Bedding by West Elm

Kudos for this new line of organic bedding offered by West Elm, the American home furnishings retailer.  I usually love their designs and hate their quality,but this line of sheets and bed covers sets itself apart from the norm.  Organic home furnishings is the latest craze and now it can be found in mainstream stores, I featured towels from Pottery Barn  while back.  I love the “pin-tuck” duvet shown above.

The styling of this line is refreshing with soft updated Spring colors and  texture.  The pin-tuck is a take off on the ruffle which is making a fashionable splash in home furnishings and fashion as of late.  here’s more of the collection from West Elm.

I am in love with this next item.  A textured organic cotton duvet to die for.   See the closeup for more detail on the pattern.

Close up Matelasse Textured Bedding

And then there are the pacifying floral prints… West Elm has done it the right way for Spring bedding 2010.

I like sharing well thought out websites when I come across them, Ochre is one of these finds.  As you can see from the photo above this company makes gorgeous pillows in soft, do-able colors.  I found only a few other photos that I could grab for this post but the site is well worth looking at.

Here is their home page shot, it makes me want to dive into that bed and ruffle it up a bit… I love the neutrals mixed with blue and putty, who wouldn’t?

This shot highlights the place mats which appear to be made of felt, the dishes are really nice too.

And this one is all about the ceramic utensil holder.

What I like about their site is the way that they highlight the products, you click on the images and they enlarge for a better view.  If you have a minute take a look.

Towel groupings like the ones shown here from Lacoste are a great way to view the latest color stories in designer collections.  A visit to Macy’s proved lucrative as a quick overview into some of the collections of top names in home furnishings out today.  Unfortunately, I went on the famous ”Macy’s One Day Sale” day and the displays looked like a bomb hit them, but my expert photo cropping got rid of some of that mess.  I was able to take a few good shots of the bedding displays and you can get an idea of what’s happening with color in store now.   

Here are the color offerings in towel form from Ralph Lauren and Sheets from Tommy Hilfiger.  My taking photos was not even noticed amongst the crowds. 

Ralpf Lauren Towel Collection

I love, love LOVE this coral color…

Sheets and Bedding by Tommy Hilfiger

Macy’s carries a huge line of Martha Stewart’s Home collection.  Here are a few nicely displayed blankets and some of her bedding.

And one from Calvin Klien, his stuff looks the same as last year and every year before that… wake me up when he gets out of his slump.

These may be Macy’s name brand but I am not sure.  They are a nice example of the use of soft yellow and gray in current bedding.

Generally, I try to stay away from West Elm.  I love their patterns and styling but the product is a bit cheesy and does not hold up to my stiff standards.  With that said, I came across these two patterns that I think look fresh.  Giant flowers and moths stand out as another bold statement in home furnishing trends.  Would I put this on my bed, I think not (well, maybe the flowers) but it is worth seeing just for the fun of it. 

What do you think?

Most of you who like to buy handcrafted things online are familiar with Etsy. While there are some really great things on Etsy, I must admit, I have stumbled upon some, how do I write this? – OK, I’ll come out and write it – really ugly and badly made items that leave me thinking, who the hell would buy THAT? Someone who is more gutsy and expressive than I am has started a blog called Regretsy which has the byline “Handmade? It looks like you made it with your feet”. And that, my friends, is just the beginning.

I have been laughing my pants off reading this blog all week and admittedly though things some people make are totally off the wall and make me wonder about the human race, Regretsy took it a step further and the best thing about this blog is the hysterically witty commentary, which encourages readers comments thereby multiplying the laughter and enjoyment factor.

Here are a few items that made me cry laughing and that are also reasonably safe to view with kids around. (I said reasonably)

I call this one Patriotic Rock: Maybe they could do one for Israel as well, though the political message may be a little controversial.

Safe sex pillows. The pillows have a pocket for condoms, quite creative I must say, though as Helen Killer writes, a little more daring than me, that these may give off the “wrong idea”.

Here’s another cushion with an interesting motif … I think most of you recognize it as a uterus, which indeed is what it is. (I wonder what will be next, perhaps a pancreas embroidery, or other internal or external organs)

Toys for the tortured….

