“BETTER FURNITURE FOR BETTER TIMES”

A quote from Ambrose Heal - and #3 on the run down list (by the way this list is only a fraction of what I look at regularly I am not counting stores like Anthropolgie, Pottery Barn, WS etc...)

Beginning as a bed making firm 1810 we’ve been designing and making quality furniture ever since. We love it and we're good at it. When Sir Ambrose Heal joined the firm in 1893, he had the vision to work with the most skilled designers and crafts people of the day to create furniture that is comfortable, beautiful and affordable, reflecting the ideals of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Influential designers like Mies van de Rohe, Marcel Breuer and Robin and Lucienne Day have all been drawn to Heal’s distinctive character and reputation for innovation.

This tradition lives on, Heal’s continues to work with the designers of the future and offer home furnishings that represent the best in contemporary design.

Today, Heal's has seven stores located throughout the UK and an online store http://www.heals.co.uk/. Heal's sell a wide range of modern, designer and contemporary furniture, homewares, lighting, accessories and gifts for the home. Buy from leading designers, with often exclusive designs to Heal's, and brands such as Philippe Starck, Tom Dixon, Orla Kiely, John Reeves and Matthew Hilton.

Here are a few pieces and rooms I adore.
I love this chair for a den or study….in front of a roaring fire – a great update to the classic leather club chair.
Beautiful harvest table – slightly updated!
Crisp and clean – an OCD’s dream!

Tine K home - another on the run down list

Another one of my favs is a little Danish store (ok not so little) and fell in love. Take a look http://www.tinekhome.dk/www/index.htm for yourself and I guarantee you will fall in love too! When I stared to snoop around their site I realized that some of their items are distributed through Horne (another store I blogged about), so then I realized I really am developing an interest (and an eye) in this style of home décor and accessories – perhaps I should finally embrace it and just re-decorate!
On their website they have an inspiration gallery which is the owners home – here are a few inspirations I adore!
(it’s always so white!) Their catalog is equally as inspirational, with beautiful vignettes and minimal copy, it is as lovely as a coffee table book! They have great furniture pieces, home accessories and even clothing and jewelry…there’s definitely something to satisfy all your cravings!

A run down of some awesome shops

I keep track of (or follow regularly) several stores (online and otherwise) for the latest in great decor and creative design. I thought I would share a few with you with in a run down of my list - so my next few posts will be featuring these stores.

Areaware is a New York City based company renowned for unique design products with an emphasis on forward thinking technologies and original expression. Their products are decorative but go beyond ornament. Each has an underlying meaning which we believe can deepen the relationship people have with the everyday objects in their lives.
Some items I think are really smart is this “roller stop” door stop….love the old school feel!
Numbers clock
Banana bowl (perhaps the Jonathan Adler banana vase would be a nice pair up with this – if you’re into bananas that is)
Little Joseph candle holder – a bit disturbing don’t you think?
Taz Ah Mug (various designs) – tons of fun!
Still life bowl – clever design.

Check them out at http://www.areaware.com/ - creative design at its best!!!

The "licious" List

Grease Goose on esty is great!

You can get a custom tailored family of wooden dolls. They are all hand painted and varnished with non-toxic materials and range from 1" to 3.5" in height. Send photos to the artist along with descriptions of the family members and voila – there you all are!

Pottery Barn Kids has what I think is the ultimate kids bedding – Dr. Seuss’ “Oh the places we’ll go” bedding and accessories!

Gold gnome from Heal’s (in the UK), if your gonna go gnome – go in high style and gold plated!

URGH…. I love these (for the kid in all o us!) Harold the Lunch Monster lunch tote by Ones and Zeros Fashions on etsy.com
From the junkyard, on etsy.com these cute moustache mugs/tea cups!

MONSIEUR DRESS UP – from Loyal Loot Collections
Tailored collar, cuff, and pocket. Used individually or all at once. Monsieur Dress Up can wear your jacket, scarf, umbrella, and mail. Undress and redress at the door, by the bed, or in the change room. Monsieur Dress Up is a new idea for hanging that special article of clothing. Maintaining the delicacy, integrity, and shape of a shirt or scarf.

LOG BOWLS – from Loyal Loot Collection
Log Bowls combine the incomparable beauty of trees in their natural state with a high-gloss vibrant finish. Each bowl is handmade using only locally reclaimed trees of all varieties (fallen or cut down due to infrastructure, re-landscaping, droughts, or stormy weather). The trees are hand selected, gathered, turned and finished by Loyal Loot Collective and local crafts people. Log Bowls come in a large variety of colors and are completed by hand with a water-based, furniture grade finish.

A gift for everyone

Gift Fair 2009 – New York

Here are some of the latest items shown at the recent Gift Fair…..looks like there are some great things to come this year!

Dwell Studios:

It's Dwell Studio's 10th Anniversary and they're playing homage to some of their early geometric-centric designs with their new collection for 2009, unveiled at the Housewares Gift Fair at the Javits Center. Named "Abstractions" the new collection includes some great new pillows, rich textural Belgian linens and their outstanding 400-thread-count sheets and duvet covers. This is a very different direction for Dwell – what do you think?

Design House Stockholm:

I have to say I am not personally that impressed with the collection….what do you think? My thoughts are this coming from the people who brought us the Carrie Bike Basket?

The first is the leaning lamp, second the industrial work lamp, and the third cotton wool rugs – what the….is happening at the Design House?

Jonathan Adler:

The bright colors and bold shapes of Jonathan Adler's designs can be somewhat overwhelming when they're all in a booth together but they can also be really fun.

This season, Jonathan Adler is debuting a lot of new products, including an updated lacquer collection, a modern rattan collection ("Shelter Island") and the adorable Banana Bud Vases (seen above in white)...typical but still whimsical and delightful!

And new on the scene – and noteworthy….

Heather Lins.

Heather was one of three designers chosen for A+: The Young Designer's Platform and her first three collections combine the simplicity of canvas with bold screen-printed graphics and typography: Eye Chart Pillows, Numbered Edition Place mats, Napkins & Coasters and the Conversation Pieces Pillows.

Here are some other random pics of items I think are great and we are sure to see soon! Recycle bins all labeled and conveniently stored on the wall of your garage! From Authentics, the German plastics company. How about this cute planter? I love the tiniest of figurines located on the side.
Tea pot – this is a piece of art!

I love looking at pics like these (thanks to Apartment Therapy), it's a nice look at what's to come!