Scandinavia – Francois et Moi

Scandinavian Holiday Home

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 13:49:55 +0000

When it comes to decking the halls, I’m a strict, no-tree-before-Thanksgiving kind of girl because I think decorating beforehand, waters down Thanksgiving, skipping right over “The Day of Thanks” to focus on the next holiday. (This stance is heavily debated at our house, because if you ask Ken, Christmas can’t come soon enough!) However, now that we’ve wrapped up Thanksgiving, I’m all for decking out our place for the Holidays. As I’ve mentioned before, I love Scandinavian design and love incorporating the look into our decorating repertoire through natural elements, classic clean forms, and cozy accents. Below are some of my favorite ideas for bringing the Scandinavian Holiday look home. 1. Swedish Star Lantern, 2.Berry Branches, 3. Simple DIY Wreath, 4. Faux Fur Throw, 5. Felt Ball Garland, 6. Strala Candelabra, 7. Rosemary Napkin Garnish, 8. Homemade Ornaments, 9. Cloved Oranges, 10. Amaryllis Bulbs

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Nordic Winter Centerpiece

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 13:29:04 +0000

I don’t know if it’s the rustic simplicity, the effortlessly cozy factor or my Nordic pride shining through, but I’m always inspired by the Scandinavian aesthetic, especially so this time of year. I made this Holiday centerpiece for our dining table using a flat wood piece we salvaged from an old textile loom that a local salvage and antique shop, Art & Architecture was selling off for parts. With just a couple drill holes, a few candles, and a snippet of velvet ribbon, I pulled together a simple and restrained centerpiece that we’ll use to deck the halls with Nordic flair this year. Materials List: Weathered Wood Board–the more weathered, the better! Hand Saw 5-3/4″ Menorah Candles from Target Electric Drill 3/8″ Spade Bit 3/4″ Spade Bit (optional) 12″ of Velvet Ribbon (optional) Pencil Ruler or Measuring Tape Step 1: Cut your board down to the length you prefer using a hand saw. I cut my board down to 24″L x 2-3/4″ W x 1-1/4″ H, but if you have a large dining table it could be fun to make a long, dramatic centerpiece to run the length of the table. Step 2: Using a pencil and ruler, mark where you’d like the […]

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Real Simple Entertaining

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 13:27:51 +0000

Several years ago my longtime friend, Briony, introduced me to Real Simple Magazine, and I’ve been an avid reader ever since. I love their simple (easy) approach to hosting, recipes, social situations, and life in general. This weekend, I devoured the November issue, and with the Holiday season just ahead, I thought I’d highlight some of my favorite points from their feature, A Moveable Feast, which offers expert advise on easy entertaining. “Universal Party Truths: The first guest will arrive early. The pots and pans won’t be washed. And a half-dozen folks will squeeze into the kitchen while you’re still slicing and dicing. Instead of fighting the facts, finesse your game plan. With these clever tips from entertaining experts, you can keep holiday (or any day) guests happy and occupied–and make yourself less harried, from hello to good-bye.” -Deb Schwartz, A Moveable Feast Create a conducive party flow by staging easy access to the bar for guests upon arrival. Be prepared for kitchen congregating and give over the far end of your counter or island to appetizers for those who want to chat where the action is. Reserve certain small jobs for guests who want to help, such as setting out […]

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