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HOUSE OF FIFTYideas for livinginspired

issueEIGHT

november/december2012

Savorthe moments thisHoliday season!

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IN THIS ISSUE:

ON THE COVER:Let’s start off the holiday season in colorful style! Interior designer Valorie Hart opens her home to House of Fifty readers, all dressed up and ready to celebrate the season. Photography by Sara Essex Bradley.

The holidays are the perfect time to show all the people in your life how much you truly appreci-ate and care for them. Each year the season seems to come around faster than the last, so slowing down to enjoy and savor the moments is the best gift you can give to yourself and others this season!

This Issue is Simply Packed with Inspiration for Enjoying this Special Season to its Fullest

From decorating and entertaining,

gift ideas and guides,

to holiday “dress up” favorite finds!

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Before starting work on House of Fifty’s holiday issue, I took some time to stop and

think about what I look forward to most during this time of year. What is the season truly all about? What came to mind, overshadowing thoughts of annual parties, family holiday traditions, sending out cards and finding all those “just right” gifts, were simply the days when my family is afforded the opportunity to step away from our daily routines and schedules to enjoy time with each other. These days are often filled with activities, but at other moments they can proceed at a slower pace, giving us the chance to simply

be together. And so, stripped of all the holiday “trimmings,” time to just be present with one another is what is I value most about the holi-days. There is nothing better than a lazy start to the day, cooking a hearty breakfast as a fam-ily and, as the day unfolds, sharing celebrations with the people I care about most: my husband, my children, extended family and friends. Perhaps it’s a symptom of getting older, having kids who have figured out the true identity of Santa, or experiencing how the cliché that time flies quickly is a cliché for a reason. This season, the wish for my family is that we have the chance to slow down enough to enjoy these special moments in our lives, shake off a bit of the commercial craze and show those we love how much they mean to us. Mindy Lockard says it best in her article later in this issue, ‘A Gracious Guide to the Holi-days.’ There she shares, “Join me in being present this season and give the gift that matters most, the gift of reaching out to those you love in a meaningful manner.” From myself and House of Fifty, here’s to having a most memorable and joyful holiday season! Sincerely,

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR:ON THE COVER:

Janell Beals, Founding Editor

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10 The TeamOnce again, we have the best group of contributors and are so very appreciative of them!

14 All Through the HouseStyle maven Valorie Hart opens her holiday home to House of Fifty readers, sharing the story behind her festive and colorful décor.

30 House of Fifty’s Favorite Finds: Tree Orna-mentsYou simply can’t have too many tree ornaments! Select several to give as gifts and add one to your own tree this season.

32 Winter WreathsNothing dresses up an entry or mantel quite like a festive wreath. See our favorites for the home and to give as gifts.

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HOUSE OF FIFTYNovember / December 2012

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November / December 2012

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56 5834 Read House of Fifty on the GoEnjoy reading the latest articles wherever you are.

40 Talent We Are Taken With: Michael Devine We are quite taken with this designer’s line of hand screened fabrics. In this story Michael shares the old world process behind this true labor of love.

56 So “Tray” Chic Gift Ideas from Michael DevineThis collection of trays are made using Michael’s hand screened fabrics. Great not only as gifts but as a treat for yourself!

58 A Family Home for the GenerationsLinda Roberts’ tropical home embraces a touch of the holidays while welcoming multiple generations under one roof.

Enjoy a Preview of the Articles that Await You in this Holiday Issue!

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86 8874 Ready to EntertainInterior Designer Beth Keim of Lucy and Company makes a couple’s wish for grown up spaces to entertain in become a reality. Read her smart tips for how to successfully work with a designer.

84 Ready to Entertain Gift GuideIt’s the season to entertain and what host wouldn’t love the gift of a new serving piece for the next time they entertain?

86 The Heart of DesignKim Myles believes she has finally broken the code for how to entertain with ease... and we agree with her!

88 Home for the Holidays Interior Designer Margot Jagger shares her tips for creating welcoming and festive homes for the holidays, along with the traditions her family enjoys the most during this season.

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116108 110106 Holiday Sugar Cookie RecipeIs there a more loved activity during the holidays than baking and decorating cookies? And even better is sharing a few as sweet gifts.

108 House of Fifty Baker’s Dozen: Baking Essentials Gift GuideSelect a few baking essentials, wrap them with a pretty ribbon and surprise the baker in your life.

110 Three Simple & Tasty Holiday GiftsAdd a personal touch and a bit of DIY to create memorable gifts for the teachers, hosts and co-workers in your life.

116 Traditionally SpeakingCourtney Fernan shares her favorite holiday memories and asks three top bloggers to share what holiday traditions are most enjoyed in their homes year after year.

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128 Give the Gift of Art!Looking for a unique gift idea for the person who has everything? Consider the gift of art and browse our finds. 130 The Nostalgic World of Painter Janet HillLearn the story behind the paintings of this talented artist, whose narrative work asks the reader to fill in the blanks of the story suggested through her imagery.

144 The Allure of Perfumes & the Bottles that House ThemNow more popular than ever, perfume is a desired gift to both give and receive. Learn what early perfumes are still around and the scents that are most popular today. 148 Mimi Inman’s Holiday Makeup TrendsGet a holiday ready look with the help of House of Fifty’s Beauty Editor.

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150 Let Us Inspire You to Get “Fancied Up” This Holiday Season!What says “let’s get festive” more than a cocktail dress?

152 It’s Said Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend... At House of Fifty We Say its Shoes!

154 A Gracious Guide to the HolidaysEtiquette expert Mindy Lockard shares her tips for enjoying a most gracious holiday.

158 What We’re Watching: Movies with a Holiday Spirit

160 Thrift Store Enjoy a holiday short story by Pauline Wiles.

166 Are We Meant to Create Beauty?Darlene Weir explores the value of design as compared to the importance of other con-cerns in our daily lives.

172 Stay in Touch until Next Time!

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THE TEAM:

Janell Beals Founding Editor

Mimi Inman Beauty Editor

Lakeitha DuncanNew Features Editor

Shari Miller Art Director

Courtney Fernan

A Thoughtful Place

Valorie HartThe Visual Vamp

HOUSE OF FIFTY

holiday

2012

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Lakeitha DuncanNew Features Editor

THANK YOU FROM

House of Fifty!

Estelle Hayes Pink Moon Daily

Jennifer JonesI Heart Organizing

Mindy LockardThe Gracious Girl

Kim MylesKim Myles

Kate RileyThe Centsational Girl

To Everyone Who Contributed to this Issue,

SarahThrifty Decor Chick

Darlene WeirFieldstone Hill Design

Pauline WilesPauline WIles

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All Through the HouseStory by Valorie Hart

Photography by Sara Essex Bradley

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The Nostalgic World of Painter Janet HillInterview by Janell Beals

‘Hide and Seek’

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The Nostalgic World of Painter Janet Hill

‘Hide and Seek’ ‘Grasshopper’

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FOR THE HOLIDAYSHome

Interior Design by Margot Jagger DesignPhotography by Tracey Ayton

Story by Janell Beals

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FOR THE HOLIDAYS

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Holiday 2012

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