HOUSE OF FIFTY ideas for
inspired living
Savo r the moments this Holiday season!
issue EIGHT
november/december
2012
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ON THE COVER: Let’s start off the holiday season in colorful style! Interior designer Valorie Hart opens her home to House of Fifty readers, all dressed up and ready to celebrate the season. Photography by Sara Essex Bradley.
IN THIS ISSUE:
The holidays are the perfect time to show all the people in your life how much you truly appreciate and care for them. Each year the season seems to come around faster than the last, so slowing down to enjoy and savor the moments is the best gift you can give to yourself and others this season!
This Issue is Simply Packed with Inspiration for Enjoying this Special Season to its Fullest
From decorating and entertaining, 2
gift ideas and guides,
to holiday “dress up” favorite finds!
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR:
B
efore starting work on House of Fifty’s holiday issue, I took some time to stop and think about what I look forward to most during this time of year. What is the season truly all about? What came to mind, overshadowing thoughts of annual parties, family holiday traditions, sending out cards and finding all those “just right” gifts, were simply the days when my family is afforded the opportunity to step away from our daily routines and schedules to enjoy time with each other. These days are often filled with activities, but at other moments they can proceed at a slower pace, giving us the chance to simply
be together. And so, stripped of all the holiday “trimmings,” time to just be present with one another is what is I value most about the holidays. There is nothing better than a lazy start to the day, cooking a hearty breakfast as a family and, as the day unfolds, sharing celebrations with the people I care about most: my husband, my children, extended family and friends. Perhaps it’s a symptom of getting older, having kids who have figured out the true identity of Santa, or experiencing how the cliché that time flies quickly is a cliché for a reason. This season, the wish for my family is that we have the chance to slow down enough to enjoy these special moments in our lives, shake off a bit of the commercial craze and show those we love how much they mean to us. Mindy Lockard says it best in her article later in this issue, ‘A Gracious Guide to the Holidays.’ There she shares, “Join me in being present this season and give the gift that matters most, the gift of reaching out to those you love in a meaningful manner.” From myself and House of Fifty, here’s to having a most memorable and joyful holiday season! Sincerely,
Janell Beals, Founding Editor 3
HOUSE OF FIFTY November / December 2012
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30 10 The Team Once again, we have the best group of contributors and are so very appreciative of them!
32 30 House of Fifty’s Favorite Finds: Tree Ornaments You simply can’t have too many tree ornaments! Select several to give as gifts and add one to your own tree this season.
14 All Through the House Style maven Valorie Hart opens her holiday home to House of Fifty readers, sharing the story behind her festive and colorful décor.
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32 Winter Wreaths Nothing dresses up an entry or mantel quite like a festive wreath. See our favorites for the home and to give as gifts.
Enjoy a Preview of the Articles that Await You in this Holiday Issue!
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34 Read House of Fifty on the Go Enjoy reading the latest articles wherever you are.
40 Talent We Are Taken With: Michael Devine We are quite taken with this designer’s line of hand screened fabrics. In this story Michael shares the old world process behind this true labor of love.
56 So “Tray” Chic Gift Ideas from Michael Devine This collection of trays are made using Michael’s hand screened fabrics. Great not only as gifts but as a treat for yourself!
58 A Family Home for the Generations Linda Roberts’ tropical home embraces a touch of the holidays while welcoming multiple generations under one roof.
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74 Ready to Entertain
86 The Heart of Design
Interior Designer Beth Keim of Lucy and Company makes a couple’s wish for grown up spaces to entertain in become a reality. Read her smart tips for how to successfully work with a designer.
Kim Myles believes she has finally broken the code for how to entertain with ease... and we agree with her!
84 Ready to Entertain Gift Guide It’s the season to entertain and what host wouldn’t love the gift of a new serving piece for the next time they entertain? 6
88 Home for the Holidays Interior Designer Margot Jagger shares her tips for creating welcoming and festive homes for the holidays, along with the traditions her family enjoys the most during this season.
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106 Holiday Sugar Cookie Recipe
110 Three Simple & Tasty Holiday Gifts
Is there a more loved activity during the holidays than baking and decorating cookies? And even better is sharing a few as sweet gifts.
Add a personal touch and a bit of DIY to create memorable gifts for the teachers, hosts and co-workers in your life.
108 House of Fifty Baker’s Dozen: Baking Essentials Gift Guide
116 Traditionally Speaking
Select a few baking essentials, wrap them with a pretty ribbon and surprise the baker in your life.
Courtney Fernan shares her favorite holiday memories and asks three top bloggers to share what holiday traditions are most enjoyed in their homes year after year.
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128 Give the Gift of Art! Looking for a unique gift idea for the person who has everything? Consider the gift of art and browse our finds.
130 The Nostalgic World of Painter Janet Hill Learn the story behind the paintings of this talented artist, whose narrative work asks the reader to fill in the blanks of the story suggested through her imagery.
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144 The Allure of Perfumes & the Bottles that House Them Now more popular than ever, perfume is a desired gift to both give and receive. Learn what early perfumes are still around and the scents that are most popular today.
148 Mimi Inman’s Holiday Makeup Trends Get a holiday ready look with the help of House of Fifty’s Beauty Editor.
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150 Let Us Inspire You to Get “Fancied Up” This Holiday Season!
158 What We’re Watching: Movies with a Holiday Spirit
What says “let’s get festive” more than a cocktail dress?
160 Thrift Store Enjoy a holiday short story by Pauline Wiles.
152 It’s Said Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend... At House of Fifty We Say its Shoes! 154 A Gracious Guide to the Holidays Etiquette expert Mindy Lockard shares her tips for enjoying a most gracious holiday.
166 Are We Meant to Create Beauty? Darlene Weir explores the value of design as compared to the importance of other concerns in our daily lives.
172 Stay in Touch until Next Time! 9
THE TEAM:
HOUSE OF FIFTY
Janell Beals Founding Editor
Lakeitha Duncan New Features Editor
Mimi Inman Beauty Editor
Shari Miller Art Director
holiday
2012
Courtney Fernan A Thoughtful Place 10
Valorie Hart The Visual Vamp
Estelle Hayes Pink Moon Daily
Jennifer Jones I Heart Organizing
Mindy Lockard The Gracious Girl
Kim Myles Kim Myles
Kate Riley The Centsational Girl
Sarah Thrifty Decor Chick
To Everyone Who Contributed to this Issue,
THANK YOU FROM
House of Fifty! Darlene Weir Fieldstone Hill Design
Pauline Wiles Pauline WIles
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All Through the House Story by Valorie Hart Photography by Sara Essex Bradley
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The Nostalgic World of Painter Janet Hill Interview by Janell Beals
‘Hide and Seek’ 14
‘Grasshopper’ 15
Home FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Interior Design by Margot Jagger Design Photography by Tracey Ayton Story by Janell Beals 16
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Holiday 2012 Purchase the Entire 172 Page Digital IssueTo Read On Your Computer for $1.50
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READ THE LATEST ARTICLES WHEREVER YOU ARE ENJOY HOUSE OF FIFTY & THANK YOU!