Bright Lights of Paris

Exciting new changes are underway yet again at Petit. They're still under wraps until market next week, but one of our upcoming collections made me think of Paris' nighttime glow. In keeping with this theme, let's take a look at the bright lights of Paris at night.

While it may not necessarily be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the bright lights of Paris at night, the Arc de Triomphe certainly looks stunning illuminated against the night sky.

The Moulin Rouge may be a bit closer to what may be conjured up by the phrase "bright Paris lights." But we're still not there yet.

Ah, la Tour Eiffel. It is without a doubt the definitive staple of the Parisian skyline. While maybe a bit cliche, everyone wants to see it in person at least once. And let's face it: classics never go out of style.


We hope to see you at market next week. Look for us in the Southern Accessories Today showroom. Hope to see you there!

Atlanta Gift Market

We're busy preparing for the upcoming Atlanta International Gift Market. Look for us in the Southern Accessories Today showroom located in AmericasMart building 1 on the 12th floor Suite 12A2 & 12B1. We're excited about the prospects of this year's market and we have some exciting news of upcoming products and changes of our own. Hope to see you there!

Great Architecture

Great architecture is almost a thing of the past. Inspiring structures have been replaced by drab, gray offices. The need to surround ourselves with things of beauty and inspiration has been replaced by dull efficiency with the almighty buck as the bottom line. Gone are the days of building for the sake of creation. I think that's why so many of us are drawn to vintage beauty. The old world had something special that we somehow lost along the way. I want to take this time to reflect on great architecture and dream that someday we will start building the way we used to.

St. Peter's in the Vatican. Once you've been there, nothing else is quite the same.

They just don't make things like this anymore.

The domes and railing add just a little something extra to the stairs. Nothing needed but definitely missed. Put there just because.

Moving Day

Moving is never fun. Well maybe a little. It seems it's something we do often at Petit. This time at the behest of lawyers no less. It's not a big move thankfully. The work was short and sweet. Now we have the amusing task of redecorating when faced with red poinsettias and pink floral prints sitting in the same room. Sorting all of that out is the fun part though.  Just a quick blurb today about the move and to wish Paul McCartney a happy birthday.

Happy birthday Paul!

Smell is the Strongest Sense Tied to Memory

They say that smell is the strongest sense tied to memory. That is to say that a familiar smell can whisk you away to another place in time. I was visiting a friend. This friend has a particular tree that smells amazing. I have no idea what the tree is but the smell is one I've come to associate with friends and company. We take its branches to freshen a room or a car and maybe to remember the good times we've had together.


This line of thought has brought me to other familiar flowery smells from my past. The fragrances I associate with my grandparents- with my childhood. Oddly enough I have a particular flower for either set of grandparents. My father's mother loved gardenia. It's a preference inherited by her children and grandchildren perhaps as a way of remembering her and the home they grew up in.

I spent most of my time as a young child at my mother's parents' home. One of my favorite pastimes was playing in the wisteria in the yard. I love the shape of the flower even before it blooms. I love the feel of the soft fuzzy crush of a bud in hand. I love taking shelter under the canopy of vines highlighted by the most delicate fragrant ornaments dangling overhead. 

All of this would be capped off by another smell. Grandmother's cooking. After a hard day at play, she was always sure to fill you up for the next day spent among the flowers.

To the Beach

With May Day over a fort night past, I have beach on the brain! We've spent so much time designing and making products inspired by the beach and all things nautical that I think it's just about time to drop everything and go:

But what to do once I'm there? So many different ways to relax. I could just lie in the sun and sand and work on my tan. I could get in the water if it's not too cold.

I could spend a single evening in an elaborate sand castle before the waves wash it away.

I think what I would most like to do is enjoy a seaside meal in a place like Positano, Italy.

What's your favorite beach activity? Are you a sunbather? A Swimmer? An architect of sand? Let me know your favorite ways to enjoy your days on the beach.

Succi Arredamenti Featured in Prominent Italian Home Magazine Tende e Stoffe Country Chic

Francesca's store Succi Arredamenti has a wonderful 7 page write up in Tende e Stoffe Country Chic which is one of the most prominent Italian magazines on country chic style. Her store is beautiful and she is always kind enough to feature our pillows any time she receives press. The entire article can be viewed at her blog I Love Country Chic. We're always flattered and aghast to be featured in international publications and Francesca has been wonderful about helping us out with that. We're so happy for you Francesca and thank you for including us in your success.

More Love for Vintage Suitcases and DIY Ideas

One of our most visited blog posts was our post on vintage suitcases so I thought we would revisit that idea. In my research endeavors I stumbled upon a blog post that blew me away. The folks over at Oh My Creative have nailed the DIY suitcase idea so perfectly. You must check out their post. There's little sense in reinventing the wheel when they made it so perfectly round the first time but here are some of my favorites and a few ideas they didn't cover. 


My favorite idea that they covered would have to be these suitcases masquerading as dresser drawers from Rossan Orlandi. It's just perfect. 




I found a few more interesting ideas on Pinterest. This Etsy user has capitalized on the vintage suitcases as shelves idea in her shop Quirks By Annie. An idea I'm fond of as I constantly lack shelf space in my home.

Like shelf space I also lack medicine cabinet space. I saw a lot of these but I liked this one from Storage Glee in particular for the watches hanging inside.

I had to add the garden variety (pun intended) suitcase found over at Dragonfly Cottage. It's such a fun little idea with bursts of color shooting out of it. It's such a strange sentiment to view it. On one hand you want to scream "oh no don't ruin the suitcase with all that dirt!" but on the other it's a way to give new life to something that you might otherwise have done away with. Either way I love this. Such a sweet little flower garden.


