PHOENIX MODERN WEEK 2014

New York City has their fashion Week, Miami has Art Deco Weekend, and this weekend kicked off the 10th Annual Modern Week here in Phoenix! Modern Phoenix Week is a week long celebration of the historic & iconic mid century modern architecture here in the Valley. Saturday afternoon kicked-off MoPho Week this year with a tour of the iconic Hotel Valley Ho, directed by hotel concierge Ace Bailey. Jeff and I attended the tour and LOVED it! A second tour will be happening this coming Saturday morning, at 10am. (I'll be going more in depth about our tour experience in the upcoming next post.) Sunday was a slide presentation and talk by Roger Brevoort at the Shemer Art Center about preserving Arcadia's fragile Mid Century architectural character. Monday thru Friday will be full of evening events, some including an architectural film at SMoCA, a mixer at DWR Scottsdale, and a First Friday gallery artist reception at the vintage shop, Modern Manor.

Read more about the Monday - Tuesday - Wednesday Mixers!

Modern Phoenix Week will culminate Saturday with a Phoenix Modern Week Expo, including pop-up shops and meet & greet time with area MoPho professionals, including a raffle to win an original and locally-crafted design. The sold-out tour of Mid Century Modern Phoenix homes, this year in Arcadia, will be Sunday, April 6. If you're in the Phoenix area, below is a glimpse of this week's events to check out - and for additional information + ticket info, visit modernphoenix.net

What is MoPho? It's short for Modern Phoenix, and THE MoPo's are the pros-in-the-know here, also known as modern Phoenicians - including Modern Phoenix's Founding Editor + Annual MoPho event curator: Allison King. meet the MoPho's here...

Besides these events, also be sure to check out a wonderful source for mid century architecture here in Phoenix at: MondernPhoenix.net plus follow their facebook page, twitter, and instagram too.

Iconic Mid Century Modern Hotel - Hotel Valley Ho

Stay tuned for my Valley Ho Tour post!

 Thanks for stopping by!

15 INSPIRATIONS FOR DECORATING WITH GARDEN STOOLS

Traditionally, during the Ming Dynasty a thousand years ago, the great homes of China were designed and built around a courtyard, with emphasis on a zen garden. Naturally, benches and stools became an essential design element for the function of this outdoor space. It's been said garden stools most likely were the  result of the Buddhist tradition of using tree stumps and smooth rocks for seats in the garden. Early garden stools were made from wood, stone, glazed stoneware or porcelain. Soon  they began to feature decorative elements, such as nailheads (also known as bosses), Asian linked coin motif (believed to bring good luck) and pierced carvings such as lattice and even smaller filigree. It wasn’t until the mid-20th century that the garden stool was embraced in the West.

 

 Apartment Therapy

A pair of garden stools can help show off a great pattern rug vs. a traditional rectangular coffee table, which would cover it up.

Today, the Chinese garden stool has evolved into a multi-functional decor element. Garden stools can be used both indoors and out, as a colorful accent, a charming side table, extra seating, a textural element, or even clustered in two's or threes en lieu of a traditional rectangular coffee table. They are excellent for small spaces, such as a small office reading nook, a bedside or tub-side table, and they can also be used nested under a console table for added color and interest. Of course, garden stools are also perfect poolside and in a garden as well. Below are 15 ideas for using garden stools in your home today...

 

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As a side table for books and fresh flowers in the living room.

 

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As a resting place for your towel near the tub.

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As a ledge in a shower enclosure.

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As vanity seating in the bedroom.

 

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As a side table for guest room corner seating.

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As a layered extra side table + pattern in a bedroom.

 

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As a pair for a coffee table in a small space.

 

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As a trio of color under a console table.

 

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As layered character in a room.

 

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As a side table for books and tea.

 

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As added texture under an entry table.

 

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As extra quick seating.

 

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 As a side table on a porch.

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 Color-blocked in a cluster on the patio.

