KATE SPADE DECOR

I celebrated President's Day this weekend by visiting the historic Williamsburg Premium Outlets. The Outlets were founded by Captain John Smith in 1607 after he arrived at the head of the James River and realized that, in addition to limited supplies, there was no where to buy brand name leather goods, or even Harry & David gift baskets. 400+ years later, you can still barter with shopkeepers to own an authentic COACH wristlet or Burburry scarf (a favorite of Captain Smith's because of the cold winters).

My favorite part of these historic shops was the newest addition, a recently renovated Kate Spade store. The best part? In addition to the bags, there were some really great decor ideas I want to try at home!

Wouldn't this be a fun way to do a feature wall in a closet? A few floating shelves from West Elm, a collage of favorite images, a brightly painted credenza, and a pop-of-color light...

The walls above the cashier's counter were covered in massive floral prints and a stenciled story about the "Kate Spade girl." The umbrella, shoes, and book were actual items glued to the wall. I wouldn't recommend THAT at home, but the wall mural would be fab in a living room.

Also loved the shadow boxes for purses - totally doable!

The only reason I didn't leave with this stool was because I couldn't figure out how to fit it in my purse. SO FAB. Maybe Kate Spade furniture is in the future?

/Images/ my own/

Tony Duquette for COACH - I'm loving the line! And is that a starburst I spy? Duquette was doing them first, of course, but since we're all going to put them on our walls these days, it only makes sense we'd eventually start wearing them too.

NEW LAND'S END HOME

I'm not much for the summer camp style that Land's End popularizes myself, but the new Land's End Home has some pieces that definitely don't feel like roughing it.

Gosh, this doesn't look anything like chiggers, cold showers, or poison ivy...

So fun! Their new furniture line (not pictured) is still what you'd discover collecting spiders on the backporch of any Appalachian cabin, but the design is modern, mildly nautical fun. Most bedding and bath comes in leaf green, navy, and khaki.

/All images/ Landsend.com/

OLD CLASSICS MADE NEW

West Elm is one of those stores that always surprises me; it's not really my style, but I almost always come across something fun. West Elm is to home decor what Gap used to be to clothes; classics re-imagined with flair.

A few favorites from the new spring line.

It reminds me of the Claude modular system, a marvelous design by Jonathan Adler.

More fun things in store - I'm going to pick up a few of these vases for a grouping of ceramics.

I'm in love with that mirror! And the fun little wall shelf/sconce is marvelous.

A few more favorites...

And finally, a few terrariums... these are all the rage this season! You can hardly enter a decor store these days that hasn't been transformed into a miniaturized forest, populated by ferns, moss, and the odd spider plant. I enjoy indoor plants, but find the whole trend a tad precious. What do you think? Have you tried a terrarium in your home?

/All images/ West Elm/

A FLAIR FOR VINTAGE DECOR - IN NASHVILLE

Sometimes, blogland feels like an imaginary decorland, full of pretty pictures of pretty houses, where pretty people live (interactive Architectural Digest meets The Thomas Crowne Affair or something). But every now and then, you get a chance to interact with the virtual world in the real world, even while on a shopping expedition! I visited friends in Nashville this week, and had a chance to swing by the A Flair for Vintage Decor shop in the Gas Lamps Antique Mall, where blogger Caroline hosts a collection of lovely chinoiserie pieces that would do Palm Beach proud. I had so much fun!

I wanted so badly to strap this baby to the roof of my car and head home. But, right now, all my available shelf space has to be filed with millions of stone-weight tomes that would bring down this delicate beauty faster than you can say "book addict." In my next apartment...

These faux bamboo chairs were just lovely in person, and surprisingly comfy (I'M not the person who put the pillows back wrong...).

A fun pop of color - and ANOTHER amazing chair. I wanted them all, but I already sit too much. Maybe I could start a chair museum.

Or a table museum...

Ok. So it was me who put the pillow back sideways.

Yowzah! A China-style china cabinet to put your china in. I could get all three of my sets in here, with room to spare!

The rest of Gas Lamps was a treat too. It's HUGE, and my friends agreed that we were suffering from sensory overload - it took forever to pick through all the booths, and we found some great pieces. So my advice is:  go to Nashville for the (Palm) beach; stay for the (vintage) bounty. 

Happy New Year!

FINIAL FRIPPERY

I have a real thing for finials (because I have a real thing for lamps - accessorizing accessories is so addictive!). Finding an unusual one is an imperative to buy. The right lamp will show up eventually for a match made in lighting heaven. Or, you can stack the decks a bit with one of these fantastic finials from Hillary Thomas at Chic Shop. They would make the most average Target ceramic go glam!

/Images/chicshopla.com/

AFFORDABLE ADLER

A few months ago, I ordered this throw from Jonathan Adler. Actually, I should say I ordered it from HSN - and it's BY Jonathan Adler. Generally, I get the idea that many HSN buys are made at the 11th hour, fueled by exhaustion or too much caffeine/wine/sugar, and consummated with regret. But I love this purchase, and the quality was better than I expected.

It's reversible (white/black, black/white), and I frequently roll it up as a stylish "bolster" when not in use. At around $50, it was well worth it (don't be fooled by the compact look - it unfurls to a very large size).

I've been tempted by a number of other Adler offerings at HSN, although there's some design disconnect. Wouldn't it be great if these pillows came in black/white, instead of navy/white, in order to coordinate with the blanket above? Love the tassels though!

The prices might seem a little steep for HSN, like this lamp for $145, but compared with Adler's other offerings they're darn cheap.

This similar version on Adler's website is $725!

Here's a THIRTY TWO PIECE setting on sale for $29.99. No, it's not missing a "1" in there!

A similar style also by Adler is $50 for a 4-piece setting.

And don't miss Adler's books - on sale for only $4 a piece!!!

/Images/HSN.com /bolster, my own/

CIRCA WHO???

Ever since I saw a spread in Matchbook Magazine featuring this fabulous faux bamboo console, I've been webstalking CIRCA WHO, a treasure chest of chinoise located in West Palm Beach.

After a fruitless search for a hexagonal, faux bamboo side table, preferably white, of dimensions of less than 26", and a bottom to stack books in (I'm not picky!) I emailed CIRCA WHO owner Tracy. In short order, she'd turned up the perfect table. I was thrilled! 

Having found the perfect perch for my book piles and mugs of hot coco, I went in search of a nice lamp. Because my color scheme for the living room is green and white, I initially wanted a green lamp, and had my eyes on these options from World Cost Plus Market or Ballard Designs.

But after trying a few options that just didn't work well, I stumbled on this beauty at Home Goods. I love the delicate cloud pattern rendered in gold and white. At $60, it was really quite a find.

I think the lamp is a lovely compliment to the table.

A few more favorites from CIRCA WHO. Good thing it's 995 miles from Washington, DC (yes, I Google mapped it). Otherwise, I'd be in some serious shopping trouble.

/Images/ Lonny/ My Own/ World Cost Plus Market and Ballard Designs/ My Own/ Circa Who/