With their sassy pop of color, cherries add a retro look to the kitchen, bring out the sweetness in our little girls and make a chic fashion statement. From vintage accessories to modern bling, we?Äôve done the cherry picking for you this summer!
Not content to be confined only to interiors, today?Äôs rugs are pushing the boundaries outside to bask in the sun. Indoor/outdoor rugs from Dash and Albert and Capel Rugs are made to resist natural elements and clean up in a snap – the perfect solution for outdoor dining, dressing up a porch or children’s playroom. And unlike the rest of us, high traffic won?Äôt wear them down. Add a little color and pattern underfoot and enjoy the warm summer breezes in style!
Romantic, inspiring and full of infinite mix and match possibilities, Bella Notte effortlessly blends colors, fabrics and textures into bedding that makes any room’s decor a showpiece while still lulling us into a good night’s sleep. It’s a thrill for us to present today’s guest blogger, Kathleen McCoy, President and Designer of Bella Notte. This gorgeous line of luxury linens for the home and baby has swept us off our feet from day one. Take it away Kathleen!
Bella Notte is well known as a collection of luxury linens that also happens to be easy care. What was the inspiration for starting your business?
In the early nineties I had been doing a line of Polar fleece jackets. I attempted to introduce Linen into that line, and when this was unsuccessful, I was left with a surplus of Linen. On a whim, I made up a few duvet covers and shams, and accessorized the grouping with Velvet and Silk throw pillows and throw blankets. Having small children at the time, I knew I wanted to be able to easily wash whatever I put on my own bed – I had never used dry cleaners, so I loved the idea of beautiful yet fuss-free bedding. I brought the grouping down to the local furniture store and asked if I could display on their beds. They agreed, and requested I dress their beds for the International Furniture Show. From there, it seems the idea of easy care luxury bedding caught on. A lot of us appreciate lovely things, but just don’t want to be dictated by anything too high maintenance or restricting. Bella Notte Linens is neither, and thus can work for many lifestyles and aesthetics.
How would you define the look of Bella Notte?
Bella Notte is effortlessly elegant; sophisticated yet not serious with a modern romantic feel.
Bella Notte has a unique color palette that changes often. What influences your design and color selection?
Oh boy, so many things. But in the simplest form it is a visceral reaction. I know right away how a color feels to me. I am very attracted to soothing tones and that is why, with few exceptions, our palette remains subtle. That being said, the lusciousness of our new red, Crimson, is almost mouth watering. An unexpected color punch on a clean bed is always fun.
Is there a design related blog or publication that inspires you?
I read a lot and find inspiration in a variety of publications. I really enjoy Elle Decor, House Beautiful, and especially love a magazine from Australia called Inside Out.
Your baby bedding line is unlike any other… a beautiful blend of comfort and luxurious style. What can we look forward to seeing next from Bella Notte for little ones?
I think I am always after the perfect baby blanket. Gwen, Sophia and our Linen Whisper baby throws are all wonderful and whimsical. Alta and Cottonwood offer a clean, gender-neutral option. But I am still on the lookout for that next texture that will act as the ideal addition to any crib.
From the start your company has embraced the use of low-impact dyes and fabrics. Tell us about your company’s “Green” efforts.
We have always understood that manufacturing, by its very nature, takes a toll on our world and its resources. As the pioneer of garment dyed bedding, we felt that we could minimize our own footprint by employing only low impact non-toxic dyes. In addition, we have made the commitment to carefully consider the origins and impact of each new fabric we bring into the line. All of our products are manufactured and/or finished in the US, primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area, thereby utilizing local resources and craftspeople whenever possible.
It’s giveaway time! One lucky winner will receive a Bella Notte Whisper Linen duvet cover with 2 matching standard shams AND we’ll ship it for free! Thanks to Kathleen McCoy for her generosity and for taking the time to chat with us. Contest rules are as follows:
Congrats to Katie W! She is the winner of our Bella Notte giveaway.
We’re taking a shine to the idea of using silver accessories for modern, relaxed entertaining. These eclectic mixed pattern pieces are not too precious or formal – they coordinate without being matchy-matchy and all can be used for several purposes: napkin rings can double as place holders or label dishes on your buffet, petite creamers can hold individual sauces and mint julep cups can be the perfect receptacle for a small spray of flowers. Vintage yet versatile, playing “grown up” has never been so fun. Check out the full collection from this artisan.
With legs chic enough to belong on the catwalk, Noir brings the stylish glamour of the fashion-world to furniture. Simple lines are paired with curvaceous twists and turns – it’s hand-made furniture that has a timeless sensibility mixed with an element of surprise. Shapely designs and carvings intrigue us while hand applied vintage finishes capture our heart. Maintaining a delicate balance between fascinating and familiar, romantic and restrained, Noir furniture has a classic quality that is show-stoppingly gorgeous in any room of the house.
