by lesliemaydesigns | Apr 22, 2013 | Bespoke Homes for Families
Despite my seemingly diligent and high tech blogging (ha, those of you who have been following me for a while know I tend to go silent for a while during the “busy season”, i.e. big installs, back to school, Halloween, birthdays, Christmas…ok, its... 
by lesliemaydesigns | Apr 16, 2013 | Bespoke Homes for Families
Why move to a bigger house or add on that extra square footage when you likely don’t even use what you’ve got! There are so many spaces in our homes that we love to polish up and show off but we never go in there to enjoy ourselves! Wasted space... 
by lesliemaydesigns | Mar 18, 2013 | Bespoke Homes for Families
This is a the very first blog post I put up three years ago…here is a replay for all those who are new to my blog! More posts to come! No matter how many toddlers, teens or canines live in your home, every room can look like it fits on the pages of Elle... 
by lesliemaydesigns | Jan 15, 2013 | Bespoke Homes for Families
I love, love, love window treatments! Fabric just makes me happy 🙂 With the window as you canvas you can add color, texture, volume and couture tailoring that makes any room look like it is ready to walk down the runway. This is also one of the best spots to spend... 
by lesliemaydesigns | Jan 8, 2013 | Bespoke Homes for Families
You know I am a big believer in making every room in your home welcoming to every member of your family….don’t lock your kids out of the living room or pups out of the bedroom — or you won’t hang out in there either! That being said, I love the... 
by lesliemaydesigns | Dec 18, 2012 | Bespoke Homes for Families
What could be a better gift to yourself then an afternoon snuggled up on the sofa while the children play quietly, maybe drinking a glass of wine, and you flipping through beautiful images of decked decors?? Well, we can all have a Christmas wish:) If you want to give...
I think I would be hard pressed to find a reason not to celebrate. My husband teases that I like to turn almost anything into a special occasion…the first day of summer, the last day of summer, election day, a perfect score on a spelling test. In my opinion, that is what makes life fun! Why not celebrate the little stuff along with the big. I also love to cook so, to me, entertaining the special people in my life brings together all of my passions, a cozy home that is planned for fun and boisterous living and yummy food to share.
By far my favorite way to entertain is to assemble 12 of our closest friends around our much loved antique dining table…it is from the late 1700s and I think it has seen a lot of laughs, raunchy jokes and spilled wine even before we took it over. My inspiration for these nights typically starts with something to die for yummy that I have seen on Food Network or in Bon Appetite and I build a menu around it. I wish I could say I abide by the old cooks adage to never serve something you haven’t cooked before to dinner guests but, with my crazy life, that just isn’t in the cards. So my friends are my guinea pigs. With a good playlist humming, Spoitfy Beach Music or Four Seasons are my preferred jam, we start with apps and cocktails, which with good friends can linger past dinner time. With guests well served before we take our seats, I cross my fingers that all has turned out as I planned, but have pizza hut on speed dial just in case!
The mark of a good party is guests lingering around the table for another glass of wine and forgetting about the babysitter bill racking up at home. This is why I have, and I make sure all of my clients have comfy dining chairs!
Although intimate dinner parties are my favorites I love a tailgate party, a costume party, a cocktail party, Christmas teas, Oscar affairs and I am even one of those crazy moms who loves to plan birthday parties.
Here are some of my favorites fetes and the details that make them special. I hope they will inspire you to invite your friends and family over for Groundhog Day and celebrate! Continue Reading...