It's All in the Details

One question we often hear from readers is how long it takes me to do all the things I do, whether creating a flower arrangement or setting a table, styling a desk or propping a vanity. The short answer is:  It's all in the details. The long answer is:  There are a lot of details. But if you know what to look for ahead of time, objects with an interesting and eclectic mix of materials and textures, shapes and sizes, when it comes time to actually doing it—propping the bar for a party, styling a bedside table for guests—you have everything you need, right at your fingertips! This week, over at Etsy, we've assembled another unique collection of antique tabletop, all drawn from my own travels, full of beautiful, one-of-a-kind items, together with useful and inspiring ideas, that will help you...well...fill in the details in your home. And what better way to begin than with an elegant champagne brunch?

These days, breakfasts and brunches are my favorite ways to entertain because they're easy and inexpensive. We're talking about eggs and toast, orange juice and champagne, or, for an even better bargain, a bottle of your favorite Prosecco. But presented thoughtfully, with a unique assemblage of things—the details of the day—something as basic as a bar for mimosas goes from simple to superb! Freshest is best, so while a silverplate urn keeps Prosecco chilled, oranges go from woven compote to cutting board, from a charming vintage juicer to a 1940s crystal pitcher. And to serve them, I love mixing more than matching. Here, I've paired a set of monogrammed crystal wine glasses with cut crystal champagne coupes for a look that's casual but sophisticated, eclectic but cohesive. I've always thought that If there's a thread running through every item you choose, whether shape, color, material, or texture, they'll always work together. Speaking of, imagine waking up in the morning to a vanity tray in the bathroom like this.

This scenario is all about the details too, and it relates to yet another question readers often ask: How do I make my vanity top both organized and beautiful? For me, I'd have to say it's thinking outside the box—literally. Skip the charmless bottles from mass-retailers and give your vanity the vintage touch! While a 1920s swan vase holds a billowy cloud of cotton balls, a pair of English hobnail top hats totes Q-tips, nail cutters, and other accoutrements. Salt cellars, you know, aren't just for salt. Here, I've filled a pressed glass piece with cotton pads and bobby pins, along with a unique collection of crystal bottles with hand-ground stoppers, perfect for astringents. And, beneath it all, the crowing piece and a personal favorite of mine—a stunning art deco mirrored tray with a twisted glass frame and decorative brass detailing. Now who wouldn't want to wake up to a glamour-girl spread like this, throw on pearls, and go? I know I do!

Comments

[Sue Coghlin]

love the site and the funny pictures of you.
Sue Coghlin

[sarah]

I love the brunch photos.
Perfect for a quiet/intimate home affair.

Especially set on the grey + white backdrop the mimosa station really pops.

[Holley Minton]

Love the oranges, Eddie. It's an often overlooked color but has great pizazz as a monochrome theme. I use an antique salt cellar in the shape of a bird by it's nest in my guest powder room for ladies to put their rings in while they are washing their hands. Just a nice little detail that makes all the difference.
Holley

[Hilary Eklund]

Lovely post - makes me hungry!
Welcome to etsy - your shop is beautiful (no surprise there.) We have found etsy to be a fun new venue for selling antique and vintage in addition to b&m antique shop and shows. I am sure you will find lots of success there as well.
Good luck!

[hanako66]

lovely, just lovely

I am so excited for the Rose bowl trip!!!

[Barbara Nieder]

Eddie, The "honor" goes to Vogue for recognizing the brilliance Eddie Ross brings to us all. I think that you are so wonderfully special, and I think that I have very good taste. All of us who pour over your Eddie Ross Blog every day have exceptionally good taste. Barb

[Danielle]

Eddie,

I love the store so much I'm adding a weekly feature to my blog http://thecompleteprep.blogspot.com/
about the new items you've added each Wednesday.

This of course implies that I am borrowing your photos from the store, and of course linking them back to your store (if it's a problem let me know). Keep sending wonderful things our way! I love the Italian candlesticks this week!

[Holly]

I love the Mimosa bar. The colors just jump out. I am keeking that idea for Easter.

[ralphie]

A breakfast brunch, very elegant!
Champagne and OJ, the breakfast of champions! :-)

Thanks Eddie,
Ciao

[Evelyn Weiss]

Auntie Mame would have loved this post!

xoxo
Evy

[Tabitha (From Single to Married)]

oh I love the vanity - it's so pretty! I just wish I had a place to have one. Maybe one of these days...

[Renovation Therapy]

that little glass top hat is making me squeal.

[Dallas Shaw]

Hooray for the mirrored vanity tray! I posted on here last time that I really wanted one! xo

dallas
http://dillydallas.blogspot.com

[jae]

Life is in the details! How funny is it that we both posted about vintage items repurposed today!

[patricia]

One of my favorite husband's sayings is - "The devil is in the details." You tempt me with your details Eddie.
pve

[Maria Killam]

Love that vanity tray, it is simply stunning. And the pink, how great is that!

[Karena]

Kathy's Mimosa recipe sounds delish! Wonderful tips as always Eddie....

[Judy]

Once again you've given me such inspiration and you are so right that it's all in the details. I'll be using your ideas and hosting a simple brunch in the near future for my 88 year old mom and some of the other "girls"....just maybe not using champagne (but then again, why not?)

Love ya,
Judy

[pigtown*design]

It IS all in the details. In clothes, in decorating and in life! Thanks for showing people what a difference the details make! You're a star!!!

[Wendy Gladson]

Prosecco is the new Vodka at my house! Cant wait to see you in LA ;)

Cheers!
Wendy

[Trayce Cerwick]

help me please. I have just painted my dining room ceiling a tiffany blue (my ceiling is stair stepped and I painted the very top only) and the rest is a khaki kindof beige. it scares me to death right now. We have cherry finished table,china cabinet and curio's in it. MY BIGGEST PROBLEM - I did this while my husband is out of town and he is going to kill me. How can I pull the color to the rest of the room. Please help. Lurker from San Antonio - tlcerwick@att.net

[Arlynn from Fleur De Licious]

What lovely vignettes!!! That vanity arrangement is so remnicient of my grandmother - brings back memories : )

[Kathysue]

Again you show us using everyday things we have and putting them together in a lovely way makes it Oh so Special and without too much fuss.This is what I love about you,Practical but always lovely,hugs Kathysue

[desiree@lookiloos]

Wow! I need to put some things together. Thanks for the inspiration.

[Kathy :)]

Love that swan Eddie what great ideas, I just love a Mimosa for brunch, I have a great recipe:

1 can orange juice concentrate (thawed) but cold
1 liter club soda
1 bottle champagne
**sometimes I add a little sherbet ice cream

Enjoy,
Kathy :)

[Audrey "drey" Coggins]

i love it! love blogposts that TEACH!
(how often do you dust??)

[Evelyn]

Eddie - Love the Art Deco Mirror -Scumptious.

[Christie Lefebvre]

That is so right Eddie...make it pretty! I had a bunch of vintage crystal liquor decanters from my grandma and didn't know what to do with them. One day I thought how ugly the plastic bottles are things come in. I use the crystal decanters for mouthwash, liquid soap, shampoo etc... They just look so nice now and I don't have to look at those plastic bottles with Zero personality. Thanks for the vanity picture Eddie :)

Christie
ACK