Every time a new shipment of home accents arrives at the stores, the Nell Hill’s staff and I get giddy. As much as we’d like to, we can’t take home everything we fall in love with at Nell Hill’s. But, we still manage to fill our fair share of shopping bags with treasures we can’t wait to use to decorate our own homes. So just for fun, I asked five members of the Nell Hill’s team to share their favorite item at the stores right now and how to use it to make your home more lovely and livable. Here’s what they said …. Lori: Freshen up with a Fern Wreath
Lori loves gardening, so when our big leafy fern wreath arrived at the store, her heart jumped because it reminded her that spring was finally coming and she would be out digging in the dirt soon. Green wreaths like this one made of faux ferns are great decorating tools because you can use them lots of different ways inside your home and out. One of my favorite tricks is to rest a green wreath on the mouth of a garden urn, then fill in the center hole with a dramatic focal point, like a garden statue, lantern, trellis or gazing ball. You could use this fresh display on your front porch, at the center of your dining table or on your kitchen island – anyplace you want a splash of spring color.
Lori is going to use her wreath to decorate her front door for spring. While the wreath is definitely pretty enough to stand alone, Lori likes to add a personal touch, so she’s always experimenting with new looks. For instance, at Christmas she hung a mirror in the center of the wreath on her door. Right now, she’s thinking about hanging the wreath by some of the Easter-themed ribbon we’re selling at Nell Hill’s, then tucking in a few of our adorable bunny or chick figurines. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with!
Ali: Jazz up Your Bed with Colorful Quilts
When Ali unpacked the new shipment of Amity Home’s Base Camp quilts, she was a goner. These bright and cheery lightweight quilts sporting colors like choral pink, butter cream yellow, mint green and tangerine orange just screamed spring. To add a touch of spring cheer to your bedroom, Ali suggests folding one of these solid-colored quilts at the foot of your bed. Or, have twice the fun by layering two, folding them so both colors show. These inexpensive additions are an easy way to give your custom bed one more layer of interest.
As the weather begins to warm up, I’ll be hanging out on my screened porch every chance I get. During these early spring days, when the air is still cool, I like to drape lightweight quilts like these over the arm or back of my porch furniture so I’ll have a blanket nearby in case I get chilly.
Stacey: Life Smells Sweeter with Pickwick & Company Candles
When we got in our first shipment of Pickwick & Company Candles, Stacey was a bit taken aback by the names of the scents. Black Pepper? Really? Who on earth would want a candle that smelled like pepper? And Leather, Tobacco and Wood. Seriously? Does this mimic the aroma of my husband’s dreaded Man Cave? What would be next: Gym Locker? Wet Dog? Then Stacey took a whiff and was captivated by these delightfully different candles.
This new line of candles is made right here in Kansas City by a few guys who are passionate about their truly unique product. They’ve had fun coming up with out-of-the-ordinary scents, all of which smell amazing. It’s fun to watch our customers huddle around the Pickwick & Company display, sniffing each candle, picking out their favorites. How about New Baby, which captures that indescribably wonderful clean and soft smell of a little one–part powder, but magic. Or Norfolk Lavender, which makes you feel like you’re in a spring garden. Stacey’s current favorite is Salty Sea Air because after the long, hard winter, she desperately wants to be at the beach. One whiff and she’s there.
Dolores: Warm up a Room with a Lovely Jade Lamp
I barely finished asking Dolores for her top pick when she started describing her all-time favorite lamp. “I love, love, love this buttery yellow solid jade lamp,” she said. “It’s just gorgeous and will create ambiance in any room, guaranteed.”
Now you know why Dolores is in sales – her enthusiasm is genuine and incredibly infectious. She adores the lamp base’s warm coloring and its black, octagon-shaped linen shade. She likes the fact that it’s big enough to add much-needed visual weight to side tables and that it looks superb in every room, from the entry to the bedroom to the living room.
Once you have a great lamp like this one on a side table, think of it as just one element for an eye-catching display. Dolores likes this jade lamp displayed with a potted fern in the background. Then, in the foreground, she suggests a small silver tray holding a crystal decanter and two wine glasses, or a short stack of antique books serving as a pedestal for a few snapshots in beautiful frames.
Christi: Add a Pop of Color with a Blue Garden Stool
Christi likes to break decorating rules. (Maybe that’s what knit us together when we first met!) So when she saw the shipment of adorable turquoise ceramic garden stools on the showroom floor at Nell Hill’s, she started dreaming of unusual ways to use them. Her favorite idea? Use one of these chubby little stools in place of a standard wood or metal side table in your living room, introducing a new color and texture to a space that’s probably full of fabric and wood.
