After experiencing and pondering the value of incorporating nature’s elements into architectural planning in the previous blog, I find myself winding into the countryside from sea level to a mile high into jungles and ultimately pine forests, across vast expanses of rivers and towering bridges spanning grand abysses…and stopping at a modest panaderia (bakery) on the side of the road.
You can’t tell a book by its cover as this simple little rural structure – standing alone – looked curiously intriguing and quaint enough, with an unpaved parking area transitioning to well-tended pea-gravel. Traffic cruised by, on the way across the bridge.
Those that knew, turned in. We pulled off the road and were told that this couple had a wonderful bakery and were promised an exceptional treat! Fresh empanadas that would bring remarkably satisfying mid-morning joy.
Very tidy and thoughtfully eclectic, this little destination bakery is a precious find.
Oh, were we in for a surprise! At the entry, I stopped to shoot the whimsical cup of coffee mosaic set in a field of stone and concrete. I thought – what a fun design element to greet arrivals and set the stage. But I had no idea to what extent I was about to be elated. What unfolded so exceeded my expectations that I wanted to stay all day!!!
Happy stone and tile-work adorned the pathways. From the textures of stone and brick, tile and wood – it was an organic fantasy – an unexpected design experience.
Simple, yet spectacular – simply spectacular!!!!!
Ceilings of colorful floral blooms – perhaps wisteria – suspended from their vines and other plantings intertwined with the structure.
Spotless and meticulous the eclectic elements were a harmonious creation.Stone walls, wooden slats, vines and adobe all worked together to define the spaces.
The wafting aroma of fresh baked goods – it was more than delightful. From warm savory clouds with mushroom filling and another with chile-laced sausages – and an array of sweet strawberry, cream and pineapple empanadas to corn muffins, banana muffins and more! All nestled beneath colorfully woven cotton tablecloths.
Light and delicious – the best empanadas ever!! With a tiny sprinkles of granulated sugar, for a sweet crunch, before sinking into the fabulous fillings! Muffins challenged any others and savory treats were so satisfyingly delectable. Little buttons of banana slices on top denoted which were the banana muffins!!
Rich Mexican coffee with a touch of freshly ground cinnamon and luscious hot chocolate were served in custom-glazed “barro ware” complimenting the fresh-from-the-oven confections.
The exhibition baking kitchen overlooked the serving line. The buffet of pastries thoughtfully explained by our gracious and welcoming host, Jesus!
Carmen presents fresh strawberry tarts just from the oven!!! A combination of old and new – tradition and technology meet in this cozy kitchen.
Fragmented spaces open, yet enclosed, offered intimate pockets in which to pause and enjoy.
Color-pops insert themselves effectively around the interior and exterior spaces.Inviting seating areas semi-concealed offer private repose. Tucked away – more areas to enjoy…
Clever use of clean blond wood shavings on the floor of the main covered patio created a wall-to-wall carpet of fresh aromatics complimenting the inviting aromas emitted from the ovens. Rocking chairs and rigid sturdy versions, with a fun little rope swing, all surrounded by tropical plantings made a cozy area to gather.
Soft underfoot and subtly fragrant – the wood chips make a great shag carpet!!!
As I meandered around exploring all the interesting spaces, textures, colors and plantings, I marveled at the sensitivity with which this had all been crafted and assembled. It was artful interior design with an exterior feel – open air and charming, with a decidedly handcrafted, Mexican sense of place.
Slices of handsome tree trunks make perfect stepping “stones” with graduated heights.
It was an eclectic collage of furniture, structure and organics – living and static – that was welcoming and artful, delightful and so pleasing, that it was a treat for all the senses.
The cool morning air of the mountains mingled, with the comforting fragrances, creating an atmosphere inviting gentle conversations of people gathered around good food and artfully relaxed surroundings.
Peek in places and through doorways to find worlds of design
waiting to be discovered!!!
