Christmas Table Setting
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A Perfect Table Setting for a Christmas in the Islands

PMMAdmin3 December 16, 2019 Color, DIY, Kitchens, Niceties 0

Are you dreaming of a white sand Christmas? Beautiful, fluffy sand replaces traditional cold, wet snow when you celebrate Christmas in the Islands. Warming up in the sun omits the need for hot coco around the fire, and other traditions which keep you toasty during the holidays. Even without the feeling of winter, you can still feel the ‘Christmas Spirit’ when hosting get togethers this season.

After celebrating nearly two decades of traditions in the sunny Caribbean, Tiffany Cassidy of Lagnappe Custom Interiors shares her favorite finds for a beautiful Christmas table setting.

Our family LOVES Christmas in the islands!  All the colorful decorations, all the cookies, all the carols and classic Americana movies… ALL of the things that go into the holiday to give that special spirit.

Every family’s celebration is personal and meaningful for them.  I love visiting friends and hearing some of the stories they have to tell about the grandmother who made the best gingerbread every year. I love sharing special memories.  At our house, the process of getting out the Christmas decorations from storage is an annual walk down memory lane. So many touch stone from years gone by.  It’s been a couple years since I really set the table for the big day. We’ve been very casual about it for the past couple years, so it had me thinking about doing a really beautiful table this year.

I’ve put together a Pinterest board of Christmas table setting ideas to get my thoughts together and have had fun looking online for some unique items.  I love all things tropical and beach of course, but when it comes to Christmas, I’m all Americana.

The Perfect Dining Table Arrangement for a Christmas in the Islands

This tasteful table setting is simple and lovely. The greenery and pomegranates are easily found in local stores this time of year.

Tall and Colorful Candles

 I adore a candle-lit dinners, especially in the holidays. For my table, I would be tempted to add some tall and colorful candles like these.

Golden Drink-ware

Mix your colorful candles in with these eye-catching golden mercury glass votives for a pretty glow on Christmas Eve:

Personalize a Christmas in the Islands, with custom Party Favors

I love the idea of a personalized little party favor at each place too.  Cookies with the guest’s names on them are great; they’re easy and inexpensive. You can show off your baking skills, or simply decorate ones from your local bakery. These letter ornaments are a fun option, as your guests can keep a decoration for their tree for years to come.

This cute little ornament can be personalized and would make a great place card on your holiday dinner table.

Tis’ the Season Tableware for your Island Christmas

If you’re considering in investing in holiday flatware to go with china dinnerware, here are a couple classics. 

Celebrate Christmas in the Islands with Golden Flatware

Golden flatware in a modern shape is more versatile than you may think. This set will be perfectly at home for New Year’s celebrations, anniversaries, engagement parties, and many other celebrations in years to come. It doesn’t feel over done because the shape is so simple and sleek.  Mix this with any white China you already have and maybe some pretty holiday dessert plates and you’re all ready!

This dinnerware set might be the best value way I’ve seen to add a little sparkle to your table … and from Neiman Marcus of all places!

Christmas-Themed Dish-ware

When it comes to classic Americana, the Spode Christmas tree can’t be left out. This is the pattern I remember from holidays; it always make me think of my Aunt with a smile!  Start with the salad plates and a serving bowl to add just a little bit to your holiday table setting. Small holiday themed accents won’t overcrowd your cupboards and are budget-friendly.

Designer Christmas Tree Plates

Between pretty dishes and flatware, candle light, greens for the table, and cute little party favors for your guests, your table setting will be remembered well by all. That thoughtful party favor will come out of a box in years to come. It may also start a conversation about what a lovely night everyone had together down in the tropics in Christmas of 2019.

Lagnappe Custom Interiors is a full-service interior design firm, specializing in bringing the small niceties to a home or commercial space that make it memorable, functional and yours. Based out of St. Thomas, Lagnappe [LAN-YAP] is led by Tiffany Cassidy who enjoys working with property owners to create a home that reflects their style and needs. Tiffany marries her artistic and scientific sides together to bring the residents of the Virgin Islands and continental U.S. an interior decorating service that manages the complex and turns it into beauty. Her goal is to not only make a home prettier, but in doing so, make your life better. Visit www.Lagnappe.com for more information.

