Have you heard?

Have you heard? It's not a dream...Gatewood Hall Gracious Home is expanding!! We will be nearly doubling our square footage to take over the downstairs space where Wrapsody in Blue is currently located. We are so excited (and a little nervous to tell you the truth!) however, after alot of careful consideration we have decided to move forward with our business plan to bring you, our valued friends and customers even more great merchandise and services! We anticipate opening our new first level in early September if all goes as planned. We just returned from the Atlanta Summer Market and have nearly 20 new wonderful lines along with some fabulous new entries from several of our current vendors!! We really have some great things planned so please hang in there and we will keep you up-to-date on our progress. THANK YOU TO OUR LOYAL FRIENDS & CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HELPED TO MAKE THIS EXPANSION POSSIBLE! This Friday, Saturday & Sunday stop in and see us we are having a store wide sale... Get this! 20% off the entire store, that is anything that is currently in the store. Now for the fine print..special, custom orders and previous sales do not qualify for the discount. All sales are final. Help us make room! Out with old...and in with the new! See you this weekend!

GH Does Weddings!

Did you know that Gatewood Hall does weddings? We do! This is a project that Shawn completed last week. The beautiful non-traditional wedding held at The Southern Tree Plantation in Blairsville, Georgia (http://www.plantation-events.com/). The wedding for Ashley Strickland and Caleb Paquette was held on a beautiful summer evening in the North Georgia mountains. Shawn said that this was such a fun project because the of the wonderful natural and rustic mountain setting. The reception was in a beautiful barn and the tables were set with Ivory colored tone on tone linens with a burlap overlay. Shawn and Kelli used honeysuckle vine and various mosses to create a base for beautiful floral arrangements that included Hydrangeas, Queen Anne's Lace, Bells of Ireland and local Fern put together in galvanized containers with a beautiful green patina. Old fashion Bell jars were filled with birdseed and white candles to create a little sparkle.

The bride's bouquet was a simple and elegant hand-tied arrangement of mini green Calla Lilies with fresh Lavender stems. Oh., I loved this idea...because the bride didn't want a traditional wedding cake she opted for individual homemade mixed berry cobblers (her Grandmother's recipe) placed on tiered pedestals. How unique and special is that?!

Shawn put these beautiful arrangements on the barn entrance doors!

They look absloutely beautiful! Mother of the bride Fran Strickland and her daughter Ashley. Congratulations and thank you for letting us play a part in your very special day!

Happy Fourth of July

The 4th of July is just around the corner! We have the store all "done up" in red, white & blue and there are several fun things going on around beautiful Blue Ridge, Georgia this holiday weekend.

In the store we have a few patriotic vignettes set-up (thank you Brandon Luaces for taking some great photos for us!) In the bedroom Kelli created a new Pine Cone Hill display bed that would look fantastic in any home or cabin. I love the rustic and equine accessories that she chose to set the Americana stage. If you haven't seen it yet the Ralph Lauren book (on the chest above) is a coffee table essential for those with a keen appreciation for the world of Ralph Lauren. This breathtaking volume celebrates Lauren's commitment with an intimate view of his professional evolution, design philosophy and personal passions. Over 700 photos show an ever-expanding exploration of American style.

We also have a great Independence day table setting! White and pewter Match dinnerware, with rustic twig chargers and traditional, red bandanas for napkins are fun yet classic. I used boxes of sparklers with each guest's name and tied them with a piece of natural raffia for place cards. The stemware is by Mariposa and is made from recycled Coke bottles. It's really fun so come in and be inspired.

As I mentioned there are so many things going on this weekend!

Today, July 2nd- Humanity of Blue Ridge, a great new clothing store right on Main Street next to Repaz is opening so go in and check out our interior design and merchandising. (See yesterday's post for more details). Owner Linda Rice has chosen some fantastic lines and cool products so you have to go in and see her to find a great new July 4th outfit. Be sure and tell her we sent you!

Friday, July 3rd- The Blue Ridge Business Association is blocking off Main Street and presenting "Rocking in the Park". 5pm - 9pm There will be three live bands for your entertainment. Most of the downtown stores (including us!!) and restaurants will be open late.

The always wonderful Multitudes Gallery, 11 Mountain Street is featuring an artist's reception with the theme "Roosters Rule the Hen House...Or So they think" 6pm - 9pm. Featured artists include Betty Wassmer, Ande Cook and Robert Miller. For more info http://www.multitudesgallery.com/

Saturday- July 4th, The Old Timers Parade sponsored by the Blue Ridge Business Association starts at 10am on Main Street. Of course there is shopping at Gatewood Hall with some great food tastings and some "Firecracker Specials"! Finally, to top it all off are the fabulous Fireworks above Lake Blue Ridge! There is live entertainment, great food (especially at Otis and Matilda's Marina Grill) just head out to the Lake Blue Ridge Marina. Fireworks usually start at dusk but, get there early!! Happy 4th of July!! See you this weekend!

Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association Auction

The Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association will hold their Annual Benefit Auction on Saturday June 20, 2009 from 5-9 p.m. This year's event will be at the residence of Ned and Ann Rand. Ann is a Board Member of the BRMAA and offered their exciting home on the banks of the Hothouse Creek in Mineral Bluff for the auction. This year's motto says it all: "Sometimes You Just Gotta Party" and that's exactly what this auction is going to be. Shawn and I always love this event it is a great time and it is a for a very important cause!

This year "Daddy's Smokin' Great Southern BBQ" will please the most particular BBQ enthusiast. The music is soulful Blues and supplied by The Boomers who will play all the favorites. There will be a silent and live auction with beautiful art and other great things to bid on. Fun games and even a hula hoop contest will invite all guests to participate. Plein Aire Painters create their art throughout the evening and that's so much fun to watch. Libations will cool the throat of the thirsty.

