Love me some global style!

Please enjoy today's globe-trotting guest post...
Hi everyone! I'm Jessica from Arcadian Lighting, a blog and website where I get to write about interior design trends and all the different kinds of lighting fixtures that go with them. I'm delighted to be guest posting today on Minding the Manor because I'm going to be talking about lighting with global style.

Ever since I was little, I've been fascinated with other cultures and always dreamed of decorating my home with treasures I would pick up during my travels around the world. Here are some ideas for bringing a bit of global style into your home, without having to buy an airplane ticket. I hope you enjoy these global inspired interiors!

This study beautifully combines worldly items to create a room that inspires a bit of wanderlust. A collection of framed paintings, a Persian rug wall hanging, a petite ship in a bottle and an antique globe draw the imagination to all different types of cultures and time periods.

A completely white room provides the perfect canvas for the eclectic variety of African and Balinese furniture and textiles. The impressive pendant light in the corner certainly commands attention.

Lamps on either side of this desk mirror the repeating patterns throughout this lovely vignette. Rich, rusty colors, animal horns and a black and white photograph all reference romantic, exotic places.

Another stylish office, this interior design mixes vintage pieces of furniture with a Grecian key patterned throw pillow and Zebra skin rug. (I'm hoping that's a faux skin rug!) The rustic colors and monochromatic accents are a beautiful combination.

 

 A modern interpretation of Moroccan style, this living room showcases a collection of vibrant traditional pillows and a decidedly minimal environment. The ornate mini chandelier is a glamorous touch.

A literal take on global style, this living room features at least three antique representations of Earth. The aged coloring of the globes and map tie in wonderfully with the room's neutral color palette.

A child's bedroom is the perfect place to introduce global style. The map of North America and planetary mobile are great opportunities to spark a child's desire to learn about far off places

This chic and modern living room has a more subtle approach to global style. The Moroccan coffee table and serving tray pick up on the beautiful detailing on the throw pillows and sparkling chandelier.

Which cultures and styles inspire your home decor the most?

 Let us know!

And be sure to stop by Arcadian Lighting blog for plenty of fresh interior design ideas every day!

Rub-a-dub-dub

I simply love it when people add a little holiday cheer to unexpected places!

My aunt has an old fashioned tub in a bathroom off of her kitchen that her family never uses.  She ever-so-craftily decoupaged said tub in a black and white floral linen (I must beg her to give us a tutorial!). 
Usually, she keep her houseplants there but last year, she plunked a festively decorated Christmas tree right into the tub!

Looking forward to seeing what she does this year!

Cordially,

Ms. Manor

A Tale of Thanksgiving Past

As I hinted yesterday, Thanksgiving is sort of a big deal for us.
 
We usually dine elsewhere on the big day and to my delight, I am usually called upon by the hostess to create the centerpiece.  Typically, I am given a peek at the linens just a few days before, then it is my task to whip up something good.  I have come to the realization that my centerpieces get more ambitious and complicated with each passing year...

Four years ago, I really kept it simple.

Some glass vessels, candles and some natural elements (pinecones, snippings from a shub) found in the yard.

I even made a quick side arrangement for the buffet table that year.

Three years ago, I moved on to using actual flowers rather than things found in the yard, but still kept it pretty simple.

Just some mums from the local (very cheap!) produce shop.  And I had to make a little something for the buffet table...

I simply stacked some granny smith apples using toothpicks on a glass cakestand and tucked some evergreen shrub snippings and left over mums into the bare spots.

Two years ago, it was the year of the vegetables.  I found this idea online somewhere and I just thought it looked so elegant...

I used my glass cakestands again but this time, tied some veggies around pillar candles with a purple satin ribbon and an orchid here and there.

And last year, I must admit I went a little nutty...  I just get so caught up in Thanksgiving! 

Tall glass vases with branches (in retrospect, I should have spray-painted them silver) with white hydrangea, small hot pink flowers and some sort of vine.  I made hanging votives out of regular glass votives and wire.  I also hung blue, hot pink and clear crystals from the branches. 

Yes, I styled the bookcases on either end of the fireplace

And the mantle...

Both sides...

With the lights turned down low, candles glowing, crystals shimmering, the atmosphere was so ethereal.  I felt like we were out sitting under a tree in the woods, dining on a bed of moss.

That brings us to Thanksgiving 2011...

