When people say, "It was truly a labor of love", usually I roll my eyes but truer words cannot be spoken. 

I have always wanted to create my own products and in 2022 this dream finally came to fruition. On the cusp of launching my second fabric collection, we now have a small accessories collection! As a lover of antiques, these pieces have a nod to the past, yet work in many different style designs. The first piece was the Delphi Mirror, based on an antique I spotted years ago, then the Greek Key Waste Basket.  How can you throw your scrap paper in just any old trash can? 

Just like you can't have your favorite child, I don't know which is my favorite piece.  Since I've always been my parents' favorite, that may be unrelatable to my sisters reading this. Eesh, tricky. Anyway, I may have chosen the Tree of Life tray as my favorite--comes in a more traditional dark stain and then the natural finish for a more coastal vibe.  #coastalvibesonly amiright?

I hope you love the collection--let me know which one is your fave!  

xo
Alicia

Yes, it sounds like I got a facelift but I just mean the website! After a lot of changes in the last 15 months, our website needed a change to reflect it. Just a little brighter, lighter, new products and an infusion of color!

The Windsor Tableskirt

In addition to the new products added, we’ve added some of our latest projects and will continue to do so as we photograph—we’ve been busy bees! New lampshades, new tableskirts, new lighting!

I’m also SUPER proud to announce that we have a trade section for interior designers! To apply, simply fill in the form in the TRADE section and you’ll get exclusive trade pricing and discounts.

A living room I designed in Darien.

Jazz around the site and tell me what you think! Apply for our trade program and subscribe to our newsletter!

xo

Alicia

Okay so by now a lot of your friends have been bragging about already purchasing their gifts for friends and family, yes? And if you’re not bragging, you’re likely seething with jealousy.

The trio is at it again: I teamed up with William Lyon Design & Kathleen of Grey Stripes & Denim and we created a small gift guide.

Our must have home decor gifts include:

1. Cameran Throw Pillow

2. Olive Wood Rustic Cutting Board

3. Set of 6 Silver Bubble Glasses

4. Gunnar Leather Tray

5. Smoke Match Cloche

6. Ivory Mink Faux Fur Throw

7. Set of 6 Black Taper Candles

8. Caroline Table Skirt

9. Leather Deluxe Valet Tray

Get shopping so you can start bragging!

xo

Alicia

I’m 100% kidding, it was so worth being bribed to do swim team…

Every Fall I can’t wait to start wearing my tall brown boots, throw on an Hermes scarf, and dress head to toe in camel cashmere. For those of us who haven’t already put up a Christmas tree to rush us out of 2020, here is some autumnal home inspiration.

Aldrich Leather Bench, Morgan Horse Sculpture, Gambrel Star Pendant, Bronwyn Pillow, Matteo Marble Links, Suzie Indoor/ Outdoor Rug.

Equestrian style is really a year round style but it feels delightful right about now. Bringing in a plaid, a classic brass pendant and a leather accent can make you feel like you just left the Polo grounds in Greenwich without actually having to go (is anyone actually going??).

xoxo

Alicia

Have you been coveting Grandmillennial style but don’t aren’t sure how? Get in line.

Oh wait, you don’t know what that is? As designer Ariel Okin says “a ‘grandmillennial’ is really a ‘New Traditionalist’—someone who has an appreciation for the past.” As a girl who grew up with chintz and antiques, I am DOWN for some pattern, color and a nod to the traditional. Some of the staples of Grandmillenial Style are a Chinoiserie accent (Halyard Bar Cart), patterned pillows and ottomans, NO grey sofas (Blythe Sofa), and a brass Moravian Star light fixture (Gambrel Star Pendant) can’t hurt. If you don’t want to redo your entire house and swath it in chintz and tassels, adding a patterned lampshade or a charming light fixtures will add layers of character. Just so we are clear though, if you want to dip into the chintz pool, drop us a line—I have just about every sample of chintz the Grandmillenial hero, Albert Hadley could dream of.

xo

Alicia

Quarantine, cancelled vacations, and no socializing is all we hear about, amiright? We need a break more than anything so how are you going to get it? Create a moment, your own private escape in your very own space. The irony of quarantine is that I ended up making some amazing deeper connections with people and accidentally turned my little idea of a tablescape into a fabulous collaboration.

