Pink Lamps for the Cure from Mottega

As most of you know, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. Mottega is one of the many companies that has joined the fight against this terrible disease and is helping to find a cure by donating a portion of the proceeds from sales of special edition pink products. They have released the Hope Collection which includes two pretty pink lamps that sell for $99 per piece.  Mottega will contribute 10% of Hope Collection and Petal Pink collection sales to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, with a minimum donation of $25,000 in 2011. Thanks Mottega!

In case you're having a hard time imagining pink lamps in your home, here's a board to show you how they might look in a bedroom. For me, the key to using pink is balancing it with some masculine elements and darker colors to counteract the girly effect that it can have. In this space, the Camille gourd lamps are used with lots of grays and blues.

Lines Ballet – Crepuscule with Nellie - by Caroline Wright 

Clarissa Glass Drop Chandelier - Pottery Barn

Camille Lamp - Mottega - $99 *10% will go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

Antique Tiled Floor Mirrors - West Elm - $359

Azure Headboard - Horchow - $3,200 *Save 25% today with code PUMPKIN

Jennifer Lopez Ocean Drive Euro Sham - Kohl's - $35

Aix Custom Monogram Boudoir Pillow - Julia B.
Martha Stewart Collection Bedding, Solid Diamond Quilt - Macy's

Bungalow 5 Jacqui Three Drawer Side Table - Layla Grayce - $819 *Save 20% until Sunday with code lg7years

Frette Eliza Throw - Saks Fifth Avenue - $395

Nikolette Pillowtop Bench, Pinstripe - One Kings Lane - $289

Asher Rug, Gray/Turquoise - One Kings Lane - $699

What do you think of the board? And what are your thoughts on Mottega's Hope Collection? Would you use either of the pink lamps in your house?

And by the way, did you notice that those euro shams are from the Jennifer Lopez collection for Kohl's?!? I'm curious enough about the quality to go see them in person...luckily there's a Kohl's near the Target that I go to. Have any of you seen J Lo's bedding?

Graphic Image Date Book Office Inspiration #2

Per my announcement on 8/26, Graphic Image has graciously offered up a 20% discount on all purchases and a snazzy 2012 date book to giveaway to one lucky reader...enter now if you haven't already!

Graphic Image makes gorgeous and functional date books, which are available in a variety of colors, styles, and sizes. The winner will get to pick their favorite combo and I'm guessing that it will be a tough decision given that there are so many fabulous options!

I'm putting together a few office/study mood boards to showcase some of those options and to show how a Graphic Image planner can serve as both an organizational tool and a piece of decor. Today I have a gorgeous, Blue 2012 Notebook in Crocodile Embossed Leather in the mix...

2012 Notebook in Crocodile Embossed Leather (Blue) - Graphic Image

Cross Townsend Lapis Lazuli Fountain Pen - Montgomery Pens

Beaded Basket Chandelier with Cerulean Blue Beads - Shades of Light

Crystal Coaster in Bargello - Jonathan Adler

A Passion for Blue and White by Carolyne Roehm - Amazon

Found at the Cusp II, oil on canvas by Aaron Collier - Cole Pratt Gallery

Academie (403239) Frame - Larson-Juhl

Rimmed Vase by Match Pewter - Michael C. Fina

Howell Wingback - Anthropologie

Beckett Desk - Serena & Lily

Jaguar Light Rug - Horchow
Claude Dining Chair - Jonathan Adler

Cele Clock in Azure - Rab Labs
Canton Jar Lamp with Crystal Base - Furbish

Belle Meade Camden Lamp Table - Layla Grayce

What do you think of this office board? Blue is a favorite color of mine, so I like everything in the set. The Cerulean bead chandelier, the Beckett desk, and the Belle Meade Camden lamp table are my absolute favorite things though. Oh, and that Lapis Lazuli fountain pen is pretty sweet too! What are your picks?

Have a great weekend everyone!

Quadrille-Inspired Bedding by Z Gallerie?

I ran across Z Gallerie's new Zuri bedding and instantly felt like the fabrics used were familiar. As it turns out, both the ikat and the zig zag patterns are pretty similar to two of Quadrille's signature prints, Kazak and Tashkent II.

