‘On the Table’

Decorating tables as well as doors for hospitality with exquisite style.

Article begins on Page 70

To learn how to make this featured door and many others, visit our Blog.

Many of our newsletter subscribers and Traditional Home readers have asked for instructions on how to make our Mother’s Day Pearls of Wisdom door decoration. Readers, look no further! Here they are:

MATERIALS
• 8 x 10 Piece of Paper
• Scissors
• Wide Ribbon
• Large, Black Felt Pen or Paint Pen
• Clear Packaging Tape

DIRECTIONS:

1. In your own handwriting, write the most memorable advice your mother
and/or grandmother has given you over the years.
2. Place the piece of paper in the frame and secure the back.
3. Cut a length of ribbon appx. two feet long.
4. Using clear packaging tape, fasten one end of the ribbon to one side of
the frame then, creating a V shape, secure the other end of the ribbon to
the opposite side of the frame.
5. Hang the frame on the door.

This versatile door decoration can be used for a myriad of celebrations including graduation, birthdays, homecomings or just because. Enjoy!

Clockwise from top-left: A spiritual adornment mounted above a residential door in India / Tanis buying a traditional Indian door decoration from Kaizer on the Coluba Causeway / A vibrant peacock feather door decoration / Tanis and long-time friend Noelle with a lovely group of students they met in Mumbai.

Top: Catherine and our merry band of girlfriends. Bottom: A beautiful Thai door set as outdoor decor.

This Valentine’s Day, spread a little love on your front gate. A bouquet of red and pink roses adorned with a festive pink ribbon are a quick and easy way to say, “Happy Valentine’s Day” to your friends and neighbors.

Our dear friend, Mary Anne, had quite an exciting start to her new year - the long anticipated arrival of twin baby girls! Catherine and I crafted these two baby booties, one for each girl, to celebrate the start of their lovely new family. Congratulations Mary Anne!

We have had a great response to our butler banning cell phones door decoration found in the March 2010 issue of Traditional Home. Many of you have written in asking where you might be able to get a butler of your very own. Ours was custom made by Pasadena artist Trevor Takahashi. You can reach him by e-mail at: Trevor.Takahashi@gmail.com

‘On the Table’
Decorating tables as well as doors for hospitality with exquisite style.

Article begins on Page 48

This featured door was custom made for Door Couture by Trevor Takahashi (Trevor.Takahashi@gmail.com)

Seeds: Sac Native Sees Potential in Door Décor

[Tanis] McGregor returned to her roots this week for a get-together at the Carmichael home of her sister, Katie Brown. She spoke to about 40 women connected with Jesuit High School about Door Couture, a business that McGregor started with Los Angeles interior designer Catherine Bailly Dunne.

For full article, click here.

‘On the Table’
Decorating tables as well as doors for hospitality with exquisite style.

Article begins on Page 38

To learn how to make this featured door and many others, visit our Collections page.

‘On the Table’
Decorating tables as well as doors for hospitality with exquisite style.

Article begins on Page 72

To learn how to make this featured door and many others, visit our Collections page.

For a fun themed party or those breezy Autumn nights, whimsical door stops can serve to compliment your door decoration or add a some character all on their own. The Foot in the Door door stop (top, left) would be great for a girls only cocktail party ($9.50 / spoonsisters.com). The Banana Stopper ($28.00 / momastore.org), Key Door Stop ($9.99 / perpetualkid.com) or Jack Door Stop ($15.00 / cspost.com) can be used to compliment the theme of a child’s party.

Click below for more door stops…

Unique fabric stops go from elegant, like the Fabric Door Stop up top ($56.00, grahamandgreen.co.uk) to playful, like this Candy Stripe Dog ($64.00, fairwindonline.com).

The Sitting Bunny Door Wedge and the Bird Door Wedge ($49.95 each / both at kaccents.com) above are cast iron stops that are sturdier than their plastic and fabric counterparts above. They’re a perfect fit for heavier doors or more traditionally decorated homes.

Our door decorations are designed to celebrate special occasions and to share with friends and neighbors - but let’s not forget the basics. A beautiful door decoration looks best when it complements an already tidy front door. Let’s get back to front door basics.

1. Keep it nice and tidy. Be sure to regularly sweep your doorstep and clean up cobwebs that may have collected under the eaves, around planters or in any corners.

2. Give it a fresh coat. Think about the last time you painted your front door. You might be surprised to learn what a difference a fresh coat of paint will make. Does the color of your door still work for you? If not, maybe it’s time to re-think your front door and get creative!

3. Make your hardware shine. Consider hardware the bells and whistles of your front door. Regardless of finish, your hardware should be clean and tarnish free. Dust, clean and polish regularly.

4. Let there be light. The warm glow of a front porch is always inviting. As with your hardware, be sure your light fixtures are clean and shiny. Also make sure your light bulbs are in good working order.

5. Check the hinges. The squeaky hinge should get the grease. Nothing is more distracting than a loud creak when welcoming guests. An easy fix, whip out the WD40 and put a stop to it!

Be sure to refer to this quick and easy checklist with the turn of every season. While you may not have to address everything on the list, paying attention to each item frequently will make your door decoration the center of attention!