BUSY IS AS BUSY DOES...

Ever since Tom Hanks said that infamous line in Forest Gump, I've adapted it to whatever situation necessary.

I have been so busy with work and keeping up with fashion and design trends (thanks to FNO, HFR, NYFW and What's New, What's Next at NYDC) that I haven't been able to keep up with my blogging. I'm not complaining but I am happily multi-tasking. Updates on all the aforementioned acronyms to come...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

WHAT'S NEW, WHAT'S NEXT...

The New York Design Center aka NYDC aka 200 Lex (it's address) held the fourth annual What's New, What's Next last week which is a showcase of new ideas, design, materials, and products. Over 55 participating showrooms feature new product introductions, informative lectures and book signings. This is an annual opportunity to celebrate the very best in the design community.

NYDC is a to-the-trade resource center that houses nearly 100 showrooms representing more than 500 lines of fine, traditional, contemporary, residential and contract furniture, as well as fabric, floor covering, wall covering, kitchen and bath and decorative accessory resources. Here are several of the products I "favorited:"



Lighting from Cliff Young

Floral Arrangement at Cliff Young

Table from Phillips Collection at Cliff Young

Chandelier from DesignLush

Sofa from Century Furniture

Dresser from Lexington Home

Chandelier from Arteriors Home at Hickory Pearson

Table from Sherrill at Hickory Pearson
 

Until next year...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Photos courtesy of Tammy Bolden

THE LOW DOWN: ONE KINGS LANE...

Hopefully by now you've heard of One Kings Lane (OKL), the members only on-line site for designers goods.  Every day, OKL launches new sales from a wide range of products from furniture, lighting, textiles, cookware and tons of other home related items. Most sales last 72 hours with limited quantities so its first come, first served. (Its just like Rue La-La and Gilt for my fashionista readers.)

Launched in March of 2009, One Kings Lane is the leading on-line home and lifestyle shopping destination. OKL offers "Tastemaker Tag Sales" and "Vintage & Market Finds" which are the best of top-brand and vintage items selected by high profile designers at exceptional values. In only three years, the company has grown to 3 million registered users.

I am proud to say that I purchased this light fixture from OKL that I had been "eyeballing" for some time.  I quickly snatched it up when I saw that the price was close to the wholesale cost offered to trade only customers. It now proudly hangs in my foyer!

I only give away my secret shopping tips to those I love. Click here to check it out for yourself...

 

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

 

Photo courtesy of Crystorama.com

LIGHTING THE WAY...

No designer can ever underestimate the value that lighting adds to a room and not just in its functionality - from creating a mood or placing emphasis on a particular element or simply adding flair. Lighting is an important aspect to the interior design that is sometimes an after thought but clearly adds to the success of the finished product. There are SO many style options available whether the aesthetic of the room is...

CLEAN AND MODERN,



or ECLECTIC AND BOHEMIAN,

or ELEGANT AND TRADITIONAL...

It is always important to put lighting at the top of the list when designing a space that is functional and complete.

Here's to a bright day...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Photos courtesy of NeimanMarcus.com, ArteriorsHome.com





THE MAN CAVE...

Every man should have his own place to retreat to known as the Man Cave. It is important for a man to have a place to call his own, to provide refuge from stressful surroundings and to be beneficial to marriage. Rules are relaxed and where other people's standards of cleaniness are not necessarily observed. 

That room typically has multiple purposes: a place for men to work, to be away from women and from female sensibilities, to indulge in hobbies, or to hang out with his friends. It is, loosely, a male-only space to watch sports or play video games.

In a sense, for married men, it is a way to recreate some of the space and freedom of their bachelor days.  Of course, for a woman's sake, it should at least be attractive - usually thematic in design (for his sake) depending on the man's hobbies or occupation.

Sports Haven

Fireman's Pub

Gangster's Getaway

Corvette Cave

Harley Escape

Golf Retreat

Or if your man trusts your taste and just wants a nice room, here are a few ideas with a little less "kitsch." Just remember, a notable Man Caves should include (1) a television, (2) a desk, (3) comfortable chairs, (4) a bar and (5) a table, usually pool or poker...

Ladies, here's to your man's space...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Photos courtesy of HGTV.com, DIYNetwork.com

FASHION'S NIGHT OUT: NYC STYLE - SEPTEMBER 6TH...

I'm looking forward to the 4th Annual Fashion's Night Out on Thursday, September 6th in the fashion capital of the world - New York City! 

FNO is an event where fashion editors, designers, celebrities and fashionistas in cities across the country and around the world flock to their favorite stores for a fun night of shopping and entertainment. Its also the kickoff to New York Fashion Week. In describing the event to a Facebook friend, its like a "fashion bar crawl!!" (Even the Empire State Building will be bathed in a special FNO-themed light display.)

According to their website, last year's FNO bash featured events in 18 countries and more than 4,500 events here in the States. American Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), NYC & Company and the City of New York created Fashion's Night Out in 2009 to celebrate fashion, restore consumer confidence, boost the industry's economy and put the fun back in shopping. Proceeds from the sales of official FNO gear go to benefit the NY Community Trust's NYC AIDS Fund.

I'm planning to visit some of my favs such as Bloomingdale's (of course), Alice + Olivia, Sephora, DVF, Haute Hippie and Stuart Weitzman to name a few.  To plan your Fashion's Night Out itinerary and for more details, click here.
See you on Thursday in NYC...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

DIVERSITY IN DESIGN SYMPOSIUM...

The New York School of Interior Design is hosting the Diversity in Design Symposium sponsored by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) - NY Metro Chapter. 

The event will feature a panel of design industry leaders:  Robin Wilson of Robin Wilson Home, Anisha Clarke of Ishka Designs, Joy Moyler of Joy Moyler Interiors, Michael Boyd of Smith Boyd Interiors and Anaele Owunwanne of FREEDOM DEFORM Architects.

The symposium is meant to serve as a platform to showcase the merits and talents of various interior designers and architects of color. Its an opportunity to hear what those who have excelled in a challenging field have to say about the direction of the industry for designers of color.

The symposium will be held on Wednesday, September 26th from 6pm - 9pm at the NYSID located at 170 E. 70th Street in New York City. A Q&A and reception will follow.   Registration is required.

See you there...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy