Exotic Beds: Fall Color in Bloom

the company store's highland paisley duvet (or comforter)

'Tis the season for deeper tones, the kind that temper brights into soothing vibrance while complementing their base colors. Those that play off hot pink, orange and amethyst will always be my favorites. And when they come balanced in strong, energetic patterns, I love them all the more. 

Retail Odyssey: The John Robshaw Sample Sale

fergana lotus duvet cover by john robshaw - blanket stitched edges

My intentions were noble. Swing by the hallowed annual John Robshaw sample sale, locate a Primrose decorative pillow sham, buy it at an awesome discount and go home. If there were no Primrose shams on hand, I was to leave empty-handed. No other purchases, since more bedding is the last thing I need. 

That was the plan going in. Unfortunately, there were no Primrose shams to be had... To my credit, I only spent $20 on the duvet above.

Lotus & Fig: Shades of Summer Sunset

the fergana ikat beach towel by john robshaw

They're at it again. Those eternal lovers, pink & orange, are running wild in decorland. Nothing calls out the brights like summertime. From earthy to neon, modern to eclectic, you're sure to find a version that suits your style.

Retail Odyssey: Madura Opens in NYC

909 Broadway - you can't miss 'em

On a street filled with the likes of ABC Carpet & Home, Safavieh, Design Within Reach, and Domain, a certain modern French flair has joined the mix. Madura has opened it's U. S. flagship store on Broadway in the Flatiron district: stripes, bold colors, jaunty patterns and luxurious textures.  

Now your stroll from Madison Square Park to Union Square just got that much dreamier.

Pink and Orange Bedding

slip into spring with a little exotica

It's official: I have a weakness for bedding that may require some rehab. After the recent IKEA acquisition, I took a good look at the new Bar III line at Macy's. Like the Style & co. line before it, Bar III has some real lookers in it's catalog. And of course that led to a store visit to handle the goods in person. 

Chez Moi: Moroccan Patterns

It started with the latest issue of Adore Home magazine. As soon as I saw the image above, I was inspired to dig out my own Moroccan-patterned bedding. Both of these duvets came from the now defunct Brocade Home.

Retail Odyssey: Springtime at West Elm

new organic bedding: bead print ikat

How they tempt me. Somehow, West Elm just keeps bringing the interesting and cozy homewares, season after season. It's no secret that their Moroccan and Indian offerings are my favorites. But I also find their Modern, Greek, Japanese, etc. compelling. Their latest goods zing with color, pattern and shape. How not to be impressed?

Fuschia + Aubergine: Cool, Bright Bedrooms

luxurious winter retreat

Turns out my obsession with the deep purple and fuschia Lanvin gown from 2012 has not abated. And here's how I'm feeling during the current deep freeze:

Color Texture Pattern: Snooze-Worthy Style

house & home magazine; photo: angus fergusson

And so, autumn has come again. No doubt we're all snuggled under some mix of summer and winter bedding. I tossed a quilt and thermal blanket on top of my mix of sheer blankets and empty duvets. Not ready for dark colors yet, but a little weight is definitely in order. 

The example above has the best of both worlds: layers of light quilts in summery tones. All those lovely patterns, offset by the warm white and metallic blockprint, are icing on the cake!

Exotic Beds: Matthew Williamson's Butterfly Home

duvet sets, comforters, throw pillows and lanterns

Why is fate so cruel? Why does it deny me us simple things like access to Zara Home? Is it really fair that Matthew Williamson's decor line, Butterfly Home, is only available at Debenham's in the UK? Are we North Americans not fans? Do we not deserve bright, bold patterned bedding and accessories? 

Revel in the lushness:

Dilemma: Birthday Self-Gifting

My birthday is looming and I need to decide on a gift. Traditionally, I allow myself one gift, specifically a splurge. Not that the belt's all that tight the rest of the year. Flights to Paris are really expensive nowadays, so I'm looking at objects on my covet list. Feel free to weigh in: 

image courtesy of greenyourdecor.com

Retail Odyssey: DVF Studio at BB&B

summer paisley: go ahead, scream down deep in your soul

So I swung by Bed Bath & Beyond in search of a certain moisturizer. (They tend to have the best prices on drugstore items.) Since I hadn't been there in a while, I decided to browse the entire store. ...And discovered that Diane Von Furstenburg is doing a dedicated homewares line (bed and bath) just for them called DVF Studio. And it be pretty as hell: 

eBay Score: The Spice Must Flow

The past few years I've been working on a project to put together a couple of old bedding collections from '05 and '06 that I let pass by. One of those collections is the Spice Market bedding from Sigrid Olsen HOME. I spied it on display at Macy's back in 2005, but decided to pass on it. (Not least because it was quite expensive. The bedskirt was $129!) But you can't easily forget something so warm and unique: reversible pink/orange patterns of stripe and lotus floral. 

