Happy Fourth. Enjoy with family and friends.

Enjoy this Fourth of July weekend 2011. We will be in the garden and pool. It is a sunny, very warm weekend here in California. God Bless America!

Christmas Tree for the Birds & Butterflies.

A tree inhabited by butterflies made of feathers in all kinds of colors and sizes. Birds of felt and feathers, appear to dance in and out of their nests and glass ornaments collected during the year. Leaves also decorate the fresh blue spruce from Oregon. This is our tree this year. Paying homage to Nature.

From our family to yours.

Enjoy the Holiday Season!

Sunbrella Decorates for Christmas

When it comes to Holiday Time, performance fabrics are even more important. Take it from me with a busy schedule of Holiday Entertaining and visiting friends, relatives and lots of children, it is important to have fabrics that you can depend on. Here in my home we use Sunbrella pattern Venezia/Rosewood to add a festive touch to our table. Even the fringe is made of Sunbrella fiber. We don't have to worry about spills or enjoying our upholstered furniture. So bring on the fun and enjoy the season without a worry when you have Sunbrella for holiday decorating.

Christmas in California.

We may not have snow in southern California but it certainly is beginning to look like Christmas, here at our home. The greens are from Oregon but we also have some wonderful subtle colors in our dried hydrangea and the holly seems to have given us brighter berries this year. We will just have to dream about the White Christmases that the rest of the country is getting. Enjoy the season.

Christmas Trees East and West. Ruggiero Picks.

Three of my favorite Christmas Trees: (bottom right) the tree at the Museum of Natural History in New York City. Completely covered in paper origami ornaments. (left) the tree that glistens at famed New York restaurant Le Cirque and(top right) the "Think Pink" tree in Beverly Hills at the Beverly Regent Hotel.

Joe Ruggiero Christmas Decorations

Christmas decorations go up at our home this weekend and it is always a Natural Christmas. A mix of evergreens:noble fir, berries of deep indigo, pine cones and succulents (my favorite). The season begins with my oldest daughter's birthday on December 3rd and after a celebratory lunch or dinner we begin our plans for Christmas. It marks the passing of time but also honors the holiday traditions of my wife's family and my family. It has always been a joyous, respectful time of year. Respectful for those who have gone before us and filled us with their LOVE!

More Easy Christmas Decorations!

At our house I like to keep things simple. I find it very festive to put outdoor ribbon on the top of all our ivy topiaries ( and there are a few!) and evergreen trees. They are easy to wire and easy to remove and can be used from year to year. It makes for a very effective but easy decoration.

Easy Decorating Idea for Christmas!

So simple. We have been placing greens (laurel,pine, balsam etc.) with a simple red satin ribbon over portraits, mirrors or doorways as long as I can remember. It really is an Early American tradition which came from England. It is easy to assemble and festive inside as well as it gives a delightful natural aroma.

Christmas Table Settings At Cosmopolitan Club

Party planner Anthony Todd's festive tables at the Cosmopolitan Club to celebrate the Save Venice Foundation. Certainly is merry & bright!

Sunbrella Table Skirt for the Holidays

For those of you who asked about the table skirt in my studio...that is Sunbrella Venezia in Rosewood. The trim is also Sunbrella. This is an elegant look that is easy care and heavy wear and will be used a lot during the holiday season for serving tables and for dining. It has the look and feel of real silk.

Mix of Greens in My Studio

A like to mix dried hydrangea, fresh pine and laurel in my Christmas arangements. The subtle shades of the hydrangea in dusty pink and grey are the perfect compliment for the dark green evergreens. Here in my studio is an ever changing seasonal theme that brings dried and fresh plant materials together. I also thought a touch of red was right for the season. This is what I am looking at this morning as the sun shines in to my studio/office after a heavy rain.

Natural History Christmas Tree!

New York's Natural History Museum has beautiful Christmas tree with origami ornaments. What a thoughtful tree of paper treasures. Bravo!

Gift Wrap Idea!

Why not make your package part of the gift. I love this idea of using a gold wire box with packing material as the wrap for whatever is the gift. It is also real easy to get into and useful for "re-gifting" nes pas? This Christmas we will be giving, small, thoughtful and clever gifts!

Lush & Lovely Christmas Tree

What a spectacular setting at Stephanie Krieger's manhattan residence. I especially like the old world and the new and a tree just brimming with delights and lights. Wow. May your dreams be merry and bright!

Inspired Christmas Tree!

This tree is done by a famous designer and it certainly looks like he knows what he is doing! Subtle shades of jewel tones mix and match. Bravo.

It's Begining to Look Like Christmas at Bergdorf!

My favorite store in New York is Bergdorf Goodman's. What a treat to see these spectacular windows as the season gets into full gear. Many happy memories of days of yore...whatever that means.

Swedish Christmas!

I am a big fan of a Swedish Christmas. The Simplicity of fresh greens, clean, crisp surroundings and candle light fill the rooms with joy! Ann Milang of Swedish Blonde company produces products for Swedish country decorating. I visited her home in Sweden and was totally charmed. Ann, an American is married to a Swede and spends time here in California and Sweden. When decorating this year think Swedish! I especially like the over-sized napkins...smart idea.

The Red Glass From Summertime the Movie

On my trip to Venice I found that incredible red Murano glass that was featured in the movier "Summertime" with Katherine Hepburn. Just a simple elegant statement that may inspire your holiday table setting. Have a great weekend.