2011 Year in Review

Ring out the old, ring in the new; The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true! -Alfred Lord Tennyson 1850

I want to thank all of you for riding along with me this past year. I can't thank YOU enough. Really. You really are an extension of my sweet, supportive, and truly loving family. I LOVE you. At times it was a bit crazy for me, as you may recall. It's been one of climbing mountains, sweating bullets, tears + punch-drunk tears from the special weddings we did, + tow trucks, some broken egg shells and mirrors. But, yes, we made it... and I must say it's been a darn good year.

AND...I can't wait for next year. How about you? Are you ready?


Here's a quick recap from Pickwick House:

We opened the brick and mortar extension of Sharon Taylor Designs...called Pickwick House {A design studio for my interiors and creative event planning where I have thrown some workshops , sold retail furnishings, and also launched an on-line bazaar.}

The Euro-Cirque wedding we designed was featured in Real Simple Weddings.

My very first commercial project was published in book form along with several other international projects compiled for an inspirational architectural coffee table book called, PLAY! Indoor and Outdoor.

Pickwick House was featured on the "HOT sheet list" in the Knot magazine.

I won a 417 Magazine Interior Design of the Year award for Home Office Design.

You can read the link here.



















Best of all, we welcomed little John William, who you all know as Jack.

Happy New Year and Best Wishes for ringing in the truly best YOU for 2012!!

See YOU there!!!

xxxx
sharon

New Years Eve Bash {at home}

It's almost New Years Eve! Just when you thought all the holidays were winding down, it all starts ramping up again. Although, it's a good night to go out on the town to see all the city offers, it's usually crazy, crowded, expensive, not to mention, REALLY hard to find a sitter. And if you do find a sitter... you know she's premium dollar.

Sometimes it's just nice to stay home, relax, sit by the fire, and enjoy your house on the last night of the year.

Here are some ideas of what to do:

Host a chili party: Chili is pretty easy. Versatile, and hard to mess up. Have one friend bring a white chili, another friend bring a veggie chili, and one bring a bison...you get the idea. For those that aren't big on cooking, have them bring the cheese and crackers.

Host a dessert/champagne party: Whether you are a master baker, or you like to pick up sweets at a local bakery, sweets always satisfy. Don't forget to have lots of champagne... and one fun tip: why not chill the champagne in something fun, like a cool aged pot, or urn? It's a fun twist on the standard, and simple. Go look in your potting shed.

Host a Game Night party: Board games don't have to be "BORED" games. Get out your best old fashioned fun self out for the new year and give it a go. My favorite games that get everybody engaged and laughing for a bit are: Battle of the Sexes, Fiction/Diction, giant jenga, + roller skating around the block backwards, forwards, and funk-ified with a pot and pan in hand while wearing a sparkly, glittery hat. {be careful}

Stay Safe and Happy New Years Eve!


{all images via pinterest}
{ganache cake with infused gold via Martha Stewart Living}


Much Love to you all. I'll be back tomorrow for a special New Years Eve post.



{Have a question? Wanna hire me to redesign your house/apartment, be your personal shopper, or plan the most smashing bash you've ever had? I'M IN! Just email me and I'll have a bottle of champagne at the ready.}

xx
sharon

Merry, Merry!

Oh my. What a week. I'll share some lovely nods we've received on the web this week. You can see the posts here and here.

Are you merry-ing it up out there? I am merry-ing up my sweet Will today with a little package for him.

I used fabric for wrapping his package...The menswear is the excess fabric from the sofa reupholstery and I had some extra brown paper bags laying around for the vest. The old watch face is from a junk store. I love Will in his everydays, but when he dresses up, he does it right-dapper-he-does...in fact, I've called him Lord Fauntleroy since the minute I met him.

Here are a few pics from the workshop we had at Pickwick House. The full story is at the top of the page. I've gotta run now cause baby Jack is crying...

All photos taken by Adie Gateley of Twin Town Studios.

