Chic Shop Alert: La Double J

Do you suddenly feel like you're in the magical technicolor world of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory? Are you thinking you might've accidently downed some of grandma's "special pills?"  Are you beginning to question whether or not you're on the set of Austin Powers?  Well then, my guess is you've probably just encountered the happy chaos that encompasses Italian brand La DoubleJ:

This sort of brand could only exist if it were being run by a creative genius - and it is.  JJ Martin (street-style star, journalist, and contributing editor at Harper's Bazaar) launched La DoubleJ in 2015, originally as a platform to sell her vintage clothing.  The site quickly took off and Martin now works with top Italian textile house Montero to produce clothing donning vintage prints from their archives. The brand has recently stepped in to the realm of housewares and furniture, too.  Here are a few pieces that caught my eye...

Top to Bottom, Left to Right:

Apres Midi Skirt, $490/

One piece swimsuit, $285/

Hand Pochette, $150/

Soup and Dinner Plates, $110/each/

Rossa in Acrylic Stone Necklace, $330/

Bellini Dress, $995/

Kaleidoscope Napkin Set, 6 for $110/

Yes I knowwww the pieces are insanely expensive.  Yes I knowwww many of these outfits are over the top.  But in a world of restraint, neutrals galore and overhyped minimalism, I'm finding their lack of restraint pretty damn refreshing.  See more here and here.

Chic Shop Alert: Decor NYC

One of my favorite ways to shop for clients and for myself is on designer furniture consignment websites. You get the best of both worlds:  A beautiful, (often) one-of-a-kind piece, and a lower price.  Every designer wants the rooms they design to feel special and include items with great history and quality, rather than just ordinary hum-drum pieces from big box stores.  That's why I love consignment!  When I discovered that Manhattan had an actual brick-and-mortar designer furniture consignment store, I was there before the week had ended.  Decor NYC is located in New York's Garment District at 159 West 25th Street and includes over 6,000 square feet of gently-used high-end furniture and accessories, like a Markham Roberts custom silver blue button-tufted sofa:

The owner, Bruce Tilley, opened Decor NYC in 2012 when he realized that between low-end thrift store pieces and high-end antiques, there was quite a gap in the marketplace.  Bruce has great relationships with several furniture stores and designers in Manhattan, so when a piece doesn't work out in a client's home or a store doesn't sell something before it's time to bring in new inventory, the treasures go to Bruce!  Each piece that is accepted by Decor NYC has been vetted by Bruce, researched, and priced competitively- because they want the inventory to move:

{Modern Chesterfield Sofa, Signed Painting by Peter Zimmerman "Helio"}

I was delighted to discover a pair of Alexa Hampton for Hickory Chair nightstands marked at $2,000/pair.  This is one of my favorite pieces in the entire Hickory Chair collection- the brass sabots are so good!

My turquoise-loving heart fluttered seeing this pair of Murano glass lamps, priced at $1,595 for the pair:

Pretty ceramic lamps, all in a row:

This olive velvet rocker from the mid 1800s was a fun find in their downstairs seating section:

I was a bit starstruck when I saw a few classic design pieces on the floor, like this set of 8 Giac Mark de la Vega Chairs and this Eames 3-Seat Black Leather and Teak Sofa.   

If you don't live in New York, not to fret- you can shop Decor NYC's entire inventory online here.  And if you do live in the city, be sure to stop in soon to see all the treasures.

Ballard Designs Wins Again

One of the first home decor + furniture websites I discovered when I was younger and decorating my first apartment was Ballard Designs.   Although I probably get about 50 home design catalogs in the mail a month, I throw all of them immediately in to recycling- except for Ballard's.  I feel it is one retail website that not only manages to stay ahead of emerging design trends, but also provides endless customization options for many pieces.  As a designer, this is ideal because you're able to put your own twist on a piece while keeping the overall price point down for your client.  Also, most retail furniture companies (think West Elm, Crate & Barrel, etc) don't allow you to send in your own fabric, but Ballard Designs offers most of their upholstery pieces in COM ("customers own material").  Last night, I was flipping through my latest Ballard catalog, and was nearly giddy with all their new offerings, like this Milo Baughman-inspired Robbie Upholstered Chair:

Or the Hallen Acrylic Bar Cart:

Or the Amal Slipper Chair, shown below.  You can customize this piece by choosing a different fabric for the lumbar pillow and a different fabric for the welt:

And a few more pieces I think are fab...

