Top 5 Online Design Stores with a Twist!

Online shopping offers some obvious advantages - a larger selection and better prices all at your finger tips. Not to mention, your purchase is shipped right to your front door. All in all, online shopping has undoutedly transformed how often we shop and how quickly we act on impulses. Having said that, online shopping can be overwhelming and impersonal - but that is changing. As more and more people shop online, stores and businesses are coming up with creative ways of getting more eye-balls to their site. We're now seeing a shift towards taste-tailored, sophisticated and more user-friendly online storefronts with exclusive inventories. This is great news for people like me who crave rare and beautiful objects at bargain prices. My post today is about a few of these websites that I think are front runners in changing the face of online shopping.

1stdibs.com
Their tagline - "the most beautiful things on earth" is no exaggeration. This site is eye candy for anyone who loves antiques. You can shop by city, style and designer shop. This is probably the most comprehensive antique shopping experience on the web.

theFoundary.com
A website by Hayneedle, this is a great place for exclusive products at deep, deep discounts. Brands and designers change every couple of days and once you sign up, you'll get an email list of all the brands being represented. You earn credits by referring the site to your friends and those credits are like an alternative currency - you can spend them on anything from site. The cool twist they've created is a 10 min purchasing time limit - once you see a product you like, you add it to your cart and its "reserved" for you for 10 mins. Take it or leave it! Fan their Facebook page and get all the updates: http://www.facebook.com/#!/TheFoundary

OneKingsLane.com
Similar to theFoundary.com, with a 15 min purchasing time limit. They focus on weekend tag sales that are really worth checking out. They've got a great customer service team that can be contacted via Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/OneKingsLane

Shopstyle.com
I generally don't like scraper websites, but this one actually does a great job of aggregating brands and designers in one place. You can do searches that are pretty specific - like I typed in round coffee table and over 6 pages of relevant images were returned. Shopstyle.com is a great for inspiration and saves a lot of time.
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/ShopStyle

Giltgroupe.com
Well known for runway fashion deals, but also pretty great for living space deals. They've done an excellent job with their user interface - it feels modern and sophisticated. You can buy items that are in stock or get on their wait list. They're also branching out into the luxury vacation space with their "jetsetter" section, which is worth exploring.
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/GiltGroupe?v=wall

Nostalgic about Hong Kong

Happy 2011 everyone! I just got back from visiting my parents in Hong Kong and am settling back into work and life in Seattle. This time around, mom and I decided we'd hit up Horizon Plaza - a giant furniture warehouse on Hong Kong island. Dad was a good sport about it, but complained a little when we decided to make it a full day affair. I tried to explain to him - how could I leave without a visit to the furniture mecca of Hong Kong?? He seemed less than enthused, but tagged along anyway...

Horizon Plaza - I remember visiting this place over 15 years ago - at that time, it was about 1/5th the size. There were fewer stores that catered to a very wealthy and often highly entitled group of people (also known as the expatriate population of Hong Kong!). Now, in post colonial times, the place looks a little less stuffy and a lot more approachable. I wandered through stores like Shambala, Tequila Kola and Tree, marvelling at the raw wood furnishings from India and Bali paired with Belgian linen couches and French bergeres. For those of you who don't know, I grew up in Hong Kong and every time I visit back, I'm struck by the seamless juxtaposition of cultures and the lasting impact it has had on my design aesthetic. As I walked through Horizon Plaza, I was happy to see that eclectic blend of cultures come to life through the styles and designs displayed on the shop floors. It felt like home. Here are a few of my favorites from Horizon Plaza.

Plantation style high-back bergere



Bedside lamp with sandalwood base



Recycled teak wood dining set



Traditional chinese fretwork screen



Silk pendant lights

Swarovski crystal pendant light

My favorite store - Tree

Lots and lots of furniture!

Table lamp with bamboo base

Fretting over fretwork

Pick any country between the Bay of Biscay and the Bay of Bengal and you'll see examples of fretwork in the indigenous architecture. Repetitive geometric fretwork patterns were used by gothic, byzantine and mughal architects to create elaborate panels, doors and archways. In warmer places like India and Northern Africa, wood or marble fretwork panels were used as screens to keep rooms ventilated, while maintaining a level of privacy. In cooler places like Greece and Italy, fretwork was ornamental and used to decorate mouldings, gates, doors and columns. In modern times, CNC machines and fretsaws are used to create latticework and reliefwork that resembles fretwork from a bygone era. Although fretwork is uncommon in modern architecture, its made its way into interior design - the two most recognizable designations for fretwork in modern design are "greek key" and "chippendale".