Wherever you may be…it’s the time of year when traditions are so much a part of everyone’s holiday experiences. And with that opening sentence – no doubt some of yours come to mind.
Traditions, of course, are not limited to holidays – but for
purposes of this season, it is the primary focus of this missive. Interestingly,
over the past few weeks, I have had a few people ask me about home decor and specifically
starting or perpetuating holiday traditions. I found it so compelling because
traditions are created from repeat practices and experiences.
Fond memories of family friends and their annual tradition of making warm and frothy Tom and Jerrys! I found these vintage china mugs just like the ones from my memories. Have have recently seen them re-created – new – just like these! Perhaps its time to start our own tradition of Tom and Jerrys for the holidays!
You can begin to practice things that become traditions – that’s the key. Of the recent conversations, one person approached me about a week before Thanksgiving. He was single, hosting a few friends and didn’t know where to begin. Could I help? The other inquiry was from a couple of years ago as a young woman who was not from New Mexico found herself here, newly married and in a new home. How was she to create the feeling of Christmas? The answers to both of these queries are at the end …
As is true with all consultation whether it is interior design, medical, self-help, physical fitness, IT…it all begins with questions. The consultant must ask questions to establish information that will guide them to make their recommendations. Here are 4 Tips for Approaching Traditions that will begin the conversation.
Perpetuating a Tradition: Memories are personal references that are the basis for traditions. The repeat performance of these various acts establish traditions. Continuing to practice the traditions insures that they repeat as each like-kind of event unfolds. It takes effort to continue to re-create traditions, but to lose the pattern can become irretrievable. It can be an onus or a joy to perpetuate traditions. I would prefer to embrace the latter! Ideally, any tradition that you chose to perpetuate should be a joy.
This vintage set was given to me by a dear friend. It held precious memories from her grandmother having served hot cocoa from it every Christmas. My friend’s experiences dated back to the 1920s. The set preceded her memory…as her grandmother, born in the last quarter of the 1800s owned it for years prior. We enjoy hot cocoa from it nearly every Christmas morning!
Creating New Traditions: Establishing the approach that perpetuating a tradition should be a joy or the act of something that brings joy, the same is true with creating a tradition. Seems obvious that you wouldn’t want to create a traditional around something that does not bring you joy. But you might be surprised. I have recently learned that sometimes people think that they begin something that is a common practice to create a version for themselves, when in fact it is a perceived obligation rather than a joy. Don’t force it- don’t feel obliged to begin a practice just because others do it. Experience, invent or witness something that brings you joy and replicate it. You might recall it from your past, find it in a scene from a movie or experience at someone else’s home, derive it from participating in an activity or, of course, discovering internet ideas that abound. If something interests you to the extent that you want to practice it – then do it!If you enjoy it enough, you will perpetuate it and it will become a tradition.
This little Santa Doll was handmade by a friend of mine when her kids – now grown with kids of their own – were kids. Not originally intended to be a “Crazy Santa,” his accidental facial expression resulted in his name – held now for over three decades. He comes out every Christmas as an amusing family tradition.
Modifying Traditions: We all need to determine how much we want to take on, how much we want to invest (in time or money) and how we achieve the same or similar results to create the joy. If traditions become too complicated or difficult, it might be time to re-think them. Rather than discard them, modify them. The time to discard a tradition is when it no longer brings you joy. But before that might happen and if the event/activity or degree of difficulty challenge your want to perpetuate the tradition, consider modifying it to suit your changing needs, circumstances and enjoyment.
