Curbed: FiDi/Chinatown/LES Waterfront Ready For Its Makeover

[Remade vision for Pier 35 on the Lower East Side. Courtesy SHoP]
Downtown, it's groundbreaking day for a new portion of the East River Waterfront that's ready for its makeover. What that means for us: hot renderings (above) from those genius architects at SHoP of a distant future in which a now totally inaccessible waterfront transforms into a home for yachts, happy children, and bikinis.
The first phase of the project centers on the two-mile stretch from the Battery Maritime Building near the tip of Manhattan to Pier 35 at the edge of the Lower East Side and is focused on improving the existing esplanade. But they're also planning on building a tripped-out new Pier 15 at Maiden Lane (to replace the Pier 15 demolished earlier this decade), and renovating Pier 35 into "an innovative habitat restoration park," which, per the renderings, looks pretty damn awesome. Oh, and there will be waterfront steps at select locations, "to provide visitors the opportunity to get closer to the water’s edge." Good times.
[The brand new Pier 15 down in the FiDi. Courtesy SHoP]

Here's a more detailed rundown from the press materials:
The first phase of the project will improve the existing esplanade from the Battery Maritime Building to Pier 35 to safely accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists. It will feature new plantings, seating and lighting, a dedicated bikeway and visitor-friendly designs.
The esplanade between the Battery Maritime Building and Old Slip will be extended out over the water, allowing for safe passage along a widened sidewalk and bikeway. Pier 15 at Maiden Lane, which was demolished in 2001, will be reconstructed as a two-level pier reminiscent of the two-level piers that used to line the East River in the late 19th century. It will feature maritime uses on the lower level with boat docking facilities on three sides and a maritime educational component. The upper level will feature lawns and seating for passive recreation. Pier 35 at Rutgers Slip will be renovated and open to the public to provide much-needed landscaped space along the waterfront. Pier 35 will also an innovative habitat restoration park, funded by a grant from the New York State Department of State Division of Coastal Resources, which will recreate the native plants and wildlife of the East River. Waterfront steps will be created at Wall Street, Pike Slip, and Rutgers Slip to provide visitors the opportunity to get closer to the water’s edge...
The second phase of the plan calls for the construction of the Battery Maritime Plaza, conversion of Pier 42 at Montgomery Street to public use as an urban beach and boat launch, and completion of the widening of the esplanade from Peck Slip to Pike Slip. When complete, the East River Esplanade will be a critical link in the continuation of the Manhattan Greenway.
We're hoping to chat SHoP up about all this shortly, so if you've got any questions, drop 'em in the comments.

Nurse away the blues with a drink from this home bar

Sometimes a stiff drink at home is just what the doctor has ordered. The Melli Compact Lounge by Urbancase is slim, wall mounted and provides storage for your favorite elixir. Bar tools are included but the liquor is not. The laminate work surface is easy to clean and great to look at. In case you need a nightcap...the soft open hinges prevent the door from slamming shut, so as not to disturb anyone else in the home that may be sleeping.

Not your mothers broom and dustpan

Former fashion industry executives Maria Barnes and Raili Clasen, took a trip south of the border last year and found themselves exploring the shelves of a dusty old hardware store pulling down brightly colored buckets and obsessing over the neon bristled brooms.
A couple of margaritas later, they gave birth to the concept of taking mundane household items and giving them a little personality (which they also gained after a couple of drinks)
Best friends from college, Maria and Raili, leveraging their 30 years of combined experience set out to turn blah into rah....
Giving a nostalgic not to the Brady Bunch's witty housekeeper, Alice Supply Co. has even the domestically challenged sweeping and plunging. Alice has injected a fashionable dose of color and humor into the bleached-out abyss of household cleaning supplies, and hopefully making chores a little less laborious.

Let There Be (Flash)Light

SWITCH: We know you’re very attached to that yellow-and-black plastic monstrosity from Home Depot, but this beechwood flashlight designed by Jonas Damon for Areaware is just as powerful, way more eco-friendly, and powers with an energy-efficient LED bulb. Bonus: Its minimalist aesthetic means you can display it as an object, not bury it in the depths of your kitchen drawer (which sucks in a blackout). Available at Bobby Berk Home, 59 Crosby Street near Spring Street ; 646-233-3438.

Kalon Studios Named as One of the Top 100 Eco Designs in the World in Time Magazine's "Green Design 100" Issue

This is the first time TIME Magazine Style & Design has singled out a DESIGN 100 focused entirely on the top 100 best and brightest in environmentally conscious design from around the globe.

"The Green Design 100 - Sustainable Luxury - Call it responsibility or accountability. Or simple popular demand. The rarefied world of design is embracing the environment as never before. Top architects are implementing revolutionary methods. Fashion and furniture mainstays are manufacturing products using sustainable materials. And luxury empires are establishing credos on issues their customers are still waking up to. Behind the scenes, trailblazing executives are taking big risks to make it all happen — beautifully."

"Kalon Studios is named after the Greek word meaning beautiful and noble. Fittingly, this L.A.-based company strives for a near Platonic ideal in both design and production. The bamboo crib, like Kalon Studios pieces for adults, is 100% sustainable, creating not a stitch of wasted material, energy or labor."

Sophisticated and chic furnishings: SoHo: Bobby Berk Home, Manhattan

Tanvier Lee
Manhattan Interior Design Examiner


Neighborhood: SoHo

59 Crosby Street (btw. Broome & Spring Street)

Pricing: $$-$$$

What can we say about Bobby Berk Home other than fabulous!

Bobby Berk Home is a quaint showroom based in SoHo that offers hand selected items from around the world. Whether you have a quiet or eccentric style, Bobby Berk Home offers items to satisfy all styles.

What makes BBH unique is their representation of urban sophistication. Many of their products are fresh and innovative that will surely redefine your space. Functioning as a one stop shop, their showroom features an assortment of products including: eco friendly decor, furniture, accessories, pet decor, lighting, and bedding.

Bobby Berk Home presents New York City modern living through fine furniture and home accessories. With customizable features and an eye for minimal aesthetic, no home will look drab after incorporating their decor.

Final Week to Save 20% off Gus Modern Upholstery

This is the final week to save 20% off all Gus Modern Furniture Essentials Upholstery. Sale ends Sunday, August 16th.

Gus Furniture: Modern Simplicity at its Best

Inspired by simple forms and quality craftsmanship, Gus furniture is modern furnishings at the very pinnacle of its design. Simple, durable construction and durable, luxurious designs are at the center of every piece that the company creates. Gus furniture is already well known for its accent pieces, modern furnishings, and its accessories, and the result of every idea that the team has is a beautiful mix of beauty and industry. Practicality and aesthetics reign supreme, and following is just a small sample of the work that this company does.

The Delano XL Sofa incorporates soft, plush tufted leather with a sturdy and strong frame of stainless steel. This sofa is overly-sized in order to comfortably seat three people, at least. There are three shades that the sofa is available in- rich espresso, fresh white, and classic black. These colors are available to complement any modern home décor, and also is fantastic when paired with its Delano lounge chair and other accessories by Gus.


Next is the Drake coffee table in white lacquer. Those who consider themselves minimalists will be enthralled with the clean and simple design of the piece. The open frame is stainless steel, which provides impeccable stability, and the gleaming white table top brings the entire piece into the very definition of modernism. Many use the table along with the white lacquer pawn stool to accentuate living room furnishings such as sofas, chairs, and other accessories that are also from Gus furniture. In addition to highlighting white furniture, the table also offers a striking contrast to rooms when it is used along with black furniture as well.

