My Design Secrets

The intriguing photo above is a little hint as to what we have in store for you today!  It’s time for me to unveil another one of  My Design Secrets and you are going to love this one.  Not too long ago I received a postcard in the mail introducing White Lotus Collection.  I visited their website and was immediately taken in by the fantastic selection of lovely Asian furnishings. When I visited their 6,000 square foot warehouse I was completely in awe.  So if you are in South Florida, you must pay them a visit….but don’t despair if you live further away.  Manager Michael Sullivan is there to help.  Just give him an idea of what you are looking for and he can send you photos and details lickity-split! 

~Lorrie

P.S.  If you happen to live in South Florida, they are hosting a Free Fung Shui Event with expert Chriss Barr on April 29th.  So mark it on your calender and learn more about feng shui while enjoying a private viewing of the collection.

WHITE LOTUS COLLECTION, today’s giveaway sponsor, sells some of the most beautiful hand-crafted Asian furnishings and accessories.  Hand-selected from rural China and Indonesia, each piece has been chosen individually for its fine quality, attention to detail, and simplicity of design.  The collection, equally at home in contemporary and traditional homes, offers a sophisticated alternative to many of the furnishings available today.

WHITE LOTUS COLLECTION was inspired by the peace, elegance and tranquility that the white lotus flower evokes. A water flower that grows in fresh water lakes and ponds, the white lotus is symbolic of a total state of purity and spiritual perfection in the Buddhist tradition. These unique furnishings are intended to bring this type of serenity and sophistication to the most treasured spaces; both inside and outside of your home.

Today, thanks to WHITE LOTUS COLLECTION, we are very happy to offer this hand painted Tibetan Groom’s Box.  Per Chinese Wedding tradition, the grooms family prepares a gift of food for the bride-to-be and places it in this decorative box.

   The box has a retail value of $290.00! 

This beautiful box could be used to store special treasures or as a lovely accessory. 18L x 11 ¾D x 11 ½H

Would you like to win this Hand Painted Tibetan Grooms box ($290.00)?

Simply Enter Here…

1. Visit WHITE LOTUS COLLECTION and have a look around.
2.  Leave me one comment below telling me what is your favorite product from their website.

If you are receiving this via email, go back to the site to enter.  Replies by email will not be accepted. 

One entry per person.  You have until 11:59PM EST on Wednesday, April 29th to enter.  Two random winners will be chosen and announced soon after.

Good Luck!

~Lorrie

If you love color and exotic decor, these trays from Peru are just the thing. Reverse painted glass makes for easy clean up. ($24.99)

In the interest of spreading the “tray love” I selected a few different styles for you.  I kept the price point and maintenance low so bathroom and kitchen use are fair game.  So pick up a couple and start herding all the little items that cover your countertops.  You can thank me later. 

The Samba Tray from Crate & Barrel has a cool, sleek look in high gloss green. ($24.95)

These are my favorites and the ones that adorn my kitchen and bathroom. Bamboo is sustainable and easy to clean. Plus I love all the different sizes! ($3.99 to $6.99)

You can customize this tray from Overstock.com with your favorite photos and images. ($19.99)

Win this Gorgeous $32o Lamp!

These cute little glass bird vases from Viva Terra just need a little sprig of green to make them sing! (2 for $29)

It’s that time of year again.  The lovely blanket of Christmas snow that made your eyes twinkle has turned to slush and ice that totally deflate you.  You need a reminder that Spring will return once again and nothing does the job better then a cheery vase full of pretty posies.  So, here’s is an eclectic group of vases that look great brimming with buds or just sitting by themselves, posie-free

I like the combination fo the modern shape with vintage images in this transluscent vase from Patina. ($36)

This lovely candlevase featurs a hand-etched ginkgo leaf and could be used for candles or flowers. I would get two! ($20)

The French are famous for making the simple sparkle. Take a galvanized metal tin, paint is and make it fabulous for flowers or umbrellas! ($58)

Win a $2oo VISA Gift Card!

These wall shelves from JCPenney can be used to display a variety of items. They come in black, mahogany, and white. Were $129, now $49.

Where’s the best place to put a special picture, keepsake or small treasure?  You don’t want to cast it amongst the the books and candles that cover your coffee table.  It needs a special little spot and a wall shelf could be your answer.  If you want a minimalist look, then choose one that blends in with the wall.  If you want the shelf to be an accessory itself, then go for something more obvious and ornate.  Either way, it will dress up the wall and give your special something a new home.  Here are some great picks to choose from:

The sleepy hollow storage shelf-nightstand from CB2 can be used as a nightstand or shelf and includes handy storage beneath. Comes in Bamboo and Black. $149.

