NYC recap: Design inspiration

I'm sure you are sick of hearing about NYC at this point.  I can't stop talking about my trip, though.  It was so inspiring.  I'm sure my husband is ready to build a guest house out back to have a little piece and quiet all to himself.  I saved the best post for last, though!  Today I will be showing you all of the great stores I stopped at while visiting.  I want to thank all of our great readers that helped me narrow down a long list of stores to stop at... I couldn't have seen so much without your help!  My friend Christy and I only had a short time to play, so thanks for helping us make the most of our time!!

First stop: Mood

I never knew how much fabric there was and now I really, really need to learn how to sew.  I can fiddle, but I want to be awesome at it.  And now I have about a million reasons to do it thanks to Mood!

Look at all this fabric!

I see pillows in the future....

My favorite find at Mood- this zebra fabric. It could easily make a nice rug for only $350.

Second stop: Fishs Eddy

I could have spent for.e.ver in this store.  It was filled with beautiful items at great prices -- my cup of tea! 

Just look at these cake stands.  Oh, be still my heart.

And they have a entire set of floorplan dinnerware right now.  Good thing you can shop online because I had to hold back at the store!

Third stop: ABC Carpet & Home

I was most excited about this store as SO many readers suggested it in emails.  I knew when I saw this as I entered that I was in for a treat.  You will have to forgive me for all the pictures.  I promised I narrowed them down!

 

I could have spent an entire day in the kid's section. Look at this tree house!

And these cute foxes.

And this child's bedroom. Who thought cars and flowers could look so good together?

And the inspiration didn't stop. 

I love these light fixtures.  Such a nice touch!

It was a great day of shopping filled with inspiration and more inspiration.  I hope you enjoyed a little glimpse of NYC.  I hope to go back again soon!!

 

Shopping in Your Jammies by guest designer Christopher Lowell

We are so excited to have Christopher Lowell back on Fresh Nest sharing more fun tips with us.  Today he is talking about shopping online and how to do it right and safely.

You can find Christopher most recently on Work That Room - where he takes a person/family's design dilemma and breaks down the solution step by step for us.  He has amazing design problem solving skills and I'm always amazed at what he can do!  Just look at some of the before and afters from the show here.   Amazing, huh?

 

By Christopher Lowell




It used to be that shopping for the home required a full, dedicated day. Fighting crowds, wasting gas and getting into emotional overload.  ---All while trying to make critical decisions on the spot and under pressure and if you’ve got kids in tow, forgetaboutit.

Today, because of the Internet, you can now shop in your jammies, with your mouse instead of your Mapquest.  The Internet gives you time to compare and investigate, from the comfort of your own home.  Recently for my show, Work That Room on the Fine Living Network, we did a segment on this with a focus on window treatments. Custom looking drapery used to be overly expensive especially in rooms with multiple windows. But online, with the middle retailer out of the way, you actually can get amazing custom quality for almost designer cost, made specifically for your windows.  First, when shopping via the net, always use a credit card in a secure and protected provider like PayPal.  If everything goes south, it’s the credit card company (especially AMEX) that will do the fighting for you.  If you pay by check or debit card, the money’s gone, and it’s all up to you to get it back.

Next, with anything that involves fabric, it needs to be touched, and examined for real before you place your final order. Ask for a swatch to be sent.  Often photos do not represent true color values and every computer screen is calibrated differently. So if your mail order catalog doesn’t offer fabric swatches for free, then move on.  Don’t be afraid to ask for as many as you think you need.  If the swatch is too small for you to visualize, take it to a fabric shop and match it with something similar and bigger to get the effect.  An online store like Joann Fabrics & Crafts will also allow you to purchase a yard of fabric and return it if it doesn’t suit your style.  There should be a representative on the phone who works directly for the catalog company.

Smith and Noble Window Coverings has great customer service and their selection is vast. On special orders, some guy across seas won’t cut it no matter how informed the person might be.  So ask if whom you’re talking to is on the premise.  If your order is late or wrong, you have a representative that can walk you or your late order through the process.  Finally, read all that annoying fine print.  If the really important stuff is buried there, then the company’s hiding something.  But if things like return policies and financial terms are actually spelled out in full view as part of the normal type, that usually means the company actually has nothing to hide and are proud of their service procedure.   If you’re still nervous, ask for customer references.  Many good catalog companies will give you email addresses for you to talk candidly with other customers.  Start with one room.  If all goes well, you’re good to go!  You can do it!

For more about Christopher log on to christopherlowell.com and follow him on twitter at twitter.com/clowell.

Frugal Furniture- by Guest Designer Kelli Ellis

{image via Vastu}

If you are in the market for furniture then you must know my "Ancient Designer Secrets"...

1. "Swap Meet Steals" Smart retailers have learned the next-to-nothing overhead of the Swap Meet is the best way to move major quantities of furniture and pass on the discount to their even smarter shoppers. Spend a weekend or two at your local Swap Meet, you'll see it's virtually an outdoor Mall!

2. "Sample the floor" Always ask if a piece will discontinued soon, or if the furniture item you like is available to buy "off the floor", by most state laws it has to be sold at a discount because it's "used". Most retailers buy in bulk then need to get rid of "Floor Samples" quickly.

3. "Second Look" Do a little research and find out where the model homes and designers "consign" their furniture. It's the best bargain in town. You can find entire rooms full of coordinated, custom furnishings for a fraction of the original cost.

And the most important tip by far, is to "Space Plan, Space plan, space plan". Before any project, especially before spending major money on furniture, you must know what will fit in the room and where it will be placed. Whether you draw it out yourself or you use an easy, magnetic space planner (The Kelli Kit) make sure you have your plan "to scale" and then you can confidently shop for new furniture and accessories. Happy Hunting!!

Simplifying Gifts

Picture from Dandee

This time of year, life seems to get very hectic. There are always lots of parties and events going on and lots of shopping and baking too. As you know, my motto is "Simplify". I admit, I have to consciously think about my motto most of the time as nothing gets me more excited than a fun party or a night out on the town. Or buying the perfect gift or baking the perfect cookie. However, I realize that the most important part of these seasons is spending time with those I love and creating memories and traditions.

So here is Dandee to the rescue. She has a wonderful idea for simplifying the holidays and the gift giving process. She follows the Want, Need, Wear, Read when buying gifts for her children (she's expecting #5). She buys something they want, something they need, something they wear and something they can read. Isn't that a great idea? I have a feeling that this system is going to save me a lot of time in the years to come.