The tickets are $25 early purchase and $30 at the door. The address of the Rand's Residence is 1058 Old Mill Road in Mineral Bluff. When you pick up your tickets at the Art Center you'll find detailed but easy directions to the Rand's residence printed right on your tickets. We'll see you there!

For more information call the Art Center 706- 632-2144 or email http://www.brmaa.net/

Something to Talk About...TableTopics

In December 2002, Cristy Clarke was on her way to a Christmas cocktail party, trying to think of interesting conversation starters because she couldn't face another evening of small talk that went nowhere. Her experiment was a complete success, and by morning she was writing questions to test on her three daughters at their family dinner. The successful result is TableTopics, a collection of conversation starters meant to spark fun, interesting, and meaningful discussions around the dinner table, at parties, on dates, on road trips-wherever! We have been carrying them for quite awhile and our customers have loved the Original Version, Girls Night Out, and the Gourmet Version. You can learn alot about people by going through the cube! The latest Decades Versions for the 60’s, 70's and 80’s have just arrived and they are really FUN!

PEACE, LOVE, PARTY- Decades: The '60s

TableTopics '60s edition gets everyone talking about the decade that changed the world! Explore topics ranging from the heavy to the groovy. Whether you were part of the Establishment or anti-everything, TableTopics '60s edition will launch you on discussions as high-flying as Apollo 11.

Questions Include:

What '60s fashion that you wore is now most embarrassing?
What classic '60s food was your favorite?
Which Beatles song represents the group best?
Where were you when Neil Armstrong walked on the moon?
What was magical about childhood in the '60s?

…and party everyday- Decades: The '70s

Start your own encounter group with TableTopics '70s edition. Each card is an opportunity to explore, explain and express yourself on subjects serious to silly, and everything in between. Leisure suits to lava lamps, Pet Rocks to your favorite rock group on 8 track tape. TableTopics '70s edition will inspire a full blown Disco Inferno. Can you dig it?

Questions Include:

How did Watergate affect your view of politics?
What concerts did you attend in the '70s?
How many times did you see Saturday Night Fever?
Who was sexier Paul Newman or Robert Redford?
Were you more likely to own a lava lamp or make fun of someone who did?

Party Like Its 1989… Decades: The '80s

Valley girls and video games, Ronald Regan and Rubik's Cube, Flashdance and the fall of the Berlin Wall... TableTopics '80s edition has it all covered. Let the era of big business and even bigger hair inspire fun conversation with friends and family. Because when it comes to boring conversation, our advice is "just say no."

Questions Include:

Which was better Fame, Footloose or Flashdance?
What were the first videos you remember seeing on MTV?
Did you own any clothes inspired by Miami Vice?
Which character in the Breakfast Club were you most like in the '80s?
Was Fantasy Island magical or creepy?

TableTopics area great hostest gifts, they’re wonderful to take on a vacation and they are excellent to have at your cabin! The TableTopics team has even have created a party idea sheet that includes everything from the menu, signature cocktail to the playlist! Check them out the next time you are in the store.

New Pine Cone Hill Arrivals

Finally!...Today we received our new summer season Pine Cone Hill Pajamas and Willow Knit lounge wear. While we certainly are not a clothing store as a PCH Partner Store we have the opportunity to carry these products and we take full advantage of it. Our customers love this part of the line, and our repeat sales speak volumes for the quality (and addiction!) of these wonderful pajamas and lounge wear. Pictured above is the Rio Voile knee length kaftan, great for the lake as a bathing suit cover-up.

The Bala Stripe top and pant make a great, comfy summer set. Very stylish, cool and classy!

The Avani floral dress can be worn around the house, by the pool or out to dinner!


The Willow Knit chocolate giraffe print halter and solid pants made of bamboo and spandex are perfect for summer lounge or casual wear. Every customer that buys Willow Knit always comes back for more, they say it "washes up" very nicely and is great for travel. Come try it out for yourself! As a special treat for our blog readers mention that you saw this post and take 15% off any regular priced, in-stock, Pine Cone Hill pajama, robe or lounge wear item now through Sunday June 6th, 2009.

Otis & Matilda's Marina Grill

If you haven't heard yet (because we've been telling everyone) there is a new place to grab a quick bite to eat. Two of our customers Bradley and Candel have taken over the marina grill down at Lake Blue Ridge and named it after their beloved dogs Otis and Matilda. We have become some of their biggest fans, we love that we can grab something and take it out on our boat. It is also fun just to go there for breakfast (Shawn loves their biscuits and gravy) or lunch and sit on their patio and watch our beautiful lake that is looking so great at full pool this season.

You will love their delicious food...like the very tasty Chicken Salad with pecans, sun dried cranberries and a touch of tarragon (my favorite and I'm picky about my chicken salad), the Grilled Fish Ruben or their "Dammit Janet's pulled pork sandwich". They have some great coffee drinks, fruit smoothies or how about a virgin strawberry daiquiri or pina colada? YUM! Last but not least they have some outrageous homemade desserts under their "Grandma B's Goodies" section of the menu. I love the cupcakes (the flavors change but the Red Velvet and German Chocolate are divine!) Shawn loves Aunt Mary's Double Chocolate brownies!

Stop by and see Bradley and Candel, tell them we sent you! (Heck...you'll probably see us there!)

Otis & Matilda's Marina Grill is open seven days a week 6:00 AM t0 5:00 PM and you can check out their menu online at http://www.lakeblueridgemarina.com/grill.html.