This iron demi lune wall shelf can be used indoors or out. The size and shape make it useful as a small foyer table too. $55

At 14" wide and 18" deep, these can be used as a shelf, night-stand, or bookshelf supports. Custom made and available in 27 colors including Kiwi and Wild Salmon. $420.

Brown faux croc with nickel studs, gives these shelves a more masculine look. 24" shelf was $59, now $29.

A beautifully distressed French reproduction, this shelf features a zinc top and carved angels. $229.

Click to Win a $250 Gift Card from Amazon!

I was in Bed, Bath & Beyond today buying a tablecloth for my Christmas Eve Feast and decided to wander around to see what else they had going on design-wise.  I found a great mini-makeover item that is sure to fit into any budget.  It’s the “Make-Your-Own Pillow Decorative Pillow Cover.”  Take any pillow or insert you already have, pop it in one of these cool covers and it looks like you just redecorated.  There are three reasons I really love this simple idea:

1. You don’t have to keep finding a place to bunk the existing pillows.
2. You can invest in a quality feather pillow insert and use it again and again.
3. It is a low cost solution with high design impact.

I am not a fan of lumpy, fiber filled pillows.  So in my house, I have down feather inserts and a few sets of pillow covers so I can change them when the mood strikes me.  The 18″ x18″ ones from Bed, Bath & Beyond are only $9.99, which is a steal.  Here are a couple of other places I found that sell some nice decorative pillow covers:

Restoration Hardware

Pottery Barn

Just like some of the other tips I shared in “Low Cost Mini Makeovers for Your Home”, new pillow covers will do the trick.  And remember, be brave with your pillow cover choices.  Maybe choose 2 pillow covers with a pattern and add a plain one to mix it up.  Grab a couple of accessories that coordinate and you have a quick new look that doesn’t break the bank!

~Lorrie

Click to Win a $250 Gift Card from Amazon!

These eco-friendly wall panels by Inhabit are a cinch to install and are removable. Instant texture and drama in a snap.

Today I am dedicating my post to those of you who had your first dusting of snow this week.  I know it’s bittersweet; so pretty and peaceful but also the beginning of the truly cold weather.  I used to live up North so I can sympathize.  So in the interest of optimism, let’s celebrate winter with a glimpse of beautiful items all dressed in white.  They are modern, crisp and beautiful any time of year but small accents can freshen up the interior of your home, where you are bound to be spending a good bit of time in the next few months…

I love these White Birch Branches from Nettleton Hollow. A cool new way to decorate for any holiday. Three branches for $12.50.

This marble top end table from Layla Grace is a French antique reproduction that would make itself at home in the bedroom or living room. On Sale for $475.

The Amelie Pillow from Blissliving Home is not pure white but I could not resist the misty forest image.

Le Klint pendant light from Lightology. Made of white PVC, it glows like a wonderful ball of ribbons. Don't be a afraid to throw a little mid-century modern in with your traditional pieces!

Remember that white adds great contrast to any color and a small dose brightens up any room.  A little dab will do ya!  Enjoy your weekend:-)

~Lorrie

Click to Win Great Prizes!

Ask A Free Design Question!

The Pop Art Mirror from The Artful Home

Have you seen the HGTV show, Double Take,  where a homeowner selects a photo of a room designed by a high-end interior designer and then tries to reproduce the look for less?  They call the original photo, “the Inspiration Room”, and before you know it a $50,000 living room has been imitated for $5,000.  I like the show but feel they leave out some important details because we all know you cannot get something for nothing.  Yesterday, I ran across two similar items and thought this would be the perfect opportunity to help you make informed design decisions. 

The Inspiration:  The “Pop Art Mirror” above is a colorful and striking accent piece that would add a lively conversation piece to any room.  This mirror is featured on the Artful Home website where you can find artistic treasures for your home from artists the world over.  I have purchased a number of pieces from them for my clients and the prices range from quite affordable to very high end.  This particular piece is a 32″x32″ hand made mirror created by the husband and wife team, Mitch and Susie Levin, who use materials of contrasting colors and textures with dramatic results.  Their philosophy is simple: “Art and furniture should be both expressive and timeless. “  The mirror is $1150.

Recycled Tin Mirror from CB2

The Imposter:  The Recycled Tin Mirror from CB2 (Crate and Barrel’s little sister) is going for the same look.  They use international recycled tin sheet packaging in a patchwork design to create a colorful 30″ x 30″ mirror.  The mirror is $99.95. 

