Christiane layered a few found seashells into her tablescape to keep the decor natural and breezy. (Can't you just smell the sweet and salty sea air?)

On the menu for the evening was eggplant and kale from Quail Hill Farm...

and grilled snapper...

and roasted fingerling potatoes.

How do you set the table for outdoor dining? And what are your favorite late-summer dishes? We would love to hear!

I love supporting CMOM and their commitment to engaging little ones through arts education. I'm always interested in helping in any way I can, so when the curators at CMOM asked me to be a part of this new exhibition, I jumped at the opportunity. It’s so important to instill a passion for discovery in children from a young age.

The space is primed for creative collaboration with large worktables, engaging projects and lots of room for learning and problem solving through design. Along one of the walls is a project board outlining our design process here at DwellStudio based around our Skyline pattern. Little ones can see all the steps of our process from selecting Pantone colors, sketching patterns to producing pillows and bedding based on the print.

Plus, on August 1st at 2pm, I'll lead a workshop as a part of CMOM's Meet the Designer series. During my workshop we'll talk about the process of transforming our inspirations into prints and textiles—just like we do at DwellStudio. I’m so honored and humbled to be included in this series along with other amazing design-savvy women like hat designer Lola Ehrlich, Grensler architect Belinda Watts and theater set designer Rachel Hauck. I love working with kids and helping them to discover new ways of viewing the world around them (and learning from them!). If you’re in the city this summer drop by the Design Studio with your little ones. Who knows, this exhibit may just inspire the next wave of innovative designers.

The NYC Design Studio at CMOM will be open until August 31. Hope to see you there!

(Images via CMOM)]]> Fri, 06 Jul 2012 14:23:54 +0000 http://www.dwellstudio.com/blog/a-striped-sensation-from-the-coveteur/ Breton shirts, Picasso candids, Sea-faring Nauticals and Zebras, circa Vaudeville. We’re drooling over The Coveteur’s Seeing Stripes board on Pinterest. This Parisian-girl staple has inspired many of our favorite textiles for summer from our Draper Stripe Rugs to our Graphic Stripe Duvet Sets. Stripes are a true summertime classic!

We’ve been huge fans of The Coveteur’s swoon-inducing blog for a long time. (Those fashion-insider shots are too cool!) But we just discovered their lust-worthy Pinterest page—pinned to the hilt with style icons, colorful creations and mad-cap artwork. Who are your favorite of the moment pinners?

Related Posts:

Across the Board

A Summer Must - Shakespeare in the Park

A Beach-Side Lunch in Amagansett

I served ice cold cucumber water in our chic little fish glasses. One of the entertaining tips I’ve picked up over the years is to add a few cucumber slices to a pitcher with a lid, store it in the fridge upside-down for a few hours before guests arrive—et voila! You’ll have water with a refreshing spa-like taste. It really adds a layer of luxury to a casual party.

Our beach-side lunch table was set with these sea creature plates—made by Laura Zindel—a very cool artist from Vermont.

They provided the perfect complement to our ocean-side setting.

I’m obsessed with our Napeague serving platters—inspired by my favorite beach town retreat, Amagansett. I kept the mood casual by placing silverware on a platter.

Allowing guests to grab utensils at their leisure while keeping the styling of the luncheon chic and organized.

I served one of my favorite summertime dishes—grilled asparagus—on a matching Napeague serving platter. This dish is so easy to make, and it’s a true crowd pleaser.

Don’t you love the summery palette of the green and blue and yellow?

This Driftwood Candelabra is one of my favorite pieces from our summer collection.

Each one is so unique because it’s made from reclaimed grapevine. I used it as a centerpiece, and it was an instant conversation piece.

And my son had a great time playing with it too!

What are your favorite ways to entertain in the summer? I’d love to know!

Plus, see all my must-haves for summer>

Crafted in classic sailor stripes (one of our current Pinterest obsessions) with 100% cotton canvas on traditional looms for sun-stain and water-resistant durability and designed with packability in mind—the roomy interior makes stashing everything from flip-flops to weekend reading a breeze. Our new go-to tote will carry on all season.

Bonus: Pair it with matching mini pouches for an extra dose of organization.

Shop the full summer collection>

Using light to illuminate a citrine moment... via The Selby.

Rich jewel-toned citrine in the living room... via The Glamourai.

A subtle corner filled with citrine accents adds dimension to this grey-themed space... via SF Girl by Bay.

Sun-washed in citrine elegance... via ECLECchic.

A farm table made bright with yellow chairs... via 79ideas.

Plus make sure you check out our Memorial Day sale... we're offering 20% off, site wide. Have a lovely long weekend!

Shop all our citrine products>

P.S. Do you remember this How You Dwell with MStetson!?! All those pops of yellow... so chic!

(Image credit from top left: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4, Image 5, Image 6, Image 7, Image 8, Image 9)