Before and After: Divine Eco Bedroom

Divine Design is definitely my favorite thing to watch on HGTV. Candice Olson has great ideas to make a bedroom look sophisticated and at the same eco-friendly. By using chemical free paints, recycled tile carpeting, and good old fashion fans instead of a central air system, you too can go green!

Before

After

You have to love the swanky armed, leather tufted, head turning accent chairs! They are available at High Fashion Home: Pierre Chair in Leisure Cream, $799

Traveling Far, Far Away via Hotels.com!

It is that time of year to start planning your summer vacations. I happened to find a nice little deal that Hotels.com is offering. Basically, if you book your hotel by May 31st for travel through the end of July, you will get $20-$100 back via mail-in rebate on a 3+ night booking.

UP TO $100 BACK MAIL-IN REBATE HOTEL DEAL

• Get $20 off with a 3-night booking.
• Get $30 off with a 5-night booking.
• Get $50 off with an 8-night booking.
• Get $75 off with a 10-night booking.
• Get $100 off with a 12-night booking.

If you are having a hard time dreaming up of the perfect hotel to visit, here is my suggestion: The Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok. It is the number 3 ranked luxury hotel according to Travel + Leisure. Feast your eyes on some the luxury amenities and interior designs the hotel offers.

Somerset Maugham Suite: The beds and double wide chaise are unreal!

The Royal Ballroom

The Oriental Suite - Living Room: I like the accent chairs with the button tufts.

The Spa: Yes, the lily pads look real!

China House

HF Weekly Obsession: Holey-er Than Thou

Beach season is fast approaching. It's the season of dropping that last five pounds, scouring the racks for the perfect swimsuit, and sweating it out at the gym seven days a week. But inevitebly, after I go through the torture of dieting, I'll get too busy with life and never make it to the beach. What a waste! This year, I'm skipping the drama and just bringing the beach to my house. All I need is a crisp white slipcovered sofa, an open porch door, a big margarita, and this lamp:

Meri Table Lamp

I don't quite know how to describe it, except to use the words "barnacle-like" and "coral-esque". Both very beachworthy words if you ask me. Now if I can just get my hands on one of those cd's with the ocean sounds...

Earth Day After: Top 5 Eco-Friendly Woods

Since HF Guy beat me to the chase at publishing an Earth Day blog, I decided to make my own holiday: Earth Day After. It's like Earth Day, but one day late (and no, it doesn't come with any early morning regret).


Wood is probably a major component of the furniture in your home, if not the only component. So why not seek out woods that are stylish, durable, and eco-friendly. It's easier than you think to find sustainable wood designs that will decorate your home, keep some moola in your pocket, and do their part for Mother Nature. Read on...

Teak? Good. Reclaimed teak? Even better. Teak is fantastic because of it's strength and resistance to weather, making it a popular choice for outdoor furniture. It is also strong even when it is not treated with any varnishes, so that is less to worry about as well. This Meg chair is made from reclaimed teak.

Peroba wood is one of my favorites because of its interesting texture and patina. The wood for this Lotus bed was recycled from old barns in Brazil. You can still see the paint on some of the wood chips. The peroba color varies from light to dark within each piece and is accented by responsibly harvested Mahogany.



Acacia wood, which makes up the Montana Dining Table, is another fantastic hardwood that hails from India. Its fast growth time makes it environmentally friendly, but its smooth surface and warm color make it perfect for a home. Another fun fact: Acacia wood is revered in India for its power to ward off evil.

BambooTimbre is, in a word, unique. It's all about texture with striated lines running through the piece. The lighter finishes espceially bring out the look. Bamboo also grows exceptionally fast and is durable enough to last for decades. The Carmel Media Cabinet is only one of many BambooTimbre pieces available at our store.

Did you know that once the fruit is picked from a Mango tree, it does not bear fruit again? That is why using the wood from the Mango tree is an eco-friendly move. Instead of pitching the wood in the garbage, farmers can make a profit from the barren tree and we can have beautiful furniture made from durable and water-resistant Mangowood. The Congo bed is a great example.

The HF List: High Point 2008: Best of Dining

I'm on a mission. In college, I bought a table and four chairs from Ikea for $129. It served its purpose and now it is falling apart. Literally. So, I took a particular interest in seeing what kind of dining finds our owners bought for the store. And so, I give you, Best of Dining from High Point, NC. In the illustrious words of Fergie, "Check it out!"