CB2

While I know the price difference in this case is huge, and most people are not going to spend $1,000 on a mirror, I do have a good point to make.  The higher end pieces are fine quality furnishings that are made by hand with thoughtfulness, pride and artistic consideration.  The top mirror has a much better distribution and harmony of color.  It almost has a stained glass feeling to me.  Each piece of tin has been nailed by hand to the frame and the small nails form a quilt-like pattern.  The CB2 piece just leaves me kind of flat.  No texture, the color selection is uninspired and it looks like a bunch of poorly designed business cards tacked to a cork-board. 

The Artful Home

So when you are considering pieces of furniture that are look-alikes, make sure the less expensive option is sturdy enough to withstand the slings and arrows of your family and dear enough that you want to pass it on.   For example:  You can purchase one $3,000 sofa that lasts for 5+ years or two $1000 sofas that may last a year each.  While you may be able to get the look for a lot less, you rarely ever get quality for a lot less, so spend your hard-earned money wisely. 

My two cents:-)

Did you enter our Free Giveaway today?

Live plants are lovely but such a commitment!  They struggle with seasonal changes in your home environment and when summer comes you have to hire someone to plant-sit while you’re on vacation!  I resisted silk flowers and plants for a long time because they were plastic looking and lifeless.  But no more, my friends.  The faux floral industry has come a long way and they are making many realistic and attractive plants that you will find hard to resist.  Well-preserved palm fronds and orchids delicately bowing over the side of a beautiful crystal vase are great investment pieces in a well-designed room.

So, consider starting with one silk plant and take it from there.  But first a few words of advice…

1. This is definitely a “you get what you pay for” situation.  So consider the lifespan of one silk or preserved plant versus the cost of buying fresh flowers repeatedly. 
2. Maintenance is critical to them looking real.  If dust has accumulated on the leaves, wipe them down with a damp cloth and fluff them up a bit.
3. Orchids are your best bet for florals. They have a long bloom cycle and therefore will seem more realistic.  They are also light and airy so they don’t weigh down the space or get in the way of sparkling conversation.
4. Don’t forget other preserved pieces of nature.  Freeze dried seeds, vegetables and fruit make intriguing centerpieces.

Enjoy the greenery!

Shop for Silk & Preserved Plants, Trees & Florals in My Secret Database!

Globes add a certain intellectual, world-traveler feel to your home.  They are the perfect addition, especially if you have someone as curious as my husband, Tim.  He loves history, is a voracious reader and watches documentaries every chance he gets.  So this past Christmas I felt it was time to welcome a globe into our home.  But I had not prepared myself for the wide selection that is out there…

Globe manufacturers such as Replogle Globes have great websites that show their entire product line, but they don’t necessarily sell directly to the public.  They will refer you to online vendors that sell their products such as www.worldglobes.com or www.onlyglobes.com. 

It’s great to keep the globe in the TV room and grab it while watching the news or Discovery Channel. Scanning a map on the Internet isn’t nearly as enticing as spinning a globe in your hands and wondering how it is that you didn’t know that Alaska and Siberia are neighbors.

You can choose a globe for its beauty, its history or its current geo-political accuracy.  It’s really up to you.  They are easy conversation pieces and come in so many shapes and sizes that you can surely find one that adds intellect and flair to your home.

Search vendors that carry a wide variety of accessories in My Secret Database!

My heritage goes back to both Northern and Southern Italy, so my love for all things Italian seems natural.  Italians treat every meal like a celebration; as it should be!  On breezy summer nights, tables and chairs are transferred outdoors to a backyard enveloped in bougainvillea vines and warm candlelight as close friends enjoy fine wine, food and laughter.  The Italians really know how to live.  In honor of their love of life and food I would like to share my favorite Italian Designer Secret: Firenze Italian Specialties

Firenze Italian Specialties features Italian Ceramics and Decor that will inspire you with a little dose of Italia.  They import their pieces from the Tuscany and Umbria regions of Italy and describe them this way:  ”This dazzling colorful Italian earthenware is called Majolica (also known as Maiolica or Maioliche) and was named by the Italians after the Spanish island of Majorca. Originally this type of earthenware was exported from Majorca and introduced to Italy in the 13th century. Majolica became popular during the Renaissance period and centers for producing the earthenware arose throughout Italy. During this time, these artistic ceramics were often given as a gift to celebrate momentous occasions, such weddings and births.”  You can see exactly how the pieces are made here.

From large carnival-colored appetizer and antipasto sets to graceful pitchers and vases, there is a wide selection in patterns from rustic to refined.  Their pieces are 100% food safe and dishwasher safe.  When using a dishwasher, they do recommend a cooler, energy-saving cycle.  They don’t recommend putting them in the microwave.  They are having a huge summer sale until June 30th so be sure to pop in soon for a tour of Italy’s finest ceramics.

Visit Firenze Specialties in My Secret Database!