The Inspired Bride Interview

A recent feature from The Inspired Bride detailing childhood musings and stylistic insights from Asako of a.hana Design.

Click below to read more:

Tiffany Pillib

On Saturday January 23rd, 2010, Tiffany and Pillib exchanged vows in the exquisite Gold Room of the San Francisco Fairmont. All of the guests had a look of excitement on their face upon arrival, as the room was quite a grandeur sight to see. The bride's affinity for white orchids filled in abundance along the aisle, at the greeter's table and at the center of each table top.

A detailed view:

The unconventionally tall orchid centerpieces were captivating and held a strong presence. The orchid displays stood tall, as if reaching for the high ceiling, and complimented the grandiose room.

What a pleasure it was to meet a young and vibrant bride, full of creativity with a classic taste. Congratulations to the newly wed couple.

Christmas by Asako

This year Asako prepared one of the most amazing Christmas meals I've ever seen! I wouldn't be able to put together the words to capture how beautiful it was. Please enjoy the pictures :)

This was my most favorite holiday display by Asako. 5 vases filled with narcissus lined the bookshelf while frost-like details hung from the mirror. Asako opted not to have a Christmas tree this year and there was no red or green in sight, but this subtle white decor was quite eye catching and filled the room with holiday spirit. I love the smell of narcissus!

Pictured below was the table setting for our intimate Christmas dinner. The white sweet pea centerpiece was fresh and inviting and the view of the calm blue water of the bay (unfortunately not captured in this picture) was amazing.

Asako prepared a 4-course dinner for 4 and each course was so exciting!
Course 1: Two fresh salads. On the left was a watercress & pear salad topped with pistachio and honey dressing. On the right was a beets and greens salad topped with walnuts, fruit and balsamic dressing. Delightful!
Course 2: A pumpkin soup made from Japanese pumpkin. This knocked my socks off! I have never been the type to order pumpkin soup, but the sweet richness of this soup caught me so off guard that it has completely turned me on to heartier soups.

The Main Course: NY Steak with wasabi butter & spinach, mash potatoes topped with scallops, and brocolli cheese gratin. YUM!

Dessert: Green Tea ice cream from Swensen's, fried banana sticks, and Asako's delicious tiramisu!

To all of my dear readers, I hope your Christmas memories were as good as mine. Enjoy the remainder of the holiday season and have a HAPPY NEW YEAR! See you in 2010!

It's raining outside, my living room is dim-lit, my comforter is warm...it's just Julie & Julia & moi

Among the select few things to do while it's miserably cold and pouring outside, is watching a movie in the warmth & comfort of my home. This easily tops as one of the most delightful, self-indulgent pastimes a gal can enjoy. I don't watch too many movies, but Meryl Streep is always so alluring and fun to watch that I couldn't say no.

Now that I've come to embrace the blogging world, Julie & Julia played to my blogful mind (and hungry stomach). As a twenty-soemthing single, I have recently come to love the fun of cooking, and more specifically, the joy derived from cooking for friends.

This Christmas, as a gift to dear friends, I intend to give the gift of food, fun floral decor and warm company. Something to the effect of Amy Adams, pictured above?

Cheers to the many holiday parties to come! I wish you a very merry Christmas!

Wonderful Tonight

It's late in the evening; she's wondering what clothes to wear.
She puts on her make-up and brushes her long blonde hair.
And then she asks me, "Do I look all right?"
And I say, "Yes, you look wonderful tonight."

We go to a party and everyone turns to see
This beautiful lady that's walking around with me.
And then she asks me, "Do you feel all right?"
And I say, "Yes, I feel wonderful tonight."

I feel wonderful because I see
The love light in your eyes.
And the wonder of it all
Is that you just don't realize how much I love you.

It's time to go home now and I've got an aching head,
So I give her the car keys and she helps me to bed.
And then I tell her, as I turn out the light,
I say, "My darling, you were wonderful tonight.
Oh my darling, you were wonderful tonight."

Wednesday Morning Wishes

Do you remember the show, “I Dream of Jeannie”? – a 1960’s American sitcom featuring a young, blonde Barbara Eden adorned in pink, pinched at the waist and winking while catering to Tony’s every wish?

On certain mornings I arrive to work, sit at my desk, take a deep breathe, peruse my to-do list and give a small sigh knowing I have much to do. Secretly I wish that I could raise my arms, like Jeannie, give a wink and POOF…have a delightful display of pink peonies appear magically on my desk. Although I may not have these abilities, I hope this amusing thought somehow reaches those with similar sentiments and brings to you a smile of peonies:

Hello!

I'm so excited...this is my first post!

I would like to thank you, Sarah, for creating such a wonderful blog! I am a fan of yours. And a big thank you to all of our blog visitors! I do hope you like what you see.

I'd like to share my last weekend with you! I attended a book signing in Marin County and met Rachel Ashwell, an interior designer that I've been a huge fan of for almost 14 years! I have been following her Shabby Chic movement from the start and share her interest in sense of style and balance. I really enjoy her sense of color, vintage mixture, and great balance of new & old. When it comes to balance, she carefully and successfully matches expensive pieces with flea market treasures and has an eye for huge couches and chippy paint. She also incorporates flowers into her designs and does it in a real lifestyle sense. She has been a huge influence in my design aesthetic and it was quite fun to meet her in person.

Thank you for your interest in a.hana Design, remember to stop and read the roses!