Nothing says refreshment like an iced mint julep on a sultry summer day, enjoyed with the fan spinning lazily overhead, while relaxing on the veranda in one of these sexy woven chaise loungers.

credit: Pierre Deux

The Veranda is a lovely reproduction of a 19th c. design, captured perfectly by Pierre Deux . The ottoman even slides underneath!

credit: Janus et Cie

The sparkle of chrome feet beckon you to recline on the beautiful Memphis Recamier by Janus et Cie.

credit: Gloster

Gloster’s Anassa Relaxer has a woven back, seat and sides with a curvaceous teak frame and cushion.

credit: Whitecraft Rattan

Whitecraft Rattan brings ergonomic design to your porch or pool with their Bali Chaise, so smart with the pad rolled and buckled as a headrest.

credit: DWR

The Walter Lamb Chaise through Design Within Reach originally envisioned using bronze and copper salvaged from sunken naval ships, now crafted of weather-proof brass.

credit: Palecek

Palecek is a leader in the natural and sustainable furnishings market, and their Laguna Chaise with its coir rattan, wicker wrappings and upholstered cane matting is no exception.

credit: IKEA

One more under the sustainable and renewable umbrella, by the ever clever IKEA with their shapely Karlskrona Chaise.

Would anyone care to join me on the patio?

Being forever on the hunt for something new, different, fun or special is always at the top of my list.  A little peek into what is currently on that list.

Granted, Zentique has been around for 7 years, (where have I been?), the price point is both designer and client friendly, and their product line encompasses lighting, accessories, art, seating, case pieces, beds, and I could keep going.  Suffice it to say, a great find.  Their Isabel Bench epitomizes all they have to offer.

credit: Zentique

Sustainable, eco-friendly, made in the USA, family-owned and about the funniest name I’ve heard in a while, what’s not to love?  Tritter Feefer is based out of Georgia, has numerous finish choices and a wide array of case pieces.  The Karina Chest, shown.

credit: Tritter Feefer

For an artisanal shot in the arm, Katie Leede & Company brings it home, with fabrics and pillows that showcase the designer’s love of art and nature fused with product.  Isis in Bluebyrd Plum, 2 additional colorways available.

credit: Katie Leede & Co.

Bridging past and future, Ro-Sham-Beaux lighting by Ann Yancy Rogers of Charleston, South Carolina brings a bespoke flair to any space, whether residential, hospitality or commercial.  The Helix, shown.

credit: Ro-Sham-Beaux

A bit like an upscale street market, Eloquence brings a Paris junket for antiques to an Internet near you, with architectural finds, objets d’art, case and upholstered pieces that have all the right stuff.  I am mad for a good Gothic arch, and the Rouen Mirror does not disappoint.

credit: Eloquence, Inc.

What are some of your favorite hidden treasures on the Internet marketplace?

For a cheeky, whimsical addition, I am currently enamored with Porta Romana and their fresh take on illuminating a room!

credit: Porta Romana

All dressed up in tuxedo stripes, the Alfonse Floor Lamp, shown in French Brass finish.

credit: Porta Romana

Surveying the veldt, the Giraffe Table Lamp, in Decayed Gold.

credit: Porta Romana

Scratched Gold, the perfect finish for the Crush Wall Sconce.

credit: Porta Romana

Organized chaos – the Rhomboid Stairwell Light in Scratched Gold.

credit: Porta Romana

And for a truly ta-da statement – the Limited Edition Duck Feet Table Lamp in 24-Carat Gold with a Goose Feather Shade.

