Goodbye Moss - See it before it's gone on Feb 17th.

Here's another toast ....

http://www.mossonline.com/

 Moss the NY Design Emporium is closing. Moss was one of the leading innovators in home design, never mind the price tags.  I got my first sighting of the famous Cellula Chandelier at Moss and it has been copied many times since.   Even if you cannot afford to buy Moss is the place to visit one last time, just to get your design fix.  The light offerings were always  innovative and in one word incredible. Visit Moss today!

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/garden/moss-the-soho-design-emporium-is-closing.html


FashionMom

Room Service Home (RSH) - Great finds for the Home Office and more.

So it is nice to have new digs, I think I will have stories and adventures for years to come as we figure out how to settle in and live on a budget without shopping like crazy!
My home office is in the basement and I love working at my desk. I would like to perk the room up though,  it would be very nice  to have some really great accessories to bring it alive.  I know that the Container Store is a good bet but I prefer to shop from home, there is less temptation for me. Container Store is dangerous for my wallet.

We have the usual places like West Elm and Pottery Barn but I love what they offer at Room Service Home , a catalog boutique and  online retailer.

The company is based in Dallas Texas and it sells home office items, bath products and personalized gifts for you and your family and friends.
The company encourages their customers to have a say in their choices so many of the items can be personalized, monograms, colors and textiles too.
The prices are very reasonable and I have listed a few of my favorite things below.

 

















A gift to me is in order!  Anna Griffin Totes





















File folders- Love these!!  Anna Griffin File Folders





















Monogrammed Clip Boards.




















Classics- Reference Volumes





















 Crest File Folders





















Damask Mouse Pad




Parsons Chair and Cabrole Table





















Mom Agendas- Love this!  I know what my friends will be getting for Christmas this year!








































A company bestseller- Life Organizers, this is what we need to keep all of those loose papers, excuse me, documents together!



















Of course you must have sticky note pads!

























plus a few of my other favorite things....




















Tumblers to go - great for the summer!






















Tea Trolley set for children




















Moo Mixer for little ones, fun to watch the mixing happen!





















Personalized Photo organizer

Pay a visit to this site today, I hope that you like it as much as we do!

http://www.rshcatalog.com/


Happy Shopping!

Outdoor Color! Home Depot Adirondack Chairs in colors we love.

One of my favorite collections from Spring 2011 and Fall 2011 Ready To Wear Collections was Jil Sander(Raf Simmons designer).  The combination of bright colors and color blocking was pure genius and it inspired and challenged me to add color somewhere, either to my wardrobe or to our home. Raf Simons at Jil Sander started the color drumbeat with his June 17th, 2010  men's collection in Florence. (see below). He then built it up to a crescendo for Spring 2011 RTW in Milan on June 25th 2010 and March 2011 . The colors are powerful, layered and complex, even though they should clash, somehow they work together in perfect harmony.

Jil Sander -Spring 2011 Menswear

http://www.style.com/

For Jil Sander
http://www.style.com/

When we moved into our new home we are once again faced with the prospect of  shopping for a grill and furniture for the patio and yard. We have spent a lot of time at Home Depot and Target. I watched, for over a month as the team at my local Home Depot transitioned from winter to spring, from dark to bright.
My excitement went up a notch when I spotted the stacks of Adirondack chairs near to the front door. They were plastic but in the colors so prevalent on the runway for Spring 2011, my thoughts immediately went to the  Jil Sander collections.
Blue,Red,Yellow,Green, bright and cheery, trendy but classy.  They are made of  plastic resin but the colors added a new dimension to a chair that has been around since 1903. Target also working on their Spring outdoor displays and I noticed the same color theme, especially the fluorescent greens and yellows. I was at Ikea last week and they have also added green and yellow to their arsenal for outdoor furniture.
If you are in need of outdoor chairs for all of the extra friends and family visiting all season, I suggest investing in four of the Adirondack chairs from Home Depot, I like the blue and green combo with a dash of yellow, it will add some much needed color to your  backyard.
The Price?  Just $16.96 per chair!

Christopher Kane
http://www.style.com/

Carolina Herrera Spring 2011
http://www.style.com/

Plant pots in my favorite brights at Home Depot.




Christopher Kane
Spring 2011
http://www.style.com/



Jil Sander Fall 2011
http://www.style.com/

Spring is here!






