Betty Lou Phillips Takes Us Holiday Shopping

Imposing once again upon our friendship, I asked the divine Betty Lou Phillips, brilliant interior designer and author of nine books on the subject, to give us some ideas for a collection of charming cadeaux for the home. I guarantee you will be delighted with her sublimely splendid suggestions.

She asked me if she should go "high or low," I replied: "Do it both ways; we'll just dream a little dream and who knows. . . It's always fun to window shop. 

This is what she said:

With the holidays now in plain sight, it's exhausting scouring the planet to find the perfect gift. But it can be exhilarating sprucing up one's home with special wonders, whether large or small.

Here are a few suggestions for adding a bit of glamour:

1.) A Louis XV fauteuil

2.) An antique rock crystal or Baccarat chandelier

3.) Pillows knit from biodegradable yarns (unless one can find vintage)

4.) Fortuny or a Christopher Hyland paisley that can be turned into pillows

5.) Janet Yonaty trim to add to a window treatment

6.) A Buccellati silver candle snuffer

7.) Frette or Porthault bed linens

8.) A bouquet of Amaryllis

9.) Monogrammed towels with "Monsieur" and "Madame" 

10.) Dog dishes with the owner's name -- the dog or cat, that is. 

(Ed. Note: I couldn't find what she was looking for so I made a little substitution, I'll beg her indulgence, but it is funny, non? Yikes, hope she doesn't think it's tacky. . .)

11.) Lavender scented water for pressing linens to soothe the senses

12.) Beautiful, new dishtowels (I love the botanical ones available in the Louvre gift store, but the 100% white cotton towels with red borders and Bistro de Paris written in script -- three for $19.95 from Joie de Vivre, 800-648-8854 or French Selections are classic, classy additions to any kitchen.)

13.) Wood for the fireplace

14.) A selection of fine teas

15.) Wine glasses

16.) A marble cheese board

17.) To add to one's wine collection, a fine vintage or why not Champagne?

18.) And if you really want to go over the top a Carrera marble bathtub from Urban Archaeology

**I would like to add, why not a book or books on decoration from Betty Lou? Not only are they beautiful when open, but they are perfect decorative accessories on a coffee table. 

Et Voila. . .