I am so not a morning person!  Ever since my twin boys arrived, my alarm clock has been banished to a nightstand drawer.  After all, I have two built-in alarm clocks!  But every once in a rare while, I pull my trusty alarm clock out ... and last Friday was one of those days.  Why, you ask?  The Baker factory sale, of course!  Despite having a late meeting the evening before, I woke up way too early, rolled out of bed and into gym clothes, and hit the road to Connelly Springs.  It's an easy hour and fifteen minutes from Charlotte, especially easy when you are on the road way before the morning commuters.  Ths time, I remembered to bring a folding chair (although I forgot to bring it home - oops!) and a magazine, so I passed my time in line reading the latest InStyle and eating a hot Krispy Kreme doughnut generously shared by another shopper.  Yum, yum!  Thank you, whomever you are!!

And guess what was waiting for me???

Can you believe it?  A Barbara Barry iron tripod table, exactly what I daydreamed about!  I cannot even express how excited I was.  As I made my way through the rows of furniture, I was thrown off for a moment by the marble top (Emperador Light, I believe).  I haven't seen the tripod table like that before, and the website doesn't show marble as an option.  My best guess is that this was a custom piece for a customer who changed her mind or perhaps just a one-off for a showroom or other display.  Either way, I scored!  And here's the best part - the marble top is not attached to the table, so if I want to use it "plain" (which also makes the table much smaller), I will simply have a antiqued mirror top cut to fit, et voila!  Pricing-wise, I paid about 1/3 of retail for the "standard" table (with an antique mirror top).  I have no way of knowing what the additional charge would have been for the marble top.  Most of the tags at the sale indicate the sale price and the regular retail price, but the regular retail price on the tag for my table was blank.    Regardless,  I'm thrilled!  

Overall, the sale was great.  I didn't come home with anything else - I got what I came for! - but there were a number of pieces that I really loved ... and a few incredible deals.  If I were furnishing a home from scratch, I would have come home with more than a few things!  No news yet on the next sale, but I'll let you know when I get word.  I wouldn't expect another for six months or so.   

Oh, and a big hello to Kathleen, a fellow designer from Charlotte.  Kathleen and I were neighbors in line.  We hadn't met previously, but she recognized me from the blog.  Kathleen, email me your contact info if you get a chance!      

I just love corporate "families."  It's so interesting to me how a company uses different brands to appeal to different market segments.  I'm fascinated by the similarities and differences you see in the brands.  For instance, with Banana Republic, Gap and Old Navy, Gap, Inc. hits three different price points ... and presumably three different consumers (although I shop at all three - mainly Banana Republic but occasionally Gap for me, Gap and Old Navy for my twin boys).  There's also Janie and Jack, Gymboree and Crazy 7, as well as Martin + Osa, American Eagle Outfitters, and 77 Kids.  In the home arena, you have Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Williams-Sonoma and West Elm. Oh, and I almost forgot Crate & Barrel and The Land of Nod. 

Well, I guess Restoration Hardware got jealous!  Not only did they debut Restoration Hardware Baby & Child (which I love) a while ago, now they are going more upscale.  According to an article in the New York Times, Restoration Hardware is opening The Flatiron Gallery in NYC on September 10. The Times quotes Gary Friedman, the company's CEO, as saying "With the unsettled economy, a lot of retailers are going down-market.  We decided to go in the opposite direction."  I find that to be an interesting strategic choice - especially considering other recent news - but I'm excited to see the store (both its merchandise and its price point) when it opens!  You can bet that's on my list for my next visit to the Big Apple.    

Now here's a design philosophy that I can get on board with.  How refreshing to read this from an editor of a major shelter magazine! 

"[I]n the real world, outside the design-magazine bubble, I prefer to avoid saying that the light fixture someone has just purchased is now a bit overexposed or that this style rug should stay and that one must go because it's currently out of favor with the decorating gods.  Because truly, none of that really matters if you love it."

"While there are certainly always new products and trends that capture our attention, we try to bring you the ones we think will endure beyond a turn in the calendar year or a fickle heart, because we firmly believe in the value of design that lasts.  More important, the real key to having a home you think is beautiful is surrounding yourself with whatever speaks to you, regardless of what the latest big thing may be."

- Karen Carroll, editor of Southern Accents (July/August 2009 issue)

I couldn't agree more!  While we all want to stay current, that shouldn't come at the expense of your comfort or style.  In my view, the most important design feature of a home is that the owners love and feel comfortable in their space. 

