Southern Color

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had started to write a Mardi Gras post about New Orleans style, but winter storms and snowy weather derailed my plans. It is now Ash Wednesday - the first day of Lent. As I look out the window at a blanket of white, I think many of us could use a dash of color - Southern-style. <a href="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/architecture/new-design-talents/2013/melissa-miles-rufty-interior-designer-profile" target="_blank">Architectural Digest</a> listed New Orleans decorator Melissa Miles Rufty (<a href="http://www.mmrinteriors.com/" target="_blank">MMR Interiors</a>) as "one to watch" in 2013. " 'Southerners are all about history and a sense of place, of where you come from,' the South Carolina native [told <i>AD</i>], adding that her goal is to create interiors whose components 'don’t look like they all arrived the same day.' Hospitality and comfort are part of the package." Take a look . . . </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNOry05F_rXJIRiuHMhqmaNSlWdSKwM1msoymwWTD5D0d3PIkQpWe5UXfUsXy3CEYHrSW5eFOcwYlIjw04FLY5c9W3_0_rPhyphenhyphenZaenEoMXDB-vJnPGxhZa115AIqszL93CFQofVAoVvRw/s1600/cn_image.size.melissa-miles-rufty-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNOry05F_rXJIRiuHMhqmaNSlWdSKwM1msoymwWTD5D0d3PIkQpWe5UXfUsXy3CEYHrSW5eFOcwYlIjw04FLY5c9W3_0_rPhyphenhyphenZaenEoMXDB-vJnPGxhZa115AIqszL93CFQofVAoVvRw/s1600/cn_image.size.melissa-miles-rufty-02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Melissa Miles Rufty's lively New Orleans living room. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo courtesy of <a href="http://www.mmrinteriors.com/" target="_blank">MMR Interiors</a> via <i>Architectural Digest</i>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/architecture/new-design-talents/2013/melissa-miles-rufty-interior-designer-profile" target="_blank">Melissa Miles Rufty</a>" text by Mitchell Owens.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/" target="_blank">Architectural Digest</a> (January 2013).</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnvMiNirqtmLhd0rcdqPwBi0aYjj1H83TFZ2ALVQVG15A-EeYGb9ybZRBgHIN7BnPjxXMuy095BD8XMV4jm9KLqY3oFOaLcz05h2FTiz0zuYzLPNdlVCDXwZmhuVBOg7tXgP0pHcCIxY/s1600/cn_image_0.size.melissa-miles-rufty-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnvMiNirqtmLhd0rcdqPwBi0aYjj1H83TFZ2ALVQVG15A-EeYGb9ybZRBgHIN7BnPjxXMuy095BD8XMV4jm9KLqY3oFOaLcz05h2FTiz0zuYzLPNdlVCDXwZmhuVBOg7tXgP0pHcCIxY/s1600/cn_image_0.size.melissa-miles-rufty-03.jpg" width="492" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A detail of a cottage interior Melissa Miles Rufty designed in Louisiana. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo courtesy of <a href="http://www.mmrinteriors.com/" target="_blank">MMR Interiors</a> via <i>Architectural Digest</i>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/architecture/new-design-talents/2013/melissa-miles-rufty-interior-designer-profile" target="_blank">Melissa Miles Rufty</a>" text by Mitchell Owens.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/" target="_blank">Architectural Digest</a> (January 2013).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObc84ihQbwHADn0h4_CSsv91l_H5y1vTszhor9H1oB4nK141yMwH_Xzb-FLoQFmNacC4stwJrb6BG7UYZRIYWzUdGgdUPmfhG468SaewuNVwis8br8MfFfEidjtu0Oj5eUXvc_QysNUo/s1600/54bfaf10d17be_-_hbx-romantic-bedroom-gold-1010-rufty05-lgn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObc84ihQbwHADn0h4_CSsv91l_H5y1vTszhor9H1oB4nK141yMwH_Xzb-FLoQFmNacC4stwJrb6BG7UYZRIYWzUdGgdUPmfhG468SaewuNVwis8br8MfFfEidjtu0Oj5eUXvc_QysNUo/s1600/54bfaf10d17be_-_hbx-romantic-bedroom-gold-1010-rufty05-lgn.jpg" width="556" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The master bedroom's feminine mystique starts with something old: an antique headboard Rufty found at Bush Antiques just after graduating from Tulane. 'It's so New Orleans, so sexy,' she says. 'I imagine it's from some French hotel.' Bed linens reminiscent of Old Paris porcelains are by Leontine Linens </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[Applique Grace Border with Embroidered Addison Monogram]."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Melissa Miles Rufty, <a href="http://www.mmrinteriors.com/" target="_blank">MMR Interiors</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Francesco Lagnese.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/house-tours/g950/romantic-decorating-melissa-rufty-1010/?slide=1" target="_blank">A Romantic Victorian Home in New Orleans</a>"</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a> (October 2010).</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QXtgdJ6skRQotuZrvk1ZR5g0lulUsiob8-pQMMH3MLTfya-YcY_luWew5AIDrVM7yhh5Td6FSOw5-VmGWjhEgtNizApCsyucYC4VTRO3FzpD5SO95WoIpqROEgy5MCKlMxZZ8HcjJZA/s1600/nrm_1423257221-hbx1010143f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QXtgdJ6skRQotuZrvk1ZR5g0lulUsiob8-pQMMH3MLTfya-YcY_luWew5AIDrVM7yhh5Td6FSOw5-VmGWjhEgtNizApCsyucYC4VTRO3FzpD5SO95WoIpqROEgy5MCKlMxZZ8HcjJZA/s1600/nrm_1423257221-hbx1010143f.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"In a girl's bedroom, a pink scribble painting by Amanda Talley."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Melissa Miles Rufty, <a href="http://www.mmrinteriors.com/" target="_blank">MMR Interiors</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Francesco Lagnese.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/house-tours/g950/romantic-decorating-melissa-rufty-1010/?slide=2" target="_blank">A Romantic Victorian Home in New Orleans</a>"</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(October 2010).</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6n0t9P1elIZRg233G3s0CxmWJqitEU38LCCZ6_xukbprlBDvBn4xScd9yujsXU4-b2PECptRRMoVqrYVIXJLzmgLK8t0T-EbiP23ToEeMGgkmRiIJefxuSlyUiAfrl-070OFiLlUVgYM/s1600/54bfaf0fc687f_-_hbx-rufty-crystal-chandelier-dining-02-1010-de-95328574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6n0t9P1elIZRg233G3s0CxmWJqitEU38LCCZ6_xukbprlBDvBn4xScd9yujsXU4-b2PECptRRMoVqrYVIXJLzmgLK8t0T-EbiP23ToEeMGgkmRiIJefxuSlyUiAfrl-070OFiLlUVgYM/s1600/54bfaf0fc687f_-_hbx-rufty-crystal-chandelier-dining-02-1010-de-95328574.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Rufty made the dining room's dramatically overscale mirror with an antique overdoor and mirrored squares of old glass. The centerpiece on her grandmother's 18th-century mahogany table is a tulipière from Dunn and Sonnier. Chairs from Karla Katz Antiques."</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Melissa Miles Rufty, <a href="http://www.mmrinteriors.com/" target="_blank">MMR Interiors</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Francesco Lagnese.