Wake Up Call

I've been having a hard time waking up lately. Maybe it's because there's nothing interesting to look at the second my eyes open. On my nightstand: two pairs of eyeglasses (for before-bed TV watching by my husband and I), a midcentury-modern white lamp, remote control, and a snoozefest of an alarm clock I've had since college. Time for an upgrade? Yes, please.

I've been eyeing this Wood LED Clock since it came into our store. The time shines through a super-thin veneer of wood. Maybe it's time I made it mine?

The simplicity of the Aura Clock appeals to my need to keep things looking clean (I try, at least), but the pop of orange on the inside of the rim appeals to my desire for something interesting.

Daily Candy recently mentioned this Emily Clock. I like the practicality of it. I mean, who enjoys craning their neck to see the time in the middle of the night? Luckily, it's stylish as well. Because a practical clock means nothing to me if it's ugly.

Of all of the clocks, the Clocky is probably the one I need the most. The only caveat: my dog might attack it the second it rolls on the floor. She goes nuts for noisy things!

New Gifts In Time For Christmas!

Christmas is right around the corner! It's that time of year where our customers go crazy for some of our fun gifts. We just uploaded a lot of new products just in time for the holiday season. Check out some of our favorites:

Drink your triple grande, non-fat latte with a shot of espresso in eco-friendly style. It's cheaper at High Fashion Home than here.

I Am Not A Paper Cup - $17

We all wish we could be a little bit taller. Well, here is an extra 9 inches in a portable, easy to carry form. Easy Fold Step Stool - $14

Here is a modern day Christmas tree where you can share memories of all your loved ones.
Fotofalls Floor Standing - $69

Everyone loves baking during the holidays. Who is a better assistant than everyone's favorite 80's arcade game?
Hot Heads Pac-Man - $14.95

I can only solve half of the problems. But it's nice to look smart when you bring over guests.
Pop Quiz Clock - $32

Face your fears with the shower curtain that screams, "I love you."
Psycho Shower Curtain - $16

Not sure if you can get by airport security with this. It's cool rain protection that can double as a self defense weapon.
Samurai Umbrella - $28

High Point Furniture Market - Fall 2009

We came. We saw. We conquered....in a Volkswagen Beetle.

Our team swept through the furniture capitol of the world in style. We saw tons of great stuff. High Fashion Home is going to be pushing the envelope once again with some of our furniture selections. At the same time, we were able to find a ton of value products out in the market. So expect to see more unique, chic furnishings at affordable prices in the coming months.

Here is a breakdown of some of our favorites from market:

This great Room & Board Roadster chair may have run it's course there, but it's new to us. We'll retail it for around $1299 in a black, full grain leather.

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams introduced this beautiful, retro chair in a nice vinyl.

Yes, the Chester Sofa is now available in leather!

Love the damask patterned, linen. The exposed wood finish is classic, Barbara Barry-like furniture.

Classic wing back chair in a eye-catching pink velvet.

Fun accent chairs in a Versace-like fabric.

Cool armchair in a high quality, cloud blue velvet.

Lee Industries is bringing customization to new heights. A show-stopping 84" headboard. (For a frame of reference, the lady on the left is 5'8" tall.)

We can never have enough Buddha statues.

This skirted, camel back, nailheaded sofa brings a lot of look at $1499.

Bernhardt managed to introduced more timeless frames at great prices.

I love every piece in this setting. The double nailhead treatment on the headboard is well done.

Beautiful wood chair from Martha Stewart.

This huge, roll arm sectional with top grain leather is going to retail for under $3600.

This clean, top grain leather sectional will retail under $2000. That's just ridiculous.

Very similar to our best selling Jefferson Bed, except this will be orderable in tons of fabric in twin, full, queen, and king sizes.

Very similar to Crate and Barrel's Archer Bed, except it will retail for $100 less.

Now this is a bed program. Your can order 4 different headboards with customizable height, welt, nailhead, and tufting options with no upcharge. Order it in over 50 fabrics at one price. Queen headboard only will be $1049.

We are bringing in Candice Olson's furniture collection. This gorgeous solid wood bed, with antiqued mirrors will retail around $1799.

Love the herringbone pattern on the wood. Our coffee table will be in a warm, walnut finish.

Here's the end table with the logo symbolizing that the woods are from sustainable sources.

Mirror accents pieces are the craze. There are over 4 wood finishes that you can order this piece in.

This glamorous end table with the fluted, solid wood drawers is shown in chic, white hardware.

Shaded Chandeliers

I need to inject a little bit of pretty into my day. I've been eyeing chandeliers with shades for a while. I love the look. It's cool and modern. Maybe I'll get one. Like the simple Rittenhouse Chandelier that we carry at the store. Nice and neutral. Interesting shape. It's a winner.

Rittenhouse Fabric Pendant at High Fashion Home, $599.

I like how these chandeliers are all of the sparkle this restaurant needs. Everything else is simple and neutral.

I cannot remember where I found this one, but it's striking having the shaded chandelier in a virtually outdoor setting. P.S. Love the little bar set up at the bottom of the photo!

Furniture vs. Fashion: Naptime

We spent one-third of our lives in bed, so surely the piece of furniture on which we rest says something about us. And wouldn't you know it, a bed screams your style as much as, well, you.

Call me crazy, but I fell in love with this simple silhouette as soon as it arrived in our store. The Paul Bed is a perfectly tailored shape paired with a luxurious fabric, and that equals simple style. And who else knows simple? Calvin Klein, hands down. I also love Doo.Ri's elegant, simple shift.

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Ever long to be from another time? Remember the days when ladies dressed up to do errands? Behnaz Sarafpour and Rachel Roy do. And Anthropologie is making antique style new again with their Italian Campaign Canopy Bed. Bellissima.

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Nothing Martha Stewart does is ever sloppy. She is the Queen of Put-Together and the Irvington Nickel Bed is no exception. The same is true of Michael Kors (King of the Jet-Setters) and Ralph Lauren (King of the Ivy Leaguers).

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Just because you're a girl doesn't mean you want to parade around in ruffles and flowers all the time. Masculine touches counter your sweet temperament. Casamidy's Altavista Leather Headboard is just the right amount of masculine with woven leather in a boxy shape. For your wardrobe, there's a leather trench from 3.1 Phillip Lim or a trendier boyfriend jacket from Antonio Berardi.

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Or perhaps you shun all things manly, preferring to look the part of the girly-girl you are. Hey, it's your life. In that case, I'd curl up on the Helena Bed from Oly Studio with its carved, whitewashed wood frame, raffia upholstery, and antiqued nailheads. Throw on, what else?, a dress from Derek Lam or Christopher Kane and take on the world.

HF Weekly Obsession(s): Head Case

I'm really very smitten with this vignette from the latest Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams catalog. I spied the Ming Console in a magazine last month and was very pleased to find I liked it as much in person as I did in print. The first one we put on our floor sold instantly! It's just the right amount of red for a pop of color in a neutral setting. We put ours with a dark brown velvet Kennedy sofa with red pillows. I rather like it!

I also adore it with the Kinsey Lounge that they used. Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams uses a lot of tufting in their designs and they use it well. I'm a fan.

LIVESTRONG Day with High Fashion Home!

Please join us this Friday, October 2nd at High Fashion Home and show your support in the fight against cancer. High Fashion Home will donate 10% of your total purchase (both in-store and online) to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. We will also be giving out LIVESTRONG wristbands to help raise cancer awareness.

LIVESTRONG Day is the Lance Armstrong Foundation's one-day initiative to unite people affected by cancer in raising awareness of cancer issues on a global level and in communities across the country.

October 2nd is going to be a great day where you can buy unique furniture, fabrics, gifts, and accessories with part of the proceeds going to a wonderful cause. Check out our LIVESTRONG page for details.

HF Weekly Obsession: Sitting Pretty

It's been a while since I've written one of these, but for this piece it is absolutely necessary. We just got the Remington Lounge Chair in Bevan Lilac on our floor and... wow. I really like it. Like, really like it. It's so pretty! I am a happy little blogger.

Remington Leather Lounge Chair in Bevan Lilac/Polished Nickel, $1879 @ High Fashion Home.

But... during their Undeniable Value sale (going through October 12th), this chair is $1504. Not bad, eh?

Take Me A-Tray

I've been searching for a little tray table (amongst other things) to set up a mini-bar in a lonely nook in my apartment. I think I've found a few good options in these...

Tayloe Tray Table, $559 at High Fashion Home

George Console from Oly Studio, available at High Fashion Home for $1,914

Formosa Tray Table, $49.95 at CB2

Rectangular Directoire Table, $1,099 at High Fashion Home.

The Galleria, Part III

It took us a while, but we finally changed out our Houston Galleria display for the first time in 4 months. We dialed it back and went for a more minimalist approach. Check out the photos below:

We got tired of showing off shades of brown. We went for the bold statement route with this modern sectional in a nice pink velvet.

Contemporary sectional design with down-blend cushions...can't beat that combination.

Our best selling Santomer Dining Table paired with the Louis Ghost Armchairs. Kind of want this combination for my own house.

The Jefferson Bed in a linen look fabric. The tufted buttons and nailhead detailing makes for a very classic, glamourous combination.

The Jefferson Chairs with the Donnabella Chest from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.

I'm in love with a table!

Everyone is in love with the Peroba wood, which is 80-100 year old reclaimed wood from Brazil. The wood from old barns, houses, and bridges that have been torn down are incorporated in simple, modern designs. That combination brings a very unique flair to the furniture piece.