I'd love to hear any DIY suitcase ideas you have. Or maybe stories about great vintage finds? Leave a comment and tell your tale. A bientot.

Sweet Treat Addiction and Pillow Winner Announced!

Today I would like to talk about something that is near to my heart (and unfortunately my midsection)... sweets.  While perusing the blog world I have seen so many delicious creations. Jill over at Nice Day at Rosies really got me with her lovely chocolate mousse last Friday. I'm still dying to attempt these peanut butter bars from the folks over at Six Sisters. I have a real weakness for sweets and you bloggers aren't helping. when I see these delicious treats so wonderfully photographed as to promote maximum appeal, I am forced to seek out my closest fix. Much to my dismay, there is a phenomenal cupcake shop right across the street. This is my current addiction.

That is a peanut butter cupcake. Chocolate cupcake. Icing that tastes like Mom's peanut butter fudge maybe with a little cream cheese and possibly some condensed milk. (I can't quite tell.) Topped off with chopped peanuts. And inside the cupcake itself- a little drop of chocolate ganache. Pair it with the coldest glass of milk you can imagine and there are no words. You bloggers with your delicious treats are forcing me to subject myself to this 2-3 times a week sometimes.

I can't just blame the bloggers. Pinterest is a huge culprit as well. That site is definitely not safe with the obscene amounts of food on display. I'm forced to look at such unwholesome delights as donuts. These chocolate dipped temptresses are presented under the guise of vintage milk bottles so thoughtfully tagged with bits of twine, but I think we know what the real intention is here.



If cupcakes and donuts and mousses weren't enough, there's ice cream. Way more than 31 flavors. As the weather gets warmer, I can't help craving all these frozen bits of wonder. Tart frozen yogurt with fresh mango to fool myself into thinking that I'm being healthier with my sweet addiction.... Or the simpler solution... Fudge Brownie Nut ice cream with its gooey brownie bits in chocolate ice cream with just a splash of milk thrown on to freeze and make a frozen milky shell to contrast the chocolate in just the right way. I think it's clear I have a chocolate addiction at this point but let's have one picture of mango coconut ice cream... to admire the old copper bucket it's in of course. Nothing unwholesome.



Too many delicious things. So let's give away a pillow instead. I am pleased to announce that the author of Beatnheart is our pillow winner. We appreciate the comments about all your mothers be they memories of the good times or the bad. Thanks for reading. I want to know what your favorite sweet addiction is. Leave us a comment and let us know!

Fun Things to Do with Chalkboards

Chalkboards are great. I am so excited that chalkboards are coming back. I've seen a lot of great DIY chalkboard tips out there. People are doing some really fun things. In the age of Pinterest, those ideas have become even more accessible. I wanted to share a few things that I've found.

 Easily the most fun use of chalkboards I've found. Why should your kids stop at just building with their blocks? Let them add the details. I like to think this counts as a prerequisite for your child growing up to be an engineer. They get to build and design from a young age.

 Chalkboard paint is awesome. I was reading somewhere that you can make any paint chalkable by adding 2 tablespoons of unsanded tile grout to 1 cup of paint. You can decorate a wall like regular paint and then encourage your children to write on the wall.

 I've seen a lot of framed chalkboards. The style is both unique and elegant. I liked the fun color of this one. Very trendy.

The tray chalkboard idea. I love this one and it's super easy to execute. This one painted the entire tray, but I've seen/made a lot that only cover the base of the tray with chalkboard paint. The result is a nice metallic frame that can be antiqued or left alone. You can find decorative trays almost anywhere.

Tell us about any fun ways that you use chalkboards. Any exciting projects that you have going on? Let us know!

4 Days Until Mother's Day Pillow Giveaway

Hi all!

Just a quick reminder that we're giving away our Feathers on Linen pillow for Mother's Day. We want to hear about your mother. What has she done for you? What do you remember most about her? Leave us a comment on this post and let us know.

I remember my mother as a caregiver like her mother before her. She is one of those women who always makes sure everyone has a plate before making her own. She is always making the best fudge (something she also inherited from her mother) for any occasion be it a wedding or a funeral. I remember her reading to me every night when I was little until I fell asleep.

Tell us what your mother has done for you. The best entry will win a pillow for Mom. Also don't forget to check out our Etsy or the new Sale section of our website for drastically reduced pillows.

Hope to hear from you!

The Perfect Gift for Mother's Day

Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.

-Marion C. Garretty

Mother's day is right around the corner- the day of the year where we desperately try to repay our mothers for all they do for us... and fall tragically short. While there is no gift that can adequately show just what our mothers mean to us, we would like for you to think of us as one unique gift idea. Our Etsy has many drastically reduced pillows that are a great way to say thanks to the mothers who impact our lives.

We also would like to thank our readers and would love to hear from you. What better way to achieve both than with a pillow giveaway? We want to hear about your mothers. If you would be so kind as to leave a comment containing your fondest memory of your mother, you will be entered into our contest for a free pillow giveaway. We will be giving away our French text design on a linen blend. The drawing will be Friday, April 27. We hope to hear from you.

We will be giving away our French text design on a linen blend. The drawing will be Friday, April 27. We hope to hear from you.

We Are So Excited

We are so excited to be in one of Italy's popular interior design magazines. Francesca has a wonderful store in Forli, Italy called Succi Arrediamenti. She carries so many beautiful lines, so we greatly appreciate her promoting ours.

Thank you Francesca!