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The Rubi Collection From Pande Cameron Rugs

Have you seen the new Rubi Collection from Pande Cameron Rugs? They are inspired by Indian Sari.  Look at how warm they are.  They are pictured in 8 X 12 sizes, priced at $5600 retail.  A range of sizes is available upon request.

Dinero

Nisha

Verde

Filigri

  

Rust

Fig Studio Adds Partner

Jenny Guggenheim owns Fig Studio. She's a Duck. She trained at the University of Oregon School of Architecture and Allied Arts and Parsons School of Design in New York City.

Before establishing Fig Studio, Jenny worked with GBD Architects, Inc. where she honed her commercial design skills and gained extensive knowledge related to sustainable building practices and strategies. Her LEED AP credentials and experience working on LEED Certified projects allow her to easily guide her clients toward environmentally responsible design choices.

Her husband Jeff recently completed the seven exams necessary to be a licensed architect after thousands of hours of "targeted work experience." When he was looking for a place to practice, Jenny said,“How about you join Fig?” In their initial newsletter, FIG. Studio Architecture + Interiors | Vol. 1, Jenny writes:

As a kickoff to this exciting new endeavor, Jeff and Jenny did what any sensible designers would do: attend the Salone Del Mobile in Milan, Italy. This annual event is the world’s largest furniture and design tradeshow. Surrounded by a dizzying array of beautiful, cutting edge and sometimes-ridiculous design, they found themselves charged to return to Portland and deliver on their inspiration from abroad.  

But first, they took a quick side trip to Marrakech for some additional inspiration, a little excitement and some relaxation. They bartered in the Souk for Bedouin metalwork and rugs, dodged snake charmers in the square and relaxed on their riad’s rooftop terrace while bathing in the hot Saharan sun.

On the way home they took a quick detour to Barcelona to meet friends and experience Gaudi’s architectural masterworks, The Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila and Parc Guell. Jeff and Jenny ate their weight in tapas at Quimet & Quimet, and enjoyed a day of bike riding on the Barcelona coastline.

Fig Studio is now ensconced in the Paramount Movie Studios building at NW 19th and Lovejoy. The Paramount Movie Studios building is also home of trade rep Heather Gee-Pape of Inform Interiors who carries many of her favorite furniture and lighting lines. In addition, Filling Spaces, owned by Deepali Kalia, moved to this location and installed the paperstone counter from Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery. Kalia carries many fine Indian bedding, fabrics and draperies.

Jenny Guggenheim was featured in the June-July issue of Gray Magazine of Pacific Northwest Design in which she offers "6 Color Tips From Jenny Guggenheim."

We hope Jenny and Jeff enjoy working together as much as Mike and I do.
 

Costco to launch high-end line of furniture

Costco stores will soon offer The Jennifer Adams Home collection consisting of bouclé-upholstered sofas, hardwood headboards and hand-crafted dining room tables, some priced at upwards of $4,000.
The collection, made in California,  will consist of 83 pieces.

Will Costco shoppers punk down $2,000 to $4,000 for furniture and special orders delivered in six weeks?

If you are a high-end retailer, don't go screaming into the night. It may lead consumers to conclude they are tired of slap together, disposable items that are placed on the curb with a sign that says, "FREE!" They might get an education and you will benefit.

Getting Fresh, With Herbs. This Week: Cilantro

Tracy Schneider writes about cilantro.  I like a little bit on my salad or in other foods. Beverly likes it a lot.

Modern Furniture Online

We think the wave hitting the retail industry hard is the internet.  There are just so many places to shop online and shipping for the most part is free.  Please welcome our newest advertiser Modern Furniture, since 2006 they have been offering the highest quality furniture and the widest selection available anywhere.  They sell furniture and lighting online for all rooms of the home and office, even for the kid’s room. The brands they offer on their website numbers in the hundreds.

