My Quest for Table Wares

 I have always loved setting unique tablescapes during the holidays and for entertaining.   During Christmas, I host ten family members over the course of four days and I try to change up the dining room table decor with each dinner.  (I'm much more of a decorator over a chef, so I only commit to cooking one of the meals during this time and I parse the rest of them out to different family members).  That way,  I can focus on the tablescape!

I choose to mix and match plate patterns and, full disclosure, most of my plates have been purchased from Home Goods.  This allows me to buy larger quantities without breaking the bank.  Also, Home Goods has gotten so good at carrying higher end designers so if I've got my eyes peeled, I can score some pretty good finds. When you know what to search for, you can discover Kate Spade NY, Jonathan Adler, Johnson Brothers and more.  All of the plates in my tablescape above were curated on a budget and all $14.99 or less.  

Below is my Thanksgiving table from last year (I later pulled the contents from that table to use during an NBC story about tablescapes).  Read my post "5 Easy Tips for a Stylish Holiday Table" that resulted from that appearance.

Vivid Hue Home's Thanksgiving Table as appeared on NBC Connecticut

Table setting isn't a new fascination of mine, but it's one that is continuing to grow.  Particularly with all of the beautiful tablescapes and wares that can be found on Instagram and other social media, I am finding that I am even more obsessed with designing my next table.  

Photo courtesy of LB Originals 

And, while I've always used place settings found on a budget, (and will continue to do so), I am now curious to start learning more about vintage china collections.

Photo Courtesy of LB Originals 

Some of the pieces are complete eye candy and works of art.  I'd like to start learning more about what to search for when antiquing.  I want to know when I've found a "score" in a thrift shop.  Lately, I've been discovering some incredible table ware by searching "Minton China" and"Staffordshire."

I'm obsessed with this Minton rose gold garland luncheon plate & fruit dish.  I'm finding that these patterns are often sold as "one offs" or in smaller sets and range in price from about $30-$80 a plate (or up in many cases).  Yes, pricier than Home Goods.  But also more valuable and I can envision an entire table decked out in varying patterns of fine vintage china.   Add a beautiful printed fabric tablecloth and this table will be over the top fabulous.  

Photo Courtesy of Tableware Treasurebox

Photo Courtesy of LB Originals

I am constantly on the hunt for individual "statement" pieces that don't necessarily match but together make the perfect blend.   I try to stock many of these types of things in our brick and mortar shop in Connecticut.  If you follow Vivid Hue Home on instagram, you can keep track of what we're carrying in the store.  And, I've started to ship anything you see on instagram....just send me a direct message and I will provide you with pricing and invoicing.  It's such an easy process until I'm able to launch an actual online ecommerce website.  

Artichoke Tulipierre's at Vivid Hue Home make terrific bud vases and great centerpieces

The Vivid Hue Home artichoke tulipierre in white

Vivid Hue Home's tablescape at The Hillstead Museum

For now, I'll continue my search for unique table ware settings.  Stay tuned for photos of my fall and holiday tables so you can see if I managed to make any fabulous finds.  

Happy Setting.  

Also, if you'd like to visit some of Vivid Hue's past personal table settings, check out these posts: 

Valentine's Themed Table    |  Napa November  | Dining Room

Cheers, 

Heather 

Happy 23rd Birthday, Dad! A tribute to Organ Donation

Today I'm coming out of my blog-hibernation for a very special and personal reason.  Today, my dad celebrates his "23rd Birthday."  

That's right.  Twenty Three.  

My Dad's HS (or college) graduation

For those of ya'll that have been following Vivid Hue Home for several years, you probably recall my annual shout out to my dad celebrating yet another year with a transplanted organ.  

See his previous celebrations here:  

22nd Birthday |  21st Birthday   |  20th Birthday   |  19th Birthday |  18th Birthday 

On August 25, 1994, my dad received an organ transplant.   Prior to that date, he had been in the transplant recipient program for close to a year and a half.  Once he showed signs of advanced organ failure, he was moved to a critical wait list.  He received a pager (a sign of the times in 1994) and carried it with him day and night in hopes that he would be contacted about a donor.  Within a week of being put on this list, he received the call.

My dad's donor was a sixteen year old teenager who died in a car accident.   In a weird twist of fate, my dad was not the first person called that morning to receive the organ.  A different patient was called first and she excitedly rushed to the hospital only to learn that her cavity in which the organ was to be placed was too small to fit the available organ.  As her family must have experienced anguish and disappointment, my family stood by hopefully to see if my dad would be compatible.  And he was.  Though we have never known the donor or his/her family, their unselfish decision to donate has allowed my family to experience over two additional decades with my dad.

One of my favorites.  My dad give me a kiss during a military promotion ceremony

Prior to the transplant, I remember thinking that my dad's days were "numbered."  It's an ominous feeling to realize that without a miraculous medical intervention, your loved one's body is not stable enough to survive on it's own.  Once the transplant happened, I was a bit naive in thinking that now my dad's health was 100% restored.  Sure, after a few months of recovery, I could see a new energy and appreciation for life restored in my dad.  But I was a bit in the dark about how much the body would continually have to work to KEEP the organ.  