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Caribbean Kitchen Design: Bright Backsplashes

lagnappe February 17, 2019 Color, Kitchens 0

The kitchen is a great place to add color into your home, and there probably isn’t an easier way than with a vibrant backsplash.

Sometimes we get stuck thinking that the kitchen has to only be functional. A bright backsplash can take a kitchen from a place that is a place that holds your food and dishes into a space that you and your friends and family love spending time. Here are some cool ways to incorporate color into the kitchen backsplash!

Subway tile is a classic backsplash treatment, but the variety of blue tiles make this bright kitchen really interesting! Even though the palette of the room is fairly neutral, the backsplash is what draws the eye around this awesome space.

Of course the bright yellow color makes this room sunny, but the subway tile turned vertically adds an interesting detail.

Even monochrome tile is refreshing when placed in different patterns for different areas of the kitchen.

Glass tile adds color and shine that still feels translucent and light.

The straight edges of subway tile may feel too modern or “cold” for some kitchens. Choosing a tile with softer lines – or even a funky shape – can create a special space (especially with bright colors!).

Patterns are another way to add color to the kitchen backsplash and can really take a simple space into a statement room. Larger patterns tend to work better in larger kitchens, but don’t be afraid of a bold pattern no matter the size of the room!

Using wallpaper can really open up an entire new avenue of kitchen backsplash possibilities. With new stick-on tiles in all kinds of materials, the backsplash isn’t just for one color anymore!

Want to talk tile? Let us help – it’s what we do!

About Lagnappe Custom Interiors

Lagnappe Custom Interiors is a full-service interior design firm specializing in bringing the small niceties to a home or commercial space that make it memorable, functional and yours. Based out of St. Thomas, Lagnappe [LAN-YAP] is led by Tiffany Cassidy who enjoys working with clients to create a home that reflects their style and needs. Tiffany marries her artistic and scientific sides together to bring the residents of the Virgin Islands and continental U.S. an interior decorating service that manages the complex and turns it into beauty. Her goal is to not only make a home prettier, but in doing so, make your life better. Visit www.Lagnappe.com for more information.

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Patterned Tile for Any Room

lagnappe December 16, 2018 Furnishings, Kitchens 0

Neutral floors offer a beautiful canvas for which to build a beautiful room. Often times, remodeling a floor can totally change the way a room looks and feels. But in 2019, designers are turning to patterned tile to breathe new life into kitchens, bathrooms, even laundry rooms. 

Choose from many Tile Patterns

We found that intricate tile with hints of color brings old world charm to any kitchen.
Patterned tile creates beautiful separation between spaces.
Even very detailed patterns look great in kitchens with solid colors surrounding as anchors.
Smaller rooms like laundry areas, mudrooms or pantries can get away with more fun patterns and colors!

And who says tile is limited to the floor? Kitchen backsplashes, bathroom showers and even pantry floors are all being transformed by tile, with beautiful effect.

A herringbone pattern provides a subtle movement to this classic blue kitchen. And (gasp!) it’s peel-and-stick “tile”!
In this case, a cheery blue-green hexagon tile livens up this kitchen and keeps it light and airy.
A fresh irridescent tile creates an ocean ombre effect in this modern shower.

Use Tile to Create Texture

Whereas, this glossy brown tile imitates wood, keeping this bathroom looking elegant with a clean, natural touch.
Mixing tile can also make a room more interesting (and still functional!). Large subway tile next to gray herringbone adds contrast in a bathroom.

About Lagnappe Custom Interiors

Lagnappe Custom Interiors is a full-service interior design firm specializing in bringing the small niceties to a home or commercial space that make it memorable, functional and yours. Based out of St. Thomas, Lagnappe [LAN-YAP] is led by Tiffany Cassidy who enjoys working with clients to create a home that reflects their style and needs. Tiffany marries her artistic and scientific sides together to bring the residents of the Virgin Islands and continental U.S. an interior decorating service that manages the complex and turns it into beauty. Her goal is to not only make a home prettier, but in doing so, make your life better. Visit www.Lagnappe.com for more information.