Agate-a-Ga-Ga

With the extreme heat of Houston summers, everything here is turning brown. I'm dying for a bit of color. That's why I'm so drawn to agate accessories. Aren't they gorgeous?

Agate Necklaces by Jennifer Fisher

Coaster Set available at High Fashion Home, $59

An Undeniable Value

Chester Sofa in Carmine Citrine

It's that time again. Your kids are back in school and the holidays are rapidly approaching. Seriously, the Christmas displays are going up already! Wouldn't it be nice to have a shiny, new, unstained sofa for your mother-in-law to sit on this year? Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams wants to make that easier for you. They just kicked off their Undeniable Value Event so that you can enjoy 20% off of any upholstery or casegood order! If you've been waiting to replace your red leather sofa with a purple velvet one, now is the time to do it! You've got until October 12th. Oh, and you're welcome.

P.S. While you're here looking for a sofa, you might want to check out the art. We just got a ton more pieces in AND they're all 50% off. Undeniably. Valuable.

A Plethora of Peacocks

"Remember that the most beautiful things in the world are the most useless; peacocks and lilies for instance." -John Ruskin

That may be, but beauty can really boost your mood sometimes. A burst of color from a peacock feather is just what is needed for a simple, neutral room.

Peacock Dark Rug by Matthew Williamson for The Rug Company

Dress by Matthew Williamson from Spring 2004

Pavonine I @ High Fashion Home

More Fabrics! High Fashion Fabrics Now Online!

High Fashion Fabrics' E-commerce Website

Our sister store, High Fashion Fabrics, just launched their e-commerce site over the weekend. The layout is very similar to the HF Home site. They sell apparel, garment, and craft fabrics for weddings, evening wear, and various sewing projects.

Saved by the Bell

Why should the kiddos be the only ones with fun desk supplies? Personally, I love a cheeky pencil holder. I love for my desk to have more than the basic black tape dispenser and stapler. I spend a lot of time there, so I want it to be inviting.

These are the equivelant of desktop bling. They create rainbows when spun. That's one way to procrastinate, I suppose. Vasa Cubes, $350 for 6 @ MoMA.

Nothing like bright red Fu Dogs to guard your books. I have plenty of books that need to be wrangled! Fu Dog Bookends, $49.95 @ CB2.

Paperwork is a whole lot more fun when you have something pretty to look at! Synchronicity File Folders, $5.99 @ Container Store.

Feeling stabby? Get Dead Fred. You can stab him over and over again without dealing with lawyers and jail and juries. Dead Fred Pen Holder, $9.95 @ High Fashion Home.

Writing notes would be so much more pleasureable if I was writing with something beautiful. I absolutely love this pencil. Flowering Twig, $5 @ Anthropologie.

For the Love of Art

After four days of grueling work, the Art Gallery on the fourth flooe is finally organized! The walls are filled with beautiful pieces. All of the art is arranged by size. But here's the best part... it's ALL 50% off! Get it while the gettin's good!

Chemistry Cocktail Madness!

Chemistry Cocktail Set, $33.95.

This incredible endeavor began in mid-March, when we officially ran out-of-stock on our Chemistry Cocktail Set. It's our best selling item online, and customers have been placing special orders by the dozens since then. Our original ETA was suppose to be in early April. Then it was late April. Late April turned into May, June, and finally late July.

So fate has it that the day our truck was suppose to arrive, the delivery gets delayed to the late afternoon. Which happens to be just in time for a torrential downpour the likes we haven't seen since Hurricane Ike came roaring through. We have video to prove our harrowing tale:

Part 1:

And to prove how committed we are to our customer's happiness, our staff braved the weather to help unload our big shipment of Chemistry Cocktail Sets (broken toes and all). We managed to unload, package, and ship out over 30 sets in less than an hour. Our systems aren't exactly automated. We have to actually put a lot of manual labor with a splash of TLC to get these orders processed.

Part 2:

Now, we are fully stocked with enough inventory to hopefully last a while. We try to price our items lower than our competitors. Anytime we can sell an item like the Sun and Moon Jar for almost half the price at Target, you know you are doing a good job saving your customers money. And that is a recipe for a happy ending.

Oprah + High Fashion Home!

The September Oprah issue just hit newsstands. The Faux Malachite Jewelry Box made the O List as one of the few things they think are just great. This is the first time High Fashion Home has ever been mentioned by Oprah magazine. So it was pretty emotional seeing it for the first time.

Puppy Love

Two weeks ago, my husband and I adopted an adorable 3 year-old Black Lab mix named Kola. She was rescued from Galveston a few years back and raised by a coworker of John's until now. They needed a new home for her and we gladly took her in!

Naturally, we've gotten her lots of toys and treats, we take her for lots of walks, and play fetch until it's time for bed. However, Kola has one thing that, I think, most dogs do not: a custom-made Amy Butler print dog bed.

Since she's relatively small (especially for a Lab!), I just bought a 30 x 30 down pillow and whipped up a pillow cover with one of the super-cute Amy Butler fabrics we sell here. Of course, I picked a darker color because she sheds like mad. The verdict? Success! She loves relaxing on it during the day and sleeping on it at night. Nothing but the best for our very hairy baby!

For more information on the Amy Butler fabrics we carry in the store, feel free to give us a call!

5,070 Trees and Counting...

Photo by: angela7dreams

Thanks to all our customers for joining High Fashion Home and the Arbor Day Foundation for helping plant 5,070 trees. I'm trying to envision 5,070 trees, and I'm picturing a nice, medium size forest. But really, any little thing we can do for the environment is a definite plus.

Here are some of the benefits one tree can make for years to come:

• One tree can absorb more than a ton of carbon dioxide
• Over the cours of 50 years, a single tree can control $31,500 of soil erosion.
• Trees help maintain clean water supplies.
• One tree produces nearly 260 pounds of oxygen a year.
• Trees help maintain clean water supplies.

My math says our trees will help produce 1,318,000 pounds of oxygen in the next year. Not bad at all.

Cha-Cha-Chartreuse

I suppose I'm slightly biased. I even like to say the word chartreuse. It rolls off the tongue so nicely. Chartreuse.

It's a good thing the color itself can back up all the hype I'm giving it. It's punchy yellow with an undertone of green. Sounds like a winning combination to me. Perhaps you should try some on this summer...

I like the unexpected pop of chartreuse behind the striped pillows. Loverly! Photo via Domino (r.i.p.).

I kind of want to buy this clock. I'm trying to resist the urge! Innermost Eclipse Clock, $184 @ High Fashion Home.

The company is my new obsession. There will be further posts on Casamidy, but for now, you can enjoy the Almidi Arch Table. It can be painted in any Benjamin Moore color!



I fell in love with this Rory Beca top that I found in Lucky. So swingy and airy for a summer night out.

Beachside sexy. via ShopBop.

I really wish I had a pair of chartreuse heels. It would perk up my outfits oh-so-much! Photo via Coco+Kelley.

HF Weekly Obsession: For the Ladies

We're adding another facet to our little midtown store: boutique. The entire first floor has been transformed with the arrival of a few very cool and comfortable lines of woman's clothing. We've even added a fitting room (a project that was tackled exceptionally by Cynthia, our store's displayer.)!

We're slowly bringing in new lines of tees, dresses, and pants for your shopping pleasure.

I love these easy, simple dresses from Dolan. I don't care how cute something is if it isn't comfy, but these feel as good as they look. We've got this dress in purple and a funky tie-dye.

Woman cannot live in dresses alone. On weekends, hoodies are key, and one with interesting details keeps you from that rolled-out-of-bed look (even if you did just roll out of bed). Try one from Splendid, the masters of comfort. We've got the one above in sunny yellow!

I think these satin harem pants from Maggie Ward are so cool. They're as light as air, so when you pair them with dressy heels and a simple top, you'll feel just like Lady Gaga (you know, sans pants).

There are only so many ways you can do a white tee, but I love the slouchy pocket on this one from K. Allyn. It's a white tee, but fashionized. Get yours here.

HF Weekly Obsession: Baby, It's All About You

Is it just me, or is everyone getting baby fever? It seems like everyone is either having babies or getting ready to! It must be something in the water because we just got in a whole bunch of awesome baby stuff! Allow me to walk you through it...

For the littlest of the wee ones, I love this hand-knitted, Yellow Label fruit rattles. They're soft and colorful, and you can feel good knowing that they're ethically (hand)made. Give us a call for more information.

A onesie that's perfect for monkeying around in! I adore these Monkey Onesies from Appaman. Get them here!

Give your kid something soft, cuddly, and washable to play with! These adorable dolls, by Blabla, are expertly crafted by Peruvian knitters, so you know they're made well. And who could resist that face? Give us a call for more information.
For the 80's teen that's all grown up, put your kid in a tee from Small Audience. The tees are vintage styled with cheeky phrases that adults can appreciate. Give us a call for more information.

How adorable are these for your little rocker-in-training? Not only are they badass, Me In Mind makes it easy to put on fidgety kids' feet. Give us a call for more information.

These are perfect for the summertime water baby. Put a mermaid on your teeny mermaid! Take your pick of Harajuku Lovers styles here.
Everything's Splendid when your decked out in supersoft Modal and Pima Cotton. I wish I knew someone with a baby girl so I could put her in this adorable ruffled onesie! Put that one in my cart, please!

What's New is New!