Of course, it just figures that Southern Accents would be the latest victim of this economy; Time, Inc. announced earlier this month that it would shutter Southern Accents magazine.  SouthernAccents.com will remain online, however, so at least that is some small consolation. 

Consider this my vote to have Karen Carroll or Dominique Browning - someone a little more in touch with reality! - replace Paige Rense at Architectural Digest.  Thanks to Heather of Habitually Chic for letting us know that might be in the works.  I've got my fingers crossed!  

Back in May, Benjamin Moore rolled out the red carpet of publicity for ben Color Capture, an iPhone application that lets you snap a picture and then digitally match any color in that picture to one of the 3,300 colors that comprise the Benjamin Moore color systems.  If I read about it once, I read about it at least a dozen times.  Well, as one of the millions of Americans who are addicted to their iPhones (I'm on my third) and the owner of a Benjamin Moore Pocket Palette (which I love), I was excited.  I made a mental note to check back June 1 and download the app.  Well, at some point during the first week of June, I launched the App Store and tried to download the app.  Interestingly, however, I couldn't find it!  I used the keywords "benjamin moore," "ben moore," "color matching," "paint color," anything I could think of.  You name it, I tried it.  So what do you think came up?  Some random apps, to be sure, but also - drum roll, please - the Sherwin-Williams Color Snap app.  What?!?!?!??!!!  I could not believe my eyes.  I hadn't heard one word about the Sherwin-Williams app, but here it was ... already available and easy to find.  My first thought was - how on earth, with all that publicity, could Benjamin Moore either (a) not get the app up on time or (b) do such a cruddy job of employing keywords so that consumers could find its app?   My second thought was - why on earth did Sherwin-Williams not publicize their application??? 

Well, it turns out that the App Store was notoriously non-user-friendly, so maybe my trouble locating ben Color Capture wasn't all Benjamin Moore's fault.  I checked today and didn't have any problems finding the app.  But how many other people had the same problem ... and found the Sherwin-Williams app?  The Benjamin Moore folks should find that troubling. 

Moving on to what really matters, however ...  How well do the apps work?  The big caveat to both of the apps is that they are necessarily dependent on how accurate the photograph's colors are.  If the photograph doesn't faithfully capture the "inspiration," it's not possible to get a good color match using either ben Color Capture or Sherwin-Williams Color Snap.  When trying to use my iPhone to match an existing paint color in a room that wasn't particularly well-lit, the results were disastrous. 

That being said, given a particular photograph, which app provides the paint color closest to the photograph's color?  My money is on Sherwin-Williams Color Snap.  When working on a color for new bathroom cabinets, I used both ben Color Capture and Sherwin-Williams Color Snap to match the slightly-off-white tile.  Sherwin-Williams Color Snap led me to Snowbound SW7004, which turned out to be perfect!  The results using ben Color Capture were way too gray.  Will I always prefer Color Snap?  I'm not sure.  Some of the variance was probably in what area of the photograph I used for the matching; it's hard to make sure that you are using precisely the same area.  I also really like the Benjamin Moore colors generally, so I'm likely to use the Color Capture software to get the Benjamin Moore recommendation.  But, at least in this instance, Color Snap was way better.  So I give Round One to Sherwin-Williams.  Stay tuned for Round Two!         

Photo from Unpluggd

Remember when Trading Spaces was all the rage?  I loved to see what the designers would dream up, even if the results were relatively predictable.  I could never have gone on that show because if Frank or Hildi would have showed up to design my room, I would have had a panic attack.  (Hay glued to the dining room walls, Hildi?  Really?  That's the best you could come up with?)  On the other hand, I always felt confident that Vern or Laurie would produce something both attractive and livable ... especially considering the extreme budget and time constraints.  Indeed, both Vern and Laurie went on to bigger and better things.  Vern launched his own collection, is a spokesperson for Stainmaster Carpets and now hosts Deserving Design on HGTV.  Laurie designed a line of fabrics for Hancock Fabrics and was a spokesperson for Olympic Paints. 

Well, Laurie was well-known on the show for her dislike of ceiling fans.  Whenever the homeowner had a ceiling fan, you could be sure that it was coming down.  In what seems to be quite the contradiction, however, Laurie admitted that she has several ceiling fans in her own home.  Why, you might ask?  I don't know if she has explained, but I can.  She lives in Jackson, Mississippi ... which is HOT!  Sometimes you just need a ceiling fan, especially on a porch.  While I don't have any fans in my house - and really don't care for them in general - I cannot imagine not having them on our large front porch or back patio.  It makes the excruciating summer days just a little bit more bearable!  