What modern living space would be complete without lighting? The frosted hanging light by Gus furniture is one that will demand attention from everyone upon entering the room. Sleek, sharp angles and clean lines define modern lighting at its best. This design is rectangular in shape and houses two bulbs. The shade is a clear acrylic one, and is suspended from two cables that attach to a stainless steel ceiling plate. There is eight feet of electrical cord that is included for easy hanging, convenient wiring, and quick set-up. The ceiling plate mounts quickly and easily to the electrical source so that giving a room an entirely new ambiance is a breeze. These are just three examples of some of the finest examples of modern furnishings and accessories that Gus Modern furniture is all about, so for more products you can visit the Bobby Berk website online.

Quality Modern Baby Furniture: The Best for your Little One

Shopping for modern baby furniture is one of the most fun, most fulfilling, and most exciting aspects of preparing for the arrival of a little one. The experience of making ready for the small bundle of joy is one that will be remembered always, and there are many things that need to be taken into consideration to ensure that the products that are bought are soothing, comforting, of good quality, and are attractive not only to the baby, but also to the décor of the home and to the tastes of the family as well.
Providing comfort to a child is super important, and quality modern baby furniture leaves no room for compromising. Once colors are decided on and walls have been painted, many parents then turn to choosing a theme for the décor. They may already have something in particular in mind, or they may turn to their favorite designer collections for inspiration. Styles for infant nurseries have changed dramatically from one generation to the next, and the look of today demands a contemporary décor that is uncluttered, simple, stylish, and still every bit as adorable and fashionable as ever.
There are many styles of cribs that are available to those who are shopping for modern baby furniture, and they range from traditional side-lowering rectangular cribs to oval-shaped ones to those that “grow” with the child. Multiple features and multiple functions ensure that the crib will be one piece of furniture that will be useful for many years.
Today, gliders and ergonomically designed chairs have replaced the traditional rocking chairs that used to be a staple in every nursery corner, and these can also be found in many different styles. Changing tables seemed to have gone to the wayside for several years, but are now back and better than ever. Many of them, to save room in nurseries, are attached to portable cribs, play yards, and standard cribs and are available in everything from bamboo to solid wood and other materials as well.
One of the biggest trends in modern baby furniture is to use materials that have been recycled or are organic. They are not treated before or after production with harmful chemicals or toxins, and any dyes that are used are also natural. Parents realize the potentially harmful effects that these chemicals may cause with their infants, and more than ever before are specifically searching for products that are certified to be all-natural. With so many new and exciting products on the horizon for modern baby furniture, it is no wonder that so many shoppers have the time of their lives shopping for them.

Dwellstudio Bed Linens: Primo Modern Design for Today’s Style

Dwellstudio bed linens are some of the best-selling, most in-demand bedding ensembles and pieces that this year has seen. There are several reasons to attest to the company’s popularity, and for those who are already fans of Dwellstudio bed linens, you’ll be happy to know that the company also designs many other things as well, including clothing, baby bedding, home furnishings, accessories, and more.
Making bedrooms around the globe bright, bold, simple, and attractive is the job of the company, and there are hundreds of stores around the globe that carry an inventory of their designs and products. Everyone can find something that the company has given birth to that they love! There are colors, designs, and styles that fit every décor, every room, and every taste- even for the most discerning home decorator.
The company and the Dwellstudio bed linens have been featured on dozens of fashion magazines lately, including House & Garden, House Beautiful, Real Simple Magazine, Lucky Magazine, and many more. Not only that, but Dwellstudio bed linens were even featured and used on the set of the smash hit TV show, “The Apprentice”. Everything that a shopper could be looking for to go in the bedroom can be found with a Dwell label on it, from fitted sheets to accent pillows to bumpers and crib pads for infants and everything in between. Luxurious Egyptian cotton is used, with thread counts of at least 210, and the fitted sheets from the studio are not the kind with shallow corners that will pop off of mattresses every night. In contrast, the company has made sure that the pockets are extra deep and are in fact deep enough to fit right over mattresses that are up to 16 inches thick.
Some of the most popular Dwellstudio bed linens are those that are in the colors of light blue, leaf green, and chocolate. Reactive dyes are always used so that the vibrancy of colors lasts through tons of washings. There are some collections that the company is proud to claim that are most popular, and these include Thin Stripe, Dots, Circles, and the Circles in Square collections as well. Mixing and matching the solids with their vibrant prints is also hot, and the possibilities are absolutely endless, which also makes the bedding from the company personalized to fit each and every décor imaginable. Dwellstudio bed linens are the hottest coverings for beds today, and the great news is that the company continues to design amazing collections as well.

Modern Bedding: Top Designers of 2009

The quality of the modern bedding that you choose to sleep on can affect more than just the comfort that you feel when you first crawl into bed. Many people underestimate the importance of their bed and the linens that they dress it with, and unfortunately it is the same number of people that really cannot afford to take that comfort for granted. We spend at least one quarter of our lives in bed, which means that a bigger piece of our lives are spent tucked into the sheets and blankets that we buy than almost anywhere else.
Consumers deserve a wide selection of modern bedding options, and different designs, looks, fashions, and styles can be found at all kinds of stores in many different places. By far, the most popular avenue for shopping is the Internet. Consumers can shop through the inventory of stores that are physically located on the other side of the country, the other side of the continent, and on the other side of the globe for that matter as easily as it is to brew a fresh cup of coffee and sit down.
When discerning customers shop for a bed, they are shopping for a good night’s sleep. When they are shopping for modern bedding, they are shopping for comfort, warmth, and style. When someone suffers often from not being able to be comfortable in their bed while they try to rest, they run the risk of suffering from kinks in the neck, sore backs, achy muscles, tossing and turning instead of sleeping, falling ill frequently, higher blood pressure, the inability to cope well with stress, and much more. It is for the reason of preventing these conditions that people need to give their shopping endeavors the time and the attention that they deserve.
There are many designers of today that are leading the way in modern bedding. To qualify as one of the best, comfort must never surrender to style, and quality cannot ever be compromised for any reason. Dwell Bedding is one of the companies that indeed has been around for a while and has really exploded onto the design scene. Their attention to detail and their commitment to quality and fashion has turned all eyes on the designers, and at this point the team leads the way in designing furnishings not only for the bedroom but also for every room in the house and for people as well. Their clothing lines follow suit with the popularity of their home furnishings as well. Other popular designers for modern bedding include Herman Miller, Inhabit, Amenity, DwellStudio, Blissliving Home, and more.

