Silver Belles

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

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

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

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.

Silver Birch

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

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

Organic is sexy: Stella McCartney Pump.





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

DIY Entry Table

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

Kindle 2 from Amazon: Back And Better Than Ever!

Kindle 2 from Amazon

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

Is the Kindle going to replace the 'book'?

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

I'm Seeing A Pattern...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Border Patrol

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

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

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

Kitchen Couture

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

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

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

Happy Valentine's Day!

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

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

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

Have a Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Doin' It Yourself

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

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!

COLOR! Part Two!

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

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

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

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

Twist Ribbed Tank in Aqua Mint, $24 @ Banana Republic and Effervescent Chandelier, $1998 @ Anthropologie.

Rachael Cover-Up by Diane von Furstenberg, $325 @ ShopBop and Bridget Rug in Blue, $129-519 @ Pottery Barn.

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.

Need A Bib?

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

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

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

CB2: Peek A What!

CB2: SoHo store

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

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

Peekaboo Clear Coffee Table: $249

Peekaboo Media Console: $449




Peekaboo Nesting Tables: $199

Monaco Side Table: $149

Spring 2009 Trend Overview

Despite the cold and wind, Spring is coming...eventually. At least, designers have presented their Spring 2009 collections, so you know the actual season can't be too far off. Last night, I attended the FGI Spring Trends Event with my fellow blogger, Eclectorator, and a fantastic time was had by all! We took a tour around Saks Fifth Avenue in the Galleria, saw the new merch, and ooh'd and aah'd over a pair of Louboutins.

The shoe in question... by Christian Louboutin.

Our real task was getting to know the newest trends for the upcoming Spring. Take a look and see what you think. What will you adopt? What will you skip? The good? The bad? The ugly? Take your pick...

Embellishments are taking all forms, but they're around. Sequins (at Elie Saab, left), beading (at Zac Posen, right), flowers (at Bluemarine, center), ruffles, you name it. It's going to be a fun season!

It's time to let your legs breathe! Pants were somewhat M.I.A. on the runway with skirts and dresses taking over. From left: Erin Fetherston, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Behnaz Sarafpour.

I love one-shoulder dresses! You can show some skin without being vulgar, and cover up without being prudish. It's the perfect balance! From left: Roberto Cavalli, Chloe, Lanvin.

What's the color of the season? Take your pick. It's all of them! From brights at John Galliano, to deeper hues at Prada, to subtle tones at Doo.Ri, you really can't go wrong with a little color.

Now, here's my favorite part: Prints. The prints are breathtaking this season. Flowers and watercolors and ikat, oh my! Every designer had such amazing prints it was impossible to narrow it down to three (but I still did it!) From left: Oscar de la Renta's ikat, Carolina Herrera's adorable pink and navy floral, Naeem Khan's colorful brush strokes.

All photos via Style.com.

A Little Escape

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

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

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

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

Bright white allows for statement pillows.

Technically not a window seat, but a clever use of space nonetheless. This photo and the next via PointClickHome.

Keep plenty of reading material close at hand.

A rustic and homey place to rest. This photo and the next via House Beautiful.

This one might just be my favorite. A tiny little nook for bites to eat and good conversation.

7 Wild Materials You May Find in Future Products: Popular Mechanics

Popular Mechanics featured the top 7 Wildest, Brightest and Quirkiest Material inventions in 2008 as rated by Inventables, a Chicago-based firm. Initially there were only 10 available spots, but with the uniqueness and possible product applications of last year's nominees, it had no choice but to open 6 extra slots to incorporate all these mind blowing products. Here are 7 of these mind blowing products, enjoy.

Ceramic Cloth

Zircar Zirconia, Inc., a New York manufacturer of thermal products, created this cloth knit from ceramic fibers, which will insulate against extreme temperatures.

Electronic Paper

Electronic paper, a thin, flexible display technology that reveals digital images in full color, was invented by Israeli company Magink. Inventables imagines that the material could be used to create a portable “origami DVD player,” which would unfold to reveal a big screen.

Stone Paper

“Stone” paper, sold by Design & Source Productions, is made of calcium carbonate, making it more eco-friendly than wood-based paper.

Temperature Sensitive Glass Tiles

Glass tiles that change color in response to temperature were created by California-based Moving Color. They have already used the tiles to create a shower with walls that change color as the water hits them.

Anti-Fog Film

This durable antifog coating is the creation of Film Specialties in New Jersey. The coating’s hydrophilic properties means that water slides off the surface rather than turning to fog.

Translucent Concrete

A Hungarian architect invented these translucent concrete tiles that contain optical fibers, allowing light to pass through. They are now sold through his company Litracon Bt.

Flavor Changing Additives

Flavor-changing additives, developed by New Jersey–based Salvona Technologies, contain nanospheres encapsulated in larger microspheres. When the microspheres burst, one flavor is released. The rupture of the nanospheres, some time later, releases another flavor, creating a taste experience that changes over time.

Happy (Recession) Valentine's Day

Mmmm... caramels. The dish is really cute, too! I wouldn't mind painting one over at a ceramics studio to go with the gift! But I'm losing focus here. Find the recipe at House Beautiful.

Isn't love lovely? It's also costs an arm and a leg. You've got dinners to pay for, birthday and Christmas gifts, and the greatest money-sucker of all: Valentine's Day. Don't get me wrong! I love the holiday! Any holiday that looks like pink exploded all over the world is A-ok with me. And my mom still gives me yummy heart shaped cookies. (If you're reading this, do I still get them this year even though I'm married?)

I swear I have a point with all of this rambling. My point is, I have vowed not to spend a fortune on a gift for my husband this V-Day. I'm going to use the old tactic of getting to his heart via his stomach with some baked goodies. Apparently, this is a popular idea, because a lot of my favorite magazines and blogs are supplying me with tasty recipes. So throw on your chef's hat and get to baking!

My apologies. The recipe for these delicious looking Chocolate Chunk & Cherry Cookies is not online, but you can get it in this month's issue of Country Living!

What is a holiday without a little Martha? Her Heart-Shaped Meringues with Passion Fruit Curd look refreshingly tasty!


I'm not a big coconut fan, but these won me over. Chocolate-dipped Macaroons via Domino.

I couldn't resist these. The icing looks like a sprinkled cloud! Red Velvet Cupcakes with Fluffy Meringue Icing via Food Network.