Shushing our sweet bundles of joy towards a peaceful, dreamy sleep, would be ever so much easier if they were to lay their little heads in these fanciful cribs and cradles.

credit: Posh Tots

The Princess Coach Iron Crib is a fairy-tale fantasy brought to life by Posh Tots.

credit: Lil Sophisticate

Asian tranquility is beautifully realized in the Emperor Canopy Crib available through Lil Sophisticate.

credit: Jane Keltner Brighton Pavilions

Custom designed and hand-painted to suit any fancy by Jane Keltner for Brighton Pavilions.

credit: Dragonette, Ltd/1st dibs

This limited-edition Moon Cradle designed by Piero Fornasetti gently rocks the night away. At Dragonette, Ltd. through 1st dibs.

credit: DeGarrio

The Heirloom Canopy Crib by DeGarrio is delicately forged and painted, and looks like a sweetly old-fashioned tole bed.

credit: Giggle

For the hip, uber-cool, eco-conscious baby, Giggle presents the Sam Crib, with interchangeable decorative panels.

credit: Kentshire Galleries/1st dibs

Kentshire Galleries, Ltd. through 1st dibs, showcases this c. 1880 Victorian treasure.

Hush now, sleep tight. In honor of the very recent birth of my little grandson.

As the new year begins, mirrored furnishings and accessories are the stylish way to reflect.   The beauty, craftsmanship and quality of these finds speak for themselves, but Pottery Barn, Pier One Imports, Target and Z Gallerie offer well-priced sparklers, too.

credit: Christopher Guy

Mirrored Loveseat by Christopher Guy available with numerous fabric choices, COM or COL.

credit: Ironies

Faux bois grain on mirror panels, the Eyvind Bed by Ironies.

credit: Julia Gray, Ltd.

Julia Gray, Ltd. contrasts antique gold leaf details against foxed mirror on the #1770 Mirrored Desk.

credit: Wisteria

A little jewel in your garden, with an electroplated metallic finish, the Chinese Stool by Wisteria.

credit: Worlds Away

The Hilton Antique Mirror Table Lamp with Rectangular Mirrored Shade by Worlds Away.

credit: Jean de Merry

Jean de Merry takes it over the top with gilded eagle claw feet, twisted trestle and baguette cut mirror on the Borghesi Console.

Which is the fairest of them all?

COM/COL/COT? No, not a game of Scrabble, but acronyms of the design world that are part and parcel when ordering custom upholstery. Rather than choosing one of the standard fabric or leather options carried by a furniture manufacturer, a designer can opt for something truly unique for the client, from the infinite possibilities offered by hundreds of textile suppliers.

COM – Customer’s Own Material – The yardage specified by a manufacturer is generally given as plain goods (no repeat), 54″ wide.  If the fabric is narrower or has a repeat, additional yardage is required.  Repeats are generally figured on whichever is greater, vertical or horizontal.  For example, if the fabric is 48″ wide with a 36″ repeat, an additional 40% more fabric would need to be ordered.  Care should be given when choosing fabric; the location of the dominant motif, repeat size and scale in relation to the frame, and the pattern weave direction, all can affect the final product.

COL – Customer’s Own Leather – The amount specified by a manufacturer is given in total square feet required.  As leather is a natural product, there is not a “standard” hide size, but generally hides run between 40-55 square feet of usable goods.  Usable goods is the amount of leather that can be used for the upholstery process, and does not include the waste or scrap.  The leather supplier will supply enough hides to fill the order, and depending upon the supplier, will or won’t charge for any overage.   There is generally a 10-20% upcharge for upholstering with leather.

COT – Customer’s Own Trim – A somewhat lesser known term, but still part of the upholstery process.  Custom welt cord or fringe trim for a throw pillow, is just as important as the perfect fabric.  Always given in yards required, some manufacturers will charge an additional fee for applying the custom trim.

Truly, the words say it all – customer’s own.  The sofa or chair or chaise becomes a unique reflection of the client’s taste and the designer’s vision.

