Monday, December 27, 2010

Post Christmas Decor Sale!

If you still have some cash in your pocket after the holiday, stop in and visit Albert & George this week. We'll be offering 50% off all Holiday Decor from today through December 31.

If you don't have any cash, just stop in and say hi! We love browsers and window shoppers!

Hope everyone had a great holiday!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Happy Holidays!

Don't sit in front of the computer until we are back on the 27th! Go and have a great holiday!

Best wishes for Joyous Holiday and a Happy New Year!

Albert and George

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Origins of the Holiday Wreath

By hanging a Christmas Wreath on your door you are carrying on a tradition from the days of ancient Rome, when decorative wreaths were used a sign of victory (though these tended to be made of laurel). After each battle won the citizens of Rome would make a wreath and hang it on their door to thank their Gods.

But the origins of the Advent wreath go far back in time, to the pre-Christian Germanic tribes who during the cold and darkness of the long days of December gathered evergreens which they made into wreaths and lit fires as a sign of hope in the coming of the spring and renewed light.

Christians went on to keep these traditions alive and by the 16th century both Roman Catholics and Protestants in Germany used these symbols to celebrate Advent and their belief in Christ.

The use of the Advent wreath then spread to other parts of the Christian world. Traditionally the wreath has four candles nestling in a circle of evergreens and a fifth in the center. Three of these were violet and the fourth a rose pink but nowadays four white or violet are acceptable. Each week in December one candle would be lit, possibly with a short prayer and before the evening meal until the lighting of the center one on Christmas Eve to represent Jesus Christ being born again (We did this in my household growing up, and we even made the wreath ourselves from pine cuttings from the woods surrounding our home).

Perhaps as you hang your festive wreath on your door to welcome friends and family to your home this year, you will give a little thought to the people who for many hundreds of years have kept this tradition alive and all the wonderful things in history it represents.

By far and away the best wreath that I've seen this year is from Beach Bungalow 8's designer, Megan Arquette. It's constructed of vintage ornaments, and I can't wait to try and make one of these for myself next year!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Christmas Tree Roots








While there are no hard facts about the origins of the Christmas tree, there is little question the Germans originated and popularized it.

The earliest written record of a decorated evergreen tree for Christmas appears in 1521 in the German region of Alsace. In 1561, the same region had a forest ordinance saying that no one "shall have for Christmas more than one bush of more than eight shoes' length." The German families would set up Christmas trees in a prominent location in their home and decorate them. As these people moved or immigrated to other countries, they brought this tradition with them. By the 1700s, the Christbaum, or "Christ tree," was a German tradition. It quickly spread to other parts of Europe and finally to America.
America adapted slowly to some of the Christmas traditions, because of the Puritan influence. Many puritans felt that Christmas was too sacred of a holiday and should not be marred with Christmas trees and Christmas carols. When the Christmas tree later regained popularity, symbolism was common. The Christmas tree is a symbol of a living Christmas spirit. Because balsam fir twigs, more than any other evergreen twigs, resemble crosses may have had much to do with the early popularity of balsam fir used as Christmas trees.
In 1851, the Christmas tree market began when farmer Mark Carr hauled two ox sleds of evergreens into New York City and sold them all. In 1856, Massachusetts was the last existing state to declare Christmas a legal holiday. Since then, it has exploded into a tradition-rich, festive season. By 1900, one in five American families had a Christmas tree. By 1920, the custom was nearly universal in the United States.
Today, the Christmas tree is common in all Christian countries except Spain, Italy, and some of Latin America. Instead, these countries share the custom of erecting a miniature reproduction of the stable and manger where Christ was born. Even the Japanese have adopted the Christmas tree, but with this twist: they decorate their tree with tangerines and delicate rice wafers-which enclose fortune-telling slips!
Towards the end of the 1800s, another variation of the traditional Christmas tree appeared: the artificial Christmas tree. It is believed that like so many other Christmas traditions, artificial Christmas trees also originated in Germany. The first artificial Christmas trees were metal wire trees covered with feathers. The most popular feathers came were goose, turkey, ostrich or swan feathers. The feathers were often dyed green to look like pine needles. In the 1930's, the Addis Brush Company created the first artificial-brush trees, using the same machinery that made their toilet brushes! The Addis 'Silver Pine' tree was patented in 1950. This innovative Christmas tree had a revolving light source under it. Colored gels allowed the light to shine in different shades as it revolved under the tree. This silver aluminum artificial Christmas trees became so popular that it was exported throughout the world!
The story of The National Christmas Tree begins with Franklin Pierce- the first President of the United States to introduce the Christmas Tree to the White House in 1856. However, this was not the start of the tradition now known as the "National Christmas Tree".
In November 1923, First Lady Grace Coolidge gave permission for the District of Columbia Public Schools to erect a Christmas tree on the Ellipse south of the White House. The organizers named the tree the "National Christmas Tree." That Christmas Eve, at 5 p.m., President Calvin Coolidge walked from the White House to the Ellipse and "pushed the button" to light the cut 48-foot Balsam fir, as 3,000 enthusiastic spectators looked on. The tree, donated by Middlebury College, was from the President's native state of Vermont. From 1924 to 1953 live trees, in various locations around and on the White House grounds, were lit on Christmas Eve. In 1954 the ceremony returned to the Ellipse and expanded its focus. Local civic and business groups created the "Christmas Pageant of Peace." Smaller live trees representing the 50 states, five territories, and the District of Columbia, formed a "Pathway of Peace." On December 17, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower lit the cut tree donated by the people of Michigan. The White House used cut trees until 1973.
Center to the season's celebration is the living National Christmas Tree, a Colorado blue spruce from York, Pennsylvania, planted on the Ellipse October 20, 1978. The tree stands as a daily reminder of the holiday spirit and of the tradition each succeeding President has shared in since 1923.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Great Design Books at Albert & George

