Jil Sander Fall 2011
http://www.style.com/

Happy Shopping and Happy Spring!

Question Of The Week -Your Favorite Home Appliance

Forgive me, this was something I had not faced before. My family and I moved to a new home. The home required some renovation in the kitchen so we have moved in with some cabinets and other appliances still to arrive.
We did not have washer/dryer, microwave among other home appliances.

We always discuss beauty products we cannot live without or wonder where we would be without our cell phones.
Have you ever thought about being without some of the appliances we use every day? The ones you see every day and just assume that they will always be there? The ones we take for granted?

My pick?  was the microwave. I never realized how much I used it, needed it.
It was like missing a part of my body, in the kitchen I constantly turned to warm my daughter's tea, our lunch, everything! It was such a part of my life I never thought what it would be like to live without it for a week or two.

Think about it, the Microwave may not be your vice,  but which home appliance would you have miss for a  week or two?

 Our microwave arrived this weekend and my life is once again restored to its balanced state.

 We look forward to hearing from you!
FashionMom

Images courtesy istockphoto

Paint Picks Update- FashionMom Favorites

We just moved to a new home( not really, built 1940) and I was happy we had the opportunity to paint the entire home before we moved in.

I did some intense reading and  research and it took some time, but the family was happy with my choices. The colors are all neutrals. I have tried brights before and I have had my fill,  neutrals always work and you can do so much more with your accessories with neutrals.
I wanted colors that had a hint or blush of a deeper color mixed with white.   I love paint because it really changes the look and feel of an entire room and home. I tested about 15 paint samples on all of  the walls and it took about 4 days to decide which ones looked best in different types of light, but it was worth every penny. It is mistake proof.
The paints that are also mistake proof are from Benjamin Moore, Farrow and Ball and I also like Sherwin Williams.

These are the colors we used and they all came out beautifully, the house looks bright and welcoming.

Living room- Marble White and Grant Beige Half and Half of each. One of the best beiges anywhere. Neutral with a khaki undertone, of course you could go heavier on the other color. Marble White is creamy, Grant Beige is more Khaki. I then used the Marble White in the Dining Room and Kitchen. I used the Grant Beige as background in the open cabinets in the living room.

All Trim and Ceilings- White Dove and Decorator's White by Benjamin Moore.

Den- A wonderful blue to match our accessories. White Satin by Benjamin Moore. don't let the white fool you, it is a beautiful light blue, almost powdery in the final phase.

Covered Deck( two walls)- My favorite, Farrow and Ball Pale Powder, greenish, bluish hints depending on the light but mostly white, I love this color. If you have somewhere in your home can use F and B Great White, please use it, it is a beautiful rose hint white.

Hallways- Honeyed White by Sherwin Williams. A creamy white that looks golden and warm during the day, an excellent neutral.

Daughter's Room- My daughter loves purple and lavender but she has red and navy bookshelves and a red table. I choose a light lavender violet that blends perfectly with the reds and blues. It is Violet Ice by Benjamin Moore. They painted her closet in Lavender Ice from Benjamin Moore.

Guest Bedroom- I had never done a room in gray before and I choose from about 5 shades. My final pick was Wickham Gray for the walls and Horizon for the closet. Both are Benjamin Moore. Wickham Gray.... every time I hear the name I  remember Mr Wickham in Pride and Prejudice,  it is a warm gray that will work well with golds, yellows and tans.

Master Bedroom- I went for a pink undertone. Pink is the ultimate enhancer for any room. I told my husband that he will look better every time he wakes up in a room with a shade of rose. I went for a white with a pink blush so it does not look too feminine. I used Wild Aster from Benjamin Moore. It changes color as the day moves on, beautiful.




http://www.benjaminmoore.com/
http://www.farrow-ball.com/- available at Benjamin Moore Outlets.
http://www.sherwin-williams.com/
http://www.prattandlambert.com/


Remember that some paint companies and home improvement stores may be able to match your samples too.

Happy Painting and Happy Spring!

Sofa Basics

FashionMom and family are on the move and it is time for a new sofa.
We love the Charleston Sofa from Pottery Barn http://www.potterybarn.com/shop/furniture-upholstery/sofas/charleston-sofas/. It is a great sofa for everyday wear and tear, and it always looks great with a slipcover upgrade.