You need to pay attention to nine things when you buy online:

• The terms and conditions – it just makes sense to know that there can be mistakes in the description or photo of items.
• Check to make sure everything in your order is accurate and the time you have to make a change if you make a mistake.
• What is the cancellation policy?
• How will the product ship?
• What is the return policy and what is non-returnable?
• Always check for damage when your product is received. Open the package and inspect your merchandise.  If you sign off that everything is ok it will be hard to return.
• With any problem or missing parts, go online and create a support ticket.
• Check the website for coupons or promotions for additional savings.
• Read the product reviews. The website has a product reviews for almost every category and if you have any question about the color or size there’s an 800 number to customer service available seven days a week.  In addition you can also have a live chat offline.

Your experience buying online can be an enjoyable one that will keep you coming back, as we do when buying books and music online. One good experience leads to another good experience. Check out our friends at Modern Furniture.

Kitchen Magic, From Basement To Success

In 1979 Jost (Joe) Fleck had an idea that homeowners on the east coast had a desire for a new kitchen, but new cabinets would break their budgets.  Joe Fleck started a business, Kitchen Magic, built on the idea of refaced cabinets. His product was so good that he offered a Lifetime of Home Ownership Warranty. 

Like so many who start a new business, there wasn’t a lot of money for fancy digs and pricey furniture.  Joe started in a low-budget basement. A basement that was prone to flooding during a heavy rain. Joe wagered his family’s finances that his superior product and service would garner referrals.  Indeed they did, for now he has 31 locations in the six states of Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Now, Joe doesn’t just offer refacing, but custom cabinets and countertops in brilliant quartz surfaces Cambria®, Silestone® and Zodiaq®, as well as durable Corian® and Granite. In addition, he carries the traditional Formica and WilsonArt laminate countertops. 

Other than cost, why should a homeowner consider refacing the existing cabinets? Often times, the cabinets you have are superior to and fit better than those offered by the large independent home fixit chains.  Pre-fab cabinets have other drawbacks as well.  Many times they are made of pressed particle or fiberboard containing formaldehyde and other chemicals toxic to humans. Custom kitchen cabinets from Kitchen Magic are crafted from real solid wood or plywood that don’t emit VOCs.

Joe Fleck and his wife Reine built their business starting from that humble basement to give homeowners an alternative to expensive new kitchen cabinets. Kitchen Magic’s solution was not just cheaper, but came with a freedom from worry. Joe said it best when he said, "The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of a cheap price is forgotten."

Talk About Gorgeous!

One of our clients just ordered six of these great Bonaire Club chairs for his customer's breakfast area.
Did you notice the casters?

To quote Stanley:

To marry a classic's timeless style with a Caribbean twist might be flirting with genius. The Bonaire Club Chair exemplifies that notion with its update on the archetypal Windsor chair. An antique cobalt blue leather seat meets an airy and open framework; a nod to the islands and a curtsy to the Queen. 

 Nothing could be more perfect. They are in stock and ready to ship

Add Value With Sheepskin

In June of this year, I wrote about a healthy sleep system that advocated using a “…pure sheep’s wool pad for a perfectly dry and warm bed climate.”  To top it off for a great healthy sleep use “…pillows that contain only 100% biologically active wool of high-grade Merino quality…”

Where do you buy things made from sheep’s wool for your home and auto? Our friends at Comfy Sheepskin have the answer. For 25 years they have made and distributed sheepskin rugs, sheepskin seat covers and home décor products from their headquarters in California.

Comfy Sheepskin sells sheepskin mattress covers in four qualities for any size bed, along with sheepskin pillows and shams.  Do you want seat covers to protect your car’s leather or protect your backside from the hot summers or cold winters? Try sheepskin seat covers.

Many homes are bringing back hardwood floors.  While the look of the various woods used is stunning, sometimes you need some texture to soften the look or some comfortable seating on a cold winter night before the fire. Try sheepskin rugs.  They are available in 12 colors and you can order up to eight skins stitched together without a special order.

Take a look at Comfy Sheepskin’s website.  You may not believe all the ways sheepskin products can add value to your life.  So much so that you wouldn't think of living without them.