WELCOME to CAROLINA PANACHE! I believe our homes should be a haven, a place of beauty and peace that reflect who we are and what's important to us. I'm on a journey to add personality and panache to every corner of my house. For me, good design evolves, grows and changes with the needs of one's lifestyle. I want my home to be creative, to be stylish, to be entertaining, to be real. I hope you will join me on my journey. It's always more fun to travel together.
This blog is all about bringing style and elegance to the home. The art of dressing your home goes beyond hanging a few items on the wall and arranging furniture. Much like a fabulous set of earrings or a new stylish handbag may take your little black dress from fine to fabulous, home accesories and key furnishings can take your rooms from ho-hum to singing the Halleluiah Chorus! Join with me as we discover new ways to add panache to every room of the house.

Baby, it's cold outside!

Oh, it's been soooo cold today! We woke up to 5 degree weather today! Burrrr! That was a record low for this part of NC! Needless to say we spent the entire day "IN". I stepped out to get the mail around mid-day and the short walk to the mailbox and back had my teeth chattering. I like winter but this bone-chilling cold is not my idea of fun! So with not much to do but read, surf the net, and read some more, I decided to go "window shopping" online. Here's what I looked at:
DISHES! Beautiful, colorful dishes!
Aren't these pretty? Of course they caught my attention because of the animal print. I love almost anything done in Cheetah or Leopard.
This lovely set of elegant dishes reminded me of Florida. So textural. I love the embossed crocodile look the edge of the plates. I just imagined having these dishes and setting a gorgeous table in my Florida home, inviting my BFF and her family over for something wonderfully delicious right off the grill!

This pattern caught my eye too! It sort of reminds me of snowflakes which has been on the mind of my 9-year old alot lately. This pattern is by designer Tracy Porter.

My beloved Roosters! I might just have to make an on-line purchase for these. I noticed they were on sale. The red would complement my decor just perfectly!

Here is another Rooster pattern. Did anyone watch Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee yesterday? Her kitchen was accessorized in black and white. She showed us a lovely tablescape. The centerpiece was a magnificent "Chandalabra" (a cross between a chandelier and candelabra). I hope I've spelled that correctly. What inspiration! These dishes would also make a stunning black and white tablescape.

These blue and taupe dishes are just the thing! I love the soft color and the rustic look. I immediately thought of a seafood feast. Anybody out there a fan of the Barefoot Contessa? (Food Network?) Okay, I admit it. I'm a FN junkie. Anyway, yesterday she catered an appreciation dinner and prepared an incredible seafood platter of lobster, blue crab, oysters, clams, and jumbo shrimp. These dishes would be lovely for a summer seafood party by the pool.

This pattern is quite beautiful too. It looks like mosaic tiles form together to make the grape clusters.

Asian cooking - that's what I thought when I saw these dishes. Last year at Christmas I received a gorgeous wok. Ever since then I've been trying my hand at Asian cooking. I also received a rice or vegetable steamer. What a wonderful duo! Maybe the next get together I host will be Asian themed. So artistic.


I couldn't stay cold very long looking at these sunny Daffodil plates. How I would love these for an Easter table or Spring Garden Party.

This is another Tracy Porter design. I adore this pattern. It's so colorful, festive and fun. The blue inside the cup is such a nice contrast to the peony pink and coral on the plates. I definitely would find lots of ways to incorporate these stylish pieces into as many tablescapes and occasions as possible. Maybe Mother's Day or a June bridal shower.
Oh well, so much for my window shopping excursion today. Hope you enjoyed coming along for the dream. If any of these beauties caught your eye you can find them all at Horchow.com
Just a little update - the powder room is almost done. We just have to finish the border and accessories and we will be ready for the reveal. It has taken longer than I planned but other more important tasks popped up so my Power Room was banished to the back burner but the end is nearing and I'm so happy. The red paint on the walls is incredible! I think I will have to find another area to use this luscious color. Stay tuned just a little while longer. Until then,
Happy Decorating!
~Alisa










10 comments:

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

Love ALL the dishes..and I love Ina (Contessa) too!

Don't think I could pick a favorite from your photos... okay maybe one of the 2 roosters....

Barb @ The Everyday Home said...

Okay - I will take one of each set, please. :-)

I think your part of NC is much colder than here on the coast. We had a low of 11 I think. Warm and balmy! LOL

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

What a great shopping trip. I saw a couple that I would definitely like. Hugs, Marty

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Thanks for sharing these beautiful pics! Cindy

Melanie said...

I vote for the blue and taupe. We can still grill and serve the steak on these!
Melanie@Bella~Mella

Unknown said...

Wow...you found some REALLY pretty dishes. Don't you love on-line shopping~?~? That's a wonderful thing to do on a VERY COLD day!

A Hint of Home said...

I enjoyed dreaming along with you. The dishes are all pretty but the red and white are my favorites.
Can't wait to see the powder room.

Jewel Sauls said...

I love all the dishes!!! I'm hopelessly addicted!!! Love your blog! :D Jewel

Carolina Mama said...

Love the Tracy Porter and the Roosters and the Mosaic. Great post! :) Stay warm. We actually are expecting four inches of snow tomorrow! us!

Melissa Miller said...

Very pretty! I love the Blues. I have a TRACY PORTER set as well and love it! :)

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