Exquisite, sophisticated, timeless, beautiful….

and equally stunning, subtle, versatile and functional.

At Cobblestone & Vine, we strive to serve and inspire.  To Serve by providing quality home furnishings and gifts at the highest level of customer service.  To Inspire our customers to enjoy their homes, their families and their guests with products from around the world.  We believe homes should be filled with the quality, the heritage and the “special” that will stand the test of time.   MATCH Pewter fits the criteria on many levels.

As a result of our exclusive partnership with MATCH, we are able to present a gorgeous collection of MATCH Pewter NOW on display at our Pleasant Ridge Town Center location.  We are honored to showcase the largest collection of MATCH in Little Rock, and in Arkansas.

Pewter has been used for thousands of years to create functional and decorative objects for the home.  Today MATCH PEWTER continues this ancient tradition using the same methods that have been passed down through generations of Italian artisans.  Each piece of MATCH Pewter is a testament to the timeless values of craft and authorship in this age of speed and convenience.  The classic forms harmonize with both traditional and modern settings.  It’s warm reflections recall celebrations at well laid tables and storytelling by candlelight. Courtesy of MATCH.

WHAT IS PEWTER, you ask?

Pewter is an alloy (a combination of base metals) that is made of tin, copper and antimony. THERE IS NO LEAD IN OUR PEWTER. To truly be pewter, an alloy must contain at least 92% tin. Match Italian Pewter contains 95% of the highest quality tin. Hence, the “95″ that is stamped into each piece of Match Italian Pewter.

Each piece is made with an alloy that is food safe, lead-free, FDA approved and requires little or no care.  In general, all pewter tarnishes very slowly and requires almost no maintenance. should you want to polish our pewter, almost any metal polish will do.

To clean your pewter after using it to serve food, hand wash in warm water with a liquid dish soap. Be sure to dry the pewter completely. Water allowed to dry on your pewter may cause spots. If spots occur, they can be easily removed by polishing or, believe it or not, by gently rubbing the area in small circular motions with “0000″ steel wool. Courtesy of MATCH.

In 1995, MATCH Pewter became the first company to direct import Italian pewter to the U.S.  They work hand-in-hand with the two top manufacturers in Italy to design and create proprietary introductions including the bar-ware, the three bath collections as well as the ceramic pieces.

We invite you to the West Little Rock location to get a first-hand look at MATCH. Learn more about the history of pieces dating back to the 15th century as well as how to read the symbols stamped into each authentic MATCH piece.

For a LIMITED time, we are giving away a MATCH Vino Decanter as our way of saying, “we appreciate your business”.  See details at the Pleasant Ridge Town Center store location.  Ciao!

We’ve been enjoying our new backyard so much I almost forgot to share the results, which are spectacular thanks to the wonderful Gillum Family, Schneider Lawn and Landscaping as well as the host of neighbors, friends and family who knew all about the surprise.

If you recall, this is what our backyard looked like at the beginning of the Summer. Read the complete post here

Ugh…weeds, uneven stepping stones and just plain unattractive. Remember our “water feature”?

That’s how we left our little patch of dirt in the early weeks of Summer.  While we were hiking around the Mountain Lake Hotel (a.k.a. where the classic movie Dirty Dancing was filmed), unbeknown-st to me,  crews were busy transforming our backyard.  What a marvelous surprise to come home to!!!  What a marvelous man I’m married to!!!

Our school of gold fish really enjoy swimming around their new home complete with aquatic plant-life.  We love the soothing sights and sounds of our backyard oasis.

From every angle, backyard bliss!

Large or small, outdoor entertaining spaces have fabulous possibilities.  Winning Possibilities!  Last days to enter the drawing for (2) tickets to P. Allen Smith’s spectacular Summer Celebration.

Visit us online or in-store to find out how you can WIN!

The weather in Little Rock is unbearable.  Unbearably hot and unbearably sticky.  We’ve been advised to stay in-doors.  Are they crazy? Rather than inciting insanity, we propose the following cool options for weathering this heat wave.

#1 Third Thursday in the Heights is tomorrow.  What a fabulous opportunity to enjoy ice cold beverages in the respite of air-conditioned beauty.

#2 Stop in to find out how you can WIN the hottest tickets in town. Dinner at P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home Retreat to celebrate Summer!

Imagine enjoying an evening of live music, a welcome reception and a tour of Smith’s Garden Home Retreat at Moss Mountain Farm, overlooking the Arkansas River Valley.  Tickets for two include a  five-star dinner, showcasing wine pairings from Presqu’ile Winery in California, sustainable poultry and delicious heirloom tomatoes grown at the Garden Home Retreat. From small and sweet cherries to big, juicy beefsteaks, any way you slice it the tomato is summer’s signature taste. Courtesy of Tale of Two Farms.

#3  Join our fans on Facebook and you could win an autographed copy of P. Allen’s book, Colors for the Garden.

The winners of the book and the tickets to dinner will be announced July 22nd.  See stores for additional details.

