Erin Lane Blog

She's your cheerleader, chef, therapist, and always makes you feel better. Treat her this year.

Prior to starting Erin Lane Estate 3 years ago I was a commercial real estate and wedding photographer. I do all the photography here at Erin Lane Estate. Our buyer Carlos will stage things for me to photograph. Last week I was given a collection of art to shoot and I was completely smitten by artist William Fellini's art. Not only are his idyllic scenes comforting and inspiring, but when you flip over the canvas there is another incredible painting en verso. We obtained about 8 pieces and I was fascinated by his story. I love when an artist re-uses his canvases. Its a 2 for 1.

He painted still-lifes, landscapes, and figures in landscapes, but for about twenty-five years he earned his living as a New York City housepainter and decorator. Though his works are colorful and robust, he never sold a painting during his lifetime. His training as a painter and decorator contributed to his skill. It was noted that Fellini was so poor he always painted on the reverse side of the canvas. Art is so personal and I'm always grateful that I get to be the "keeper" for the time being.

You can view the whole collection here.

I am a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to Easter. Growing up in Dallas my precious Grandma would take me shopping every year and buy me a new Easter dress, hat, and white patent leather shoes. Oh how we couldn't wait to wear white in the South at Easter. I do believe its those traditions that have shaped the way I love to create special memories around holidays for my family.

My Easter table always consists of the same elements with maybe a new recipe or two thrown in. I love to pull out my Easter bin full of vintage rabbits and lambs I have collected through the years. The table is set with vintage linens, tulips or daffodils, and my favorite china & silver. Holidays are special and I don't mind the extra work involved. Its a perfect time to use and display your special pieces. The menu always has an Easter ham, fresh spring asparagus, and deviled eggs.

Here are some of my favorite Pinterest inspired table settings. Are you on Pinterest? Follow us at Erin Lane Estate.

I love how The Enchanted Home puts necklaces on her vintage bunnies and uses a textured vintage linen table cloth. It makes it less stuffy than a traditional white tablecloth.

No time to decorate for Easter? Pick up some chocolate bunnies and place them in your planters Via: the Family Holiday.

Using fresh lettuce and carrots in your centerpiece is so Beatrix Potter and so adorable! Via: Romancing The Home

I make this gruyere asparagus tart every year on Easter. This dish does not travel well, eat directly from the oven. Via: Hippie Food Mom

Who doesn't love GINGHAM? All the pops of yellow are so perfect for an Easter brunch. Via: Aiken House & Garden

Easter would not be complete without something sweet and it must have malted chocolate eggs on top. Via: Blahnik Baker

Southern Living always does it just right. Chinoiserie & Easter ham 2 of my favorites. Do you see how they have different containers at varying heights? It adds so much interest to your table.

Emily Henderson is truly a design whisperer. The marble table, the gold flatware, and the gilt eggs are nothing short of perfection.

How fun would it be to give these baskets to the hostess? Via: The French Tangerine

What's your favorite Easter tradition?

Happy Easter. Love, Erin

We're having a sale...100 New Markdowns....You can check them all out here.

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Spring is my favorite time of year. Saying goodbye to gray, cold days and ushering in those stunning blue skies, warmer days, and daffodils pushing their way up to the surface.

I love to change my decor seasonally. Spring is the perfect time to add some POPS of color to your rooms and make some fun changes. Change out your throw pillows, add in a colorful rug, and hang a vibrant piece of art. It will inspire you I promise!

Cheers, Erin

See the full collection here!

Who doesn't love a fabulous wingback chair? Its as if they call to us to come and have a seat in front of the fire, perched in a room with a view, and beside it a little cocktail table with a glass of your favorite spirit and book you can't put down. Wingback chairs can be the anchors in a living room. Not only do they serve a specific purpose they are well loved by many because of the versatility of styles ranging from George II to Mid Century Modern. The wingback chair or often known as a fireside chair has that name for a reason. Those large, protruding wings were meant to protect from the cold drafts inside homes from the 1700's most often seated in front of the fireplace. Over the years we have seen changes in the wings from bat wings, butterfly wings, flat wings, and scroll wings. The legs have evolved from a curved cabriole to a more modern parson leg. I love to to modernize wingback chairs with fresh upholstery choices like vintage rugs, velvet jewel tones, and African mud cloth. We recently purchased many sets of wingback's and Gainsborough chairs from an estate in San Francisco in near perfect condition and a few in Pantone's 2016 color of the year "Rose Quartz". Check them out here.

via: Erin Lane Estate

via: anthropologie

via:lonnymag

via: stylemepretty

via: bhg

via: 1stdibs.com

via: domainehome

via: 1stdibs.com

View our full collection of Wing Back Chairs here.

   

I love a dark room with a raging fire, a glass of wine, and a good book under a warm lamp. There is something so comforting about velvets, curiosities, and dark walls all living together mysteriously & harmoniously. I love having more than one room in our homes to fit our many changing moods.