I love the cute winged shape of this dining chair. I'd put a cute striped fabric on it and pair it with a subdued, dark finished table. Now that's what I call fine dining.



The main reason I love this table? It reminds me of Gumby. I would love this for a kitchen table. That finish is also one of my favorites. The light toffee color shows off the striations in the BambooTimbre wood. Another excellent choice!


You don't see a finish quite like this one every day. It's deep and warm with a slightly burgundy tone to it. The striated top is an interesting addition to an otherwise plain table. A little bit rustic, but a little bit modern.

If you're in shabby chic mode, try this two tone table and chair set on for size. Beige and grey laquer give this set a warm, lived in look. Wicker on the back of the chairs seals the deal. Put this one in your beach house!

This has to be one of the funkiest tables I've ever seen. How do you make a round table for four large enough for eight? They answered it. Create leaves to fit around the edge of the table. Great for those of you (and me) doing double duty with your living room. I don't need a huge table for one or two people most nights, but I'd still like to be able to invite people over for dinner once in a while!

Tomorrow's Preview: Best of the Sofas!

Earth Day: 50 Ways to Help the Planet

In celebration of Earth Day, find out about 50 ways in which you can help the planet courtesy of Wire & Twine.

Be sure to check out our previous post "How To: Green Your Furniture" to understand what you can do to make eco-friendly furniture purchase. Happy Earth Day everyone!

Earth Day: AIA Top 10 Green Projects

The American Institute of Architects selected the top 10 green projects in 2008 as outstanding examples of sustainable design.


Yale University Sculpture Building and Gallery was designed to provide maximum daylight and exceptional energy efficiency, a wall system was designed that incorporates solar shading, a triple glazed low-e vision panel, 8-foot high operable windows and a translucent double cavity spandrel panel.


The Queens Botanical Garden has propelled itself into the front ranks of its field as the first botanical garden in the country devoted to sustainable environmental stewardship.


The Nueva School's Hillside Learning Complex was designed to integrate straightforward, appropriate and cost-effective sustainable design solutions within the broader language of contemporary architectural expression.


The MacAllen Building Condominium features many green elements including innovative technologies that will save over 600,000 gallons of water annually while consuming 30 percent less electricity than a conventional building.


The Aldo Leopold Legacy Center is the first building recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council LEED program as carbon-neutral in operation.


The Lavin-Bernick Center was stripped to the concrete frame, expanded by 33 percent and redesigned with a variety of environmental systems.


Garthwaite Center for Science & Arts is a LEED Platinum certified building. Fifty-five detailed sustainability goals included renewable energy, no water to be discharged to the local sewer, 100 percent storm water infiltration on-site, artificial lighting designed to less than one watt per square foot and minimal maintenance for 20 years.


Pocono Environmental Education Center is a flexible, multipurpose gathering space for dining, meetings, lectures and other environmental learning activities.


The Discovery Center at South Lake Union was designed to be demountable, separating at three integrated joints to break into four separate modules capable of being transported along surface streets.


For the Cesar Chavez Library, the scarcity of water led to roof top rainwater collection for irrigation, while water reducing fixtures are used indoors.

The HF List: High Point 2008: Best of the Chairs

As promised, Part Two of the High Point series. Up now? Chairs. I have to say that this category was a bit more challenging due to the sheer volume of pieces to choose from. I liked a lot of the ones we got for the store. However, I don't want you readers to collapse from boredom, so I've narrowed it down to five of the best of the best chairs. What to you think of these?


It's tough being the new kid on the block, but I have a feeling this guy will fit in just fine. An armless design makes it modern, but sleek wings bring it down to earth. A simple chair like this can handle any pattern or print you throw at it, so have fun with this one!

There's no need to crane your neck to watch your latest Netflix delivery when you've got a couple of swivel chairs in your living room. Slick black leather chairs (that are oh so comfy) hide a swivel mechanism on the bottom, so you can converse like a pro in the living room, dining room, and the kitchen


Any chair that combines a waxed finish leather with nailheads is alright with me. I love the greyish blue color of the leather (It's perfect for my color scheme at home. Hmmm...) I can't wait to get this one in the store!


So maybe you don't want to go full on leather, but want a little touch of it. This chair combines the comfort of a neutral linen with the chic-ness of waxed leather. Sophisticated shape, great attention to detail, and tons of fabrics and leather to choose from means this chair will totally bend to your will, not ours! On a side note: I love the kind of southwestern, rustic pillow. I wonder if that's for sale too?!

