Newsletter Archive

My interior design firm, Holly Holden & Company, Ltd. www.hollyholden.com, specializes in classic and traditional design. I believe in designing once… for a lifetime! Who wouldn’t want to hear those words?  Designing with decorative accessories and techniques that stand the test of time and enhance your home with little effort, translates to a good investment for your design dollars. And, you’ll have fun implementing them along the way, too! Brass Stair Rods: Something as simple as adding brass stair rods to your carpet runner on a staircase is a timeless decorative detail and a finishing touch on any staircase. Stair rods are appropriate in cottages and castles… and everything in between! You can order the brass with a clear lacquer finish so they do not require polishing. When I filmed my public television series, You Are Cordially Invited, I discussed brass stair rods at Highclere Castle, aka Downton Abbey, because they are

Have you had the experience of calling someone and they answer with a rather curt, “What’s up?” greeting? I recently did and it inspired me to write about answering the phone properly. Whether a mobile phone or landline, what happened to the common courtesy of answering a phone properly? No matter how bad your day is, the “What’s up?” terse greeting is quite “off-putting” to the person who is calling.  I assume that this unfriendly greeting is meant to insinuate that one is too busy to talk at the moment, or not in a good place emotionally (if you know what I mean!).  Either way, it is synonymous with rude behavior. An alternative greeting? A simple, “Hello, so and so… may I call you back? It’s not a good time for me to talk right now.” Or, “I wish I could talk, but can’t right now.” Both are thoughtful ways to

Creative and decorative ideas for mirrors! Mirrors can bring the outside in and can add sparkle to any space, especially when the mirror reflects candlelight and chandelier light. I was inspired to share a few design ideas with you on how mirrors can be used to enhance your interiors. A thoughtful subscriber from North Carolina shared how her guests love seeing the reflection of the crystal chandelier lights, along with the candlelight on the table, in her mirrored Dining Room ceiling. Small spaces can grow exponentially with the addition of a mirrored wall.  Because Fox Hall was built in 1803, bathrooms did not exist, so a small area of the Master Bedroom was portioned off to create a bathroom.  When we renovated, I had the “sink vanity wall” mirrored floor to ceiling.  Even though it appears that we have “two loos,” due to the reflection, it does indeed make a

If you are ever in a pinch to make some quick and easy, but insanely yummy cookies, I have the recipe for you- my coconut macaroons! I imagine you have all the ingredients already on hand, especially if you keep a package of sweetened “Baker’s” coconut in your freezer.  I  use coconut for several recipes, so I always have a bag or two available! The recipe is on the back of the Baker’s coconut package, BUT I do a few things differently, making them even more divine. My secret? I use self-rising flour, add more almond extract, and whip the egg whites until they are very frothy Heat the oven to 325 degrees. You will need: 1 14 oz bag of sweetened coconut (Baker’s if possible) ⅔ cup sugar 6 tablespoons flour (I use self-rising, but regular will work too) ¼ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon almond extract (or a touch more!) 4

Think of ceilings as your fifth wall! Most guests rarely look up to the ceiling until they begin to feel notably comfortable in their surroundings, so something other than white can be an unexpected treat for your guests’ eyes to discover. I honor the tradition of a white ceiling for historic or classically designed houses. When the trim is white, I will specify the same white color on the ceiling (versus an ordinary “white ceiling” paint). My wood trim color of choice is Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17 semi-gloss, and then I use the same color, but in a flat finish, for the ceiling. Another option, especially for a resort house or a 21st-century interior, is to consider painting your ceiling the same pastel color as the walls, or another color. My secret pink recipe is Ben Moore Pink Peony # 2078-70, cut in half with 50% white, with a

As a 21-year-old bride, I quickly discovered my darling husband’s predilection for pies! It was not long before I compiled a repertoire of easy but very yummy pie recipes! The season of sweet summer strawberries is almost over, so here is my secret recipe, “easy as pie” to make! My 5 Simple Ingredients: -One Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust OR a 9” graham cracker crust pie shell -3 pints of strawberries -1 cup of Sugar -3 tablespoons of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, and add in… -My secret ingredient: 1-2 tablespoons of Grand Marnier Liquor, to taste. (This is optional but adds a delightful dimension to the pie’s sweetness! You can use more lemon juice as an alternative to Grand Marnier.) Bake the pie crust as directed until lightly brown. Place in the refrigerator to cool. Take the stems off and slice 1 pint of strawberries in thirds,