I teamed up with local designer, William Lyon and the sassy and equally as sarcastic, Kathleen O’Reilly from Grey Stripes and Denim and we pushed each other creatively to make these fabulous “moments”. I’ve been asked many a time, “Where do you summer?” and guess what, I summer in my back yard this year. Coastal Connecticut is all about blues but I wanted to mix it up with more than just stripes and rattan. Layering different textures and creating our own textiles adds to the richness of this look and makes it anything but basic. Kathleen showed off her DIY skills and created napkins for Dorset and Pond, I found African rattan wrapped placemats (it’s women owned, too!), and added some vintage elements with the classic symbol of hospitality, pineapples. William is an expert stylist and using hydrangeas cut from the yard, vases from his extensive vase collection (we all have that one thing we love to collect), and a custom designed table cloth, we said “cheers” to our collab!

You can purchase the whole collection or just a few elements. Check it all out here: Where Summer is a Verb. Stay tuned for more about our other tablescape collection, On Island Time.

xo

Alicia

I’m a toucher…I touch everything….I know….it’s not right…but I cannot remember a time when I didn’t pinch, hug, or run my fingers over something.  I think this is why I am in the business I am in, I literally cannot see a fabric without doing this weird, caressing pinching thing. I hope I am not the only one out there that does this - but I fear I may be. I honestly did not even realize I did that…so…that means it’s deeply rooted and I will never be able “ fix this".  My clients actually brought this to my attention; so I went my entire life doing this and no one has said anything to me until about 5 years ago.  They always laugh and remark that I walk into any fabric house,  furniture or accessory showroom and “touch”.

Nowadays we have moved into a DO NOT TOUCH world…and if you do touch, make sure you lysol, sanitize and clean every orifice in sight.  That is not exactly floating my boat - so Alicia and I are trying to find some really fab tactile things that will make this summer of social distancing bearable.   We are loving the idea of really bright and cheery fabrics…we love a great cotton napkin and layers of fun textiles and textures to pull the most social distanced bbq or dinner party and sight of sore eyes (and in my case fingers)!

First of all - cotton or linen ANYTHING in the summer is amazing.. it can be crisp, iron and fresh, it can be soft, casual and bohemian..but a cotton linen tablecloth rocks any outdoor dining table this year….fun bright colors, and don’t be afraid of making it a bit fun and unexpected…who doesn’t love a green?  Next: layer, layer, layer. I’m tawlking chargers…Rattan and shell charges anyone?  Add a nod to a bohemian beach dinner in the comfort of your backyard!  I love being invited to a dinner party  that has something expected and fun on a table… add really gorgeous summer blooms in a stunning porcelain vase, some colorful glasses (I just bought purple wine glasses) and a funky napkin ring - your guests will die…

It’s always so nice to finally be able to venture out….say yes…YES to having a couple friends stop by (with masks—please be safe!) - and create an amazing space for everyone to come together, relax, laugh and connect….and when you do, look around and see if there any other touchers out there…if there is…secret snap a photo and send our way!  

xoxo Amie

As I (Amie, here) am sitting here thinking about all we have been through…and still going through - my Catholic self starts to come out.  The easiest way to get through something is to pretend that nothing is happening - nothing to see here my friend…I am pour myself a stiff one and think of better days….

I was thinking of celebrating Memorial Day back in the day….waaay back…like how my parents entertained.  I remember vividly neighbors gathering…dressed for the evening to a covered patio, sitting on rattan furniture - big chunky low armchairs with bright greens, citrones, pinks and white cushions..sipping on drinks in Tervis tumblers….Good gawd…I thought they were soooo sophisticated and cool. My parents and their friends loved to gather around for a cocktail hour..outside, easy living with a wine cheese, cracker and a cool drink!  Lounging around on rattan chairs with matching ottomans and most importantly….the bar cart!  

