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Five more yummy pictorials from the Leta Austin Foster Instagram posts....

We reposted this photo of a Porthault Desmoiselle linened bed that was photographed and originally posted by Erik Kvalsvik, the phenomenal photographer that shot the photos for my book , Traditional Interiors and who is now shooting all the photos for a new book showcasing D. Porthault's linens.  We have both King and Queen sets of this in stock in the Boutique if you have a hankering !

Here is India enjoying the great outdoors with one of our beautiful clients......a perk of taking on a design project in Durango, Colorado !

Thought you'd like to see our swimming pool in Maine. This is a serious pool for doing laps or jogging (like I do), but many of our guests just like bobbing about and enjoying the breathtaking scenery.

A reminder for all you turkey lovers......the boutique's supply of chocolate Bissinger's turkeys is dwindling. Not to worry about buying them early because the chocolate will be good through March.  If we don't have as many of them as you need, we can still custom-order them for you to be shipped directly to your home.

Another amazing monogram from Lin de Château. This 3-dimensional monogram is painstakingly embroidered by hand. First, the white embroidery thread is satin stitched over a roll of cording and then all the green threads are over-embroidered in varying stitches on top of the roll. Any linens with these monograms embroidered on them will instantly become heirloom quality.

Till next week....
XOXOX
LETA

betty@lafinpb.com
561.655.7367 (boutique phone)

CARTONNAGE

Beth Scanlon is an artist extraordinare! Her classically trained eye and her adept hands create the most beautiful pieces of cartonnage I’ve ever seen. Cartonnage is a card-board like material which she carefully scores and cuts to shape into waste paper baskets, tissue cubes, boat valets and assorted desk accessories.

These shaped items are then covered with traditional Italian marble, patterned or floral papers in assorted colors and designs.

Even simple items like a pencil or an in/out box are transformed by Beth’s touch to make a refined desk set, at home in any environment, modern or traditional.

The most fabulous and unique pieces are those that she has added a three dimensional diorama to. These are not your run-of-the-mill grade school cut outs, but rather a perfectly sourced and patiently trimmed scene that she has pulled from historical references or….

The Circulating Librarian

more amazingly, from one of her simply marvelous watercolored flowers….

 figures…..

 or architectural wonders.

We started carrying Beth’s line, Scanlon Apparati, about 2 years ago and have had nothing but rave reviews from our clients.

We are so happy with the collection, that we have ordered many new items this year and are impatiently awaiting their arrival.

Some items you can expect to see in the boutique this season are Audubon bird dioramas…..

Découpage Cache pots….

fishing and horse themed letter holders…

and some items that she has not made before, but is creating just for us, such as legal pad holders, stacking trays, desk blotters, matchboxes, picture frames (these will be a big seller) and notepad holders.   I will be sure to post some pictures of these items when they arrive.

In the meantime, check out Beth’s blog at www.scanlonapparati.com. You will be amazed at the infinite talent showcased on lampshades, furniture, water-colored room sketches, botanicals, figures and scenes.  Let your creative juices flow and please let us know if Beth can create something extra special for your room.

XOXOX

LETA

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Incroyable, mes amies.....a week has passed since my last Instagram posting ! We are just so into this new-fangled IG that we cannot stop showing you all the wonderful things we like and things that we have in our Boutique so that you, my dear friends, can buy them for your very own :)

These beautiful embroidered-edge trims can be ordered in any color and can trim all your crib bedding items. They come in many other designs (we have a book in the Boutique) and can be added to blankets, pillows, sheets, buntings, dust ruffles......you name it !

Available now in the Boutique, monument hankies by D. Porthault. They are $50. each and come in L'Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur, Pont Neuf, Eiffel Tower and Moulin Rouge.

D. Porthault makes THE most beautiful printed towels. Some of their patterns are shown above and come in Wash Cloth ($90.-105.), Hand Towels ($145.-175.), Bath Towels ($345.-425.), Bath Sheet ($425.- 525.)and Quilted Bath Mats ($395.-470.). Prices vary according to the number of colors used in the printing process. We have a great selection of towels on hand at the Boutique.

I know everyone told you that Lunéville china is no longer made, but it simply is not true. Let this be a lesson NOT to believe everything you hear. In stock in the Boutique are all the normal pieces to dress out your table ( Dinner Plate $55., Salad Plate $38., Pasta/Soup Bowl $55., Bread and Butter dish $31. and Cup and Saucer $59.) We also have a catalog with a hundred other shapes that we can order for you from France !

One of the preliminary watercolor sketches made for the creation of a new pattern for D. Porthault. So beautiful ! Ususally, once a design makes the cut, it is colorized in 2 or sometimes 3 colorways.


Until next week......au revoir (feeling very French today, can you tell?)

XOXOX
LETA

Betty@lafinpb.com
561.655.7367

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Wow, hard to believe it is the middle of September ! Little by little, all our favorite people are drifting back to Palm Beach.  Until you get here, I've got my weekly Instagram teasers to keep you up-to-date with what is new.

Well, I'm back in town myself, but here is what I left behind. I just love my porch in Maine. A perfect place for a meal al fresco or to read a book in the sun.  Simple stripes in yellow and white and bounding blossoms of summer flowers.

While I was gone, the Boutique got replenished with these adorable hair clips and headbands from a Danish company that we are enamoured of.

Also in, these really cute wrapping papers. You know we always look for new and different paper items that you won't find anywhere else :)

Some of our new stock order from Scanlon Apparati are starting to trickle in. Don't you adore this Hollyhock Diorama Waste Basket ?