Here is Quadrille's Kazak print which resembles the duvet and standard shams...

Photo via Quadrille

Image via Annie Loveridge

And here is Quadrille's Tashkent, an all-time favorite of mine...

And they have a nifty two-toned Tashkent II that in a blue colorway, would look quite like the fabric Z Gallerie used for the euro shams...

Dear Quadrille, please provide LARGER photos on your website...thanks :)

Wherever their inspiration came from, I like the Zuri bedding, however, I wouldn't use the whole set since it's the print is so bold and saturated. All together it looks too busy but when paired with crisp white sheets like Serena & Lily's Navy Gobi Embroidered set and a simple coverlet or quilt like Donna Karan Home's Quilt. I really like the zig zag euro shams best and could skip the ikat altogether and go with a floral accent pillow like the Finishing Flourish pillow from Anthro...

What do you think of the Zuri bedding? Do you think that ZG might have knocked off Quadrille? Both ikat and zig zags have been trendy patterns over the past few years so they might have come up with it independently.

Also, if you do like the bedding, would you use the ikat and the zig zag together or would you divert from the ethnic pattern family and go with a floral like I did above?

Lamps to Love

I have a hard-core obsession with lighting, especially lamps. Table lamps are an essential element to almost every room in the house since they provide forgiving, low-level light and can be a game-changer in terms of aesthetics. Basically, lamps can make a huge difference in how a space looks and feels so it's important to choose wisely. Or you can become a lamp hoarder like me and change the ones in your home constantly (I don't recommend falling down that rabbit hole though).

With thousands of colors and styles out there, it can be hard to narrow down the possibilities. So, I've compiled a list of some of my recent favorites...

1) Prout's Medium Ball Lamp - Jill Rosenwald

2) Poston Cool Grey Faux Shagreen Lamp - Made Goods

3) Turquoise Foo Dog Lamp - Shades of Light

4) Maura Daniel Aladin Milk Glass Base - Layla Grayce

5) Arteriors Naomi Aqua Fluted Glass/Acrylic Lamp - Layla Grayce

6) Carnaby Talitha Lamp - Jonathan Adler

7) Gabrielle Table Lamp - Z Gallerie

8) Hayley Table Lamp - Crate & Barrel

9) Newport Teardrop Lamp - Jill Rosenwald

10) Jill's Key Lamp - Jill Rosenwald

11) Arteriors Vance Polished Nickel Candlestick Table Lamp - Layla Grayce

12) Marrakech Round Lamp - Horchow

13) Tomorrow Table Lamp - Currey & Company

14) Chocolate Cane Table Lamp - Horchow

15) Timeless Table Lamp in Blue - Currey & Company

16) Hampton Links Lamp - Jill Rosenwald

17) Hutton Table Lamp - Crate & Barrel

18) Kikar Balestro Lamp - Williams-Sonoma Home

19) Agate Table Lamp with Nightlight - Shades of Light

20) Lydia Gold - Made Goods

21) Glass Jug Lamp - West Elm

22) Modern Spindle Lamp Base - Shades of Light

23) Rock Crystal Lamp - Shades of Light

24) Square Vase Blue and White Lamp - Shades of Light

25) Turquoise Lamp - Dunes & Duchess

26) Miles Lamp - Jan Showers Collection

27) Contemporary Murano Robin's Egg Blue Lamp - Swank

Unfortunately most couldn't be categorized as bargains. I'm pretty good at finding deals, but it's really tough to get well-made, beautiful lamps at good prices. I've had great luck at HomeGoods where many are under $50. I've also seen some good deals at World Market and sometimes at Target. If you have any sources for more affordable lamps, please share!

Greek Key + Zig Zags

My two favorite geometric motifs are popping up everywhere these days. Lots of fun colors and some fresh interpretations of the classic patterns. The following are small, easy-to-use accessories and are great to use in simple spaces to spice them up. Have a look...

