Every holiday season, Brian Branton brightens our Instagram accounts with a transformation of his circa 1808 Federal row house in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia into Christmas wonderland reminiscent of a bygone era. A lobbyist in Washington, D.C., Brian enjoys paying homage to home’s roots by decorating with natural elements such as evergreen clippings from his backyard and historically inspired fruit wreaths. Having grown up in a historic home in North Carolina, Brian also enjoys incorporating traditional Southern elements such as magnolia leaves and pineapples.
The Christmas dream home has been featured in Southern Living, Country Living, The Cottage Journal and more. Let’s take a peek inside with pictures from Brian’s Instagram from this Christmas and Christmases past…
Thank you, Brian, for sharing your Christmas joy! Please follow @brianbranton on Instagram for ongoing inspiration. Merry Christmas!
It is no secret here at The Glam Pad that we are needlepoint proponents. The historic pastime has made a roaring comeback in recent years ignited by “grandmillennials” paving the way through exuberant canvas designs and youthful spirit. One such grandmillennial, Rudy Saunders, has become the poster boy for all things needlepoint. An interior designer for the esteemed Dorothy Draper & Co., Rudy has needlepointed since childhood and has garnered a vast following showcasing his needlepoint creations.
On December 11th, needlepointers of all ages and skill levels came together in Emily Eerdmans’ storied art gallery for an afternoon stitch class with the inimitable designer himself. Eager to learn from the trailblazer, needlepointers poured into superbly decorated space. A fire blazed from the fireplace (yes, a working fireplace in New York!) filling the room with warmth. Stockings hung from the mantel and chatter filled the air creating a picture-perfect holiday scene.
Rudy recently developed a line of cheeky needlepoint canvases sold exclusively through Lycette further imprinting his spirited style onto the world of stitching. From canvases with phrases such as “Maid Wanted” and “Disposable Income” to Chippendale cummerbund, Rudy’s canvases evoke laughter, prep, and a dash of naughtiness.
Each guest received a kit outfitted with all the needlepoint necessities including Rudy’s Chippendale Fretwork Key Fob. Festive drinks were poured, and the stitching began. Rudy made his way around the room relaying his expertise, sparking conversation, and forging a sense of belonging amongst a group comprised of mostly beginners. It was not long until the group began to share tips and tricks forming a distinct sense of friendship within the room.
Emily Eerdmans, founder of Eerdmans gallery and the gracious host of the afternoon soiree joined in for the excitement as well. Newly acquainted with the hobby, Emily tried her hand at the fretwork canvas as well, quickly picking up the craft after a few short pointers from Rudy.
As the afternoon drummed on and the fire began to die down, a special guest made an appearance. In walks Emily’s puppy, Pompey the pug named after the Roman general circa 106 BC. Only 19-weeks old, Mr. Pompey wowed the crowd and melted hearts.
Rudy Saunders and Emily Eerdmans, two design forces to be reckoned with, finished the bash with each guest begging for more. A chic display of skill and cross-generational mingling revealed the true power of needlepoint. With the success of the event, the two anticipate future needlepoint gatherings and collaboration. Until then we wait with bated breath!
Carla Fonts Hrncir, owner of Dallas-based Dunbar Road Design, and her team are known for creating magical, one-of-a-kind interiors, and now with the Dunbar Road Holiday Collection, you can bring some of that magic into your very own home! This season, Carla and her team translated their signature design aesthetic into a curated line of wreaths and garlands inspired by the luxury travel destinations their clients love most. Whether it be the historic charm of Charleston, the rich southern ambiance of Oxford, the gilded age coastal chic of Palm Beach, the mountainous frontier grandeur of Telluride, or the Christmas spirit of the English Essex Bay, these collections embody the true sparkle of the season.
Today we are taking a peek inside Carla’s very own home for a glimpse of each gorgeous collection!
Which collection is your favorite? It is so hard to choose! To learn more, please visit the Dunbar Road Holiday Collection and follow @dunbarroad on Instagram. You can also take a video tour here.
If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind gift for that someone special on your list, or you are looking to decorate your home for the holidays with unique and heirloom-quality treasures, Scully & Scully has sourced and curated the best of the best for eight decades. With the changing times, it is so important to support our cherished family-owned business, including America’s luxury purveyor since 1934, Scully & Scully.
