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Creating a Unique Holiday Tablescape with Maison Blue

With Christmas around the corner we turned to our friends at Maison Blue for some expert advice on creating a beautiful holiday table sure to welcome and wow guests during this festive season. Below, owners Alexandra and Rhonda outline 6 suggestions for filling the table with unique specialty items as well as pieces that may already be found in your home.

1. Layer layer layer 

Nothing creates a cozy environment quite like layers of luxe linens. This is a great way to pull from what you already have at home while adding a few new fresh pieces season after season. Below, we layered a linen runner alongside ruffled stripe placemats and a gathered napkin with substantial ring holders. All of these textures play nicely with the finish of your table to soften things up while adding visual interest.

2. Decorate each place setting 

While plates certainly serve as a functional element at mealtime, they also create a lovely space to display festive pieces prior to eating (like the actual holiday ornaments layered below). The wreaths add rich color and the stag ornament is a bold and eye-catching addition. (A thoughtful option is for each ornament to serve as the gift guests take home with them at the end of the evening)! 

3. Hidden treats 

Speaking of spoiling guests, another festive addition to the table is using something unexpected to hold sweet bites across the table. For example, the sleigh works perfectly filled with chocolates, but you could also use a vintage sugar bowl or even a gravy boat filled with mints (or more chocolate)!

4. Be creative 

As we've referenced above, unexpected elements can be fabulous conversation starters at a holiday table (and we're pretty obsessed with these festive little pewter salt and pepper shakers)!

5. Add height to the tablescape

We love the added visual interest that varying levels of height bring to a table. Below, we incorporated vintage candle holders with various candle heights along with festive trees to really give the table a wow factor. It's always wise to keep guests line of vision in mind, especially for seats directly across from one another.

6. Personalize with place cards 

The addition of place cards not only helps direct your guests it also provides another opportunity to add a bit of visual interest at each place setting. Consider everyday items to hold the card (ex. a cork, pinecone, a mini planted succulent or holiday greenery), or perhaps these proud pewter turkeys - certainly fitting for any holiday table!

To shop all of the items shown above, be sure to visit Maison Blue at 50 N 2nd St. Eagle, ID or online at www.maisonblue.com

Be sure to tell them the SCOUT sent you!

- Jaclyn 

[tsgboiseidaho]

Augusto Fine Rugs + SOI BOI Color Collaboration

You can often find the duo behind the design firm SOI BOI (Rita Howerton and Shay O'Connor) pulling selections for their clients from the Augusto Fine Rugs showroom. Owner Anna Augusto has filled her space with handmade rugs, accessories and one of a kind vintage selections from all over the world. For us, it’s always a thrill to see two TSG members collaborating regardless of the project. I was fortunate enough to recently follow along as these members combined forces to discuss design, color and the stunning impact a rug and bold accessories can have on a room.

We started off at the Augusto showroom, pulling from the pieces Anna recently imported during her travels to Morocco. The connection she has to each piece is evident through her stories of traveling the country, meeting with artisans and spending time in the weaving facilities where each rug comes to life. “Being able to connect with the weaver and the story behind each rug truly has become a driving force in building my business and contributing to this industry.” 

For this collaboration, the teams knew traditional Moroccan rugs (known for vibrant color and detailed pattern) can often be considered a bold choice when added to an existing neutral space. "I have found that the temptation to keep a space neutral is to stick with solid color,” shares Augusto.  “The reality is that a solid colored rug can read too visually heavy in a space. If you want to add color, stick with a bold color that has a pattern to it.  Often a large scale pattern, helps balance out the boldness of the color.  In addition, pulling accessories that also have color to help relate the two and keep the room enriched yet not overpowered.”  SOI BOI did just that, selecting two rug options that represented this design perspective. Next up, seeing the impact each rug would have on a designated space. 

- THE BLANK SLATE -

I consider myself the fortunate guinea pig who not only observed the initial selection process between these design forces, but also the install that ended up taking place in my very own living room. Considering I have the tendency to play it a little safe with color (hello white and grey), this space ended up providing a true blank slate for these fabulously creative minds to have a little fun. 