This might happen if you move away from the context in which the tradition originally occurred, change in participants – if any, change in interests, physical or financial limitations…if the tradition still brings joy – find a way to achieve that with the necessary modification. Circumstances alter cases…like where you might have lived or are living at the time. Your fondest memories might be of chilly temperatures, warm fireplaces and the scent of pine trees…then you relocate to the tropics! This provides an opportunity to retain some of the original traditions and introduce some new. Not to mention, you might move to a different country where an entirely new set of traditions will present themselves – or just the different words for familiar favorites. Even without changing languages, in England they hang stockings at the foot of each bed rather than the mantle. Father Christmas is their Santa Claus. The list of similarities and slight differences goes on…
As I walked in the park last weekend, I spotted this fun, dangling snowman! So I stopped to inquire and capture a few shots. This family celebrates their son’s birthday every year with a piñata. Born on Christmas Day, they select another day close-by to have the piñata portion of the party. A family tradition.
No snowy scene for snowball fights or skiing? Toss a ball or frisbee, take a hike or bike, instead.
No enormous turkey? Roast a breast or a more manageable duck
or chicken.
Become a vegetarian? Using the same type of familiar meal
service and table dressings, modify the menu.
Not convenient to cut and haul a tree from the wild? Buy one
instead. Real tree a hassle? Become the proud owner of a magnificent fake tree-
with a bit of pine-scented room spray! In my case, I occasionally give myself a “bye”
break from putting up our tree (Although I love my tradition of collecting
silver ornaments, of which I have dozens). So the “modification” is
to have a magnificent, tall poinsettia on the entry table and several others scattered
throughout the house to punctuate the interior with splashes of red.
No formal dining room? Gather on cushions around a coffee
table – even if it means a piece of plywood from Home Depot on cinderblocks
with a paper tablecloth! Candles and a centerpiece will set the scene.
Sharing Traditions
Gifting things that represent your traditions is a wonderful way to share. Obviously, baking and sharing traditional delicacies is prime. Making or finding ornaments to gift is nice. I offer cuttings of our family’s Christmas cactus. My grandmother always kept one or more plants from the original plant that was in her family home in Youngstown, New York. She was born in 1892 and her grandmother remembered the plant and told my grandmother that it preceded her in that same house. We don’t know how far back it goes, but at least mid 1800s. I have kept cuttings and grown mature plants from the very plants that my grandmother had her entire life of over 100 years and kept all the while we were growing up in the same house for 20+ years and now my 40 years since! Gifting a traditional food or a CD you compile of favorite recordings, sharing plant cuttings, passing along a treasured possession – all are ways to share traditions.
But what if you are starting out? Memories from childhood might be the basis for beginning your own adult traditions – whatever the springboard, it should be fun to establish your own holiday traditions.
Colton’s Reindeer – A child’s artwork can be passed for generations.
Whether it is handmade decoration, food centered, activity engaging, music oriented, game playing, object collecting…each person has their focus. Even if one is alone for a holiday, there are sentimental triggers that remind of past events.
Food Centered: Main dishes, baking desserts, crafting cocktails…
Party cocktails – always a fun tradition…note here the festive cocktail coasters. Handmade by artist Rebecca Speakes, they make a wonderful gift to start a collection.
Activity Engaging: Playing games, sports – live or on TV, taking a walk, driving around to see holiday displays, theater productions…
Music Oriented: Gathering around a piano (guitar, accordion…whatever)
to sing, neighborhood caroling, participate in a choir, Karaoke games, attending
a concert, background music evoking memories for the occasion…
Decoration: Dressing your interior and exterior for the event(s)…
Hanukkah traditions, decorations – the brilliant blues and metallic accents…Color plays a big part in traditions and their interpretation and practices.
