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

THE LOW DOWN: CB2...

CB2 is a modern offering from the Crate and Barrel line of stores that first opened in Chicago in 2000. CB2 offers very affordable furnishings with simple yet stylish design and great attention to detail.  They have great, what I like to call, "first apartment" furniture.

CB2 has everything from furniture to bedding to rugs to dinnerware at incredible prices.  Some of my favorite pieces are the:

Hide n Seek Wall Mounted Storage

Array Bookcase in Orange






Proof Nightstand

Asymmetric Closet Armoire

 

TPS File Cabinet in Charteuse

CB2 has 11 stores throughout the US -Atlanta, Berkley in California, Chicago, LA, Miami, Minneapolis, NYC, San Francisco, Santa Monica and DC - and 2 in Canada - Toronto and Vancouver.

Happy shopping...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

DORM ROOMS: NECESSITIES VS DECORATING...

There is a great back-to-school commercial by Staples where the dad is pushing a shopping cart and singing, "Its the most wonderful time of the year!" That commercial always cracks me up, mostly because I can totally relate. That was until we shipped our daughter off to college for the first time. The amount of "stuff" needed for her to feel like she had a home away from home was extraordinary!

Me being me, I wanted her space to be as pretty as her bedroom at home with its lavender, purple, white and black with light maple furniture color scheme. But that wasn't happening. What we had to work with was that traditional bulky oak furniture that we all know and love (or hate, would be more appropriate.) Realistically, the most important thing was to accommodate all her storage needs.

So instead of just offering ways to make the dorm room pretty, here are some attractive solutions that will make for a happy dorm life...


Gold Capiz Floor Length Mirror from Pier 1



Wall Shelves from Target



Wicker storage tower from Pier 1



Under bed storage from Target



Closet storage from Bed Bath & Beyond



Desk lamp and organizer from Target



iPod dock and alarm clock from Target



Seagrass laundry separate from Target



Canvas shoe storage from Target



Storage Ottoman from Target



Mirror with hooks from Target



Storage units from Bed Bath & Beyond



Caddies from Bed Bath & Beyond





Here's to a success school year...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Photos courtesy of BedBathandBeyond.com, Pier1.com and Target.com

LEFT OUT IN THE COLD - SAYING GOOD-BYE TO AN OLD FRIEND...

Its easy to take things for granted. Saying good-bye isn't easy. I finally had to lay to rest my refrigerator of the past 11 years.  Silly me, I thought we had a few good years left. At least until we're ready to sale the house after the boys go off to college. 

That led me to research my options for new appliances since we need a new stove and dishwasher as well. The brands are seemingly endless. Of course I love the high end brands such as Miele, Viking, Thermador, Wolf/Sub-Zero, JennAir and GE Monogram.

 

 Then there are the brands for the rest of us such as KitchenAid, Whirlpool, LG, General Electric, Frigidaire and Kenmore.

So do I select the traditional top freezer or go crazy and buy a side-by-side, bottom freezer or French door?  Since my color options are limited and I dare not venture back to the days of Harvest Gold or Avocado Green, its either black, white, bisque (aka almond aka beige) or stick with stainless steel to match my other appliances. I love the high-end look of stainless steel but the accumulation of fingerprints drives me crazy.


Side-by-side

Top freezer

French Door



Bottom freezer



Freezeless

Since we only have a 33" wide space to work with and needless to say I need a freezer, the side-by-side, French door and freezeless options were out. In doing my research, the bottom freezer gives you a tad bit more storage capacity. So I decided upon the:



Kenmore Bottom Freezer in Stainless Steel

Why the Kenmore? The GE Bottom Freezer that I wanted wasn't available for immediate delivery and we couldn't wait nearly 2 weeks. So we welcomed our new addition with open arms.

I'll have to start the process over again very soon because my range really is on its last leg...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Photos courtesy of Sears.com

NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL GIFT FAIR...

Part of my job as an interior designer is staying current with design trends which means attending industry events such as trade shows. This week, I attended the The New York International Gift Fair at the Jacob Javitz Center, Pier 92 & Pier 94 in New York City. Held twice a year in January and August, the NYIGF hosts 2,800 exhibitors showcasing home, gift and lifestyle products. The fair is open to the trade only.

The NYIGF has 14 highly-focused divisions offering  housewares, artisan jewelry, apparel and accessories, home furnishings and more. The fair is an opportunity for designers (and retailers) to see what's on trend for the upcoming season. I generally focus on At Home which features furniture and accents and Accent on Design which features tabletop and bedding although I have been know to peruse the other divisions to see what's on trend there as well.

Color still reigns supreme with metallics and animal prints making a great resurgence. The menswear influence is making a comeback as well. Here are some of my favorite finds...

Bedding by Legacy Home

Bright glass lighting from Vivify Lighting

Graphic signage by Design Legacy

Side table by Red Egg

Dining chair by Design Legacy

Side chair by Room Service

Armoire by Design Legacy

Mirror mosaic ram by Gold Leaf Designs

Wallpaper by Tempaper Designs

Tables by Tara Shaw Maison

Pillows by Dransfield and Ross

Chest and accessories by Bungalow 5

Sectional by Luna Bella

Sculpture by Gold Leaf Designs

Silver accents by Roost

Dresser by Notre Monde

Chest by Bliss Studio

Graphic florals by Dutch Home

Chair and ottoman from Julian Chicester

I discovered a vendor at the show for the first time, TrueBee Designs, that creates beautiful custom storage ottomans. Pricey but well worth the investment as it is a one of a kind, heirloom quality piece of furniture. I predict we will see much more from them.

Custom storage ottoman by TrueBee Designs

Happy shopping...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Photos courtesy of Tammy Bolden