Your Online Modern Furniture Store

A modern furniture store should have all of the essential ingredients that are necessary to help those high end shoppers who are not only looking for great furnishings but are also looking for great deals. The single most popular place to purchase furnishings and accessories today is on the Internet, which may or may not come as a surprise to you.
Modern furniture is curious by its own definition- although it is contemporary, it is defined by the same smooth, clean lines that furnishings of the 1950s and 1960s displayed. Simplicity is king in the design of such pieces, and bold, solid colors rule. Patterns are limited and are not overly frilly, fancy, or cluttered. There is certainly no room for clutter in the design of today’s pieces, and the Internet provides the single largest marketplace for shopping for them. The marketplace, of course, is the entire world.
Thanks to the Internet, pieces can be browsed through, searched for, auctioned off, bought, sold, given away, and traded from one end of the earth to the other. Any modern furniture store that strives for success will have an online website that allows customers to shop for, pay for, and have delivered furnishings and accessories for their home, no matter how big or how small. The convenience that online shopping provides cannot be beat by any traditional brick-and-mortar store, especially when a store has one showroom in one place on the planet. More than the locals are able to enjoy access to their inventory.
There are some discerning shoppers that stick with a few favorite modern furniture stores on the Internet, but there are also plenty more that know what they are looking for with no clue where to find it. This is where the beauty of search engines comes in. Search engines such as Yahoo, Google, and Bing provide the gateway that links shoppers with those websites that carry products that match what consumers are searching for.
All that is required for a shopper to find that modern furniture store of his or her dreams is to type key terms into the search box on the pages of those search engines. Examples might be “contemporary coffee table” or “modern chaise lounger” and they are instantly given links to websites that will have those very items. Browsing through inventory in the convenience of the consumer’s home is far superior to having to travel long distances or battling traffic and spending hours in a traditional store.
The best part about shopping online, especially for the large household items, is that everything can indeed be delivered right to the customer’s home. An entire room can easily be transformed by shopping at modern furniture stores online.

Contemporary Powerhouse One Man Show: Jefdesigns

Jefdesigns is a design studio that operates as a one-man business out of Portland, Oregon. Joe Futschik is the owner and designer who turns out designs that are simple, bold, and modern. Some of his most popular works are hand-made lamps, his handbags, and his light box paintings, but that isn’t all that this one-man design star is known for: he has much more to offer.
Futschik has demonstrated that he relies on his instincts in the creation of his work, and apparently that instinct is a good one. He pursues anything that serves as inspiration to him, which has resulted in an incredibly unique and diverse collection of furnishings and accessories that are as unique as he himself is. Although he listens to his inner designing voice for the creation of his pieces, he also makes sure that the designs are complementary to each other by related attention to light, form design, and color. The products, pieces, and designs are sold in stores everywhere across the country and also on the Internet as well.
The works of Jefdesigns can be seen in many different venues and establishments from one end of the country to the other, including many hotels, restaurants, private residences, corporations, business offices, bars and clubs, and others too. In fact, his influence does not end at the U.S. borders. His products have been commissioned for many projects all over the globe. He is always interested in teaming up with others in his line of work, and that includes many different aspects of his career. Some of the different categories that the designer is best known for are his dishes, pillows, plates, kitchen designs, and designs that are suitable for any part of the house. Working closely with architects and other professionals in related fields gives this designer success time and time again with any avenue he is asked to explore.
Jefdesigns has proven that simple is successful, and the loud, busy, and cluttered patterns and decorative looks of yesterday have no place in the modern home today. This is something that Futschik is already world-renowned for not only avoiding, but also for providing soothing and contemporary remedies to replace those out-of-date styles of yesteryear.

Spotlight on Top Designs: Gus Modern

Gus Modern is one of those rare talented firms that remain inspired by simple forms, incredibly attractive looks, and superiority in craftsmanship. The simple yet durable construction of all of their pieces and their luxurious designs have created a reputation for the company that precedes it. Accent pieces, modern furnishings, furniture, and accessories are all specialties of Gus Modern, and the great news is that there is no sign of them slowing down their creative ingenuity any time soon.
Part of the modern simplicity of the company’s pieces is due to the colors that are used. Bold cherry reds, beautiful blues, soft whites, and classic black are some of their more popular ones, but there are also many patterns that are used that require many other colors as well. The construction of the pieces from Gus Modern is simple, following the contemporary rule of thumb that “less is more”. There are no unnecessary features or lavish flairs to clutter up the clean smoothness of any piece. Defining each and every curve and corner is what Gus Modern does best.
One of the most popular pieces of furniture that the company claims is the Delano XL Sofa. Soft tufted leather and a stainless steel frame are only two of the features of this couch that distinguish it from the works of other designers. Colors that it is available in include fresh white, classic black, and rich espresso. The fresh white sofa is complemented excellently by the Delano lounge chair, and although the coordinating white accessories are often used with the sofa, it is also offset very nicely by corresponding accessories in the classic black color.
Lighting is one of the most important (and most often neglected) aspects of interior design, but Gus Modern has not let this little aspect escape unnoticed. The Frosted Hanging Light is one that entails sleek angles and a clear acrylic shade that is beautiful and fashionable. It is a rectangular light with a stainless steel ceiling plate for easy installation and an 8-foot electrical cord for convenient wiring. Gus Modern is one of the highlighted design companies of 2009, and these furnishings are just a couple of the reasons why.

Introducing Kalon Studios

Design for a Sustainable Culture

Los Angeles | Berlin

Based in Los Angeles, California and Berlin, Germany, Kalon Studios is a young design studio focused on contemporary form and innovative design.

Kalon Studios design focus is as much on quality of design as it is on method and process. All of our products are non-toxic, fully sustainable, and domestically produced in the United States. Each piece is handcrafted to order by traditional furniture makers in New England.

The ancient Greek concept of kalon meant beauty linked with moral worth and usefulness. For us this means making products that aren’t only beautiful in form but beautiful in concept as well. We believe that true beauty radiates from the whole but has its roots in the details and so from our hardware to our motifs, from our raw materials to our finishes we laboriously hand pick each element so that it too, alone, is kalon.

New York Magazine feature both in print and online. Check it out!

The more times we move in New York, the less we feel up to assembling yet another item of furniture from the eager DIY-ers at Ikea. The assembly-free Timber Table by Gus Modern is made of clear acrylic and etched to resemble wood grain, offering a playful departure from the standard side table. It’s unusual without being showy or overly designed. And it measures just a foot across, making it compact enough to fit into space-cramped studios (or your "cozy" Manhattan bedroom).

Timber Table by Gus Modern, $235 at Bobby Berk Home or online.
By: Lauren Murrow

Vurv Design

Glenn Ross, SFU alumni, achieved a Masters degree in architecture from UBC in 2001. While studying architecture, Glenn’s interest in design found its focus in modern furniture.

This, coupled with a passion for building, emerged as Vûrv Design, a small company specializing in both the creation of custom modern furniture and residential design.
Glenn’s intention is to create warm, comfortable spaces within the context of the modern home. His furniture is influenced heavily by his background and training in architecture and strives toward the minimal, while at the same time retaining the warmth of handcrafted wood.

All their products are made in Canada, with the exception of the stainless steel bowls that come from India

Glenn lives in Coquitlam with his wife Cindy and his two daughters, Weijin and Jian.

WHAT IS FLUF?

They say that the devil is in the details. FLUF founders, Nathalie Butterfield and Terra Kushner, say it is equally true for style, great design and originality. In the summer of 2005, their shared vision to elevate one of the unsung details of the home, the lowly pillow, led them to create FLUF.

Since its inception, FLUF has fought to dust off the pillow’s reputation as your couch’s freeloader, and show the world what it is made of. The right pillow owns the room.

They made pillows for every type of interior from über-modern, stark minimalism to retro 80s post-punk angst, to lush velvety Oscar Wilde interiors, to relaxed country livin’, to shabby urban chic. Whatever their mood, whatever their style, people got it and joined the revolution.