Our new goods from this past High Point market has started to pour in. Now more than ever, we tried to bring in furniture pieces with great value without compromising the quality and style that our customers expect from us.



Our Chester sofa has come in in a brand new fabric! Totally on trend in a fun citrine color (this picture does not do it justice), this will really pop in your home and the velvet fabric is so soft and cuddly. Cynthia can't stop petting it.


A traditional spin on a modern shape... a slight roll arm adds a twist to this otherwise clean and modern frame.


Perfect for lounging... (hey Cynthia! wake up and get back to work!) This new piece from our TRU gallery is a great sofa for those who want something modern but don't want to sacrifice comfort. And you can fit at least four Cynthias on it!


Our display frame from TRU demonstrates how the company is dedicated to eco-friendly manufacturing and parts.



One of our great value frames. Come visit our gallery of sofas $999 and under. Top designs at great prices.



Another one of our cool $999 and under specials.


The Damien in a new fabric. This is one of our favorites on the floor. The color is fun and fresh and definitely eye catching. A really nice modern sofa that is also great for lounging. The thin metal legs keep it clean.


Our new Brian quilted all the way around the back.... That coffee table is new as well (and looks amazing with everything we've paired it with!) And being all glass, it doesn't add any visual weight to a room. It's large enough to use with sectionals but not looking heavy, it is perfect for small spaces as well.


A leather, modern platform bed. Just in!


This table is incredible. A layer of cracked glass is sandwiched between two sheets of glass and sits on a tripod base of metal tubes. The leather chairs are edgy and comfortable. (special thanks to Vanna, eh, Cynthia)


Our new four poster. Add some weathered trunks and a writing desk for a world traveler look.


A big pattern looks modern on this chair.


We love the narrow arms and flanged pillows on this scatterback slipcovered sofa. Tailored and elegant, it is also extremely comfortable.


This one looks like it should be in a plantation home in Bermuda to me! The wood frame is gorgeous and the texture on the cushions is a really nice juxtaposition. It is also a great sofa for just kicking back on... right Steven?


Tall chairs with a great damask print... and nailheads!


Slipcovered Giraffe! Supercool!


A timeless slipcovered sofa, the perfect size for relaxing. Warning: once you sit down and try it out, you might not want to get back up. (you didn't hear that from me, although, I am currently parked on it typing away right now! )


A trio of leather accent chairs. These would be great anywhere.



A sectional upholstered version of our favorite new slipcovered, scatterback sofa. This sexy gray color will work with any decor.

Mood Lighting

I love nothing more than to sit on a back patio with a chilled glass of Riesling and a plate of cheese and fruit and chat with friends and family until the mosquitoes chase us indoors. Sometimes, when the weather is cool enough, the mosquitoes don't make an appearance and we can hang out well into the night. That's when I would want a setup like the one above (from a Grange ad). Strands of fairy lights and mismatched paper lanterns are such a better alternative to tiki torches and citronella candles.

Since Martha Stewart could never leave anything plain, hers have pretty paper butterflies affixed. I like these for a sweet outdoor chandelier at a dinner party.

The Nuevo Star lanterns have a little more punch and I love them in small doses. I would have never thought to place one in front of a cabinet/bar, but it's cute and quirky! BTW: We carry these at the store in lots of vibrant colors!

HF Weekly Obsession: You're So Tree-sy

I stumbled upon this stool in the store the other day. Literally. I've got the bruises on my shins to prove it. Lesson learned.
Once I got a good look at the Tree Cycle Crystal Stool, I realized it was quite pretty with sections of sparkle captured within the tree stump. It would make the perfect little side table with a nice coffee table book and a vase of peonies. I'm just thinking aloud here...

She Could Wear A Burlap Sack...

Fancy chair, rustic fabric: Isabelle Club Chair, $899 at High Fashion Home.

Summer is the season for linen. Something about that natural, un-dyed linen makes me swoon! Especially when it's used for something that is typically dressy (i.e. the strapless dress and heels below). And don't even get me started on how I feel about adding sparkle!

"Metallic Linen Strapless Dress" in Flax, $100 at J. Crew

"Spectator Belinda Heels" in Stone, $168 at J. Crew

Earth Day 2009: More Trees!

Thanks to everyone for helping partner with High Fashion Home and the Arbor Day Foundation. As of March 31st, 2009, we have now planted 3,554 trees. For every piece of furniture purchased, one tree is planted. 3,554 trees may seem a lot or it may seem a little. Either way, we appreciate everyone with helping us make a difference. Addressing our global climate change is bigger than any one person or organization. It's going to take all of us to pitch in and contribute.


The benefits of one tree can make a positive impact for years to come:

• One tree can absorb more than a ton of carbon dioxide
• Over the course of 50 years, a single tree can control $31,500 of soil erosion.
• Trees help maintain clean water supplies.
• One tree produces nearly 260 pounds of oxygen a year.

Learn more about how you can help.

Weekly Obsession: Natural Peroba

Symmetry is overrated. I prefer something a tad less perfect. Also, preferably built from wood harvested from old barns in Brazil. Well, coincidence of coincidences, Environment Furniture has just the thing I desire...

The Landrino Media Console is the ideal blend of closed off "throw your junk in a drawer before guests come over" space and open "look at the cool souvenir I picked up on my last trip to Europe" space. It also blends natural Peroba wood with the more reddish colored, cleaned Peroba wood. Of course, the only blending it will be doing, as far as I'm concerned, is with the rest of my furniture.

However, the Dumont Console may give the Landrino a run for its money. Again, the combo of natural and cleaned Peroba wood. I love that this piece resembles a puzzle. I can already visualize where my books and little tidbits would fit. Two beautiful pieces, space enough for one. Decisions, decisions!

Both pieces are available at High Fashion Home.

Genius Decorating Ideas: Oprah

We decided to heed Oprah's advice and reinvent our Louis Dining Chairs with a fresh turquoise fabric. If you ever visit Red 8 (Great food by the way. Try the Potstickers.) in the Wynn Las Vegas, they upholstered their booths in the same fabric (in a red color way).

See how some classic designs mixed with modern sensibilities turn familiar home furnishings into some oh-so fresh.

The Louis dining chair frame is so classic. When you blend it with some unique fabrics, it makes it eclectic, cool, and new.

Thomas Paul pillows taking classic silhouettes and infusing some fashionable colors.

I love the Martha Stewart Windsor armchair. The table is from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.

Modern cuckoo clocks. Urban Outfitters' silvery version and Anthropologie's powder-coated metal ticker reinterprets clock.

Ralph Lauren brings a Southwestern flair to towels.

Reichenbach porcelain service by Paola Navone, Anthropologie. Vintage porcelain dishes glazed in platinum, Clio.

Jonathan Adler's homage to era's past with his funky pillows.

L.L. Bean Pineland cube covered in Paradise Background linen.

Cicatrices de luxe 5 by Philippe Starck.

ABC Carpet & Home. Where Amazing Happens!

ABC Home's mission statement revolves around an eco-friendly initiative. (photo courtesy of racked.com)

ABC Carpet & Home is a mega chic, home furnishings emporium located on Broadway in New York City. It's the largest rug and carpet store in the world, attracting 1 million visitors a year.

The company's array of products include not only carpets and rugs but also antiques, furniture, textiles, gifts and accessories, and bed and bath items. Because of its inventive displays and eclectic offerings, ABC has been called "Disneyland for rich adults." Visiting ABC is like sifting through a sea of charming, impeccable, eclectic furnishings. It's one part flea market, one part grandmother's attic, and one part Rodeo Drive.

You'll probably end up shopping and getting lost for hours. If you need a little halftime break, there is a cafe that sits at the back of the main floor. The menu consists of great organic food. I definitely recommend the hummus.

I usually end up visiting New York at least twice a year, and I always make it a point to visit. Here are some pictures I've collected of this amazing store. Feast your eyes on some home decor bliss.

How cool is that? Flowers covering the elevator on the first floor.

Looks like professional photography from Metropolitan Home. Not! It's just our Canon camera.

Store merchandising is always easier when you have a cool, old building with 25 foot high ceilings.

Love the chaise.

This is their Barbara Barry gallery on the 4th floor.

Yes, that is our Hugo sofa. I'm partial to our piece in white.

Towels! More Towels!

Cool, spontaneous vignette on a green platform.

Here is one of many eco-friendly furniture lines they carry. The sectional is from Cisco Brothers.

I can't afford most of the chandeliers, but I have to admit that they are pretty jaw dropping.

Some of their Asian-influenced pillows and accessories on the 1st floor.

Drapery Panel Wonderland!

This is how our Drapery panel section used to look. It was a striking display, but too inefficient to carry our expanding SKUs.

We recently expanded our ready made, drapery panel section. We now have linen and poly panels to go with our massive selection of silk taffeta and silk dupioni. Early response has been great. As much as we loved the visual appeal of our drapes hanging from chain iron bars, we had to develop a more efficient way to merchandise our ever growing inventory.

The great thing about our silk drapery panels is they are lined and interlined. When you feel the panel, the weight is really substantial. So when you hang up the curtain, you are going to get this luxurious flowing effect. Hopefully, you should see some our new pieces on the web sooner, than later.

We've got about 15 color ways in the silk dupioni drapery panels. If that's not enough, you can do custom drapes with any of our 2,000 silk fabrics.

Silk taffetas give off a beautiful sheen!

Here is our new linen drapery panel section.

Our panels are lined and interlined.

These panels are real thick and substantial making for a luxurious hang.

Too many choices can be a bad thing.

