Erin Lane Blog

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

   

I use the words Hollywood Regency, Chinoiserie, and Mid-Century Modern at least 20 times a day. People sometimes look at me cross-eyed when I throw these terms around. Doesn't everyone know? I'm such a sucker for design I simply can't get enough of design magazines, blogs, and images of luxurious well designed interiors. One of my favorite things to do is take my 10 year old son to Barnes and Noble, get a coffee at the cafe, and pick up every single design magazine known to man and go to town.

I thought it would be a great idea to create a series on this blog to actually delve a bit deeper into these iconic, classic design styles so I could help our customers learn about design, learn about what they like, and how to communicate that. So Design 101 is born...First Class is my favorite: Hollywood Regency.

When I hear Hollywood Regency the first thing that pops into my head is GLAM. Elements of Hollywood Regency are banana leaves, any color lacquer, brass, pineapples, bright colors, bar carts, stripes, leopard & luxury. If you want WOW factor go with Hollywood Regency.

Hollywood Regency was born in the glitzy 30's. Iconic designers like Dorothy Draper & William "Billy" Haines would encourage their customers in show business to go bold & glamorous with their home decor.

So how do you get this look you ask? Lacquer everything. Hollywood Regency is about shimmer and details and rich fabrics. Adornments on lamp shades and window treatments. Luxurious rugs, brass bar carts and chinoiserie coffee tables. No spartan or minimalist decor here. Here are a few of my favorite examples.

Photo Credit: Michel Arnaud

The Greenbrier Hotel, Decorated by Dorothy Draper, Newly Decorated by Carlton Varney

Photo Credit: Zach DeSart

Kitchen by Celerie Kimble

[caption id="attachment_3105" align="aligncenter" width="600"] The High Style of Dorothy Draper exhibition. Museum of the City of New York rotunda shown. Rose pattern painted by muralist based on Draper's "Manor Rose" fabric and wallpaper. Draper's "Manor Rose" featured 4 inch wide roses. We increased the scale of the roses to approx. 36 inches wide.
Reproduction furniture was displayed only in the rotunda.[/caption]

Photo Credit: Architectural Digest

via: Lonny Mag

Photo Credit: Patrick Cline

via: Etsy

via: Etsy

via: Lonny Mag

I picked a few of our favorite Hollywood Regency pieces to give you some ideas.

 

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You can view our whole collection here:

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