Elizabeth Bauer Designs- A Vintage and Eclectic Approach to Modernity
Neighborhood: West Village
Address: 43 Greenwich Avenue, New York, NY 10014
Pricing: $$$$
Filled with her favorite vintage finds from antique shops across the world, Elizabeth Bauer Design is a treasure trove for accessible and fun high-end furnishings and accessories for the home.
1970's Ikat Rocking Chair- $3200
Elizabeth Bauer Design is a great resource for those who love vintage style design. Priced at more than a pretty penny, this interior digs are playful with bold colors and flashy prints.
Vintage Chloe Pillow- $775
To view more of our favorite pieces, visit our Examiner page!
Interior Designer & Mad Men Star Bryan Batt Designs PlayBoy Sofa
Playing Salvatore Romano, Mad Men star Bryan Batt is not only a talented actor, but also a talented designer. On his down time from the show, Batt runs Hazelnut New Orleans with business and life partner, Tom Cianfichi. Hazelnut is a trendy home decor showroom that boasts fine pottery, stemware, and a Playboy sofa?
In honor of Playboy’s 50th Anniversary (PlayBoy clubs), Batt has designed “The Hef,” a plush, mid-century loveseat. Boasting the elegant style of the 60’s, “The Hef” is a classic piece made of grey mohair and rosewood side panels. Those interested must act fast as only 50 sofas are being produced. Buyers will get an extra treat with PlayBoy founder Hugh Hefner’s signature on the piece.
"The Hef"
“The Hef” will be sold exclusively at Hazelnut New Orleans and is set to be sold at $15,000.
Weekend Wrapup: 2/5/10
Happenings this weekend:
- Feb 1-5th Winter Market, World Market Center, Las Vegas, NV. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here
- Feb 5-7th Garden State Home Show, Garden State Convention Center, Somerset, NJ. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here
- Feb 5-7th Ocean County Home Show, Ritacco Center, Toms River, NJ. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here
- Feb 6-9th San Francisco International Gift Fair, The Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here
- Feb 7-9th Edison Furniture & Accessory Market, NJ Convention & Expo Center, Edison, NJ. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here
Home Design Magazine Metropolitan Home Gets The Ax
December 2009 Issue (Final)
Subscribers of the modern home decor magazine received the following postcard yesterday:
Dear Reader:
We are sorry to inform you that we have discontinued the publication of Metropolitan Home magazine and the December 2009 issue is the last you will receive.
While it has been speculated for months that the magazine would end, it is now official that Metropolitan Home is no more. Ranked as one of theTop 10 Must Have Interior Design Magazines for 2010, MetHome provided essential advice on home furnishings and products while demonstrating innovative interior/urban design. Owned by the Hachette Filipacchi company (HFM U.S. Women’s Network), MetHome was one of two remaining interior design magazines. Now high end magazine ELLE Decor remains as the sole magazine for interior design.
Elle Decor
What happened? Unlike fallen Domino magazine, MetHome did not provide any real inclinations that they were closing. In the December 2009 issue (final publication), the Editor does not mention anything about the magazine closing. There are even ads for upcoming issues in their January/February 2010 double issue.
Why MetHome? Allegedly, the HFM company wanted to put more resources into top seller ELLE Decor therefore nixing Metropolitan Home. But was this the right move? In an article published by the New York Times, owners of MetHome dropped the magazine due to poor ad sales. What is interesting however is that ELLE Decor had worse numbers and yet survived the budget ax. “Hachette also publishes Elle Decor and said it would focus its efforts on that magazine. Elle Decor is faring worse in terms of overall ad pages in the third quarter. They fell 46.9 percent, to 123.2 pages, from the same period a year earlier.” (New York Times) Performing 11.2% above ELLE Decor in ad sales, MetHome has lost the fight altogether.
While we love ELLE Decor, the magazine unfortunately does not cater to different economic backgrounds as Metropolitan Home. Featuring high end furnishings and accessories, ELLE Decor boasts the refinement in posh interior design. Because of this, we believe that readers of MetHome will now turn to Hearst publication’s House Beautiful as a supplement. House pairs interior design advice with affordability and practicality. Without magazines that cater to the DIY savvy or smaller budgets (e.g. once glorious Domino), there now remains two polar opposites: Elle Decor, high end interiors and House Beautiful, practical and savvy living.
House Beautiful
We will greatly miss Metropolitan Home for its resourcefulness in design.
Arango: Posh, Contemporary Furniture for Miami
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- Blow Up Basket
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- Blur Lounge Chair- Walnut
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- Bookwork Short- 126″ Cobalt
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- Chiocciol@ Desk
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- Dots Table Runner- 14″x72″ Black
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- Eames Elephant- Dark Lime
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- Nook Bed in Full Guacamole
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- Section Bench- White
Address: 7519 N. Kendall Drive Miami, FL 33125
Pricing: $$$$
Feedback:
- (Pros) Exquisite selections, sleek and stylish, lush quality
- (Cons) A bit pricey
Since its 1959 founding by Judith Arango (1928-2003) in downtown Miami, arango has been a pioneer in bringing affordable, contemporary good design to the public. Legendary in the industry for an uncompromising aesthetic vision, arango design store flourishes by selling clean, functional contemporary design for both home and office. We search the world to bring product design innovations to the USA marketplace, some of which are eventually included in permanent contemporary museum collections.