My wedding day.  Wow, that smile looks odd.  I believe I was talking to my dad thru my teeth while trying to smile!

One aspect of organ transplantation I don't know if many understand, is that organ rejection is a constant threat.    The transplant recipient's life is forever altered, requiring them to take daily combinations of anti-rejection medication for the rest of their lives (the body's natural reaction is to reject the new organ as a foreign object).  Maintaining health isn't a straight forward path.  

 Often there are severe side effects and health conditions that result from taking these drugs.  It's common for doctors to make frequent adjustments to the combination of drugs.  And sometimes, other organs can become at risk due to the prolonged use of these medications.  It's a courageous journey, but one I'll bet most transplant recipients would say is worth it for the reward of life. 

My parents.  My dad wears so many "Dewey Beach" t-shirts, he's earned the name Grandpa Dewey

Something I've only recently realized is that there is a higher incidence and risk of death from skin cancer in transplant patients*.  *Source: Skin Cancer Foundation  
One of the clearest causes, is the the anti rejection drugs that patients must take reduce the ability of the immune system to detect and defend against the cancer.  The most common skin cancers after transplant surgery are squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), in that order.

My parents are still so active and travel frequently...as long as it's a beach, they're game.  

But my dad doesn't go anywhere without a sun hat, sunscreen and an umbrella! (my adorns nephew Townes). 

Unfortunately, my dad has not been immune to these skin cancers.  He endures a rigorous regimen of continually removing and biopsying these cancers.  In fact, yesterday, he underwent two surgeries lasting 5 hours to remove skin cancer from his ear and his head.  Sometimes, the removal spots require up to 10 stitches or more.  My goal in mentioning this is not to share gritty personal details from my dad's journey.  But I hope to shed light on some of the often unspoken trials that a transplant survivor endures.  It takes a strong and courageous individual to walk this journey...and again, I am positive that my dad wouldn't trade it for anything because he's alive.  

I have been so incredibly blessed to have my dad with me for my important milestones in my life.  I used to pray that he be healthy and present to see me graduate from college (23 years ago).  When I reached that milestone, I wanted to make sure he could walk me down the aisle on my wedding day (12 years ago).  Meet my children (now 9 and 10).  See me be successful in a career....  It has taken me some time to learn how to stop "numbering" my dad's time with me and simply enjoy each day that I have with him (and my mom, of course).  

At my sister, Brett's wedding (with husband Michael). 

My dad enjoys reading a book with Vivi (Smidge)

I never like to push my beliefs on others, but I do strongly believe in organ donation.   
Can you believe that one donor can save 8 lives? 
There are 117,000 men, women and children on the wait list for an organ.  
Only 3 people in 1000 die in a way that allows their organs to be used for a transplant.  
That leaves a lot of need without a lot of supply.  
Read more about these statistics here.  (Source: Dept of Human Health and Services, Why Donate).  

To my dad, here's to another celebration!  You are such a strong and courageous person.  You are a true soldier in many ways and I will always look up to you.   Love you! 

Xoxo
Heather 

VHH Expands Store in Historic District

Pinch me.  The last two months have been a whirl wind.  Lots of hard work but also lots of wonderful support and appreciation for our Vivid Hue brand.  I haven't had a minute to stop and post about our recent move.  I promise I will share before, after and opening photos!  But for now, here is a fabulous article that appeared in our Hartford Courant last week about Vivid Hue Home.  I'm so thankful for the exposure!

Click here to read the entire article.

Photo Credit: Shelia Casey

Tidbits from the article are below: 

Heather Grahling wants those stepping into Vivid Hue Home to find a coastal southern sanctuary in central Connecticut.

"I purposely have a very kind of nautical, beachy, Palm Beach-y style," said Grahling, a 44-year-old mother of two and Farmington resident. "We're in the middle of Connecticut, which is nowhere near a coast, but I like the idea of you walking in here and seeing palm trees on the wallpaper and the bright, fun, kind of beachy colors."

The new location, at 769 Farmington Ave., is roughly two-and-a-half times as large as the 700-square-foot cottage Grahling started out in.

There isn't a nook or cranny in the store that has been left untouched. Each room is vibrantly decorated and features similarly-themed merchandise. The main space boasts tropical palm leaf wallpaper accents of coral, leopard print and various shades of green. Around the corner is a rack lined with beachy tunic tops and coastal paintings.

"I always have a motto of [I won't] buy anything that I don't personally like," Grahling said. "That's always kind of my litmus test. If I'm drawn to it and it's something that I would just go crazy over having in my own house or giving a friend, then that's a good test of something I want to bring into the store."

"For me, it's just that validation that people like the products that I have as much as I do and hearing that excitement," Grahling said. "That is so gratifying for me, for people to want more of Vivid Hue."

While she does currently make some sales via her Instagram account, Grahling said she hopes to eventually expand Vivid Hue into an online shop and possibly launch additional locations.

Please read the article in it's entirety here!    Thank you to Jordan Otero Sisson for such great words about Vivid Hue.  

Photos of our new space will follow soon.  If you're super eager for a peek at the store sooner, visit our Instagram page, where we update daily!