Apparently, I have a thing for leather chairs lately. Funny, because I'm definitely not looking to buy one for myself (A room can only take so much leather and I have a GIANT leather sofa). However, if this chair comes in fabric (it does), I will be all over it. So 1800's library-esque! Just what I need to de-college-ify my apartment for good! I also love the table. Alas, we won't be carrying it on the floor, but maybe I can change some minds...

I hope you liked my chairs picks! Tune in tomorrow for Part Three: Best of Dining!

The Real World: Hollwood Thinks Green

Furniture: The Santomer Bed has never look so good!

The Real World: Hollywood just premiered a few weeks ago. The show is typically all about drinking, fighting, regretful hookups, jealousy, backstabbing, cavorting, and a whole lot of family therapy. Now you can throw in eco-friendly trend-setter.

In a groundbreaking initiative for MTV, this new season will go "green" and introduce their young viewers ways in which they can incorporate environmentally-friendly household items and make eco-friendly lifestyle choices, as seen on "The Real World" into their everyday lives.

"The Real World" house will include everything from solar energy solutions to bamboo flooring, recycled glass counters, some sustainable furniture and recycled vintage decor, energy star appliances, a solar heated swimming pool and energy efficient lighting.

MTV worked with a wide range of environmentally-friendly manufacturers, including Environment Furniture. The Santomer Bed, shown above, uses reclaimed Peroba wood from old barns, house, and bridges in Brazil. It's furniture that sets the standard for aspirational interior design with an eco-friendly twist. You can also check out some of their other great, eco-friendly furniture products such as the Santomer Dining Table, Laurel Dining Table, Santos Dining Table, and Santos Coffee Table.

MTV is also allowing fans to interact in a Sims-like fashion with the Virtual Real World. In the Virtual Real World users can create their own avatars to learn about environmental facts, create eco-friendly virtual clothing and share stories about what they've done to better the environment.

Everything from the blue throws to the mint leather sectional makes for a dramatic statement.

The Real World House is all about bold colors!

The Eames Chair and Ottoman in a unique color.

The Santomer Dresser

Another shot of the Santomer Collection.

The coloration with the geometric patterns is nice!

It looks very close to the Ethan Bed.

The wall sconces are intriguing.

The HF List: High Point 2008: Best of the Beds

Our fearless leaders made their triannual trek to High Point, North Carolina for the big furniture market. As usual, they are on the hunt for new, innovative pieces to bring some extra punch to our showroom floors. I got to peruse through their purchases and pick out my favorite pieces to share with y'all. So, without further ado, here is Part One of the High Point 2008 series: Best of the Beds.

The deep tufts on this headboard make this bed ultraclassic- like a Chesterfield Sofa in bed form. Upholster this one with a smooth textured fabric like velvet to add to the luxuriousness.



What a standout piece this is! If you're looking for a bedroom focal point, your search is over. The carved wood looks worn in and comfortable. Top this bed with earthy sheets and blankets to complete the rustic look.

Sleek, white leather conjures a throwback to the 60's in my mind. Pair this Montecito Bed (from American Leather- one of my personal faves) with minimal decorations and low, dark wood pieces. Oh, and plenty of mojo.

High drama for your bedroom with this extra tall tufted wingback headboard. This bed would be perfect for a room with a cutout wall. It's another classic shape (in this case, a traditional wingback chair) remade as a bed and given a dose of funk. Fun fact: This bed has the honor of being used in the Empire Hotel in New York City!

If you're a bit more shabby chic than mod, try the Provence Bed on for size. Antiqued paint lends a vintage effect. I would put this piece in a girl's room because it's sweet and feminine.

We'll be getting all of these pieces in (and lots, lots, lots more) so make sure you stop by the store (if you're in town) or our website for updates.

Monday's High Point Update: Best of the Chairs!

Inspirations via Etsy

I am someone that is constantly on the lookout for new sources of inspiration. Not for any project in particular. Just because I love the feeling of finding something that really perks me up and imagining the possibilities. That's why I love checking out the goodies at Etsy. A while back, I was seeing the name Etsy everywhere, but had no clue what is was. When I finally made that click to the site I found my own personal heaven. It was all of the quirky, eclectic, handmade treasures I could ever imagine! Now I check it out daily to see their items of the day and browse each category. Here are some of my favorite recent finds:

I love these little sewn birds by Cotton Bird Designs. They would be perfect on bookshelves or on a vanity- just to brighten up the place. Not to mention the fact that it's Spring. No better time to add a little chirp to your pad.