Harper Sideboard:

Emery Scalloped Headboard:

Ombre Table Lamp:

Another piece that has been in their collection for a while but is worth revisiting is the Felicity Acrylic Coffee Table:

Ballard released a tabletop collection with Bunny Williams back in 2014, and I discovered when looking at their website last night that Bunny also designed a few furniture pieces for them, like this screen:

And how cute is this brass pineapple ice bucket?

Happy Shopping, guys.

*This post is not sponsored by Ballard Designs, & all opinions are 100% my own!

Gift Guide: For the Host + Hostess (All Under $50)!

Happy Hump Day!  It's been a crazy few days so I apologize for my delayed weekly gift guide.  I'm back with gift ideas for the host and hostesses in your life- whether it's a Thanksgiving host, a Christmas host, or simply a dinner party host- these gifts work for all occasions. Although the easiest and safest bet for a hostess gift is a bottle of champs (if you come to my apartment, let me be clear that this is what I'd prefer), everyone loves the person who thinks outside the box and gives a unique, thoughtful gift.  Here are a few of my favorites: 

Shop Hostess Gifts (Top to Bottom, Left to Right):

Bamboo Picture Frames $15 or $22/Chrome Ice Bucket with Lucite Handle $55/Nest "Pumpkin" Candle (BEST FALL CANDLE EVER!) $32/Sugarfina "Happy Holidays" Candy Bento Box $65/Monogrammed Linen Satin Stitch Coasters $40/Cravings Cookbook by Chrissy Teigen $40/Graphic Image Leather Clutch w/Tassel $49/Tassel Loafer Slippers $26/Mr. and Mrs. Christmas Cocktail Glass Set $26/

I recently became acquainted with a cute online boutique that deserves to have it's own "Chic Shop Alert" post- Establishment Home.  Launched by two Atlanta friends, Stacie Morrison and Alexa Simpson, the shop features interesting accessories, art, and home decor.  A few of my favorites from their site:

{Zebra Large Pouch $64}

{Meghann Throw Pillow $150}

{Coral Burst Plateau Basket $60}

{Vintage Gold Rimmed Wine Glasses w/ Floral Motif $40}

Stacie and Alexa have generously offered all Peak of Tres Chic readers 20% off their purchase with code TRESCHIC at checkout.  Happy shoppin'!

Need more gift ideas?

Shop My 2016 Gift Guides:

For Your BFF

For the Guys

more to come....!

XOXO,

Sam

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Chic Shop Alert: The Highboy

I love that unique, one-of-a-kind furniture pieces are becoming more and more accessible to the masses.  Consignment websites offering mouth-watering gently-used designer pieces at relatively affordable prices are becoming more and more popular.  This is changing the game in my mind, because personally, I'm pushing for the average buyer to educate themselves and look beyond West Elm and Pottery Barn.  Trust me, I love these stores and buy from them myself, but as a lover of furniture design, I enjoy knowing there is a story or history behind a piece.  It just makes it that much more special.  Which brings me to my new favorite find- The HighBoy.  The HighBoy is a curated online marketplace that collaborates with hand-picked antique and fine art dealers across the country to create an exceptional offering of products.  For instance, I love seeing this French 1940s mirrored cabinet from one of my favorite Houston dealers, Carl Moore:

The HighBoy let's you save your favorite products by creating a wishlist, and this mirrored console is definitely on mine.  So is this 1970s Vintage Asian Armoire (only $1020!):

I also love that The HighBoy allows you to search for furniture and art by period.  It satisfies my eclecticism, as some days I'm feeling Mid-Century rather than Gustavian, or Art Deco over French Country.  As a designer it helps me cater to my client's preferred taste, as well.   I rounded up a few of my favorite items from their current offerings, and as you can see, there's something for everyone:

Chic Shop Alert: St. Frank

I love to come across new, interesting, and/or different sources for home decor.  Working full time as an interior designer, I often feel that I see the same things again and again when sourcing for clients.  Finding a new store or website that offers a unique selection of items is like discovering buried treasure.  And St. Frank is just that- a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind textiles, pillows, and curiosities from artisans around the world.