The more modern pillows they made, the more they wanted to design their own fabric prints. There were a couple of reasons for this. First, their customers were always looking for fresh and original prints. Second, they were having trouble finding fabulous fabrics that were manufactured using sustainable materials and practices.

They launched their first fabric print, FLY, in the spring of 2007. FLUF’s fabrics are all hand-printed locally in small runs on chemical-free hemp and organic cotton, using water-based, biodegradable dyes.

Before starting FLUF, Nathalie Butterfield practiced law and Terra Kushner worked as a commercial designer.

Hero 365

Designing products that are as beautiful as they are useful, HERO is a Toronto based company founded in 2007 by Leo Corrales and Jenny Lemieux, who met during their post-graduate studies at the Domus Academy in Milan. The duo’s recently launched product line HERO 365, balances sustainability, aesthetics, durability, and function, re-inventing familiar objects as extraordinary products for everyday life.

HERO 365 takes a modern furniture approach to utilitarian objects, transforming them to fit nicely into the home environment. Their products are made in North America using recyclable materials, ship flat packed, and promote better habits in everyday living.

Bobby Berk Home in New York Magazine Shop O Matic

Check out items from Bobby Berk Home featured in New York Magazine's Shop-o-Matic. They shop so you don't have too.

Your Guide to DwellStudio Contemporary Modern Designs

DwellStudio has more than just an incredibly popular bedding collection, although it is their bedding that they are most popular for. The company is known for reducing decorative design to its minimal and essential elements. The contemporary style of today is all about smooth lines and simple accents, which the design studio has put themselves at the forefront of. The detail is not in the form of loud prints or tons of colors. Instead, the company makes a name for itself by using the best high-quality fabrics, beautiful woven linen trims, and the finest tailoring.
Not only that, but DwellStudio uses prints that are made with beautiful dyes that are low impact and fiber-reactive. The dyes that they use are formaldehyde-free and also meet all of the criteria for eco-friendly pigments. One of the most popular recent collections is the Botany Collection from 2008. Including Hedgerow and Thicket, this collection represents the company’s latest incarnation of their signature look and has been made to perfectly mix and match with many of their other bedding styles.
Dwell Pin Dot Home Furnishings is a design house whose philosophy draws from a global style that envelops both modern pop culture and timeless classic luxury. This modern collection includes Dwell Pin Dot, which is a contemporary adult bedding line, DwellBaby, which is baby bedding and accessories for the little ones, and Dwelltable Pin Dot, which is a collection of mix and match table linens.
DwellStudio is a design firm that was founded in 1999 by a lady by the name of Christiane Lemieux. This designer wanted to bring modern design in textile to the home, and she is the former design director for Portico New York. Portico New York is a luxury home furnishings company. She is also a former fashion designer for Isaac Mizrahi and the Gap. In 2000, Lemieux was joined by Jennifer Chused. Chused is a former managing editor of Room, which is a modern home furnishings catalog. She was also a fashion stylist for VH-1 Music Television as well.
The most popular way to describe the designs of DwellStudio seems to include the words “modern” and “classic”. The young company is already known around the world for their modern take on traditional design that surrounds and decorates many different rooms in the home, and with those designs and home fashion statements they make, DwellStudio shows no signs of slowing down.

Gus Modern Furniture Sale

Don't miss out on the perfect time to buy your Gus Modern Sofa, Sectional, Chair, or Ottoman right now during our Gus Modern Summer Sale. Take 20% off your Essentials Collection Upholstery order. In Store or Online.

Shopping With Julian Tomchin - Pulling a Few Threads

BED HEAD Julian Tomchin peruses West Elm with help from Shanika Chabel, a manager.


Article Tools Sponsored By
By ELAINE LOUIE
Published: January 7, 2009
Image by Brian Palmer for The New York Time

WHEN it comes to bed linens, Julian Tomchin is a debunker of myths, like the one that says a 1,000-thread-count sheet must be of superior quality (not necessarily, he said) or the one that professes a pure cotton sheet can be wrinkle-free (don’t get him started).

At 76, Mr. Tomchin knows a thing or two about linens. He has been involved with them since 1979, first as the senior vice president and fashion director for home at Bloomingdale’s; next as vice president of creative services at Fieldcrest, both in New York; and then, from 1993 to 2002, as senior vice president for home-product development at Macy’s West in San Francisco, where he is retired.

“A bed is usually the largest piece of furniture in the bedroom,” he said. “What you put on it becomes a major decorating decision, which some people, including designers, prefer to ignore.”

Not Mr. Tomchin. On a trip to Manhattan in December, he visited several stores, sharing his philosophy about linens and thread counts. At Kmart, the Martha Stewart Everyday sheet, a 300-count solid-color cotton set, suited him just fine. So did two sheets at Macy’s: Ralph Lauren’s Cole Brook, a handsome 350-count cotton with green and cream stripes (he liked the woven look), and Calvin Klein’s Bamboo Flowers, a 220-count cotton in pale blue or hyacinth (“Lovely, lovely soft blue”).

It may sound like a relatively low count, but Mr. Tomchin prefers it. In fact, he advised, “Once you get beyond 400 threads per square inch, be suspicious.” The standard for counting is to add each warp (vertical) and filling (horizontal) thread per square inch. The most that normally fits, he said, is 400, after which the threads are thinner and weaker. Some companies use two- or three-ply threads and multiply the count. “An 800-thread-count sheet made of two-ply yarn should legitimately be relabeled as 400,” he said. “That’s how you get 1,000 threads per square inch: creative counting.”

Which wasn’t in play at West Elm, where he admired the minimalism of the 230-count Frayed Edge Organic Cotton sheets, in off-white. And when he saw the simple 300-count espresso brown sheets there, he felt at home. The reason? He sleeps on a set himself. Told it was free-shipping day, he did what any good shopper does: he bought another set.

One type of sheet gaining popularity these days is bamboo, which Mr. Tomchin praised for its softness. He found a set at Bed Bath & Beyond and took time to explain the process: “It’s a cellulose, and you boil the fibers from bamboo strips, pour it through a sieve, and what comes out is a yarn.”

Still, to Mr. Tomchin, nothing beats pure cotton. Once a bed is cloaked in it, he said, “I defy anybody to turn out the light and say one sheet is more comfortable than the other.”

Time Out New York Names Bobby Berk Home in TOP 10 Best Home Stores

Time Out New York has named Bobby Berk Home on its TOP 10 "Best Home Stores in NYC".

Swiss Box: Modern Home in the Mountains

I love how this boxy home looks like it was tossed to the ground in the middle of the Swiss Alps! Designed by Nunatak Sàrl Architectes, the home is covered in a slate exterior — a beautiful use of stone in this rocky part of the world!
The subtle use of yellow in both the exterior and interior is genius — surrounded by mountains and vineyards, this house qualifies as a great escape!

