British Invasion at the New York International Gift Fair!

The Brits have arrived!


My team hit the ground running first thing yesterday morning at the opening of the New York International Gift Fair in New York City.  Excited to scout out great new products for my website, The Well Appointed House, we had notepads in hand, business cards in tow and networking on our minds when we entered Pier 94 (At Home).


I have attended almost every show since 2002 and I was pleasantly surprised yesterday to see so many fabulous new lines and products.  Big trends that I saw immediately were: Ikat patterns on fabrics, pillows and upholstery; a big Indian and Indonesian presence in furniture designs; Hollywood glam when it came to lighting; and neon paint on just about everything.  There were a number of companies there from India, which I found interesting, and the booths were busy.  Mother-of-pearl furniture will be big this year, especially when combined with punchy pinks, greens and bright colors.  I saw bone inlay in just about everything: side tables, lamps, picture frames, boxes and gift items.  There was a fabulous  faux tortoise shell and calf bone chandelier that we saw that seemed to combine a lot of these new trends.More on those to come.....


While there were many new trends jumping out at us, the Union Jack and British theme seemed to be practically bungee jumping! I am officially 'crowning' British patterns, designs, memorabilia and decorative accents the big winner yesterday (ALL PHOTOS COPYRIGHT MELISSA HAWKS - if you borrow, give credit and link back):

We are already hard at work adding new items to the website!  Stay tuned to our "NEW ITEMS" to see what we are adding in the weeks to come!

Keep Calm, Carry On and See What's New at The Well Appointed House

It's always fun to add new products to The Well Appointed House; its like getting a new pillow or rug yourself and you can't wait to show it off to everyone!  This week we've been working extra hard getting ready for the NYC Gift Show this weekend, where Melissa and myself will be scouring the rows and rows and rows and rows (you get the idea... she BIG) of vendors trying to find the best of the best in home decor.  To get in the buying mindset we've found some great new products from some of our most trusted vendors.  This "Keep Calm, Carry On" pillow is one of this week's top picks.

The story on this iconic phrase goes that it was commissioned by the British Government Ministry pre World War II, before the British entry into the war, however the posters were never used or seen again for that matter until fifty years later when the flyers were uncovered at an auction house.  Pretty wild that something now so popular was almost discarded forever!  Available in either pink or green velvet, these little pillows pack a nice punch and certainly add a little conversation piece to your room's decor.

Another great item for this week is our new decoupage Taj frame.  Available in pink, blue or green this frame also comes in either small or large sizes.

We love these eclectic frames because they bring a worldly vibe to the preppiest of spaces. A gold stripe outlines each frame meaning you can pair different colors and sizes together and still have a cohesive look.  The brightness reminds us spring isn't that far off!  We also love them with our new Tole Pink Croc Lamp.

This faux croc finish matures this bright pink lamp as does the gold "feet" and black shade.  It brings a bit of modern sophistication to even the most traditional aesthetics and is on the fast track to becoming a Well Appointed House best seller.  Another tole lamp we can't get enough of is this Cowhide Lamp with Brown Shade.

What could be "kitschy" is actually quite elegant with its traditional gold accents and sophisticated brown shade.  It would look great in a ski-house out west, or a house you wish was a ski house out west.  Continuing with the country elegance theme is our new Snaffle and Bit collection.  These desk accessories would look great in a suburban office accompanied with the matching lamp.

They work together because the print isn't so overbearing and the different heights ensure the pieces don't compete.

A staple to any Well Appointed Home is of course a great serving tray you can use for drinks or on an ottoman/desk as a catchall.  You can never have too many of these and they make great gifts.

This Wrapped leather tray comes as shown in turquoise or ivory and coral in both large and small sizes.  Any color would look great in an all white sitting area or used as a summertime beverage tray.

As far as beds go it really doesn't get much better than this high back quilted headboard.

Available in king or queen, this headboard does makes a statement and does so in a very subtle way with its cream coloring and quilted detailing throughout.  It's big on glamour, evoking a modern Hollywood feel that transcends area codes.

We've also added some new products from some of our favorite brands, Serena & Lily and Trina Turk.  Serena & Lily has been a staple at The Well Appointed House for their incredible children's collection and accessories for moms, but recently with the addition of their Luxe Collection S&L is not just for the little ones anymore!  We are loving The Catalina Bedding Collection; the coral mixed with blue is a nice take on the traditional red and blue and transports us to warmer days that can't get here soon enough.

