HF Home Blog: February 2009

Silver Belles

7:49 AM

It's great to have beautiful silver flatware, but to be honest, it just doesn't get enough face time. I think it's time for fancy silverware to get more exposure, and, it seems, others agree with me.

All the elegance with none of the upkeep... Grain de Couleur Couverts Tea Towel (also comes in fork or knife designs), $39 @ The Conran Shop.

I adore this chandelier for a breakfast nook. So country chic! Even better, it's made of vintage silverware. The appropriately named Eat, Drink, and Be Merry Chandelier, $4800 @ Anthropologie.

Fashion , Green , Home_Decor , Interior_Design , Trends

Before I wrapped my Christmas gifts, I went on a mad search for wrapping paper printed with birch trees. Pottery Barn displayed gifts that way and it was so chic I had to have it! Alas, I didn't get my wish, but I have seen a ton of birch print since then. Maybe it's because I'm actually looking for it now. Yes, it's quite wintery and we are heading into Spring, but it's pretty nonetheless.

It's only fitting for a duvet printed with nature to be organic. Birch Tree Organic Duvet Cover & Sham at Pottery Barn.

Organic is sexy: Stella McCartney Pump.

You can't open a decorating magazine without seeing this wallpaper. Woods by Cole & Son.

Domino , Home_Decor , Interior_Design

DIY Entry Table

8:19 AM

Apparently, I'm in quite the Do-It-Yourself mood, because I've found another project for myself. Every time I've looked for a piece for my entryway, I've been looking for a chest or console table, and good looking ones are not cheap. I like this inexpensive alternative. Maybe it's obvious to everyone but me, but I never thought of getting a cheap table from, say, Ikea, and covering it with a pretty linen or cotton. I like the look. It's soft and organic. Thanks, Domino! What will I do without you?!

Cool_Product , Cool_Tech , Trends

Kindle 2 from Amazon: Back And Better Than Ever!

7:30 AM

Kindle 2 from Amazon

We talked about the Kindle's original incarnation back in April. Now Amazon has introduced version 2.0 with tons a new features. There are 230,000 books that you can download any time, anywhere in under 60 seconds. Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, is dead set on making the Kindle the next big thing. His vision is to have every book ever printed to be available for the Kindle. Also, for the busy parent, there is a read the text out loud feature available.

Is the Kindle going to replace the 'book'?

It's smaller than a magazine and lighter than most paperbacks.

Fashion , Home_Decor , How_To , Interior_Design , Trends

I'm Seeing A Pattern...

8:35 AM

I love these eye-catching pumps from Dries Van Noten's Spring '08 collection. A-Mazing!

It takes a certain eye to be able to combine patterns that to the untrained eye look nothing alike. I may not have that skill, but I think these pattern combinations may inspire me to try sometime!

Love the varying patterns on these dining chairs. Very eclectic! (I can't remember where this photo came from. If anyone knows please tell me!)

Again, don't remember the source for this, but the combination of patterns is fantastic!

I couldn't pick just one pair of Dries Van Noten shoes, so I added all of my faves! Aren't they stunning? I wish I had a pair (or three)!

Anthropologie is jumping on the pattern bandwagon with their Terai Chairs.

Green , High_Fashion_Product , News

Trees Make a World of Difference!

9:05 PM

High Fashion Home has teamed up with the Arbor Day Foundation, to plant one tree for every piece of furniture purchased. Our first donation is in, and we'd like to thank all of our customers for helping to plant 2,197 trees. Our reforestation efforts are aimed at Western States that have been ravaged by forest fires in recent years. Let's keep making a difference one tree at a time!

Lingering extreme drought conditions have set the stage for wildfires in many western states, including Montana, Oregon and California.

Hotels , Interior_Design , Trends

Border Patrol

7:50 AM

The idea of wallpapering an entire room can be daunting, yes? That's why I love the idea of creating a border around the room. For example...

The tile border around the bottom of the wall brings all the colors together beautifully! Photo via Domino.

Stay in a suite at Lafayette House in New York and you'll have plenty to feast your eyes on, including the gorgeous wallpaper making up the top portion of the wall.

Cool_Product , Fashion , Kitchen , Trends

Kitchen Couture

4:42 AM

Stockholm Floral Apron from Anthropologie; Bib Audrey Cupcakes Apron from Jessie Steele.

Nothing like a sexy outfit to inspire the urge to bake! Or I could just fake it, pick up some cookies from the bakery, light a cinnamon candle, and throw on one of these babies. Either way...

Abigaile Apron from Funktion; Orla Kiely Apron from Target; Wobble Stripe Apron from Cath Kidston.

Cool_Product , Jewelry , Trends

Happy Valentine's Day!

11:42 AM

I would not recommend wearing your heart on your sleeve. That has a habit of getting one into trouble. However, wearing your heart around your neck could be a stylish proposition. Observe...

Terrible picture, yes, but too adorable to pass up. Necklaces by Aurelie Bidermann as features in Harper's Bazaar.

I'll take one in each color, please. Thank you. Resin heart pendants by Cara Croninger.

Have a Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

As_Seen_In , Beds , Domino , Furniture , How_To , Interior_Design

Doin' It Yourself

8:32 AM

I came across this picture on the Domino website (not sure how much longer it'll be up, be here's the link regardless). I'm not wild about the fabric choices, but I spied the top of the drapes and thought, "How cool! It's a four poster bed without the four posters!" Not only would this look lengthen your room, you can hide away within the fabric on cold nights, and you will never have to worry about banging your foot or elbow or any other body parts on the posts. Add this one to my dream home checklist...