Are you wondering yet why I'm on this topic?  A friend of mine asked if I had a recommendation for a ceiling fan for her screened porch.  Every time I think about ceiling fans, I think about Laurie!  Anyway, my friend wanted something industrial-looking, almost as though it could have been in an old gas station.  I don't get that kind of request every day - nor am I familiar with old gas stations - so I did a little bit of looking.  Here were my suggestions: 

Acero fan by Minka Aire (not UV-listed for wet locations, so the porch really would need to be sheltered from the elements) 

Gyro fan by Minke Aire

Machine Age Galvanized Fan by Barn Light Electric ...

perhaps with this light kit       

What do you think?  Do any of these fit the bill? 

Photos from Farrey's and Barn Light Electric

PS:  I forgot that we have a ceiling fan in my hubby's "man cave."  I don't really consider that part of the house! 

Blah, blah, blah ... I'm sure you are all tired of my excuses for being a poor blogger.  Well, I just returned from Las Vegas (it was work, seriously!) and my boys are currently at Camp Grammy ... so look forward to some new posts over the next couple of weeks!  Here goes ...

Let me start by saying that I generally love Benjamin Moore paint.  Benjamin Moore seems to be the paint of choice for many designers, especially in this area - probably because Frank Harrelson, the owner of Eastway Paint, is a color genius.  I'm always amazed by the breadth and depth of his knowledge about the Benjamin Moore color systems.  If you ever need a second opinion on a color, ask Frank.  Seriously, using him as a resource is reason enough to use Benjamin Moore.  Of course, Benjamin Moore has some great colors so that helps matters!  

The one thing that bothers me about all paint, however, is its washability.  I just do not believe that paint is washable, at least not in the flat finish that I prefer.  Although I might be able to get the actual scuff marks, crayon scribbles, etc. off the walls, you can be sure that I'm taking some paint with them and/or leaving a shadow.  Sorry, Ben, but I don't care what you say.  Your Regal Matte Finish washable interior flat latex paint may be many things, but washable is not one of them.  Don't believe me?  Feel free to take a close look at my twins' playroom!   

Well, when Benjamin Moore debuted the Aura paint, the hype was tremendous.  Basically, Benjamin Moore promised that Aura was the best paint on the market - low VOC (volatile organic compounds) and great coverage (only one coat required over almost any other preexisting color), coupled with amazing washability/durability.  Of course, all of these features come at a price - about $55 per gallon, which is roughly one and a half times the cost of a "regular" gallon of Benjamin Moore paint.  Now I was really curious - if Aura lived up to its billing, $55 per gallon would definitely be worth it ... but I couldn't recommend that added cost to my clients without some assurance that it would actually perform as promised.  So I had several rooms in my house repainted using the Aura paint ... and here's my 2 cents and tips!  

• The professional painter had a hard time locating enough Aura paint in the correct base.  It seems that most of the Benjamin Moore dealers stock limited quantities of the Aura paint, due to its expense and the fact that it isn't a quick seller.  So plan ahead - you might not be able to buy today and paint tomorrow.   
• The previous wall color had been a light cream, and I was repainting with a darker, but still relatively light cream/khaki.  In terms of coverage, I would say we needed one to one and a half coats.  One coat was enough in most places, but a few spots required a bit of additional touch-up.  Obviously, your results would vary if you had to paint over a darker color or if you chose a darker color to repaint.  I would anticipate, however, that you will realize some cost savings from needing fewer paint coats to cover the existing paint. 
• The Aura paint is virtually odorless, and I loved knowing that I was being kinder to the environment by using low VOC paint.  Plus, it didn't bother me to breathe paint fumes ... because there really weren't any. 
• So far, the Aura paint has held up extremely well.  After three or four months, I am pleased to report that I have virtually no scuff marks or other dings on my walls.  Some time ago, I noticed some splatter on the wall in the breakfast area ... presumably caused by some sticky toddler hands.   I used a wet microfiber cloth and the splatter came off easily, without leaving any shadows in the paint.  Specifically for the purpose of writing this review, I went around the rooms inspecting the walls very carefully.  I did notice a few very light marks that I had previously not seen.   Many of those marks wiped off with a wet microfiber cloth.  For those that did not wipe off, I did not bother trying to clean them - reasoning that they are virtually unnoticeable and I'd rather let that be than potentially create shadows by using a Magic Eraser or the like.   