True to SOI BOI style, they pulled options that not only demonstrated bold color but also eye catching pattern. Along with the rug and accessory selections from Augusto, they incorporated pieces that already existed in my home.  “Regardless of the project our goal is always to enhance and elevate the look of your home by letting the space itself guide our design decisions,” shares O’Connor. “Taking this neutral living room and recognizing the existing aesthetic allowed us to really let the rugs shine without any major changes to furniture or layout.”

First up, this stunning hand-knotted gold Moroccan. “I like this example for people that may be a bit hesitant to use color and are concerned about completely filling their space with a huge living room rug,” says Howerton. “The size of this rug would actually lend itself to layering with a larger, very neutral low pile rug to further fill the space without overwhelming it.” Augusto also noted “you'll want the bottom rug to be low pile or even a natural fiber, such as a jute, sisal or hemp, so the bottom rug adds the size, yet stays very neutral with texture.  The bottom rug is usually in the 8x10-10x14 range, and then the layered rug would be in the 5x8 to 6x9 size.”

This gold rug selection also allowed SOI BOI to really demonstrate how traditional accessories can work right alongside a bold rug. “That thin little stripe of mustard yellow in an existing throw pillow really tied the selections together,” shared O’Connor.  

Next up, MORE color, pattern and a complete transformation with this vibrant selection featuring shades of burgundy, blush, teal, orange and black. “This rug absolutely brought the space to life and truly complimented the warm floors and fireplace subway tile, said Howerton. “It really proved the point that a Moroccan can easily exist alongside more traditional finishes and neutral accessories.”  

Speaking of accessories, the fresh eyes SOI BOI brought into the space again reinforced the impact color and texture has throughout a home. “​Any accessories that are made by human hands are such a good fit for our hand-knotted rugs,” said Augusto. “The authenticity of the hand-made product is a perfect compliment to the rugs.”

The jury is still out on which rug is coming home for good - be sure to let us know your favorite and visit our Instagram page (tsgboise) for behind the scenes footage and outtakes from this collaboration! You can browse all of the rugs and accessories featured here on the Augusto Fine Rugs website and contact Shay + Rita directly over at SOI BOI. Be sure to tell them the Scout sent you (and be sure to say YES to color)!

- Jaclyn

[tsgboiseidaho]

Getting to Know Maison Blue

Walking through the doors of Maison Blue tucked away in the quaintest of corners in Eagle, ID feels like stumbling upon a local hidden gem. Owners and mother/daughter duo Rhonda and Alexandra Pollock opened their doors just 5 months ago after dreaming up the concept for years. A blend of European inspired antiques seamlessly exist alongside contemporary hand crafted home goods, each carefully selected by Rhonda and Alexandra.    

"Traveling is one of our shared passions that we utilize to find brands, pieces and collections we love,” shares Rhonda. “Cities like San Francisco (where Alexandra studied Art History), to Charlottesville (where we first discovered The Scout Guide) have all played a part in curating the collections available at Maison Blue.” 

“It’s so exciting to bring new brands to our clientelle, collections we’ve discovered at specialty stores across the country that previously haven’t been available here in the Treasure Valley,” shares Alexandra. 

While a relatively new business to Eagle, Rhonda and Alexandra have embraced the support of their community and are looking forward to participating in the Eagle Art Walk on April 25th from 5-9pm. Organized to celebrate local arts and culture, the event features area artists set up in galleries and shops throughout the downtown center. Patrons can enjoy light refreshments, styling consultations and meeting with local artist Sherri Carter at Maison Blue throughout the evening.  

*Maison Blue is located at 50 N 2nd St in Eagle, ID. Stop by during store hours (Wednesday - Saturday from 11am - 6pm).

Tell them the Scout sent you!

~ Jaclyn

[tsgboiseidaho]

Keeping it Personal in a Thriving Real Estate Market

There is no denying the incredible growth seen across the Treasure Valley in recent years. In 2018, Forbes named Boise the fastest growing city in the nation, "sweeping the competition by nearly every metric that matters."

The impact seen on real estate continues to skyrocket, so we sat down with local agent and Scout Guide member, Alicia Rodman at Spurwing Heights in Eagle, ID to discuss her personalized approach to navigate this hot market when relocating or considering a new home purchase. 