The Charleston has served us and our cats very well. We changed the slip covers once and it has been great but time has taken it's toll.
It is time for change and a new look, something a bit more formal.
I took some time to ensure that I had all of my sofa facts in order for our search.

These are the things that you will want to check for that next sofa purchase.


Is it well made?
Weight is a sign of quality. If a sofa feels light when you life it and it moves easily the frame is poorly made.
Hardwood frames are the best they will stand up to years of abuse.
Lift the cushions to see if the sofa has sprung base. Check to see how close the springs are together. 60mm to 75mm is ideal.
Check that the legs or feet or solid. Ball castors are the best, but nylon castors are fine if fitted properly (bun feet are better option on hard floors.

How is the filling?
Foam, fibre fill, feathers(down or regular, often used in combination) or a mixture. A good quality foam filling will give support and keep its shape.
A good quality foam filling will give support and retain its shape.
Fibre fill over foam core is probably the best option for the back of a sofa. It does not require a lot of plumping. Beware of too much plumping!
A fibre fill and feather mix is soft but, like feather fillings, will require regular plumping to look good, how would you do that if the section is fixed!

Fabric?
Chenille and acrylic velvets are timeless, but both will crease easily. They will show silver or dark patches depending on light.
Cotton and linen are hard wearing but stain easily and may not be easy to clean if not treated with some type of stain resistant protection.
I love fitted slip covers over to help protect the sofa, add a new look or color.


Sofabed?
Look for a sofa bed with metal action construction. Most sofabeds pull out from the seat, but a few work by flipping the back out and these tend to be less comfortable.
Test the smoothness of the action my pulling the bed our and the quality of the mattress my lying on it. A thicker mattress is likely to be more comfortable.
I think that some people always will buy a sofa bed,  just in case of family but they tend to be harder and not as comfortable as a sofa. If you can afford it or have enough rooms and space stick with a sofa for comfort.

Final note- Something else we learned, the middle seat of a three seat sofa is hardly ever used by a third person. People tend to sit as the ends and the middle is a waste. Consider a large two seater.



Happy Shopping!


DGW

Best Online Websites for Your Home

I know, and I would agree with you that buying a sofa on line is still not something that you would be comfortable with. We need to feel it, sit in it before making a decision and then we need to shop around for a while. This is a big decision!

However, there are some things we can shop for online. It makes our lives so much easier.
This is just a short list, and if you have a favorite place in your hometown please let me know!

Here are some of our best picks for online home shopping!! enjoy!

Drapery( High End) - The Silk Trading Company- They also sell a wonderful line of paints. You can purchase samples for testing.
http://www.silktrading.com/
Drapery( Mid range) - Bed,Bath and Beyond and Target. Target has really improved their line of drapery and fine furnishings over the last 5 years, take a second look you may be surprised at what you find.
http://www.target.com/
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/


 Home Portfolio
http://www.homeportfolio.com/
If you need any design question answered this is the place to visit. It is chock full with information on furniture placement, how to manage small spaces, it is all there at your fingertips.It has many wonderful bloggers who dispense all sorts of advice.This will be your go to site after one visit.

Casasugar
http://www.casasugar.com/
Exciting and really helpful site that gives many design ideas and offers discussions on any topic out there. Plus, you can start your own group within the site.
Excellent source.

Restoration Hardware
http://www.restorationhardware.com/
For outdoor and garden if you are looking for something with a little more panache than Home Depot or Lowes or your local garden spot, this site offers everything from Ivy Toparies to amazing planters any time of the year.

Global Table
http://www.globaltable.com/
Minimal tabletop and home accessories with an Asian touch. Located in New York this online site offers beautiful tea sets. If you like no fuss accessories this is the site for you.

Circa Lighting
http://www.circalighting.com/
Great lighting that fits into any style. Prices are reasonable.

Z Gallerie
http://www.zgallerie.com/
Wonderful,one of the best stores for home accessories. If you want to wow factor for dining tables, and living rooms this is the site for you. The lighting is large scale and exceptional. For those of us who love a little ostentation. Minimalists stay away!

Urban Archaeology
http://www.urbanarcheology.com/
For salvaged fixtures and furniture from razed structures, to new lighting, and bath fixtures this is your go to site with stores in New York and Boston.

