Windows

Windows always give us a peek of what's beyond . . . inside, or outside.  We are SO excited to have been asked to design our shop-neighbors window, and hopefully we can get started on it today or tomorrow.  Rich Millman is the owner of an absolutely fabulous catering business, Contemporary Foods, (foodie alert!)
http://www.contemporaryfoods.com/ , and since he is literally running all over from the Hamptons to all parts of NJ and NYC, he hardly has time to breathe let alone do a storefront window.  

We'll be using some of our own pieces to stage it, and have some great ideas to showcase his own sense of style as a super "food designer." If you haven't attended one of his events like I have,  (he did my daughter's best friends wedding,) you are in for a food experience like no other.  We're thinking an outdoor garden theme right now, and we'll keep you posted as the window unfolds . . . 

In the meantime, a pic of one of Rich's creative presentations.   

We're thinking some garden pots from the shop, 

Maybe some cool lime chairs . . . 

and . . . 

whatever else we can come up with.  Can't wait to get started!

Have a great day,

Greens

Yes it's April Fools Day.  I know what you're thinking.  What are brussels sprouts doing on the blog?  I guess it's the gorgeous greens and the fact that I am dying for some color to sprout after this incredibly long cold winter.  Spring will arrive as it always does, but slicing up this great vegetable and just seeing the texture and color made me feel kind of organic, which of course reminds me of the outdoors, and the gardens & farmer's markets to pop up in a few weeks.  If you haven't had these sliced, tossed in olive oil and sauteed with a little garlic you are missing one of the wonderful tastes of spring.  Your mother was right . . . eat your brussels sprouts! 

Here are some of my favorite earthy elements for inspiration in organic home decor. . .  

image from Elle Decor

A collection of nature things in a beautiful still life.

image from Elle Decor

White plates and serving dishes always work great with organic themes.  Fresh.

image from Digging Decor

A simple bunch of gathered greens from the roadside and one gorgeous bloom!

image Organic Home Design

 An amazing Frank Lloyd Wright designed home.  Proof that mother nature is the best designer of all.

Some things from the shop to add some organica to your home. . . 

Great New Pillows

A Funky Bench

Pair of Sweet 
Leather Wrapped Lamps

 Beautiful Garden Pot

What are some of your favorite nature inspirations?

Waiting with you for Spring!

The Master

I've been thinking about this quote for awhile now. . . and I'd say Steve pretty much says it all about what we want to achieve in our homes as much as it does about the most amazing (huge apple fan here) company ever.  As much as a beautiful room creates a sense of comfort and stability in our lives,  if the elements in it don't function as well as they could, then the point is missed.  How often have you sat yourself in a super comfy chair, put on your favorite music and realize for the millionth time that there is nowhere close to set down your coffee cup? Or the bedside table you have slept next to for years is just fine to hold the reading lamp, but why are all your books and mags on the floor?          

image from House Beautiful

Although I love love the color scheme and the cottagey feel in this bedroom, the end table, although a great style in itself, looks good but doesn't seem functional. I'm picturing a bigger table with just a bit more room for a few good reads or a cup of tea.  

image from House Beautiful

This table, similar in style, is in better proportion to the scale of the bed. It serves to hold some of the necessary luxuries nice to have on hand and is pretty to look at at the same time.   Design and Function.

In the shop now:  a beautifully shaped & graceful console table.  Too pretty for behind the sofa . . .  use it as a bedroom desk, or reserve it as an elegant table for coffee with a friend.  

I have to keep revisiting my own spaces at home as the family lifestyle changes as well as the furniture plan.  What is this space best used for now, and how can I make it work well and look great at the same time?  Maybe adding the one thing that I've been meaning to for years . . . 

What do you think?

  

Young Designers

Young Dylan image by Jillanne Chimento

Last night I attended an incredible design show. . . not one on a runway or on Madison Avenue, but at my youngest daughter's Senior Show at Monmouth University.  The class of 2011 has produced an array of multi-talented graphic designers whose work just blew me away.  Everything from complete book design to conceptual posters, digital collage, package design, motion graphics, 3D animation and photography.  These kids have come such a long way from the days when graphic design was as simple as typeset and cut & paste.  I'm still in awe at the level of technical expertise it takes to just understand Illustrator, Photoshop & inDesign, no less be able to use it so proficiently.