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/house-tours/g950/romantic-decorating-melissa-rufty-1010/?slide=3" target="_blank">A Romantic Victorian Home in New Orleans</a>"</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(October 2010).</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is a closer view of the tulipiere (which was pictured in a <i>Southern Living</i> article):</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLMHGhznmzqA87Y6bFz67GIFF5Cf0FtxNeo8rScgc6ZIPVuHoiMZVrq50gAnsvEhfi6vHGoaXXrXQ4FFtgVrckNPovtsRHvxv8EqbW8Cp185il7xag2UEj3PFS6Op-B5T5TsK1Hyfiz4/s1600/showpiece-l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLMHGhznmzqA87Y6bFz67GIFF5Cf0FtxNeo8rScgc6ZIPVuHoiMZVrq50gAnsvEhfi6vHGoaXXrXQ4FFtgVrckNPovtsRHvxv8EqbW8Cp185il7xag2UEj3PFS6Op-B5T5TsK1Hyfiz4/s1600/showpiece-l.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Tuck stems of roses, succulents, pepper berry, and eucalyptus into the holes of an 18th-century glazed ceramic French brazier for a dramatic cascading effect."</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Melissa Miles Rufty, </span><a href="http://www.mmrinteriors.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">MMR Interiors</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Laurey W. Glenn.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.southernliving.com/food/holidays-occasions/gracious-thanksgiving-table-setting" target="_blank">Big Easy Style Thanksgiving Table</a>"</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.southernliving.com/" target="_blank">Southern Living</a>.</span></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivO1AzNbNcy4uxLGBlQvuSrp1HaLkEjnCFoT6Y74bPWULCAoQ6vM92KVjq6TVInqoZg8rpyQ0gYQkUyDu_2SQs7e4r97SA7WiRHaca_TJWC6bdTtzmNdZKOrJuyV6aa1BQiytiodZh1fQ/s1600/54bfaf12b3d26_-_hbx-rufty-entrance-dancer-painting-dog-01-1010-de.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivO1AzNbNcy4uxLGBlQvuSrp1HaLkEjnCFoT6Y74bPWULCAoQ6vM92KVjq6TVInqoZg8rpyQ0gYQkUyDu_2SQs7e4r97SA7WiRHaca_TJWC6bdTtzmNdZKOrJuyV6aa1BQiytiodZh1fQ/s1600/54bfaf12b3d26_-_hbx-rufty-entrance-dancer-painting-dog-01-1010-de.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">" 'Decorating should exude a sense of place,' says designer Melissa Rufty. She commissioned painter Rose Casterline to depict the local New Orleans bar scene for her dining room. The damask wallpaper — Schumacher's Brighton —'adds to the sexy atmosphere.' Satchmo, a Shih Tzu, guards a wine closet holding a collection of antique Cognac Rufty inherited from her father."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Melissa Miles Rufty, <a href="http://www.mmrinteriors.com/" target="_blank">MMR Interiors</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Francesco Lagnese.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/house-tours/g950/romantic-decorating-melissa-rufty-1010/?slide=4" target="_blank">A Romantic Victorian Home in New Orleans</a>"</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a> (October 2010).</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwfbDhapANEncmLBGsVu_swSCzgfBBwHnj4ZVc1UBLeonMuoWQjmnxSPqgD4lLXVUYsm43pNC3HrN5CUr_s6KRdwySeX9xyPL66KTl_mg4m-BOxKGoGUveVKNDGaqMuwqmZq5PVAajgM/s1600/54c1435a72510_-_hbx-awkward-corner-couch-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwfbDhapANEncmLBGsVu_swSCzgfBBwHnj4ZVc1UBLeonMuoWQjmnxSPqgD4lLXVUYsm43pNC3HrN5CUr_s6KRdwySeX9xyPL66KTl_mg4m-BOxKGoGUveVKNDGaqMuwqmZq5PVAajgM/s1600/54c1435a72510_-_hbx-awkward-corner-couch-3.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"An awkward space underneath the foyer's stairway became a surprisingly cozy nook once Rufty added a velvet banquette and a vintage faux-bamboo coffee table."</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Melissa Miles Rufty, <a href="http://www.mmrinteriors.com/" target="_blank">MMR Interiors</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Francesco Lagnese.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/house-tours/g950/romantic-decorating-melissa-rufty-1010/?slide=5" target="_blank">A Romantic Victorian Home in New Orleans</a>"</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a> (October 2010).</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNV-dPD24DcBBHWKhKhgS3zS61F_ciAf79HXxz3lQwti3uiDX4GWaNeMk9wjmnS0MXaYL77C7xereH-Mrp0nAgLEvbkWdytrGnbdMhNZdK_Vl_adIKRO0_zo1jmn6M7udRGUnfrnQTZfs/s1600/HB_NOLA_Rufty_014066_-_lo_res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNV-dPD24DcBBHWKhKhgS3zS61F_ciAf79HXxz3lQwti3uiDX4GWaNeMk9wjmnS0MXaYL77C7xereH-Mrp0nAgLEvbkWdytrGnbdMhNZdK_Vl_adIKRO0_zo1jmn6M7udRGUnfrnQTZfs/s1600/HB_NOLA_Rufty_014066_-_lo_res.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The family room may look adult and formal, but child-friendly tricks are hidden throughout. The sofa and club chairs are covered in Inside the Lines, a Perennials outdoor fabric that looks like wide-wale corduroy and feels like velvet. Clarence House's Velours Tigre Soie on the ottoman gains patina whenever Rufty's daughters plop down on it in wet swimsuits. A patterned rug hides spills. The eccentric oak leaf-shaped chair was an eBay score; Rufty re-covered it in Rogers and Goffigon's Somerset, with embroidery by Villa Savoia."</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Melissa Miles Rufty, <a href="http://www.mmrinteriors.com/" target="_blank">MMR Interiors</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Francesco Lagnese.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/house-tours/g950/romantic-decorating-melissa-rufty-1010/?slide=6" target="_blank">A Romantic Victorian Home in New Orleans</a>"</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a> (October 2010).</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi832jheWGfiMloPhOm1WipSME-z4pXf-M4b0fF9gYaJaXGaWjFWX5_RQbGv8IeiJ7jUaZ9CB7uddvAbeSsBKEuh04yUvOJ4ptx0xUY2D82ckgoELGMp8YStc_0W7xhyq0a6Mg0hoNEqTo/s1600/54bfaf1037312_-_hbx-rufty-green-plates-dining-05-1010-xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi832jheWGfiMloPhOm1WipSME-z4pXf-M4b0fF9gYaJaXGaWjFWX5_RQbGv8IeiJ7jUaZ9CB7uddvAbeSsBKEuh04yUvOJ4ptx0xUY2D82ckgoELGMp8YStc_0W7xhyq0a6Mg0hoNEqTo/s1600/54bfaf1037312_-_hbx-rufty-green-plates-dining-05-1010-xl.jpg" width="312" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Rufty inherited her antique dessert service from her mother."</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Melissa Miles Rufty, <a href="http://www.mmrinteriors.com/" target="_blank">MMR Interiors</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Francesco Lagnese.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/house-tours/g950/romantic-decorating-melissa-rufty-1010/?slide=7" target="_blank">A Romantic Victorian Home in New Orleans</a>"</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a> (October 2010).