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How to Choose Kitchen Cabinet Hardware

lagnappe October 21, 2018 Kitchens 0

While it may seem small, details matter in a kitchen and there is no more prominent detail than cabinet hardware. This detail can be super overwhelming as there are SO many choices. Here are four things to consider when choosing hardware for your kitchen:

Consider Cabinet Style

Are your cabinets modern or traditional? Do they have straight lines or curvy details? These questions can help guide you toward an appropriate hardware choice. A modern tubular drawer pull would look strange on an opulent wooden door. And an intricately-detailed knob may not fit on a cabinet with clean lines.

Mind Your Kitchen Cabinet Metals

This may be the simplest way to narrow your cabinet hardware choices. What color is your kitchen faucet? At the very least, matching your faucet and hardware is a simple way to make everything in the kitchen look cohesive. Some people will also match their appliances to hardware, but this is becoming less necessary. We’ve seen plenty of kitchens with brass hardware and stainless appliances. But if you need a simple way to begin your search, start here.

If your kitchen faucet is satin nickel and has some curved details, you can work on finding cabinet knobs or drawer pulls that mimic that style. If the brass faucet is more sleek and modern,  choosing a smooth, simple cabinet hardware style can work well.

Make your Kitchen Cabinet Hardware Functional

YOU are the one using the kitchen, so don’t choose a knob or handle simply because it’s trendy or the “it” style of now. Be mindful of how you actually move around your kitchen and use your cabinets. Which ones do you open most regularly? Are they easy to open or do you wish there was a simpler way to get to your most-used items. Go around your kitchen and pay attention to HOW you open your cabinets and drawers. This fact-finding mission about how your kitchen functions can also give you some clues as to what hardware would be most useful in your space.

Mix it Up your Kitchen Cabinet Hardware

As much as we want a kitchen to look like it goes together, being “matchy-matchy” isn’t totally necessary. Don’t be afraid to mix up your hardware a little, as long as everything lives within the same design “family”. As mentioned above, we’ve seen plenty of kitchens with stainless appliances and different cabinet hardware, so choosing knobs and pulls that you love is more important than choosing something that goes perfectly together. You may like knobs on your upper cabinets, but prefer bars or longer pulls on your lower ones. There are plenty of novelty knobs and glass pulls that can further create a custom look in your kitchen. Whichever way you go, make sure YOU love it!

Have questions about choosing hardware or want a designer’s help in picking the right look? Contact us today to start your project: https://www.lagnappe.com/contact/

About Lagnappe Custom Interiors

Lagnappe Custom Interiors is a full-service interior design firm specializing in bringing the small niceties to a home or commercial space that make it memorable, functional and yours. Based out of St. Thomas, Lagnappe [LAN-YAP] is led by Tiffany Cassidy who enjoys working with clients to create a home that reflects their style and needs. Tiffany marries her artistic and scientific sides together to bring the residents of the Virgin Islands and continental U.S. an interior decorating service that manages the complex and turns it into beauty. Her goal is to not only make a home prettier, but in doing so, make your life better. Visit www.Lagnappe.com for more information.

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Spring Green: Revive, Refresh, Renew

lagnappe March 28, 2018 Furnishings, Kitchens, Tips & Tricks 0

Welcome to the second installment of our spring color blog series! As a designer, I often hear people tell me they want to add color to their homes, but are afraid to do so. In this series, we focus on a color scheme and some simple, fear-free ways to incorporate it into your home. We may throw in a bold idea here or there, too! Did you miss our blue post? Check it out here.

The Caribbean is lush and vibrant, and nothing says “refresh” like the color green.

The kitchen is a great place to liven up with some green. Without having to drastically change the entire room, painting a kitchen island cabinets creates contrast and a lively place to entertain and gather.

  
A SUPER simple way to invite more green into the home is to literally, put greenery in your home. Live plans purify the air and bring some of the natural beauty of the islands indoors.
A subtle way to add some green hues to a room is to paint some shelving. Rather than changing the color of the entire bookcase, by opting to paint just the back, the color remains subtle but still catches the eye.  
  A little bolder but still not overbearing, bright curtains, pillows and styled shelves make this living room feel fresh.
Green as an accent color is always a sure bet. Grab some complimentary pillows, throws or rugs and you’re in the fresh business.
  A teal-green tiled backsplash and shower wall are great ways to add some color to the bathroom. This is a great option if you’re not interested in going bold with a printed wallpaper or all-over green tile.
Feeling a little bolder? This cool palm print wallpaper is a fresh addition to a bathroom. It will feel like a natural spa and add some interest to a typically “boring” room.
  Changing a room’s paint or wallpaper is an obvious way to update the space, but choosing green doesn’t have to be an “out there” decision. Softer hues are calming, and perfect for a place where work needs to get done, like an office.