With over 25 years of experience in the Treasure Valley, Rodman (Owner/Designated Broker of Brick Group Real Estate) says is critical to take a closer look at the most impactful longterm factors that must play a part when selecting a new home.

"It's easy to get caught up in the transactional details when house hunting," says Rodman. "When in reality, looking much deeper at what truly is driving the decision to relocate or purchase needs to be brought to the forefront."

Rodman uncovers those driving factors by asking clients a series of questions. Broader details like what's motivating the move or what is missing from a current living situation are blended with lifestyle questions (where do you spend your free time, where do you like to shop, eat out, work, etc...).  She calls it "seeing a snapshot" of what a perfect day in their life looks like, which in turn allows her to narrow home selections to compliment that snapshot. "It's so important to me that lifestyle and community come first when selling real estate," says Rodman. "If we've wisely identified those needs early on, the house hunt inevitably becomes more streamlined and successful."

(We decided to turn the tables on Rodman and as her those exact questions to identify her perfect day in Boise. Take a peek at her telling snapshot below)!

"I typically like to wake an hour or so before my kids so I can enjoy my bulletproof coffee with my pug (Nala) resting in my lap. I adore the seasons in Boise if it's warm out you can find me on my front porch, or if it's chillier, I'm typically cozied up by the fireplace.  After coffee, I shift to my happy place in the kitchen. I make both breakfast and dinner at the same time (two meals, one clean up)! I love having dinner done, my days are typically pretty crazy and long, and often there is no telling when I'll get home."

"Once I have my kids out the door I try to take a little time for myself with yoga or a walk on the greenbelt along the river. Then I'm typically heading downtown to my office, I have always loved the energy of the city and find myself more productive in that setting. For a quick pick me up my go-to is Java on 5th (the Mexican mocha with homemade whipped cream is not to be missed - be sure to say hello to Judy, she's my favorite barista)!  The rest of my day often includes builder/developer meetings, design reviews or showing homes. I'm then rushing home to help with the kids, overseeing dinner and homework. In the evening I typically take time on my computer to recap the day and work on contracts or negotiations as well as preparing for the next day. And last but not least I always try to wind down with a mineral bath, stretching and relaxing sleep music."   

Rodman was interviewed and photographed in a model home at the Tresidio Homes SpurWing Heights community. SpurWing Heights offers stunning green spaces, abundant amenities and a serene location in Eagle, ID. To see more homes available in this community, contact Alicia at 208-386-0560. 

Tell them Scout sent you!

~ Jaclyn

[tsgboiseidaho]

Market Trend Highlights with the Idaho Design Center

We recently spent an afternoon with the team at the Idaho Design Center discussing how market trends are now playing out in their showroom and retail space. Stunning color, texture, detail and print fill IDC and echo forecasts from the Fall 2018 High Point Market.

"We're seeing so much bold color right now," shares IDC owner Kathy Searcy. "Peacock blue, persimmon orange, olive green, and a butternut gold are all trending across the design board." Searcy also indicates that while bold color is taking center stage, there is also a huge movement toward natural imagery and materials. "We've really seen b&w nature photography (cows, buffalo, and horses) move from a typically western category to every single environment from contemporary to traditional." Examples of the stunning exaggerated imagery are evident in Searcy's showroom where it's paired with natural accent pieces such a leather, bronze and fringe.

The Idaho Design Center is certainly known as a resource library for the interior design community of Boise. However, it also serves as a boutique shopping experience for walk-in customers to browse and purchase items often only available direct to the design trade. 

One example we're loving is the newly released Rifle Rug line (gorgeous printed patterns on a soft polyester base that is both colorfast and stain resistant), as well as the equally vibrant Rifle pillow collection.

"We love offering customers the opportunity to come in and touch and feel so many of the beautiful pieces we get to see at Market," says Searcy. "Whether you like to make selections on your own or work with a designer, you'll always be welcomed by our team at IDC." 

All items photographed above can be purchased directly at the Idaho Design Center, located at 146 S. Curtis Road. The showroom is open M-F from 9am - 5pm. As always, be sure to tell them THE SCOUT GUIDE SENT YOU!

~ Jaclyn