The Great Jack O' Lantern Blaze

We are fortunate to have the phenomenal Jack O'Lantern Blaze, a night-time walk-through experience showcasing over 4,000 intricately carved lit pumpkins located in the Hudson Valley on the grounds of Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson, NY. A couple of years ago I took the kids and one of my sisters to the show. These tickets are sold out very quickly and hundreds were turned away last year.

The first four pictures are from the Hudson Valley website. With music and sound effects setting the scene, thousands of people enjoy this unparalleled experience. The range of designs carved into these pumpkins is quite astounding - dinosaurs, abstract designs, skeletons, birds, an aquarium, pirates, a cemetery and so on can be seen in themed areas such as Egypt, Greece, Jurassic Park, Undersea Aquarium and Pirates Cove.

  

The following pics are from my iphone taken so they are not of a good quality but they certainly give you an idea of the skill level and creativity of those responsible for putting together this show. The pumpkins are scooped, carved and lit by more than 1,000 volunteers. 

Some of the pumpkins are real and some are "art pumpkins" but they are each individually carved and can weigh anywhere from 5 to 50 pounds! Carving of the art pumpkins begins in the month of June and the real ones need to be replaced several times during the run of the show which is on for about 5 weeks. It takes 15 to 20 volunteers to light the pumkins each night of the show starting about 3 hours before it opens.

The lighting, the music, the crowds, all contribute to a highly charged halloween experience which is not to be missed. If you are ever visiting the NYC or even the tri-state area in the month of October area The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze is a must but tickets should be purchased in advance to avoid disappointment. A jaw-dropping experience which, although now part considered a fall festival, truly does "pay tribute to Halloween and Sleepy Hollow Country"!

For pumpkin recipes, a downloadable template and tips on carving, go here.

Is this something you would enjoy? Do you  have a similar experience where you live? I would love to hear about it.

If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.

Lisa

 

Mantle Items and Sources

This post was due to be published on Friday but I had internet connectivity issues, therefore the delay. Here are the details and sources of the decorative pieces on my mantle.

I used to have framed photographs on my mantle for many years. But recently, I thought I would try something different. The mantle updates were shared with you here last week. I wanted to share further details and sources of these pieces with you. 

The enamel flower used to lie on the coffee table (below)

but I like it upright with light against it which allows one to appreciate the details. This was purchased at a local housewares/gift store, La Dentelliere, with a gift card I was given. It is on a plastic plate stand. This is a picture at night with just the wall sconces switched on. What I love is that it does not rest on the mantle itself but because it juts off the ledge it adds dimension to the vignette.

Here it is during the day. It's almost like it is blooming, now that it is upright.

The milkglass compote was purchased a while ago on Etsy. It is a unique piece and I although I love the utilitarian aspect of it I appreciate it more as a decorative item with its "Old Quilt" pattern and empty!

This silver leaf chair was picked up at a store in Manhattan many years ago. Unfortunately, I cannot recall the store but it cost us something between $10-$15 and all those years ago it was possibly one of our first decorative accessories (small but perfect for a studio apartment). This adorable vintage brass cricket box was one of my more recent purchases from the Cottage & Vine shop on Etsy. Last week I shared some of the other precious items available at René's shop here. I like experimenting with the effects of the silver and gold color combination.

I liked the relief work on this cross which I picked up from a local Treasure Island which subsequently closed some years ago.

Next I placed the teal/turquoise/yellow handblown Maltese vase from the '70s which I purchased from  1001 Vintage. It contributes this sea-like coloration to my living room in its new color scheme. I shared items from 1001 Vintage with you here. Moving on to the stunning red/deep orange/amber vintage carafe with a ship embossed on both sides, another purchase from Cottage & Vine. This piece was so unique and stunning, I had to have it. The graduated tint is one of its attractive features. I like that it is an unusual item for a mantle and in terms of its color, too, it draws attention to the space.

The crystal votive was purchased at a Papyrus store a few years ago. These make great hostess gifts but I had to keep one (or two) for myself. I love the sparkle. I have a flameless candle placed inside it ready for use.

The sconces were purchased in a hurry from a local light store (in the midst of construction when we uncovered hidden wiring for sconces) and the raw silk mini shades were from Home Depot Expo (which closed a couple of years ago). And then there is the solo pumpkin, reminding us that it is Fall.

So there you have it. An eclectic mix of styles, colors, and metals without it being too busy. I added the milk glass piece to balance the other items and to tie the vignette to the (white) mantle. Make sense? Do you think I should paint the cross?

I am thinking about adding a natural, organic piece if I can find one..perhaps something from my backyard. I shall have to look. I thought about adding height to some of the items but that is where the decals and sconces come into play, extending the vignette while drawing the eye upward. I might add more to the decal pattern but I like it so far. I do not think that a mantle has to have too many large or tall items on it as long as there is one (the flower) but again, there are no rules.

I know some of you have commented on these items in my previous mantle post but please do not hesitate to leave another; I am always thrilled to read your thoughts and any feedback is always appreciated.

I would like to thank Tina, of The Enchanted Home, for graciously honoring me with the Versatile Blogger Award. Most of you are probably familiar with Tina's captivating blog as she walks us through the construction of her fabulous dream house with all the stunning details. If you have not visited her blog yet do stop by - you will be awestruck. This is the third time I have received this award and each time this has been an affirmation that my attempt at blogging - I had never read a blog or knew what one was before May of this year - is being appreciated. Thank you, Tina! Even though I have yet to check out the other recipients (and I will certainly do so this week) I know I must be in great company.

If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.