Kiss good-bye the days of boring utility gloves and welcome Gloveables. These sassy kitchen gloves add some flirt in getting rid of dirt! Tougher than traditional rubber gloves and featuring a cloth lining to prevent irritation, our hands stay soft and smooth, our manicures unchipped. Cleaning and gardening has never been so stylish or, dare we say, saucy! So band together and share the gift of Gloveables with mothers, sisters and girlfriends everywhere ?Äì dirty work doesn?Äôt have to be ugly anymore.
Jamie Young (the company) is well known for artful lamps and shades that blend seamlessly into both transitional and modern interiors. What a joy for us to get to know Jamie Young the designer as our guest blogger today! Her insightful dialog has us as captivated as her unique lighting creations. Welcome Jamie!
The Jamie Young Company has been called a line of ?Äúcouture lighting.?Äù What was the inspiration for starting your business?
Our business started when I was in Mexico and saw these beautiful old cement pots on the street and thought they would be perfect Orchid pots. I drove them up to Los Angeles and sold dozens to one florist. Later when we were then looking for lamps and couldn?Äôt find anything we loved, we created our first lamp – a cement urn inspired from that trip to Mexico. David (my husband and partner in the business) was a sculptor, and I went to Parsons School of Design for commercial design and have a love of textiles. So when it comes to our lamps, he designs the bottom and I design the top.
What is the most challenging part of running your company?
The most challenging part is wanting to be creative 100% of our day but knowing that running the company is just as important. Being an entrepreneur has been an amazing experience. Every day you are faced with an extreme rollercoaster ride. This allows for many opportunities to grow and learn as an individual and business person. It can also make you dizzy!
Your collections feature beautiful combinations of modern and antique-inspired materials. What influences your design and color selection?
Most of our inspiration comes from our travels around the world. We started going to India 13 years ago and have been everywhere from Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Bhutan, Europe, Peru, and driving across the good old USA. We love the mix of old with new and modern shapes and textures.
What?Äôs new ahead in the way of trends or product features?
We just came back from an incredible trip to India where we traveled in the deserts of Rajasthan and worked in three to four new materials to launch for the Summer 2010, Fall and January 2011. We are working in stone, a beautiful new marbled glass, jute and steel.
With such eco-chic materials as hemp and linen, how does Jamie Young stay ?ÄúGreen?Äù?
As a company policy we try to use recycled materials when ever possible. All of our packaging is recycled including our boxes. We are always searching for new and interesting materials to incorporate into our designs that are sustainable and environmentally friendly. Our Bamboo, Mango Wood, Seeded Glass, Birch, Twisted Vine and Jute are all examples of sustainable materials. We also use many 100% linen, silk, and cotton fabrics on our shades with natural dyes. Two years ago Jamie Young Company gave away florescent bulbs for one year with every lamp we sold to inspire our customers to understand how important this is and how easy it is to make a difference in their own stores and homes.
If you could share one key to success for others who look up to you as a mentor what would it be?
Keep learning your trade and do not be afraid of change. Enjoy that rollercoaster and know what goes up must come down and visa versa. We live in crazy world where things are more unpredictable then ever before. You must enjoy what you do most of the time (ok, so that was more then one key to success). An accountant and a lawyer are also always helpful.
Let’s get to know Jamie better with a quick-fire round!
It?Äôs giveaway time! One lucky winner will receive a Jamie Young table lamp and shade of their choice AND we?Äôll ship it for free! Thanks to Jamie Young for her generosity and for taking the time to chat with us. Contest rules are as follows:
Special congrats to Amy Carpenter! She is the winner of our lamp giveaway.
Drawing inspiration from Victorian forms, early American cut glass, pottery and flea market finds with European pedigrees, Rosanna Bowles creates charming collections of tableware and accessories that had us at “hello”. Compotes can be stacked for dramatic effect or used individually, cake plates delight us to pieces and the dishes for adults or children’s tea parties will get rave reviews. And as spectacular as the designs are, the presentation is equally impressive with each item arriving in a coordinating decorative box – perfect for birthday presents, wedding gifts or used to store your favorite Rosanna pieces in!
Shop all Rosanna Inc Tableware
We’re pleased as punch to announce the arrival of our own Layla Grayce upholstered furniture collection. We may be a little biased, but we think it’s got it all: good looks (timeless silhouettes that can be made up in a large range of solids, prints or get creative and send us your own material), longevity (American made quality craftsmanship) and smarts (made using eco-friendly manufacturing methods and materials). Stop by and get to know our newest arrival!
Summer – time to fire up the grill, bake pies, make your own ice cream and invite everyone over to celebrate the 4th of July. Our in-house food expert Wendy shares her top 5 kitchen gadgets that make prepping summer dishes a cinch.
