{holiday inspiration: gold flatware}

... after a weekend spent on cozy velvet cushions in front of the fireplace, dinner reservations and shopping, and a countryside dinner party on sunday evening {homemade french onion soup and chicken & bacon pies} things are beginning to feel wonderfully festive . . . and since have been on the topic of tabletop inspiration, could not think of anything more beautiful for the holidays than gold flatware {although must confess, adore gold any time of year}, and am positively smitten with the italian-made brushed gold linea ice oro five piece setting {above} and the insanely elegant and ultra-stylish midas golden cutlery set {below} from the conran shop . . .




{p.s.} the fun & festive napkin holders were created from strings of sequins & paillettes wrapped around styrofoam spheres

{image: 1 - gretel via apartment therapy; 2 - iphone photo by this is glamorous, photography by pia ulin for martha stewart living december 2010}

{stylist: lotta agaton, stockholm, sweden}

. . . nearly always more drawn to crown molding and paneled and gilded walls, pools of silk and tufted velvet, floral wallpaper and warm herringbone floors than stark modernity, that is, unless the rooms have been touched by the work of swedish stylish lotta agaton, whose trailing vines in metallic pots and elegant bouquets of white roses add a luxe charm and an unmistakable air of warmth and romance . . .

{images: photography by pia ulin, styling by lotta agaton for elle interiör}

{a dreamy + languid light}

. . . caught up in the romance of the lace and ruffles, the layers and layers of tulle and delicately elegant polka dots -- and most of all, the hazy and languorous light . . .

{p.s.} more summer whites here & here

{image: photography by pia ulin via busy being fabulous}