</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBBcrLL3Ii449jH_aH6NFAZWLfb0Wd1T8Voq6APbBsthg4rEwC29J94XQWIBVi2NRv_rUiBDXEqRte8og_eczk97JGMKrIOVNLEBf0L9yDvEcF7x9ZcnCMPK8dTS8hIm9c2N7tv8TrFo/s1600/54bfaf1005cc2_-_hbx-rufty-exterior-white-classic-home-07-1010-de-20723099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBBcrLL3Ii449jH_aH6NFAZWLfb0Wd1T8Voq6APbBsthg4rEwC29J94XQWIBVi2NRv_rUiBDXEqRte8og_eczk97JGMKrIOVNLEBf0L9yDvEcF7x9ZcnCMPK8dTS8hIm9c2N7tv8TrFo/s1600/54bfaf1005cc2_-_hbx-rufty-exterior-white-classic-home-07-1010-de-20723099.jpg" width="312" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The generous porch is classic New Orleans."</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Melissa Miles Rufty, <a href="http://www.mmrinteriors.com/" target="_blank">MMR Interiors</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Francesco Lagnese.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/house-tours/g950/romantic-decorating-melissa-rufty-1010/?slide=8" target="_blank">A Romantic Victorian Home in New Orleans</a>"</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a> (October 2010).</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_g-X8QFXurBzgHKTeNyg9kywGH2N3IgXj3e-CE8APiTJ8Lo5F72MCQEikmfQIDuomnlBO78ZTccE_8oBg8uCDtXnZd-BVfqCbgTUwGMfa5fQ0fTQX76fvb-FF4biKJfxwmhz8UBWf7U/s1600/54bfaf0f8f029_-_hbx-rufty-candle-chandelier-08-1010-de-51752903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_g-X8QFXurBzgHKTeNyg9kywGH2N3IgXj3e-CE8APiTJ8Lo5F72MCQEikmfQIDuomnlBO78ZTccE_8oBg8uCDtXnZd-BVfqCbgTUwGMfa5fQ0fTQX76fvb-FF4biKJfxwmhz8UBWf7U/s1600/54bfaf0f8f029_-_hbx-rufty-candle-chandelier-08-1010-de-51752903.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"In the breakfast room, David Knox's photos of tobacco fields and farmhouses are a biographical touch — Rufty and her husband are from the Carolinas."</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Melissa Miles Rufty, <a href="http://www.mmrinteriors.com/" target="_blank">MMR Interiors</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Francesco Lagnese.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/house-tours/g950/romantic-decorating-melissa-rufty-1010/?slide=9" target="_blank">A Romantic Victorian Home in New Orleans</a>"</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a> (October 2010).</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdm9JzbKN-35fOV_45fQdzNi5tnrUki3gUTEBBBADJiMF-y-_Qab6qeSJBn9AJYXaJ3Fn27-eHXcjkaKl9gbgDCA4kAhBesClqPHnuFHZySDa_v9h8HEEdoyUhpmG-B68LYbQ24XWNpEw/s1600/54bfaf1247629_-_hbx-rufty-tortoise-shell-plant-10-1010-de-41821996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdm9JzbKN-35fOV_45fQdzNi5tnrUki3gUTEBBBADJiMF-y-_Qab6qeSJBn9AJYXaJ3Fn27-eHXcjkaKl9gbgDCA4kAhBesClqPHnuFHZySDa_v9h8HEEdoyUhpmG-B68LYbQ24XWNpEw/s1600/54bfaf1247629_-_hbx-rufty-tortoise-shell-plant-10-1010-de-41821996.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"A sun-bleached tortoiseshell from Dunn and Sonnier melts into walls lacquered Benjamin Moore's Sepia Tan."</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Melissa Miles Rufty, <a href="http://www.mmrinteriors.com/" target="_blank">MMR Interiors</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Francesco Lagnese.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/house-tours/g950/romantic-decorating-melissa-rufty-1010/?slide=10" target="_blank">A Romantic Victorian Home in New Orleans</a>"</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a> (October 2010).</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZF34eeL4eBrdzuRZmJCqlR1c_V9EbQ_qHjT-QPbNm1tdZVrOet3xFmkUlyJQeB8vXZBEaHPHgfYPaB1_v0xNEGeISi3RaOEzdjXRfoYTCLgk0GSf0Ht8eQ8a3FNUeUZ-8gz7klGOdXU/s1600/178b4269b7ffaa703c86ce27c4ee75ca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZF34eeL4eBrdzuRZmJCqlR1c_V9EbQ_qHjT-QPbNm1tdZVrOet3xFmkUlyJQeB8vXZBEaHPHgfYPaB1_v0xNEGeISi3RaOEzdjXRfoYTCLgk0GSf0Ht8eQ8a3FNUeUZ-8gz7klGOdXU/s1600/178b4269b7ffaa703c86ce27c4ee75ca.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"To wake up the living room, Rufty covered her grandmother's Adam armchairs in Dedar's ikat. Lithographs were hung below a pair of sconces, shaking up notions of how high art should be: 'Europeans stack art high and low. To me, low is endearing.' "</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Melissa Miles Rufty, <a href="http://www.mmrinteriors.com/" target="_blank">MMR Interiors</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Francesco Lagnese.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/house-tours/g950/romantic-decorating-melissa-rufty-1010/?slide=11" target="_blank">A Romantic Victorian Home in New Orleans</a>"</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a> (October 2010).</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjn5rhdnfNZmH8Qu8V8d39Qyyi5ELn-ct4rhl0nFa7df51gj0H7oXbSXIvIR5wmnnUHnHnnAW-O8mAuvO2iJ4507_mibAXUASdAGt8BoEe5CpGykRXpJXw7t7cnLpxcu_FpjYeZdPNis/s1600/54bfaf117a98e_-_hbx-rufty-recliner-beige-painting-09-1010-de-12452216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjn5rhdnfNZmH8Qu8V8d39Qyyi5ELn-ct4rhl0nFa7df51gj0H7oXbSXIvIR5wmnnUHnHnnAW-O8mAuvO2iJ4507_mibAXUASdAGt8BoEe5CpGykRXpJXw7t7cnLpxcu_FpjYeZdPNis/s1600/54bfaf117a98e_-_hbx-rufty-recliner-beige-painting-09-1010-de-12452216.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A gilt daybed with Nobilis's Velours Kimono pillows.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Melissa Miles Rufty, <a href="http://www.mmrinteriors.com/" target="_blank">MMR Interiors</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Francesco Lagnese.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/house-tours/g950/romantic-decorating-melissa-rufty-1010/?slide=12" target="_blank">A Romantic Victorian Home in New Orleans</a>"</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a> (October 2010).</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIykpr35SaMKAPM_F6DjNAT_eHQ3CQfno4l_MH2Zr0szXOIkG678XdEb5dlLZxWQV97YF0QPMfCXgxIXx3QwexjDuy1pP_cn-Avxuft1NoqTf9x88pzNyc64urGqdLbUQFqVGx_oXbuU/s1600/54bfaf12892aa_-_hbx-rufty-twin-beds-kids-room-12-1010-de-84389767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIykpr35SaMKAPM_F6DjNAT_eHQ3CQfno4l_MH2Zr0szXOIkG678XdEb5dlLZxWQV97YF0QPMfCXgxIXx3QwexjDuy1pP_cn-Avxuft1NoqTf9x88pzNyc64urGqdLbUQFqVGx_oXbuU/s1600/54bfaf12892aa_-_hbx-rufty-twin-beds-kids-room-12-1010-de-84389767.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">" 'I love wallpaper,' Rufty says, 'and this one has endured. It's Asha by Osborne and Little, and it was the backdrop for a sweet pink nursery until the room was reinvented as a kicky preteen's room. Fun wallpaper is also a great deterrent to the dreaded poster collection!' To give twin beds height and pizzazz, Rufty made bed curtains and bed skirts in a favorite fabric, Osborne and Little's Showboat. The shade is AGA Reverse by China Seas. Marine desk chair by H Studio; Parsons desk from West Elm."