My hostess has mentioned that the event would be very simple this year.   I'm looking for inspiration in case she calls upon me for help! 

Simple, chic, and easy is the name of the game...

(Image: Eddie Ross)

Ooooh, metallic paint on dried corn cobbs is brilliant!

(Image: HGTV)

Ornamental kale and asparagus is so lovely

(Image: Fresh Home)

I detest birds of any kind but I could actually see something like this with metallic gold or silver paint on the branch and some jeweled or glittered birds (I guess butterflies would be too spring-like?)

(Image: Belive it or not...Walmart)

A melange of pumpkins... some shiny and some not.  Please note the silver pumpkins on the mercury glass candlesticks as I find them so delightful.

(Image: HGTV)

This tablescape is so modern and chic... I think I'll do something like this at home for a future Thanksgiving Eve cocktail party! 

 

The big day is only a week away... are you ready?

Cordially,

Ms. Manor

Dress your head with feathers!

I love Thanksgiving.

Really, I do.

(Image via etsy)

I especially love to get dressed up for dinner... I am talking pilgrims and Indians, people.

Last year, we wore cheesy costumes ordered online but I think I will get crafty this year.... 

My inspiration...

(Stunning images via etsy)

I'm making my own feather headdress! Instructions found here.  I'll let you know how it turns out...

Cordially,
Ms. Manor

Nice Try, PB!

PB tried to make a knock-off of this stunning cabinet that I've been salivating over for weeks

Exhibit A

But as you can see, the PB version does not have the same je ne sais quoi

Exhibit B

I must admit, there is some pretty detailing in the silver, but there is simply not enough of it for me!

(Image: PB)

Rarely, does a piece of furniture move me to purchase.  I am soooo fickle.  But the etched German silver cabinet (Exhibit A) haunted me for weeks.  I didn't actually plan to order it due to inflated shipping cost, etc.  Then I walked into a local shop and there it was across the room!  I was convinced that it was fate when I saw the price tag... $200. less than the catalog, plus I would save the $200. shipping charge...

Four hundred bucks richer, I told the gal at the register to ring it up, and I loaded her up into my car and rode off into the sunset.  It looks stunning in our newly painted dining room (yes, I painted the room, AGAIN!).  I've stocked it with liquor bottles, cocktail shakers and glassware.  It makes a wonderful bar cabinet!

Cocktail time!

Cordially,

Ms. Manor

Blog challenge... yay!

Nothing gets me more inspired and ready to spring into action than a dollhouse decorating challenge!

(Image: thisnext)

It's no secret that I love dollhouses and miniature interiors, in fact, I think I mention it rather frequently (like here and here).
When I heard about the challenge a couple of weeks ago, I raced down to the garage to gauge the condition of my own dollhouse.

Kind of buried under stuff so it's a bit hard to see how much work it needs.  "Tres pathetic!" I say to myself in a faux French accent.

This is what it "should" look like from the outside. Looks like it needs quite a bit of TLC to get it into shape by December 15th! 

I do have some furniture/fixture pieces and I did buy a lighting kit.  I know there is a fabulous little sofa hiding somewhere.  Just have to dig for this stuff and come up with a concept...

Don't know if this project is do-able in such a short timeframe since the exterior needs so much work.  maybe I can just concentrate on the inside?  Something to ponder...

It's a lovely day outside so I'm off to go spray paint something...

Cordially,

Ms. Manor

I wanted to do something beachy yesterday

After many, many weekends of working on home improvement projects and spending the weekdays holed up in my home office working, I really needed a beach day. The Mister, having just come back from a work trip was very resistant to a road trip so it looked like I was going to have to use my imagination.

Maybe put on my CD of ocean waves, slather on some coconut scented lotion, order some crab legs from the local seafood shack.  Anything to take me away from another weekend the same old same old....

I was going to make a fabulous glowing shell arrangement to gaze upon whilst sipping a tropical drink on the veranda

(Via Martha Stewart)

Or a faux capiz shell chandelier out of wax paper and an old lampshade to add some beachiness to the kitchen

(Via Freshly Picked)

 Or somehow get my hands on one of these beach grass wall murals that I saw in Lonny

The Mister, realizing he would be roped in to further projects or home improvements, finally came to his senses and to the beach we went! 

And we all lived happily ever after...

Cordially,

Ms. Manor