Tuesday: Inspiring Spaces by Pat & Stephanie Celii

We spent another wonderful weekend away in the Brandywine Valley these past few days. Every time I go there I leave asking myself - why don't I live here? This time we were there as part of the Winterthur conference series: Chic it Up, which was absolutely amazing, and I will blog about in short order - as soon as I get all of my photos and notes together.

In the mean time, and in accordance with our Tuesday Inspiring Spaces here on Color Outside the Lines, I wanted to share with all of you the most beautiful store in Chadds Ford, Pa., right inside of the Valley. La Maison Home, a shop owned and operated by Pat and Stephanie Celii, is absolutely, HANDS DOWN, the most beautiful and inspiring shop I visited this trip.

The mother daughter duo have an impeccable eye, and an ability to create a world of surprise and grandeur, sophistication and chicness, whimsy and elegance all at once. When we walked in, Pat greeted us with a big, almost southern welcome, "Welcome to La Maison", and from that very minute ... I was in heaven. Wanna see why?

Decorated for an elegant, french inspired Christmas, not a single detail is missed. This is the first view you have the shop upon entering from the street: wing chairs made from french linen and grain sacks, baluster lamps, baskets, crystal, pine ... it's glorious. Designer and shop owner Pat, was so kind to let me take photos of the space, and told me that she loved designing vignettes for the store. This one was one of her favorites.

Although not a sprawling space, La Maison in perfectly styled, furnished, and accessorized in a fashion that though a store, feels like an elegant home, giving you an immediate idea for almost every room in the house. Couple that with Pat's super kind and friendly personality, and her design knowledge - and this can be your one-stop shop for all of your design needs, and Christmas gifts too!





In another room adjacent to the main room you enter, a beautiful dining room, with an elegant table set with brass candlesticks, mercury glass votive holders, and beautiful brown toileware you immediately feel welcome and warm, almost tempted to ask: "What's for dinner?"

I absolutely love the large mirror behind the Swedish sofa in the space. That was an over sized antique window that Pat had mirror put into. Though not inexpensive, it's the perfect piece for a space that needs instant architectural interest (read) your builder box townhouse, and works absolutely amazingly as a floor mirror in this application - don't you think?

Her love of layering and decoration is right out of the Ralph Lauren school, and her curatorial eye for putting the ordinary with the extraordinary lends itself to one of someone who has years and years of shop ownership under their belt. But, surprisingly, this is Pat and Stephanie's first time owning a shop, and what's more - they're only 2-months in! Can you believe it?

Another first floor space showcases even more of Pat's beautiful vignette work. I'm particularly fond of the bust and books, but can you see why? Check out the beautiful push pin holder in front of the boxwood topiary. A simple glass or crystal candlestick with one of those awful tomato shaped pin holders turned upside down, wrapped with linen and tied with jute, and voila! Way to dress up your sewing room, or even a themed vignette! How many of you are going to recreate this? Honestly! I'm working on one right now!

La Maison home also carries a line of candles that are absolutely perfect for the holidays, and (if you were buying for me - are at the TOP of my list!) VOTIVO. Soy based, and poured into beautiful silver cups, these highly perfumed candles will scent your entire home with the smell of Joie de Noel, Red Currant, or Icy Blue Pine. Beautifully boxed, and reasonably priced - THESE, have got to be on your holiday gift list this year.


Upstairs, you'll find more rooms - as beautifully and tastefully decorated and stocked as the first floor. With bedding, lamps, art, pillows, rugs, stools, beds (yes, a whole lot of furniture!) and more there's something for everyone at La Maison!

The beautiful Pat Celii, who was oh so lovely and gracious as our hostess. If you're in the area or will be, you absolutely HAVE to stop in and say hello. La Maison is here:

La Maison Home & Keepsake Interiors, Inc.
810 Baltimore Pike
Chadds Ford, PA 19317
Phone: 610-388-1229

Hours:
Wednesday - Saturday
10 AM to 4 PM
Sunday
12 Noon to 4 PM

This December 3rd and 4th, however, Pat and Stephanie will be hosting a Holiday Open House with extended hours on those days:

Friday, December 3, 2010 10am - 8pm
Saturday, December 4, 2010 10am - 8pm

Stop in and say hello, enjoy the special pricing, and have a little wine for me, will ya?