Two of our favorite faux's being used on current jobs. Cypress paper from Nobilis and tile planks from Paris Ceramics. You would never know they are not wood products !

Check out our Instagram site at letaaustinfoster for more exciting photos. But if you don't, never fear, I'll be back next week with some more highlights.

XOXOX
LETA

betty@lafinpb.com
561.655.7367

HOLIDAY ORDERS

I realize it is only September, but now is the time to order your Thanksgiving supplies, Christmas cards and your children’s Holiday Outfits. All take a minimum of 5 weeks (actually more like 8 for the cards), so you need to make some decisions and check this yearly “to do” off your list.

Thanksgiving table decor:

We have place cards, crackers and chocolate turkeys for your Thanksgiving table in stock. If you need us to order you any Surprise Balls, we need to know now so you are sure to get them for the big day.

Children's Clothing:

Here are some ideas for  holiday outfits from Baroni and Anichini of Italy.

This beautifully smocked and embroidered dress can be made in any size from 6 months to 12 years. Ours is red silk, but you can order this style is several other colors of silk as well as cotton or wool. E-mail us for all fabric choices.

Cotton Tartan plaid dress can be made in several other plaids as well as silk, solid cotton or wool. You may choose from many color combinations to make this the perfect holiday dress.

For brother, we can order this little set with velvet, Tartan, silk or flannel (wool or cotton) pants or shorts. The shirt is attached by buttons so that it stays tucked-in despite the obligatory rough-housing. The shirt can be cotton or silk and it will be accented with the fabric that the bottoms are made of. Sleeves can be long or short.

Baroni's apple green silk is always popular for a Florida Christmas and this dress can be made in several other silk colors (red or dark green, for example) and is very popular made up in red velvet as shown in picture below. Creamy silk collar and cuffs are the perfect addition to this cheery frock.

Another style of dress that is one of our favorites is shown here in Red Stewart Tartan cotton flannel from Baroni. The collar and cuffs are piquet cotton with scalloped and embroidered edges. The bodice is smocked in two colors, red and green, for an added festive touch.  The style can be ordered in other plaids, solid velvets, cottons and wools.
 

Anichini's plaid dress is also smocked and has a ruffle and embroidered collar. This one is in lightweight cotton, but can be made in wool plaid as well as velvet and flannel solids. Long sleeves are an option as well.

A great romper, appropriate for boy or girl, can be made to match the dresses and pants shown above. If you are aiming for a familty photo shoot for your Christmas cards, then this is the place to order matching outfits for the whole brood. Again, many fabrics available. So simple and so classic !

Here is the long sleeved version of the outfit I showed you previously. This one has Tartan Plaid bottoms and trim on the shirt.

If you prefer a classic sailor look, then this silk set is perfect for you. Other silk colors can be substituted and if silk is not your thing, then we can make it in cotton flannel or wool, solid color or plaid with a cotton or linen sailor shirt.

This brand new style from Anichini sports a scalloped velvet collar, bow and cuffs. If you would prefer short sleeves, we can make it that way. Also available in other plaids and solid colors.

As explained, any of these styles above can be made in tartan plaid (Black Watch, Red or White Stewart and Tartan 5) in wool or cotton flannel, or cotton velvet, silk, solid colored challis or wool.

Don’t forget to add a cashmere sweater and cute little shoes to complete the outfit.  The cashmere sweater comes in about 40 colors, so let me know if you would like to see the choices. Again, as with the outfits, these are made to order, so allow about 5 weeks minimum. Personally, I would order all my holiday items now so that you will have them the beginning of November.

 

Since traditional Mary Janes are so hard to find, let us help with these as well. We have 3 styles of red shoes and a traditional black patent leather that would work with any of the fabrics you will be ordering for the holidays.
 

If you are in a cold climate, it is time to order your coats as well.Traditional wool double-breasted coat with velvet buttons, collar and pockets comes in several color combinations. A hat, boy's or girl's style in wool or velvet can be made to match.  Don't you remember wearing these yourself ?

Christmas or Hanukkah Cards:

The Printery, Pickett’s Press, Mrs. John L. Strong, Dempsey and Carroll, Grosvenors and Bernard Maisner all have wonderful holiday card choices. Some examples, shown below, can be personalized with your name and, should you choose, with your own saying.

A photo card from The Printery of Oyster Bay. Many other styles and colors to choose from, so just let me know and I'll email them to you.

A traditional engraved Christmas card from Pickett's Press. Choose your theme, your font and your colors......have your return address added to the envelope and your are all set. No fuss holidays, just seal, stamp and send !

Bernard Maisner has several very novel cards for the holidays. His Christmas tree shaped card is penned with the words from the poem/song "O, Christmas Tree".  You can have it personalized inside with a saying and your name.

Dempsey and Carroll's gold engraved wreath is even more stunning in person. They are happy to personalize and add a return address to the envelope for you.

Table Linens:

Should you need a tablecloth, placemats or napkins for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, this is the time to order these as well. Don’t be scouring the stores for these items at the last minute. 

You can order some beautiful colored, hemstitched napkins, custom-sized (if need be) tablecloths or linen placemats for your Thanksgiving dinner and for your Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah dinner now, while your options are plenty.

China:

And while you are at it, wouldn’t you just love a set of these jolly dishes for your holiday table ? Created by Costanza Paravicini in Italy, they are available to order……but don’t wait too long because she has to paint them for you !

If you can think of anything else you need (glasses, barware, flatware etc.), please let me know. I’m your holiday elf and here to help make your celebration just the way you envision and without the hassle.

You’re welcome :)

XOXOX

LETA

email Betty@lafinpb.com or call her at 561.655.7367