My Grown-Up Easter Basket

My, my, my... Is it already Easter time? Where is this year going? Before you know it, I'll be writing about everything summer!

Easter is one of my favorite times of year. It always seems like an appropriate time for new beginnings. Everything is bright and new. I have an excuse to buy a pretty new dress. Not to mention Easter baskets- always a good thing to wake up to as a kid. Alas, I'm too old for Easter baskets these days (I doubt my mom will get up early to leave one on the doorstep of my apartment), but that doesn't mean I can't dream. If I were going to stock my very own Easter basket these days, here's what I would fill it with...

Row One: J. Crew Fringed Linen Scarf in natural (the perfect summer scarf!), $49.50; UK Flag Notecards from MadeByGirl (because I love sending little notes from time to time), $11 for four; Tree of Life Necklace from Anthropologie (I fell in LOVE with this!), $58.

Row Two: Tarte Natural Beauty Cheek Stain at Sephora (because I prefer to fake my sun exposure), $28; Lady Gaga: The Fame at Borders (her songs always get me pumped to start the day), about $13; Kate Spade Jane Street Debra Organizer in Chocolate/Pink (because life is so much better when it's organized!), $165.

Row Three: Godiva Cherry Cordials (I had to have something sweet! It's an Easter Basket!), $10 for nine; Victorian Antique Gold Rose Filigree Ring from edmdesigns on Etsy (AMAZING and made from vintage watch parts), $65; Nine West Snooks Heels in Ivory Natural Leather (A little bit bondage with a little bit sweet), $89.

Row Four: Coach S Charm (so everybody knows who's keys those are), $30; Eveline Tarunadjaja Wallet from Poketo (we just got these in the store and I want one!), $20; Tory Burch Straw Saddle Jane Tote in Natural/Hibiscus Pink (because I need something to use as a basket), $365.

Oh-range!

I'm a big fan of orange. It's not as primary as red, and not nearly as feminine as pink. I think of it as a very guy-friendly pop of color, which is why it's showing up pretty regularly in my apartment. It's also a very fun color to wear since it gets noticed! Get citrus-ey this Spring!

From top left: Lanvin dress (I can't remember the publication from which this came! If anybody knows, leave a comment!); Dresses by Missoni (left) and Chloe (Right), photo from Harper's Bazaar; Rebecca Minkoff Neon Rendezvois Clutch in Neon Orange; Indention Vases at High Fashion Home; Astrid Chair from Anthropologie in Naive Tropical; Pebble Outdoor Pillow from West Elm in Rust.

Confessions of Shopaholics

Isn't Spring the cliche time to get something new and great? I suppose it goes back to getting a fancy new Easter dress as a kid, but I always get shopping pangs around this time of year. The weather is warming up, it's nice to go outside to get to the shops, and the shock of holiday spending has faded from memory. With that in mind, I asked some of my very stylish friends one simple question:

If you could splurge on one thing this month, what would you get?

I didn't place any limits on them. Anything, any price, anywhere. Here's what they said...

My friend Stephanie is finishing up her last year in college, so her desire to splurge on a beach vacation makes perfect sense. Finally, a chance to relax without a textbook in sight!

Marian is the lady with the shoes (or Choos, really). So I was actually surprised when she said she wanted a brightly colored handbag for Spring! Of course, when you're talking about Valentino, I would forget about shoes, too.

My very stylish interior designer friend, Kelley, just bought a home in the Heights. Needless to say, she's in a decorating frenzy, but the one thing she wants more than anything is artwork a la this print from 20x200.

Perhaps the most extravegant request came from my boss, Jeff. His major splurge? A drum set. Well, Jeff, I hope your neighbors are heavy sleepers.

If you want shopping advice, you go to Cynthia. She has impeccable style (and she's an amazing artist. I have a mini-gallery of her work in my apartment). She was very specific about what she wanted: A pair of tough heels to rock out all of her flirty skirts.

I suppose a lot of my friends love shoes. I lived in New York with a shoe-aholic named Allyson. Everytime she came home with a new pair of shoes, I would literally drool. I wasn't surprised to hear she wanted a new pair of Manolo Blahniks for Spring.

My friend Amber is also on a decorating binge, but she's looking for a very specific coffee table. She wanted something "solid and thick with a natural look, nicks and all". I'd say the Beam Coffee Table fits the bill.

My coworker friend, Jennifer, is dying to redo her kitchen. She picked this one from Domino as her inspiration because she liked the combination of open shelving and closed cabinets.

I couldn't forget to put in my two cents. I'm lusting after the Dulce Sequin Skirt from J. Crew. Paired with a slouchy t-shirt and some leather flip-flops, it's the perfect summer night out outfit!

The Galleria Madness Continues...

Not wanting our area to get stale, we switched out the furniture for a fresher, lighter, Spring look for April! What do you think?

For arguments sake, let's call this the front. The Melina Bed in natural, earth tones flanked by two side tables.

A very rustic Louis Bookcase conjures images of Springtime antiquing trips!

I love the blue velvet used to cover these chairs. It adds a good dose of color to the neutral Louis Dining Table.

We wouldn't dare get rid of the Teak Root Coffee Table! It pairs perfectly with everything, including the Chester Sofa.

The very cool Dome Chair actually blocks out some of the noise when you sit in it! It would be an excellent book-reading chair!

Continuing the "Natural" theme with Tree Stump Sculptures atop the 9-Drawer Sideboard.

The fabric on these chairs is so soft. People couldn't help but touch them!

I think this area is my favorite. Adding a little greenery is always a good choice, whether it's real (in the mini-greenhouse) or fake (on the chair). The Bowling Desk is a great little writing desk, too!

Passers-by in the Galleria seemed to like the pieces we chose for the area. Hopefully, we'll impress them even more with next months vignette! We'll keep you posted!

This Just In!

I'm feeling like a kid in a candy store! A snippet of the amazing new fabrics we have...

These would look wonderful on my sofa... Reversible Horizon 9 Pillow, $46.50.

Last week, we received some delightfully spring-y fabrics by Amy Butler in our store. Whimsical prints! Unapologetically bold colors! Perfect for recovery from a dreary, gray winter! And the fun doesn't stop there...

Please send to me one of these Round Serving Bowls, posthaste!

You may wrap it in this medley of gift wraps. What a cheerful way to receive a gift!

If you do, I'll send you a thank you note on the Lucky Flowers Mix & Match Stationery.

Galleria Madness!

We set up shop at the Galleria a couple of weeks ago. Within our 400 square foot boundary, we set up vignettes to communicate the brand and essence of High Fashion Home. Here is our first attempt:

Our setup is between DeBeers and Christian Dior...Not too shabby.

The Houston Galleria is the 5th largest mall in the country.

Every man, woman, and child stops to look at the teak root coffee table.

The Angle Vases have been a huge hit.

The Victor Sectional kind of gives off a Mont Blanc vibe.

I'm betting $50 that she has some Starbucks coffee in her hands. This is my artistic photograph by the way.

The Laurel Dining Table has never looked better.

Don't let this picture fool you. The weekend traffic in the Galleria is bananas.

I average about 5 teas a day from the good folks at Teavana. Word on the street, ask them to do a recommended mix of tea flavors. I did it last Sunday, and it came out extra tasty.

Still Loving Suzani!

Elle Decor had a little suzani on it's cover. Love the sofa!

I'd love to add some suzani to my living room. Beautiful, colorful fabrics add a touch of bohemian to even the most classic room. The patterns are so gorgeous that just a little bit will go a long way. Suzani has been in for a couple of years now, but it doesn't show any signs of leaving, so grab a little bit where you can!

Portobello fabric from Rubie Green.

Rebecca Chair in Zankari Rhubarb by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams at High Fashion Home.

Photo via Rooms We Love on Flickr.

Carolina Herrera, Jr. obviously has a thing for Suzani. She used it on a table in one home for Domino and as drapes for another home in Vogue Living.

Suzani Sunburst Pillow from Anthropologie.

Just to Say "Thank You"

It's always nice to bring a host or hostess a little something to thank them for the entertaining efforts, but rather than picking up a random little something at the store, put your own touch on a gift.

I love reading Creature Comforts- such cute ideas and inspirations. This was one of my favorites: Wrap a couple of matchboxes in cute paper, add a label, tie with ribbon or yarn, and voila! A homemade gift that anyone, regardless of age or sex, can use. Pair it with a yummy candle and you're done!

A perfect complement: Voluspa Victorian Candle in Tuberosa Agave, $23

The It List: Our Editor's Top Furniture Picks!

Our own Design Guru has spoken. We even created an entire area on our website for his favorite furniture pieces. Here are his exclusive top furniture picks:

The Suzanne Chair: This luxurious green leather chair is a sure fire, attention-getter. It sits like heaven and has looks that kill. It's $799 for a top grain leather chair!

The Cassini Cabinet: Black and White stripes are very hot right now. There is a Beatlejuice-esque coolness to this designer piece.

The Angelina Sofa: First off it's $899, which is a great price for this stylish, eco-friendly sofa. Tight seat, tight back sofas tend to be less than comfortable. But the Angelina is definitely the exception and not the rule.

The Donnabella Chest: This Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, Art Deco inspired staple looks terrific in person. The great thing is that the piece is so versatile. You can use it as a night stand, place it in a hallway, or stick it in your living room. You can use it in traditional or transitional settings. It's got a cool, Hollywood glam vibe going for it.