While we may not entertain as our parents do….why can’t we inject a cool sense of texture and easy to entertaining???  I love our lounge pieces…I am now thinking about my friends and I gathering around…hanging out and having our vodka and sodas in our Amalfi Lounge  Chair… I am going to add a quick fun drink table between (Poppy Outdoor stool)…and presto…social distancing in style.  Rattan has such a great ease and simplicity…it naturally rounds out any space, giving a nod to days gone by, without screaming “VINTAGE”!  Rattan is stylish, always cool and just makes you want to be lazy and laugh a little louder…which I think we all need about now. 

So….let’s climb out from behind our computers….cancel that zoom call and get those friends over….mix up a margarita and lounge in style!  I’m pulling down my mask and I’m going to let it allll hang out!

xo Amie

We did it—we make masks! We collaborated with a local upholstery shop, Top of the Line Drapery in Stamford CT (because we love them!) and made adult size masks from fabric remnants designed by Alicia. We, of course, want people to stay safe, but also fashionable. On top of that, we are donating ALL sales (not a portion—ALL) to a local charity, Neighbor to Neighbor. It’s so important to us to help those in our community; this is how we are going to come out of this stronger than ever. We are making child sized masks as well! Head on over, and purchase one for yourself!

xo

Alicia + Amie

We both believe whole heartedly that your bedroom should be your first priority when it comes to decorating, however most, if not all, of our clients make it their last. In our chaotic hectic live, your bedroom should be your sanctuary—a respite from the crazy, especially now. The Haverford Bedding Collection is a casual and feminine, and crisp collection with a soft blush coverlet (like a cool glass of rosé) and euro pillows and the duvet using the Chilmark pattern that I designed. The Chilmark pattern is inspired by architectural motifs from a small community on Martha’s Vineyard, where we go every Summer. So, the Haverford is the first collection and the next is more of a pop of color (okay its blue and white) and coming soon! Now that you are spending months at home, are you making your bedroom a priority?

xo

Alicia + Amie

And by that we mean, focus on your OUTDOOR space! Since we are all spending lots more time at home and not grabbing drinks or coffee at the local hotspot, our families have been eating dinner outside (when it’s about 60) and cozying-up our outdoor spaces.

We just added some new items and, as usual, want them for ourselves! How gorgeous and sculptural are the Amalfi Outdoor Occasional Chair paired with the Poppy Outdoor Stool? Let us know if you need help putting it all together or if you want to grab a virtual cocktail in your favorite outdoor space!

xo

Amie + Alicia

Delphine Throw Pillow

This post was originally going to be about pillows and then we thought maybe that was too trivial/tone deaf to what is going on right now. Should we maintain business as usual or read every news article and completely panic? Routine is clutch and so is self care, so here is a gorgeous pillow anyway to celebrate the first day of Spring. As we are spending more time at home, comfort is of the utmost importance. Do you like your rugs? Do you like your coziest blanket? Let us know how you are keeping cozy at home!

Is it 5 o’clock yet??

xo

Amie + Alicia

Thank you to everyone that entered our giveaway and signed up for our newsletter. We are so thrilled with our growing community of design lovers! DRUMROLL PLEASE……

The winner is:

Yvonne Claveloux!

This lovely local artist, whom we just happen to admire greatly, won the Cos Cob Throw pillow! Please contact us at info@dorsetandponddesign.com and we can get you the goods, Yvonne!

xo

Amie & Alicia

BONUS: If you subscribe to our newsletter, we’ll give you a code for $20 off this throw pillow for the next week. Just sayin’.

Welcome to our blog! This is a space where we share our inner most thoughts on all things design. We are silly and fun but in our heart of hearts we know that good design changes lives. Feel free to join in the conversation—we love to talk design! Also, follow us on Instagram if you don’t already so you don’t miss out on our daily posts. FOLLOW ON INSTA

xo

Amie & Alicia