Another Springtime jewel called Poesia by Robert Socha. I love the intensity of the pink petals against a bright blue sky. At 8x8, this photo would be best in a small nook like above a bedside table or grouped in a cluster of art.

So maybe this isn't so Spring related like my first two finds, but it's adorable nonetheless. Tiny little nature charms in gold with freshwater pearls complement anything you choose to wear. Find this one and other charms at Luxe Charms.

The greatest thing about Etsy is finding some really unique items that would go for hundreds of dollars at a little boutique for just a little dough. And they're handmade with care by someone. I love the collage pieces from Silvery Moon Art. I am a lover of knick knacks and I would love to add this one to my collection.

For those of you who live in cold climates- I think these brooches would be fantastic on a fuzzy wool hat or coat. The Brooch Boutique's brocade brooches are also beautiful. And at $10 a pop, they won't break the bank.

Every single day, I find something on Etsy that I love. Just browse through it, check back often, and make sure you snag what you want before somebody else does!

Welcome to the E-Book!

Newsweek: Reinventing the Book

Imagine being able to buy and read over 110,000 books at any given moment. Whether you are in a long car ride, relaxing at the beach, hanging out at a coffee shop, or laying down on your Tempurpedic mattress, you can decide to immediately pick up and read virtually all of the New York Times Best Sellers.


Welcome to the Kindle. Amazon introduced this revolutionary electronic book reader last November. It's been sold out ever since. The device is lighter and thinner than a paperback book and delivers a high resolution screen that looks like real paper. The Kindle's wireless connectivity can download a book in 2 minutes. The battery power last for 30 hours between charges. You can also subscribe to your favorite magazines or newspapers and receive your subscription hours or days before print subscribers.


The Kindle is by no means cheap at $399. You will be able to buy new releases and best sellers at $9.99. Of course, the Kindle does bring some extras to the table. Need to surf the web? You can connect and browse the internet for free. How about an MP3 player? Check. What if you need a dictionary? The Kindle comes with a built in Oxford American Dictionary. How do I know what book to buy? Download and read the 1st chapter to any book for free. Also, you'll have access to all the Amazon.com book reviews. And best of all, you'll be accruing some good karma by saving paper.

The Human Element

Don't know the date? Everybody's looking at it.

I was doing a bit of blog surfing this morning. It started with my usual morning routine of Daily Candy arriving in my inbox. One of the blogs reminded me of something I wanted to look at on Domino's website. From there I found a new (for me) blog called "A Girl & Her Polaroid" which I promptly bookmarked and will visit often. On her site, I finally came to "The Human Calendar", which is, in fact, the reason for this entry. And let me tell you- it was no easy task remembering each link in the chain that brought me to "The Human Calendar". Basically, it just beats the pants off of your standard day planner. I mean, no you can't actually make you to do lists or have a little alarm that goes off when you need to be somewhere, but look at it! It's your calendar, Brady Bunch style, with a group of people (you might know one of them) holding the dates. So next time you need to know the date, forget your cell phone and check thehumancalendar.com. It'll at least start your day off with a little grin.

The Domino Chair!

Domino decided to showcase on their website this retro, high design chair from Global Views! We only have one small problem. The chair is so new, we don't even have it on our floors yet. Rest assured, the chair is on order. But feel free to admire the above photo until it comes in.

Notes From The Design Team

ENCORE!

Well, the design team has had a pretty exciting weekend. We had a lot of fun decorating the Houston Grand Opera Imperial Ball's after party "Encore Lounge". It was a hectic week leading up to the big event including multiple trips from High Fashion Home to the Wortham Theater loading dock, last minute hustles by our fabulous stock guys to wrap the furniture and load and unload the trucks, and careful styling and detailing by our display coordinator Cynthia. With quick thinking and renegade flower arranging, final touches were added right in time for the party goers to enjoy. Plush loungey couches, mirrored surfaces and sexy pillows, red lighting, burlesque dancers, late night breakfast bar, DJ and multiple bars, candles twinkling and flowers... who wouldn't have a great time?