See all the photos and building plans over at ArchDaily: Zufferey House / Nunatak Sàrl Architectes.

content from Aaron Able - Apartmenttherapy NY

Decorating your Small Bathroom to Maximize Space

Tasteful décor for any size bathroom just takes a bit of imagination, and if you have a very small bathroom it will also take some ingenuity. No matter what size your bathroom is, the first rule to having a nice one is to keep it completely clean. Some people like to use paint for the bathroom walls, which is a recommended choice when compared to wallpaper. If you have a small bathroom, be sure that you don’t use wall colors that are dark because this will dramatically make the room “shrink” in size quite a lot. Neutral colors and colors that are light are the best choices to avoid making an already small bathroom appear minuscule.
If you have a window in your tiny bathroom, do not use curtains as a covering- this will again make the room appear smaller. Instead there are adhesive sheets of “frosted” transparent paper that can adhere right to the glass, and there are also adhesive sheets that look like landscapes of different kinds. These are becoming more popular than ever to provide a different kind of look to bathrooms of all kinds no matter what size they are. The great thing about these things is that no one can see inside your bathroom from the outside, but plenty of sunlight is allowed to come into the room.
Since small bathrooms will have neutral or light-colored walls, to add color to the room you can count on accessories to do the job. Towel bars, soap dishes, little accents and pictures are all great ways to help add color to the room. If you prefer not to keep towels on the walls, they can be put in a pretty basket in a corner of the room for a cozy, neat look.
If you have a small bathtub, consider using one of the curved shower curtain rods to add a little more elbow room in there for showers. The shower curtain should be light-colored with few details and smaller patterns to help with the “larger” look as well. Use over-the-door hooks for towels and bathrobes to hang on to keep them off of the floors.
Although it might be more difficult in a smaller bathroom, using bright green plants can change the entire look of a room instantly. Even if you add a small plant to the corner of the sink or on the back of the toilet it can really help. If you are going for a more modern look, stick more with plants and less with flowers. Flowers, it seems, are losing their place in décor when it comes to the modern and contemporary look. Many people also use candles as accents, and they can be lit quickly to add a nice aroma not only to the bathroom, but also to the entire house. Don’t forget to add some of those candles to the corners of the bath tub, too!

Bedroom Décor Ideas for a Fresh New Look

Decorating and re-decorating your favorite bedroom in the house can be both a stressful task and an enjoyable one- and the trick is to have the joy outweigh the anxiety, of course. While some people seem to just have a natural flair for re-decorating, others of us have no clue where to start or what to do first. Here are some tips to help you along your way to having a fabulous bedroom.
First of all, do not ever underestimate the power of lighting. Lighting can change the entire ambiance of any room faster than almost anything else. If you are lacking a lot of natural lighting in the room, you can opt for bright artificial lighting. If you have ample natural lighting and are looking to create a more cozy, warm look, the softer white bulbs in dim wattage do the trick.
Next, since the bedroom is such an intimate space and part of the house, many people find that it is a suitable place to keep and display their most personal items. Instead of hanging an impersonal picture on the wall, gather some trinkets that have sentimental value and place them in a shadow box to hang. Some people prefer to stick to specific themes for each separate box while others create a collage of memories in them; the choice is completely yours!
Going along with the same importance as lighting is color. Color can not only change the look of a room but it can also change the appearance of the size of it as well. Light colors in cool tone make walls appear to recede, and deeper tones bring in the walls for a cozier feeling to them. To help a small room appear larger, the last thing you want to do is stuff it with lots of things and big furniture. Keep it simple, keep it clutter-free, and you’ll be able to enjoy as much of the floorspace in a small room as you can.
Neutrals with nice, crisp accent colors define the contemporary design of bedrooms today, and crisp, clean prints that are not floral prints can really help modernize the look of a room quickly and with little effort. Plush comforters, duvets, high thread count sheets and amazing pillows and prints all combine to make bold statements that beds need to make. DwellStudio is one company that has made a huge impression on the fashion world not just for their modern bedding, but for their clothing lines as well as items for the home. Do not be afraid to try new things! You never know how something might suit you until you try it, so be bold!

Don’t Underestimate Your Dining Room Table’s Decorative Power

The dining room table is not only the centerpiece of the dining room, but it is also the focal point of family gatherings, holiday meals, and celebrations of all kinds. The dining set that you have in your home should fit the style, personality, and the décor of your home. Carefully consider your options when the time comes to choose a table. The trend today is to mix different styles together, and even to mix different colors of tables and chairs. The trick though is to do it with class and style. A balance between too many pieces and too few pieces must be achieved.
There are many factors to consider when it pertains to the design of dining room furniture. Shape, size, material, finish, color, and design are important. Also, you will need to decide on any accessories you would like to add, such as table pads, chair pads, or table cloths. Whether you purchase a set or individual separates to mix and match, what you use for your dining room will depend ultimately on your tastes, personality, and your budget as well. A good tip is to search in places that you may not have shopped at before to find different looks. Many people are surprised at the nice selection of retro furniture that they find in resale stores and second-hand furniture stores that fit smoothly into the contemporary decorating styles of today. Don’t be afraid to try something new! If you have had a square, wooden table in your home for twenty years and you are looking for something more contemporary, don’t be afraid to look at glass or metal oval tables in bright colors, for example.
Be careful that you choose furniture that is the right size for your dining room. Tables that are too small make a room look unnecessarily empty, and those that are too large clutter a room up and make it difficult to maneuver around. If your dining room is smaller, you may want to choose a table that is oval or round to save floor space. Rectangular tables usually are able to seat six people, so if you only have (or want) four chairs, you may want to choose a table in a different shape.
Finally, consider the room that you will need for any other pieces of furniture you want in your dining room. Many people add a buffet, a hutch, a sideboard, or even a chair in the corner. Make sure that you will be able to have ample room for people to walk around in the dining room, even when there are people sitting in the chairs. Following these tips will help you choose the perfect dining room table for your home.

Incorporating Luxury Furniture into your Modern Décor

Contemporary styles and modern furnishings today incorporate stylish, comfortable, and elegant furniture and accessories into the homes of people that appreciate the smooth lines and clean details that décor brings to the ambiance of a home. The furnishings in a home are only a part of a luxurious look. The other part depends on the placement and positioning of such furniture and accents as well. These two aspects of home decorating combine to bring modern luxury to contemporary homes.
The beauty of it all is that every home can achieve this look, whether they are newly constructed or they are a century old. The current trend in decorating is to mix and match styles. Almost everyone has some things that have sentimental value to them that may not “fit” into their décor in their home. Many people make the mistake of stuffing these trinkets on shelves where they sit for years. The idea is to either tuck it away to bring out only every so often or display it as an active part of your décor. Stuffing too many things on shelves quickly can make even the most fashionable room look cluttered and tacky.
Fortunately, the trends in home décor today follow the pattern of modern combined with classic looks. For example, contemporary chrome floor lamps are in style and in high demand for rooms of all kinds today, and for those who love the retro look, the origins of lamps like these emanate from the 1960s. This is one example of how retro, old furnishings are revived to make a statement of luxury and fashion in today’s homes. Other examples of this combined retro/modern style include things like slip covers on sofas with bright, bold accent pillows, faux-fur blankets, Louis XV style chairs, and classic chaise lounges.
Don’t be afraid to incorporate bold designs in glassware in your modern luxury home, either. Glass-cut chandeliers with droplets are radiant when used with high ceilings, and mirrors are other items that can turn the look of any room from drab to fab. Using mirrors can make a room look much larger, adding width and/or depth to it, and they also add dimension and style as well. Today there is no such thing as going overboard with mirrors, so you can have fun with ornate wooden-framed ones or gold Baroque styles too. From mirrors to lamps and everything in between, modern home décor is anything and everything, as long as balance rules in every room.