The verdict?  I think it's great!  I am so pleased with how well the Aura has held up in our newly painted rooms.  Is it worth the additional cost?  Well, that's a tougher decision.  I can't remember the exact numbers, but for my several rooms, I believe it cost about $200-$300 extra to use the Aura paint over a "regular" Benjamin Moore paint and about $500 extra to use the Aura paint over a "regular" Sherwin-Williams paint.  (More blog posts to come on the competition between Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams!)  That was a doable premium for a few rooms, but it might be a different story if you are painting an entire house.  That being said, I will certainly use the Aura paint again, especially in high traffic areas like my hallways and stairwell. 

Happy painting!  I'd love to hear from you about your experiences with particular brands of paint ...   

Back to The Bachelorette ... You haven't gotten an update for a while!  As I mentioned earlier, we've been on hold ... but hopefully we'll be back in the swing of things soon.  The to-do list includes cushions for the dining chairs, pillows for the sofa and chair, a chaise for the office/second bedroom, and rugs.  We already have the fabric for the cushions and pillows, but I've been keeping an eye out for the other things.  The Bachelorette wants the chaise to serve as a restful place to read or meditate, but it needs to fit the space (obviously enough) and also be easy to clean (as her dachshund is likely to be fond of the chaise as well).  Well, a Ballard Designs catalog arrived in the mail over the weekend, and I think I found the perfect piece.  I need to check the measurements, but the size looks about right and the style is perfect.  The price is good, too - Ballard Designs offers a trade discount, and every bit helps.  I love the piping on the slipcover; it really gives the slipcover a much more custom look.  Either the khaki or the chocolate will look great.  The walls are painted Restoration Hardware's Atmosphere Blue, the trim is Benjamin Moore's Simply White, and the ceiling is Restoration Hardware's Seafoam.  What a comfortable little space this is going to be!     

Photo from Ballard Designs

I love the feature articles in fashion magazines that show you how to take one piece of clothing and transform it into several different looks.  I'm all about versatility, and I love pieces - clothing or furniture - that serve multiple purposes or that are appropriate for a variety of settings.  So welcome to my version of those articles ... we'll call it "one chair, three ways!"   So check out this chair - Laura Kirar for McGuire Barrel Lounge Chair.     

It's attractive, isn't it?  Well, I'm clearly not the only one who thinks so because I have been seeing this chair everywhere.  First, I spotted it in the Architectural Digest Greenroom at the 81st Annual Academy Awards.  Here, the chair gives off an "updated retro," sophisticated yet almost groovy vibe as designer Stephen Shadley channeled "a chic 1970s pad atrop the Hollywood Hills."  

Next, I spotted it in "Summer Loving," a feature article about the Long Island home of Veronica and Jamie Beard, in the June 2009 issue of Elle Decor.  Now - while this house still celebrates the seventies - it does so in an entirely different way ... and the chair (in the lower right corner) is Palm Beach all the way!  Can you believe how different it looks, lacquered white and with brightly patterned cushions?     

Finally, I spotted the chair in the season finale of Ugly Betty (love that show!).   Unfortunately, I can't find a still shot, so you are going to have to use your imagination.  Picture it - the swanky NYC apartment of Wilhemina Slater, co-editor-in-chief of Mode magazine.  The apartment is sleek and fashionable, bold and fearless.  From the looks of it, you know better than to mess with its owner!  The chair is lacquered black with red cushions.  Think black patent Manolo Blahnik stilettos with red lipstick, and you've got the vibe.

So there you have it - one chair, three entirely different ways ... yet utterly fantastic in each setting!  Now that's the mark of fabulous design ...    

Photos from McGuire Furniture, Architectural Digest and Elle Decor

I have been seeing this advertisement everywhere I look!  Maybe I notice it so much because I am totally loving the graphic, oversized print - a floral done in a completely modern way - and the bold colors.  It's so happy!  You couldn't possibly be sad sitting in a chair like that!  Thomas Paul started out designing men's ties, then moved to selling pillows, and has now branched out into fabrics and rugs.  His prints are fabulous, and I'm not surprised that they have taken off.  Duralee fabrics are "to the trade only" (available only through architects and interior designers), but I'm fairly certain that I've seen this same picture used in an advertisement for Front Door Fabrics (which is open to the public) on Monroe Road.  Check out the entire Thomas Paul collection for Duralee here!  

Photo from Duralee