At Home with Kim Vallee

HOME + GARDEN, HOME decor | June 22, 2009

Inspired by the Retro Design of Hea Sofa by BG Norge

There are furniture you love at first sight. Hea by the Norvegean sofa maker BG Norge is one of those times. The creative use of patterns grabbed my attention. The design cleverly mixes fabrics in the front and the back. It is also interesting to see how the design fits well in what looks like a [...]

ENTERTAINING, PARTY ideas | January 24, 2009

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Celebrating the Mad Men way

I started to watch Mad Men lately. The storyline is great. The series also grabbed my attention for the set designs and the fashion. I have a thing for the glamour behind the world of advertising although I do not watch TV ads. And it is fun to watch the customs of the 60s. It reminds [...]

HOLIDAY decorations, HOME + GARDEN | December 3, 2008

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The Return of the Aluminum Christmas Trees

It is popular with mid-century home owners. You can dig originals on ebay and craighlist or buy a brand new Classic Aluminum Christmas Tree from New-York retailer Hammacher Schlemmer. The appeal of using aluminum for a Christmas tree rests in its reflective quality. The downside is that putting Christmas lights in the tree would be [...]

DINING, ENTERTAINING, EVERYDAY entertaining, TABLEWARE | May 13, 2008

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My Retro Milk Glass Patio Snack Set

Kitsch has a good and a bad side. For me, this patio snack set is on the cute good side. I came across this 1950’s cute milk glass breakfast or snack set through Jenn Ski’s blog. I bought it from a friendly etsy seller. She inquired if the package arrived intact. Blue Sky [...]

DINING, GIFT IDEAS, TABLEWARE | May 4, 2008

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Grandma is Late for Dinner at Anthropologie

With Mother’s Day in less than two weeks, I spot more gift ideas for moms who enjoy hosting outdoor entertaining for her family and friends. My first suggestion is Late for Dinner, a new melamine collection at Anthropology. My encounter with these pop-art flora plates on Hostess with the Mostess started the ball. [...]

DINING, ENTERTAINING, PARTY ideas, PARTY supplies, TABLEWARE | April 7, 2008

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Party Theme for a Graduation Party – take 2

I was inspired by too many objects when I was writing my Dotted Theme for a Girl Graduation Party post, that I created a second mood board. This one is an exercise in pattern arrangements. See how a traditional pattern can take a new life when it is harmonized with hip patterns. My [...]

HOME + GARDEN, KITCHEN design | March 24, 2008

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Picks of the Week on the blogosphere | 08.03.24 issue

This week is all about the drum shape and fashionable fun patterns. My 4 picks of the week Purple Area for Clarissa Hulse The Urban Jungle range enlivens a classic ivory and black with punches of neon pink, aqua and sweet pea. Clarissa Hulse emulated the urban landscape by the bright lights of city life. One of the most [...]

HOME + GARDEN, HOME decor, REVIEWS | January 10, 2008

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A little bit of retro kitsch entertaining with Brini Maxwell show

Stylish living and entertaining is fun but why not take some time to entertain ourselves at the style? I went on a hunt for a witty video cast. I got my answer with Brini Maxwell downloadable video series featuring footage from the original New York cable access show. It is a comedy. [...]