There has definitely been a bit of a fall chill in the air lately! And no place cozier to curl up than in a wing chair, originally designed to protect against chills in those drafty, old castles. It has since been elevated to iconic status, characterized by a high back, comfortable arms, those enveloping wings and is available in styles from traditional to modern, even to the whimsical.

credit: Jean de Merry

Make a statement with the exaggerated lines and proportions of the Aland Wing Chair by Jean de Merry.

credit: Room and Board

Mid-mod fans can satisfy their style of choice with this chair, originally designed by Hans J. Wegner for Carl Hansen & Sons, and available through Room & Board.

credit: Restoration Hardware

Restoration Hardware’s new French Upholstered Wing Chair exemplifies traditional form.

credit: Restoration Hardware

The Versailles Domed Chair, also known as a canopy or balloon chair, inspired by an 18th century Louis XV original. Available through Restoration Hardware.

credit: Bright Chair

The Van Wing Chair by Bright Chair ups the style quotient with the slightly raised, exposed wood arms.

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Clean and simple, Stanley Jay Friedman’s Winged Chair for Brueton.

credit: ShopAD.net

Delicate, hand painted chinoiserie sets off the detailed fretwork on the Chinese Chippendale Wing Chair by Gregorius|Pineo.

Now, pour that brandy, open the damper, stack the wood and light that cozy fire!

Seems to be the word of the moment.  The venerable Italian design house and Target launched their joint design venture yesterday – stores were emptied of inventory, the Target website crashed due to volume, and the news media even picked up the story!  Known for striking and colorful geometric patterns in fashion, home goods and accessories, as well as launching the Hotel Missoni boutique chain, the company was founded in 1953, and saw its peak of fashion influence in the 1970′s, with yesterday being quite the exception.  What was to have been a 6-week supply disappeared in 1 day, fueled by an aggressive marketing campaign of inserts in luxury fashion magazines, a presence at New York’s Fashion Week, highly-styled TV ads and a blogosphere buzz that few collections such as this have generated in the past.

A few of the coveted pieces from the 400-item collection.

credit: Target

credit: Target

credit: Target

credit: Target

credit: Target

credit: Target

Were you one of the lucky few to have scored a Missoni item from Target?  Did you have to wait in-line or on-line? Either way, you will be the envy of your design-savvy friends!

There is much to be said for the beauty of a life well-lived and the patina that comes with age.  Much evidenced by the success of 1st dibs, and the amazing array of objets one can find with the click of a mouse.  The interesting, beautiful, vintage goodness doesn’t stop there, as evidenced by the treasure trove to be found at Pieces, Inc., Urban Remains, and Vintage and Modern, best known as VandM.  A few delights to tempt you.

credit: Urban Remains Chicago

Urban Remains of Chicago offers architectural salvage, vintage finds, and details of where the gems have been hiding.  Imagine this as an “of-the-moment bar car” with an interesting back-story.  Circa 1930′s industrial table.

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VandM showcases just about every design period one could think of, but they have some of the best of the best when it comes to Danish Modern.  1950′s Hans Wegner-style solid wood chair.

credit: Pieces, Inc.

Pieces, Inc. specializes in the perfect piece to jazz up any space, and this vintage Ming-style dresser has just the kick your space needs with a zingy, new orange color!

Seems everywhere you look lately, there is a bit of Moorish here, a bit of Moroccan there. Pull a look together, or add a piece or two for a dash of spice.

credit: Wisteria

Ornamented with hand-cut camel bone, the Moorish Chest in Brown through Wisteria.

credit: Viva Terra

VivaTerra‘s Copper Hanging Lanterns, also available in Silver.

credit: John Derian

The ubiquitous Moroccan pouf, no one does it better than John Derian, and the colors!  Shown in Red.

credit: 1st dibs

Circa 1960, the painted metal Starburst Mirror through Fleur on 1st dibs.

credit: 1st dibs

Intricate carving sets this Moorish 3-Panel Screen apart, through Melissa Levinson Antiques on 1st dibs.

credit: Restoration Hardware

Using ancient tribal Moroccan weavings to guide a modern hand in the Talaa Collection of angora mohair rugs through Restoration Hardware.

Recently, my inbox has been flooded with a plethora of new collections and introductions from far and wide. A few favorites from the many:

Industrial chic from Dessin Fournir with the Vide Barstool and the Hageman Chandelier.

credit: Dessin Fournir

credit: Dessin Fournir

A range of finishes and options on the Plaza Console from Townhouse Collection.

credit: Townhouse Collection

Merida is letting us peek at their new Felted Wool Collection with the beautiful Felted Cable pattern.

credit: Merida

Over the weekend, I was the incredibly fortunate recipient of a good friend’s generosity in sharing her “friends and family” pre-opening pass for the new IKEA store that is set to open this Wednesday, July 27th in Colorado!  The first ever store in Colorado, the masses have been waiting with baited breath since the announcement 3-1/2 years ago!