Calico Corners- Fabrics
http://www.calicocorners.com/
Beautiful drapes and fabrics for home furnishings and pillows. They sell everything from furniture to fabrics. They also make pillows,trimmings,cushions from scratch and can reupholster your furniture in all of your fabric picks. There is great attention to details. They will send swatches to you for your perusal.
They offer fabrics from Iman Home, Tom Filicia and Ralph Lauren among others. Online is great but, if you can visit a store,you will spend a few hours getting lost among the wonderful colors and patterns. They also offer a free design service.  Enjoy!

Room and Board
http://www.roomandboard.com/
This is a must visit on line, get the catalog and in store if purchasing for an apartment or a smaller home in a city environment. Room and Board is also a great source for understanding layouts in small places. If you can visit a store, what a treat!

Novica(in association with Natural Geographic)
http://www.novica.com/
 A veritable world basket of beautiful finds. Area rugs from Indian,African masks,wood sculptures from Bali, Mexican coffee tables, wall hangings from Peru.  Local artists finally have the world stage to recognize their craft and support their businesses. You also have the ability to help fund a business with micro credit loans. What a treasure trove!

Pearl River Mart
http://www.pearlriver.com/
Great tabletop accessories at a major fraction of the price, I get all of my placemats from this site and they last forever.

EBAY
http://www.ebay.com/
The best online source for used, gently used and new accessories and furniture at prices you may have something to say about! Good luck bidding!

William Laman
http://www.williamlaman.com/
For exceptional rattan trays, baskets and I love the bleached rattan ice bucket. They also sell teak wood soap trays, antiques and garden decor. This is an excellent source for classy gifts for a bride and groom who already have everything. They do have a gift registry.

Lumas
http://www.lumas.com/
This is the best place online for inexpensive art. From Masters to New Artists. They also have hand signed photographs from recognized and new artists.  The prices range from about $100 and up. This is where you must visit first for your art online.

1stdibs
http://www.1stdibs.com/
Antiques, Mid Century,Modern and Vintage Furniture are on sale at this site. Great sources from all over the world. A bit pricey but great for sourcing and ideas.

Anthropologie
www.anthropologie.com
 FrenchSwedishBoho I call the decor, and furniture from one of my favorite stores. They sell everything from curtains to slipper chairs and vintage knobs.

West Elm
http://www.westelm.com/
Excellent tabletop items and lighting. People swear by the jute rugs, they are practical and last a long time.

Crate and Barrell
http://www.crateandbarrell.com/
Wonderful tabletop and the most beautiful kitchen towels and aprons I have ever seen! Furniture too!

Pottery Barn
http://www.potterybarn.com/
The most copied brand out there for their clean silhouettes and colors and I love when the catalog arrives at home. It is also the first place check for lighting(I love the chandeliers), they are always a step ahead of the competition.

Europe By Net
http://www.europebynet.com/
Contemporary designer furniture from Europe. If you want to get a education of some of the top names this is the place to go. I bought my first Flos lights here 10 years ago, wonderful source for everything you need.


"So Haute" Inspired Spaces.Stylish Writing- Blog
www.sohautestyle.com
I love, love Nicole Gibbons blog. She is a  designer,entrepreneur and blogger it is fun, fresh and I want to be where ever she goes next! She just add Haute TV !  One of the best!

Habitually Chic - Blog
habituallychic.blogspot.com
Heather Clawson is an interior designer who profiles architecture, art and design. I love her writing style.

Lonny Blog
blog.lonnymag.com/
Great source for interior design along with an online magazine. I love the watercolor illustrations by
Caitlin Mc Gauley

Happy Shopping!!

Selling Your Home? Some Home Staging Tips

Sellers in a challenging real estate market, need to utilize every advantage at their disposal.


I always suggest hiring a home stager to help with home preparation before selling.

This is the first in a series of staging tips for selling your home.

My best advice . DO NOT put your home on the market before staging.

