1ST DIBS - Melissa Penfold

SUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE

Find not follow

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW ALL THE STYLISH SALES AND FABULOUS FINDS BY SIGNING UP TO MY MAILING LIST (BELOW).

Mobile Menu

Directory

back to all items

Antiques

1ST DIBS

The online marketplace connecting people, shops and galleries in the art and antiques trade began with a few dealers founded by Michael Bruno who had encountered ledgendary Parisian antiques market Marchis is a brilliant place to discover rare finds.

https://www.1stdibs.com

INSTAGRAM

A favourite American house spruced up for Christma

A favourite American house spruced up for Christmas. We love holly, ivy and fir over doors and windows and stairs and mantles and pictures and fat white candies like @jyoungdesignhouse does at home in Washington DC. Via @ashleytstark

Christmas festive dazzle and sparkly merriment is

Christmas festive dazzle and sparkly merriment is in overdrive this year. As the holiday is now only days away, we’re looking for easy tricks to impress guests - and what not to do. With a little pre-planning we want guests and family to feel comfortable and happy and make sure the holidays are fun, fab and stress-free. Some of our fave ideas include having treats and drinks on tap before family arrives - (such as Bloody Mary’s and salami) so they feel welcome. Cold Christmas food is the best. Cold ham. Delicious turkey. Mince pies and Christmas cake. Keep table settings simple. Decorations must be fresh, like just-picked ivy, holly or fir-branches straight from the garden and one fabulous centrepiece. Smell is very important at Christmas. Things like fir and rosemary. Forget changing glasses for wines. We don’t mind paper plates for puddings if you’ve got a big crowd - they can look terrifically pretty. Create the hotel experience in spare bedroom(s) with comfy pillows, nice bed linen, shampoo, toothbrush, moisturiser, etc. Don’t over-light. Lighting is the most important thing to set the mood of soirées. Pic 1-2: @ritzparis Pic 3-4 @skandinaviskinteriorakademi; Pic 5-8: @autumn.coven; @christmas_magic_always Pic 9-10 @housinginfo; Pic 11 @sixat21

What’s in (and what’s out) for the new year? I

What’s in (and what’s out) for the new year? In the final weeks of 2024, social media has been overrun with predictions for the year ahead. The factors that drive a trend are much bigger than individual preferences. They are powerful enough to change life goals - originating long before the trend becomes mainstream. However the future feels right now, one thing is certain - sustainability is increasingly driving how we design and renovate our houses due to concerns of global warming. This includes a growing number repurposing old buildings with modern upgrades to reduce the need for replacement buildings. It’s about renovations that make sense of what you have which preserves architectural heritage while making a stylish statement with low eco-impact. If you’re looking for a leg up on the new year, don’t miss “2025 Predictions Are in; Design Forecast For the Whole House” at www.melissaprnfild.com now. Pic 1-5: @nowoczesnastodola; Pic 7-8: @mune_architecture. #design #trend #trending

Christmas is a season of decisions. Who will host?

Christmas is a season of decisions. Who will host? Which gifts to buy? Do you really need turkey and ham? You might also be wondering: real or artificial Christmas tree? While the trend for fake trees continues to dominate, there’s definitely an up-trend for pine which is always a better environmental choice. Once you pick out your tree for the first time you get a taste for it - as we did a few years ago with a native pine. The smell is addictive but they can be messy, and trigger allergic reactions. One of our favourite Christmas trees on Instagram this season is @ritzparis by @anne.vitchen via @bonvoyagecleo; Photo; @raphaelmetivet

A growing number will think twice before splashing

A growing number will think twice before splashing out on Christmas presents this year, as the cost of living crisis continues to bite and gift-giving becomes a cautious affair. It might be a good way to avoid the probability of unwanted items, and the likelihood of them ending up in landfill. After all no one needs piles of presents. The very idea that Christmas is all about giving and getting ‘stuff’ we don’t need - which turns into clutter - can wreck the entire day. This year things are going to be different in our family - we’re not giving things, we’re knocking down the pay wall and giving subscriptions and memberships to streaming services, magazines, museums, gyms, spas, etc, that will be appreciated. Giving experiences tend to be more memorable. 1: @bestdecorplace; 2: When Harry Met Sally @cinegraphe.fr; 3; @vakre_verden; 4; @skandinaviskinteriorakademi #holiday #christmas #presents