#4 Cap off July in-style at the “Sizzlin Summer Sidewalk Sale”  July 22, 23, 24 at Pleasant Ridge Town Center

Our West Little Rock store will celebrate their one-year anniversary in August.  Pop-in to congratulate Anderson, Connie, Margaret and Carey on a fabulous year!

We hope you stay calm, cool and collected throughout this sweltering heat.  Let us know how we can serve you.

Several weeks ago, we mentioned our dirt pit in Hillcrest and our desire to transform our backyard into an extension of our living space.  The time has come to share the pictures, the process and the party!  Up first, a look at inspiration courtesy of  Schneider Lawn & Landscape to improve our “water feature”.

Imagine how wonderful it would be to hear this babbling brook meander down several levels incorporated around the seating area in this backyard?

Water features have a magical quality.  The sweet angels lounging about the water’s edge invite relaxation.

The textures, sights and sounds of the rocks, natural grass and water create a stunning landscape design. We could only hope our little patch would look -  could look this inviting considering how the project started.

Our very lame attempt at creating our own pond resulted in an unattractive and unwelcoming green mess.

I am mortified that we are even sharing these photos.  Tired picnic table on bricks, doggy clean-up tools laying in the yard, dead shrubs….. HELP Schneider Man!

For now, we must hit the pause button.  Ugh!  I would much prefer instance gratification, however, that would spoil the best part.  And I can’t wait to tell you about the summer surprise. Spectacular!

Speaking of spectacular, P. Allen Smith is hosting an amazing Summer Celebration, “Tale of Two Farms” on July 24th at his Garden Home Retreat on Moss Mountain. Now through July 22nd, any purchase at Cobblestone & Vine automatically enters you in the drawing for (2) seats at this 5-star dinner and Heirloom Tomato Festival presented by P. Allen Smith and the Oxford American.

And we love announcing the winners from the first drawing for the $5,000 gift card give-a-way.

Congratulations Mary & Trevor Person!

Kathy Gravis, a Heights store favorite for over two years, was delighted to present the happy couple with their winnings  – a $2,500 Cobblestone & Vine gift card!

What a wonderful opportunity to kick-off a design project.  Where will they start?

Tone-on-Tone for calming places?

Comfort for the Keeping Room?

Updating the Outdoor Spaces?

Creating a Tranquil Sleeping Oasis?

Again, congratulations to Mary & Trevor Person. We are thrilled you won! There’s still time to enter for the next gift card drawing. Hurry in before June 30th to participate! Please forward this to a friend who would LOVE a $2,500 gift card from Cobblestone & Vine to jump-start a home furnishings project.

We are on a two week tour visiting friends and family along the East Coast.  As we were ending our first eleven hour day of driving, we desperately wanted to stay somewhere memorable -  NOT a lug the luggage-in, lug the luggage-out pit stop.  Thank goodness for i-phone internet searching and Family Fun!  We found the perfect spot…..

The first known owner of Mountain Lake was Henley Chapman, an early commonwealth attorney who helped frame the Virginia Constitution in 1829.  Because settlers used to “salt” their cattle in the basin of the lake, the original name for Mountain Lake was Salt Pond. The mountain is still known as Salt Pond Mountain.

By 1857 Salt Pond was being operated as a pleasure resort by the new owner, General Herman Haupt of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Haupt purchased the first hotel license for the resort and named it Mountain Lake. Courtesy of Mountain Lake Hotel.

Originally a guest of Mountain Lake, William Lewis Moody of Galveston, Texas purchased the property in 1930. In 1936, Mr. Moody erected the large, native sandstone hotel that stands today.  The stunning hotel and surrounding property were passed on to his daughter, Mary Moody Northen. Upon her death in 1986, the Mary Moody Northen Endowment took over ownership of the hotel. The Endowment is responsible for creating the Mountain Lake Conservancy established in 1989.

In 1986, the feature film and box office hit, “Dirty Dancing” was filmed at Mountain Lake.

Did you catch that?

Imagine my excitement to find out that Mountain Lake Hotel was featured as “Kellerman’s Resort” in the 80’s classic movie, Dirty Dancing starring  Jennifer Grey and the late Patrick Swayze.

Mountain Lake Hotel is just as stunning in-person as the fictional Kellerman’s Resort with the a multitude of  hiking and mountain biking trails as well as the idyllic lawn games like croquet, badminton, volleyball, tether ball, lawn chess & checkers, just to name a few.

There was one more surprise that surpassed the casual elegance of the historic hotel, breath-taking views, vast array of amenities AND the filming of Dirty Dancing, the exceptional customer service.  Wow!  From the instance we arrived, we were greeted with genuine hospitality as if we were visiting family. When you stay at Mountain Lake Hotel, both breakfast and dinner are included in the room rate.  Since we arrived after the dining room had closed for the evening, we were treated to a fabulous three bedroom cottage overlooking the valley as well presented with a basket-full of goodies to share back at the cottage.

It was refreshing to witness business owners wanting to give their customers more. Increasing the value beyond the monetary.  Our family vacation started on a wonderful note thanks to caring people at the Mountain Lake Hotel.  We will most certainly return to make more memories.

