The Collected Wall

Gallery Wall by Ken Fulk

Long after the New Year corks have popped, I'm just now resolving to frame and hang those family pictures and travel mementos that I have collected throughout the years.  Living in a small space is advantageous in many ways, but wall space is definitely not one of them.  The solution, a gallery wall along the stairwell (well, a partial solution - I mean, really, is there ever enough wall space?).  Tucked in the stairwell, the collected wall seems more personal and humble than on display in the prime time viewing area of the living room.  Plus, the collected gallery wall will visually occupy the odd corners of the stairwell (winning on a decor dime!). 

The challenge? Creating a cohesive collected wall with visual balance.  I'm not going for the haphazard look, but, on the same token, I would like a fluid collected wall - one that reflects my life and not a staged static wall.  Meaning, a measured grid of color coordinated photos is not going to suffice.  While I continue to play around with the arrangement of my gallery, here are some inspiring gallery walls from around the web. 

I love the organic spacing of this thematic wall arrangement. (via Elle Decor)

This boho-chic floor to ceiling arrangement visually expands the small space. (via Curbly)

This black and white grid adds a modern graphic punch to the ornate settee. (via Casa Vogue)

This eclectic grouping counterbalances the oversized gilded mirror. (via Habitually Chic)

The fluid pattern of the monochromatic arrangement brings life to this wall gallery. (Design by Ken Fulk)

I love the warmth of this organic (and almost random) collected wall. (via Emily Henderson)

New Year Cheer - French 75

This New Year's elevate your pop, fizz and clink with the French 75.  This bubbly concoction adds instant glamour to any bar and is a sure way to bring spirit and cheer to your New Year's celebration.  The simplicity of this drink will ensure that you are not stuck behind the bar laboring, making it the perfect New Year's party libation. 

As with all apothecary concoctions, the details are in the quality of the ingredients (e.g., top champagne or sparkling wine is a must - none of that $5 bubbly imposter nonsense).  Here's what you'll need per serving:

• 1 ounce Cognac
• 1/4 ounce fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• 1/4 ounce simple syrup
• 4 ounces Champagne
• lemon twist

Shake Cognac, lemon and simple syrup with ice and strain into a champagne flute.  Top slowly with 3 to 4 ounces of Champagne and garnish with a lemon twist.  Let the cheer begin to flow!

Let the corks begin to fly, cheers to 2016!

{images by Brooklyn Boheme}

Serving Christmas with Pinterest

My Christmas Dinner Menu involves a bit of a Hail Merry this year.  I love to browse the design and DIY pins on Pinterest, so I decided to take my Pinterest crush a step further - recipes for Christmas Dinner.  Admittedly, my reliance on Pinterest recipes is unfounded and there is a huge risk that dinner may be a flop, but these dishes look scrumptious; it's hard to image how it could go wrong (other than due to the obvious chef error).  Should the Pinterest meal go awry, I have plenty of wine on hand to keep my guests jolly (and, really, wine is the most important side).  Cheers to a family feast, and Merry Christmas!

Parmesan Herb Crusted Potatoes

House of Yumm

My Domaine - Pumpkin Meringue Pie. 

Deck the Table

It's officially time to deck the table!  I had grand ideas of a "White Christmas" setting uniformed in sculptural white pottery, but then a demanding year-end schedule stole my calendar and creativity.  Out of time, I dusted off some seasonal red books, threw in an assortment of candle baubles, lined the table with festive ribbon and finished with a grand assortment of farmer markets flowers.  A cheap and on the fly approach to decking the table this year. 

Now, I just have to figure out what to cook!  Happy Holidays!

{Images by Brooklyn Boheme}

California Christmas: Simple Chic

It's time to trim the mantel with seasonal flair.  When it comes to holiday decorating, I prefer to amp up my daily decor with simple chic seasonal layers - greenery, ornaments, ribbon and lighting (a quick and cheap holiday decor scheme, allowing more time and money to spend at the holiday sales!).  Starting with layers of lush iconic greenery is a quick way to set the holiday tone by filling the room with seasonal woodsy scents and textures.  Daily vessels filled with ornaments and vintage Christmas lights bring pops of color.  Add some ribbon for festivity and twinkle lights for an inviting warm glow, and you've got a simply chic Christmas - California style!  All the haute without the fuss.

Christmas tree trimmings are a zero cost alternative to garland, and one of my favorite ways to add holiday cheer to the home.  I grabbed some extra trimmings from the Christmas tree farm (for free!) and spread the branches on top of every cabinet, chest and cupboard in sight. 

Although I love traditional Christmas colors, I am still loving the Chinoiserie urn and peacocks from my Thanksgiving decor, so I infused metallic hues into my Christmas decor.  Using Christmas tree trimmings and some cuttings from the yard, I created a centerpiece bough of pine needles topped with a glittery peacock.  I littered the table with gilded pine cones (collected from our backyard and transformed with my favorite DIY tool - a can of gold spray paint).  Total cost for table top decor $0!

Metallic silver and gold paper wheels hang in the windows, keeping the room balanced with visual delights at varying heights.

I cut some holly from our garden and accessorized our candles, drapes and picture ledges with the holly's waxy green and beads of red. 

Simple trimmings from our holly tree casually displayed transforms this daily vignette into Santa-ready. 

Up on the mantel, I like to keep it simple with garland, candles, and family photos from previous years. When it comes to the main event, the tree, it's reserved for the boys (think Yoda tree topper and clumps of ornaments courtesy of my 2 year old). 

Ornaments are strung with care from a mossy branch. 

Wreaths - from boxwood, to berries and magnolias - are draped throughout the house as one final nod to the season.