Follow Melissa on Instagram

A favourite American house spruced up for Christma

A favourite American house spruced up for Christmas. We love holly, ivy and fir over doors and windows and stairs and mantles and pictures and fat white candies like @jyoungdesignhouse does at home in Washington DC. Via @ashleytstark

Christmas festive dazzle and sparkly merriment is

Christmas festive dazzle and sparkly merriment is in overdrive this year. As the holiday is now only days away, we’re looking for easy tricks to impress guests - and what not to do. With a little pre-planning we want guests and family to feel comfortable and happy and make sure the holidays are fun, fab and stress-free. Some of our fave ideas include having treats and drinks on tap before family arrives - (such as Bloody Mary’s and salami) so they feel welcome. Cold Christmas food is the best. Cold ham. Delicious turkey. Mince pies and Christmas cake. Keep table settings simple. Decorations must be fresh, like just-picked ivy, holly or fir-branches straight from the garden and one fabulous centrepiece. Smell is very important at Christmas. Things like fir and rosemary. Forget changing glasses for wines. We don’t mind paper plates for puddings if you’ve got a big crowd - they can look terrifically pretty. Create the hotel experience in spare bedroom(s) with comfy pillows, nice bed linen, shampoo, toothbrush, moisturiser, etc. Don’t over-light. Lighting is the most important thing to set the mood of soirées. Pic 1-2: @ritzparis Pic 3-4 @skandinaviskinteriorakademi; Pic 5-8: @autumn.coven; @christmas_magic_always Pic 9-10 @housinginfo; Pic 11 @sixat21

What’s in (and what’s out) for the new year? I

What’s in (and what’s out) for the new year? In the final weeks of 2024, social media has been overrun with predictions for the year ahead. The factors that drive a trend are much bigger than individual preferences. They are powerful enough to change life goals - originating long before the trend becomes mainstream. However the future feels right now, one thing is certain - sustainability is increasingly driving how we design and renovate our houses due to concerns of global warming. This includes a growing number repurposing old buildings with modern upgrades to reduce the need for replacement buildings. It’s about renovations that make sense of what you have which preserves architectural heritage while making a stylish statement with low eco-impact. If you’re looking for a leg up on the new year, don’t miss “2025 Predictions Are in; Design Forecast For the Whole House” at www.melissaprnfild.com now. Pic 1-5: @nowoczesnastodola; Pic 7-8: @mune_architecture. #design #trend #trending

Christmas is a season of decisions. Who will host?

Christmas is a season of decisions. Who will host? Which gifts to buy? Do you really need turkey and ham? You might also be wondering: real or artificial Christmas tree? While the trend for fake trees continues to dominate, there’s definitely an up-trend for pine which is always a better environmental choice. Once you pick out your tree for the first time you get a taste for it - as we did a few years ago with a native pine. The smell is addictive but they can be messy, and trigger allergic reactions. One of our favourite Christmas trees on Instagram this season is @ritzparis by @anne.vitchen via @bonvoyagecleo; Photo; @raphaelmetivet

A growing number will think twice before splashing

A growing number will think twice before splashing out on Christmas presents this year, as the cost of living crisis continues to bite and gift-giving becomes a cautious affair. It might be a good way to avoid the probability of unwanted items, and the likelihood of them ending up in landfill. After all no one needs piles of presents. The very idea that Christmas is all about giving and getting ‘stuff’ we don’t need - which turns into clutter - can wreck the entire day. This year things are going to be different in our family - we’re not giving things, we’re knocking down the pay wall and giving subscriptions and memberships to streaming services, magazines, museums, gyms, spas, etc, that will be appreciated. Giving experiences tend to be more memorable. 1: @bestdecorplace; 2: When Harry Met Sally @cinegraphe.fr; 3; @vakre_verden; 4; @skandinaviskinteriorakademi #holiday #christmas #presents

Follow Melissa on Instagram

MP

Don’t miss the style set’s fave newsletter

Get Melissa's weekly rundown of where top interior designers source their things and find inspiration - that will instantly transform your pad.

Close and please don't show again