Originally owned by a married antique dealer couple, it is now owned by their son, Michael Scully, who has expanded the boutique to more than twice its size over the years. Adored by international and domestic heads of state and many, many celebrities, the store is curated to perfection. Located today in its original location on Park Avenue in Manhattan, today their exquisite treasures are offered online worldwide.
Scully & Scully travels the world year-after-year in search of vendors to represent. The store showcases the highest quality of items, including an extensive selection of home accessories such as tabletop, leather goods, home decor, furniture, and collectibles such as Austrian Bronzes and Herend figurines. In fact, Scully & Scully offers the largest selection of Herend porcelain figurines in the country, including many pieces available exclusively through them. They also offer a Bridal Registry, a Tabletop Consulting Service, and a Jewelry Department.
Below are a few more of The Glam Pad’s favorites! Please note, all inventory is updated as to availability online, so look for “In Stock – Ready to Ship” if you are in a rush for Christmas… and don’t forget Scully & Scully’s complimentary gift wrap!
Herend
Scully & Scully has the largest selection in the United States.
Complimentary gift wrap makes holiday shopping a breeze!
Scully & Scully is a family owned business established in 1934 on Park Avenue in New York City. Please visit their website to shop their gracious and timeless selections, and follow @scullyandscully on Instagram for ongoing inspiration.
There are certain homes that take your breath away, and today’s home tour – located in the Glenwood neighborhood of Raleigh, North Carolina – is a perfect example. Designers Katie O’Neal and Betsy Anderson of Betsy Anderson Interiors worked with the homeowners to create a family-friendly environment that incorporates a sophisticated color palette mixed with antiques and heirlooms. The design all started with the dining room wallpaper. “It was the very first thing I saw on that presentation table when we walked into our first design-review meeting, and I immediately fell in love with it. It became the springboard for the entire first floor,” said the homeowner.
Elegantly decorated for Christmas, we are excited to take a look inside!
To learn more, please visit Betsy Anderson Interiors and follow @betsyandersoninteriors on Instagram. And stay tuned, because The Glam Pad will be featuring more work by these wonderful designers soon!
If you missed Black Friday shopping, do not fret… There is an updated list of Cyber Monday sales at the bottom of today’s post!
While compiling the sales guide for Black Friday, I noticed there were several fantastic sales on holiday china, and it made me wonder… what are your favorite patterns? We have Lenox Holiday, Spode Christmas Tree, and Bernardaud Grenadiers, which is sadly discontinued. Fortunately, you can still stock up via eBay and Replacements (Replacements is currently offering free shipping and $40 off orders of $250+). At Thanksgiving, we love His Majesty by Johnson Brothers. It was discontinued for many years, but is back this year at a great price here!
Below are inspirational images of my favorite china patterns for the holidays… Please tell us in the comments section what are yours?!
Happy Black Friday… our favorite shopping day of the year! Whether you’re shopping for yourself or tackling your Christmas list, we have culled the best sales and are sharing our favorite picks of the season. Do you have any staples you purchase on Black Friday or favorite stores to shop? We would love to see your finds as well!
For additional ideas, The Glam Pad’s annual Holiday Gift Guide, curated by over 20 of the nation’s top interior designers and purveyors of good taste… It contains every idea you could possibly need for hostess gifts, stocking stuffers, children, pets, him, her, and yourself!
Happy Shopping!
image source: a classic John Staub home in Houston, decorated for the holidays
Did you know there are neural pathways in the brain that develop in response to our thoughts and behaviors? They are created over time through repetition, and can be strengthened or weakened like a muscle. Over the summer I read “The Peace Project: a 30-Day Experiment Practicing Thankfulness, Kindness, and Mercy,” by Kay Wills Wyma (who also happens to live in my neighborhood!) The Peace Project taught me how to eliminate anxiety-producing thoughts by flooding my brain with thankfulness creating new, more positive neural pathways. The result has been nothing short of life changing.
The past two years have been full of challenges, but there is always something to be thankful for. This Thanksgiving, we give thanks for all of our many blessings and look forward to a joyous holiday season. Below are 20+ beautiful fall tablescapes that will certainly inspire any Thanksgiving celebration!
Thanksgiving is Thursday and it is officially time to get serious about holiday shopping! It has been a challenging year, so now is the time to dial up the fun and treat our friends and family to an extra special celebration full of joy. The Glam Pad is delighted to partner with Walmart to share our favorite gift ideas at every price point, along with festive holiday treats and decor that will make your home cozy and inviting this season.
