Timeless interiors evolve around key furnishings that anchor the room—allowing colors, fabrics, and accessories to create visual interest that can easily and affordably be changed with the seasons or trends. With 35 years of experience designing well-appointed homes, design expert Deborah Hastings shares her favorite style secrets to achieving good design that can be applied to any home on any …
Bold and Elegant Tea China
I very much enjoy a good cup of tea, and I especially enjoy a beautiful set of Tea China to accompany the occasion. My attention was quickly drawn to the elegant Royal Albert Lady Hamilton china pattern, while flipping through the pages of TeaTime magazine’s January February issue. Truly, any way this tea set is styled, the bold and elegant …
A Taste of Christmas
It’s that wonderful time of year, where we warmly welcome family and friends with the glowing lights and fresh greenery of traditional Christmas decorations. If you are playing the role of host this Christmas, try coordinating dishes of different patterns to create a curated look instead of setting the table with a perfectly matching set. The mixture of patterns and …
It’s the Best Sale of the Year!
It’s the best sale of the year! I can’t believe we are talking about Black Friday again already. Yesterday was the first day of Hoffman Media’s Black Friday sale. You’ll find great gift options in our holiday sale selection. All of the selected current or past issues and books are marked down to this year’s lowest price. Plus get up …
Worth the Trip to Williamsburg
I love Williamsburg—as you all know! Always on the top of my list, it is a fabulous place to go for inspiration and restoration. I make Seasons of Williamsburg a part of my trip anytime of the year I am lucky enough to be in Virginia. This year Neal and I planned a trip to be at the Christmas Open …
A Crown Jewels-inspired Setting for the Holidays
Growing up there was nothing more luxurious than gemstones, especially the crown jewels meant for royalty. Maybe it was my fantasy of becoming a princess or the luster and hues that intrigued me, but when I saw this lovely tablescape on the pages of Southern Lady’s Holiday issue, my inner schoolgirl was giddy with excitement. This lovely holiday table setting …
Crisp Holiday Inspirations
Red is one of my favorite colors. Red pillows with white accents find a place on my sofa and side chairs. A seasonal wreath with red ribbon adds the finishing touch to the living room. The color red is even highlighted in my kitchen for the most festive time of year. During the holiday season, I love to find new …
White Pumpkins and Bittersweet
White pumpkins are all the rage in decorating. I have one question. When did these things appear? Growing up I never saw a white pumpkin…every pumpkin I ever saw was orange. Yes that’s it, orange. Charlie Brown movies are my favorites, especially It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. I still watch that movie every Halloween and relive a bit of …
A Unique Dose Of Christmas Cheer with Sybil Sylvester
There is nothing that stirs the holiday spirit like beautiful floral decorations in a grand, old Southern home. While I am a fan of traditional Christmas decoration with its red and green, there is a fine line between festive and flashy. I have to appreciate the creativity in a holiday design that honors tradition, but is just a little bit …
Blue Willow Tablescape with Jennifer Carroll
Jennifer Carroll, an event planner of 20 years and a mother on one, has kindly shared her easy fall tablescape design for any gathering, big or small with me. Jennifer has loved planning and playing “hostess” from the time she was a little girl. When it comes to party planning, she believes in keeping it simple. In her lovely “Blue …