{Green Otomi Tablecloth}

St. Frank's products preserve the traditional artisanal craft while providing economic empowerment to these artisans, who often live and work in middle and low-income countries.  I particularly love their framed textiles!

Shop St. Frank

1.} Organic Indigo Mini Print $275/2.) iPhone 6 Textile Cases $48/3.)Juju Hat $395/4.)Cactus Silk V Morocco Textile Print $995/5.)  Modern Indigo Pillow $325/6.) Alpaca Throw in Red $225/7.) Day of the Dead Skull $225/

I'm also thinking this might be the time I finally make owning a juju hat a reality. 

Great work, St. Frank!  Happy Friday, everyone!

Chic Shop Alert: Oomph

As a designer, we are often challenged to find new, unique sources that offer affordable pieces with just a touch of flair or customization.  With all of the affordable home decor stores out there already available to the public, like Zinc Door, Restoration Hardware, or Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, it's often our task to find ways to add unique features, special finishes or custom details to an item that makes it feel one-of-a-kind.  One online shop that allows customers and designers to create pieces a step above the norm is Oomph.  From scalloped details on furniture, mirrors, and lighting, to backgammon tables in several lacquered paint color options, to case goods with sassy tassels- Oomph's furniture adds vitality and funk to any space.  I also love that on many of their pieces, you can choose the fabric or finish from their curated options that include a few designer fabrics from Quadrille and Lee Jofa, like these twin headboards:

{Bailey McCarthy}

I love seeing Oomph's Newport mirror in white against this graphic pink wall covering:

Their lighting collection includes interesting lanterns, wall sconces, and gourd lamps, like the Palo Alto lantern shown in this kitchen:

{Nina Liddle Designs via Home Bunch}

Here are a few of my favorite pieces from Oomph Online.  I am contemplating adding the Rowayton etagere to the right of my bed in my NYC room.  That way, it could act as a storage piece as well as a bedside table for my water, chapstick and book.

Shop This Board:

1.) Tiny Table IV $375/2.)Rowayton Etagere $3,800/ 3.)  Carved Newport Mirror $1,540/4.) Fenwick Coffee Table $1,825/5.) Hobe Sound Lantern $3,095/6.) Raffia Scalloped Chair $1,785

Happy Monday!  I hope everyone has a fun, productive week!

Chic Shop Alert: John Salibello

How is it already Thursday?!  My week is flying by and I'm already focused on the pretty weekend ahead (as predicted for Houston).  I hope your week is going well!  I often get asked by friends and clients about my favorite furniture and accessory sources.  While my "favorites" spreadsheet is rather lengthy, the lines I find most noteworthy/special I have been sharing through my "Chic Shop Alert" series.  Yesterday, I was "shopping out" a particular piece, and came across one of my tried and true vintage stores- John Salibello in New York City.  John Salibello primarily carries fine mid-century modern furniture, lighting, and accessories.

 {Eighteen Arm Brass Sputnik Chandelier}

{Hand-Painted Waterfall Console Table}

{Pair of Upholstered Armchairs}

It pains me to share this brass longhorn sculpture because I am an OU fan through and through.  However, I still love you Texans/UT fans, and I hope one of you splurges on this:

{Brass Longhorn Skull}

{Lucite Bench}

{Pair of Cabinets with Geometric Design}

{Brass Faux Bamboo Four Tier Wall Mounted Shelving}

{Six Panel Beveled Mirror Screen}

{Rectangular Two Tier Barcart}

{Upholstered Brass Tripod Stools}

{White Lacquered Sideboard with Decorative Brass Details}

Too much fabulousness for one store.

“I choose to focus on fine design that is unusual and extraordinary, whether it has a designer name or not. I buy with my emotions and I hope I can pass that passion along to my clients.”

-John Salibello