Designer Showrooms
It’s that time of season when all the showrooms host fantastic parties. Last night was one of the best at Blackman Cruz

The crash refers to the large vintage disco ball/sphere that looked like it had crashed to the floor in the center of the showroom. 

A packed showroom - their new space on Highland Road is amazing and just a few blocks from my office. (disco ball in the center) 

It’s always great to see friends and fellow designers that I haven’t seen in a while.  Josh Brown (seen here) and I have known each other for 10 years - time is flying by

Blackman Cruz is the go to place for one of a kind pieces that make a big statement. These floor standing magnifying glass-like pieces are incredible. I’d put these in a large entry way for a huge first impression

A chair like no other - is that a bird?

This skull lamp is a great representation of the Blackman Cruz aesthetic

Another great metal lamp with fantastic lines
check out their site http://www.blackmancruz.com

My Gift Ideas for 2008

It’s the small design details in a home that can make a huge impact. I thought I’d share the gift ideas on my list for my friends and family this year

Every home needs a splash of animal print
http://www.wshome.com/products/p9021/index.cfm?pkey=ggftggfetg

Something that sparkles is always on my list
http://www.vivaterra.com/pls/enetrixp/!stmenu_template.main?complex_id_in=482007.2561145.2561499.2862173.page

I love a small night light in a powder room - love this leaf one in silver, brass or copper
http://www.vivaterra.com/pls/enetrixp/!stmenu_template.main?complex_id_in=482007.2561145.2561499.2862173.page

Something functional for my friends who live in snowy and wet climates
http://www.ballarddesigns.com/shopping/product/zoom/altviewmain.jsp?iProductID=195&Default=view

A nice first impression
http://www.vivaterra.com/pls/enetrixp/!stmenu_template.main?complex_id_in=482007.484184.1062177.2862271.page

Everyday task should have beauty involved
http://www.wisteria.com/searchprods.asp

For my friends that have everything. Glass risers can be used to give an accessory the importance it deserves
http://www.wisteria.com/images/extra/w2299b-large.jpg
http://www.wisteria.com/prodinfo.asp?number=W2299

This will work with anyones decor style
http://www.wisteria.com/prodinfo.asp?number=W2623

For my green thumb friends
http://www.vivaterra.com/pls/enetrixp/!stmenu_template.main?complex_id_in=482007.484184.484198.3424816.page

For my bird loving family members, a handmade birdhouse
http://gumps.com/jump.jsp?itemID=10399&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=bird+house

Holiday Arrangements

During the holiday season I find myself running all over town to pick up this and that, and it never seems to end. With an exhaustive To Do list, I challenged myself to think outside the box for holiday entertaining. It hit me while I was shopping at the Grocery store. Have you ever noticed the beautiful the colors, textures and shapes in the produce department? I decided that I would test a few arrangements made only from items found at the grocery store and that would take only 10 minutes to create. Here are a few of my test cases-

Purple cabbage nesting in a custard cup holds tangerines and dried apricots with wooden skewers. Simple, easy and a great punch of color for the holidays. And no waste - you can eat them when the party is over

A miniature cauliflower acts as a place card holder. just cut a small slit across the top and cut the bottom even so that it can stand up.

Brussel Sprouts still on the branch look like a Christmas tree. Using toothpicks I added in red cherries and chocolate covered in gold foil to decorate it. It’s placed in a vase with sugar to look like snow. I could see a few of these used together as a large centerpiece

Using a silver mixing bowl, I coated lemons with egg white and then sprinkled sugar over them to get a holiday look. To bring in greenery, I picked the leaves from an artichoke and added the egg-white and sugar too. With the addition of a few raspberries and Hershey’s kisses, the arrangement is done. For make-shift candle sticks, core out an apple and place tapered candles in the hole and light

After hollowing out the large yellow squash, I used it’s shell as a container to hold red radishes, sugar coated tomatoes and candy resting on a bed of collard greens. Add a little egg-white to the outside and sprinkle a little red sugar for a holiday glow. The top of the squash did not go to waste as it acts as a candle holder to complete the look

Like I said, these test cases prove that decorating doesn’t require a trip to the craft store or any glue guns.  Just a trip to the grocery store and a little imagination.