This has been one hot and humid summer in the Midwest, and I could not be more ready to bundle up in my sweaters and sip my way through cider season. Besides loving the aesthetics, smells and colors of fall, I am excited to host family and friends (safely) at my home this holiday season. Fall represents to me the beginning of dinner party season.
Bunnies and tulips and colorful eggs, oh my! With Easter only weeks away (how?!) my mind turns to my wonderful family memories of this time of year – gathering around the dining table to dye eggs, scavenger hunts to find baskets filled with sweets, and heading to church with extended family on Easter morning are among my favorites. Of course, I love to dress the table up for any occasion, and Easter is no different. I’m finding myself having even more fun with it these days, incorporating little things my little guy might enjoy and it’s especially easy at Easter time (who doesn’t love cheerful colors and playful bunnies?)!
On the menu today is beautiful and bright tabletops sure to bring a sunny smile to your face! I don’t know about you, but I have been STARVING for new tabletop goodies to play with and I am so happy that it is finally that time of year! Although it hasn’t been feeling like Spring these last few weeks, it is on its way. Easter is only a little over a month away! While February always feels like the longest month of the year, it will be over before we know it. This doesn’t allow much prep time for a new season, so I love to get a head start on bringing new displays to our dining areas. There are a few easy additions to freshening up your tables this month and start spring off on the right foot!
Ok, you got me, colorful glass isn’t exactly “new”. In fact, it’s been around for thousands of years beginning with the ancient Egyptians according to The Stained Glass Association of America! And of course, lovers of historic architecture know that stained glass windows can be found in many an old religious building. As much as I appreciate the colorful glass of decades (and centuries and millennia) past, right now I’m obsessing over the brightly hued drinking glasses, bottles, decanters and cake stands of today that are elegant, delicate, and most importantly FUN! With colors spanning the entire rainbow and beyond, there is always a way to add a bit of whimsy to your tabletop whatever your preferred palette.
In the time I have owned Nell Hill’s, I have been so fortunate to meet the most amazing designers and artists around Kansas City (and beyond). I find so much inspiration from talking with like-minded creatives about style and design. One of these talented souls is local tablescape artist Suzanne Zingg. A couple months ago I had the pleasure of sitting down with her to chat and one thing led to another and an idea was born!
For many families (mine included), this year’s holiday celebrations are going to look a little different. While I won’t be hosting a grand dinner full of family and friends, I still want to make this Thanksgiving as special and meaningful as possible (because despite all the negative things about the year, we have so much for which to be thankful). One way I know how to do this (besides the copious amounts of food I am planning on prepping) is with décor.
I know Autumn won’t “officially” be here until September 22, but I am nothing if not prepared when it comes to fall decor! To keep my fall fanatic tendencies in check while still scratching the itch to continue in my quest of a seasonal makeover, I have been concentrating on the unique beauty of transitional designs. These are settings for that magical time of year where one season seamlessly blends into another, which is an art form and experience all its own.
I have been missing the shop so much this week! I keep thinking of all the wonderful goodies that are waiting for a good home and can’t believe it’s been over a month since we were last all together! That’s why I want to give you a glimpse into Nell Hill’s by sharing one of my new favorite areas of the shop. Right before this craziness hit, we reset our Winter Wheat room (aka the “kitchen room”) with a new look we like to call Charcuterie Chic.
It seems that Easter is going to look a bit different for many of us this year. However, different doesn’t have to mean less festive! Nothing gets me out of the “isolation blues” like turning one of my rooms into a new scene! Last month when I was visiting Gail’s beautiful home in Lawrence, Kansas (check out last week’s blog post for more on that), I had just perused at all our cute spring goodies and I thought that her house would be the perfect place to set up an Easter Brunch.
I know we are still technically a little way off from the first official day of spring, but that’s no longer stopping us from celebrating the new season! After this weekend at our Spring Open House I am going full steam ahead into springtime.
ⓒ 2025 Nell Hill's