Eventually I started looking it up on eBay, but the prices were still pretty prohibitive. Here and there, I have managed to snag a throw pillow and a bedskirt ($1.99!) for good prices. After seeing the euro shams in a home profile in Better Homes & Gardens, I thought I'd gladly settle for those. Alas, no go. 

Until now. I recently snagged a used duvet and king-size shams for $41.00!!!

Color Story: Sometimes...Gray is the Way

source: pottery barn (alessandra floral)

By-and-large, I'm not too interested in gray. It's aesthetic qualities are undeniable. Gray can set off other colors to perfection. It can set a variety of moods, depending on the shade. But I'm never drawn to it personally. Everything in my home fits together. Not matches, but everything just works. My aunt noted that every color in my apartment could be found in my favorite winter hat. 

But sometimes gray just nails it. It's the perfect thing to allow a lively pattern to play forth without overwhelming the eye. I tend to really like palampour floral prints, and there are some grays out there right now using gray + palampour to make pretty, soothing, cozy bedding:

The Weather Outside is Frightful

Today was full of surprises. My morning commute was chased the rainclouds north. So, as my train was going over the bridge to Manhattan I got an unexpected view. Usually it's sunny or overcast or foggy. Yesterday was rainy and the view was of low, grey clouds. Kind of Paris-like. Or like one of those old-fashioned paintings of the city with gaslights and carriages. 

But this morning...this morning I dearly wished for my camera (and a spot by the door). As we rolled over the Manhattan bridge, the view was of open sky and a sun-kissed Manhattan skyline (that's skyscrapers) silhouetted against stormy blue-gray sky. It was still raining in Manhattan proper and those clouds formed a magnificent curtain right behind the all the buildings bathed in clear, yellow light. 

In fact, the contrast was so striking that I wondered if the new Freedom Tower should be made out of such a shiny metal. It was almost blinding. Then it occurred to me that NYC is full of tall, shiny buildings that sear the retinas from time to time.

And then by midday, the temperature had fallen way below the forecast and a brutal wind had rolled in. NO ONE was ready for this. I wore the wrong coat, for sure. And no hat. And simple trouser socks. So I'm only too happy to stay in this weekend and get some reading done in my favorite spot: my soft bed of colorful linens.

Stay cozy!

source: libeco home

Exotic Beds: Sumptuous Ikat

When I stumbled on this bedding from N Natori it almost made me scream. Purple, pink and gold, with a hint of indigo. Makes you want to swan dive into luxury. All hail the Chapan comforter collection!

Earthy Neutrals: Vivaterra's Home Collection

If Vivaterra had a New York store front, my nose would be glued to the window right now. Their home goods are earthy, exotic and really sing out at a time like this, when cozy bedding is the order of the day. My small weakness for exotic mirrors would be well-sated by one of these:

moorish mirror: the perfect shape for my entry wall

Bedding Roundup: "Twilight" for Grown-Ups

I'm no Twi-hard myself, but I know a few grown-ass ladies who are and it's to them that I dedicate this roundup of bedding similar to Movie Bella's signature purple floral. Options that aren't stigmatized as "teen" bedding. (Though, for those ladies who broke down and ordered this anyway, be at ease. I'm pretty sure this comforter set made it's acting debut in "Criminal Minds" third season as Penelope Garcia's bedding.) 

I know well that feeling of saying, "Oh, that's pretty" and then stopping short when you realize it's being sold for school girls. So all you moms, aunts and grandma's can have your own Bella Twilight nest instead of buying the real deal only to give it to your nearest teeny bopper: 

Exotic Beds: Global Designs for Fall

The time to snuggle is now. The days are short, evenings are chilly, the heat won't be on for a month. Already I'm slipping into winter tendencies having grilled cheese sandwiches and cocoa for dinner. After which I want to retreat to my cushy, soft bed with a good book and nestle under piles of colorful blankets. And the fact that it's fall and jewel tones are in season does not alter my desire for brightly colored, well-patterned bedding. Thank heaven for brands like Echo who bring it like it's already been brung.

My favorite new collection, Mayan Geo, features my favorite colors, hot pink and orange, on an excellent tribal pattern. This looks like it would mix and match well with any John Robshaw you've got laying around.

all good things: echo brand mayan geo

The Bandwagon: Missoni for Target

purple zigzag pouf - the one item i am seriously considering.

some of the other things i liked: this print is delicious. but i don't need any of this stuff and i'm able to leave it alone. thankfully.

 
It is hard to know who to blame for my disappointment with today's launch. Certainly, some of the onus is on me. Waking up fully rested at 6am and deciding to web browse was my choice. Forgetting that today was the day, also my fault. And to be honest, I didn't really want anything, delicious though I find the brand.