In celebration of the “fresh as a daisy” pick of Honeysuckle as the Pantone Color of the Year 2011, let your decor join the party!

credit: Dedar

Dedar’s Pavillon #006 takes inspiration from delicate European ironwork.

credit: Stray Dog Designs

Faux bois stool in Stray Dog Pink by Stray Dog Designs.

credit: Leontine Linens

The luxury of monograms and high-thread count bedding by Leontine Linens.

credit: Madeline Weinrib Atelier

Hot Pink & Champagne Silk Megan Tibetan carpet by Madeline Weinrib Atelier.

credit: Irwin Feld Designs

The custom-upholstered Paris Bench available at Irwin Feld Design.

credit: Christopher Spitzmiller

Always the perfect finishing touch to any room, the Hann Lamps by Christopher Spitzmiller.

Think pink!

Bone china, pottery, stoneware, porcelain – traditional, modern, antique.  Beautiful, themed tableware abounds for the holiday season, most particularly for Christmas, but the softness of the autumnal harvest palette beckons from the Thanksgiving table.

Mottahedeh‘s Sacred Bird & Butterfly, the original Chinese export sets the dining table of the famed Nathaniel Russell House in Charleston.

Audun Ferme by Villeroy & Boch, is a vintage inspired, modern toile taken from their original design of 200 years ago.

Light as the proverbial feather, Crate & Barrel’s Dorata Platter.  What turkey wouldn’t want to sit on this?

Dating back to 1828, the harvest and the hunt feature prominently in Spode’s classic Woodland pattern.

Vietri brings a smile to the table with their new Bellezza serveware and accessory pieces.

Wishing everyone a very happy and bountiful Thanksgiving!

Who says that a boutique should be reserved for gorgeous clothing, shoes or the latest in millinery? Don’t our homes deserve the same one of kind look? Of course, there are fabric and furnishing lines that are too numerous to count, but some stand out, albeit quietly, from the crowd, a few gems from favorite lines.

Remember adorning an orange juice can with yarn, string or rope, wrapping it in pretty paper with a Mother’s Day card, and calling it good? Christian Astuguevielle truly elevates it to an art form. The Mile Card Table available through Holly Hunt.

The desk of dreams, from the Jean-Pierre collection by Helene Aumont in walnut with calf leather inserts, adjustable top position and hand-crafted joinery.  Each piece is numbered and stamped.

One of the newest pieces in the Jiun Ho Collection, the Cheverny Sofa.  Beautiful, architectectural, exquisitely detailed and designed.

Uber-sophisticated, elegantly cool and unabashedly sexy, Jean de Merry exemplifies fine quality.  Their Diana Console with reverse painting and foxed mirror finish is extraordinary.

Which is your favorite?

As a designer, do you find yourself asking “what do they have, that I don’t?”  What makes a well-known, or celebrity designer, stand out from the crowd, receive accolades, book contracts, and the like?  You work your fingers to the bone, burn the candle at both ends to visualize and design thoughtful, beautiful, sophisticated spaces, just as they do.

The difference just might be their mastery of the social media whirl, their presence on the major Social Media platforms; Twitter, Facebook, Ava Living, LinkedIn, or their focus on up-to-this-very-minute trends showcased in twice-weekly blog posts.

Case in point, Tobi Fairley, known for her signature look of fresh simplicity that is both beautiful and functional, launched her blog in September 2008.  Today, it is read in 95 countries!  She is dedicated to timely updates of her business Facebook page, which has just about 3,200 fans, and at least 3-4 tweets per day.  All of which allow her to remain engaged and committed to her base, potential clients, and any publications looking for content.  She has been showcased in House Beautiful, Traditional Home, Better Homes & Gardens, along with other local and national shelter publications.  She is seen as a taste-maker and a trend-setter.

But all of this takes time, energy and the search for trends and topics that are interesting, and if that candle is burning while you are hard at work on a project, how do you do it all?  Gibson Design Management, and our sister company, OttoPilot Media, are experts in Social Media.  We know how to move the pieces around the gameboard to maximize your visibility and your fan base.  We would welcome the opportunity to answer any questions, and help you through the Social Media maze!  Please contact Martha for details.