HF Weekly Obsession: It's My Air O Plane

I love flying. I love everything about it from the time you get on to the time you deplane. I especially love flying to California because every time I step off the plane I am greeted by the warm West Coast air and a gentle breeze. I don't love going through the security lines or lugging my bags around (they don't call it luggage for nothing.), but flying is fantastic. That's why I like the Air O Plane art we just got in the store. They remind me of the dapper pilots and flight attendants in their uniforms, of looking out of the window into the clouds, and of reading my book for a few hours undisturbed by the noise of people on their cell phones. Pure bliss.

Rooms We Love... Most!

I recently uploaded some new rooms into the "Rooms We Love" category. Feel free to check them out at your leisure, but just to whet your appetite, here are some of my favorites.



This picture from the December/January issue of Domino magazine features Amanda Peet's home. Her entryway is great. A bit industrial with lots of cool books and vintage textures. A large mirror, a couple small pictures, and a chair finish the industrial chic look.



These are two of my favorite bold colors: coral and royal blue. This room belongs in a castle in Russia, in my opinion.



I don't see stained glass much these days, but it's so beautiful- especially on aged white wood. If you like the look, try antique shops which frequently have small stained glass panels that can be hung in front of a window.



It's certainly a change for the old picnic standby that is gingham. I would never have thought to use gingham in such a formal room, but it works so well with the gold and crystal details.



To me, this room screams bohemian relaxation. From the casually wrinkled sheets to the drapey white curtains I would love to lounge across the bed with a good book and some tea.



Snowy white and blood red are a dramatic mix in this dining room. I love the clean look of this room with the slightly rustic nature of the table. It's absolutely decadent!



I would love to dine in this restaurant. Quiet, earthy furniture is illuminated by shimmery tiled columns illuminated by chandeliers encased in glass. It's simple and elegant.



I hope I have a girl someday! I find it funny that Amanda Peet writes that she's a born copier because I would love to copy her idea! I think making your baby's room bright and cold is so refreshing from the usual pastel I see.



Although this room seems very cold to me, I think the contrast between the dark table and clear chairs is perfect. I also love the patchwork pillow on the sofa. Pops of color would go a long way in this room.


This one is my favorite right now. Sunshine yellow drapes allowing sunlight to shine on a little sleeping girl reminds me of pictures from my childhood. Yellow is an underused color in decorating, so take my advice and inject a little into your home!

America's Top Designer: Kelly Wearstler

The Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica

Interior designers can be a hit or a miss. But the really good ones can help turn your home into a slice of heaven. Of course, there might not be a bigger trend-setter than this interior design visionary. Meet Kelly Wearstler.


Kelly is the founder and principal of the award-winning Los Angeles-based firm Kelly Wearstler Interior Design. Some call her style "Cinematic Chic". Others call it "Mod-Baroque". Many people say she's recreated "Hollywood Glamour." Most of us admirers just say "Wow!" Her mixing of vintage and contemporary styles gives off a refreshing and invigorating look that is distinctly her own. She brings a unique, cinematic drama to each of her projects with a masterful command of bold textures and colors. Do yourself a favor and go visit the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica. It redefined what an uber chic, boutique hotel is all about. As soon as you step inside, you'll understand the meaning of great interior design.

Wearstler's signature "Kelly Green" gesture.

A cool library themed lounge at the Viceroy.

Mid-century modern chairs with generous tufting.

Brentwood Estate

Brentwood Estate: Just look at that wallpaper.

Hillcrest Estate: Just look at her use of colors.

Hillcrest Estate: Got to love the daybed with a pop of chartreuse bedding.

Hillcrest Estate: Look at the ceiling detail.

Berdorf Goodman Restaurant

Viceroy Palm Springs

Maison 140

Guest Room at the Viceroy in Santa Monica.

The lobby bathroom at the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica.

Kelly Wearstler Collection at Berdorf Goodman

The outdoor area at the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica.


Maison 140

Anthropologie Goodness!

Ardenne Headboard in Libuelle Ochre

I've been spending an inordinate amount of time looking at the latest retail, e-commerce trends. We are looking to create an even greater High Fashion Home web experience with e-commerce capabilities by the Summer. Of course, one of the trend-setters on the web is always Anthropologie.com.

It's been a while since I've been to the store, but their website went through some nice, subtle changes. What caught my eye was "how to make a room your own" section. People are always trying to find ways to make the web an interactive experience. I think Anthropologie hit the mark! Check it out for yourself. Also, see all the great room vignettes below in a style that can only be termed as "Anthropologie-esque."

Milo Sofa in Myst Twill

Wingback Chair in Spindle

Darby Headboard

Cotswold Leather Sofa

Ines Shower Curtain