</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Melissa Miles Rufty, <a href="http://www.mmrinteriors.com/" target="_blank">MMR Interiors</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Francesco Lagnese.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/house-tours/g950/romantic-decorating-melissa-rufty-1010/?slide=13" target="_blank">A Romantic Victorian Home in New Orleans</a>"</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a> (October 2010).</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Jo5pUX83hCxg2r8AZecvt05oemEj_aaJknyxgwA18vDtEw8TEcX-1kvs6PuU9A4PePp5uP6fndg88_D_yHFRPLmASWzUdSoomYfGquQGKaMKMJfEbf-aQahDZBQXhy8fDCBq2JxiGP8/s1600/Lilys_Bedroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Jo5pUX83hCxg2r8AZecvt05oemEj_aaJknyxgwA18vDtEw8TEcX-1kvs6PuU9A4PePp5uP6fndg88_D_yHFRPLmASWzUdSoomYfGquQGKaMKMJfEbf-aQahDZBQXhy8fDCBq2JxiGP8/s1600/Lilys_Bedroom.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Applique Maxwell Monogram - Leontine Linens.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Melissa Miles Rufty, <a href="http://www.mmrinteriors.com/" target="_blank">MMR Interiors</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.leontinelinens.com/index.php/look_at_my_leontine/mmr_interiors" target="_blank">Photo</a> via Leontine Linens website.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“If you begin with your client as inspiration, your design will always be open-minded and varied,” Melissa says [<a href="http://www.mmrinteriors.com/about" target="_blank">here</a>]. "Her work is relaxed and chic but never trendy. She takes great care in layering rooms with interesting color combinations, comfortable furniture, and hand-picked accessories. Most important, she maintains, 'My job is not done unless the client’s personality greets you at the door.' ”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsS87nfUr4aE-vWEwFZbsVdeSLWvyJuTJ1qz2AMCgoQlhVWlKQNwqnCbzYQ1jIe0f2CPxuMpicdyVIigwFFtEBmL6WfIXlT2Dc8CCGyQ0MyQW_mz4O0wYM8WG-gdqM2oo3Ri-JZS0qQk/s1600/3-Hallway-V.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsS87nfUr4aE-vWEwFZbsVdeSLWvyJuTJ1qz2AMCgoQlhVWlKQNwqnCbzYQ1jIe0f2CPxuMpicdyVIigwFFtEBmL6WfIXlT2Dc8CCGyQ0MyQW_mz4O0wYM8WG-gdqM2oo3Ri-JZS0qQk/s1600/3-Hallway-V.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Melissa Miles Rufty, <a href="http://www.mmrinteriors.com/" target="_blank">MMR Interiors</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo via MMR website.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7YoKy4w4rzZONtnZ6zY_yrwhl25TRp6nz1Y3zT9DFFxd9vQ_qQu4hRv3oVpvEZHzTP3QL7_h8XAjMW7M4n6DBnDNLzfRGPofFPygo0Z9YVehY767CTPEjqMhuyyYfm0LVNLkF532_v0/s1600/13-NY-Entrance-H.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7YoKy4w4rzZONtnZ6zY_yrwhl25TRp6nz1Y3zT9DFFxd9vQ_qQu4hRv3oVpvEZHzTP3QL7_h8XAjMW7M4n6DBnDNLzfRGPofFPygo0Z9YVehY767CTPEjqMhuyyYfm0LVNLkF532_v0/s1600/13-NY-Entrance-H.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Melissa Miles Rufty, <a href="http://www.mmrinteriors.com/" target="_blank">MMR Interiors</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo via MMR website.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19kf3g5VvwNZUxOJzkXUVW-3Z3sXlxWb9d31UJigFAKldXIRrfY3kU9ZF8AkDrJwvhzOX0277slvcQg9NomEkknbiHpViZxMzRy6FyOpXjOxHcqEz7RHN-oVa7ixOaWWU8vaUt9CqYig/s1600/34-Sally_fireplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19kf3g5VvwNZUxOJzkXUVW-3Z3sXlxWb9d31UJigFAKldXIRrfY3kU9ZF8AkDrJwvhzOX0277slvcQg9NomEkknbiHpViZxMzRy6FyOpXjOxHcqEz7RHN-oVa7ixOaWWU8vaUt9CqYig/s1600/34-Sally_fireplace.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Melissa Miles Rufty, <a href="http://www.mmrinteriors.com/" target="_blank">MMR Interiors</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo via MMR website.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwwJJZzjkEkFyCYaIYhJ1tHj_P_sbN-DQTsIzi_LIsdAKr85TVf8Fklq6XT7GWiXW-_NJzH0xHaV80-wEJBHpTx5EbYfLwOmvfecA2VgTtP90Q_1HRRZKpuU5l0eRBgxtA00j-im1b2E/s1600/33-Currence_LR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwwJJZzjkEkFyCYaIYhJ1tHj_P_sbN-DQTsIzi_LIsdAKr85TVf8Fklq6XT7GWiXW-_NJzH0xHaV80-wEJBHpTx5EbYfLwOmvfecA2VgTtP90Q_1HRRZKpuU5l0eRBgxtA00j-im1b2E/s1600/33-Currence_LR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Melissa Miles Rufty, <a href="http://www.mmrinteriors.com/" target="_blank">MMR Interiors</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo via MMR website.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVryv1xAclQanCb-eDXqwkLpaETDhEqc2BLAdCb_jspjbwqx4QY6GQYGQpJ8TxXHlhendOlyPj9ycxIrUNpLsBvfTd0R3j37-3V__kez1q4IdME1-HYeMEZ7vVnBPPyLSPHpmEOY3r4w/s1600/14-Desk-V.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVryv1xAclQanCb-eDXqwkLpaETDhEqc2BLAdCb_jspjbwqx4QY6GQYGQpJ8TxXHlhendOlyPj9ycxIrUNpLsBvfTd0R3j37-3V__kez1q4IdME1-HYeMEZ7vVnBPPyLSPHpmEOY3r4w/s1600/14-Desk-V.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Melissa Miles Rufty, <a href="http://www.mmrinteriors.com/" target="_blank">MMR Interiors</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo via MMR website.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtYodbBXCHHg4ZKliMYddRcGHklPbG5BDBKLJu4hR7__QF8wMhBs26EKeW_bQgT8vma1-7iRblFBsWp-pw2A2J-9W94FTloZ9w3gamjvY_2Pqxrev78n6gtdnq4udL90UsDTDog9vi80/s1600/21-Kitchen-Dining-V.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtYodbBXCHHg4ZKliMYddRcGHklPbG5BDBKLJu4hR7__QF8wMhBs26EKeW_bQgT8vma1-7iRblFBsWp-pw2A2J-9W94FTloZ9w3gamjvY_2Pqxrev78n6gtdnq4udL90UsDTDog9vi80/s1600/21-Kitchen-Dining-V.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Melissa Miles Rufty, <a href="http://www.mmrinteriors.com/" target="_blank">MMR Interiors</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo via MMR website.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwl3NARukyxFTeMWYzUv1ULppYz5CyCRrlD91gi7r1RXApBbkfhCnnDlo2_ymwJrVGqYO0fqQOndwA6euS3urMJmWnyJT1etv3W0ozCUdvRQMoY7N4VUGKMoCDdJcrZL5yuiHYCS1weUc/s1600/2da7624c0d72be52915df1d2bb4df66d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwl3NARukyxFTeMWYzUv1ULppYz5CyCRrlD91gi7r1RXApBbkfhCnnDlo2_ymwJrVGqYO0fqQOndwA6euS3urMJmWnyJT1etv3W0ozCUdvRQMoY7N4VUGKMoCDdJcrZL5yuiHYCS1weUc/s1600/2da7624c0d72be52915df1d2bb4df66d.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Penelope monogram by <a href="http://www.leontinelinens.com/" target="_blank">Leontine Linens</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Design by Melissa Miles Rufty, <a href="http://www.mmrinteriors.com/projects" target="_blank">MMR Interiors</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/32932641000243696/" target="_blank">Photo</a> via Pinterest.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />

Southern Color

I had started to write a Mardi Gras post about New Orleans style, but winter storms and snowy weather derailed my plans. It is now Ash Wedne...

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When Your Own Initials Are . . .