Here's Jillanne with her classmate Jess . . .



Not only has the face of  advertising and marketing been profoundly changed by technology, but the days of using Luma Dyes and rice paper to hand paint textile designs is now almost pre-historic, and so the home decor industry reflects that as well.  Everything from tabletop to fabric to interior room design been replaced almost entirely by computer generated imagery. Not saying that's a bad thing at all . . . just a new and more efficient way to produce more goods, generate more creative output and market more industry than ever before.  A big shout out to this year's graduating class, and a wish for creative and rewarding work for all of them!

Best buds!

Here's a look at some fresh fabric from the latest crop of young textile designers. . . 

image from Ann Granlund

image from Ink And Spindle

image Christian Zuzunaga for Tate

Stop by the shop soon to see some of our latest colors and designs in pillows just waiting for your beds, chairs and sofas . . .

Textiles

It's funny how a certain pattern on fabric or wallpaper can evoke emotion.  Sometimes it reminds us of people or favorite rooms from the past.  Other times a print can bring us toward a new design direction in our homes, or simply be a springboard for a different color scheme.  We are in love with this new Ralph Lauren fabric, a great floral with a vintagy feeling (from Calico Corners) which soon will be covering the seat cushion of this comfy natural wicker chair in the shop.  Pic update on the chair when it's done!

  

Fabric can do so much to change out the look of a sofa, bed or table.  The possibilities are endless and the great new fabric designs are fresh and bright for spring.  Whether it's organic botanicals (my own personal favorite right now), stripes, vintageflorals or retro inspired designs, there are tons of choices out there to give something in your home a new look.

image Mood Fabrics, NYC

Interior Garden

image Kim Parker Home

This really beautiful bedding line was done by textile artist turned designer Kim Parker.  Her paintings alone are so inspiring, and now they have been adapted to everything from fabric and rugs to linens and tabletop in her Kim Parker Home line. In her book Kim Parker Home: A Life in Design, Parker shares her creative inspirations and techniques for combining flea market finds with her fabric designs.  The stunning photographs in this one are worth the look!  

Great graphic and color on this pillow . . . more in the shop now. 

$30

Coming this week to the shop . . .  a group of new handmade vintage pillows in whites and creams from a pillowmaker in MA.  Stop in before they're gone!

Have a creative day!

Spring Color

We thought it would never arrive but the signs are all there: kids (and dogs) playing outside, people without coats, windows open, and here and there a crocus popping through . . . SPRING is finally here.  Long awaited and I have never been more ready.  I'm taking one day (today) to just enjoy that fact before beginning the transition of switching out the winter clothes to the spring ones, washing the windows which look like they have 10 years worth of salt and water spots on them, re-organizing absolutely everything in the house, and finally getting to the garden pruning which I should have done in the fall.  That should take about a good four weeks.  By then, it might be warm enough to sit outside on the porch with Jackson for awhile and just listen to the birds.  He misses that as much as I do.

Spring always reminds us of welcome color . . . the bright and clear greens of leafing buds & grass, soft whites, luscious pinks and yellows.  Nothing can give you a lift after a long white winter as new color in fashion, or, in your home .  Just so happens that the Top 10 Spring 2011 Pantene Color Forecast in fashion is also the same for home interiors.  These beautiful shades will spring you up just by hearing their names!  Honeysuckle. Regatta. Coral Rose. Beeswax. Peapod. Blue Curacao. Russet. Silver Peony. Lavender. Silver Cloud.

                                                                 Image from Trendland.net
Whether it's fresh paint on the walls or a front door, a few new pots for the porch, or a great new dress, now's the time to add some color to your life! 

Image from Elle Decor

 Bright color accents in the Shop right now . . . 

 Fuschia Glass Vase

SWP $15

Painted Color Panes

                                     SWP $50

                                 
Happy Spring!