In 2009, Arango celebrated 50 years of providing top quality products to the Miami area. Arango is a showroom challenges the mind with new design concepts and innovation. They have everything from the classic contemporary pieces from the 50’s, to organic furnishings that dominate our modern day. Affordability is in the eye of the buyer as some would consider their pricing to be a bit steep in the recession. Nonetheless, if you want quality, you must pay for it.
Sit Down New York: Inexpensive Modern Furniture
Sitdown New York
Neighborhood: Flatiron
Address: 873 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
Pricing: $$
Feedback:
- (Pros) Inexpensive furniture, “hip” styles
- (Cons) Customer service, low quality
We have been receiving mixed reviews about Sitdown New York. Located in the Flatiron/Union Square area of Manhattan, Sit Down offers inexpensive furniture that will dress up your modern space. Although their showroom is a “little tight,” they do have many great pieces to offer. From items like the Wing Rocker to the Ghost Chair, there are so many great finds in the showroom.
Unfortunately, there has been volatile reviews regarding the quaint showroom. Customer service remains at the top of the list as many have reported. From “getting the run around” to rude behavior, quite a few people have been turned off from the modern retailer. My recommendation is to try the store out in person. Many times, dealers will rush you off the phone to tend to clients who are physically in the store. Its not that they are trying to be harsh (though some may), but their mindset is to close the sale. However, if you are in the store and are experience poor service, allow your money to speak for yourself and leave.
Sitdown’s website is a bit undeveloped (e.g. FAQ, About Us, Blog), but does provide a great variety of pieces, making it a showroom to inquire. We found a 10% off coupon on Google Coupons for their store (advertised that it never expires).
To view more product favorite, visit our Examiner page!
ModWalls: Affordable, Modern Tiles
100mm Stainless Steel Tile
ModWalls is a company that provides an exquisite selection of modern tiles. Whether for floor or wall application, kitchen and bath , ModWalls has it all.
Modwalls’ mission is to provide both our retail and trade customers a modern and colorful alternative to what is available in most tile and hardware stores, as well as a very personal online buying experience. We’ve been designing, manufacturing and selling our products here since 2005. The latest modwalls® designs range from gorgeous glass tiles in a range of colors, sizes and finishes to stainless-steel tile, glazed porcelain penny rounds, modern glazed ceramics, and eco-friendly cork, natural pebble mosaics and recycled glass mosaic tile. Many of these items are installed in our own home, as we present only those products that we love and feel good about.
Cork Tiles
ModWalls is a great resource for the do-it-yourselfers at heart. Top materials include:
- Glass tiles
- Pebble tiles
- Porcelain
- Recycled glass
- Stainless steel
- Cork Mosaic
ModWall represents modernity made affordable. They offer a diverse collection of tiles to fit any interior.
Lush 1x4 Subway Tiles
To view more ModWall favorites, visit our Examiner page!
Babesta- Trendsetting Baby Decor and Furniture
Gummi Lights
Neighborhood: Tribeca
Address: 56 Warren Street, New York, NY 10007
Pricing: $$$-$$$$
Moderne Changing Station
Babesta is a hip children’s store in the Tribeca neighborhood. Known for their trendsetting digs, Babesta also has some stylish decor. We enjoy Babesta for their “sleekly trendy” furnishings. Below are some of our favorites.
Alex Trundel Twin Bed
To view more pieces from Babesta, go to our Examiner page!
Best iPhone Home Design Apps
I guess the saying is really true, “there is an app for that.” iPhone has revolutionized not only technology, but the array of resources at our fingertips. With thousands of applications, iPhone has done a pretty good job of supplying the home design industry with useful resources. Here are a few of our favorite iPhone applications that will assist you in revamping your space.
iHandy Carpenter
The iHandy Carpenter is one of the best apps on the iPhone. There is a level that makes picture hanging a breeze. The app also includes caliper, ruler, and plumb bob that takes contracting to a whole new level. No more lugging around heavy tools (though you should still use the real thing) for quick job.
Colorsnap Sherwin-Williams
Colorsnap makes home decorating easier. With this app, you simply take a photo of a swatch you are using. This can be anything from a closeup of your sofa to the print on your lampshade. Once you take the photo, the Colorsnap app will find a paint color that best matches your swatch.
Colorchange
If you thought Colorsnap was a breeze, you will absolutely love Colorchange. The Colorchange app allows you to see your interior with the finished product. Have you been considering a daring color like red, but cannot visualize it? No problem! With Colorchange, just take a photo of your room and then “paint” your space in the color of your dreams. You can change the interior walls, floors, ceilings, and even trim to get a realistic expectation.
Ben Color Capture
Benjamin Moore is one of our favorite brands of quality paint. The Ben Color Capture app suggests matching paint swatches with your interior. Your room transformation is made simple. With the snap of your camera, you will receive paint recommendations within seconds.
2010 Wallpaper Design Awards
Upon first glance, you would think that the Wallpaper design awards pertained solely to wallpaper….wrong. For the past few years, wallpaper.com has identified top players and innovators who have made a splash in the design industry. From bedding to furnishings, and fashion, the 2010 Wallpaper Design Awards highlights it all.
Best New Hotel- Habita MTY
Best New Private House- Paraty House, Costa Verde, Brazil
Best Side Table- Stump table (Ligne Roset)
To view more winners of the 2010 Wallpaper Design Awards, visit them on the web at: http://www.wallpaper.com/news/design-awards-2010-the-winners/4212/