Your Guide to DwellStudio Contemporary Modern Designs

DwellStudio has more than just an incredibly popular bedding collection, although it is their bedding that they are most popular for. The company is known for reducing decorative design to its minimal and essential elements. The contemporary style of today is all about smooth lines and simple accents, which the design studio has put them at the forefront of. The detail is not in the form of loud prints or tons of colors. Instead, the company makes a name for itself by using the best high-quality fabrics, beautiful woven linen trims, and the finest tailoring.
Not only that, but DwellStudio uses prints that are made with beautiful dyes that are low impact and fiber-reactive. The dyes that they use are formaldehyde-free and also meet all of the criteria for eco-friendly pigments. One of the most popular recent collections is the Botony Collection from 2008. Including Hedgerow and Thicket, this collection represents the company’s latest incarnation of their signature look and has been made to perfectly mix and match with many of their other bedding styles.
Dwell Pin Dot Home Furnishings is a design house whose philosophy draws from a global style that envelops both modern pop culture and timeless classic luxury. This modern collection includes Dwell Pin Dot, which is a contemporary adult bedding line, DwellBaby, which is baby bedding and accessories for the little ones, and Dwelltable Pin Dot, which is a collection of mix and match table linens.
DwellStudio is a design firm that was founded in 1999 by a lady by the name of Christiane Lemieux. This designer wanted to bring modern design in textile to the home, and she is the former design director for Portico New York. Portico New York is a luxury home furnishings company. She is also a former fashion designer for Isaac Mizrahi and the Gap. In 2000, Lemieux was joined by Jennifer Chused. Chused is a former managing editor of Room, which is a modern home furnishings catalog. She was also a fashion stylist for VH-1 Music Television as well.
The most popular way to describe the designs of DwellStudio seems to include the words “modern” and “classic”. The young company is already known around the world for their modern take on traditional design that surrounds and decorates many different rooms in the home, and with those designs and home fashion statements they make, DwellStudio shows no signs of slowing down.

Good Day New York Takes a look at Magniflex Mattresses

Check out Good Day New York as they talk about our Geo-Ethic Magniflex memory foam mattresses at the Bobby Berk Home in Soho.

Look for Bobby Berk Home Furniture on Broadway

Check out Wild House Productions 'Shrunken Heads' on Broadway and while you're there look for Bobby Berk Home furniture and designs on stage.


Psychiatrist Robert Hyde anticipates a weekend of rest and romance with his perky young wife at his country house – but their peace is soon shattered by the frantic arrivals of his caustic ex-wife, their disenchanted daughter who is fleeing college with her boyfriend, a hysterical patient, and her gun-toting husband. Hilarious chaos and comic confusion ensue. As Dr. Hyde tries without success to control the crisis, we learn who truly has insight into humans, nature, and human nature.

Spotlight on Design - Photographer John Paul Tran

Fashion photographer John Paul Tran was born and raised in Houston, Texas. Inspired by his mother's involvement in theater, John Paul began acting at a young age with performances including Wes Anderson's Rushmore. His interest in working behind the scenes followed shortly thereafter and John Paul began shooting at age 15 with his 35mm. A career in Art Direction began only one year later as he worked on various fashion shoots in the Lone Star state.

After moving to New York, John Paul worked in PR with Miguel Adrover and was a Project Manager at Bozell Advertising, while attending the Fashion Institute of Technology for Fashion Design. His experience at Studio PSD led him to full-time art direction at Estee Lauder, including the launch of three Sean John Fragrances. Since then, he has been a freelance Art Director working on several large fashion brands including Simply Vera by Vera Wang, Cole Haan, Freddy & Ma, and Claude Grant.

Returning to his initial passion, John Paul enjoys shooting for the fashion industry while residing in Chelsea.





Shirt and Leather Jacket by Aeleis. www.aeleis.com

New Organic Duvet Covers by Amenity Home

For the bedroom that looks and thinks modern, Amenity is proud to offer a collection of incredibly soft, purely organic duvet covers and shams. Each limited-edition, large-scale image is printed individually onto skal-certified, 300 thread count cotton that's been organically grown and organically processed.
Design: The deep shades and unrestrained forms of two layered parrot tulips create an ethereal painterly effect in the birdseye design.
Materials: Printed with non-toxic, water-based, eco-friendly dyes on 300 thread count, certified organic cotton percale.
Dimensions:Queen size: 88" wide x 98" long King size: 106" wide x 98" long(fits king and california king)
Manufacturing: Printed domestically and sewn locally, in Los Angeles.
Care: Machine wash cold in eco-friendly, mild detergent. Air dry or tumble dry low.

Thread Count Revealed

The most important thing to understand about thread count is higher numbers do not mean better quality. In fact, there is an argument to be made that a lower thread count may be a more comfortable sheet. Let me explain.

First, you have to understand thread count. The right way to calculate this involves adding up all of the vertical and horizontal threads (warp and weft) in a square inch of fabric. There are only so many threads you can realistically fit into a square inch and generally speaking, anything over 300 is more perceived value than real value. Many companies exaggerate the number by counting the number of ply’s in a yarn, so a 300 count sheet using a 2 ply yarn may be promoted as a 600 count.

The key element most people don’t think about when purchasing sheets is how they sleep. Everyone perspires while sleeping, so ideally you would want a sheet that is breathable and absorbent, as well as being soft and comfortable. Higher thread counts mean a tighter weave and consequently a sheet that does not breathe as well, or a hotter sleep. If you live in a warm climate already, sleeping with a higher thread count may just make your nights even warmer.

Selecting a good quality sheet involves looking for a brand that uses 100% cotton. Cotton is still one of the best fabrics when it comes to comfort, durability and care. In August 2005, Consumer Reports issued a report about high thread count sheets from nationally known brands and concluded; “Two hundred is typical and perfectly fine; 400 may provide a finer, softer sheet. Above 400, the only difference is likely to be price.”

Blissliving Home selected our 100% cotton 300 thread count sateen for our sheets. The yarn is soft to the hand and the thread count provides a comfortable sleep in almost every environment. Sateen provides a smooth hand through a weave of four or more vertical threads over a single horizontal thread. We add deep 18″ pockets with elastic all the way around the fitted sheets for a more secure fit on most mattresses. We invest a great deal of time selecting the best fabric to meet our standards, and confident you’ll enjoy a Blissful sleep.

The WOW! Of Contemporary Floor Lamps

If you are trying to find a way to update the rooms in your home without spending a ton of money or getting rid of all of your current furnishings, you may want to consider adding some contemporary floor lamps to your rooms. There are dozens and dozens of different kinds available that can complement any kind of décor. There are many different sizes, shapes, colors, heights, styles, and strengths available, so all you have to do is decide what kind is right for your home.
Although everyone needs light in their home, finding the perfect type of lighting takes a little bit of patience and a bit of research too. You’ll want to first assess your needs. Is one corner of your living room just way too dark? Do you want to highlight some of the art that is hanging on your walls with track lighting? Do you need better light over your desk? Maybe you just really need to get rid of the old table lamps that your grandmother passed down to you so that you can update the look of your room. Whatever your needs may be, stick with those when you are looking for lamps. Stick with what you know you need.
Contemporary floor lamps are really popular because you can change the entire lighting look of your home without rewiring the entire thing for new light fixtures every time you want to change the lighting. With the floor lamps, you can frequently change the lighting without huge hassles or expenses. Many people like to add the lights to create layers of light in combination with other light fixtures that are already there. A functional light, like one for reading, can also
Lighting is a really important factor in creating a certain ambiance in a home. From torchieres that light from the bottom up to the track lights that shine down, the choices for lighting are immeasurable. The contemporary floor lamps come in so many styles that you may have a lot of fun shopping for them. There are gooseneck lamps that have the heads that move, halogen lights, tree lights that have three or more individual heads, movable swing arm lamps, and those that are height-adjustable.
If you think you’ll need a contemporary floor lamp for a variety of different uses, be sure that you purchase one that is a multifunctional lamp. For example, you might want one that combines a goose neck light or a swivel-type armed lamp for reading with a halogen torchiere for general, bright light for everyday use. Another example is a smaller reading lamp with a nice soft lampshade with a swivel arm for flexibility of use. Dimmer switches are wired to many outlets in homes, which is another option for greater variety and flexibility for your contemporary floor lamps.