The Shinto Office Armoire: It has been one of our best sellers since we opened the store 3 1/2 years ago. Made of solid walnut and using Chinese wood joinery techniques, this heirloom quality piece combines the best of form and function.

The Vivian Dining Table: Internally, we call this the Iron Man table. It's the desk that Robert Downey Jr. has in his office. All 47 of us loved the movie, and by default we love this table.

The Peking Dining Table: It's made out of reclaimed elm. This distressed dining table has a very nice, subtle turquoise base. It gives off a very comfortable vibe, yet it makes for a style statement.

The Melina Bed: It's a very simple, low bed with a tufted headboard. The bed can work in contemporary, traditional, or transitional settings. The linen-look fabric is actually 100% polyester. It makes for a very practical fabric cover, and it upholsters beautifully on the headboard.

The Selma Chair: The rich crewel fabric and nubuck leather sides will work beautifully in cottage and ranch style homes.

The Eileen Chair: The floral gray print makes the chair feel both feminine and masculine at the same time.

The Dexter Sofa: The cognac colored velvet looks so rich on this frame. The button back with the tuxedo arms gives off a very sophisticated and refined feel.

Trees Make a World of Difference!

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.

Fashion vs. Furniture: The Resort Edition

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.

The Monaco Leather Chaise is the perfect timeless chaise to go anywhere and do anything for you (short of doing your laundry). It's so versatile, it can work anywhere you need it to! Now that's what I call getting your money's worth. Think of this Isaac Mizrahi dress in the same way. Dress it up, dress it down, take it to work, to dinner, to any place around town. A very smart buy.

Sometimes you just need something basic. No wild prints, no frills, no embellishments. Just a well made, simple, neutral piece. The Clifton Lounge certainly fills that hole, and Calvin Klein built his career on simplicity. When it works, it works!

Of course, sometimes you want something with a little sex appeal. Curves are universally appealing, whether it's a woman in Versace or the Earl Chaise. They don't say, "If you've got it, flaunt it" for nothing!

The (Not So) Secret Garden

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 @ High Fashion Home; Sunflower Flock Pillow @ CB2.

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! Part One!

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.

Will you be my Valentine??

Valentine's Day is only 17 days away and counting so I've listed a few ideas for your special someone in case you've completely wrecked your brains!!

A romantic night in is always a safe bet! Everyone loves chocolate, wine, and a long hot bath. What would this lovely situation be without candles!?A romantic fusion of the exotic spices and precious woods of His and the blend of Tahitian vanilla and spun sugar of Hers. His and Hers Blend Quickies burn for 5 hours each. $24.00

A simple cooked dinner or take-out can be just the ticket from a stressful week and a perfect get-away for your special somone so why not set the mood with simmering, soul music?

Try out one of our cd's called "Midnight Soul 3"--I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. :) $28.00

I personally find coupons for a free car wash or a movie night a really great idea to give anyone for Valentine's Day but we carry an item with a new twist on this sentimental gift.

No explanation needed. $5.95

Board games like Monopoly, Cranium or Pictionary are always fun for two or for a house full. Even a good game of cards is worth while so this next item could be something you couples might want to try out.

Truth or Dare is perfect and might bring you down memory lane (except on cards!). $16.95

Office Space

I did a little furniture rearranging this week with my husband. Since we have yet to entertain a single soul in our apartment, we repurposed the dining "room" into an office for me. I had been using a small rectangular table from Ikea as a dining table that magically transformed into a desk once I pushed it against the wall. We gave three of the four dining chairs to charity with the idea that we'll dinate the fourth once I find a cute and comfy desk chair to replace it.

With this project in mind all weekend, I thought about desk/chair combinations. I like to mix the look up a little bit- industrial with earthy, traditional with modern, you get the gist. Here are five that I came up with. I hope they inspire you!

Go-Cart Desk, $149 + Trig File Cabinet, $179 @ CB2; Pattern Bent Wood Chair in Coffee @ Brocade Home, $199

Shelby Desk @ High Fashion Home, $1595; Louis Ghost Chair in Crystal @ High Fashion Home, $410

Latham Desk @ Crate & Barrel, $599; Terai Folding Chair in Floral Stripe @ Anthropologie, $198

Mondo Compact Office Armoire @ High Fashion Home, $1749; Wireback Chair in Black @ High Fashion Home, $159

Sawhorse Worktable @ West Elm, $449; Kiki Slipcovered Side Chair @ High Fashion Home, $438

HF Weekly Obsession: Sparkle!

I'm really into Moroccan-inspired decor and so I love these light fixtures! My absolute favorite is the turquoise teardrop shaped one below...

Pictures don't do justice to the brilliant blue, so you'll have to come see it for yourself. The brass ones would look very chic in an outdoor entertaining space, and I'd love to hang one of the blue ones over an end table in place of a table lamp. The Marrakech lamps come in four colors and several sizes ranging from $299-489.

Weekly Obsession: Leave the Light On

See that ornate crystal chandelier hanging out in the background? Sometimes that hits the spot, but sometimes it's just too much. That's why I'm more interested in the simple glass cylinder in the foreground. An old-timey light bulb adds some interest, but it's great either way. Picture a row of them hanging over a kitchen island or a group of them hanging over a dining table at various heights. Imagine the possibilities!

Luminaries Glass Hanging Cylinder, $189 at High Fashion Home.

Stuff Your Stocking! Part Two

I hope you enjoyed part one of the Stocking Stuffer Gift Guide, but if you didn't, maybe these will win your over! Twenty-five more tiny treasures for someone you love (or at least kind of like). Take a peek...

From top left, by row:

Tarina Tarantino Large Oval Cocktail Ring at Zappos, $92 (duh! Free shipping!)

Viva Terra Organic Chocolate Truffles, $36

Suck Uk Hymn Book iPod Case, available at High Fashion Home, $26

Pluma Feather Headband in Blue at Revolve, $48 (Other colors available and so in style!)

Pottery Barn & SurEvolution Frangipani Server Set, $27

Umbra iPod Nano Bungee in Blue, about $11

Uncommon Goods On/Off Duty Pillowcase Set, $32 (For those new parents!)

Victoria's Secret Pink Cotton Button-front Hipster in All Heart, about $8

White House/Black Market Grey Glass Pearl Starburst Pin, $41

Lutz & Patmos Cable Pillow Cover at West Elm, $39 (Don't forget a pillow insert!)

Benefit "That Gal" Face Brightening Primer at Ulta, $28

Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel at Sephora, $45

Ikea Skimmer 11" Candlestick, $10 (Buy one of each size and mix them!)

Pier 1 Notepads, $6 each

Chef'n Garlic Zoom at Sur la Table, $10

Melissa Joy Manning Chain Wrapped Amethyst Drop Earrings at Shop Bop, about $88

Urban Outfitters Mix Tape Flash Drive, $15 (Add your own personalized mix!)

Williams-Sonoma Olive Wood Salt Keeper, $49

Papyrus Rainbow Swirl with Glitter Thank You Notes, $10

ZGallerie "Not Yours" Luggage Tag, $7

Oneida Set of 4 Cheese Spreaders, $20

Melie Bianco Diagonal Zip Clutch at Piperlime, $59

Restoration Hardware Rubik's Cube, about $10 (Everyone has to have one of these!)

MoMa Mini Sky Umbrella at Target, $35

RabLabs Agate Coaster Set of 4 at High Fashion Home, $59

Merry Christmas!

Stuff Your Stocking! Part One

On the hunt for miniature gifts to put in a loved one's stocking? Look no further! There are only 9 more days until Christmas, and I'm giving you 50 ideas to finish up your shopping. From five dollars to four hundred dollars, I've gotcha covered this holiday! And the best part? All of these things are available online. That means no battling the packed parking lots and insane register lines. That's my Christmas gift to you!

From top right, by row:

American Apparel Opaque Pantyhose in Golden Poppy, $14

Anthropologie Initial Pocket Mirror, $14

Apple 8gb iPod Nano in Yellow, $149 (psst! You can engrave it for FREE!!!)

Banana Republic Men's Deerskin Wool/Cashmere Lined Gloves in Brown, $79

Barnes & Noble Twilight by Stephenie Meyer audio book, $21 (Come on, I had to!)

Rayban Aviator Sunglasses in Silver from Barneys Co-op, $130

Slatkin & Co. Scentportable in Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin at Bath & Body Works, $5 (I have it! Smells Fantastic!)

Garmin Nuvi 265WT Portable GPS Navigator at Bed Bath & Beyond, $350

Sony Cybershot Digital Camera at Best Buy, $400

The Body Shop Invent Your Scent, $15

Noel by Josh Groban at Borders, about $13 (His version of "O Holy Night" makes me melt!)

Brooks Brothers Repp Tie, $75

CB2 Stainless Steel Snack Bowls, $11-20

Claire's Nailpolish Set, $10

Coach Hamptons Signature French Purse, $198

The Container Store "That Laptop is Mine" Organizer, $12

Crate & Barrel Sliding Tea Infuser, $7

Dylan's Candy Bar Gourmet Pretzels, $34 (Big time Yum!)

Forever 21 "Evita" Satin Clutch, $16

Gap White Reindeer Boxers, $9

High Fashion Home Luke Skywalker Mimbot USB Port, $40 (We've also got Hans and Leia!)

James Avery Jingle Bell Charm in Sterling Silver, $33

J. Crew Metallic Foil Skinny Belt, $38

Kate Spade "Jane Street" Debra Organizer, $165

MICHAEL Michael Kors Slouchy Leather Gloves, $170

Stay tuned for another 25 ideas in tomorrow's part two!

