A classic Martha Stewart look. Neutral backdrop, color and pattern repetition with bold accents.

I was in Macy’s the other day when a display of towels caught my eye.  It just happened to be a new Martha Stewart Collection.  I have always admired her color palettes; ranging from mossy green and etherereal blues, to china red and myriad shades of ivory.  Her products are distinctIy displayed in Macy’s and I have also noticed that she is selling collections through a number of other well known retailers.  So, I thought I would take a look and see what she has to offer these days.  Martha’s products reach into many categories and you can see them all in the SHOP section of her website.  But today I would like to point out some of my favorite items from her furniture, rug and lighting lines. 

Opal Point features some very sophisticated designs but always based on classic elements.

Many celebrities put their names on home design products but hers actually makes sense because decorating, gardening and entertaining have always been her forte.  And she has been very smart about it because instead of starting her own furniture company, she has formed a partnership with Bernhardt.  This is a company that has been known for high quality furniture since 1889.  Martha started her partnership with Bernhardt in 2001 and they now feature 5 lines that are named after her residences:  Katonah, Opal Point, Turkey Hill, Skylands, and Lily Pond; plus there is an upholstery line.  The styles range from cozy farmhouse to modern classics with fabrics reflective of her signature colors.  Katonah, Turkey Hill and Skylands mirror lovingly cared for estate pieces with traditional European styles that Americans have embraced for years.  Opal Point and Lily Pond show some modernism and mid-century looks. 

This classic, country bed from the Turkey Hill Collection reflects where Martha started with her first home collection.

The Martha Stewart Rug Collection offers a wide variety of cotton, wool and silk rugs with most featuring subtle monochromatic tones, with a few bolder ones mixed in.  Some patterns are offered in 4′ and 6′ rounds which is refreshing because many companies forgo these sizes because they are more costly to manufacture.  I have seen these rugs at Macy’s, Horchow, and the Home Decorator’s Collection.

The Harvest Foliage Rug featured at Horchow has a subtle pattern that would layer well with stripes and florals.

I love the subtle colors and 3 dimensional effect of this rug.

The lighting collection, which is manufactured by Murray Feiss, has a great variety of classic fixtures that you wish were in your house when you moved in.  These are the period pieces that I love: Classic Foyer Lanterns, Milk Glass Chandeliers and simple and solid floor lamps.  The lighting collection is available at Capitol Lighting and Lighting Universe as well as other online stores.

Lanterns are my favorite look for a traditional foyer.

I would love to see this chandelier in the breakfast nook of a kitchen with white cabinetry and a black and white checkerboard floor.

Martha Stewart furnishings offer some very attractive items that have design staying power.  There is no doubt that the furniture is an investment, but it follows the very same advice that I give to my clients.  Invest in quality furniture that will last you for years and then update your style and color palette with accessories, window treatments, sheets, towels, and rugs.  This allows you to give yourself a little lift while staying in your budget

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Who said that you have to use a fuzzy wuzzy bath mat in your bathroom?  Some of them are comfy to the feet and match your decor (”match” is not a term I like to use; things coordinate or complement each other but if they “match” you are headed down the Garanimal trail) but let’s face it, they have their shortcomings.  They are less than stylish, they can slip out from under you (I totally don’t understand the ones that do not have a rubber bottom), and they are pretty expensive for a boring solid-colored puddle of fuzz.  Break free of the predictable with irresistible, colorful designer rugs!

Some wool for thought:

1. Replace two little bath mats with one long, graceful Oriental runner in front of your double sinks.
2. Select a captivating oval or round design in front of your jacuzzi tub.
3. Ditch the kitchen sink mat and replace with a vibrant Persian rug.  Don’t worry about spills.  Patterned rugs hide a multitude of sins.

Plus:

Wool is durable, hypoallergenic, fire retardant, dust mite repellent, stain repellent and it just feels good!

Jazz up some otherwise overlooked spots with a great-looking rug!

The Rugman is having a Summer Clearance that ends in 2 weeks.  Rugs up to 70% off!

Angela Adams says that her designs reflect the beauty of the Maine coast and she does a phenomenal job of backing up that claim. On first impulse I would not expect Maine to be a haven for modern design but her creativity as an artist who has a keen eye for interiors is evident.  The shapes and colors in her amazing rug designs reflect the beauty of nature with tranquil undertones.  She has a large selection in wool and additional designs in cotton as well as bedding and pillows.

I also appreciate that they are an affiliate of RugMark.  RugMark is working to end illegal child labor in the carpet industry and to offer educational opportunities to children in South Asia.  Good for your home and good for our world!

I thought it was a great innovation when they started making the synthetic “sisal look” rugs that you could use outdoors. It adds friendly warmth to your patio. In the past I have recommended that clients also use these rugs indoors for pet and children friendly areas. They give you the sisal look without the worry. Real sisal is a nightmare to clean and it does not feel good on bare feet and knees (for the crawlers). But now there are all-weather rugs that look just like the tufted rugs that you would use in your living room. Here are a couple of fabulous ones from Grandin Road.

We all love the bright colors of the summer. They bring to mind fond memories of vacations and simpler times. I say we take some summer with us as we venture into Autumn. Whether you need to freshen up a home office or make your guest room more inviting, here are three items that will do the trick.

The “Mandarin” rug in peweter has irresistible colors and comes from Company C. It has an updated Asian feel . They are constantly coming out with new designs to suit any taste and are always bold with color. A rug like this provides great inspiration and you don’t have to add much more to the room in terms of pattern. Available in many sizes.

http://www.companyc.com/html/rugs_pg2_cid361_752.htm

Now, onto to a cocktail table. A bright spot in front of a pull-out sofa in your office. It is easy to move and has a nice sturdy finish that you don’t have to worry about with children. Maine Cottage calls this color “pickle” and what a great color it is. Easily coordinated with blues, browns or other greens. Also available in 39 other colors!

http://www.mainecottage.com/ProductDetail.aspx?prodType=1&cat=5&prod=260&step=PRODUCT

Need a little light in your room? How about some art and light? Altmira makes beautiful lighting that looks like it should be in a museum. The lamps are inspired colors with sturdy hardware and bring a smile to every one’s face. Did you catch the curly cue finial? The shades are fantastic!

http://www.altamiralighting.com/product_view.php?productid=612