The ethnic inspired undertones can bring a room to a whole other level just by changing the duvet cover, which is a nice quick fix that won't break the bank.  

Looking for something mas fresca for your child's room? Look no further than Serena & Lily's brand new Frieda Collection of brightly colored bedding.

Your daughter's artistic imagination will soar when inspired by the hand painted looking floral duvet (let's just hope she keeps the marker on the paper, not the 300 thread count cotton sheets!). 

 We are always on the look-out for a new take on a tried and true classic which is another reason we can't get enough on this updated pink and green set.  You can always expect amazing quality and cutting edge style from Serena & Lily and from The Well Appointed House you can always expect your Serena & Lily order will be free of shipping charge.  

New to our designer collection is Trina Turk Residential, which we debuted earlier in the week.

Her collection of brightly stitched pillows and woven rugs bring us to the tropics in the 60's and we don't mind staying even if it means ditching our blackberries and Macbooks.  Additionally we now offer her collection of tabletop goodies, like needlepoint coasters and napkins.  Available in blue, green and orange in addition to the black this set of four Palm Springs Napkins is as essential to any bar as the vermouth.

All her linens are made of the highest quality cotton, so not only are they fashionable they are functional and something you can keep for a long time.  Also for the table we offer these great runners with coordinating placemats and dinner napkins.

This Oval Sun Table Runner (also available in turquoise) embodies the Trina Turk line; elbows may not be allowed on the table but color sure is.  

Trina's collection of needlepoint coasters allow us to enjoy her pillows all over again.  This set of four sunburst coasters would look great in the same living room as the pillows; they are small enough that they don't overwhelm the room with one pattern and besides no room can ever have too much Trina Turk.  

These coasters also make a great hostess or housewarming gifts for the friend that loves to travel to warm destinations or has a fashion fetish.  Be sure to check out the rest of our new Trina Turk Residential collection  and browse the rest of our new products before the big shopping expedition of 2010!

Trina Turk Residential at The Well Appointed House! Full Resort Report for You and Your Home

On gloomy winter days like this one its easy to get lost thinking in vacations since past and those to come.  The resort season is among us and at The Well Appointed House we think everyone deserves a little taste of the sun, ever our homes, which is why we are now introducing Trina Turk Residential!

Trina Turk began her contemporary women’s line in 1997, which was quickly picked up by Barney’s New York, Fred Segal and Saks Fifth Avenue. With the California sunshine and classic silhouettes as her inspiration, Turk made her name for herself in the fashion world with wholesale sales reaching over $40 million in 2007.  Having every “it” girl wearing her designs wasn’t enough, Trina wanted them to also live in her colorful prints and girlish charm, so in May of 2008 she launched Trina Turk Residential next to her flagship store in Palm Springs. She even had design superstar Kelly Wearstler design the new home décor Mecca!

We love Trina Turk because she's not afraid a little, or well, a lot of colors and prints but somehow she finds a way to make it flatter us all.  Here are some of our top picks from her current resort line.

Love this Mozambique dress, its a fun, playful take on the classic shift dress every girl should have in her closet.  The detail around the neck is great, mimicking the bib necklace look, which is so in right now.  100% Silk, $328

This Shendi Dress is also super flattering because of the wide cummerbund waist.  The contrasting purple and red colors also add an element of the unexpected to an otherwise classic shape. 100% silk, $298

The one shoulder look is still big for spring and with styles and prints this flirty and fab, it can stay "in" for ever.  This Renita dress is totally on the wish-list; would look great with heels for night or throw on a jean jack and flats during the day, either way you'll be sure to get your $328 worth out of this number.

We wouldn't mind if our resort local got a little chilly at night if we could wear this Bomba coat.  The chocolate brown ikat design looks great with the Shendi dress underneath.

For hitting the beach we couldn't dream up a sexier more classic bathing suit than the Palm Springs One Piece.

This backless suit is great for lounging poolside and its backless shape ensures you are still getting color in all the right places.  Would even look great paired with white wide-legged linen pants and a gold chain necklace for evening cocktails.