“If your room is large, you could also use a garden stool as a riser in a really dramatic centerpiece on your dining room table,” she suggested. In her home, Christi has placed her ceramic garden stool on her fireplace hearth. It not only brightens the brick expanse with its splash of color, the stool is also an excellent stage on which to set up seasonal displays.
Do you have a Nell Hill’s favorite – a piece you fell in love with at the stores and now are using in really wonderful ways? We’d love to hear about it!
Next Week … I’ll share some ideas for weaving the fresh feel of your spring garden into your interior decor.
Scents of Spring
The Scents of Summer 2021
Autumn Aroma Therapy
Summer Scent Pairings
Mickie says
April 7, 2011 at 3:09 pmLove the fern wreath…how much are you selling it for?
Julie Blanner says
April 7, 2011 at 6:59 pmI adore the fern wreath. Do you happen to have any boxwood wreaths?
patti g says
April 7, 2011 at 7:06 pmHow much is ther fern wreath??? Loving it
Rose says
April 7, 2011 at 7:09 pmI love the moss-covered angel statue I purchased in Atchison a number of years ago. It has been at home in a number of different rooms and used in a number of different ways in my home.
Carol Bartling says
April 7, 2011 at 7:55 pmI also like the fern wreath, is it available through on-line sales for home delivery? what is the price? Thanks you for the delightful newsletters.
carol
Sherrie says
April 7, 2011 at 9:28 pmLove the yellow ginger jar with the cut-outs on top of the turquoise garden stool. How much are those?
Sherry says
April 7, 2011 at 9:40 pmI love everything I see but cannot find any of these items in your on-line store. If we don’t live in Kansas, how do we purchase them??? Thank you in advance for your response.
Sherry
Karen says
April 7, 2011 at 9:41 pmI have two of the jade lamps and the minute I saw them they had to come home. They are on a mahogany chest, with a blue and white platter between them on a stand. Then I placed two of your white apothecary jars in front and to the side of the platter. May be a little traditional but shows classy.
Dee says
April 7, 2011 at 9:43 pmI also love the fern wreath! Can it be ordered online? I just wish I lived near your stores, or perhaps it’s best I don’t! Thank you for your wonderful newsletters.
Patti says
April 7, 2011 at 9:52 pmCan you tell me if you are able to “ship” the Fern Wreath, and the cost?
Also, I love the ribbon you have the wreath hanging on …. do you carry?
It’s perfect for the front door. Thanks
Mary says
April 7, 2011 at 10:20 pmDo you have any angel type statuary that look as if she/he is laughing joyfully? A friend is looking for a specific one. If so, can you email a photo?
Mary
Jean Bowers says
April 8, 2011 at 1:14 amI’m interestedd in the quilts you showcased. Please let me know if they are available with sizes etc. Thank you, Jean
Joyce Ohde says
April 8, 2011 at 2:17 amI love the fern wreath. Is it available by mail and how much is it? Love your blogs. I also like the quilts and would like more info on them.
Thanks,
Joyce
Cruz Hansen says
April 8, 2011 at 2:26 pmI Love the fern wreath and the jade lamp can you please tell me the price on both.
I love your blogs too. I can hardly wait to open my email when I see I’ve received something from NellHill.
Thank you,
Cruz Hansen
Cruz Hansen says
April 8, 2011 at 2:27 pmCan you please give me the price for the fern wreath and the jade lamp.
Thank you,
Cruz
Marybeth Huffman says
April 8, 2011 at 2:27 pmOMG – I am a candle snob and I am in LOVE LOVE LOVE with local Pickwick and Co. candles. I feel like Spring is in full swing with their floral scents. I bought Wild Peony and it took me back to my childhood of picking flowers with my Nanna. We had so many we put them in mason jars. I burn this candle and it brings back such fond memories. I was so glad to see you carried them up North. If you have not tried Tomato Leaf you will be in for a treat. I too thought, Tomato Leaf????? LOVE IT!!!
June Schrock says
April 8, 2011 at 2:49 pmI also am very interested in the yellow jade lamp? Do you have it in the catalog? Am planning on moving and would love to work the lamp into my room decorating.
June Schrock says
April 8, 2011 at 2:49 pmsee above comment
June Schrock says
April 8, 2011 at 2:50 pmWonderful jade lamp? What is the cost and is it in the catalog.
Janet W says
April 8, 2011 at 4:21 pmLove, love, love the fern wreath. it is so realistic looking. Is this something I can purchase from you by phone or mail?
I never miss a week of your wonderful ideas and inspiration.
