Birds of a Feather Flock Together at least at the NYIGF

Flown in straight from Europe it seems that this market’s show theme is Feather Mania. If it has not been in your daughter’s hair as an extension, it has been plucked straight from an exotic peacock, ostrich or neighborly rooster. Feathers have hit the home market this season in runway style. Whether this trend has shown up tribal, French or stark modern (did I say mad?) it is a hard one to resist. I have been a feather fan since I was a little girl and this fad has tickled me young again. Fancy these favorite home finds:

Couture Dreams: A new line at the NYIGF showcasing the Chi Chi Petal tablecloth.
Grace and Blake: Feathered Chandelier. I MUST have this for my master bedroom.

   

Dransfield and Ross: Ostrich pillow
Pluma Cubic: Rooster Feather Floor Lamp

 

and last but not least, the most original. The Solitaire Punkah. If you have never heard of a Punkah it is the Hindi word for Fan. Oliver Kessler’s interpretation of the extinct Punkah Fan now motorized and customizable for your space. You have got to check out this You Tube Video it gave me a good laugh:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFhvTTiSSWk

Perfectly Coueffed

I have been meaning to get to my blog for months with one simple mission at hand, to rave about a new product line called “Couef” by Jamie Schactel.  I first saw Jamie’s perfectly Coiffed, Couefs at the New York Gift Show. Her show space was jamming with excited buyers who all had to have one of Jamie Schactel’s multi-functional, aesthetically beautiful poufs. I love these little ottomans. Not only for their pure ingenuity and design appeal but because a designer designed these. As a designer, my first reaction I have to admit was a pang of jealously. (How did she do it? Why didn’t I think of that? Felllow designers, I am sure you can all relate). But once past the intitial envy my emotions turned to pure support. It’s one thing to develop something for namesake but another to create something that is so flawless that even another designer has to have it. Kudos to Jamie Schactel for creating the perfect Couef. Find it at www.couef.com

 

Discriminating Teens and Tweens Take a Look at These Finds

As a designer who specializes in the teen  space, the unique and different can be hard to find. The teen market is savvier than ever –  “The Wall Street Journal'”  recently published “Make Room for Junior Decorators” http://on.wsj.com/hT42zV a lifestyle article supporting the growing demands of teen decorators.  I am in the process of working on two boys’ tween bedrooms and both of the boys I am working with have very definite color and furniture opinions. One wants orange and the other red. One hates brown and the other feels like his room is a cavern and both want to make a statement with their newly redesigned big boy spaces.  As the tastes of teens and tweens have become very discriminating, I have compiled some of my most recent favorite finds at affordable prices. Take a peek and happy room redo’s:

 
Desig- Legacy.com                                                Rebecca Plotnick under $50

 
Kartell Lights $149 www.neenaslighting.com                     Marshmallow Bench $749

 

James Rocker EQ3.com $499                                   Loopy Loo Shade Puremodern.com $48

Ottoman Delights

I have been meaning to post about my finds from High Point Market but have to say I was slightly under impressed as a whole. The Rough Luxe trend is still going strong and it seems like the British Invasion is marching along. Throw a little Belgium in the mix and that defines my High Point vantage point. So this post is not macro but micro. A snapshot of my petite finds these ottomans and stools are simply delightful:

 
Groovy Stuff                                                                                              Design Legacy

 
Adrianna Shamaris                                                                          Grace and Blake

Pantone Spring Color Trend 2011

How about that- very little gray! Happy to see cheerful colors emerging again. Honeysuckle is predicted to be the color of the year. Last year it was turquoise. Sorry folks, hard to see the titles. Enlarge on your screen if you can.