Atlanta Chef, Ford Fry's Kitchen

Definitely been a hectic year and sorry for the lack of posts! This one definitely inspired me to share with you. Here in Atlanta, one of our celebrity chef's is Ford Fry. Recently he opened his kitchen to a small group and the photos were amazing! He has a massive Bluestar cooking range, a rustic hearth for fire-roasting meats and vegetables and I love his simple Christmas decor! Hope you enjoy these and maybe now you will want to add a fire-roaster to your Christmas list.

Photos from Atlanta Business Chronicle

Dodie Thayer's Palm Beach Lettuce Ware

Known as the "Pottery Queen of Palm Beach" Dodie Thayer's lettuce ceramics are old quinessential Palm Beach and most notably her beautiful lettuce soup tureen was considered a status symbol. In the 70's-80's Thayer's work could be seen throughout the pages of House Beautiful, House & Garden, Architectural Digest, Gourmet and Bon Apetit. Her work was never mass marketed and to this day collectors still flock when her items are found in an antique store or estate sale. I couldn't even locate a piece on 1stdibs right now which was surprising!

Famous collectors included Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Perry Como, the Duchess of Windsor, C.Z. Guest, Dina Merrill, Frank and Barbara Sinatra, Brooke Martin Astor and most of the island's society ladies. When Queen Elizabeth visited a horse farm in Kentucky in 1986, her hosts served lunch on Lettuce Ware specially ordered for the occasion.

C.Z. Guest's Lettuce Ware collection in her kitchen from WSJ

Lettuce ware tablesetting accented with botanical themed blue and white linens from Decorating with Sheets blog

Sybil Connolley (the designer of Tiffany & Co's Tiffany Weave China) displays her Dodie Thayer soup tureen from Peak of Chic

The very stylish, James Andrews personal lettuce ware collection from What Is James Wearing blog

Thayer's lettuce ware plates on display in this feminine Palm Beach apartment from House Beautiful

Beth Arrowoods' beautiful beach bungalow features a beautiful display of Thayer's lettuce ware from WSJ

Meg Braff decorated this Palm Beach home and used the owners Thayer lettuce ware plates as the tablesetting from House Beautiful.

Dodie Thayer soup tureen on a cocktail table from New York Social Diary

Dodie Thayer standing by a display of her beautiful lettuce ware in the 70's from Palm Beach Post

In December 2012, Tory Burch listed this as her Holiday Wish List on Vogue in which Burch said,

"“I’ve been eyeing an antique lettuceware tureen by Dodie Thayer—each piece is like a little work of art.” from Vogue

Historical reference sources: Palm Beach Daily News, Palm Beach Pulse

Father's Day Gift Ideas from Etsy

Father's Day is around the corner, on Sunday, June 15th. I know you are thinking, my dad does not want homemade jewelry or applique clothing. I found some fun finds and gift ideas for the stylish gent in your life on the beloved site, Etsy. From dark wood accessories for your cell phone or sunglasses, to bar accessories to items to make a bacon inspired gift basket!

Release his innter child with this stylish lamp that is X-Men Heros characters painted gold from MadebyCharlieM

Vintage style wall mounted bottle opener from Michelle Lisa Treasure

Slim dark wood phone cases from Bark Accessories

Da'd's have to travel in style and these waxed canvas and menswear dopp kit are perfect from Butter Design Lab.

Custom Nautical Map with anchor at your location with mounting options from Pure Joy Paperie

Custom Needlepoint Belt from Needle Painters

Custom Family Crest from Juliet Grace Design

Wooden "Wayfarer' style polarized sunglasses from acdwsh

Biosphere that is low maintenance that sits perfectly in his office, great conversation piece and brings life to dreary office space from Shrimp Mart

Custom Oyster Shucking Knives from Haus Of Speh

Customized Whiskey Barrel Sign from Creative by Clair

Custom House Number Engraved Plaque from Wood Designers

Bacon Gift Basket with the Following Goodies:

Bacon Jam from The Milk Made

Bitchn' Bacon Mustard from Brown Dog Mustard Co.

Bacon Peanut Brittle from Amedeos Bakery

Bacon Caramel Popcorn from Karamel Kraze

Boathouse Turned into Chic Nautical Man Cave

Architectural Digest featured White House decorator Michael S. Smith's work who was tapped to turn this former boathouse into an guest house doubling as man cave at Lake Geneva. The boathouse sits in front of the main house, so the owner wanted to turn this into something fun for her husband and his friends and desired a pre-war yacht feel. The owner and Smith studied design elements of various boats from the 20's and 30's. There is lots of dark wood millwork,  beautiful blue and white fabrics with mixed patterns and nautical accents throughout with the porthole type lights and mirrors, nautical flag chair covers and more.

Coral Ikat Goodness in Palm Beach

House Beautiful featured the beautiful work of interior designer, T. Keller Donovan who gives us a fun, coral ikat explosion in this preppy Palm Beach apartment. So many feminine touches are seen throughout, from the ribbon and bow flourishes on the chairs and headboard, feminine valances to the floral prints and skirted furniture. The owner, Kay Gilman was the first female sportswriter for the NY Daily News and has downsized from her NYC apartment to a one bedroom condo in Palm Beach Towers. Pops of color are shown throughout with lots of Quadrille's Island Ikat giving the space the feel of "a tropical cabana." Something interesting I saw was her use of trays under coffee tables act as catchalls for magazines, books, etc.