About Lagnappe Custom Interiors

Lagnappe Custom Interiors is a full-service interior design firm specializing in bringing the small niceties to a home or commercial space that make it memorable, functional and yours. Based out of St. Thomas, Lagnappe [LAN-YAP] is led by Tiffany Cassidy who enjoys working with clients to create a home that reflects their style and needs. Tiffany marries her artistic and scientific sides together to bring the residents of the Virgin Islands and continental U.S. an interior decorating service that manages the complex and turns it into beauty. Her goal is to not only make a home prettier, but in doing so, make your life better. Visit www.Lagnappe.com for more information.

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How To Choose New Countertops

lagnappe July 31, 2017 Furnishings, Kitchens, Tips & Tricks 0

Remodeling a kitchen can be one of the most rewarding home renovation projects, but also one of the most overwhelming. There are a lot of details that go into creating your dream kitchen, and we can help! Countertops are one of the most-desired kitchen upgrades, and these tips can help you decide what kind works best for your life and style.

Different Materials

There are many different types of countertop options on the market today. These popular styles each have their own personality, benefits and costs.

  • Granite
    • When sealed, this natural stone gives a kitchen countertop lots of character with little upkeep needed.
  • Ceramic Tile
    • One of the most durable options, ceramic tiles make for an eye-catching kitchen counter. Even though the tiles themselves are durable, all the grout can make for difficulty when cleaning.
  • Laminate
    • Sometimes scoffed at by designers, plastic laminate counters have lots of affordable finishes and styles that can work in any kitchen.
  • Quartz
    • Engineered quartz is made of ground quartz, resin and pigments, making it available in nearly any color imaginable. It’s nonporous surface make it great for combating water, food particles, and bacteria in kitchens. It’s not cheap, though!
  • Wood
    • Beautiful butcher block-style counters bring a warm, natural feel to a kitchen. Even high-quality options like teak sometimes don’t fare well for high-traffic counters like kitchens. Wood countertops can sometimes be used as accents on islands or other prep surfaces.
  • Soapstone
    • Resistant to bacteria and other cleaning chemicals, soapstone is a more expensive option but lasts a long time.
  • Recycled glass and cement
    • While not cheap, recycled glass can offer a really unique and beautiful addition to a kitchen. It sometimes resembles sea glass and can bring a touch of the sea into the home. Cement counters are durable and hold up to the island elements.

Top Tips

Budget is always a concern when remodeling or redesigning a space. Aside from knowing what different materials cost, here are some other tips to remember when choosing a countertop:

  1. Get samples to take home and see what works well with your current appliances. Are you willing to paint your walls? If not, make sure the countertop you choose works in your color scheme.
  2. Compare the different samples at different times of day, with and without the lights on. Materials can appear differently in natural and artificial lights.
  3. How do the people in your home use the kitchen? If you have small children, a more durable and easy-to-clean countertop will be your best friend. If you don’t cook much or want a “higher-end” look, going with a more luxurious counter may fit your vision better.
  4. Ask your installer if their bid includes removal and disposal of old countertops as well as installation of the new – your designer can help with this part!
  5. Don’t be afraid to mix materials to fit your needs. If you love the look of butcher block, consider using it in part of the kitchen for serving rather than preparing food, and a more durable surface elsewhere.

Ask A Designer

A professional can help you get the exact look you want and stay within your budget. Lagnappe has great connections with suppliers and quality contractors in the Caribbean and can help you get the result you want.

About Lagnappe Custom Interiors

Lagnappe Custom Interiors is a full-service interior design firm specializing in bringing the small niceties to a home or commercial space that make it memorable, functional and yours. Based out of St. Thomas, Lagnappe [LAN-YAP] is led by Tiffany Cassidy who enjoys working with clients to create a home that reflects their style and needs. Tiffany marries her artistic and scientific sides together to bring the residents of the Virgin Islands and continental U.S. an interior decorating service that manages the complex and turns it into beauty. Her goal is to not only make a home prettier, but in doing so, make your life better. Visit www.Lagnappe.com for more information.