Melrose Zig Zag Greek Key Rug - Shop Ten 25
Ikat Pillow - Calypso Home
Switcheroo Pillow - Anthropologie
Vintage Porcelain Greek Key Cup and Soap Dishes - Etsy
Herringbone Bolster Pillow - John Robshaw

Lamps - Jill Rosenwald
Hand Blocked Chevron Pillow - West Elm
Greek Key Placemats - Horchow

DL Rhein Zig Zag Pillows - Layla Grayce
Round Zig Zag Rug - Shop Ten 25
Trina Turk Embroidered Greek Key Pillow - Layla Grayce

Any favorites? I am especially loving the first black and white rug and the Jill Rosenwald lamps.

Furniture Sale at Horchow

Horchow is having one of their catch-all sales, and this time furniture is 25% off. Whenever I get these emails, I usually click through to make sure that there aren't any sale items that would work for clients (or myself, if we're being completely honest). While I didn't find anything that fit a specific need, I picked a few favorites from the sale selection. Magically, all of the pieces happened to work together quite nicely so I rounded them up in a board...and added some lighting and a rug because I can't help myself! What do you think?

Bernhardt Allison Bed

Gray Chaise

Moroccan Table

Hudson Side Table

Pictured, but not on sale at the moment:

Crystal Ball Pendant (hanging over Moroccan Tables)

Global Views Allure Table Lamp

Levi Leopard Rug

If you find some furniture from Horchow that you can't live without, be sure to purchase it in the next three days because the sale only lasts until March 10. Use code ELEGANT to cash in on the savings.

Fireplace Screens

I've gotten lots of emails and comments about where our fireplace screen was purchased. Unfortunately, it was a one-off vintage find on Ebay so I can't point straight to the source.

The other unfortunate thing is that there aren't tons of stylish fireplace screens out there. I looked all over the place and found a select few that I think are pretty neat looking. Keep in mind that you can paint them if you want. I'm guessing that using a high-heat spray paint would be the best option. Anyhow, here are my picks:

1) Orb Fireplace Screen - ShopTen 25
2) Pyra Fire Screen - Neiman Marcus (or Horchow)
3) Geometric Fireplace Screen - JC Penney
4) Alton Pewter Fireplace Screen - Crate and Barrel
5) Marin Fireplace Screen - JC Penney

6) Vintage Faux Bamboo Screen - Ebay

Do you have any good sources for fireplace screens? If so, please share them in the comment area!

Sofa Sources and Selection Strategy

Last week, I received the following question from Alison of the fabulous fashion blog, Luella and June: I'm looking to find a great, comfortable, investment-purchase couch. What stores in Dallas or online would you recommend for quality and comfort for the long haul?


This is an excellent question and to be honest, my answer is highly contingent upon budget since the range of price points is wide and retailers tend to have a sweet spot within that range. For example, if the budget is around $1,500...I wouldn't recommend Williams-Sonoma Home. They have impeccable sofas, but none under $2,000 - especially once shipping and tax are accounted for.

With that said, no matter what your budget is, quality construction is key. Sofas usually serve as both a focal point and a workhorse in a living area....so, the best sofas are balanced in form and function. Finding the perfect mix is tough and will probably make you feel like Goldilocks during the search process. The huge range of options can be overwhelming so the key is to come up with a list of parameters to help narrow it down. If you are patient and adhere to your list, the right sofa will be found and you won't need another for a long time.

When formulating the list, you must address:

1. Size - for both your room and the doorways/hallways/staircases it must go through when delivered! If you're unsure about how large the footprint of the sofa should be, get out some masking tape and tape off the ideal area. Be sure to take every measurement in consideration...for instance, when I was choosing our sectional, I wanted the back to be a certain height so that my console table could be used with it. Electronics might be a factor too...i.e. you wouldn't want a super low sofa if your tv is mounted above the fireplace. 
2. Style - assess the available colors, fabrics, and wood finishes...are they what you want and need? Is the overall look one that you'll still love in five years? In this category, go for a timeless, classic style. You can always use funky pillows and throws to bring in color and personality.
3. Function - what is the main way that you'll use the sofa...and be honest with yourself here. If you like to sprawl out and watch TV, make sure it's deep enough to do that without falling off. Do your sofa and coffee table serve as a dining area? Make sure the seat height is on par with the coffee table and choose an easy-to-clean fabric. 

