BITS AND PIECES (INSPIRED BY FALL) / DAY 5 -- Totally Todd (Romano)

imagecourtesyhabituallychic

Peeps,

There is no denying that fall is now upon us, and at the garden center ornamental kale and pansies have never looked so enticing.  This weekend I plan to remove the last of this year's annuals (whose color(s) now seem a little sad) and start tucking little accents such as kale, pansies, rosemary, and ornamental peppers into container-pots. Once the tree-lot sales start, I will bring home branches and bits of evergreens which can be used to add height and mass.  I tend to cheat a little, by using artificial berries and poinsettia flowers for arrangements viewed from a distance, or in hard-to-reach places where maintenance and watering is difficult.  Sheet-moss (purchased at the craft store) is quite effective at hiding bare soil, and provides a nice backdrop for natural balls, clusters of fruit or nuts, and baubles (inexpensive and widely available at the dollar stores where bags of glistening charms are all less than two dollars).  So far I've resisted the urge to splurge on already-sprouting-amaryllis-in-pretty-pots, and wisely stored last year's bulbs in the basement (in paper bags), and confined my purchases to paper-whites which will be placed in florist's glass vases and given as seasonal gifts.  My friend C. Mitchell who holds the honor of giving me my first pot of paper-whites, seeing my facial expression upon smelling the distinct fragrance, wryly commented that the world is divided into two groups: those that love the smell of paper-whites, and the others who exit quickly!!


Today's featured interior is the handiwork of uber-talented designer Todd Romano.  At first glance, it seemingly lacks the usual color aplomb that distinguishes Mr. Romano, whose portfolio reveals a love of deep, dramatic paints.  Yet, on closer inspection, subtleties and nuances emerge; grey, white, and cream support the bold impact provided through the use of black, blue-black, and purple.  An oversized arrangement of lilac branches sitting on a table draped with a Tyrian-purple velvet cloth is quite spectacular, as is the Steven Klein photograph.  Supplementing with russet/brown/gold, this decor would transform beautifully for the winter holidays, and the addition of bowls of nectarines (or vases of tiger-lilies) would warm even the coldest heart.  


Have a great weekend, and thanks for all your recent emails.


Sincerely,
Shane