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bottegaveneta.com/us/collection/women/bottega-veneta-initials_grd51" target="_blank">Bottega Veneta</a> is responsible for the phrase "When Your Own Initials Are Enough," and I thought initials - specifically monograms - would be a good topic for Mother's Day (Sunday, May 11). Some of us have been fortunate enough to receive or inherit monogrammed silver or linens from our mothers, grandmothers, mothers-in-law or grandmothers-in-law. Monograms, which are especially popular here in the South, offer a creative way to celebrate your family. You can feature your initials in so many styles and colors - in a large applique on a bed or as a discreet monogram sewn inside a coat. I recall staying at an in-law's house and opening the bathroom cabinet to find shelves and shelves of white towels - all bearing monograms embroidered in different thread colors. </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BBOANaJ0oe1VaDIryj7gnqkhaTUNRxZy632R_Ks9QgVYSRrHExIGihdo6KICHLyq5CpWKAlV8bjg5XsQ0BAHZ4LHesOReM0o_m2eMv4tEhGOWCevlwpDyE4jqAOakH7Dl-ul32xI3ewd/s1600/04-hbx-delcambre-monogram-napkin-0513-xln.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BBOANaJ0oe1VaDIryj7gnqkhaTUNRxZy632R_Ks9QgVYSRrHExIGihdo6KICHLyq5CpWKAlV8bjg5XsQ0BAHZ4LHesOReM0o_m2eMv4tEhGOWCevlwpDyE4jqAOakH7Dl-ul32xI3ewd/s1600/04-hbx-delcambre-monogram-napkin-0513-xln.jpg" width="556" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Truly custom — every piece is cut and sewn to order. Delcambre Monogrammed Napkin in Ocean with embroidery in Wild Pink, 22" square, <a href="http://www.leontinelinens.com/" target="_blank">Leontine Linens</a>."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography: Lara Robby/Studio D.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/shopping/best/monogrammed-linen-dinner-napkins-0513?click=img_sr#slide-4" target="_blank">4 Styles of Beautifully Monogrammed Dinner Napkins</a>"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a> (May 2013).  </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioT8cYQXU8RCgoAfzkaamtgy_VTp2QNp5Q5MjaAZYYWw3uCSCDsvefZnXZPIOc0hDtOTVP9GfeBPX1iLzqQa6ds-TbgQqZiAOLJzcCfhVuPF9OTsyTjcaOp64o0XUBfI3da7U6oOwwqa7q/s1600/e-hbx-monogram-linens-0312-masterclass1-xln.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioT8cYQXU8RCgoAfzkaamtgy_VTp2QNp5Q5MjaAZYYWw3uCSCDsvefZnXZPIOc0hDtOTVP9GfeBPX1iLzqQa6ds-TbgQqZiAOLJzcCfhVuPF9OTsyTjcaOp64o0XUBfI3da7U6oOwwqa7q/s1600/e-hbx-monogram-linens-0312-masterclass1-xln.jpg" width="556" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">" 'Jane Scott Hodges, the founder of <a href="http://www.leontinelinens.com/" target="_blank">Leontine Linens</a>, does the greatest monograms. Monogramming is an old-fashioned art, but one that ought to be kept alive forever.' " - Charlotte Moss.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography: Lara Robby/Studio D.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/interior-designers/charlotte-moss-decorates-0312?click=img_sr#slide-5" target="_blank">Master Class: Meet Designer Charlotte Moss</a>" by Shax Riegler.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a> (March 2012).</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXAqxee1rVeIUi8iuJ1eh9OOYzu07kPl-M0UrVru8bd4Spa79MQT-Dt5NqvAGQQqh6cGGXwOdojorBoXBH2jSxclRN8NVY0PcG_8VhFOqsw-AjQ8tyMjNUR8gTIl6cj4TKl8zJ9YIXAI8/s1600/ED-LEONTINE-LINENS-BOOK8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXAqxee1rVeIUi8iuJ1eh9OOYzu07kPl-M0UrVru8bd4Spa79MQT-Dt5NqvAGQQqh6cGGXwOdojorBoXBH2jSxclRN8NVY0PcG_8VhFOqsw-AjQ8tyMjNUR8gTIl6cj4TKl8zJ9YIXAI8/s1600/ED-LEONTINE-LINENS-BOOK8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"A warm invitation to dine with colorful linens, china, and flowers."</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Paul Costello from</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.rizzoliusa.com/book.php?isbn=9780847842162" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Linens: For Every Room</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by Jane Scott Hodges, founder of</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.leontinelinens.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Leontine Linens</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. (Rizzoli).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.elledecor.com/shopping/tabletop/luxe-monogrammed-napkins" target="_blank">The Personalized Touch Your Dinner Table Needs</a>" by Sarah Bray.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/" target="_blank">Elle Decor</a>. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPx-C4M2QlJ1PEI0xPRukXcXzjEk0nl-DSa4h_TWuusKpqjxXQ-8IymlaCAWsB8xWaH1sOHTlQKl2WjBSS1N43H7E_rDxRY_MfFsWtOOspNGIpmehYUImOqDYoDDbPpwubpDMns2hf_hng/s1600/ED-LEONTINE-LINENS-BOOK-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPx-C4M2QlJ1PEI0xPRukXcXzjEk0nl-DSa4h_TWuusKpqjxXQ-8IymlaCAWsB8xWaH1sOHTlQKl2WjBSS1N43H7E_rDxRY_MfFsWtOOspNGIpmehYUImOqDYoDDbPpwubpDMns2hf_hng/s1600/ED-LEONTINE-LINENS-BOOK-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"A batik tablecloth in warm jewel tones is accented with a turquoise version of Leontine's Addison monogram." </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ph</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">otography by Paul Costello from</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.rizzoliusa.com/book.php?isbn=9780847842162" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Linens: For Every Room</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by Jane Scott Hodges, founder of</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.leontinelinens.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Leontine Linens</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. (Rizzoli).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.elledecor.com/shopping/tabletop/luxe-monogrammed-napkins" target="_blank">The Personalized Touch Your Dinner Table Needs</a>" by Sarah Bray.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/" target="_blank">Elle Decor</a>. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwwvBABh7a-bfd4730ZatWJE18TpxS_zM4Va-FKnSEgPbZdc4kVlzKxU-PJfrTIlb6yvYyRTG5wYN4LU4dB10X0-0h2bG3DhojQ8jxyL1mN21Z75ZoBO1XV7jGQkOibLWTkAfP79XmDXG/s1600/102206389_w_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwwvBABh7a-bfd4730ZatWJE18TpxS_zM4Va-FKnSEgPbZdc4kVlzKxU-PJfrTIlb6yvYyRTG5wYN4LU4dB10X0-0h2bG3DhojQ8jxyL1mN21Z75ZoBO1XV7jGQkOibLWTkAfP79XmDXG/s1600/102206389_w_1.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Silver monogrammed flatware is from Christofle, which designed Penny and her husband’s monogram when they married. That design is also engraved on mint julep cups used for water, an idea she borrowed from her wedding in Paris.'We use that monogram on everything, from our linens to our stationery,' she says. As formal French table etiquette dictates, flatware faces downward. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Manhattan apartment of designer Penny Drue Baird. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Design by Penny Drue Baird.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by John Bessler.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Written by Krissa Rossbund.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/food-entertaining/great-gatherings/saint-tropez-inspired-dinner?page=6" target="_blank">Saint-Tropez-Inspired Dinner</a>" produced by Erin Swift.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/" target="_blank">Traditional Home</a>. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWH9jurjKQ74qOiDH1ZczBA_EKtOXjzVt-CVmUieSwN5WkkSTsNCvVsxJP5eLbTp1k2fwnQ8LxE2-e5rkZrN-P1Tlxz6c2ETcWy1cBR0CrxxHMtStE-cOjvINl75o1jAkK8Xd8LjwEaAm/s1600/102206406_w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWH9jurjKQ74qOiDH1ZczBA_EKtOXjzVt-CVmUieSwN5WkkSTsNCvVsxJP5eLbTp1k2fwnQ8LxE2-e5rkZrN-P1Tlxz6c2ETcWy1cBR0CrxxHMtStE-cOjvINl75o1jAkK8Xd8LjwEaAm/s1600/102206406_w.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Vintage printed linens from Hermès enhance Royal Copenhagen’s hand-painted superstar pattern “Flora Danica.”  Penny discovered the pierced pottery chargers years ago in Provence and bought them in two colors."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Manhattan apartment of designer Penny Drue Baird. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Design by Penny Drue Baird.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by John Bessler.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Written by Krissa Rossbund.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/food-entertaining/great-gatherings/saint-tropez-inspired-dinner?page=4" target="_blank">Saint-Tropez-Inspired Dinner</a>" produced by Erin Swift.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/" target="_blank">Traditional Home</a>. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Ivheb5bq-bjACBtMtSkTnGNWmqzXRKvuHAYCdt7EugnFszGWYutkEPN6XxKDCB3G9WQJl-o-rV1JyUEt6mKvDP-bz8NZYk3tqn3us9eaxLBJTLVH1Ubx7rA7kmpmouSZg2ouNOXy-LTv/s1600/101788882_p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Ivheb5bq-bjACBtMtSkTnGNWmqzXRKvuHAYCdt7EugnFszGWYutkEPN6XxKDCB3G9WQJl-o-rV1JyUEt6mKvDP-bz8NZYk3tqn3us9eaxLBJTLVH1Ubx7rA7kmpmouSZg2ouNOXy-LTv/s1600/101788882_p.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Bright flowers freshen the blue toile wall covering from Duralee. A porthole mirror hangs above."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1890s Capitol Hill (Washington, D.C.) row house of Karen and Winfield Sealander.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Architectural and interior design by <a href="http://www.marydouglasdrysdale.com/" target="_blank">Mary Douglas Drysdale</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Ron Blunt.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/design/beautiful-homes/and-after-capitol-hill-renovation?page=21" target="_blank">Before and After: Capitol Hill Renovation</a>" written and produced by Amy Elbert.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/" target="_blank">Traditional Home</a> (March 2012). </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18yz-GK7F89cTPITqvBpQeIj03dbGee9Ea2MYw8gj6F9vi2LMuR82QNGBw3Tj_FSHvdpLLX5WU6l_hn-emOSZcDfcmoyoCsG3RphFous-7Oeiy7NcwH4hT1atmy14Ok2MbfzCBuyf-W2F/s1600/102153309crop_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18yz-GK7F89cTPITqvBpQeIj03dbGee9Ea2MYw8gj6F9vi2LMuR82QNGBw3Tj_FSHvdpLLX5WU6l_hn-emOSZcDfcmoyoCsG3RphFous-7Oeiy7NcwH4hT1atmy14Ok2MbfzCBuyf-W2F/s1600/102153309crop_0.jpg" width="516" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Dainty details, like monogrammed chair backs, lend charm to the bedroom."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1930s house in Buckhead section of Atlanta.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Will Huff and Heather Zarrett Dewberry, Huff-Dewberry, Inc. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Emily Jenkins Followill.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Written by Amy Elbert.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/design/beautiful-homes/pastel-palette-historic-home?page=13" target="_blank">Pastel Palette in an Historic Home</a>" produced by Lisa Mowry.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/" target="_blank">Traditional Home</a>.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_P2OoUozy8cvr2W9QotJFBHezQLGAauUMdcZ4xkDvlJlKsGXIhbgsCoNtDXwwKNSfnldUmYurAlYmc6nTDL_uhTJuCOGZh5Tl3-TuqR8gHT4aBORYgiXjDUqyicCORrhd7bEibF8MWtFQ/s1600/2994c037695d8a26aef75b07dd03697d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_P2OoUozy8cvr2W9QotJFBHezQLGAauUMdcZ4xkDvlJlKsGXIhbgsCoNtDXwwKNSfnldUmYurAlYmc6nTDL_uhTJuCOGZh5Tl3-TuqR8gHT4aBORYgiXjDUqyicCORrhd7bEibF8MWtFQ/s1600/2994c037695d8a26aef75b07dd03697d.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leontine linens.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Erica George Dines from <a href="http://www.rizzoliusa.com/book.php?isbn=9780847842162" target="_blank">Linens: For Every Room</a> by Jane Scott Hodges, founder of <a href="http://www.leontinelinens.com/" target="_blank">Leontine Linens</a>. (Rizzoli).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/photos/monogram-linens-trend?click=main_sr#slide-5" target="_blank">Proof That Monograms Make Everything Better</a>" by Sarah Bray.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a>.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7z8-yb-1vISmnknrY0pv_6ng7C-p83KCD-XMHOApqtPSb1_MWzn7bjBMhan93vm-ZQ3qxjAXjdMbsKR_XFVwUkvU809fMDh86qL_RYIp_yyJcFfyA-r_E0xKCHs749uimPI4oCjrxc8qj/s1600/13-hbx-antique-linen-sheet-chair-christie-1013-lgn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7z8-yb-1vISmnknrY0pv_6ng7C-p83KCD-XMHOApqtPSb1_MWzn7bjBMhan93vm-ZQ3qxjAXjdMbsKR_XFVwUkvU809fMDh86qL_RYIp_yyJcFfyA-r_E0xKCHs749uimPI4oCjrxc8qj/s1600/13-hbx-antique-linen-sheet-chair-christie-1013-lgn.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"In an upstairs bedroom, a chair is slipcovered in antique linen sheets that still bear the monograms of their original owners."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conductor William Christie's restored estate in the French countryside.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Simon Watson.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/house-pictures/french-country-interior-design-1013#slide-13" target="_blank">A 16th-Century French Countryside Estate</a>" by Melissa Biggs Bradley.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a> (October 2013).</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oINZ-EJZvb-t2JndUBk90vIhS6dDqKfCrCpFPbqVe0UG8m08dpRuKkMw3PkBJqpErkNOhIysmyQaGmcYxOdtnlg578vIW4kyzRJjsWSflmFjzN9bFEVZLBt87f-5mtSIFtM8L4aKahoN/s1600/hbx-pale-pink-walls-master-bathroom-bath-0512-murphy16-xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oINZ-EJZvb-t2JndUBk90vIhS6dDqKfCrCpFPbqVe0UG8m08dpRuKkMw3PkBJqpErkNOhIysmyQaGmcYxOdtnlg578vIW4kyzRJjsWSflmFjzN9bFEVZLBt87f-5mtSIFtM8L4aKahoN/s1600/hbx-pale-pink-walls-master-bathroom-bath-0512-murphy16-xl.jpg" width="556" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">" 'The master bath is truly feminine,' [designer Christina] Murphy says, 'a serene and pretty oasis.' Glossy pale pink walls pick up on the pale pink accents in the marble tile from Complete Tile. Tub from Wetstyle's Cube collection. [The pink monograms on the white towels relate to the pink in the window treatment, as well.]"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Interior design by Christina Murphy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Jonny Valiant.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/house-pictures/colorful-apartment-decorating-ideas?click=main_sr#slide-15" target="_blank">A Colorful Park Avenue Apartment</a>" by Emily Evans Eerdmans.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a>. </span><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQpPlo6l4QoZkqAeJuPvz2-xxgb2jxOslHEDBIg82UcMcso9A5asRvLknU5xVIgx3UIUMuxYfQNRb533H81Cb23klsZv-_nx_Jp4L_WPyk2Q78O35PzdEGmkBGdoAFEmocJ15W6r9u3X0/s1600/4fb027237eb5fc63f5adc53652b730b6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQpPlo6l4QoZkqAeJuPvz2-xxgb2jxOslHEDBIg82UcMcso9A5asRvLknU5xVIgx3UIUMuxYfQNRb533H81Cb23klsZv-_nx_Jp4L_WPyk2Q78O35PzdEGmkBGdoAFEmocJ15W6r9u3X0/s1600/4fb027237eb5fc63f5adc53652b730b6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></div><br /><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">" 'Monograms can be as discreet as a subtle, single initial on the tucked corner of a handkerchief or as bold as a twelve-inch focal point in the center of the sham,' " says Jane Scott Hodges, founder of Leontine Linens, "of the embellishment she describes as 'particularly dear to her heart.' "</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Paul Costello from <a href="http://www.rizzoliusa.com/book.php?isbn=9780847842162" target="_blank">Linens: For Every Room</a> by Jane Scott Hodges, founder of <a href="http://www.leontinelinens.com/" target="_blank">Leontine Linens</a>. (Rizzoli).