Collecting: Adding to collections…handmade series, vintage pieces, new releases…
Remember the guy before Thanksgiving? He had no formal dining room. He was having 7 friends gather. He wanted to do some semblance of what he regarded as a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. I asked him how he preferred to gather – standing with cocktails and appetizers grazing throughout the evening or a “sit-down” approach? He really wanted the feeling of sitting down to feast. In light of not having a formal dining area – and as it turned out, no coffee table either, I advised that he gather on cushions around a coffee table. Since he didn’t have one, I suggested that he go to Home Depot and get a 48″ square cut piece of plywood to position on top of a double stack of cinder blocks. I went in search of finding a table cloth and 8 large cushions (pillows) , votive candles and a centerpiece comprised of a bright yellow mum plant in a basket, with a few mini pumpkins and fall leaves. The scene was set. He used his own plates and utensils, white paper napkins and a package of orange cocktail napkins. He planned the meal and asked for each person to contribute an item that was special for them. After all the dishes were identified, he prepared the main dish, a casserole of boneless turkey breasts surrounded by his traditional favorite, Pepperidge Farm stuffing – baked and beautiful – and two other things that were not being contributed by his friends – canned cranberry jelly (ha ha) and a pumpkin pie that he purchased from a local bakery. Voila!
The gal entering her first Christmas as an adult was not from New Mexico nor was her young husband . They had a new home here and the local traditions were not in her realm of traditions. She wanted a large tree but did not own one single Christmas ornament. She bought a live-cut tree and we bought strings of mini white lights, a couple dozen red feathered cardinal bird ornaments, candy canes and white ribbon. She tied white bows on the tree and scattered the red birds all over it. I cannot believe that I can’t find the photo of the finished product – but it was a memorable solution for a first Christmas presentation.
This year I captured a quick shot of this tree in a friend’s house that reminded me of that young woman’s first Christmas tree. In vogue this year are the bare, stick-like trees that offer twinkly accents and an airy presentation of ornaments of choice and here featured are the very similar red cardinals!
The return of the pods with a twist! Those gorgeously twisted mahogany colored Locust pods that fall every autumn and beg to be re-purposed, if not for their procreating seeds, as table dressings!!! Yes, I have embraced their raw, organic beauty for quite some time. Look back to my introduction to these handsome hulls and the first fabulous table-scape that resulted. https://patriciandesign.com/resourceful-creative-festive-fun/
The original autumnal centerpiece using the Locust pods a couple of years ago…
There have been many bouquets since. Then yesterday, as I walked my 10,000 step trek around a nearby park, I pondered the theme for this Christmas blog and another pod piece came to mind. One lone Locust tree there in the park had produced a blanket of pods that have been weathering these last couple of months – fortunately, not weathered too badly. I gathered 2 dozen of them and marched home with a purpose! Fists full and looking a bit curious, I passed several strollers wondering about my two unusual bouquets.
My idea was to tweak them from their natural autumnal brown
to a gilded glory!
Spray painting on brown craft paper – both sides – instant transformation!
Yes, gilding the lily of lovely rich, natural pods to become wildly twisted golden spires flanking the traditional poinsettia of our Christmas table.
Building the scene as I go…
Last minute gold glass balls ringing the red poinsettia centerpiece,
Spruce sprigs from the yard.
a pair of silver reindeer, silver snowflake napkin rings, blue spruce cuttings from the backyard, scattered votive holders, crystal and china for the touch of formality and we’re ready for our silver and gold, red and green, festive feast!
Mexican pewter chargers, with fine gold trimmed Limoge china, Grand Baroque sterling and aluminum snowflake napkin rings – mixes metals to the max!
The world is full of detail. From the wonders of nature and the perfection of a flower, to the man-made creations that come from inspiration of all sorts. The combined influences that result, in interesting and good design, are limitless and we now have layers of platforms upon which ideas are presented. The access to creativity is staggering.
Take Etsy and Pinterest. There the ideas abound. Everyone has access to creative ideas unlike ever before in our world. In the past, a keen eye observed and discerned. The clever managed to find inspiration in the most obscure places, analyze observations and interpret them for their own purposes. Creativity was spawned from observation paired with original thought. Yet, that observation was generally first-hand. Therefore, those that got about more, saw more and had greater exposure to more (and there you have it) were creatively stimulated more!
