There is nothing like a gathering with family and friends, sitting down to a sumptuous meal that has been lovingly prepared. It is a scene that is familiar and comforting to all of us, so why not shake things up with something a bit avant-garde?

credit: Jean de Merry

The So-Ho Dining Table from Jean de Merry, with the puzzle-like base of ebonized or white gold leaf metal legs and a fossil stone top.

credit: Berman Rosetti

Cerused oak and hand-hammered and carved metal accent legs in a platinum finish, define the strong lines of the Sun Valley Dining Table from Berman Rosetti.

credit: Dakota Jackson

The cool, clean, high lustre Azure Blue polished finish and nickel feet on the Arabesque Dining Table by Dakota Jackson.

credit: Helene Aumont

29 squares of walnut or rosewood add up to the Square Luna Dining Table by Helene Aumont.

credit: Oly Studio

The exaggerated scale and proportion of the turned legs round out the Owen Dining Table by Oly Studio. Available in antiqued white, chalk and antiqued black.

credit: Urban Hardwoods

Giving new life to trees from the urban forest, Seattle’s Urban Hardwoods crafts unique tables from what would have previously ended up in a landfill. The Sycamore Dining Table uses book-matched sycamore with a free edge and a black steel sled base.

The blogosphere is literally abuzz with the news, as Pantone has recently announced 175 new colors added to their already pretty-close-to-infinite color palette!  A few stand-outs and some fun finds that bring them to life.

credit: Pantone

credit: Dessin Fournir

If 50 is the new 40, then pink is the new black, and Ballerina Pink #176-UP is the perfect shade.  Shown:  Rose Cumming Sabu on Linen in Red/Rose, 3 other colorways, through Dessin Fournir.

credit: Pantone

credit: Pieces, Inc.

Knock, knock, who’s there? Banana. Banana who?  You know how the rest goes, and I am so happy that Tangerine Tango #17-1463 is one of the newest oranges.    Shown:  Vintage Hooded Rattan Settee available through Pieces, Inc.

credit: Pantone

credit: Patina

Not too tart, not too sweet, Lemon Meringue #12-0711 is a lightly-toned, true yellow.  Shown: Patina‘s lovely Toscana Console.   Finish and artwork can be customized.

credit: Pantone

credit: Swarovski

Almost good enough to eat, or at least a scratch-n-sniff, Ganache #19-1018.  Shown:  Swarovski‘s Cashmere Taupe wallpaper, 3 other colorways available.

credit: Pantone

credit: Grange

Picture yourself floating in a sea of Mykonos Blue #18-4434.  Shown:  Pampadour sideboard in Saphir finish by Grange.

And there are 170 more delicious new colors to explore from the visionaries at Pantone.

Designing an infant nursery or a toddler’s room is a labor of love; a reflection of the special little person that lives there. Area rugs cozy up any space, but most especially in a child’s room, and are de rigueur for a hardwood floor, but how about one layered over wall to wall carpeting or sisal matting? Well-priced options abound from the wild to the whimsical, the fun to the fantastical, the silly to the sophisticated. And you just might be surprised where these can be found!

credit: 2 Modern

GoodWeave certified, 100% wool, with all natural fibers, dyes and cotton backing, and guaranteed to bring a smile even to Farmer Brown, the Veggie Garden rug by IndiB through 2Modern.

credit: Posh Tots

As cute as a bug’s ear, the Loops and Ladybugs rug available through PoshTots.

credit: Layla Grace

It’s off to dreamland with Capel’s Starry Night 100% wool rug at Layla Grace.

credit: Land of Nod

Blooming with color and texture, Land of Nod’s Raised Floral rug.

credit: Rosenberry Rooms

Not a second grader alive that doesn’t love dinosaurs, the Dinosaur Fun Rug by Rosenberry Rooms.

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.

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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.

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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?

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?

Faux Bois (from the French for false wood) refers to the artistic imitation of wood or wood grains in various media. It was very popular during the late 19th century through the 1940′s, generally in the form of garden art. No longer is it relegated to the outdoors, but comes in a variety of forms and fashions for your indoor paradise.

credit: Mecox Gardens

The “Beaujon” Loveseat through Mecox Gardens, just what a pair of lovebirds might need to feather their nest.

credit: Bunny Williams

A garden stool in the truest sense of the word from Treillage, Ltd. through Bunny Williams and BeeLine Home.

credit: Nobilis

Nobilis puts the wood on your walls with Papier Bois in 15 fabulous colorways from quiet, earthy neutrals to otherwordly pinks, blues and yellows.

credit: Ironies

Perfectly at home in a forest bower, the Bard’s Bed by Ironies.

credit: 1st dibs

Faux bois refined in this vintage gueridon from Antiques due Monde through 1st dibs.

Technically, several of the pieces are not true faux bois, but are metal or carved wood. Can you tell which is which?

This new collection, conceived by the illustrious wallpaper designer Karen Beauchamp, takes interior design to the next level using state-of-the-art technology. Eleven creations were designed using rich, jewel-toned colors like royal blue, eggplant and burgundy, as well as warm golds and copper, intertwined with classic designs like damask, paisley and stripes, all topped off with a dash of Swarovski Elements.

credit: Swarovski

Versailles Gold, also in Silver, of course.

credit: Swarovski

Cashmere Taupe, 3 other colorways.

credit: Swarovski

Plume Sage, plus 9 other beautiful colors.

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Feather Palace Copper, 3 other colorways.

credit: Swarovski

Jeweled Stripe Black Bronze and 9 others.

Text does not do this collection justice! For more images and a quick video, please see the Swarovski Elements Facebook page here:http://on.fb.me/faHerv

The Greek Key was the most important motif of ancient Greece, and the most common decorative element in Greek and Roman art.  It is common in present day architecture as a neoclassical element.  It symbolizes infinity and unity, and provides the geometric basis for fretwork.  Rather suprisingly, it is also known as the Meander, recalling the twisting and turning path of the Maeander River of southwestern Turkey.  The path leads us to these striking accents ~

credit: Michael Berman, Ltd.

Michael Berman’s Midtown Lounge Chair is looking decidedly uptown.

credit: Wedgewood

With the classicism and formality that typifies Wedgewood, the gold-rimmed Dynasty Accent Plate.

credit: Kravet

Exclusive for Kravet Couture, Grand Key/Taupe #9307.16, is 118″ wide, made from CS Trevira, 3 colorways.

credit: Clarence House/Samuel & Sons

The Galon Athenee Tape (1-1/2″ and 3″ widths, 25 colors) from Clarence House and the Aristotle Greek Key Border (5/8″, 1-3/8″, 2-3/4″ widths, 17 colors) from Samuel & Sons Passementerie provide the perfect finishing touch.

credit: Leontine Linens

Leontine Linens contrasts terra-cotta linen with tan poplin trim in their Pamela bedding.

credit: Hickory Chair

With pierced metal fretwork, the Cypress Cocktail Table from Hickory Chair.

Borrowing from the past for the fresh look of today.

Photo-quality 3D renderings are an extraordinary visual tool to help your clients “see” what their finished room will look like, but why stop at the front door?

credit: GDM

credit: GDM

credit: GDM

Please contact Martha or Alexandra for details!