Jumpsuits and rompers are more in than ever for this upcoming season and Turk has chosen to make them an essential part of her collection.  We love this blue Byrd romper with beading along the top.

The cinched waist makes this a flattering piece you can just throw on.  The Session jumpsuit requires a few extra inches and a daring personality; snaps to all who can pull this one off because its just adorable.

The color and girlish take is so indicative of Turk's aesthetic and one of the reasons we love her collection of home decor.

Trina Turk Residential takes the same love of playful patterns and colors from your closet to your home's decor.  Here is a random sampling of some of the products we love and are so pleased to carry.  The Purple Scallop Needlepoint Pillow is very reminiscent of pieces from her current resort line; we love the meshing of colors and the seaside pattern, perfect for a resort home.

Another thing that makes her collection so great is the variety of colors each pattern comes in, so there really is something for every kind of color palette here, be it bright pink or the classic black and white.  For that reason you gotta love her Embroidered Sun Burst Pillow.

Shown here in pink and brown, this retro pillow comes in brown with turquoise stitching or white with brown or orange "bursts".  It really does add a that California sunlight to even the most drab decor.  Its obvious that Turk is totally inspired by her travels (and its not just their names that give it away).  The Embroidered Triptych Pillow (shown here in blue and white) alludes to Grecian art where painted scenes are placed next to each other in panels.

The side-by-side placement of these "panels" contribute to it's namesake.

Turk takes from classic chinoiserie styling in her Shanghai Links Pillows, possibly suggesting a trip to the far East.

Shown here with green embroidery the pillow also comes in white with either brown or black accents and then of course there is The Well Appointed House favorite, the Fuchsia Links Pillow, which has gained notable press including a write up on Chinoiserie Chic.  Be sure not to miss the needlepoint version of this timeless pillow, which comes in even more color options.

The Well Appointed House has a great selection of her pillows, but we couldn't stop there once we got a look at the rugs.  These great accent pieces are sure to make your room pop from the floor up (not to mention most have coordinating pillows).  The Lator Gator Rug just oozes Floridian flair with its bright colors and mosaic pattern.

Shown here in pink the rug is also offered in blue and citron and has coordinating pillows.  Another rug we can't get enough of is the Coachella Rug.  An ideal accent or greeter rug this swirl of colors was taken straight from her swimwear line!

We couldn't think of a better piece for a pool-house or beach retreat.

The Well Appointed House is so excited to include Trina Turk Residential in are over 9,000 products!  We encourage everyone to check out our complete line and to check back in a few days as we continue to add table linens and other goodies to our collection.

Philanthropy is Sexy - Give to HopeforHaiti.org now!

Let's take a moment to reflect on the devastation in Haiti.  I have so many friends who say they want to do something to help, and I just wonder how many of them actually follow through and give.  I just made a nice sized donation and I can just say that it feels good to give.  There is nothing more rewarding than to help where help is needed.  It is such a tragedy and I would like to reach out to my thousands of customers and encourage you to give your support.

For every customer who donates to https://www.hopeforhaitinow.org/ and e-mails customerservice@wellappointedhouse.com the confirmation number they give you for your donation, I'll give you a 20% off coupon for your next order at The Well Appointed House. Donate Now! Please do what you can to help. -Melissa Hawks

Pringle of Scotland....Clare Waight Keller, Tilda Swinton and Ryan McGinley

I have recently taken notice of the fashion label Pringle of Scotland, seeing it more and more at some of the shops I frequent.  Pringle is one of the oldest fashion houses in Scotland and it was the birthplace of the British knitwear industry.  Founded in 1815 by Robert Pringle, it became one of the first luxury knitwear brands in the world with customers in Europe, the United States and Japan.  The Pringle label has been knitting cashmere since the 1870's and basically coined the term knitwear.  Some interesting tidbits for you fashion historians out there:  Pringle is credited with the creation of the Argyle pattern which became popular with the Duke of Windsor and the fashionable set of his time.  Another  innovation that Pringle spearheaded in the 1930's was the creation of a stylish new item called the 'twinset' - a sporty two-piece cardigan.  The new twinset was paired with a single string of pearls and a trademark of classic British style was born.

