Much apologies for the lack of posts this week. I have family visiting, and I have not mastered the concept of working from home with house guests (especially when I’m having too much fun). Anyways, if you missed my 12th & Broad piece last week, here’s a chance to catch up. Enjoy lots of fun decor ideas for spring parties.
Photo via Style Me Pretty
Spring has finally sprung! And, all I want to do is throw an outdoor party. For the last few weeks Nashville has experienced warmer days, lots of sunshine and gorgeous crisp air. After the crazy winter weather we had last month, this change in season is greatly welcomed.
This weekend is Good Friday and Easter (aka Passover), and whether you celebrate the holiday or not, it’s a great time to celebrate the new season with friends and family. After being cooped up all winter, I think entertaining al fresco is a must. Dining outside is pretty much my favorite way to entertain. The atmosphere is casual, everyone is at ease and there is no rush to leave – exactly how sharing a meal with your loved ones should be.
Photo via Kinfolk and Pinterest
Below are a few décor tips on how to throw a great spring party. Instead of going with the same style, year after year, try something new. I guarantee your friends and family will appreciate the new look.
COLOR PALETTE
DON’T: Please, for the love of all that is holy, back away from the elementary hallmark pink, yellow and blue that is used every year for spring décor. Back away! Leave those childish colors to the Easter baskets.
DO: Apricot, Tangerine, Blush, Coral, Lucite Green and Sage.
These colors are fresh and flirty. Still whimsical, but modern and grown-up.
Photos via Pinterest
TABLE DÉCOR
DON’T: Since we are on the topic of childish décor, let’s leave the bunnies, baby chicks, and little lambs to the kiddos as well. There is no need for a giant plastic rabbit to ever be incorporated in your decor, nor a faux grass runner on your dining table, or cheap throw away signs that tell everyone spring has arrived. Just don’t.
DO: Keep the décor simple, fresh and let nature be your inspiration. There is no need for imitation, use the real deal and the results are timeless and beautiful. Flowers and greenery, seasonal fruit, handmade place cards, pretty linens and nice dinnerware is all you need. Simple is always better.
Photo via Burnetts Boards and Ruffled Blog
FLOWERS
DON’T: Tulips and daffodils are beautiful but they are not the only flowers growing in the spring flower bed. There are numerous varieties, in all sorts of shapes, colors and sizes. Do not limit your décor to two types of flowers because they are the poster-child of spring.
DO: Choose a sunny citrus floral arrangement with lots texture. Instead of the traditional single-variety tulip, create a mixed variety of florals in shades of dusty oranges, coral pinks and sage-greens. The colors are stunning together and will be perfect for a spring table. 
Photos via SF Girl by the Bay and Brit + Co
COCKTAILS + DESSERT
Whether you are hosting an intimate brunch or a traditional Easter lunch, always have cocktails and dessert. These two items on the menu are what make a party, well, a party. They make a lot of smiles, and they bring a festive element to the décor.
DON’T: Mimosa bars have had their fun but it’s time to try something new.
DO: Try a delicious Guava Sangria with a Touch of Sage, Honey Paloma, French 75 (similar to a mimosa, but so much better)
Photos via SB Chic, Design Love Fest and PDX Food Love
DON’T: Overly sugary sweet desserts in bright (chemically dyed) colors.
DO: Try a lightly sweetened but decadent dessert, like an orange sherbet cake, a naked strawberry shortcake or mandarin orange tea cookies.
Photos via Design Love Fest Pinterest Boards
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(Photo via Kore Nashville)
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner (I know, major eye roll). The infamous holiday that causes most people to feel lonely. The pressure to get everything perfect just to say ‘I Love You’ is nauseating. So much expectation that everyone fails.
For many years, I simply did not participate in this silly holiday. I’m not a big fan of forced affection. I’d rather be surprised by flowers on a Tuesday afternoon in March then to have a bouquet of roses on Valentines because someone said I should. But! I do love stationary and beautiful cards. A true love affair with high-quality paper goods. And this time of year, the designs are gorgeous. So, awhile back I decided to create a new tradition for Valentine’s Day. Give little notes to my friends and loved ones on V-Day to say I am so thankful to have them in my life. I no longer look at this holiday as a set-up for failure or a forced fed love fest. But a day to say thank you to my community that continually loves and supports me.