I was recently browsing through House Beautiful Magazine's Dec/Jan issue and saw this beautiful Florida home of designer Thomas Hamel. Check out the fretwork paneling in the entryway!

Fretwork panels and wall art

1. Carved Wood Screen from Tazi Designs: $159 - use these as wall panels in groups or instead of windows on a patio. Stain it in a dark elm wood color against white-washed walls for added effect.  
2. Faux bamboo greek key mirror from Neiman Marcus: $495 - a great amalgamation of the east and the west. 
3. Mousharabi Lattice Screen from Tazi Designs: $1,800 - divide your living and dining room with this gorgous carved screen.
4. Round Fretwork mirror from Neiman Marcus: $295 - elegant and universally appealing.
5. Fretwork Mirrors from Neiman Marcus: $295 - elongate your walls by placing these mirrors vertically or place them above a fireplace. 
6. Fretwork Doors from Tazi Designs: $2,999 - best in a warm climate - use these doors as an entryway into your patio. 


Fretwork Seating




1. Imperial Chair from Gumps: $380 - a modern rendition of Victorian Chippendale.
2. Chinese Chippendale Armchair by Jonathan Adler: $550 - doesn't this chair make you smile? This chair would do wonderfully in a hollywood regency style dining room or in a modern Asian setting.
3. Openwork chair from Gumps: $395 - amazingly regal and perfect for the head of the table.
4. Outdoor fretwork table and chair from Horchow: $395 - a nice mix of greek key and chinese chippendale, this chair would make a great addition to your patio or sunroom.
5. Fretwork lounge chair by Barbara Barry: $4,600 - this chair screams LA and hollywood regency to me. In fact, I recently discovered that Jennifer Lopez has one of these in her home!
6. Chinese Chippendale chair from Wisteria: $379 - the black lacquer and faux bamboo give it a decidely Asian flair.
7. Moorish Armchair from Tazi Designs: $950 - love, love, LOVE this chair. Its the perfect blend of clean-lined modern, yet with intricate moorish fretwork detailing. This piece is on my wishlist!

Poufs galore!

Poufs are definitely on the "it" list this year. Design houses like Calypso St. Barth and John Derian have added these super chic little seats in vibrant colors, textures and sizes to their collections. Poufs are a great way of adding some whimsy to your space, in small, controlled amounts. Use them as extra seats, footstools or side tables. The bottomline is, if you're not pouf-ing it up this year, you're really missing out!

Textured Poufs

1. Shag pouf from Calypso St. Barth: $425 - a smart replacement for your 70's boyfriend!
2. Felted wool stone pouf from Viva Terra: $298 - the faux rocks are surprisingly comfortable.  
3. Knitted pouf from CB2: $80 - This lil' guy is perfect as a footstool - rub the soles of your feet on it for a nice foot massage!
4. Soft stone pouf from Viva Terra: $239 - place this in front of an ecosmart ventless fireplace for a sleek, modern look.
5. Flora pouf from Modern Dose: $549 - sit on this in your closet and ponder what dress to wear...ala Carrie Bradshaw!

Kiddie Poufs


1. Sushi pouf by Mimi Tin: $100 - for a kid with a sophisticated palette.
2. Mushroom pouf from Anthropologie: $168 - cuteness overdose!
3. Missoni pouf from Unica Home: $475 - for a lil' fashionista
4. Mookah pouf by Mookah: $129 - from Australia with love  
5. Paisley pouf by RSH home: $68 - something Charlotte York-Goldenblatt would pick out for her daughter (ok, I'm done with the SATC references!)

Mediterenean Poufs

1. Kilim Pouf from Viva Terra: $189 - for your winter mountain cabin.
2. Berber Pouf from ABC Home: $165 - better than a pillow pet!
3. Moroccan Leather Pouf from Tazi Designs: $225 - a little overplayed this year, but desirable nonetheless!
4. Moroccan Square Pouf from Moroccan Prestige: $995 - this is on my wishlist!  
5. Monaco Pouf from Horchow: $99 - love the white on eggplant embroidery.

Indian Poufs




1. Purple sunburst pouf from Global Home NY: $175
2. Zig zag pouf from Calypso St. Barth: $425
3. Jodhpur Pouf from Calypso St. Barth: $425
4. Kuba Jaipuri Pouf from Calypso St. Barth: $425
5. Red chainlink pouf from Global Home NY: $175
All of these are made of high quality linen and are pretty durable.

Get the Drift?