Chester Goes to the Eye Doctor!

This is by far the coolest optometry clinic I've ever seen. When the customer mentioned that they were going to use the Chester Sofa in a TSO store, I thought the sofa would probably be under-appreciated and overkill in an optometry clinic. It probably still is overkill, but overkill has never looked so chic!

Stars Wars USB Coming Soon to a Tree Near You!

Luke, Han Solo, Princess Leia, and many of the Star Wars characters have been miniaturized and USB'd. The Stars Wars USB from Mimoco have a limited run of 3500, so you should go ahead and stock up for all of your loved ones. Also, every time you insert your USB, your favorite character will say a line from the movie. How cool is that?

Princess Leia: Rocking the Buns!

Han Solo USB: Harrison Ford has never looked so young.

Luke Skywalker USB: Where is Mark Hamil now?

HF Weekly Obsession: Right On Time

I need a clock. I don't really have a clock in the living room, except on the DVR menu and if the TV isn't on, I can't see what time it is. That's quite frustrating. And so, I plan on buying a clock. Grandfather clocks are too big and the roman numerals are annoying to read. This clock, above, is cool and minimalist and easy for slackers to read. It's really just a chunk of wood with a power cord attached, but plug it in and red LED lights appear from behind the thin veneer displaying the time! File that one under "How the heck did they do that?". At $176, it won't break the bank, and all of your friends can ooh and ahh over your uber-stylishness. And that's priceless.
Wood LED Clock at High Fashion Home.

Is Your Upper Lip Feeling... Naked?

A mustachioed wedding... So that's what mine was missing!

Does anyone else notice that the most random things seem to take off overnight and become full-fledged uber trends? Men have rocked facial hair of centuries, so why, all of a sudden, are people going gaga over mustaches? Let's discuss...

Mustache March

Growing your mustache is the latest way to raise money for charity. What happened to the good, old-fashioned car wash? Google "mustache for charity" and you'll get over 300,000 hits about the subject. Here are a couple to get your started:

Mustaches for Kids

Movember (sponsored by Canadian Club- maker of this hilarious ad. Oh, and beer.)

Michael Phelp's (America's swimming sweetheart) rocked a pornstache at the Olympics. 'Nuff said.


Mustache Hankie from Avrilloreti

If you're follicly challenged, a chick, or just don't want to deal with the upkeep, you have Mo options, too. Don't grow a scraggly trash stache! Just fake it.

Stylish Mustache Kit at High Fashion Home

Mustache on a Stick from Something's Hiding Here

Mustache Pint Glass from Bread and Badger

The moral of this story is, "Put a mustache on anything and it instantly becomes cooler". Feel free to experiment with little mustaches cut out of black paper. Put one on your dog, your girlfriend, your boss (wait until after your performance review for that one). Watch the hilarity ensue.

The Tom Selleck at Plan B Bar in Chicago. See the resemblance?

Mustachioed art. Hang that in your entryway.

And now, grow forth...

My wishy wishy list.

It's almost that time. I know this for a fact because I work retail and that means that when Santa rolls on through at the end of the Macy's parade it is officially the holiday season no holds barred. By last month, I had my holiday window display fully formulated and plan of action in place. I have more magazines in my mailbox and email inbox alerts singing the praises of the how to's for the fastest/ juiciest/ healthiest etc. turkey preparation. Brine, don't brine, breasts only, infuse, citrus, stuff, don't stuff... And please do not get me started on the best cookies of the season. I have my own tried and true recipe, but I try all the new ones every time. I am a holiday sucker. Growing up in NYC, my Mom and Grandma would pick my little sister and me up from school the Friday before holiday vacation, layer us in thermals, lacquer our faces in Vaseline to prevent chapping and we would make our pilgrimage on the subway from Flushing, Queens into Manhattan to see the windows and the tree in Rockefeller Center. The day would not have been complete without the ubiquitous pretzels from the street vendor and some hot chocolate. New York holiday bliss!
But I digress... It seems that the last ten years working in retail display, attacking holiday merchandising plans in August and installing all week prior to Thanksgiving (no rest for the weary ha ha) has not made me the Grinch you might suspect, but quite frankly the opposite. In fact, I am working on my indie holiday music mix now to play on my ipod while I apply vinyl lettering to our windows. Call it a whistle while you work approach.
So, in the spirit of the season (and I do work retail, soooo a bit consumeristic in my approach today) may I present my wish list part one. And yes, I did say part one. And yes, it is random because it is after all a wish list!

The Tall Sapien Bookshelf from Design Within Reach has an amazingly small footprint which would be fabulous for my studio apartment. In fact, I have a space set out already just waiting for this bookshelf to come home. I just can't decide whether I want white or gray. I did request this for my birthday but alas, no one took me up on it. So it remains on the list hint hint!

The Loeffler Randall Olivia D-ring flat boot and the Tashkent by Cheyenne Florent Hidden Platform Bootie are both available at ShopBop. (Two pairs of black boots are not unreasonable... One is a flat, and the other is a heeled bootie! So obviously different!) And while on ShopBop, check out the scalloped leather LAMB booties with the peep toe. I would be happy with these as well. (size 7.5 fyi)

The Alexander Girard Wooden Dolls available at DWR are actually on the top of my list. I have been obsessed with the quirky dolls for years and would live to have one (or preferably 2) on my bookshelf. I do have my favorites, but I promise not to be picky and adore whatever one you wish to bestow upon me!

This Charcoal Water Pitcher from DWR filters water using Iouseki stones and Binchotan charcoal to create filtered, mineral-rich water! Stones! I will have the coolest water filter pitcher around. And eco friendly! My ongoing quest to impress my jaded "been there, done that" friends continues! Onward... (please pause to insert evil genius laugh here) Besides it just looks so chic. I am smitten with the Beam Coffee Table from High Fashion Home. It's clean lines and juxtaposition of polished metal and reclaimed peroba wood is eye catching and stylish.

HF Weekly Obsession: The White Stuff

I have a vision for my future. One day, I'll get a cute little home in the Houston suburbs and thoughtfully decorate it. Of course, my family room will be stain proof, mess proof, and every other kind of proof you can imagine, but I'll have a room of my own in which to use my favorite color palette: white with white with white. I see shabby chic white living rooms in decorating magazines and wish I could do that. But, messy husbands and (future) kids dictate that white furniture is not in the cards. In the house in which I grew up, my sisters and I knew that playing and spilling was done only in the Family Room, and the Living Room was for holidays and adults only. Mom wouldn't appreciate a Kool-aid stain in her nice white carpet. So maybe I can have my cloud-hued dream room. First, I'll invest in this:

Sharp, white leather in a grid tufted pattern with modern chrome legs would make the perfect cocktail table in front of a white sofa. Rex Bench by American Leather.

After my white room is complete, I'll throw a party serving only clear liquids (as in that episode of Sex and the City), and then install a gate to keep out the Kool-aid!

One Sofa, Four Ways

I've been pondering something: Why do people with already fantastic style hire stylists? Why do people with impeccable taste hire designers? I think I know the answer (and no, it's not for a lack of time, though that could be a reason as well). Sometimes you need a second opinion. I see things from my own perspective and it can be hard to look beyond that. But I could bring in another opinion (a stylish sister, perhaps) and an idea that never occurred to me comes to life!

I thought about the way we accessorize new arrivals in our store. No two people design vignettes the same way, but can get equally dazzling results. With that in mind, I gathered two of my fellow bloggers to help me in accessorizing a plain jane sofa for the benefit of you- the reader. Who knows, maybe you'll take our second, third, and fourth opinions as the inspiration for your redesigned living room!

First, our plain jane sofa, ready for action:

The Aiden Sofa makes a perfect blank canvas with which to begin our work, $1849.

And, here are the results:

Sarah's Idea

Elliot Chair, $2699; Organic Cocktail Table, $1209; Arden Side Table, $389; Jet Set Black Silk Pillows, $50 each; Carmine Persimmon Velvet Pillow $68; Bamboo Vase, $189; Pomegranate Room Diffuser, $40.

Stephanie's Idea:

Cedric Cocktail Table, $695; Cedric End Table, $450; Remington Adjustable Stool, $369 each; Wilton Antique Rust Table Lamp, $89.95; Horse Drawn Wagon, $59; Caswell Red Pepper Pillow, $110; Caswell Fudge Pillow, $90; Guava Wood Pedestal Medium, $19.95; Guava Wood Pedestal Small, $13.95.

Brian's Idea:

Leather Earl Chair, $1589; Copenhagen Coffee Table, $609; Carioca End Table, call for pricing; Skyler Lamp, $209; Cowhide Pillow, $99; Sage Mohair Pillow, $140; Zecar Flywheel Car, $12; Awika Wind-Up, $12; Newton's Cradle, $6.50.

Jennifer's Idea:

Exposition Chair, $1429: Sukiya Coffee Table, $999; Soriano Side Table, $199; Whirl Bronze Pillow, $110; Plaza Aqua Pillow, $75.

All items are available at High Fashion Home.

These aren't your normal misfit toys (Part 1)....

Here comes Santa Claus, here come Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus Lane!! Christmas is coming sooner than you may think. Here are some cool tchotchkes that we fully stock and are ready for immediate order!

Dart Coat Hooks, Set of 3, $32.95

Guys tend to decorate their bachelor pads in the "coolest" stuff they can find. I think these dart coat hangers oughta do it.

