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Holiday House NYC 2012 :: My Faves

In it’s fifth year, Holiday House  is a holiday-themed designer showhouse benefiting The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Twenty-seven top-tier interior designers were asked to decorate a room around any holiday theme (many non-traditional such as “everyday’s a holiday”). Over the course of several months, the designers transformed the masionary-like mansion at Two East 63rd Street on the Upper East Side of  New York City. From modern to traditional, each room has a look and feel of it’s own, yet all are so chic. I’ve pulled a few of my favorite images:

Holiday House Ally Coulter Bar Vignette

Designed by Ally Coulter

Holiday House Dineen Architecture + DesignDesigned by Dineen Architecture + Design

Holiday House Donald Schermerhorn DesignDesigned by Donald Schermerhorn

 Holiday House Suzanne Eason DesignDesigned by Suzanne Eason

Holiday House Charlotte Moss DeskDesigned by Charlotte Moss

Holiday House Robyn Karp DesignDesigned by  Robyn Karp

Tobi Fairley Design Black, White & Pink Sitting RoomDesigned by Tobi Fairley

Holiday House Vincente Wolf DesignDesigned by Vincente Wolf

For those of you in the New York area, the Holiday House is open for touring now through Sunday, November 25th.

*photo credits: Rikki Snyder via Houzz

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Read full story By on November 14, 2012 in Bedroom, charity, furniture, interior design, Interiors, Living Room, living rooms, mantels, office/study, textiles, wallpaper

San Francisco Chronicle: Stylemaker Spotlight

turquoise horse artwork
One of my New Year’s resolutions is to stay “unplugged” on Sundays. However, yesterday was too tempting. Although I didn’t blog, tweet or pin, I did log in to see an article the San Francisco Chronicle wrote about me. The article by special contributor, Anh-Minh Le {who is also the editor of Anthology Magazine} , talks about a few of my favorite items, one of which is my Grandmother’s oil painting above, and includes my “cheat sheet” for a beautiful, functional home.
cristin priest photo san francisco chronicle
I am so flattered to be selected for the spotlight. The printed version of the article includes a very large photo of me {smaller scale above}. When I arrived at the photo shoot, I remember panicking when Russell Yip {the photographer} told me that it was going to be full-length and nearly eight inches tall in print. I felt awkward taking the shot, but think in the end it turned out! 
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Read full story By on January 16, 2012 in blog, mantels, original artwork, simplified bee portfolio

Nature Inspired Christmas Mantel

Pinecones and trees, vintage touches and an adorable Christmas village. This year’s holiday mantel was inspired by nature and trips to Lake Tahoe this past summer. I had a head start because the pinecone garland was handmade back in September for a mantel that was featured in Emily Henderson’s Holiday Guide.
christmas_mantel_monochromatic_pineconespinecone_garland_christmas_mantel

christmas_mantel_pinecone_wreath

christmas_village_white_lit_housesbird_stockings_green_blue_holiday
I was hesitant , but my kids thought that the “village” needed Santa’s sleigh soaring over it. So made a silhouette of Santa, his sleigh and those famous flying reindeer. I’m not crazy about how it turned out, but they love it and that’s what matters.
silhouette_santa_sleigh_christmas
Resources: stockings by Thomas Paul, pinecone wreath from Target {vintage angel ornament added by me}, white lit houses from Red Envelope, bottle brush and wooden trees from West Elm, vintage glitter reindeer from Etsy {needed to be touched up with more glitter!} and lucite tray from Dabney Lee.
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Read full story By on December 7, 2011 in Christmas, holiday decor, mantels, simplified bee portfolio, vintage

Our Elegant {and even glamorous} Christmas Mantel

elegant chic christmas mantel decor
Last year our holiday mantel was decorated asymmetrical with lots of color, vintage ornaments and traditional fir & pine garland. As you can see, this year’s Christmas mantel is symmetrical, monochromatic and frankly more elegant. The Lee Industry arm chairs in chartreuse flanking the fireplace inspired the mantel’s color palette of greens and whites with splashes of gold and silver.
  
chic mini trees christmas mantel design
A trio of etched mercury cachepots from Pottery Barn are filled with crisp white feathers and playful white winter berries. A small collection of vintage and contemporary Christmas trees are set just off center and each pick up different colors in the palette {actually used these cuties last year}.
white silver green christmas mantel decor simplified bee
For a more formal look, a pair of small live fir trees are placed on either side of the mantel. Each tree is set in beautiful birch wrapped tins – this earthy element balances the sparkling silvers and glass and adds a warming neutral color that compliment the winter berries. Matching blown glass mercury candlesticks {Pottery Barn} hold chunky white candles and are placed next to each tree. The entire mantel is lined with fresh Heather and Camilla tree branches – love the varying textures and shades of green.
white winter berries snowman christmas mantel
Perched on a small present, a silvery white snowman ornament adds a whimsical touch.
silver green christmas mantel decor
Simple, low-maintenance moss balls are placed on a silver “trophies” picked up at an estate sale. I was told they were originally used to place cigarettes. Really? They look much better in this form I think.
metallic glass ornament wreath diy silver gold
Hanging from the hammered tin mirror is a glass ornament wreath inspired by Eddie Ross’ in 2008. This was a fun DIY project and easy to do. The glass ornaments are a combination of ones found at an estate sale {vintage for $1} and Goodwill {$1 for two dozen – brand new}. Here is the how to by Eddie.
chic christmas horse decor and stockings
A proud white ceramic horse stands stately atop vintage Lucite nesting tables and favorite design books. It’s fun to take everyday home décor items like this and make them holiday ready by simply adding a little festive ribbon and tinsel. A chic Moroccan inspired print fabric is added to crushed avocado green velvet stockings. The pair are hang from a single panel fireplace  screen – love how the patterns in the screen and stocking play off one another. Swags of silver tinsel are added to the mantel for a touch of glam.
Need some more inspiration? Go here are fabulous ideas on how to decorate your mantel for the holidays.

Happy Decorating, Happy Holidays!


* all photos by Cristin Priest for Simplified Bee
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Read full story By on November 30, 2010 in Christmas, DIY, Holiday, holiday decor, home accessories, mantels, simplified bee portfolio