Speaking of memories… a special Happy Anniversary to Mrs. and Mrs. J. Michael Sullivan for 47 years of marriage.  I feel honored to be part of their awesome legacy.  We hope you enjoyed the day!

Win $5,000 in June!

Automatically enter

the drawing for one of

(2) $2,500

gift cards each time you spend

$100 in-store or on-line.

* Valid on regular priced merchandise only. Includes Special Orders paid-in-full. No adjustments made for prior purchases. Promotional Period #1: winner of (1) $2500 C&V gift card will be randomly selected from valid entries on purchases made 6/1 through 6/15, . Promotional Period #2: winner of (1) $2500 C&V gift card will be randomly selected from valid entries on purchases made 6/16 through 6/30.  Winner announced on or before July 5, 2010.

Imagine the possibilities?  What would you do with a Cobblestone & Vine Gift Card?

Zippity aye,
My oh my what a wonderful day!
Plenty of sunshine coming our way,
Zippity doo dah, Zippity aye.

A special Thank You to The Charlotte John Company for the Free Trolley Rides

during the Third Thursday, Heights Happy Hour.

The weather was perfect for strolling along Kavanaugh enjoying the sights and sounds of summer coming to life.  We really enjoy being able to slow down to visit with customers.  Join us in June for the next Sidewalk Party.

NOW, the moment we’ve all been waiting for …. well, it’s not the lottery, but winning is fun nonetheless.  And gifting-a-way is even more fun.  The winner of Sir Leo is Mrs. Leigh Ann Wiechern!  Whoo Hoo!

Thanks to everyone who entered the drawing.  We love hearing from you, our special friends.

Enjoy the day!

Keep those comments coming!  Anyone have a guess as to which wonderful couple celebrated 20 years yesterday? We can’t wait to see who wins Sir Leo!

Not sure if I have let it slip that my love for all things Texas runs deep.  HOWEVER …

I have been totally spoiled by the fabulous weather and amazing natural beauty of Little Rock, Arkansas.    I can hardly wait to extend our entertaining space to include our backyard.

We are drawn to the mixture of textures – the Elegant Earth stone table, the French Teak outdoor furniture, the gravel under foot – while still maintaining tidy landscaping.

This wonderful Outdoor Teak Settee was recently featured in House Beautiful.  The companion Bergere Chair can be tested at our Heights location.

Another favorite on our list, The Provence Collection, “The Outdoor Wicker Collection is made out of the finest outdoor synthetic wicker that can withstand any outdoor conditions (including sun, heat, snow, and ice) and still has a refined presence. Each piece has the touch and feel of real wicker but is made out of recyclable synthetic materials on an aluminum frame.” Courtesy of The Provence Collection.

Clearly, I am going to have my work cut out for me decided which set to use.   Wait to you see the revolutionary  outdoor furniture Lee Industries introduced!

Well, if I have to be honest our backyard “garden” is a … dirt pit. I’ll spare you the pictures. Saving the images for the “after” post that we hope to reveal before the end of the Summer.

For now you will have to let your mind wonder about our patch of grass in Hillcrest while we explore several great inspirations for outdoor spaces.   First up, Brooke has done it again!

Sharing fabulous pictures of a garden project just completed by the extraordinarily talented Gianntti Duo!

The design is cohesive right down to the potted succulents in octagonal pots with round copper saucers -  Campio de Fiori perhaps?  They will age beautifully.

Brooke mentions in her post that this is the view from the map room of the home.  And, yes, those are lemon trees!  The kids and I have entertained the idea of planting orange trees on our back deck.  That makes me happy just thinking about it.

In another post, Brooke gives us a tour of her personal home garden transformation with unique solutions for creating special spaces.  Who knew you could adhere gravel to the drive way?

To create a stunning European curb appeal.

Our yard, a.k.a. dirt pit, is too small for a pool, but we do plan on upgrading our water feature and creating a space that is an extension of our entertaining space. I’ve been surfing for design inspiration in order to better communicate the “look & feel” we hope to accomplish.

I like the idea of utilizing the native Arkansan rock to create garden borders as well as to enhance the “water feature”.  Currently, we have a DIY pond that Casey and I lovingly built from the rocks in our yard.  We have over a dozen gold fish that have survived the hard Winter freeze of 2010, and we hear the Summer toads are back. However, I seem to be drawn to the look of a fountain….

So many choices – freestanding?  wall mounted, vintage?

Do we want the water feature as the focal point?  Or as background ambiance?

In honor of a certain couple’s 20th Anniversary, we would like to GIFT-A-WAY a stone Lion’s Face garden object.

This stately fellow will guard your garden with dignity and style as a fountain (his mouth is water spout ready) or however you give him charge.

For those interested in winning Sir Leo, please *comment* to this blog post with well wishes for the successful couple on 20 years of Marriage!  We will announce the winner on Friday’s post.  All the best!

* please use the comment section below the post at http://blog.cobblestoneandvine.com/ to enter to win. Responding to the email will prevent your entry from being included in the contest.  Thank you.