Post-Holiday Shopping Without the Crowds? Yes, Please!

 

Let's be honest, post-holiday shopping crowds can be a drag and fighting my way through hoards of shoppers isn't exactly a relaxing start to the new year.  Thankfully, HSN.com is ready to come to our aid.  Their post-holiday, year-end clearance sale is the perfect place to find a wide assortment of last minute gifts.


While you're browsing, you can also check out my collection, Andrea Stark Home, available exclusively from HSN.  Happy shopping!

The Unexpected Table -- Mix and Match!

Hi!  Happy Happy!!

Sometimes it is the simplest things in life which can be used to dress up your table.

Don’t be afraid to experiment…use pieces that at first don’t seem right

Be Creative!!

The table has a way of coming together…

Christmas Eve is here!  Where did December go?  Possibly, you're wondering the very same thing even as you're about to spend your day baking and cooking, running last minute errands, and stowing unfinished laundry and clutter under the bed in the guest room!  Maybe you haven't had even one second to think about setting your holiday table.  Not to worry, a fabulous table can always be set -- whether you've been working on it for weeks, or are pulling it together ten minutes before your guests are due -- by adopting one simple mantra: Embrace the unexpected!!

A great table starts from using a mix of pieces… to create one amazing effect.  The table in this photo is for a dinner I hosted this month:

I started pulling out things a couple of weeks in advance. I found these beautiful aqua cabbage-shaped glass dishes on the left bank in Paris. The rich turquoise color sparkles. I love the way they look… as if they were pulled from the Caribbean waters! The serving dishes and tiered cake stand add a bright flash and the different levels give interest.

The white winter orchids are beautiful and long lasting…I again used clear vases that I found in a wholesale garden & floral store.

Don’t have enough matching china? …scour thrift stores, flea markets, and Granny's “stash”, so everyone has a different setting. That’s fun and unique and interesting!!

 

Don’t be afraid to experiment with pieces that, at first glance, may not seem compatible. Be creative and little by little, the table starts to come together like a puzzle!!

Mix your pieces!! Don’t be afraid!!

Different heights…levels…all types of china, but also one type of flower to tie your table together!!


Box stores like Loewe's or Home Depot always have orchids all winter long...some in attractive pots or in plastic that you can use in your containers....love the white ones...so easy to work with....always in my home!

Sweet Holiday Centerpieces

So excited! There is going to be snow!!  Must create a holiday table without spending a lot!!  What do I do? Winter is one of my favorite seasons to entertain …Love cold weather…spending indoor time with family, friends, and what’s better than a festive table!!  When it comes to centerpieces, fresh flowers are beautiful and timeless, but I’m always looking for ways to be creative without spending a lot of money!! How about candy!! Love sweets….wish I didn’t!  But….what do you think of this??

Dylan's Candy Bar 

www.dylanscandybar.com

1011 Third Ave, New York, NY 10021

(646) 735-0078

(Photo: newyork.metromix.com)

Don’t you love the way the licorice looks? Just like red grass around the lollipop flowers!!  The glass vases are simple, inexpensive an elegant touch to show off the candy colors. I use these vases all the time with different themes!! Good size, shape that you can use to create different ideas!  How about other candy….Like Snickers, miniature marshmallows, foiled wrapped candies??  Yummy! Yummy!  I will show you some favorite sweets, really soon!!

Enjoy!! Don’t eat too much!!

Love, Andrea

P.S. The color combos of licorice and lollypops are totally now! Remind me of my childhood trips to the dentist….

Welcome Home

The Andrea Stark Home Collection, which was recently launched on HSN, reflects my philosophy that "everybody should be able to access fabulous design -immediately!"  I am passionate about my home and creating a space that reflects my own design.  My homes are all different.  They are places that say come over, sit, eat and enjoy.   I am passionate about entertaining and interior design.  I am totally obsessed with a loving and welcoming home for family, friends and guests.

For twenty years, I have collected and catalogued every issue of Town and Country, Architectural Digest, House and Garden and House Beautiful.  I'm always flipping through my stash of magazines for ideas.  Now, I'm totally inspired by my muse of the moment...The internet.  I love to mix prepster staples, bold prints, and quirky accessories with the classics to create a bright, relaxed room that reflects vision.  In addition to creating inspirational interiors, I love to design magical, impressive dining tables and buffets, mixing found objects and whimsical details.

Your home is your oasis!  Your home is where you spend so much time.  I believe that a carpet anchors your room and connects all the elements.  From a large area rug to a small welcome mat, the carpet is the starting point.  I love sharing my ideas and experience for making the home beautiful and unique. 

I'd love to hear from you.  Please leave any thoughts, ideas, comments or questions after each post or send an email to andreastarkhome@gmail.com.  I'd love to see photos of your homes or rooms as well!

Enjoy!

Andrea Stark