A great group consisting of uber-friend-with-the-pass, Jamie Foley of Sanctuary Home, Raina Cox, the brains and wit behind If The Lampshade Fits, Jamie’s great mum, and ME!!!!  For the sake of brevity, we shall forever more be the “designerds”.  We each had our own agenda, potential shopping list and high expectations.  We were greeted by parking attendants waving us into our allotted space, friendly faces and helpful customer service people abounded.  Smiles were the order of the day, and even with masses of people, nary a crack showed in the armor.

I know that many are critical of IKEA and their made-to-assemble furniture, but I am a firm believer in good design being available for any and all who appreciate it.  The business model works brilliantly, who can argue with 350+ stores worldwide?  A company that supports sustainability, works with UNICEF, has a Foundation that supports education and improving the lives of children has my vote!

Well, on to the good stuff – SHOPPING!  I just had a few things on my list, but in the stroll through the showroom, the marketplace, the aisles, the shelves and the endless (10,000 products) choices, a few other wonderful things caught my eye.

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The MULA bead roller coaster was a must-have for my little grandson, James.

credit: IKEA

The STOCKHOLM bowl.

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I am coveting this great cocktail table, has a great mid-century vibe.

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A nice hand and lovely colorings on the BLAD curtain panels.

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The fabric by the yard is as good as it gets – graphic, colorful, 100% cotton and $7.99 a yard!  Shown, Gunilla in Orange.

What are your favorite IKEA finds?

I have always loved the sleek minimalism of Mies van der Rohe’s classic Barcelona Lounge Chair, which was decades ahead of its time when it was originally introduced in 1929.  Created to furnish the designer’s German Pavilion at the International Exhibition in Barcelona, it served as seating for the king and queen of Spain.  The Barcelona Chair was honored with the Museum of Modern Art Award in 1977.  The chair is a registered trademark of Knoll, Inc., and is still manufactured by Knoll, according to the original and exacting specifications of the designer.

credit: Design Within Reach

The Barcelona Lounge Chair, produced by Knoll, Inc. and available through Design Within Reach.

But recently, as I was flipping through an issue of the VivaTerra catalog, a rather relaxed, rustic take on this classic caught my eye.  Crafted of FSC-certified machiche, a Guatemalan hardwood, with cushions upholstered in either reclaimed jute coffee sacks or organic color-grown cotton fabric.

credit: VivaTerra

The Butaca Chair, available through VivaTerra.

Which do you prefer?  City or country?  Refined or relaxed?  Chrome or wood? Both have their charms!

I have always admired the whimsical work of Piero Fornasetti, but had absolutely no idea of the breadth and depth of his creative talent. Born in Milan, Italy in 1913, he is credited with having created over 11,000 different products during his lifetime! Now that is creative output. Upon his death in 1988, his son took the helm of the atelier and house of Fornasetti, and continues to design and produce extraordinary works of art.

credit: My Own Space

His plates are probably the most instantly recognizable works to most, and are readily available.

But his work spreads far and wide!

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Taking ceramics to a new level.  The Architettonica Table through Palazzetti.

credit: Lerebours Antiques

A spectacular 3-drawer chest, c. 1970, through Lerebours Antiques.

credit: 1st dibs

1940′s Italian lithographed wallpaper screen, through Lewis – Trimble on 1st dibs.

credit: Van Den Akker Antiques

Van den Akker Antiques has beautiful vintage Fornasetti pieces, of which this Butterfly Cocktail Table is no exception.

credit: 1st dibs

And though I have featured this before, one of my favorites, and one his most magical creations, the Moon Cradle.  Originally a magazine holder, it has been re-envisioned as a limited edition cradle.  Through Dragonette, Limited and 1st dibs.

What better way to see if you are indeed the fairest of them all, than in one of these stellar beauties.

credit: Wisteria

More than 1,000 individual mother-of-pearl pieces inlaid in mango wood, artist signed, through Wisteria.

credit: Plantation

Convex glass and shimmering discs in antique brass splendor radiate luxury in the Raindrop Mirror from Plantation.

credit: Holly Hunt

With a decidedly more modern aesthetic, a set of 3 Convex Mirrors designed by Steven Teichelman through Holly Hunt. (more…)

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.

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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.

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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?