Cool_Product , Fashion , Furniture , High_Fashion_Product , Trends

Fashion vs. Furniture: The Resort Edition

7:43 AM

In honor of the trip to Mexico my husband and I are taking at the end of this month, I thought I'd do another edition of my favorite blog. It's inspired by the Resort '09 collections and the absolute staple piece of relaxing furniture: the chaise. Just like any other piece, it's comes in many shapes, sizes, and styles. Here are just a few...

Isn't it sweet? The Hanna Daybed is everything a girly girl needs for a midday beauty nap. It doesn't spare on the details either- carved wood legs, tufted cushions, rolled pillows. Christian Dior pairs up quite nicely- ladylike prints, a sweet cardigan, and prim heels.

In order to tone down the sugar, the Lasair Lounge ups the bold factor in a statement-making pony print. Who else to complement it than a designer known for prints? Gucci can certainly hold its own.

This sparse Jonathan Leather Lounge is still luxurious and fit for a goddess (which is exactly the image this chaise conjures). Couldn't you imagine laying across this lounge in a Grecian gown by Alberta Ferretti eating grapes? It's your own personal Mount Olympus.

Color , Cool_Product , Design , Fashion , Trends

COLOR! Part Two!

10:14 AM

Here we go again! More brights paired with the fashion and home pieces they inspired. I hope you enjoy!

The new V-neck sweater in Mineral Green, $39 @ Gap and Medina Glass Jars, $14-49 @ West Elm.

Slub Silk Penelope Dress in Sweet Lavender, $285 @ J. Crew and Zia Bed Linens, $199-219 @ Crate & Barrel.

Tiered Dress by MINT Jodi Arnold and Andy Warhol Butterfly Appetizer Plate, $1 @ CB2.

Cool_Product , Fashion , High_Fashion_Product , Home_Decor , Mirrors , Trends

The (Not So) Secret Garden

7:09 AM

Florals and butterflies were a major theme in fashion for the Spring season. Pair that with bright colors and you've got yourself a bona fide garden party! Fashion and interiors frequently mirror each other, so let's take a look at how the two are intersecting...

From left: Collette Dinnigan, John Galliano, Oscar de la Renta, and Moschino Cheap & Chic.

(click picture to enlarge)

Top row: Woodland Organic Duvet & Butterfly Embroidered Napkins @ Pottery Barn; Flower Mirror Sunflower Flock Pillow @ CB2. @ High Fashion Home;

Bottom Row: Light Within Bowl @ Anthropologie; Azha Wallpaper @ Trove; Spiral Vine Curtain @ Anthropologie; Butterfly Print Napkin @ Crate & Barrel.

From left: Luisa Beccaria, Wunderkind, Collette Dinnigan, and Temperley London.

I think I've made my point... Butterflies and flowers are everywhere! And why not? They're cheerful, they're free, and they're oh so fun!

Fashion photos via Style.com.

Color , Cool_Product , High_Fashion_Product , Trends

COLOR! Part One!

7:08 AM

Earlier, during the Spring Trends Overview, I brought up the fact that every color in the rainbow is the new black for Spring. Pantone (the masters of color) provides a guide to the colors of the season as seen at New York Fashion Week every season. The colors are truly across the board- nothing is left out. You see brights and you see pastels, but what you don't see is any one color taking the lead. I'm using the Pantone colors as a guide to show you the latest and most colorful fashion and interior trends of the season!

Overcast Dress, $128 and Viola Crackled Pot, $14. Both @ Anthropologie.

Dress by Versace and Surf Office Chair, $199 @ CB2

The new V-neck Cardigan, $44 @ Gap and Cortez Pillow, $25 @ Crate & Barrel

Top by Chloe and Leaf Print Wallpaper, $99/roll @ Brocade Home

Silk Taffeta Halter Sangle Dress, $225 @ J. Crew and Guitar Vases, $90-290 @ High Fashion Home.

Fashion

Need A Bib?

4:32 AM

Prada in the first two photos (Resort '09), then Marni (Spring '09), and Oscar de la Renta (Resort '09).

I'm all for easy ways to snazz up your outfit. For example, take one simple white tee, add one pair of jeans (skinny or slouchy look coolest), and embellish with one bib necklace. If you need help, take a cue from any of the designers here. They've all created their own amazing versions. It's adding a giant dose of sparkle to an otherwise lackluster outfit!

Lanvin (Resort '09), Andrew Gn (Spring '09), Chanel (Spring '09, and btw, what's up with the pseudo-control-top pantyhose?), Iceberg (Spring '09). All pictures via Style.com.

Cool_Product , Furniture , Trends

CB2: Peek A What!

5:55 AM

CB2: SoHo store

Last week, I made time to visit some stores while attending the New York International Gift Fair. I managed to stop by CB2 and came away impressed. CB2 is Crate and Barrel's sister store that caters to the modern, younger customer. It's Target, Ikea, and Crate and Barrel all rolled into a neat 10,000 square foot box.

Located in the trendy SoHo district, I had my eyes glued to the acrylic casegood pieces. If you are a big fan of the Ghost Chairs like I am, you will probably appreciate these affordable, furniture gems.

Peekaboo Clear Coffee Table: $249

Peekaboo Media Console: $449

Peekaboo Nesting Tables: $199

Monaco Side Table: $149

Architecture , Design , Domino , Home_Decor , Interior_Design

A Little Escape

7:27 AM

Growing up, I was always a little jealous of my older sister because she had a window seat. I love window seats. They're so cozy and warm and away from everything else. My dream house will definintely have a window seat or two. I put together this little collection of ones that inspire me, so that you can, hopefully, get inspired as well!

An absence of shades lets the light pour in. This photo and the next three via Domino.

An intimate little nook in which to have a cup of tea on a rainy day.

Even though it's out of the way, the shelves are still accessorized daintily.

Bright white allows for statement pillows.

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