Anna says
April 8, 2011 at 6:26 pmHI-
Please tell me the cost of the fern wreath..Also would it be possible to ship to 64724 and the cost..It is all class with no fuss…understatedly elegant!
Mimi Tafour says
April 8, 2011 at 10:58 pmhope you have lots of fern wreaths in stock after reading the comments from fellow nh/mc groupies. want one, too. 🙂
Mary Ann says
April 8, 2011 at 11:05 pmBaby shower tomorrow…new Mom’s place card is on a New Baby Candle…so sweet!
Karen says
April 8, 2011 at 11:50 pmWhat catalogue??!!!! The online store or have you put out a catalogue?
Karen says
April 8, 2011 at 11:52 pmWhat catalogue??!!!! The online store or have you put out a catalogue?
I’ll be in Kansas city in May. I want a fern wreath.
Cecilia says
April 9, 2011 at 4:05 pmI too am interested in fern and stool. Loved the Easter decorating ideas last week but can’t find the linens and other items online. Why??? Live over 3 hrs. away so I can’t just run to the store. Please let me know what is up, can I purchase them online? How?
patty schere says
April 9, 2011 at 4:44 pmI bought one of your fern wreaths and hung it on the front door.The birds were as excited as i was because we now have a momma carolina wren sitting on four eggs. we’re using the back door until the babies fly the fern wreath..
Judy O. says
April 11, 2011 at 5:17 pmI love my large wooden dough bowl I got from the store in Briarcliff about 3 years ago. Its great for ornaments at Christmas and lately I had it displayed on my dining room table filled with antique books, some green moss and a garden urn. Thanks for your wonderful ideas – I always look forward to Mary Carol’s neat ideas!
Mary Carol says
April 12, 2011 at 4:24 pmSorry folks I am so late in responding, our internet was out at the end of last week. For those of you inquiring about our fern wreaths, they were only available in our stores and we are sold out. We filled quite a few for those of you that called–877-746-4320. There is a remote possibility we might get more–just unsure at this time. However, we do have some other wreaths in the store at present. Call with any questions.
Mary Carol says
April 12, 2011 at 4:29 pmGreat question Sherrie—Many things previewed on the blog are not available on our online shopping–but in the stores only, because of availability. Please call our toll free number at 877-746-4320 and we would be happy–if available– to ship out.
Mary Carol says
April 12, 2011 at 4:29 pmGreat question Sherrie—Many things previewed on the blog are not available on our online shopping–but in the stores only, because of availability. Please call our toll free number at 877-746-4320 and we would be happy–if available– to ship out.
Mary Carol says
April 12, 2011 at 4:34 pmI am sorry Mary, no angel statuary at the moment—please try again.
Mary Carol says
April 12, 2011 at 4:45 pmJean–Hopefully, you have already called. Please call Ali for all the details concerning the quilts @ 877-746-4320.
Mary Carol says
April 12, 2011 at 5:00 pmCecilia and others—The only things I can carry on the online shopping are things I can get on a on going basis. Store items change constantly–as featured on the blog and facebook. However, if you see something on either the blog or facebook–and it is still available—we can ship it to you–no problem.
Shirley Wheat says
April 12, 2011 at 5:06 pmHow do i find your online store???
Mary Carol says
April 12, 2011 at 5:06 pmCruz and June–The jade lamps are flying out the door—just a few left @ $259.50–call 877-746-4320 for more info.
Mickie says
April 14, 2011 at 7:18 pmMary Carol…could I make a request? When you post on your blog would you please put in whether or not the items are available on-line or in the store, and also (and perhaps most importantly) the price of the individual items…that way those of us who are out of town could call the store and purchase and have the item shipped? I was in love with the fern wreath but for whatever reason I simply never thought to call the store to find out price & availability. Thanks so much! Love your blog…lots of terrific ideas and tips!
Marilyn B says
April 14, 2011 at 10:25 pmSeams everyone loves the Fern wreath, I will be in KC in a couple of weeks and Nell Hills Briarcliff is on my list of where to go. Can’t wait.
Debbie A. says
April 21, 2011 at 12:08 amI also loved the fern wreath, but I live in Ohio. I read Mary Carol’s article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer about decorating with lanterns couple of years ago and have all of her books. I only wish I could visit her stores….still wishing for an online store that can carry the wonderful fern…
Shirley says
April 24, 2018 at 7:51 pmI received a Pickwick & Co. Home Nell Hill’s custom fragrance candle for a gift. It is almost gone and I really would like to purchase more. Where can I find this fragrance?
Mary Carol Garrity says
April 26, 2018 at 5:41 pmShirley, we have Home in stock at Nell Hill’s! Give us a call and we will hold for you (816-746-4320) or stop by the store.