Living in the country, I find myself more than ever poring over the pages of Country Living. In a recent revamp of the magazine, Sarah Gray Miller and her talented team of editors deftly kept that casual country feel we all know and love but updated it with a fresh, more modern look. This month, there's a great story on our good friends Michael Devine and Thomas Burak, two of the sweetest, most talented people we know! It's all about their gorgeous garden in nearby Kinderhook, where Jaithan and I spent an elegant New Year's Eve, wining and dining well into the night. Here's their pretty plot of land leading to a pre-fab shed the two transformed into a fantastic outdoor dining room.
With the addition of a faux-thatched roof, finials, and French doors, a standard issue shed went from bland to grand!
But then again, I'm not surprised. Michael I've known for years,
ever since my House Beautiful days. As a fabric designer, he's always
coming up with a fresh, new take on traditional patterns. Thomas, too,
is an interior designer, so together, they're quite the creative
couple! Just as dreamy as a country lunch in the garden was the belated birthday dinner party the two hosted for fellow blogger Ronda Carman and me at their city apartment on Thursday. We share the same birthday, so Michael and Thomas had been planning the evening for months. From the living room of their Gramercy Park apartment, you can even see the Empire State Building!
Here's the dining room—opulent, sophisticated, and filled with beautiful things, collected over time. I love the pop of blue on the table, and the arrangement of lilacs is simple and stunning.
Monogrammed linens and beautiful flatware—two of my favorite things!
Dinner was divine, and afterwards, Thomas surprised us with a decadent spread of desserts, including this sumptuous cake with chocolate mousse and hazelnut dacquoise from Payard, topped with these pretty candles.
Ronda of All the Best and her charming husband Chris are both such sweethearts, and I'm thrilled we were finally been able to meet!
All in all, It was a birthday to remember, a New York night in the company of great friends, new and old.
Your party looks lovely! I agree about Country Living too. I happened to get it as a inexpensive little addition to another magazine I subscribe to and love it. It has become one of my favorites with it’s fresh breezy feel.
So much fun! It was so great to spend the evening with you and Jaithan. Michael and Thomas are just the Best! We must do it again next year.
Lots of love,
Ronda
It was a fantastic night – can’t tell you how much we enjoyed finally getting to know you and Jaithan. Let us know when you are going to visit us in Scotland!
best
chris
Beautiful table – the lilac is sensational – I wish you a very happy Birthday and as for that outdoor dining pavilion…total fabulousness, xv
What a darling garden shed — I’ll have to check out the newest issue — I love the thatched roof!
Belated Happy Birthday!
We had the best time. Can’t wait for lunch with you and Jaithan in the garden.
What a lovely evening you must have had. The apartment is beautiful! I especially love the chandelier which I would guess is Swedish.
The meal and the dessert look FABULOUS. OMG that chocolate must have been amazing.
Tricia – Avolli
You’re one my favorite new reads…so glad I found your blog. Hope that I might be able to join you for your antique market tour in Atlanta this summer.
Hi Eddie, I went cuckoo for cocoa puffs when I got my edition of Country Living. I love Michael and Thomas’ little garden”shed”! How very clever it is. Their garden also is gorgeous. Looks like you guys had a lovely birthday party at their gorgeous NY apt. Beautiful tabling settings and desserts tray. Belated Happy Birthday to you!!
That shed and those willow enclosed gardens made my heart skip a beat. Dreamy!
New and old great friends and a lovely dinner – Your birthday sounds perfect!
Happy belated Birthday to you, Eddie!
xo Isa
I adore Ronda and am so happy you were able to all get together and celebrate Birthdays!
What a fun birthday at a beautiful house! Happy Belated Birthday!!
I loved the CL shed. The color is so pretty as is the garden. If only I had space!
Happy Birthday!
Looks like you had a wonderful celebration. Fantastic home and the cake is worth driving to NYC for.
Happy Happy HAPPY Birthday!!!!
If I was there I’d plant a big kiss on you!
xo xo
PS My birthday trad is that we celebrate for the whole month you’re born in, so keep it going!
Happy , happy B.day my sweet Eddie, What a special friend to give you such a lovely dinner party in your honor, how fun. the table was so simply elegant,my favorite style. Loved the tall candles, I used those on my last Bday celebration,also. Looking forward to more of your post about your new farmhouse, we want more EDDIE!!!! Hugs Kathysue
Well Happy Birthday! and Rhonda too! What a wonderful little vision in the midst of the city! Amazing what some folks can do! Glad you spent the evening with good friends and great food!
Happy Birthday!
Love Country Living! The most recent issues look really fab. When are they going to hire you? xx
Eddie and Jaithan-
Thank you so much for the shout out on today’s blog with our Celebration Tapers on your birthday cakes!
What a wonderful surprise when I realized that your hosts were featured in Country Living and I had tabbed that article to take to the farm.
Hope all is well!
Fondly,
Pam
Happy Birthday!!! I loved the pictures of Thomas and Michael’s apartment. Has their New York apartment been featured in a magazine? House Beautiful?
David
Hi Eddie
Wow! Looks like a delightful evening in a delightful place!
Thanks,
Ciao
You’re right about the punch of blue on the gorgeous tablescape. My eye was then drawn to the drapes. Loved the look!
What a talented group of friends you have! I always enjoy seeing beautifully decorated homes and tables, so today’s post was a feast for the eyes. Love that last pic . . . perfect! Happy Belated Birthday!
Turning a shed into an outdoor dining room, what an amazing idea! Thanks for sharing, such a wonderful post!
Thanks for pointing out the Country Living story, Eddie! On my way to work this morning I stopped and stared at our boring shed and realized that sprucing it up is next on our “to-do” list. Michael & Thomas’ shed is perfect inspiration! And happy belated birthday to you.
Happy belated birthday!!
I cut the first photo out of my issue and added it to my inspiration book….I loved it the moment I saw it!
What a beautiful home they have!
Sounds like everyone had a great time!!!
Happy B-Day!!!!
Happy belated birthday! Everything looks nothing less than fabulous. Oh, and I want that shed.
There is nothing more wonderful than friends surrounded by beautiful things and a fabulous view! I want to be YOU for one day! Happy Be-lated Birthday. It is the only day of the year you can claim as your very own. I can tell you had a wonderful time and remember…it’s not years gone by…but years of wisdom you have gained.
Happy belated birthday! What a fab party!
So glad you had a good time! Happy Birthday to you both. 🙂 The party looks scrumptious!!!!
That garden…to die for! Happy Belated Bday Eddie…Just know I was toasting you with a falafel in Jordan on the big day.
OXOX
Are ya 1, are ya 2…..lol. You look so cute, so happy – just as birthdays should be, shared, celebrated and enjoyed!
happy year ahead!
pve
I do love Country Living mag. I still have the very first one I bought back in 1982. I loved the outdoor dining room!
Happy Birthday! The table is lovely! Love the blue and the flowers! Wish I had a lilac bush! What a lovely idea, for two Birthdays to add the cakes all on one tray! I have tree in my family, with Birthdays close together. I done one big cake with two small cakes, or 3 cakes, thanks for sharing your cakes, I going to do this come July!