We (perhaps I should say I since it is from my own vantage point and experiences, from whence I speak/write), often are so busy observing that we don’t take the time to dissect and catalog the information we discover. I am so very guilty of that as I am so captivated by design and creativity that I forget to remember!!! Ha – yes – forget to remember or record!!!!
I constantly find myself regretting to have taken a photo of something (some who know how many photos I take might want to take exception with this point), but it’s true. I regret not taking a photo or studying something which, retrospectively, I recognize as something quite special. In the rush to experience the entire scene, I fail to notice or retain the details. Have you ever felt that you were so caught-up in a new experience that afterward you feel you should have paid closer attention? I forget to remember to store the observations or I forget to take a photo – regretting it afterward.
The breakfast room aat Hillwood Mansion where Marjorie Post rarely entertained, but was always set to do so. Pink poinsettias are the seasonal choice.
This can be from a class lecture to a theatrical production. I wish I had focused more closely rather than getting distracted by my own imagination which often runs rampant with the encounter. However, the stimulation can be so great that the imagination kicks in and causes diversions, in the attention, resulting in a deficit of detail gathering. Hence a clear case of un-diagnosed ADD!!!
With all of this having been the prelude to my thoughts for the day, I have elected to pick out a few details from a recent tour of the Hillwood Estate and Gardens nestled on magnificent wooded grounds in the heart of northeast Washington, DC. And how wonderful to have had the opportunity this week to stroll through the mansion, now museum, of the late Marjorie Merriweather Post during the Christmas season.
As previously mentioned, I would have, could have, should have taken more photos, but was so enchanted at every turn by the beauty and gracious luxury that unfolded, I was too busy darting from one magnificent scene to the next to capture more than I share here. I apologize.
Her favorite color was pink and this tree greeting visitors upon arrival is a precious jewel among many beautiful Christmas trees and decorations displayed in the mansion.
From the reflection on the polished floors of the little white lights to the shimmering crystal punctuated with pink blossoms bedecking the tree was undeniably elegant.
The railings ascending the staircase at the reception desk were draped with garland and strung with simple gold painted discs which were repeated in the coordinating tree which also featured a collection of blue reproduction Faberge eggs.
Marjorie Post was a discerning collector of all manner of artistic beauty including exceptional Russian decorative art. The actual exhibit of Faberge currently available for view on the property is nearing its end. Many dazzlingly detailed pieces from her own collection and others on loan for the exhibit are being shown.
If you are in Washington this month, please treat yourself. This exhibit of Faberge pieces is outstanding.
The gold leaves on this magnificent tree in the dining room would be fun to replicate. Could have easily been dipped in gold leaf. Like lime leaves – or from your garden perhaps photinia or laurel even rhododendron – maybe go faux with silk from the craft store – spray ’em gold!!! Paint magic!
And if you have ever installed a dangle of mistletoe…check this out! This elegant bundle suspended, from the towering heights of the entry hall, puts all other sprigs to shame!!! In the opulent foyer, this grand ball of gilded ribbon-clad mistletoe invites those to tempt the fates of love and superstition, with but a kiss!
Whether it is a theme of gold or a snowy season of white, find details and enjoy the creative opportunities that present themselves to you in passing or from the depths of your imagination and create your own holiday magic!!!
Creating fantasy, festivity or seasonal celebration, gather the details every day from observing all the particulars around you. It is amazing from where you can collect ideas and be inspired to create your own festive fantasy!!!!!! Then be sure to take some photos!!!!!!!
Thank you Joel Roberts Poinsett for bringing this brilliant red and green explosion of color and such a perfect plant to represent the colors of the Christmas season to our northern climes! Upon learning that today was National Poinsettia Day, I set forth to learn a bit about why…
You too can Google it, but in a nutshell, back in the early 1800s, this observant amateur botanist was our first Ambassador to the new Republic of Mexico! Not to mention, his day job was that of a doctor and a soldier! Busy well-rounded guy it seems!