1. FIRST IMPRESSIONS count. Take your time and get it right the first time.
2. Clutter- I mean clutter, books, pot, pans, papers, anything that you have not touched for the last six months is clutter. Get the dumpster and remove all extras first and then you can really see your home. It is a revelation!
3. Closets - Pack up everything not being used, it will make the space look larger. Leave the closet half full.
4. Living Room- remove all throws or afgans. Reduce throw pillows down to 2.
5. Living Room- Keep all drapes and blinds open during the day and during shows. Let natural light in.
6. Living Room- Use 2 to 3 high end magazines for display, keep table tops clean and clear.
7. Fireplace- Clear off mantels and clean hearths. Place simple logs or large white candles in the hearth.
8. Pictures and Artwork- Remove all personal pictures and review personal artwork(nudes anything risque). You would like your buyers to see themselves and imagine their pictures on the walls. People will want to stop and look at your pictures instead of reviewing your home.

Happy Selling!

More tips coming soon!

Home- 3 upgrades that pay, really.

People seem to make the same mistakes when adding upgrades to their homes, I almost always want to scream when I see the same mistakes time and time again.

If you have money to do upgrades, there are three picks with which you will get a solid 60% plus return on your investment. There are many to do lists but for me personally and professionally these are the top 3.

They are

Windows
Bathrooms
Kitchens

And do one project at a time and complete the job. You never know when or if you will not have the funds to do everything, life changes very quickly.
It helps to add balance to the house, you can paint, add a few plants outside along with other small items.

 In a home these are the areas people will spend about  90% of their time, they will appreciate your upgrades.


Stick with classic kitchens and baths, do not personalise too much, stay away from dark colors, keep it light and bright.
Ensure that you have quality appliances and fixtures. Laminate counters will not earn you an credit, try granite or other options. This can give you as much as 83% back on your upgrade. If you have the square footage an island addition is a great upgrade.

Baths- Upgrade the counter tops and fixtures and your return will be about 70%. For a quick upgrade maybe try Miracle Method, they specialise in surface restoration. Stick with classic fixtures, a jacuzzi is not necessary.


Windows- Utility bills have skyrocketed over the years, an upgrade with energy efficient windows is a plus.  This can earn you about an 81% return on investment.

Short and Sweet those are the 3 to do.

Most Important, do not do it alone, get as much professional advice as you can, it makes a big difference.

Paint,Paint,Paint!

Paint, Paint and Paint!

I have spent the last few weeks looking at houses with my family and was reminded of one of the carnal sins of many sellers when listing a home.

Before you do anything major, first remove all traces of your personal choices in paint. I know, we love our yellows, blues, pinks and greens. Once your home goes on the market to be sold, it is no longer yours, and it is a house not a home.

You must allow the buyer coming in to your house to imagine the possibilities, a clean slate. Color has a tendency to bombard the mind; they will look at your colors and will think of nothing else. They will not see your great moldings they will see your pheasant patterned wallpaper (price range always plays a role; middle of the market buyers will appreciate neutral walls).

I urge everyone planning to sell a home this year in a market this tough,  to paint, it freshens everything and gives your home a magical lift.

Please stick to neutrals. If there is an emergency and you need to sell your home quickly without doing much, having neutral walls will put you and your family in good stead. Think about the future when making choices.

We have used many different paint brands over the years. Designers and homeowners agree that the best brands are:

Benjamin Moore

Farrow and Ball

Pratt and Lambert

Benjamin Moore offers many color combinations of white, beige, tan and gray.

Benjamin Moore

Test the paint samples on the wall a few days before making a commitment.

Ensure that your furniture will coordinate with picks; any neutral should work with most furniture.

Do not forget the color is more intense on the wall versus in the can.

Here are some of the best picks for neutrals and whites

For Walls

1. Oxford White #869- Benjamin Moore
2. Glacier White #AC-40 – Benjamin Moore
3. Decorators White – Benjamin Moore.
4. White Dove by Benjamin Moore- A favorite white of my husband, he even uses the gloss for trim and moldings. A true white.
5. White Tie #oc-17 Farrow and Ball

For Walls

Neutrals (tans, plus)

1. Manchester Tan #HC-81 - Benjamin Moore
2. String (taupe) #8- Farrow and Ball
3. Horizon (gray) - Benjamin Moore
4. Bunny Gray #2124-50 Benjamin Moore
5. Ocean Air (Light Blue) #2123-50 Benjamin Moore
6. November Rain #2142-60(putty) - Benjamin Moore
7. Lookout Home (khaki green and pale blue) Lookout Point # 1646- Benjamin Moore.