The key with this look is combining different surfaces & textures such as shiny and dull metals, natural elements like wood bowls and rocks, taxidermy, etc. Marble would pair nicely with metal and velvets. Jewel tones for colors as well as dark, charcoal walls work well together. I picked out some of my favorite moody interiors for inspiration and then picked a few pieces from Erin Lane Estate that would help create the look. All items are available in the shoppe.

via: domino

via: lonnymag

via: Style at Home

via: Queensland Homes

via: Wild birds collective

via: Belathee photography

via: Mad About the House

Erin's Picks for creating your own moody space:

Marble Bakers Table | Italian Candlesticks | Louis XV Tabouret Stool | Frederick Cooper Brass Lamp | Pair of Green Velvet Fauteuils | Primitive Kenyan Clay Pot | German Hall Chair | Vintage Steamer | Mid Century Woven Chair

One of our favorite places to visit is Sonoma, CA. Not only are they home to world renowned makers of Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, & Chardonnay they have some of the best restaurants, wineries, antique stores, and hiking trails. When I think of Sonoma I think of a magical place. Carlos and I started visiting Sonoma about 14 years ago. We would go hiking at Jack London State Park in Glen Ellen, wine taste at Chateau St. Jean, and peruse the shops at the Sonoma Square. Many businesses have changed over the years in Sonoma but the magic has stayed the same.

Our first stop in Sonoma was at Cornerstone Sonoma. This place was created for people who love gardens, art , and good food. Its an ever-changing series of walk through gardens, art installations and is home to two of my favorite antique shops Artefact Design & Salvage and Chateau Sonoma. If you go to Artefact make sure you say hello to Axel the bulldog, he's super friendly.  This is a perfect place to bring the kids and stay for hours.

This installation at Cornerstone Sonoma was created by the owner of Artefact with a nod to California's desperate need of rain. If you need inspiration this is the place to come.

Our favorite place to dine in Sonoma is Cafe Citti in Kenwood. Hands down the best calamari sandwich & chicken caesar salad on the planet. They smoke the chicken for the salad. Its cozy, delicious, affordable, and they have great Sonoma wines.

If your thirsty for some grape juice one of our favorite wineries is Chateau St. Jean & Bartholomew Park.

After all that eating, drinking, and shopping heading to Jack London State Park is a perfect way to burn off some calories and drink in the beauty. Its really hard to leave this place. Rico the Frenchie had a blast too. I love this park because you can tour some of the homes of Jack London as well as visit the ruins of his hard work. I love hearing about his exotic travels, accomplishments, and dramatic exploits. You can walk, hike, bike, horseback ride, take photos, paint, relax, and enjoy the magic.

There is no way you can visit everything Sonoma has to offer in one day. This is a 3 part series. Check back for Day 2 in Sonoma. Cheers!

Nothing is more fun than entertaining with essentials you can be proud of and that are ready for guests in a moment's notice like this Culver Barware Set: Anyone would be happy if this was under the tree on Christmas morning.

This holiday season make sure you have your bar & home stocked with the basics.

[caption id="attachment_5850" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Photo Credit: blissathome.com[/caption]

One thing I have learned over many years of entertaining during the month of December is just simply to have your fridge and pantry stocked and your house clean and festive. I use to plan these elaborate dinners and half the time people would end up sick, not show up at all, have kid emergencies, etc. and it would drive me crazy.  I would spend a month planning these events down to handwriting the place cards, buying gifts for each place setting,  pressing the linen napkins and not to mention decking my home out to the nines.

So my advice is this: Do small impromptu entertaining, its way more fun and relaxed. I will buy nice cheeses, fruits, prawns, a nice nitrate free ham, artisan rolls, and desserts and when people stop by I'm prepared. For your bar set-up get your basics: vodka, rum, whiskey, scotch, and gin as well as your basic mixers like soda water, sparkling water, juices, and some non-alcoholic options. Don't forget about your wine drinkers (that's me) and grab some nice Napa Valley Chardonnay & some reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa or even some Chilean reds which are always a big hit. Take an inventory of your barware and make sure everything is clean and polished and ready to party. Add some festive cocktail napkins and get that playlist ready. Its so enjoyable to actually be able to sit down and visit with your guests. When you have a big party you're the bartender, hostess, chef, and coat check. Make it easy on yourself this year.

[caption id="attachment_5841" align="aligncenter" width="612"] A Few Shots Around My Home[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5845" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Me second from the left enjoying my guests at a last minute holiday party.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5844" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Guests Love Bringing Things Too![/caption] [caption id="attachment_5843" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Quick and easy table set-up with a festive centerpiece of vintage balls and greenery. The bar is stocked and set-up all season for impromptu visitors.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5842" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Its fun to have a signature cocktail. Last years cocktail was a Peppermint Mocha Martini with sprinkles on the rim. Details matter and your guests will always remember those extra special touches.[/caption]

Have any great tips you'd like to add? Please comment down below.

Happy Holidays, Erin