Drive down the west coast of the US and you'll see an abundance of beautiful driftwood adorning the beaches. Driftwood has an edgy, masculine appeal that inspires designers to create unique pieces of furniture and accessories. Add a piece of driftwood to a modern, minimal space or add it to your cottage-chic sitting room to invoke a feeling of earthy sophistication. Here are some of my favorite pieces.

Driftwood Lighting

1. Driftwood Chandelier by Currey & Co: $648 - would work well in a sparkling white dining room or an entryway - what a versatile piece!   
2. Tall Driftwood Table Lamp by Regina Andrew: $293 - very contemporary, very zen.
3. Short Driftwood Table Lamp by Currey & Co: $390 - Doubles as a sculpture.
4. Driftwood Floor Lamp by Arteriors: $1,101 - A statuesque piece, fit for a room with high ceilings.
5. Driftwood Lantern by Currey & Co: $855 - I saw this in a winery in Napa and couldn't take my eyes off it...
6. Driftwood Orb by Currey & Co: $871 - I love how the driftwood is bent to create the orb. 


Driftwood Accessories

1. Driftwood Bodega Mirror by Arteriors: $775 - I had this piece installed in our dining room and its looks stunning! I'll add a photo of it soon. 
2. Driftwood Candelabra: $215 - would look so pretty in a shabby chic room.
3. Driftwood Windward Mirror by Currey & Co: $299 - a great twist on a traditional sunburst mirror. 
4. Driftwood Wall Hooks through Etsy: $40 - form + function at its best.
5. Root Coat Stand through Viva Terra: $279 - they're both great, but I like the entwined root one more. 
6. Driftwood Mobile through Etsy: $30 - hang them on your patio or use a few of them as room dividers.

Driftwood Furniture


1. Round Driftwood Dining Table at Pieces: $3760 - quite pricey, but worth every penny. Pair it with West Elm's wrap dining chairs and you've got a winning combo!
2. Driftwood Bench at VandM: $950 - each one of these is handmade - throw on a couple of mongolian lamb pillows for added comfort.
3. Driftwood End Table at Crate and Barrel: $399 - a steal at this price.
4. Driftwood Console Table by Arteriors: $1437 - put this in your otherwise modern, clean-lined condo for added effect.
5. Driftwood Stool by Roost: $175 - create a wine corner in your home with these stools and the matching wine rack.
6. Square Driftwood Table: $1750 - reasonably priced - pair this table with linen slipcovered chairs for an updated shabby chic look.

I feel it in my bones...

 

Found in the well-appointed living quarters of princes and courtesans, bone inlay furniture was afforded only by the wealthy in times gone by. Today, craftsmen in India, Egypt and Morocco are sharing their craft with contemporary designers to create pieces that are an amalgamation of ancient artistry and modern sensibility. Rest assured that no animals were harmed in the creation of these pieces.

Bone Inlay Tables & Chests

1. Moorish bone inlay chest from Wisteria: $2,999 - Use it as a buffet in your dining room or as a lingerie chest in your bedroom.

2. Bone inlay console table from Well Appointed Home: $1,350 - clean, modern lines with exquisite craftsmanship. A perfect blend of the old and the new worlds. 

3. Small bone inlay table from Gumps: $295 - put this piece beside a comfy bergere or a barcelona chair, either way, its not a burden on your wallet!

4. French style bone inlay console table from Graham & Green: GBP 521 - would work beautifully against a bright colored wall or sofa. 
5. Bone inlay nighstand from Well Appointed Home: $700 - imagine waking up to this every morning...
6. Green bone inlay chest from Wisteria:$1,999 - the green adds a nice kick to the carefully crafted piece.

Bone Inlay Seating

1. Ram's head bone inlay chair from Graham & Green: GBP 395 - Pair 4 of these with a glossy black dining table for an eclectic look or the Saarinen 47" Round Dining Table for a global glam look.
2. White bone inlay chair from Well Appointed Home: $1,450 - perfect as a vanity chair in a dressing room or a Boudior.
3. Moroccan bone inlay chair from Well Appointed Home: $1,500 - play up the craftsmanship of these chairs by placing them at the head of the table. Use vapor chairs as side chairs to balance out the visual weight.
4. Bone Inlay Settee from Graham & Green: GBP 4,950 - place this piece in your anteroom and make an impression on awaiting guests.
5. Roman Bone Inlay Stool from Well Appointed Home: $900 - place this roman stool in front of your clawfoot bathtub or in a sitting room as extra seating - what a versatile piece!