Decanter Vinoglobe, $13.95

I dunno about you but almost my whole family drinks wine at dinner so when we received these decanters, I thought it would be the perfect gift at a infinitesimal price for those winos!

Sign & Seal, $11.95

Tired of using your personalized, uber expensive pen set? Yeah, we've got a neat upgrade. The pen spins too--cool, eh?

Driinn, $6.95

This next gift idea would have to be one of the best ever! Reason being...everyone has a cell phone...which, of course, requires charging and that annoying cord that always takes up so much space and gets tangled--mine drives me crazy, as you can tell. This little gadget helps minimize all the hassle and attaches to the outlet using the charger itself! So yeah, I just helped you with about 8 people's gifts, easy cheesy.

Beer Bands Bombed, $6.95

Another great one for my peeps who enjoy alcohol, particularly beer. It always gets confusing when no one remembers who's beer is who's but...no worries! Beer bands will solve your problem. Choose a word like ripped or polluted and that is officially yours. Back away, that's my beer!

Cool Jewels Ice Tray Cube, $7.95

Do you know any female that likes to throw girly parties? I know a few and they would all be ecstatic to receive this as a gift. Basically, it's your classic ice tray except the ice cube molds are in the shape of jewels--no more cubed or crushed, gimme diamonds!!

Giant Stainless Hip Flask, $27.00

Why settle for the typical 8 ounce flask when you can use the big daddy, stainless steel, 18 ounce hip flask!?

Family Guy Monopoly, $39.95

The only show in Fox Television history to be resurrected twice...Family Guy! Now as a monopoly game so if you can't get enough of the TV show, here's the perfect gift for you!

One Man Shy Lamp, $120.00

This is probably the most interesting lamp I've ever seen. This light is controlled by the switch protruding from Mr. P's (FYI- Mr. P. is the lamp's name) body. You might have to look twice.

Easy Rider Chopper, $59.00

Last but not least! I thought this would be a great gift for someone who loves motorcycles or anyone who likes to collect vintage pieces. Other vintage items that we carry include airplaces, horse drawn carriages, armor, fire engines, pirate ships, and lots more! So come and take a look, you can get all your Christmas shopping done in one place!

HF Weekly Obsession: I'm In Love With A Sofa...

This is a recent addition to the High Fashion floor and I'm in love. So modern! So cozy! So... tufted! It would definitely be a stand out piece wherever it goes. My favorite feature is that it can be uber-modern (shown here with super low stainless steel coffee tables) or tres-eclectic (I'm seeing white laquered baroque tables with jewel tone accessories). And, if black leather isn't your thing, it also comes in white. Three words: Fab U Lous.

For more info about the Diamond Sofa, click here.

More Bang for Your Buck

On The Rocks Sofa from Moss.

Harper's Bazaar ran an article recently entitled "Gucci or Gas?". They discussed the effect our economy is having on consumers' ability to purchase big-ticket items or "investment pieces". Accompanying the article, they showed how you could purchase an entire outfit for the cost of one pair of Louboutins. So I decided to do a little experiment.

Take a look at the sofa above. Cool? Modern? Minimalist? Yes, yes, and yes. It's also $21, 170. Now, let's see what else you could get with that much money...

Lemme break it down for you.
21,170 dollars will buy you one sofa from Moss or...
The Dexter Sectional $4599
An Antiqued Gold Mirror $316
Two Arden End Tables $718
An 8'x10' Clyde Rug $1479
The Dylan Entertainment Console $3299
Two Exposition Leather Chairs $2658
The Hector Cocktail Table $2069
An LG 52" LCD TV from Best Buy $2600
A Mercury Glass Lamp $309
A Meurice Pendant Lamp $339
The Ventana Vista Bookshelf $1349
Three Polar Cream Pillows $129
A Wool Trenchcoat from BR Monogram $500
A pair of Ebony Boots by Via Spiga $375
A Madelena handbag from Hobo International $388
And a one-hour massage at Massage Envy for all of your hard work $39.
And you'd still have enough left for a Starbucks.

You do the math.

All items are from High Fashion Home unless otherwise noted.

Your Chair is Hairy!

Rather than the requisite throw pillow on a chair, people are getting hairy by throwing fur throws on seats. My findings began here...

...at the Absolut Icebar in Copenhagen. These fur covered seats serve a purpose- prevent frostbitten drinkers...

I spied this furry little pillow in our store- I can pick one up after work!

I wouldn't mind being Julianne Moore's stylist- she got this almost $2000 chair as a gift from the actress. Photo via Domino.

The cream fur is a striking contrast to a vibrant plum chair. Photo via Domino.

Chartreuse deuce (or should I say, Two stool with chartreuse fur cushions). Wild.
Photo via Elle Decor.

With winter coming up, now is the perfect time to move your decor into cold weather mode. And a fur throw is the purr-fect place to start.

Higher (Design) Education

Soon the kiddies will be back in school and that time always bring up fond memories for me. Wearing the perfect outfit (complete with tights even though its 90 degrees outside) on the first day, a new Trapper Keeper (oh yeah!), putting together my Lunchables before chowing down. Those were the days! This working stuff with no summers off... I just don't know (kidding, boss!). I want to relive those glory day without resorting to enrolling in high school again. So I turned to a few of my favorite shops and design magazines to help me bring back my ABC's and 123's.

1, 7. Review your primary colors courtesy of CB2: 1. Hotline Dining Table, $399 7. Sol Pendant Lamp, $100
2. Reminisce about evenings in the stacks with a classic tufted library sofa: Chester Sofa by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams at High Fashion Home, $1949
3. Get the lofted bed minus the annoying dorm roommate: photo from Apartment Therapy New York.
4. Don't let things slip through the cracks- paint a small wall with blackboard paint (we got our from Benjamin Moore) and remember to keep the chalk nearby!
5. You always did get gold stars on your work. You've earned this gold star, too: Mini Sunburst Mirror at High Fashion Home, $130
6. Tartan plaid conjures images of school uniforms- before Britney went and ruined them. A warm tartan throw on the end of your bed is perfect for chilly fall nights. Muted Blue Stewart throw from The Scottish Weaver, $70
8. Hit the books, or at least keep yours organized. I love the recessed, arched bookshelves with the books organized by color. Photo from Elle Decor.
9. This has to be my absolute favorite desk from our store. I can picture it perfectly: Sitting on a Ghost chair, typing blogs on my laptop with a pretty bud vase of peonies sitting closeby. Someday... Shelby Desk by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams at High Fashion Home, $1595

Mosaic Model Apartment

This past week, the renegade interior stylist team at High Fashion Home was let loose upon the Mosaic, a new high rise residential tower in Houston. Yours truly the D*signAddict along with SarahWithStyle were given an empty model apartment to decorate with High Fashion Home furniture and accessories.

We had a blast picking out paint colors and putting together the two bedroom model. We wished we didn't have to leave when it was over and we could move in! Success!!!!!

A night view of the ambient lighting in the living room.

Apartment 120005 Living Room

View from living room to dining.

Another view of living room at night.

Dining area and desk. The wall paint is marigold by Benjamin Moore.
Chalkboard wall in kitchen with a recipe for blueberry pie. Thats D*signAddicts hand. Thanks SarahwithStyle!

View from living are into guest bedroom.

Guest Bedroom.

Guest Bathroom.

Accent wall also painted in marigold.

Dining area looking into master bedroom.

Serene master bedroom.

Master bedroom.

master bath

HF Weekly Obsession:

I put this little vignette together just for this photo. Something classic (the tufted 1430 Loveseat from Lee Industries in Tampa Slate), a couple things organic (the Organic Cocktail Table and the Twig Table in Brass & Black Granite), and something geometric (the Tommorrowland Rug). Mix these pieces for an adult and striking living room combination. Then tell the kids to stay in the playroom.

Be Bold!

If you were ever interested in getting a first hand peek at what High Fashion Home really looks like, here is a little video that was recently shot showing a good cross section of our furniture and fabrics.

high fashion home

HF Weekly Obsession: Minimalist Impact

The Tahoe Dining Table by Maria Yee

Call it warm minimalism. Warm: Rustic, textural RidgeBamboo in earthy shades of brown sits atop Minimalist: Curved steel legs in a brushed nickel finish. The shape says simple, but the materials say splendor. And this style is about as eco-friendly as you can get with fast-growing bamboo. Luckily, it shouldn't be too hard to fit this piece in with your current decor.

The Dotted Line

Everything's covered in holes. Not the rat-chewed-through-the-sheets kinda holes. Intentional, strategically placed holes. Like eyelet, but not as sugary. If you're considering a change this summer, get perforated.

Dunham china by Ralph Lauren (from Vogue Living)
Meri Side Table at High Fashion Home

Sheets from Garnet Hill

Faux Bois for Mois!

As our world heads away from the space age to the more earthy eco-chic, the entire aesthetic of design has shifted. Not only do accessories have to be environmentally healthy, but it helps if they look the part as well. I know I've already write a couple of blogs on hot faux bois accessories on the market, but with so many great new options coming out, yet again, I can't limit myself! I have to do justice to the faix bois.

Michael Aram for Waterford: Crystal Pitcher $325 and Medium Lidded Box $95

Bronze Sapling Serving Utensils $70 (at High Fashion Home)

Nobilis: Papier Bois

Chilewich: Woodgrain Floormats

Twig Table $329 (at High Fashion Home)

Fashion vs. Furniture

Once again, you can look to your wardrobe to inspire your home decor and vice versa. Although, this time around, your dressers and bookcases are doing to work. Take your cues from the pieces we love and the pieces you have to make your look totally cohesive. You'll be that completely "together" friend that all your friends look up to (aka "are jealous of").