For those who are into fantasy, you may be into spending $600 on a “real” taxidermy black unicorn.

Just add a candle to any kitchen item and Voila!

Yet another frightening toy for your tortured child. It seems there are a lot of MJ crafts. Possibly fans trying to keep the King of Pop alive, but as Helen Killer wrote about this piece: “It’s a good thing Michael Jackson is dead, because this would have killed him.”

Although the witty people at Regretsy may at times be really mean, slagging off crafts that some people invest hours in creating, it seems that this blog has been bringing traffic, as well as buyers, to those who feel the need to create weird, weirder and the weirdest Etsy stores. So, as well as being incredibly funny, Regretsy is increasing sales for these poor souls who create these “crafts” and may not have otherwise had a chance of selling their wares without the exposure they get on this hysterically funny blog.

Hats off to Regretsy!

]]> http://www.tchochkes.com/wordpress/finally-a-place-for-etsys-weird-weirder-and-weirdest/feed/ 5 http://www.tchochkes.com/wordpress/bench-please/ http://www.tchochkes.com/wordpress/bench-please/#comments Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:33:30 +0000 Melanie Jones http://www.tchochkes.com/wordpress/?p=10515

As far as multipurpose furniture goes, you can never go wrong with a bench or two. The location possibilities are almost endless—put one at the foot of the bed or in front of a window, create communal-style seating at the dining table or group a few together for a modular conversation pit. Today’s offerings are more stylish than ever, with clever storage, unexpected materials and silhouettes to fit every decor.

Quite possibly the most brilliant piece of furniture ever, the Cognita bench designed by BluDot for Herman Miller is equally at home in the office or in the bedroom. The upholstered seat lifts to reveal ample space for files or extra linens, while the hard section (which is the perfect spot to place a cocktail, by the way) opens to a removable tray with organizing compartments for smaller bits. A pair of drawers completes this smart instant classic.

Used indoors or out, Arktura’s laser-cut Coral table is bound to leave a lasting impression. Made from bent steel, the bench has soft lines, and is eco-friendly thanks to its no-VOC powder-coated finish. And the mesmerizing pattern is “algorithmically-generated,” which involves math.

I love everything Mariette Himes Gomez does for Hickory Chair, and the Calla bench is no exception. Shown here covered in red velvet, this small bench has a saddle seat with button details on the rolled ends. Its size makes it ideal as an extra party seat, while its good looks let it stand alone as a decorative accent.

Oly Studio is one of my all-time favorites, with their fantastical collection of transitional to modern furnishings. The Henry bench is just rustic enough with its natural plank seat and skinny legs, and would look lovely in an entryway or alongside a cool, casual dining table.

Although technically an ottoman, this amazing kilim from Restoration Hardware is oversized and makes for a plush spot to relax. The rich, hand-woven colors impart an autumn-inspired vibe, and turned legs on brass casters make it elegantly portable.

Another lovely from Oly! The Marco bench features a hand-hammered iron frame covered with a woven leather seat for a great texture combo. Three finishes and leather options further customize this chic seat.

From Viva Terra, a fantastic source for luxe-but-accessible-and-affordable eco wares, comes the Barcelona bench. The colorful stripes are sure to brighten up any room, the oversized baskets are perfect for stashing your stuff, and the chemically-free, enviro-friendly cushion will help keep you green.

And last but not least, CB2′s Fresca bench has a clean, high-gloss white finish that works in almost any situation, making it another great candidate for dining room or end-of-the-bed seating.

]]> http://www.tchochkes.com/wordpress/bench-please/feed/ 2 http://www.tchochkes.com/wordpress/home-tour-somewhere-in-israel-part-2/ http://www.tchochkes.com/wordpress/home-tour-somewhere-in-israel-part-2/#comments Wed, 23 Sep 2009 04:00:42 +0000 Shira Abel Shvo http://www.tchochkes.com/wordpress/?p=10287

Part 1 of the “Somewhere in Israel” Home Tour was posted on Monday.

From the living room we go into the kitchen, which has as much visual activity as the rest of the house.

I love the drapes instead of doors. The color is vibrant and wonderful. These drapes also looked especially crisp, like they had just been ironed.