</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/photos/monogram-linens-trend?click=main_sr#slide-2" target="_blank">Proof That Monograms Make Everything Better</a>" by Sarah Bray.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a>.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAitRsVRxjsuSspYN3utZH9TaDPmq-EyQiparBxKRseAQG2HG_B0Fh-p9z1v8s1Gm_oka3lvitx7y-NsOPFULjw5jjJ728UaSJ0XhGDTqgzfEtyylN4DzInyy4fDtyJz57yb0iuKoNNRH/s1600/HBX-SIGNS-YOU-DECORATE-PREPPY-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAitRsVRxjsuSspYN3utZH9TaDPmq-EyQiparBxKRseAQG2HG_B0Fh-p9z1v8s1Gm_oka3lvitx7y-NsOPFULjw5jjJ728UaSJ0XhGDTqgzfEtyylN4DzInyy4fDtyJz57yb0iuKoNNRH/s1600/HBX-SIGNS-YOU-DECORATE-PREPPY-13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/photos/preppy-decor-style?click=main_sr" target="_blank">You Know Your Decorating Style Is Preppy When . . . </a>" by Sarah Bray.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a>.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCBtCW71xLhSXTE9KmBr8cgd0GHaFiVm9pfXfvJ86GliwfQTdiHQJJ4bazwW24qeKcK788Wbow9OXpIEEwepitAJStsBBn6cR5_uRsw8f8dycubOAyTEYl8XJ8_479eCaYKo9ba44Q-ym/s1600/HBX-SIGNS-YOU-DECORATE-PREPPY-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCBtCW71xLhSXTE9KmBr8cgd0GHaFiVm9pfXfvJ86GliwfQTdiHQJJ4bazwW24qeKcK788Wbow9OXpIEEwepitAJStsBBn6cR5_uRsw8f8dycubOAyTEYl8XJ8_479eCaYKo9ba44Q-ym/s1600/HBX-SIGNS-YOU-DECORATE-PREPPY-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/photos/preppy-decor-style?click=main_sr" target="_blank">You Know Your Decorating Style Is Preppy When . . . </a>" by Sarah Bray.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3o8xvVyhU3qiBEMr8T2AHdaU8-yv2-RF9V8IZoeFhKvJU7zQ2lR6QifCB_vG986dzuaXqrdyYFfaZ3ao8alfwKEWwXw4ojdQIe3aZS_MiznN_JvvryS42vamftBpJp2Na2wEkTKbk_XDV/s1600/Christy+Ford+white+tufted+headboard+monogrammed+JVmOFVtSsVAl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3o8xvVyhU3qiBEMr8T2AHdaU8-yv2-RF9V8IZoeFhKvJU7zQ2lR6QifCB_vG986dzuaXqrdyYFfaZ3ao8alfwKEWwXw4ojdQIe3aZS_MiznN_JvvryS42vamftBpJp2Na2wEkTKbk_XDV/s1600/Christy+Ford+white+tufted+headboard+monogrammed+JVmOFVtSsVAl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.leontinelinens.com/index.php/news_press/lonny_magazine_may_2012" target="_blank">Leontine Linens</a> on the bed: "A simple white percale French case with gorgeous Frances monogram in jewel-toned shades of blue and green."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Charlottesville, Virginia, home of Christy Ford, co-founder of <a href="http://www.thescoutguide.com/" target="_blank">The Scout Guide</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Patrick Cline.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Art direction by Michelle Adams.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.lonny.com/magazine/May+2012/RsZCV3lZK7D/1#73" target="_blank">Calm, Cool and Collected</a>" written by Robert Leleux.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.lonny.com/" target="_blank">Lonny</a> (May 2012).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKc7wr62-NnpB3DgaxnbLg2PuVRU0RIgtZnbwzr3mZUXr3CqFByQVDq4p5LlYfIwnc3G33IMjDr4Dg43q86r9gHvFB_abSa9c0rkRrsLHcGMDUSZjqjCiz6tj9kOf4UXHs8kbC-tAMcGDb/s1600/11-hbx-le-manach-balmoral-niven-0514-de-extra_large_new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKc7wr62-NnpB3DgaxnbLg2PuVRU0RIgtZnbwzr3mZUXr3CqFByQVDq4p5LlYfIwnc3G33IMjDr4Dg43q86r9gHvFB_abSa9c0rkRrsLHcGMDUSZjqjCiz6tj9kOf4UXHs8kbC-tAMcGDb/s1600/11-hbx-le-manach-balmoral-niven-0514-de-extra_large_new.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"In homage to the charming all-over floral rooms in many traditional Provencal hotels, the guest room's padded walls and headboard are covered in Le Manach's Balmoral with lampshades to match. A tiger pillow leans against bed linens by Leontine Linens."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Locust Valley, New York, home of Ellen Niven and her family.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Ellen Niven.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Simon Watson.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Styled by Gregory Bissonnette.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interview by Douglas Brenner.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/house-pictures/french-style-house?click=main_sr#slide-11" target="_blank">At Home at Every Age: Building a House</a>" produced by Doretta Sperduto.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a> (May 2014).</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANjopEtMABTGYtTwpBLbIazS5oP5lO4sfT_t6QBYaCrgR5FtYYaO4noaOop4xoRu5T-zf5AZ6gET1pwhzdW-E_wYlagyYYmoxk5lIfcSjqDgVbh0-ooVsgykNir83uUJ7jOw6N7u1Aoyl/s1600/luxury-home-design-ED0909-BADGLEY30-0109-lgn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANjopEtMABTGYtTwpBLbIazS5oP5lO4sfT_t6QBYaCrgR5FtYYaO4noaOop4xoRu5T-zf5AZ6gET1pwhzdW-E_wYlagyYYmoxk5lIfcSjqDgVbh0-ooVsgykNir83uUJ7jOw6N7u1Aoyl/s1600/luxury-home-design-ED0909-BADGLEY30-0109-lgn.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The master bedroom’s bed was custom made by Shaka Studios, the sheets and coverlet are by Badgley Mischka Home, and the monogrammed shams are by Leontine Linens."</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kentucky home of Mark Badgley and James Mischka.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Roger Davies.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/at-home-badgley-mischka-58958#slide-11" target="_blank">At Home With Badgley Mischka</a>" by Julia Reed.</span><br /><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Elle Decor</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (September 2009).</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYNxf2Ig0x8OJ411ib3As2O9LzwCciBrnuD8jlWrkpYEc6aP6SYVJr-pVt7VFGCaxXXzPA-b4zkf99fGxwRblxBkwuvr8_wYbtc9L-hOXYPQt10ZXX3f3Tp5dZmIUt4j48aWplfsJLdO0/s1600/ver-ford-monogram-0111-mdn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYNxf2Ig0x8OJ411ib3As2O9LzwCciBrnuD8jlWrkpYEc6aP6SYVJr-pVt7VFGCaxXXzPA-b4zkf99fGxwRblxBkwuvr8_wYbtc9L-hOXYPQt10ZXX3f3Tp5dZmIUt4j48aWplfsJLdO0/s1600/ver-ford-monogram-0111-mdn.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Regarding monograms - Kelli: "They add such a nice, personalized touch to the bedroom—a sense of old-world elegance and luxury. You can be conservative and stick with the color scheme of the room, which is always nice, but then you can also pick out a secondary accent color that's a bit more daring. The color palette in my bedroom—the white and the beige and the taupe—is obviously very neutral, so we thought it would be exciting to bring that shade of purple into the mix."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kirsten: "Remember that you can also change out the colors with the seasons, so maybe you'd do a red or gold for the holidays and a bright yellow or green for the summer. You can change the complexion of the room by changing the colors of the monogram."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Kirsten Fitzgibbons and Kelli Ford.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Max Kim-Bee.