungle. Don't miss the guided Orchid Trail where you see them living, not in decorative cache-pots, but in trees surrounding the hotel.

From Kim:

Some years ago I attended a fabulous outdoor wedding in the foothills of Yosemite National Park where one's place at table was noted by name written on a rock!  I loved my rock place holder and still have it.  I decided to employ this idea to mark the guest places at my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary luncheon.  

I needed a number of small rocks so scampered down to Miramar beach to gather the stones and only as doing so realized how perfectly appropriate it was that the rocks were from that beach as this is where they honeymooned many years ago. I think if I were to do this again I would write something on the reverse that reminded me of the person noted.  

Next time!