The other nice thing about using fabric instead of doors to close of areas is that you can change the whole look of your kitchen for little money. Just change the drapes.

I will only recommend this look for someone who will actually take the drapes down, wash them regularly and change them out when needed. If you’re not of that ilk, you will have dingy fabric polluting your kitchen space. Obviously W and M are of the former type.

Of course, not everything is hidden away from view…

The other side of the kitchen.

This milk cannister has it’s own niche to hang out in. Love it!

A cement breakfast bar with western style saddle stools is opposite the kitchen. I love the mix of style and the industrial building materials. This house would be cold if the furniture matched the building materials, but since the styles are so different, they compliment each other really well.

Outside the kitchen is a courtyard which connects the living room to the kitchen and bedroom. It also brings light into all areas of this level.

The bedroom keeps up the mix of elements with the cement floor, carpets and wood bed and drawers. The bathroom can be closed off by a curtain.

Like the half bathroom featured in Part 1, this bathroom has the same cement counter top with the blue top.

W uses a woven platter to hang her jewelry. In Israel you could find this at the souk in Jaffa and in the US, Cost Plus should have something similar.

The view from the bath.

In Part 3 (coming on Friday) I’ll show you the roof (which is amazing) and the downstairs, which has something I never expected…

Carousella (warning – site doesn’t work on Chrome, grrrr) is an adorable rather insanely high end kids furniture shop in Tel Aviv. Some of their goods are imported, but the bulk of it is designed and manufactured in Israel.

While I love the whimsy of the circus pieces in the picture above I don’t think I would put them in my kids room. My own office, perhaps, but not a kids room. They kind of remind me of the things nightmares are made of.

Which makes me think of Coraline, the new movie. If you haven’t seen this film, you should – it’s amazing. These pieces remind me of that film – which is not for kids and rated PG (of course if my husband reads this I’m in the doghouse because I didn’t realize the rating of the film and we’ve already watched it with The Boys – who were scared absolutely out of their wits by the movie.)

The bedrooms in Carousella are like the other world bedrooms (Coraline reference), just perfect and everything a child could dream of. Granted, the prices reflect that, but if you think about the fact that this furniture needs to survive about 15 years of a child then the prices for well made goods don’t seem so bad anymore.

One of my favorite collections in the store was the bedding. Designed by local Israeli artists, the bedding was filled with color, whimsical design and fun details. The type of thing one would expect from a small run of exclusive bedding. Most of the fabrics were flat knit, which I’m not so mad about for bedding to be honest, but it’s comfortable and the detailing is lovely.

Boys were not left out of the design equation either, which is nice – because usually girls get all the good design. There were plenty of African animals and aliens to choose from.

Leather belt buckle tabs on the curtains. I want. I want. I want.

I want to meet the person who buys the gold lame-esque floor poof. I want to see their house. It’s just so junior drag queen.

Love the flowered bag, love love love the antique iron bed (and wish that they had it in a size Queen – I would be done looking for my new bed) love the cat-alien things on the bed and the flowered cushions. This whole thing just rocks actually. Now I just need to have a girl…

Even gray can be made into something fun for kids. For the uber-stylish urban child there’s this really soft chenille braided rug and the elephant pillows.

I want to like this, but I don’t. The guy at the bottom of the skate ramp looks like he’s wearing a baseball uniform. And the skateboard air spray on the closet doors would get old really quick. They would be better off plain.

Red. Baby. Crib.

Well, for the first 3 months when babies don’t see anything in color it’s probably fine – but what about after? “Here angel, we’re going to surround you in the most active color of the rainbow and we’re going to expect you to fall asleep in there and have nice dreams.” Um, no.

Don’t get me wrong. I love the color and think it looks fabulous – but there’s not a chance in Hades that I would put a baby in a bright colored crib. They need sleep. Sleep means calm colors. Unless you want mommy to have a nervous breakdown from sleep deprivation. Red playpen? Yes. Red crib? No.

My guess is that this designer doesn’t have kids? Or the crib is for the babies room while the baby actually sleeps with mommy and daddy (the most likely scenario from my own experience…)

Yael, the owner of Carousella – her store is amazing, she has good reason to be smiling.