Poinsett sent cuttings of this spectacular and exotic flowering plant from where he was visiting in the Taxco region of Mexico, to his home in Charleston, South Carolina. Once he returned to Charleston, he spread the joy and sent other clippings of his magnificent discovery to friends including a Mr. Buist in Philadelphia who gave a piece to Mr. James McNab who took it to the Botanical Garden of Edinburgh, Scotland founded in 1670. (From “Paxton’s Magazine of Botany” 1837)
The initial botanical name Euphorbia pulcherrima was actually assigned by a German botanist, Wilenow, in 1833, but within 4 years it was renamed Poinsettia Pucherrima by William Hickling Prescott a historian and gardener who had been asked, by someone in authority, to rename it. He did so by selecting to honor Joel Poinsett for his numerous achievements in both government and horticulture.
This dramatic flowering plant comes in many colors – the familiar and original red to creamy off-whites, chartreuse, pinks and various variegated versions such as this fabulous marbled specimen called strawberries and cream.
Poinsett retired from his career in public service as Secretary of War in 1841. He became one of the founders of the National Institute for the Promotion of Science and the Useful – which later became the Smithsonian Institute. I was born in D.C. and raised inside the Beltway and never knew that the Smithsonian which was a memorably mandatory field trip nearly every year of my childhood, was originally named the wordy National Institute for the Promotion of Science and the Useful – but it certainly describes it all in one fell swoop!!
There are many legends and folk stories centering around this “flor de Nochebuena” in Mexico but the thread of this story that has personal interest to me is that the same poinsettia cutting taken to Edinburgh by James McNab is still producing and flowering annually in the Royal Botanical Garden in Scotland to this day.
As I read this history, I was excited about this remarkable tracing of the original cuttings. In our family we have what my grandmother , Dee Dee, always referred to as “the family cactus.” This rounded, smooth leafed variation (some have pointy, spiked leaves)with its hot pink blooms is our cactus.
Dee Dee, Anna Ives Wagner, was born in 1892 in Youngstown, New York. She arrived at our house to live with us in the late 1950s. She brought with her a very special plant. It was a cutting off of the original plant that was in her ancestral home – the Root Home, Twin Pines – 830 River Road – then Main Street, Youngstown.
Dee Dee remembered that plant from her childhood and had heard from her mother and aunts that it was there in theirs as well – which without complicated math puts it in the house since the mid 1800s. Unfortunately we don’t know when it started…but the house dates back to our great, great, great grandfather, Dr. Benjamin Root c.1840. The house stayed in our family, passing finally to my grandmother’s aunt Helen Root who lived there with an original cutting of the plant until the 1950s when she moved to Elmira with her niece and her husband, Edith and Ray Hulbert.
We grew-up with the family cactus bursting forth with wild fuscia blooms every fall into winter. It was always an exciting and exotic flowering extravaganza in the colder dark months of the season. It brought a sense of life, growth, and color that was a spectacular contrast to the otherwise drab, dull, dormancy of winter.
I guard my plants, given to me as a cutting by Dee Dee when I first moved to New Mexico, with great responsibility and appreciation.
Last year my Mother’s large family cactus withered before our very eyes…she was so protective of it that she perhaps neglected to give it new soil and nutrients instead favoring watering a bit too much which resulted in its demise. As she witnessed and worried about the failing plant, we carefully cultivated clippings and as weak and depleted as they were – nurtured them in water losing a couple but saving a few so that they now are flourishing in a clay pot in a window with the soft daylight of northern exposure displaying a resiliency, hope, and celebration of life that continues to greet each day. Perhaps metaphors for procreation, family traditions, aging in place…
My mother is 93 and her mother, Dee Dee, lived to be three weeks shy of her 101st birthday.
Joel Poinsett died on December 12, 1851 at the age of 72 – one hundred and sixty four years ago today! Happy Poinsettia Day!! Merry Christmas Joel Poinsett!
