Al Fresco Autumn
September has arrived and a couple weeks in you may be starting to feel signs of getting your footing with hints of returning to a more consistent routine. It helps organize your week into a series of days, some more family oriented and a few that are reserved for entertaining or being entertained by friends.
One of the Ladies of Lane, Karen Kelly along with her friend Elizabeth, took early initiative to enjoy this great season by hosting a beautiful, romantic garden party dinner for close to 40 people, honoring a young couple before their wedding. The gracious hostesses decided to give great attention to detail to the symbolism behind the reason for the party: the union of these two close family friends.
They strung glass votives in the branches of the trees, which flickered in the night sky and added a romantic touch to the affair.
They each used their own wedding china to set the table and mixed the patterns with a playful approach. The linens were crisp, clean, and provided impactful contrast in a classic black-and-white color scheme (which, not coincidentally, is often the color pattern of the Ying and yang symbol of perfect harmony). These linen overlays were in fact old curtains that had hung in Elizabeth’s previous home, a subtle nod to the life lesson that home is where the heart is as these lovebirds embark on creating their very own.
These are all just examples of personal touches that make setting the stage of your life so important! Don’t sweat the small stuff, but be sure to appreciate the small details that tell your story. And best of all, it will be fun and worthwhile!
Happy autumn!
- About the studio
Alex Deringer and Courtney Cox combine their formal training in design and fashion with their renowned sense of style in Ivy Lane, a full-service interior design firm that curates casually elegant family dwellings that are elevated by a unique spark. Whether an entire house renovation or a one-room makeover, Alex and Courtney’s extensive experience and collaborative dynamic inform a successful design philosophy: thoroughly understand the client’s lifestyle, bring a thoughtful spatial perspective, and enliven the space with the freshest aesthetic interest.
309C Cameron Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
studio@ivylaneliving.com
703.566.6582