If you do come across a good price and size of a garden stool, but it's not quite the right color, or maybe you want to refresh one you already have, it is possible to paint your garden stool, with this simple process featured at The Painted Hive - How to Paint Ceramic - Drum Stool Redo.

Earlier this year, when I went to the Las Vegas Market, Safavieh launched a new Garden Stool Program (snippet seen below). Garden seat decorations vary. You can read more about the Chinese garden stool origin, symbolism, and mythology, by visiting HomeDecoDirect and also be sure to see the selection I spotted at my nearby HomeGoods in my previous post: Stylish Garden Stools For Spring At HomeGoods.

Do you have any garden stools in your home? 

Where do you use them at?

Thanks for stopping by

STYLISH GARDEN STOOLS FOR SPRING AT HOMEGOODS

Garden stools are functional accents of color or texture you can add to a space. They make excellent side tables for a small book stack and drink, they can provide (quick) extra seating, and they can neatly nest under an otherwise empty console table - adding that something special to an entry. Garden stools also transition well from indoors to outdoors, making them a very multifunctional home furnishings accent - perfect poolside, on a patio, or actually - in the garden. Typically today, the garden stool is a classic barrel or drum shape form with nailhead details and pierced design, which is an imitation of a Chinese original. The faux nailheads encircling barrel-shaped seats are called "bosses". The pierced decorative emblems on the sides or top or a garden stool allow hot gases to escape during firing in the kiln. Another popular garden stool piercing detail is called filigree, which gives an almost lace-like texture to a garden stool - perfect especially on stools that are a single color. Some garden stools even have scenes and meandering florals in vibrant greens, pinks, and blues which are typically vintage, 19th-century garden seats, often found on sites such as 1stDibs, however today, graphic bold prints are increasingly more popular. If you're looking for a moderately priced garden stool (or two) to add to your home this Spring, visit your nearby HomeGoods. Some online sources will be priced at $149 - $189, but at HomeGoods, you can possibly get two for under the price of that one - PLUS - no waiting on shipping, so you can 'Go Home Happy'. Here's a few I've seen in my local HomeGoods stores, here in Phoenix...

 

 This black & white garden stool was probably my fave!

 

 

These garden stools were all only $49 and $69 each. HomeGoods receives new shipments every week, so there's always something new to discover. I lucked out and found this black one for only $29!

I transitioned our living room from all black & white to having accents with hints of mint for Spring. The black garden stool works great paired with the stripe slipper chairs I now brought up from downstairs, and it will also work with with future seasonal changes.

Thanks for stopping by!

Note: This post is sponsored by HomeGoods and the Happy By Design project. All thoughts and opinions are of my own.

AD HOME DESIGN SHOW + DIFFA + BLOG TOUR NYC 2014

Today is the First day of Spring, along with some exciting trade show happenings! NYC is kicking off Spring with the 13th Annual Architectural Digest Home Design Show, happening March 20 - 23 at Pier 94.  Also known as the AD Home Design Show, the event will host 300+ exhibitors PLUS design seminars, cooking demonstrations, book signings, cocktail receptions, along with brand and product launches + debuts. One of the debut's at the AD Home Design Show will be a pop-up shop concept called ‘The Shops’ – an on location retail experience with products available for immediate purchase. The new cash & carry market features The Shop at Cooper-Hewitt, DwellStudio, AllModern (a division of Wayfair), and more. Even if you are unable to attend the event, thanks to social media, you can follow along on Twitter using the hashtag #ADHDS2014.

New York Times Designer Seminar Series Panelists - including NY Designer, Patrick J. Hamilton.