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.veranda.com/designers-ideas/kirsten-kelli-interior-design-ideas?click=img_sr#slide-10" target="_blank">Well-Advised: Kirsten Fitzgibbons and Kelli Ford</a>" by Stephen Singerman.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.veranda.com/" target="_blank">Veranda</a>.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAO-xi9I8YfkHxJmkzyyihTDFrzMWVZqKsh-j0V-KRyh5O76Za0SiaPpHVbS046E5mQu2xz1PmJiS8oEfKbFtsjAEIMqFbId_sJiFtsiUXqplJne2XNk2_RAatijwG4PiUcg2iPOXkQktt/s1600/HBX-ELLE-DECOR-VERANDA-IKAT-PRINT-10-medium_new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAO-xi9I8YfkHxJmkzyyihTDFrzMWVZqKsh-j0V-KRyh5O76Za0SiaPpHVbS046E5mQu2xz1PmJiS8oEfKbFtsjAEIMqFbId_sJiFtsiUXqplJne2XNk2_RAatijwG4PiUcg2iPOXkQktt/s1600/HBX-ELLE-DECOR-VERANDA-IKAT-PRINT-10-medium_new.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A restrained palette of gray, raspberry, and cream balances the grandly scaled silk ikat, Nirvana from Lee Jofa, on the master bedroom's walls."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Christina Murphy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Jonny Valiant.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/house-pictures/colorful-apartment-decorating-ideas?click=main_sr#slide-13" target="_blank">A Colorful Park Avenue Apartment</a>" by Emily Evans Eerdmans.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a>. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrHjDf_wIFf3CDq5LZWYvt8vwzNXecHGOjczWNLZcYdIs2ItWUVmgmGuU3nT5f1TQOY-ANhazgQjy0CkeNinXhLmm_8n2anFHzS0UCVpNzIAg2xlB_FDBbWMCgLt2U0TU8DFPAkxZr297/s1600/6658d917825344a3760cb72d7e850f79.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrHjDf_wIFf3CDq5LZWYvt8vwzNXecHGOjczWNLZcYdIs2ItWUVmgmGuU3nT5f1TQOY-ANhazgQjy0CkeNinXhLmm_8n2anFHzS0UCVpNzIAg2xlB_FDBbWMCgLt2U0TU8DFPAkxZr297/s1600/6658d917825344a3760cb72d7e850f79.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The combination of preppy and Southwestern seems so well suited to the room, which feels very personal, very real. I love the graphic quality of the monograms, but doing your entire bed in the motif can be overkill and deeply unsexy. Go for an interesting blanket instead of a duvet or coverlet."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Paul Costello.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/home-makeovers/easy-bedroom-makeovers?click=main_sr#slide-4" target="_blank">Make(over) Your Bed with Sara Ruffin Costello</a>" produced by Sara Ruffin Costello and Ellie Somerville McNevin.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a>.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VbyP6E4AlLBrEfy13NZSgisPzeXdvzLpl1PK8p38k-qsw53bD22A3XUQ_ZKvQdsRvgSPBrx_aDVHO0HsFVOwK4H3ECNumGJruKNLEcwEMte_jLlWqLZNmlc8FeS9NMK_Eo0-Xj8v1dHc/s1600/p_102080501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VbyP6E4AlLBrEfy13NZSgisPzeXdvzLpl1PK8p38k-qsw53bD22A3XUQ_ZKvQdsRvgSPBrx_aDVHO0HsFVOwK4H3ECNumGJruKNLEcwEMte_jLlWqLZNmlc8FeS9NMK_Eo0-Xj8v1dHc/s1600/p_102080501.jpg" width="528" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The preppy monogram gets a salsa lesson from Nantucket Monogram, kicking up its spirited heels in bright colors. Casual bracelets Lulu found at a discount store serve  as napkin rings that guests can wear home."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Design by Lulu Powers.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Luca Trovato.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Written by Krissa Rossbund.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/food-entertaining/great-gatherings/great-gatherings-backyard-fiesta?page=3" target="_blank">Great Gatherings: Backyard Fiesta</a>"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/" target="_blank">Traditional Home</a>.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnli-Is6wcXUhzgXvqiGE6zEeu98OBxgUBAbxcAq3j8ryuN9wRwFDghyphenhyphen8-8cH4ng8fQzGibVzIssuJ_HQmh4096m8HTJLKZgSRQ35K8IPVKWzdtsQT83pSMz9CzJ58akNrM1nuxb2ZHwY/s1600/Ver-leotine-linens-book-ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnli-Is6wcXUhzgXvqiGE6zEeu98OBxgUBAbxcAq3j8ryuN9wRwFDghyphenhyphen8-8cH4ng8fQzGibVzIssuJ_HQmh4096m8HTJLKZgSRQ35K8IPVKWzdtsQT83pSMz9CzJ58akNrM1nuxb2ZHwY/s1600/Ver-leotine-linens-book-ed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"A monogrammed napkin coordinates with an Hermes scarf cleverly used as a table topper."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leontine Linens.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Paul Costello from <a href="http://www.rizzoliusa.com/book.php?isbn=9780847842162" target="_blank">Linens: For Every Room</a> by Jane Scott Hodges, founder of <a href="http://www.leontinelinens.com/" target="_blank">Leontine Linens</a>. (Rizzoli).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.elledecor.com/shopping/tabletop/luxe-monogrammed-napkins" target="_blank">The Personalized Touch Your Dinner Table Needs</a>" by Sarah Bray.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/" target="_blank">Elle Decor</a>. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm__DQjG6NISICjIgNoY6Bl5kE3vSFEUJfN4xqls6PWuQlnRZVbKvbP2qvNNL1wNVBireDpp5TbdvOYG7XPcoJOKWJd2sxo3Q0eptBqUhzCmTVpctbIs5Au05sjw9TXqWX9b0E67c43t0A/s1600/VER-ED-LEONTINE-LINENS-BOOK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm__DQjG6NISICjIgNoY6Bl5kE3vSFEUJfN4xqls6PWuQlnRZVbKvbP2qvNNL1wNVBireDpp5TbdvOYG7XPcoJOKWJd2sxo3Q0eptBqUhzCmTVpctbIs5Au05sjw9TXqWX9b0E67c43t0A/s1600/VER-ED-LEONTINE-LINENS-BOOK.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"An eggplant placemat is appliqued with a border of coral and paired with Leontine's Chopstick monogram for an unforgettable table bathed in color."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leontine Linens.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Paul Costello from <a href="http://www.rizzoliusa.com/book.php?isbn=9780847842162" target="_blank">Linens: For Every Room</a> by Jane Scott Hodges, founder of <a href="http://www.leontinelinens.com/" target="_blank">Leontine Linens</a>. (Rizzoli).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.elledecor.com/shopping/tabletop/luxe-monogrammed-napkins" target="_blank">The Personalized Touch Your Dinner Table Needs</a>" by Sarah Bray.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/" target="_blank">Elle Decor</a>. </span><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuTVN2b_N59HB1v6ebjVYHlrW5gJH9AWt1ddj6I7Cqnm-dmCIkGRsslGI_iNUeLVVc_cyby6O7xwXuJrrRXL0uSC701zN2t2vsZwz6PDCkc39zBB4wt8GO8AEoUEbe2_-tZ6YFHCUqgLE/s1600/img_mothersdaylg_ss7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuTVN2b_N59HB1v6ebjVYHlrW5gJH9AWt1ddj6I7Cqnm-dmCIkGRsslGI_iNUeLVVc_cyby6O7xwXuJrrRXL0uSC701zN2t2vsZwz6PDCkc39zBB4wt8GO8AEoUEbe2_-tZ6YFHCUqgLE/s1600/img_mothersdaylg_ss7.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Personalized place cards make guests feel special. Brass place-card holders by Jenny Kompolt through Maison au Naturel. Calligraphy and monogram artwork from Allison R. Banks Designs."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Party planners: Catherine Bailly Dunne and Tanis McGregor of Door Couture.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Mark Edward Harris.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/food-entertaining/great-gatherings/mothers-day-luncheon?page=6" target="_blank">Mother's Day Luncheon</a>" written by Krissa Rossbund.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/" target="_blank">Traditional Home</a>.</span></div>

When Your Own Initials Are . . .

Bottega Veneta is responsible for the phrase "When Your Own Initials Are Enough," and I thought initials - specifically monograms...

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