Claire Waight Keller was appointed the brand's first Creative Director in 2005 and her collections are now presented during Milan fashion week.  Classically, the line was worn by such society icons as Grace Kelly and Brigitte Bardot.  Today, starts like Madonna, Guy Ritchie, Ewan McGregor, Nicole Kidman, Sharon Stone and Scarlett Jonansson wear the line.

I have found it interesting that this month, both Harper's Bazaar and Elle Magazine have articles on Pringle of Scotland.  I definitely think this is a brand to watch...

Claire is invigorating the brand.  Harper's takes us inside the designer's London home, which she shares with her husband, twin daughter's and dog (Harry).  The Harper's website has not been updated with the article, so here is a quick peek.  Go out and buy this month's issue (on newstands) to read the full article.  Photographs are by Christopher Sturman.

I enjoyed the understated, clean look of her home.  The bold pillow jumps out and makes a statement against the neutral tones of the sofa.  It reminded me of our Black Links Needlepoint Pillow, which is currently priced at $60.

You will really have to head to the newsstand to purchase the magazine, because I didn't scan all pages, but Clare's bed is strikingly similar to my Hollywood Bed (which we sell to adults and children alike, please note):

You can catch a glimpse of the headboard in the photo at top left here.  I enjoyed seeing Clare's neutral color palette and how she peppered her rooms with  hints of black and brown thrown in for good measure:

I especially enjoyed the inlaid Syrian chest that Clare uses to house her collection of more than 100 chunky cashmere knits (all Pringle, I assume!)

As I rode home on the plane from the Bahamas today (where I sat at the table next to Kevin Costner at Nobu Saturday night - just my luck!), I perused the pages of Elle magazine and enjoyed the write up on Pringle's latest ad campaign, featuring Tilda Swinton.  Another step in the reinvention of this storied brand, Clare and her team had Ryan McGinley create a beautiful art film featuring Swinton and the designer's clothing.  Read the full Elle story here (they have their site current...ahem, Hearst...)  Ryan McGinley is famous for earning a solo show at the Whitney when he was just 26 and for his "provocative photos of the young and restless".  His goal in making the seven-minute vignette was to take away the lack of movement in typical fashion photos and bring the clothing to life.  I just watched the film and it is unique.  The scenery is breathtaking.  Take a few minutes to sit back and watch the short film here, especially if you are fan of Tilda Swinton.  Her stark beauty is perfect against the backdrop of nature.

Photo from Pringle of Scotland

Tilda represents the ultimate modern icon for Scotland, according to Keller.  An interesting new way to showcase a classic, 195-year old brand.  She is definitely one to watch!  Enjoy!

Blue and White and Everything Nice

There is nothing groundbreaking about blue and white decor and yet, maybe that's why we love it so much, it is truly classic.  Whether you have a tinge of nostalgia for the color combo because it lined your grandmother's shelves or possibly, you've always dreamed of having blue and white china in a kitchen of your very own, but whatever the reason there is something about blue and white that allows it to hold its own against the trends. A beautiful example of blue and white meets modern comes from style-setter Aerin Lauder as we reported on in September.

There is a natural elegance to her rooms that we keep coming back to as a reference point; the ultra modern finishes and unexpected pops of colors and prints takes her extensive blue and white porcelain collection to the next level of fabulousness.

If you weren't as fortunate as Aerin to come into your blue and white collection, The Well Appointed House has your back.  New to our website is our 22 piece porcelain collection; an ideal starter set.

There are so many pieces, meaning the possibilities as to what to do with them are endless. Install shelves like Aerin did above, display in cabinets or arrange throughout your home. What Lauder chose to do was use blue and white as a theme throughout her house, creating a cohesive theme.

The blue and white porcelain looks especially modern with the zebra print rug and the ultra traditional round table.  Its a perfect example of understated elegance rather than in your face fashion.

From our blue and white collection comes this set of six porcelain blue and white plates that are ideal for hanging on a wall or arranging on a table, like Aerin above.

Get innovative and customize your blue and white decor. This porcelain temple jar is a standout on its own for decorative purposes but make it work for you and turn it into a lamp.

Any lighting specialist should be able to wire the jar correctly and you get to pick a beautiful shade to accent the piece.  While on a recent buying expedition we saw this jar used with a gorgeous deep red silk shade and it looked fantastic!

We encourage you to take a cue from Aerin and take something old and dear and turn it into something modern and fresh that works with your style.