Happy Eve of the Eve!


xxxx
sharon

5 DETAILS U CAN DO TOO!

Wishing you all a very merry christmas! Are you ready? I'm almost there.

Loving all these details, so I've added them to a doable list of mine for tomorrow. I invite you to do the same. We should be able to do all of them. It's not a tough list.

1. kissing my honey extra much tomorrow and telling him that I love him more than I love cake! It's his b. day.

illustrations by joy cho of oh joy!











2. Entering this tobi fairley chair contest. I invite you to do the same!

3. Drinking Champagne and making a toast to the start of the holidays!

4."free-floating" gift wrap {in other words....I'm taking it to a simple level.} White/brown craft paper + easy to find toppers.

5. Biking. Whether it's to work or to cocktail hour or to a party...I'll be biking with baby in tow. Preferably on a gold bike like this one, but bubz might need a gold seat too. :)

{via pinterest/? on source}

OKAY:
Have a question? Wanna hire me to redesign your house/apartment, be your personal shopper, or plan the most smashing bash you've ever had? I'M IN! Just email me and I'll have a bottle of champagne at the ready.

Merriest of Days to you!

xxxx
sharon

TIPS: Pulling a Christmas Room Together

Need something around your tree, instead of under it? Here's a brand-new upholstered suit to outfit a room in for Christmas...all for sale at Pickwick House. It's like "gifting the earth and yourself" with vintage. *I know, sounds like too much commercial-type lingo to push on you overspent and tired people right now, right here at Christmas, hustle and bustle time*, but really, do you know how much this set means? It's come from a sweet 1940's estate auction, to my back room, it then served it's purpose well as a used sofa for many of meetings, then it traveled to the sweet upholstery place, and now it's back at the store waiting like "Corduroy". I'll be quiet now, but seriously, I could go on and on about it. What do you think of it? Do you like it? Just come in and sit on it, and I promise, I won't sell you hard on it. I'm not like that pushy sales guy.

I think these furnishings would look really good with these three things.
1. grass cloth wallpaper

{via h.h.}
























2. a worn looking anatolian, turkish rug pictured here...

abccarpet









3. fresh green garlands draping the large-scale frame. Something like these would be darling...but a simple greenery draping would do the trick quite nicely.

{via pinterest with photography by Aengus McGiffin}

The antlers have really been flying out of the store this season. Do you love them? Most people love them or hate them. I LOVE them. We have more in, just in case you need a cute little something to hang a bulb from.

I'm going to see Sylvia's first school performance this morning.

Hope you're surrounded by LOVE this week.

xx
sharon

For the Kids

How much online shopping have you done this year? I'm so thankful as a last-minute type mom to find a few online things. It's just clickety-click fast. These two things should arrive by Friday for my bambinos. The dress is from Saks and is only $30. And the one piece is from baby gap. I'm a sucker for cable knit sweaters.

Hope your week is stress free and filled with happy,cheery Christmas punch.

xx
sharon

NOT Quite Done...

Nothing quite like a deadline to get my projects wrapped up! I would so rather be shopping, wrapping gifts, and eating truffles right now, but there are deadlines right after Christmas. What about you? Are you all ready for the Holidays?

Here's a project that is not even close to being done, but I will toil like cinderella to put the shiny touches on it. LOL!

Do you like what you're seeing so far? You don't have to say yes. It's a work in progress. Here's what I can say I like about it as it is today: The painted trimming accents the storybook-styled peak.

We just ordered a vintage kantha throw for the daybed that literally has me salivating on it and the bed itself.

I was struck by this room pictured below on pinterest today when I was searching for rooms with colored trim. I wanted to show you that there are ways to bring colored-details into a room in an unexpected way that doesn't overwhelm. Do you like it?

I love the designer's color choices. Does anyone know who the designer is? Its funny that we share a love for the same violet.

I hope you enjoy your weekend. Please visit me at the shop. I'll have baby Jack there to give you good cheer!

Need design services, stylizing, or fluffing up your nest? Contact me thru here.
xx
sharon