Look #1:

You've led a privileged life and that's nothing to be ashamed of. An elegant Southern mansion filled with priceless antiques and pristine first editions deserves the best. The Directoire Modular Bookcase from Grange complements that life of literary leisure that you are so accustomed to. And for those evenings when you thrown sophisticated soirees in said library, the gown, below, from Carolina Herrera will be true to your polished roots.








Look #2:

You're the contemporary, worldly type. While other kids were heading to Cancun for Spring Break, you were exploring Thailand. While other new parents want their kids to learn one foreign language, you take it for granted that your kids will be fluent in at least four. Your style is a mixture of all of your travels. The cultures you've seen, the people you've met, and the cities you've lived in. The Menlo Dresser, by Maria Yee, possesses that well-traveled, modern style without overpowering the rest of your belongings. Paired with a chic minidress from Vivienne Tam, you're ready for your next big outing- a night on the town.






Look #3:

Yes, you would consider yourself a fashionista, but never avant garde. You love glamour and getting dressed up is your favorite pasttime. When you get home from work, you get out of that boring corporate straight jacket and slip into satin and lace. You watch the Oscars every year. Your curves are absolutely your best asset. The Elisabeth Buffet from Oly mimics that Old Hollywood style that you so love. A floaty, feminine frock from Alberta Ferretti brings your red carpet fantasies to life.






Look #4:

Your home is important to you. You know? Earth. High design isn't enough for you. It better be eco-friendly as well. You like an organic look, but that doesn't mean you're going to run around in Birkenstocks. You don't have to sacrifice your style for your principles anymore. First of all, there's the Beam Bed by Environment. Made from Peroba wood which is recycled from old barns and buildings in Brazil, and accented with metal beams, it's the common link between fashion and environment. Then there are the amazing designs from 3.1 Phillip Lim. They are made from organic materials so that you can feel good about your debt-incurring shopping habit.






Look #5:

You're an intelligent lady. Emphasis on the L-A-D-Y. You love nothing more than curling up in a chair with a good book. But what about penning your own bestseller? There's only one way to accomplish that feat- a stylish, vintage-inspired writing desk. Don't worry about the fact that rather than quill and ink, you're tapping away at a laptop. The Shelby Desk by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams will adapt to whatever your medium- with style. To make your writing experience more ladylike, the dress below, from Behnaz Sarafpour, will be just lovely.

Sprig: Good Wood for a Green and Gorgeous Home

Legian Bed: Harvested mahogany combined with a stunning design.

Sprig.com was kind enough to highlight our Legian Bed. If you haven't checked out their site, it's pretty cool. Sprig.com's mission is to find eco-friendly alternative products without compromising great style and design. If you like shopping green, think of Sprig.com as your very own personal eco-shopper.

Notes From The Design Team: Soar Into Summer

Silk Embellished Kites

Summer doesn't officially start until the 28th, but here in Houston it has felt hot enough to be summer for months. The display team is dreaming of vacations and blue skies and tropical get-a-ways. Since our thoughts were already on vacation we thought we would have a little creative fun with our atrium. With such beautiful fabrics on hand we decided to make kites!

Our first attempt at the kite hanging was a fiasco bordering on a circus involving five team members, four spools of mono filament fishing wire and a weaving acrobatic routine high above the atrium not altogether unlike a maypole dance. The kites looked great and definitely "soared" up through the space in formation, but they were overshadowed by the webs of fishing wire we used to suspend them.





So, all the kites came down and we brainstormed. The best solution was to make use of our beautiful sheer fabrics and create swooping fabric swags from one floor to the next. We attached the kites and simplified the tails. Installing was a much simpler affair. The effect is still the same as before, but the fabric definitely accentuates the height of the open space better. The sheer quality is reminiscent of hazy summer days and the color is close enough to the blues of the Caribbean to keep us grounded for a little longer.

HF Weekly Obsession: Writer's Block

Sometimes furniture surprises you. What seems like one thing turns out to be another thing completely. Take, for example, this:

An unassuming chest of drawers (though quite beautiful). But, turn the top key and...

Surprise! Hidden drawers to store your writing treasures. Though they are a bit hard to reach. Let me just...

Ah, there we go! What was previously a chest of drawers to hold mundane things like socks and underwear is now a haven for your literary pursuits. It has drawers for everything you need: your quill and ink, parchment, ink blotter... er... laptop and the occasional pen and paper. Can't you just feel the inspiration bubbling up?

The Memoire Claude Bernard Desk by Grange is available here, at High Fashion Home.

Store Display: Yellow Wall

Here is our latest store display located on the 3rd floor from our visual design team. The bold yellow color with the Hollywood Glam elements makes for a very striking statement.

The Bovary Dining Table has a patterned limestone top with antique brass legs.

When there are 15,000 fabrics to work with, it allows you the chance to put up gorgeous drapes wherever you want.

The Chandler Leather Sectional in a new, true white leather.

The HF List: High Point 2008: Best of the Rest!

For my final installment, I'd just like to show y'all a few things that really caught my eye. Market is a time when people bring out their best creations. For some companies, that is the new "It" sofa. For others, it is something creative and wacky that they just had to create. But whatever it is, market is a time for showing off. Here are my favorites:

I am obsessed with this ottoman. I know my Weekly Obsessions are usually things that I see in the store, but I am still obsessed with this ottoman- just from the pictures. It's the perfect size for coffee table use, the fabric is so cool and fresh in a vintage way, and the legs are the icing on the cake. I may have to hunt this one down if it doesn't come to our store.

Talk about urban cowboy. This rug is just awesome. Squares of hide patched together to create a hide over rug look. Pure genius.

I don't think this picture does this desk justice. But put this desk in a room with white walls and delicate slipcovered sofas and something magic happens. Great for a beach inspired home.

We already have a piece similar to this one in our store, but the antique white finish doesn't have the bang that the dark finish with pink interior piece does. You can even use this piece as an inspiration for something you already have.

Antiqued mirror is my best friend lately. I would love to put the Donnabella Chest in my entryway with this mirror over it. Too much? I think not.

While I wouldn't consider myself modern by any means, I love adding modern touches to my home and this light fixture would be a nice addition. It looks ethereal with the light streaming through the slits. Hot mod!

The HF List: High Point 2008: Best of Occasional Tables

What is there to say about occasional tables? Do they rise to the occasion when they are needed for drink holding? Do they celebrate the occasion during the holidays? Do they occasionally bore you to death? These occasional tables certainly will not. Read on...

I think the reason I like so much is it reminds me of an antique fridge my parents have in their living room that is used as their liquor cabinet. It has a couple spaces for storing food and one small space on the bottom for a block of ice to keep the food cold. How cool! So anyways, this chest/armoire thing reminds me of that. When it came to our store, it turned out to be much larger than I expected, but it's adorable nonetheless.

I like the look of combining two materials into one piece like this inlaid coffee table. Two contrasting finishes mean a more versatile piece for you. And, while they shape itself is plain, the contrast adds interest.

Another piece I fell in love with when it arrived at our store. I just love the unique shape of the corner doors. This would be perfect for a large entryway or a dining room. Say goodbye to your boring rectangular buffet and bring this in...



Unless the rectangular buffet happens to be this! Mirrors make a buffet lively and make your room look larger by adding depth. Another vintage modern piece that strikes gold!

Speaking of vintage modern, the white laquered top on this bar table would be perfect if you're looking to inject a little 60's into your home. Personally, I've been hoping to find the perfect white laquered piece to bring into my eclectic apartment for a while now and this just might be it...
Or I could forgo that and bring this in! Now this is a well done ottoman. Ignore the fabric if you don't like zebra because you can choose from, like, a bajillion fabrics. The delicate turned legs, sophisticated tufting, and extra large size make it perfect for that boudoir you've been working on! I would lounge on it with one of those long cigarette holders in my mouth blowing smoke rings... if I smoked... which I don't because it's gross.

For the final installment: Best of the Random Things That Don't Really Have A Home, But Are Great Anyways And I Have To Show Them To You. (I'll think of an alternative title before I publish that one.)

How To: Shop For Leather Furniture

I'll be honest. Shopping for leather can be a daunting task. A leather sofa isn't just another sofa. It's an investment. However, if you shop smart, you can enjoy a piece that will last a lifetime. A prime example: my parents have had their leather sofa for over 20 years! While other sofas have come and gone, been recovered, and given to Goodwill, that leather set has stood the test of time.

The Vivian Sofa by American Leather

First of all, you should be prepared to pay more for a great leather sofa. Don't be lured in by promises of an $800 sofa. That is not a good deal! Why? Because it probably isn't constructed well and the leather itself is probably poor quality. Sometimes things are too good to be true. A good leather sofa that will last needs to be built well and covered with a good quality leather. Here are the things you should look for:

1. Full Top Grain Leather: This type of leather is the strongest, best quality you can get. That's why it's more expensive. It has natural markings on it's surface even if it's been aniline dyed. A sofa made of full top grain leather will last. What you don't want is a sofa made of split leather. The split is the underlayer of a cow's hide. It has no natural grain, so any markings will have been embossed. It is weaker and less durable than full top grain leather.

The Dexter Sofa by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams

2. Aniline Dyed Leather: Aniline dyed means that the dye is dispersed throu