One of the featured seminars will be the Jenn-Air Master Class Studio, featuring exclusive programs including trade seminars organized by Architectural Digest, a keynote presentation by Editor-in-Chief Margaret Russell, and a three-day New York Times Designer Seminar Series. I wish I was able to attend, if only to see & hear my friend, Interior Designer Patrick J.  Hamilton speak as a panel member for “Design Dot Com: The Changing State of the Industry,” on Saturday afternoon. Patrick is also one of the several talented designers participating in the Design on A Dime Event, coming up later this Spring in April. More about DOAD  coming up shortly, but be sure to check out Patrick's vignette contribution on my previous post: Charity Causes Get Vignette Set, plus read Patrick's blog at AskPatrick.

Co-Located for the sixth consecutive year with the AD Home Design Show will be the 30th Annual DIFFA - Dining  By Design Charity Event. DIFFA is Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS and is one of the country’s largest supporters of direct care for people living with HIV/AIDS plus preventive education for those at risk. Founded in 1984 by Patricia Green and Larry Pond, DIFFA has granted funds to organizations which fight AIDS by providing:

• preventive education programs targeted to populations at risk of infection
• treatment and direct-care services for people living with HIV/AIDS
• public policy initiatives which add resources to private sector efforts

The DIFFA - Dining By Design Event will kick-off  this evening, Thursday, March 20, with a Cocktails by Design Preview Party from 7 - 10 pm and a Gala Dinner will take place Monday evening from  6:30 - 11 pm. If you are unable to attend these evening soirees, you'll still be able to view the magic tablescapes and dining environments Friday, March 21thru Saturday, March 22 from 11am—7pm and Sunday, March 23 from 10am—6pm. For tickets to attend any of the DIFFA events, visit: diffa.org.

Sneak Peek of one of this years table & dining environment designs:

"Love is Life" table by DVF for Kravet at DIFFA - instagram

In addition to DIFFA - New York, they also have these additional chapter locations: 

Chicago www.diffachicago.org

Dallas www.diffadallas.org

Detroit www.michiganaidscoalition.org

Kansas City www.diffakc.org

San Francisco www.diffasf.org

Seattle www.diffaseattle.org

 Besides following the AD Home Design show on twitter at #ADHDS2014, you can also follow at #DIFFA -- AND -- #BlogTourNYC. Meet the bloggers of Blog Tour NYC 2014 on Modenus.

 

It's an exciting time to be a part of the City that never sleeps!

With all these wonderful design events happening to kick-off Spring, how could you?

Thanks for stopping by!

SPRING CLEANING: A TIME TO CONSIGN + 10 HELPFUL TIPS

So you dove into a closet cleanse and you're ready to clear the clutter? While donating all those garments is wonderful, another means of clearing your closet clutter can be to consign. Consignment is a way for you to turn the clothing and accessories you no longer wear into funds for something new. Consignment can help moms extend kids clothing budgets: Sell the gently used clothing kids grow out of so fast, into dollars to buy clothing for the following season or that they can grow into (See Resale Shopping for Kids at SheKnows.com). Consigning clothing can also be a great money saving system of rebuilding your wardrobe for a lifestyle change, especially if you've moved to a new climate or location - or you're just a simple fashionista!

Not all consignment shops are brick-and-mortar - Some consignment businesses also sell on-line now-a-days. Here are 4  to look into: 

 

"Everything SOLD is new again" -at Tradesy.

Tradesy

Threadflip

My Sister's Closet

The Women's Closet Exchange

You might recognize The Women's Exchange from the popular TV show, ReSale Royalty, which is located in St. Louis, MO, but also has an excellent assortment of designer goods online, for a fraction of the cost of buying them retail. A great means of adding a little splurge while you save and purge. For additional consignment shops and locations, do a search in Google for (your area) Consignment Shops, plus also visit The High Low, which offers not only a list and links to 5 Online Consignment Shops, but also calls out a few others in the comment section as well.

Locally here in Phoenix, I've had success selling clothing from a closet cleanse at TurnStyle Consignment. I've been able to reinvest the funds from clothing I no longer wear (because of lifestyle change + personal style & fit) into 'new to me' secondhand style finds to build my wardrobe for the lifestyle I live today. This is especially helpful when you've bought and worn something, and you're not comfortable with your purchase. Just clean the garment and take it to consign to help recoup some of your loss. Besides carefully reading the Consignment Terms from the establishment you want to partner with, here are, from my own personal experience with consigning clothing...

