A garden inspired Easter table designed for a relaxed spring brunch. Layered linens, seasonal flowers, and simple details come together to create a setting that feels natural, welcoming, and quietly beautiful.

Gather with Intention, Home and DecorMary Madore-HickeyApril 2, 2026liechtenstein, journeys through europe, communicating, how to communicate to each other, love one another, travel blog, easter dessert, lemon mousse, lemon and rose mousse, easter lemon mousse, spring entertaining, floral styling, garden inspired, gather with intention, tablescape designComment

Easter Themed High Tea Party

There is something about Easter that invites a softer way of gathering. A table shaped by the season, small details that feel considered, and a moment to slow down and be together. This high tea is a reflection of that, simple, layered, and meant to be shared.

Returning to Art Later in Life: The Painting That Reminded Me to Begin

In a quiet corner of my studio hangs the only acrylic painting my mother ever created. Surrounded by objects that bring comfort and memory, it reminds me that creativity is enduring and deeply rooted within us. Even during seasons when life asks for our full attention elsewhere, the instinct to create remains quietly present, waiting for the moment we are ready to welcome it forward.

Home and DecorMary Madore-HickeyMarch 12, 2026intentional gathering, layered table design, creative entertainingComment

Styling a Place Setting Around a Single Antique Piece

An antique aqua and gold porcelain bowl anchors a layered place setting styled with linen, etched glass, and roses. A study in how antique and contemporary pieces can come together to create an elegant and thoughtful table.

Home and DecorMary Madore-HickeyMarch 6, 2026intentional gathering, layered table design, creative entertainingComment

A Formal Table for Fifteen in a Small Washington Condominium

When fifteen friends gather in a small space, intention becomes essential. From layered greenery and French bistro flatware to a carefully paired menu, this evening reveals how creativity shapes atmosphere and memory.

Home and DecorMary Madore-HickeyMarch 3, 2026intentional gathering, layered table design, creative entertainingComment

The Rise of Lived-In Beauty

Beauty feels different when it is lived with rather than preserved. In the return to antiques, natural linens, and hand-crafted materials, our homes are once again becoming places of warmth, memory, and belonging.

Women and Becoming, Home and DecorMary Madore-HickeyJanuary 26, 2026heritage decor, collected interiorsComment

Love in Bloom: Designing an Intimate Valentine’s Day Table

An intimate Valentine’s Day table layered with roses, candlelight, and French-inspired details, designed to feel warm, personal, and quietly romantic.

Home and Decor, Gather with IntentionMary Madore-HickeyJanuary 14, 2026interior design beyond trends, Generation Change: What Our Daughters Are Now Seeking in the Corporate World, women's empowerment, empowerment, women in corporate america, what do women want in business, women in business, pride vs collaboration in interior design, competition in interior design, Ego doesn’t belong in interior design, mastering the art of communication in interior design, the art of communication in interior design, the art of listening in interior design, stop the competition in interior design, so you want to be a consultant, consulting, Love in Bloom: Designing an Intimate Valentine’s Day Table with Merze Lifestyle, Love in Bloom, Expert ideas for designing a valentines table, gather with intention, intentional entertaining, meaningful dinner party, friendship and community, tablescape design, layered interiorsComment

A Christmas Table Designed to Linger

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Home and Decor, Gather with IntentionMary Madore-HickeyDecember 29, 2025Living with imagination, Living with grace, Everyday beauty, Storytelling through design, Women and balance, French inspired lifestyle, tartan, Ralph Lauren Christmas, Tartan holiday tablescape, Elegant Christmas table decor, Classic holiday design, Red and gold holiday table, Romantic pink and gold Christmas, Moody tartan tablescape, Holiday design ideas 2025, Heritage-inspired Christmas, DIY holiday napkin ideas, Holiday entertaining inspiration, Reimagined traditional decor, Holiday centerpiece inspiration, Layered holiday table design, Connecticut Travel, Fall in New England, Litchfield Hills, Scenic Drive, scenic fall drive, Litchfield Hills Connecticut, Farmington River Trail, New Preston Falls, Connecticut travel, New England foliage, french lavender soap, organic soap from provence, natural french skincare, handmade soap provence, luxury organic soap, pure lavender cleansing bar, french country lifestyle, slow living inspiration, french artisan gifts, french holiday gifts, luxury holiday gifts, organic christmas gifts, spa inspired holiday gifts, holiday hostess gifts, elegant hostess gift ideas, handmade gifts from Provence, sustainable hostess gifts, French café Connecticut, Galette au sarrasin, Café au lait, French onion soup, Le Gamin Sharon CT, French heritage cuisine, Buckwheat crêpes ployes, Litchfield Hills dining, French inspired food travel, New England countryside café, Cozy café Connecticut, Heritage and food story, Simple French meals, quiet luxury tablescape, cream tablescape, traditional table setting, layered table design, sterling silver flatware, sterling silver flatware waterford crystal, modern classic table, heirloom table decor, neutral holiday tablescape, pantone color of the year 2026, subtle color tablescape, luxury table styling, textured table linens, floral centerpiece design, holiday table settings, traditional table settings, holiday entertaining, heirloom tableware, holiday tablescape ideas, classic holiday decor, elegant holiday entertaining, seasonal entertaining, refined entertaining, tablescape design, layered interiors, heritage decor, vintage chinda, vintage china, seasonal table settingComment

Quiet Grandeur Traditional Design

Home and Decor, Gather with IntentionMary Madore-HickeyDecember 8, 2025Living with imagination, Living with grace, Everyday beauty, Storytelling through design, Women and balance, French inspired lifestyle, tartan, Ralph Lauren Christmas, Tartan holiday tablescape, Elegant Christmas table decor, Classic holiday design, Red and gold holiday table, Romantic pink and gold Christmas, Moody tartan tablescape, Holiday design ideas 2025, Heritage-inspired Christmas, DIY holiday napkin ideas, Holiday entertaining inspiration, Reimagined traditional decor, Holiday centerpiece inspiration, Layered holiday table design, Connecticut Travel, Fall in New England, Litchfield Hills, Scenic Drive, scenic fall drive, Litchfield Hills Connecticut, Farmington River Trail, New Preston Falls, Connecticut travel, New England foliage, french lavender soap, organic soap from provence, natural french skincare, handmade soap provence, luxury organic soap, pure lavender cleansing bar, french country lifestyle, slow living inspiration, french artisan gifts, french holiday gifts, luxury holiday gifts, organic christmas gifts, spa inspired holiday gifts, holiday hostess gifts, elegant hostess gift ideas, handmade gifts from Provence, sustainable hostess gifts, French café Connecticut, Galette au sarrasin, Café au lait, French onion soup, Le Gamin Sharon CT, French heritage cuisine, Buckwheat crêpes ployes, Litchfield Hills dining, French inspired food travel, New England countryside café, Cozy café Connecticut, Heritage and food story, Simple French meals, quiet luxury tablescape, cream tablescape, traditional table setting, layered table design, sterling silver flatware, sterling silver flatware waterford crystal, modern classic table, heirloom table decor, neutral holiday tablescape, pantone color of the year 2026, subtle color tablescape, luxury table styling, textured table linens, floral centerpiece design, gathering with intention, tablescape design, seasonal tablesettingComment

A Ralph Lauren–Inspired Christmas: Three Tartan Tablescapes of Heritage, Joy, and Romance

Three tartan Christmas tablescapes, inspired by Ralph Lauren, celebrate holiday tradition through candlelight, heritage patterns, and layered details that feel elegant, personal, and lived in.