One of my favorite companies for cards and stationary is Rifle Paper Co by Anna Bond. Beautifully designed paper goods with a dash of wit. Perfect for giving to friends and family. Anna’s illustrative style comes from her deep affection of life’s personal stories and moments told through handwritten notes. Each card, each piece of paper is illustrated with incredible hand painted detail.They are tiny works of art that many collect and frame. Her signature colors of pinks, corals and deep reds are perfect for Valentine’s Day. So, get rid of all those expectations and holiday pressures, find a lovely card and give someone you love a little note.
Want to buy Rifle Paper Co locally? Kore Nashville has an excellent selection, as well as beautiful home goods, personal care and gifts. And if you don’t live in Nashville, you can shop at Rifle’s online store or you can find a small selection at your local Paper Source and Anthropologie.
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I don’t know about your Instagram feed, but mine is not chocked full of selfies and babies covered in spaghetti. I use Instagram as a design magazine, an endless source of daily inspiration. Designers, home décor products, fashion, travel, prop-styling, photography – everything I want and need in one place.
I won’t lie, I have an addiction to my IG feed. Its design porn. Yes, porn. A feast of beautifully curated photos that are downright sexy. As of late, the Nashville feeds have been at the top of my list. This city never ceases to amaze me with its incredible talent and creativity.
If you are looking for a new designer, photographer, maker or you are simply in need of new inspiration, check out these fantastic Nashville IG accounts I featured last week on 12th & Broad.
1. Pencil and Paper Co : The signature style of the Nashville couple, Benjamin and Gen Sohr, is bright whites with an unexpected kick of vibrant color. This feed is full of contrast and dazzling designs. They post design inspirations, favorite home décor products and sneak peaks of their latest projects. The dynamic duo has been featured in many design publications, like Domino Magazine and Matchbook.
2. Camellia Fiber Company : Rebekka’s feed is full of light and airy photo’s in shades of whites, grays and blush. Featuring her hand-spun yarns, gatherings with friends, baked goods and darling photo-shoots.
3 . Bleubird : Miss James is a mother of four, writer, blogger, co-founder of Mother Magazine and fantastic photographer. Her Instagram feed is all about the beauty of being a wife and mother. Gorgeous photos of giggling children, home décor, family outings and James favorite things.
4. Local Milk : Moody neutrals and delicious photos of decadent food. Beth Kirby is a talented photographer, prop-stylist and recipe developer. She is all about perfecting the art of slow living. Her feed is dark with heavy grays and always the right amount of natural light. Food prop-styling at its finest.
5. Elizabeth Suzann : Thoughtfully designed, timeless essentials created by the talented Elizabeth Suzann. White, black and tan color scheme photos in minimal high style. Elizabeth’s photos take you to the most peaceful of places. Each photo is curated to perfection, just like her stunning collections.
6. Pennyweight : Elise Joseph knows style, marketing and branding. “Curate” seems to be her middle name. She has an incredible knack to edit and know how much is just enough. A plethora of ideas and inspiration in fashion and home décor.
7. Chelsea Petaja : Hand-lettering, paper goods and a keen eye for beautiful designs. Chelsea’s Instagram feed is a breath of fresh air. Photos in shades of white with a strong point of view. She and her husband, Tec, are always traveling and every photo has you coveting their lives.
8. Tec Petaja : Tec is an extremely talented photographer, and we are so lucky to have him in our city. From Nashville weddings to exotic islands to the highest of mountains, this feed brings you on a stunning photography journey.
9. Nutrition Stripped : Delicious food and healthy? McKel Hill presents daily photos of beautifully photographed food and teaches you how to make them. A wonderful (and very pretty) guide to living whole and well.
10. Consider the Wldflwrs : Emily is a self-taught photographer, designer and maker of Consider the Wldfwers jewelry. Her feed has a delicate, romantic feel – full of dainty jewelry and floral workshops. Elegant, soft and continually fresh.
