COLOR ME ???

COLOR

No design element is more controversial than color.

Designers worldwide agree that proper scale and 

proportion are the hallmarks of a successful project 

but when it comes to color...well, 

let's just say the opinions are as wide 

ranging as a Pantone fan guide!

One of the most emulated design styles 

from the last century is the all white room.

Whenever I feel like escaping the frantic pace of 

today's lifestyle, I pop in my favorite classic DVD 

and am transported back in time to a world of 

elegance and style, all in black and white! 

                                          Fred Astaire and Edward Everett Horton - Top Hat

                                          Cary Grant - Holiday

And while I can appreciate the glamour, sophistication 

and yes, the skill it takes to create a white room,

 I am Technicolor girl...

                   Gene Tierney - Leave Her to Heaven

I mean seriously, would Gene Tierney's eyes look 

that fabulous without the aid of painted trim?

(Probably, but the set designers certainly 

knew what they were doing!)

So what is the latest news on color in the home?

Recently House Beautiful surveyed their readers on 

color and the results were, well, colorful!

The overall favorite color, young and old alike is blue.

Interestingly however, besides using in the bedroom 

(#1 choice of readers and designers), this color is seldom selected for other areas of a home.  

Green, is showing up more often and can be a 

soothing neutral backdrop for a fresh, clean interior.

(Design tip: green looks great with red, orange, and blue)

Remember Tango Tangerine, hands down 

the hot option for accessories! 

Not surprisingly, white is more favored by 

designers than readers.  My feeling on this is that 

most people do not believe designers when they

tell them that a white interior can be something other 

than cold and sterile (IT CAN!) or they have kids 

and think it will get dirty too quickly, 

(maybe, but can you say bleach able cotton?)

For other results, read the entire article in the 

September 2012 edition of House Beautiful 

and then visit their web site for some great ideas 

on decorating with color.

 http://www.housebeautiful.com/

And of course when you are ready to add some color to your

favorite space, don't forget to visit us at 

www.maggieandreese.com

where we have a large assortment of colorful options

for every room in your home!

Design Tips for Fall

As mentioned in yesterday's blog,

one of my favorite pastimes in this hot

weather is perusing through the latest editions

of fall magazines that are starting to

fill my mailbox, especially when they are filled 

with up and coming design trends to watch.

It seems this year, the word for fall is

CLASSICS!

This moniker is being used everywhere 

from fashion ads,

to food offerings

Southern Living 

Roasted Grape Chutney

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/roasted-grape-chutney-10000001924736/

to the world of home decor.

Here are a few tips for home design in 2012~

Whether the item is traditional, classic or modern, 

Gray is the neutral for today.  

And for those of us who love traditionally styled pieces, 

but also want to keep in sync with the latest design trend,

try adding a fresh finish to a classically styled piece

to keep your room fresh and exciting.

Classic style of the moment ~ Mid Century Modern

this table, enough said~

Final tip ~ the best designers all know

you cannot throw out the old just to

keep up with the new.  A truly inspired room 

marries your favorite pieces from the past with a few 

treasured trends of today to create an eclectic 

mix that is both comfortable to live in 

and inviting to all who enter.

So as you look for ways to update your home 

decor this fall, remember to look back

after all, classic design is classic for a reason!

A few classically inspired items from

www.maggieandreese.com

Fall at Maggie and Reese

  As Texans, we love our great state

 but even we will admit that come August, 

we often wish we were anywhere but here!

The down side of Texas in August: 

100+ degree temperatures,

flowers (and people) wilting with no end in site.

The up side of Texas in August:

AIR CONDITIONING

Kids going back to school (at least for moms)

Ranger baseball 

and the arrival of fall magazines featuring endless

pictures of New England ablaze in fall colors!

So, for all of you out there who think it is NEVER too 

early to start dreaming of cooler weather, sweaters 

and Halloween party planning,

we invite you to take a peek at our fabulous

 Halloween finds under the Seasonal tab of

www.maggieandreese.com

PARTY ON!

ON YOUR MARK...

The day has finally arrived for the opening ceremonies of the 

2012 Summer Olympics!

Maggie and Reese will be cheering on our athletes 

and keeping up with all the latest news.

If you are a sports fanatic, you can keep up with

all of the action by clicking on the following link:

http://www.teamusa.org

And while swimming, diving and gymnastics 

draw the big crowds, why not tune in to one of the 

lesser watched sports events - archery, equestrian 

maybe even badminton!  These athletes 

have earned the right to showcase their 

skills and who knows, you might just 

find the sport that unlocks the athlete in you!

GO TEAM USA

Strawberry-Moonshine Fried Pies!

What could be better on a summer day than a fried pie,

maybe with a little ice cream on the side?

When we stumbled across this delicious sounding recipe in the June/July issue of Garden & Gun magazine, we couldn't wait to hunt for moonshine (it turns out it's readily available at your local liquor store!), roll up our sleeves, and try our hands at this culinary delight!

Armed with all the ingredients, and the recipe of course,

we got down to business!

Warming the pie filling...Note, the filling had to marinate in the refrigerator overnight.  We learned this the hard way by not reading the directions all the way through before we got started!  So, the remaining pictures are actually from Fried Pie Making - Take Two!!

Reese actually getting her hands dirty and making

 the dough for the pie crusts!

Maggie using her muscles and rolling out

the dough for the crusts!

We got a little carried away with the amount of filling per pie but it all worked out in the end!

The little pies are smelling so good at this point

that we can't wait to try them!

The hardest part...waiting for them to cool off!

Finally ready to eat and they turned out sinfully delicious

if we do say so ourselves!!

Click here for the recipe...

http://gardenandgun.com/article/anatomy-classic-fried-and-true/page/0/1

And, the star placemat and mini-melamine shot glasses can be found at www.maggieandreese.com

(we won't say how much moonshine was consumed

during the making of this recipe!).

We hope you enjoy as much as we did!!

~Maggie & Reese

Back to School Sale

Home Sweet Home?

Not quite!

Most college students go off to school excited 

about being on their own for the first time.  

Of course, it is also about the same time they 

realize how much Mom and Dad have actually 

contributed to their day to day survival!  

With that in mind, Reese and I started 

talking about what we would have liked to 

have had to help make our college space feel a little 

bit more like home; our own artwork,

bright pillows and blankets, funky lighting, 

small tables and a reminder of 

Fido waiting patiently for us at home.....

, 

Layer it all over a bright new paint color and

suddenly you learn one of life's most important lessons-

Home is where the heart is! 

So whether you are a college student 

leaving home for the first time, 

a graduate decorating your new apartment, 

or a family moving into a new house, 

visit

www.maggieandreese.com 

click our Back to School tab 

and you will find an assortment of great ideas 

on sale that will help you turn 

your new house into a home!

Philanthropy + Shopping!

Philanthropy and shopping are two of
Maggie & Reese's favorite things!
 
We've found a way to combine these by offering products
in our store from Allem Studio.

As seen in the latest issue of Traditional Home magazine,
Allem Studio throw pillows and tabletop designs
are manufactured by SEWA, a women's only
co-operative in India.

1. Desert Camel Pillow

2. Damask with a Twist Pillow

3. Peacock Napkins (other colors available)

We hope to be able to provide more items that give back to those in need as our business grows!

Thank you for your support and happy shopping!!

~Maggie & Reese