If
you're still hunting for a gift for the design aficionado in your life, look no further than our store, Albert & George. We just recieved some great books on interior design and table settings (have your centerpiece for Christmas and New Year's yet?). Some favorite titles are Palm Springs Living (with photographs by David Glomb); Vincente Wolfe's new title: Lifting the Curtain on Design; Set with Style; and Modern Luxury.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Cody Foster Trinket Boxes and Holiday Village



There was a time when practically every house with children had a set of these houses under the Christmas Tree with a train set running around it (mine included). In fact, I really miss setting up the whole "Christmas Village" under the tree. Some years it was very elaborate with a slot car set in addition to the trains (I'm very transpotation-oriented). I have been looking for just the right train set for under my Christmas Tree display. These Cody Foster homes are a wonderful start to a set- they have a hole in the back for placing a light so that the windows twinkle! A set of four are $65.

We also have these nifty retro gift boxes that are perfect for putting a very small (but expensive) gift or perfect for placesettings at a beautiful table. Prices for these range from $17-24.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Albert and George Opens in Rancho Mirage










Great
photos that our fan Oliver took before our grand opening party- I sort of lost count at about 300 people, but let's say we had a HUGE turnout! Thanks so much for coming! We'll look forward to seeing you at our next event in January!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Fun Christmas Trees at Albert and George

We had so much fun choosing Christmas Trees for our new store, Albert & George!

I love the holidays, and putting up the tree- my sister and I used to drag our Christmas Tree out of the cubby hole at least twice a year and put it up in her room while we were unsupervised. There really is something amazing about those lights being in a tree that is still wonderful to look at.

I picked three trees from our store that I am absolutely crazy about...

The first is a red-flocked 3' tree- We had one up on our buffet for Thanksgiving at our house, and it really needed NO decorating. It looked absolutely fantastic with the thick, velvety red flocking ($140).

The second tree is a 3' silver glittered tree, sort of a minimalist/mid century modern/Jetson tree. It doesn't need any lights- it just sparkles constantly. Would be amazing as a centerpiece on a Christmas or New Year's Eve table...this one also comes in gold ($65).

The last one is a trio of trees that are somewhat untraditional- they are a wooden-framed tree silhouette in white glitter with red glass bulbs mounted in the central negative space. These are so much fun, and would be great on a mantle given their low profile ($75, set of three).

All of these are on sale now at Albert & George, located at 70020 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, next to Bangkok Five. Albert & George is William Miller Design's new store that features home interior accessories, books, gifts, cards, and candles.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Voluspa & Fringe Studio @ Albert & George

Two really great lines that we will be carrying at our store, Albert & George. Voluspa candles, manufactured by Troy Arntsen in Southern California, has one of the most beautifully packaged line of candles available. We're going to have a full line of Voluspa gift boxes for the holidays, including Maison Rouge.

We also will have soaps and trays by Fringe Studios ( I love their printed glass trays with owls). Their gift sets feature a vivid print on a handblown glass tray.

Hope to see you all at our Grand Opening December 10 6-9 PM! RSVP to 760-770-9199.

Our store's address is 70020 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, California 92270. We feature home accessories, home decor, gifts, books, cards, and candles, in addition to the Interior Design Services of William Miller Design.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Albert & George

Albert & George is a shopping destination for those who appreciate the sleek, the historic, and the fun in living. We feature coffee table books, candles, cards, gift items and home accessories and furnishings.We are located between Bangkok Five restaurant and the Home Collection.

Contact us at 760-770-9199