Aaah! - The Perfect Thanksgiving

Okay, Missy - Thanksgiving is all about the food!  Yes, we all know  you will be planning,  grocery shopping and preparing for days - but, the deliciousness of the turkey is directly proportionate  to whether you actually wake up to the 5:00 AM turkey buzzer on Thanksgiving morning after pulling an all-nighter!  

Designed by Karen Egan of Karlee Enterprises for IFDA Tableau 2009

Designed by Debbie Conforti of Waterleaf Designs for IFDA Tableau 2009

On the other hand, it’s a great chance to amaze relatives with your tablescaping design abilities!

It’s one of those times when the entire family gets together.

A chance to see how cute and “creative” your cousin’s two youngest boys are. . .

And to see how all the other adorable children have grown in to “delightful” teenagers.

A chance for some male bonding over football. . .

And some “girl talk” over coffee and desserts.

But. . .the best part of Thanksgiving is knowing that you do  not need to wake up at the crack of dawn on Friday to hit the malls for Holiday Savings.  Nope. . . no tug-of-war over bargains, standing in long lines for checkout or  searching for your car by clicking the remote key.  

Instead - sleep until 9:00 AM, slip on your fuzzy robe -  grab a cup of coffee, your laptop and head over to www.karensugarmandesigns.com  

Join us for the  Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sale to feast your eyes on some amazing jewelry for every gal on your holiday list. . . or maybe even a little something for yourself!

Sale begins on Thanksgiving Day and runs through Midnight (EST) Monday, November 29th.

From Room Jewelry to Real Jewelry - Gray and Gold

Via Fauxology

Carolina Herrera Dress - My Favorite Designer

I have always been enamored with all the little details that make a room take on a distinct personality.  Space planning is fun, but really just a necessity to keep us from bumping into objects - selecting gorgeous sofas, rugs and tables are inspiring and a delightful exercise too.  However, for me, nothing could surpass the delight of spending hours selecting beautiful lighting, mirrors and the just perfect passementerie for draperies - the details are what give a room it’s persona.  I always associated the selection of these minute details like adding just the perfect jewelry for a room.

Elle Decor

My Chippy Antique Italian Chandelier - I recently added new candle sleeves and shades.  Arizona heat/sun really damages the fabric on lampshades.

In between bouts of creating new jewelry designs for the holidays, I have also been very focused on finding the larger decorative accessories for my now 18 month Kitchen/Family Room renovation. Recently, I became very fixated on one of my favorite antiques acquired long ago - a gray and gold-gilded Italian chandelier that sits over the Breakfast table. There is something so soothing and elegant about the dusty gray color combined with the 24K gold-leaf accents in this chippy painted chandelier.

Devon Bracelet - Rough Cut Rutilated Quartz Nuggets and Luxe Gray Moonstone Briolettes 

My first attempt at combining the elements of gray and gold resulted in the Devon Bracelet.  I loved the juxtaposition of the chunky golden needle-embedded beads mixed with the oversized gray moonstone briolettes and deliciously detailed 24k gold vermeil feature beads.  Oddly enough, this bracelet sold about four days after listing to an interior designer from Boston.

Darla Bracelet - Round Rutilated Quartz Beads and Gray Moonstone Briolettes

Darla Bracelet - Gold Needle-Embedded Rutilated Quartz 

Staring at this chandelier combination - I was reminded of the gorgeous but smaller round rutilated quartz beads still left and waiting from a previous project as well as the recently acquired luxe gray moonstone briolettes. The combination of the more delicate golden needle-embedded beads mixed with the oversized gray moonstone and gorgeous detailed 24k gold vermeil feature beads have a more traditional and formal persona when compared to the earlier Devon Bracelet.  Who knows. . .maybe the Darla Bracelet will also find a home with an interior designer.