WELCOME to Nest by Tamara blog

WELCOME to Nest by Tamara blog
Hi- It's Tamara. I'm happy you've stopped by, and since 2010 I've been sharing my passion for interior design, history, art, entertaining, travel & fashion. I am an interior designer, textile designer and writer living and working in New York City and East Hampton, Long Island. My musings have taken me to international design, art, antique and epicurean events and I have lots to share. I'm grateful to have been listed as the #1 top design blog, blogs to watch, top design blogs and named and awarded Rising Star of Design by the IFDA NY industry organization. Please feel free to reach out to our team for an interior design consultation at NestbyTamara.com -Tamara

Picnic By Design in NYC 2018-- Broadway-Inspired baskets for a worthy cause


In the name of charity and 
honoring the 
Secret Life Of Bees upcoming musical,
gave to a worthy cause this September...
catskill provisions is an all-natural organic gourmet foods and spirits company hailing from New York State.  They offer a variety of food products, but at the core of their company is their 100% New York raw wildflower honey!
And, 

was held last week at theViacom Lounge & Terrace
in New York City, an annual picnic basket charity auction hosted by Diffa National.  Each year they showcase great design and food while bringing together designers, brands, artists while supporting the efforts to combat HIV/AIDS.  This year, the theme honored the creativity and energy of "Broadway" and that unique culture here in New York City taking inspiration from Broadway productions in the way of picnic baskets and celebrations.  

Our friends at Catskill Provisions created a beautiful picnic basket honoring the new, upcoming Off Broadway production of our favorite book, The Secret Life of Bees. The musical will be based upon the 2001 best-selling book, a drama dealing with the coming of age of a 14-year old girl in the 1960s, and illustrating many of the race and socio- economic struggles of the time.  The main character, Rosaleen finds solace in the mesmerizing world of bees and spirituality in this tale of awakening and healing. 

root cellar designs happily custom created a linen/cotton textile utilizing Catskill Provision logo.  The table linen lined their basket and was offered along with the picnic basket!
Catskill Provisions also makes hand-rolled chocolate truffles, apple cider vinegar, organic pancake mix, maple syrup, ketchup, and award-winning Honey Rye Whiskey. The basket was chock-filled with their wares.  
root cellar designs' is a home textile and wallpaper company owned by myself (Tamara Stephenson) and Susan Young.  We are three years old, all American made, and we design and manufacture all our own fabric and wallpaper.  We sell our wares through showrooms around the country to the design-trade.  We also work one-on-one with brands and design firms to custom create patterns and design for their clients.  
Speaking of honey-- I am thrilled to hear about the new product since the Secret Life of Bees is one of my all time favorite books.  about the upcoming production---The musical will make its world premiere Off Broadway as part of the Atlantic Theater Company’s 2018-2019 season, and opening night will be in May, 2019.   Sheik is penning the music, while Lynn Nottage, who has won the Pulitzer Prize for drama twice (Ruined, Sweat), is writing the book adapted from Sue Monk Kidd’s novel.
Happy Nesting
XO Tamara