Invest in good paint brushes, ask your local Benjamin Moore store for top brands.

Happy Painting!

Have we talked about Crate and Barrel? CB2?

One of my favorite stores for home goods and furniture( I know I have many favorites).

I did my bridal registry with Crate and Barrel  many moons ago and I can still return today and get a replacement for my Staccato place setting. This store is a favorite among brides and grooms to be. It has a clean,contemporary aesthetic and not conservative like traditional department store furnishings( nothing wrong with that). The assortment is beautiful,does not look cheap and the prices are fairly reasonable, by today's standards. 





Crate and Barrel is based in Northbrook Illinois and specialize in housewares,furniture and home accessories.
CB2 was started in 2000 and caters to a younger demographic. The furnishings are more sleek and modern than Crate and Barrel.  You will be able to find some excellent accessories and lights at CB2.

You can shop on line but a visit to the store is well worth the trip.

The Asian influence, I call it “asian colonial tropical” is prominent in some of the furniture pieces, lots of dark wood and Asian influenced lounge chairs and tables. They also traditional American shaker type furniture.

I dream of all the pictures I see in magazines, barbecues on rooftop lofts, cabanas in Florida, of indoor/outdoor living on Bali or Tuscany while browsing in a Crate and Barrel store.
They create a truly fantastic shopping experience.
Dreaming keeps us going and reaching for the stars, nothing wrong with that.

The first floor usually has every variation of home accessories including, glasses, place mats, vases of every shape and form, and their place settings.

 Furniture is usually on the top floor.

Some of my classic favorites include the cow glasses, the kitchen towels (the patterns are bright and cheerful) and the bakeware and cookware really entices you to buy and bake or cook.

I would always recommend that a bride registers here in addition to somewhere else. Your guests have more options in terms of price and you can pretty much guarantee that you will get your full array of settings that will look great on any table anywhere!

http://www.cb2.com/

From CB2




http://www.crateandbarrel.com/


Visit them today!

Let There Be Light - Home Lighting

When selling a home proper lighting helps to show your home to its greatest advantage. If your home lacks windows and natural light, you need all of the artificial help you can get.

Tip #1- Always ask Realtors to show your home with the lights turned on because it highlights all of the positives of a house.  It also forces you  to keep everything sparkling and spotless.


Bulbs- Change the bulbs. Each room should have a 150 watt bulb and use a 100-150-250 watt combination for 3 way bulbs. I like the Philips Halogen lights( local hardware stores).

Bulbs- keep the bulbs clean, dust can block up to 50 percent of light.

Uplights/Light Sources- I love this concept, I have them in my home and I am not selling. I place them in plant pots or behind pots. Use them on hanging plants, bookshelves or the ceiling. Adds extra light to any room.

Kitchen Cabinets- add lights above or if you are buying now, check the lighting in the kitchen.  Under counter lighting is a wonderful plus and  it is difficult to add post completion.

Use gloss paint- It will lighten up any room and light will bounce around. Gloss Paint does show imperfections so make sure the base is flat and smooth.

Light Sources- Use different types of lighting, table, stand alone, swing lamps. Having multiple sources in a room to highlight a special area in a room.

Chandeliers- Helps to spread light, lights up a room and gives a big style punch.

Sheers- Use sheers below the heavy drapes and pull the drapes during the day.

Mirrors- Always make a room look larger( remember wall to wall in the 80's yikes!) and adds light too.


Best Wishes!

The Wonderful World of Z

Z Gallerie
 http://www.zgallerie.com/

Z Gallerie is one of my favorite furniture and accessory stores in the country.

They offer traditional and comtemporary lines with a light exotic touch.  They offer some of the best lighting around, both contemparary and traditional.

The prices are amazing and shockingly inexpensive.

The store layout is by color combinations. Current ones are lavender with brown, black with white and gray. Red with brown and creme. Each combo offers detailed insight, via furniture and accessories what it takes to design a room in your favorite color combinations. Everything from beds, pillows, clocks in the color scheme.

If you cannot afford to buy, spend an hour, browse and leave with a million tips on tabletop set up using your pieces at home. The dining table is their piece de resistance, the designs are outstanding.

Find one in your city,  I promise you will leave a different person and that may be due to a lighter wallet because of a large  purchase.

Facebook link below.

http://www.facebook.com/ZGallerie