Since most retailers carry pieces from various manufacturers, it's tough to make blanket statements on quality. I think it's important to see, touch, and sit on prospective purchases, however, that exercise is not possible in some cases. Don't forget that returning a sofa isn't exactly like sending something back to Zappos! So, if you're ordering a sofa from an online-only retailer, be sure to get lots of photos (pay attention to details like the seams) and be aware of their return policy and any quality guarantees.

For your viewing pleasure, I've included my favorite styles from the following recommended online retailers. I hope you have some snacks nearby because this might take you a while to go through...I love me some sofas and just couldn't stop. So, sorry about the super exhaustive list! I started with high-end, expensive ones and tried to go down in price from there. I know I'm leaving some great sources out, so please be sure to name your favorites in the comment area. Also, please share any experience you've had (good or bad) with ordering a sofa. Any retailers or manufacturers that we should avoid?

Without further ado, here is my sofa source list!

Hickory Chair makes gorgeous, high quality furniture. Most pieces can be customized...a factor that helps makes the higher cost more palatable. In Dallas, you can order Hickory Chair pieces from Rose Tree on Knox.

Leigh

You can get this armless sectional series made to measure...I am completely infatuated with the Greek key trim!

Silhouettes

Gentry

From Restoration Hardware, I love the Easton and Kensington collections.

The Easton sectional is amazing...though I'm not sure if it warrants the $10k price tag.

Quatrine makes custom slipcovered furniture. It's really expensive but it's probably worth it in the long run!
Contemporary

New Contemporary

Williams-Sonoma Home has beautiful upholstered pieces and their quality is outstanding.

Starting at $3,900 - Hyde Sectional 

Starting at $2,550 - Wilshire Sofa

Although I've never seen any furniture from Layla Grayce, I know they carry premium lines and their customer service was so impressive when I ordered my cloisonne lamp, so I'll happily endorse them!

$2,721 - Lombardy Slipcovered

Jayson Home and Garden has so many fabulous sofas and they are wonderful to work with. I have such a crush on this store.

$2,295 - Rockefeller

$2,195 - Belle

$3,695 - Jordan Sectional

Room and Board has nice-looking stuff, most has a more modern vibe.
$2,199 - Hutton

Reasonably priced selections from Horchow.

$1,629 - Dusk

$1,599 - Snow

$1,829 - Abraso

Stylish and under $2k from High Fashion Home

$1,799 - Dustin

$1,529 - Jacqueline

$1,579 - Chatham

Z Gallerie has luxe looking styles at bargain prices. I've ordered lots of furniture from them and have been thrilled with the quality thus far.
$999 - Pauline

$1,199 - Oscar

Love this casual yet modern number from CB2
$1,199 - Movie Cement Slipcovered

This one from Macy's is so sophisticated and the price is amazing!
$799 - Jacqueline

Shopping and Sarah's House

Had my own little Sarah's House marathon last night. Like my decor magazine backlog, I have lots of episodes piling up on the DVR and felt the need to carve out some time to catch up with my TV friends.

It's one of the few shows on HGTV that doesn't get on my nerves...most of the others either have annoying hosts or effuse a really poor design aesthetic. Sarah and Tommy (add him to my loooong list of gay crushes...Tim Gunn, Jeff Lewis, Nate Berkus, Tom Ford, etc.) have a fun dynamic and in general, add great style to the spaces they work on. Here are two of my favorite rooms from Sarah's portfolio:

Anyhow, I browsed the interwebs while watching and ran across some cool new stuff that I wanted to share. Et voila...

Fretwork Mirror from Horchow

Zig zag rug from Clayton Gray, kinda Missoni-esque but with a price tag that's easier to swallow

Such a unique chandelier from Home Decorators...love the whimsical shape.

LOVE this sofa from Z Gallerie with the power combo of tufting and nailheads...great price too!

Martha puts her stamp on EVERYTHING these days from dog stuff to this outdoor rug

Oh Lord, I wish this table would work in our entry which is also from Clayton Gray.

Credenza a la Room Service Home...love that piece of artwork above it too!

Ignore the ugly rug and pillow and focus on the cool bamboo chair and the blue garden stool.

Hope you all have a wonderful, safe holiday weekend. Happy Independence Day!