What Makes Luxury Bed Linens so Luxurious?

There are all kinds of fabrics and materials that are used to create comfortable sheets and pillow cases, but only the finest are used to create luxury bed linens. From Egyptian cotton to pure silk, these are the materials that give us the most luxurious night’s sleep. Material is not the only thing that makes luxury bed linens so fabulous though; there are other factors involved as well.
First of all, the thread count of some fabrics is influential in the comfort that people get from sleeping with them. The higher the thread count, the more tightly knit together the fibers are and the softer the material will be. High quality bedding will have a thread count of 180 at the very least, and often is higher.
Another factor is the quality of the yarn that is used for the bedding. Egyptian cotton, which is known as one of the highest-quality fabrics in the world, is grown on the banks of the Nile River. This type of cotton yields the longest staple cotton in the world. The staple is the individual fiber or “hair”. Egyptian cotton sheets that are produced in Egyptian cotton mills produce fine fabrics that ensure superior quality of cotton that is created. The long staple cotton can be spun into much stronger and smoother yarn than other types of cotton. This means that it is possible to weave more threads per inch into the fabric which results in the higher thread count.
Quality of Construction is another factor that determines whether or not bedding will be classified as luxury bed linens or not. The expertise and skill of the craftsmen enables them to select the type and fineness of the yarns, they must choose the diameter of the yarn to create the desired hand (such as crisp percale, jacquard, or silk sateen), and they must have the knowledge of how to best put everything together for the highest quality of linens.
A final factor in the quality of luxury bed linens is the quality of finishing. Beyond selecting the right fibers and then spinning and weaving the fabrics, craftsman must have the skill to also finish the fabric and to sew it to completion to produce the absolute most luxurious bedding. Some Egyptian cotton sheets are mercerized, which makes the fibers plump up and fill out to strengthen the fabric and give it the ultimate look of luxury bed linens.

Avoiding Mistakes when Decorating with Unique Home Décor

There are some common decorating mistakes that people make when working with unique home décor, and these are things that can ruin the look of a room, no matter how much or how little money is spent to decorate. Keeping these mistakes in mind and avoiding them can really help you be successful in your interior decorating efforts, so follow closely!
The first common mistake that people make with unique home décor is spending a ton of money on furniture that does not fit the room. That which looks too small can keep a room looking empty and unfinished, which leads to another common mistake: filling rooms with too many accessories. This then leads to clutter and making the room look junky. Furniture that is too big makes a room look crowded and diminishes the floor space and moving area significantly, so be careful. Make sure you can picture the furniture in the room, and don’t try to compromise on space.
The next mistake that is made often is leaving rugs “floating”. This simply means having a rug in the middle of nowhere with nothing “connecting” it. Everything in a room should be connected physically and visually. A lot of rugs that are lying on the floor can not only trip people and injure them, but they slip, slide, and sometimes make it look like you are just trying to cover up some stain on the floor! Tuck corners of rugs under sofas and tables, and you’ll be good to go.
Next up is the common pattern problem. A lot of people pick up everything and anything that they find for a room, no matter what pattern or print it has, thinking that they are sure that they’ll find a way to make it work. Do not underestimate the power of solids! Easy on the patterns- too many create havoc in a room.
Probably the most common mistake when decorating with unique home décor is to have all of their furniture pushed up against the wall. Many people think that the room will look largest when they leave the middle of the floor open, but it is pretty effective to group furniture into little conversation groups or to tilt a table and rug in the corner instead of pushing it up against the wall. Keeping everything against the wall makes a room look very stiff and square- liven it up some! Put a table behind a couch with a lamp on it- tilt a chair so that it sits at an angle. You may be surprised at how different a room can look with the furniture a little bit askew.
The final big mistake that way too many people make with unique home décor is displaying every knick knack that they’ve ever gotten from every place they’ve been. This is never a good thing. Just like anything else in a room, there must be some degree of conformity. Don’t place a group of ten ceramic clowns alongside your china dishes- it doesn’t make sense. Choose a similar group of pieces to display and stick with that and that only, and you can rotate the groups that you put out every month or couple of months.

Top Recommended Tips for Purchasing Modern Furniture

Shopping for modern furniture can be a lot easier than you may think if you follow some routine guidelines to help you. You’ll need to consider a lot of different factors when it comes to shopping for your home, so the following tips and suggestions should get you started on the right foot.
First of all, before you buy any kind of modern furniture, have an idea of the arrangements and the colors that you would like for each room. Some people don’t mind going out and shopping for things on a whim, but it is recommended that most people start at least with a color idea. Some others are out and about and happen to stumble on a perfect accessory or piece of furniture that they absolutely have to have, then they decorate with modern furniture according to that one piece. Whichever way you choose to begin, just make sure that you start with something!
You will also need to calculate and find the essential measurements of your room or rooms so that you won’t waste your efforts, time, and money on objects and furniture that is too large or too small for your space. Don’t be afraid to go bold with your designs and colors for a different and freshly new approach to your décor. Don’t over-do it, but you’ll want to make sure that every single thing that you add to a room does in fact add to it and does not detract from your style. Furnishings that are a bit more daring than the norm will make your room stand out.
Make it your priority to look at the prices of your accessories that you think you are interested in for your home. Look online and in traditional stores, and shop around for the best prices for those objects. Many people find it beneficial to take the time to do some research about decorating on their own as opposed to spending tons of money on a professional decorator.
Don’t underestimate the power of paintings. Modern abstract paintings that are composed of colors that fit with your décor scheme can instantly transform the room. Be very careful with objects on the walls, because too many can make the room look unnecessarily cluttered and smaller. The same rule goes for other things as well. Having too many accents and trinkets in a room can take away the living space that a room offers. This is tricky and can be difficult if you have many knick-knacks that you enjoy displaying. However, for your modern furniture to be properly accented, you’ll need to have just the right amount of decorations and accessories- not too little and not too much.