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I cannot believe it’s been a month since I last wrote a post! Much apologies friends. With the holidays, my AMAZING trip to Montreal and getting back to work in this new year, I have completely neglected Flock South. But don’t fret, I have some wonderful posts in the mix and come Monday, Flock South will be back in the saddle. In the meantime, I will be catching you up on some of my past posts I’ve written for 12th & Broad’s Style Scout.
First up, Celebrate Winter! (all photos via Pinterest)
Halloween? Check.
Thanksgiving? Check.
Christmas? Check.
New Years? Check.
January? Throw all the festive décor back into the attic, go back to the norm and wait out winter.
This is the pattern we have for every year. We celebrate our biggest holidays in one quarter, decking every hall we can find and then poof! It’s over. So much, so fast and then nothing during the grayest days of the year.
I’m depressed just thinking about this cycle. Nashville, and most of the south, is not big on winter. It’s not cold enough to get snow and not warm enough for afternoon picnics in the park. It’s just miserable enough to keep everyone inside complaining on Facebook, dreaming of warmer days.
To add to the misery, everyone strips their home of any and all holiday décor the second the clock strikes midnight on the New Year. It took us how long to get the house looking nice for the holidays? And now we are expected to just chuck it all away and wait until spring to spruce up our homes? Again, depressing!
This past week, I have been in Montreal, Quebec. Where the days are ridiculously cold and the skies are heavy with shades of gray. Winter is harsh in this city, and it’s just the beginning. And yet, the city sparkles. At a high of 8 degrees, people are out walking the streets with friends, laughing and enjoying the day. The city is lined with interactive art (Luminotherapie) to make your daily walks more enjoyable, public spaces have fire-pits and Adirondack chairs, and the homes & local establishments are decked in simple winter décor. Montreal doesn’t hunker down for the darkest days of the year, it celebrates the season with gusto.
Instead of committing to lackluster days and a sadly decorated house this winter, try something different and celebrate this time of year. Winter is about slowing down and enjoying the simple things, not hibernating. It’s about cozy fires, good books, comfort food, hot drinks spiked with spirits and evenings well spent with friends and family. So stop complaining about the cold and make the most of this season.
Here are some fun tips to make winter more enjoyable:
- Decorate your home for winter. Keep a few winter neutral items from your holiday décor out. My favorite winter items are pinecones, winter greens & berries, woodland animals, rustic décor, wool throws, sheepskin rugs and lots of candles.
- Create a winter wreath for your front door. The Wreath Recipe Book has beautiful wreath ideas for every season of the year.
- Invite friends over and have a winter cocktail party. Try the many cocktails listed from 12th & Broads How To Survive the Holidays – One Spirit at A Time. You don’t have to have a holiday to enjoy a fab drink.
- Build a bon-fire outside and roast marshmallows. Another great excuse to invite friends and family over.
- Take a class at the Skillery, Craft Course Nashville, Abrasive Media or Camellia Fiber Company at Hey Rooster General Store.
- Bundle up and have a picnic in the park. Pack a hot lunch or grab some take-out, bring a few blankets, (don’t forget the flask) and enjoy the fresh air with friends.
- Go to the many art galleries, museums and theaters this city has to offer
- Enjoy the winter menu at local restaurants, like City House, Husk, and Treehouse.
- Go to a sports game or play a little sport of your own, like bowling at Pinewood Social.
- Hike Radnor Lake, it’s beautiful in the winter.
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The table is set, the house is clean and there are delicious things cooking in the oven. And! I have enough time to write this post. How incredible is that?! A definite first. I think I am getting a hang of this whole planning/organization thing.
Today I am hosting Thanksgiving and I could not be more happy about it. I love hosting parties, but rarely do I have time. So when I can, I savor every little moment. I had so much fun decorating the table this year. I chose a new color palette, autumn colors mixed with gold, black, gray and white. A wonderful combination of modern and tradition. My favorite way to design.
I hope you all have a lovely day drinking, eating and laughing with your favorite people. Happy Thanksgiving! XO
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