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?

Clean, spare, modern, timeless. Whether these pieces are reissues, reinterpretations or completely original, they look to the past for design inspiration while embracing current trends and desires. These are truly the “comfort food” for the homes of the boomer generation, but have found a whole new audience with the X’s and Y’s.

credit: Ralph Pucci International

In perfect balance, the console by Jens Risom for Ralph Pucci International.

credit: Thos. Moser

The chaise by Thos. Moser is an ode to Alvar Aalto’s tubular frame relaxer of an earlier era.

credit: Digs Showroom

The “Papa Bear” or “Teddy Bear” chair as designed by Hans Wegner is just right, and available through Digs Showroom in a range of finishes and fabrics.

credit: Jonathan Adler

Jonathan Adler’s Danner Sectional is “Jetson’s” cool.

credit: MGBW Home

For the media room or the board room or maybe the man cave, the Dexter Chair by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.

credit: Michael Berman Ltd.

The keen eye of Michael Berman Ltd. produced the Griffith Console with shagreen leather doors.

credit: Holly Hunt

The epitome of the modern design aesthetic, Christian Liaigre at Holly Hunt, offers the Ile de Re Armchair.

Rob and Laura Petrie never had it so good.

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!

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?

In celebration of the Celtic festival of Samhain, a precursor to our modern-day Halloween, the border between our world and the netherworld becomes thin, and you never know what frights you might find as your abode gets in on the mischief-making, along with all of the other ghoulies and goblins.  Trick or treat?  Won’t you come in……

Setting the perfect tone in the entry, Graham & Brown’s “Skulls” wallpaper designed by Barbara Hulanicki, and available through 2modern.

You may want to watch your step on Flor’s Funny Bones area rug.

Perhaps “Ghastly Bats” by Alexander Henry for draperies, also available in 4 other colorways.

The accessories always make the room, don’t they? (cue the evil laughter…..)

Skull Vase 01 by Human-Dusty.

Pottery Barn gets in on the creepy fun with Mini-Skull Vase Filler.

Shine on with the Bronze Skull Lamp by Blackman Cruz.

And no table would be complete without the black widow spider plates by Custom Sepia.

Oh, and that table is by the brilliant French designer, John Nouanesing entitled “Paint or Die but Love Me”.

The fun and the frights have just begun!