Lisa

A Modern Day Hotel as Stunning as the Taj Mahal

I came across pictures of this hotel owned by the Oberoi Group in India, published some years ago in Architectural Digest. The architects found it a challenge to develop this hotel so close to the Taj Mahal (which was completed in 1648). The design is overall modified traditional with an infusion of Asian elements.

Torches illuminate the forecourt.

A Mughal-style dome dominates the lobby. It was painted with cobalt-blue pigment and then gilded. The lobby was designed as a frame to the Taj.

The elegant tea lounge boasts imposing arched windows (again, with a spectacular view)  and beaten brass walls. Cotton-and-silk and silk brocade upholstery on Indian-made furniture.

A mix of European and Asian furniture pieces as well as a 19th-century tapestry furnishes this suite. I like the pops of turquoise in this otherwise neutral-colored room.

Unparalleled views once more. Teak armoire, Burmese bone inlay table and Indian bed and bed linen in this guest room. Take note of the beautiful rug and stunning turquoise chairs. Such a comfortable room.

Sandstone walkways are illuminated by onyx wall lights in this pool area.

images via Architectural Digest/ photos Erhard Pfeiffer

Magnificent pictures, don't you think? So grand yet so peaceful and calming. I think with the Taj Mahal always in the background, in such close proximity, there must be a sense of being in the presence of history and greatness. Did you like the mix of furniture? Did you notice some of the area rugs? Did you like any particular architectural details?

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If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.

Lisa

The Dining Room

The formal dining room is a generous size - 14'  x 16.5'. Unfortunately, we use it infrequently. The plan is to make some changes. But first, let me share some pictures of the room with you. The colors on the wall were carried through from the living room (Benjamin Moore's Dill Pickle below chair rail and Dark Linen above). The dining table can seat up to ten comfortably. We bought a beautiful table and 8 chairs. Subsequently we bought a breakfront some years later. It was a floor sample and was quite discounted and gorgeous so we grabbed it. It houses a lot of my blue-and-white china and other special pieces.

This is the view from the family room. I love the French doors. This (family room) part of the house used to be an enclosed porch before we extended the back of the house. Till a few months ago I had an old 11 ft x 9 ft rug underneath - a "bachelor" rug purchased (not by me) before I was married; it was used in three different living rooms including the one in this house. I decided I like the openness of the room without a rug (for now, anyway).

It took me a while to decide on a chandelier - this was ten years ago..my first time picking one out for personal use. I loved this particular one because of the shape and warm glow through the tinted frosted glass sconces. A few Christmases ago, while decorating the house for the season, I decided to string a couple of random strings of pearls I had lying in the boxes. It lends a more elegant feel to the chandelier and is something unexpected. The pearls have never been removed.

I am waiting to remove/re-hang some artwork in other rooms so you see some stacked against the wall. Like I said, this room is used infrequently. You can see through to the living room.

This built-in I truly appreciate because it is original to this 72-year-old colonial. Unfortunately, the doors do not shut completely and on occasion, the one at the top opens after a lot of arm strength has been applied - sometimes I need help to do that. Well, that is part of the character, I suppose! I currently have three sets of curtains hanging by this 6ft. wide window - for color, texture and pattern. I was trying out the look one day and I really liked it. And these silhouette shades I had installed in the living room, too.

The carpet recently removed and waiting to be given away. I thought I could use it in the finished attic but have now decided against it.



This picture was taken on a dark and rainy day. 

View of my photo gallery in the kitchen. This French door is a swing door. The original door used to be a swing door with no view through to the other room which, in my opinion, was an accident waiting to happen, therefore I replaced it. So much better.

This is a marvellous space with so much potential. I want to use it more. I have a plan for the dining room, some of which I hope to get done before the holidays, time permitting. I will share the plant with you soon shortly.

In your opinion, do you think a dining room must have an area rug? I think it depends on various factors - the rug, the table, the space - there is no rule.

If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.

Lisa

Vintage Shopping at Cottage & Vine

Many of you should be familiar with Cottage & Vine, one of my favorite blogs to visit. René is a talented decorator and always has an interesting post on her blog, sharing many decor-related ideas as well as introducing her readers to other blogs. Over the summer, not long after discovering her blog, I visited her shop on Etsy, also named Cottage & Vine which she began as a result of her love for old things. All the vintage items are hand-picked by René, herself. Here are a handful of items that would add special interest to any room in your home, whether you would like to add to a growing collection of interesting plates, are looking for a unique brass decorative piece or are looking to start a milk glass collection, perhaps.

Pair of Vintage Brass Swans

Vintage Glass Dog Paperweight

Vintage Jade Green Planter

Vintage Porsgrund Spoon Rest

Vintage Patriotic Plate

Vintage Hand-Painted Leaf Platter

Vintage Hanging Book Rack

Vintage Brass Box

Vintage Milk Glass Egg Shaped Bowl

Vintage Swedish Pitcher by Upsala Ekeby

The brass swans are quite adorable and the planter has a stunning color. I am thinking I might want to add the spoon rest to my growing collection of blue-and-white china. The hanging book rack would be perfect in a kid's bedroom or playroom. And yes, the leaf platter captures the colors of the season but I could see it in use the whole year through. Do you have any favorites? If you have not already, hop on over to the Cottage and Vine shop on Etsy, you never know what you might find. This week I shall share with you some of my own Cottage & Vine purchases which I am enjoying very much.

Please Note: I have not been compensated in any way by the owner of this shop. The views and opinions expressed in this post are solely mine and are based on my experience with the shop and on my purchase of products.

 

If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.

Lisa