The Best Farm Ever Celebrates Thanksgiving with Family and Friends

If you've been following Dovecote Decor for a good while, you remember The Best Farm Ever post.  My friend is an epic hostess/organizer of weekend parties for family and friends. Watch how this stunning family dinner table evolves. Mrs. R. sets the table with her bamboo party chairs that she can stack away when the pool table isn't covered. 

Small arrangements in mint julep cups, make it easy to divide the flowers, and punctuate the long table, without obstructing conversation. Mrs. R. chose a perfect assortment of simple parrot tulips, daisies and berries to complement the Holiday motif. 

The added dimension of the floating sunflowers is brilliant. Sunflowers are hard to work with in arrangements, yet floating in reflective round globes they add a layer of beauty and shine,  to a wide table--note to self. 

The Hurricane lanterns, with orange candles repeat the floral refrain. Low votives scattered along the table glow, adding light and reflection to the beautiful reflective glass and silver. 

My definition of creativity is: mental flexibility. Creating a billiards room, that doubles for dining, is more than smart. Honestly, we play a bit of pool, but we eat more often. Don't be intimidated, be organized and flexible. If you have to add a little table at the end of the table, do it. Do not send the youngest to the children's table if you can avoid it. 

Thanksgiving is our unique American, family holiday, let everybody contribute. Yes, be organized, but let the wild rumpus of cooking begin. This way, everybody shines and shares traditions, recipes and techniques--it is going to make a mess. 

There will be arguments, and things might get burned, gravy might not thicken, but if you expect family time to be, what it usually amounts to, you will laugh and carry on for years, with the gossip and memories. Then, we all do the same crazy thing all over again.  

More baking

You've got to have crackers and wear funny hats. 

Before dinner, Champagne and Kelley's caviar announce the commencement of the evening. This is delicious American, Tennessee caviar, for a fraction of the price.

The dining room is set for serving. The walls are painted with vistas of the surrounding land. 

When it is only family, better to dress for the occasion, it brings out the best in us. The children tuck in first. 

On Friday, here come the friends.  Thanksgiving is football. 

The barn is ready for the onslaught of parents and children. Roberta Freymann fabrics in multiple colors and patterns work perfectly together and look wonderful with the Mexican tiled coffee table. The bold ethnic graphic is what this great wood swathed space needs--more notes to self. 

A 26 year old diplomat, negotiates a complex Monopoly summit of 4-14 year olds.  The little ones cannot add up their cash.  (This photo was taken at a different party last winter). 

Sal Ajro brings delicous wood fired pizza.

Do you see the fire in this drum? They not only warm the bones, but smell deliciously of fall. I would love a pair of these in my courtyard. 

They do double duty as planters. 

This is the other side of the barn with curtains along the covered terrace that close in the winter to make a large festive dining space. What could be better than eating outside in the winter with two roaring fires?

Mrs. R. brings down the previous night's decorations for another festive family evening for 18!

We are Thankful during the holidays for
our great country,
The men and women who protect us,
and our wonderful families.
Thanks also to Mrs. R. and her sister's glorious photographic skills!

Don't forget our spectacular giveaway
for a chance to win our beautiful
faux tortoise shell chest.

First become a follower of Dovecote Decor by scrolling up and following 

the instructions. 

Click through to our store and choose an item you like

Then, Click Here to proceed to our contest at Art by Karena.

Leave a comment, on Karen's blog, for each step you have taken, for 

multiple chances to win! 

Good Luck Everyone! 

The Best Farm Ever: Part II: Upstairs--Eaves and Jeeves

Where's Jeeves? Guests are completely at home at this relaxing farm, pitching in for meals and games of paint-ball. When the rain drops fall, this is a calm retreat from all the fun. The soft white and blue motif still looks fresh and clean under the clutter.  The simple white porcelains add an inexpensive Gustavian touch.

Eaves dropping from all angles, create quite a challenge, for this girl's bedroom.

Not for designer Tatiana Armstrong! This tightly patterned fabric by Roberta Freymann solves the problem of the unusual shape of this room, providing bright warmth. We have this problem upstairs in my own house, where all the rooms are under roof,  it is impossible to hang pictures to break up the space. 

Every little girl needs a stage for her animal world! A clever little lit cabinet at the far end of the room creates an inviting storage and play area.  Painted vintage pieces add a homey farm context and will remain cherished as its young occupant replaces toys and animals with shoes and make-up.  The canopy over the bed draws the eye and adds height to a low ceilinged room, breaking up the narrow space. A contrasting narrow stripe further defines and divides this former attic and is a sophisticated touch that will age the room gracefully.  

Where do you place a bed, when there is no bed wall? You put the bed in front of the window and create bed hangings instead of classic draperies. Again, the solution to the tight space is a large patterned wall paper.  It is a very small bedroom, but it is cozy and creates needed space for a large family and their grateful guests. 

This adjoining, sweet guest room employs the same solution and adds the necessary extra space for a family whose motto is: Guests of Guests may bring Guests!

The Best Farm Ever: Part I: Downstairs

- Liz Morten and Viive Ralston
Interior Design: Tatiana Armstrong

My friend sent me images of her family’s farm in upstate New York. Reflected above is the Gothic revival farmhouse and barn that have been renovated creating two distinct environments. The farmhouse is an understated and tranquil refuge from the busy city life the family shares in NYC, while the converted barn/pool house says “party!”

Neutral pastels in the farmhouse, with lots of comfortable seating set an inviting, more formal tone.

Roberta Freymann fabrics in multiple colors and patterns cover Pottery Barn furniture, and are carefree and summery. The Mexican tile on the kitchen back splash echoes the cheerful statement and visually ties the spaces together. 

 

The stained cement tiles on a wood grid reiterate the geometry of the original post and beam construction. 

Monet's Giverny

The farmhouse kitchen, maintaining its American roots takes inspiration from Monet’s Giverny.

The more affordable Mexican tiles on the wall still convey the Pre Raphaelite aesthetic of craftsmanship, expressed by the Gothic Revival vernacular. Using Mexican tiles vs. European=divide $$ by 10=smart.  

The tiles blend in the room rather than depart, reading more like a New England quilt, than their warm weather origins. 

The painted floor, and the continued use of the tiles on the back splash brighten the room considerably, and maintain the continuity of geometric pattern in the house.

Looking at a "before" picture, is a great way to see the personality, and the warmth, that pattern and color introduce.

One of the biggest design problems is: where to put the television.  Let's face it, TVs do not always work with our room schemes.  But  if your family enjoys sports and movies, and whose doesn't, put the television high in a room where everyone can see it -- frat house style.

In the library of the main house, this T.V. is hidden in plain sight, blending in with the geometry of the pictures and the antique game boards.

Before and after shots are always fun.  My friend included this one of the farmhouse library in the batch.  

Stay tuned for "The Best Farm Ever: Part II: Upstairs"