 10 helpful tips to consider when it comes time to consign:

1 - Consign only your best and present your consignment items the best way possible


2 - If not dry cleaned pressed or ironed, sometimes a quick spritz & light dryer time can remove wrinkles (especially for knits) just be sure to hang immediately after cycle complete.

3 - If you have pets, a quick pass with a sticky lint roller can help to remove pet hairs - even if item is already cleaned.

4 - Hang clean & wrinkle free consignment clothes vs using a bag drop off: Your items will not only look their best, but you'll be able to keep track of how many items the shop takes to consign. Some items will need to be bagged (such as shoes or accessories) which the blue Ikea Tote is great for.

5 - Clean and polish shoes, boots & bags, especially if these items have been lingering in your closet, they may have collected some dust. If it's a tote or purse you've grown tired of, but it's still in good condition: check all pockets, clip any stray strings, and shake out any bottom dwellers. Be sure to include the bags dust bag (if it came with). GooGone helps to quickly polish bags, boots and shoes - works especially well on patent finishes.

Women's Closet Exchange

6 - Check your local or online consignment shop site for a list of brands they do & don't accept. Typically, consignment shops are looking for gently used to new items, from the past year, up to 4 - 5 years. The exception would be authentic vintage or retro items. Besides clothing, fashion items can also include: purses, wallets, travel bags, better costume + fine jewelry, sunglasses, shoes, vintage bags + jewelry, hats, and scarves. 

Good to know: Some consignment shops will also take that perfume you spritzed once and didn't care for, or had a reaction to. Again, just check site or call to verify.

7 - Check consignment site to see if an appointment is necessary plus what the item limit is. Some may be split: 25 item walk-ins Monday - Friday, while weekends may require an appointment.

 

From the New York Times: How To Monetize your Closet

8 - Check which season consignment shop is accepting, or when the following season will be accepted. Typically January - June are Spring / Summer consignments while July - December are collections for Fall / Winter consignments. Fur season can typically be October - January. To sell your wedding dress or accessories, look into PreownedWeddingDresses.com

9 - If you're selling clothes online, take photos showing what makes your item unique. If there is visible wear or damage, be sure to photograph it. Remember, online today is all about being transparent plus building a good online reputation.

10 - Whatever doesn't consign, donate to your local Goodwill, Salvation Army, or church thrift shop. For extra thrifty savings, drop off donations to Savers Thrift, and receive a $3 off your next purchase coupon. Across the pond, a charity organization to donate to can also be cashinthecloset.
  

From Tradesy who says, Your Closet is a Goldmine! Great online source to sell on:

Your listing is 100% free, you can sell as many items as you'd like plus you can set your own prices. Your listing will remains active until the item sells. See Tradesy: How it Works.

One example of Consignment Terms - From TurnStyle.

Some consignment establishments will offer you 45% of the selling price (if you want to receive a check) and 55% as a shop credit to use towards your new purchases. Remember though, consignment shops aren't selling items at retail prices - they are usually priced 60% to 70% less than retail. Granted, consignment isn't going to necessarily turn your bank account into a Trump account, but if you're looking for a budget friendly wardrobe solution - other than thrift - consignment is it! For additional tips about how to consign, see this article at Lucky: Consigning your Clothes: What you Need to Know.

After your closet cleanse, you'll be ready to shop for a few updated pieces to layer into key items, which just like accessorizing your home, can make the old seem new again. Here's a checklist of 50 Closet Classics to keep - and if you don't already have, consider investing in...

 

50 Closet Classics from Matchbook Magazine 

 And don't forget - Skinny hangers help save space!

Happy Spring Cleaning and Closet purging!

Thanks for stopping by!