Ideas for Decorating with Modern Home Accessories

Interior decorating with modern home accessories can really be an exhausting and stressful process if you aren’t sure where to begin or you are constantly changing your décor. Whether you are revamping your entire house or just one room, you need to follow some crucial steps and consider certain factors when deciding what to put in your house.
Modern home accessories need to start with design. There are many trends, fashions, and types of modern home accessories that can transform a room, and you’ll want to first decide if there is a certain theme that you will want to follow for your decorating. Everything from lamps to pillows and everything in between contribute to the ambiance of a room, so you need to be careful that everything complements everything else. For design, keep an eye out for innovative shapes and colors that fuse into your window treatments, furniture, and everything else.
Ambiance and atmosphere is always critical to the design and décor with modern home accessories. There is no successful decorating without ambiance. A much-underestimated aspect of ambiance is lighting. Lights can add depth or warmth to a room, or it can brighten and showcase certain objects in a house.
Keep in mind your need for durability, especially if there are children in the house. An entire house full of modern home accessories that are extremely fragile will not be very cost-efficient, and won’t be good for the children, you, or anyone else, either! If you are looking at outdoor modern home accessories, you should only purchase those that are weather-resistant. When you are looking for accents for the indoors, only get those that are scratch resistant. If little items will be sitting on a desk or other surface that can be scratched, be sure that there is a protective covering on the bottom such as felt.
Part of finding modern home accessories is finding those that are energy efficient, especially when it comes to the lighting. It is important to make sure that your energy efficiency is not compromised for the sake of ambiance. The good news is that the typical incandescent bulbs that are used by most people are easily replaced with CFL or LED fixtures.
Going along with the energy efficient accessories for lighting, you’ll also want to use recyclable materials whenever possible. You may be surprised at the number of things in all kinds of homes all over the country that are made using recyclable things. Flower vases in the most contemporary styles are some of the more popular modern home accessories that are recyclable.

Bobby Berk joins with other designers/stylist for Charity Event at Housing Works NYC

Join stylist Robert Verdi for a one-night shopping event at Housing Works in Chelsea, which will feature over 1,000 items donated by Verdi and friends like Jonathan Adler, Steven Alan, John Bartlett, Bobby Berk, Simon Doonan, Carson Kressley, and Richie Rich. 143 W. 17th St., nr. Seventh Ave. (718-838-5050); 8 p.m.

Areaware at ICFF

Areaware was ready for anything this weekend at ICFF. Their Piggy Bank by Harry Allen was a big hit as usual.

Bobby Berk Home: The HIVE Table/Bench

Bobby Berk Home: The HIVE Table/Bench

DwellStudio Debuts new Table Collection at ICFF

DwellStudio debuts new Table Collection at ICFF

The HIVE Table/Bench

The attraction of the Hive bench is its intricate algorithmically generated cellular pattern. Dynamic and transformed, the modern steel bench is shaped from bent steel and finished with powder coat in several distinct colors.
Dimensions: 50"L x 20"W x 15"H
Colors: orange, black, white and sea green
Designer: Chris Kabatsi

Aeleis

About AELEIS:
Spring + Summer 2010 Collection marks the dawn of AELEIS - a new and innovative menswear design concept borne and inspired by New York City. AELEIS is founder Philippe Trinh's solo debut into a predominantly woven shirt collection.

"I love the patters, the absence of color and confidence that the Lower East Side exudes," says Trinh. "Reworked, abstracted and stripped down to the bare essentials - you're left with something very clean and refined, but still comfortable and sleek."

About the Spring + Summer 2010 Collection:
"I wanted my first collection to be focused on classic menswear staples, primarily the perfect fitting woven shirt. I've taken the classic woven shirt, refined it with superb construction, included hand-finishing techniques, and gave it a little twist. It's stylish and designer-made, but more accessible."

That little twist in Trinh's collection comes alive in camp shirts with double collars, woven shirts with turtle necks and military shirts in his signature black-and-white check. The collection also incorporates knits, such as tissue-weight jersey in closely fit silhouettes. AELEIS shirts are easily recognizable by the slightly higher set armholes, longer, leaner fits, and chain locker looks and precision in collar treatments, shapes and details.

"There's no obvious branding on the exterior. You just have to have notice and appreciate it for its luxurious fit, fabric and superior craftsmanship."

All of Trinh's garments are completely manufactured in the United States, primarily in New York City's famed garment district. The factories AELEIS employs have long been a staple of numerous fashion powerhouses, including Marc Jacobs, Perry Ellis and Adam Lippes.

About Philippe Trinh:

Philippe Trinh is the founder and Designer of AELEIS. Prior to starting AELEIS, Trinh studied under such coveted designers as Philip Lim, Adam Lippes and R. Scott French. Philippe currently resides in New York Cities, Lower East Side.

The New Contemporary, Classic, Retro, all-in-one Design of Modern Bedding

Modern bedding is an interesting mix of styles, and ironically one of the biggest elements of modern bedding is retro styles, colors, and designs. With everything from silk to recycled plastics being used for furniture and colors of every shade and hue being seen in the most popular bedding, the designs that are popular have shifted from little flowered patterns to large print, geometric bold designs.
To go along with the whole modern look is the trend of platform beds in the bedroom. Even though they have been used in Asia for centuries, they are just recently catching on here in the United States. Low to the floor and very simple in design, the beds use just one mattress as opposed to the traditional spring mattress and box spring sets.
The designs of modern and contemporary bedding and linens today are charming and sophisticated, and the key is that they also are dramatically understated. It seems that in a world that is more crowded and busier than ever before, people are returning to the idea of simplicity, and are happy to go back to pieces of furniture, designs, and looks for their home that are just that. People also need pieces of furniture and bedding that are functional and practical as well as good-looking, so things like hidden drawers and multi-purpose surfaces are turning up all over different types of furnishings for the bedroom and for other rooms of the home too.
To complete the look of any modern bedroom, some of the linens and fabrics that are used include silk and Jacquard fabrics to Egyptian cotton, which is one of the most popular fabrics used. Organic cotton is also another popular material, and anything that is free of chemicals and toxins is popular in light of the green revolution that is gaining momentum. As thick and puffy comforters are going out of style and simple duvet covers are coming back in style, the look of the modern bedroom looks interestingly retro.

notNeutral Brings More than Color to Home Decorating

notNeutral Brings More than Color to Home Decorating
If you are caught in Spring Fever and are looking for a design company that is unique and inspirational, look no further than notNeutral. This company is a multi-disciplinary firm that is world-renown for its interior design, urban design, exhibit, product, and graphic design in addition to its work in architecture and landscaping.
notNeutral opened its doors in 1985, so it is a fairly young company still, and since that time it has grown to include all of the disciplines that it stakes claim to today. The company is best known for its colors that they use to make interesting and personal statements in each piece of furniture, dishware, and accessory that it puts its name on.
The company is well-known also for its bedding in addition to very fashionable bedroom furniture. The furniture, accessories, and linens all are made with high-quality materials and epitomize the modern contemporary style that is signified by smooth clean lines and solid, bright colors. For example, their BB2 twin bed is both functional and looks very cute, and has a little bench at the end of the bed for storage or to use as a seat. Even the blankets and quilts are of the highest caliber, and are reversible, 100% organic cotton, and are made with colored dyes that are both non-toxic and biodegradable.
The children’s furniture line is comprised of tables, chairs, and accessories that are stain resistant, durable, functional, and easy to clean. The practical use that parents and children get from the pieces of furniture make clean-up and play time both much more enjoyable and less stressful for everyone involved. Some of the furniture that notNeutral makes that is popular is made of birch Euro-ply wood, and the colors that are available to be put on many items are colors that the customers pick out themselves, so the furniture is not sitting in a warehouse all boxed up- once the customer places their orders, it then is painted, finished, and is packaged and shipped out. The versatility of notNeutral and their products make them really popular with people from all over the country.