Miller Time Friday - A soothing palette

If December is red and green and gold and chocolate, January is white, ecru, silver, vanilla and tea. 

I always have a decorating book on my Christmas list and this year I received the book, A Life Less Ordinary by Zoe Ellison and Alex Legendre, co-proprieters of the British shop, igigi. 

The style is vintage French/Swedish/British all mixed in together and is more a philosophical manifesto of the authors' perspectives towards decorating and friendship than a how-to, but there are gorgeous photos throughout to inspire you!

As you know, this is not my typical palette for decorating - I do love me some colour, as you know.

But lately I have been enjoying some more neutrals fare in some of my rooms, and it is lovely.  We are still working on our family room, but the palette is pleasing and soothing on these cold winter evenings.

And there is something about January, when we are enthusiastically embracing de-cluttering and sparseness after the glitter dust of the holidays, that makes me think "Oh wouldn't THAT be nice". 

A Life Less Ordinary marries these palettes with my personal favourites: vintage pieces scored from estate sales, family heirlooms, antique shop finds:

 At their shop, they also sell Women's Clothing, which is absolutely lovely:

 

After last month's sequins, this is soothing stuff.  I immediately thought of our good friend, Janet, whose home is like a little oasis for me whenever I visit it online!



You have to go visit her here to see all the gorgeousness!

Janet, I thought of you the whole time I was reading this book!

This weekend is my de-cluttering weekend, getting ready for a busy January of editing my works and starting another project.

As I do that de-cluttering, I will try and create some calm spots along the way.  I began yesterday:



And I will continue to enjoy my foray into neutral fashion territory:

In honour of such a soothing palette, this calls for a cocktail.  (well not for me - I have decided to drink very little this month - will probably do a post on that next week):

How about the Vanilla Rose Cocktail:

Lavender and rosemary are two herbs that are fantastic together, especially in drinks. In this cocktail I've added an underlying, velvety tone to the two flavors by muddling a vanilla bean with lavender simple syrup and shaking that with rosemary-infused vodka and dry vermouth.
Rosemary-infused vodka is very easy to make (recipes online)
 

Yield: 1 Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 2 oz rosemary-infused vodka
• 3/4 oz dry vermouth
• Lavender simple syrup
• Half of a vanilla bean
• Lemon twist for garnish

Preparation:

1. Chop a half of a vanilla bean in small pieces width-wise and place it in a mixing glass.
2. Add the lavender syrup and muddle, crushing the vanilla bean.
3. Fill the glass with ice, add vodka and vermouth.
4. Shake vigorously.
5. Strain and serve either neat in a cocktail glass or on the rocks in an old-fashioned glass.
6. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Enjoy!

How about you? Are you attracted to a more neutral palette in January?  Are you de-cluttering too?  I am about to start the January Cure, thanks to Patricia - I missed it last year, but need to do it this year!
Have a great day and stay safe out there!