From the runway to the entryway, classic menswear continues to influence everything from women’s clothing (like Alexander McQueen’s luxe houndstooth creation above) to the way we dress our homes. I began noticing this not only from my over-consumption of fashion and interior design mags, but also when I embarked upon my search for the most perfect gray sofa ever (on my budget). Then I got obsessed.
And luckily, unlike say, the return of neon, these looks are timeless, not trendy.

First things first. The most perfect gray sofa ever (on my budget). West Elm’s Goodwin collection includes the sofa in two lengths, a sleeper sofa, chair and ottoman. It’s also available in chocolate brown or something, but whatever, because this was the charcoal sofa of my dreams. Can’t wait to check it out (at the cash register) at the Dallas store in October.

You just cannot go wrong with a pair of x-base stools. Everyone makes a version and they fit with almost any decor. This Italian leather and chrome pair from Williams-Sonoma Home hits the perfect balance of modern and dapper.

At just $150, CB2′s Joe chair is the perfect extra seating in any room. Personally, I’d like to pair a couple with a white Parsons table and a couple of red/orange Eames side chairs. The tight-knit black-and-white tweed might play nicely with the most perfect gray sofa ever (on my budget), and I love the retro school furniture look.

I remember the horrible set of black towels my husband had when we first met. Yeah, lost in the move…. I love soft, all-white towels, but I must say that the Ash color group in Restoration Hardware’s Turkish collection are absolutely beautiful. In muted graphite, stone and ash, they’re a subtle accent for the bath.

Hickory Chair’s Kelsey chair is simple opulence. Feminine shapes, an upholstered leather shield back, completely understated elegance. Decades-old glamour with a new twist. It is all those “juxtaposition phrases” you use when you can’t quite describe how brilliant a chair really is.

For all you people who love Moroccan design, hurry over – there’s a summer sale at Villa Maroc on Yehuda Halevi Street in Tel Aviv! (Warning: not for those who fear bright colors).

To me the colors are breathtaking. The plush sofas and cushions, just make me want to lay down on them and eat couscous from one of the beautiful colorful hand painted clay dishes.

Villa Maroc is owned by Deganit Cohen, who buys all the store’s goodies from Morocco. She also does these fantastic Moroccan style etchings which are framed and for sale in the store. (Deganit is the daughter of Israeli artist Dan Fartush).

These mirror frames are really stunning, as are the cushions:

In Villa Maroc you need to look carefully at everything since there is so much to see, you may miss out on the beautiful floor tiles if you’re too busy looking at those amazing baskets, or the white carved table:

Have a look at these hand painted tiles:

Let’s take a rest on this sofa. Because of the shape of it, it’s not a sofa you can just sit on, you need to really lounge on this one. I love the sausage cushions, too:

Another sofa, but this one is a mattress type sofa on the ground and true to the Moroccan colors of red, orange and gold. Warm, plush and inviting:

There is a lot of hand painted wooden furniture in this store, which I find very beautiful indeed! I love the look of it, it has this human touch. When you look closely, you can see it.  Below some colorful ashtrays on more painted furniture.

Next to the store is the showroom. When you visit the store, don’t miss out on the showroom. This is the entrance. Yes! the door is spectacular:

The window below is sensational with the wrought iron bars in a Moorish style, I think, as is the dusty pink wall, with maroon curtain. No lack of color around here!

Inside the showroom:

A feast of color and light

And some man size vases:

Here’s the textile room where you will find all the textiles you can choose to make your sofa or cushions from.  The textiles are imported from Morocco, Demascus and Syria.  I love the turquise-green lattice screen at the back of the room.

The textiles:

I would love a huge window like this in my apartment with those gorgeously designed wrought iron window bars.

The simplicity of these gorgeous lampshades surprised me (again, don’t miss out on the floor):

Outside in the yard there are mosaic table tops which you can choose from. I particularly liked this green and pink table top (the floor here is also fantastic).

If you’ve read up till here, you get a bonus. Here is the drawing that appears on the inside of the business card, which I find particularly special (I didn’t ask, but I have a feeling Deganit did it):

If you can’t get to Tel Aviv, there’s a website you can take a look at http://www.villamaroc.co.il/