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MichelleCarmen

MichelleCarmen

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Okay, so far I''ve counted four of us who''ve purchased new houses w/in the last few months, so at least a few other members here I''m sure are thinking about decorating options.

What I''m wondering is, what are some good catalogues to order through the mail just for decorating ideas (and possibly for purchase)? So far I ordered Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrell (both have items I love) and also Eddie Bauer home (which really isn''t my style, but I figured they may still have a cute little item). . . but now I cannot think of any other companies (aside from Ikea, which wouldn''t at all go w/our house and current furniture). . . so I''m needing ideas of other good retailers.

Can anyone think of any other places that have beautiful things?

Thanks,
Michelle
 
This is a great topic, but I am going to be the sponge here. I don''t have a clue as to catalogues. Since I have been married for so long, I have far too *much* stuff...even if it''s not all appropriate for my present house. I wish I could just pass along some of the (very nice) things I want to get rid of to you newlyweds!!! I gave away a great deal of furniture and crockery before I moved. Whole sets of pottery from France and from the Pottery Barn. Large pieces of furniture I gave mostly to charity, but china I gave to the painters in my house, etcetera. I even gave my realtor pewter candlesticks; beautiful pale green plates from pre-World War II showing a white Mt. Fuji; and a pottery bowl from Edgecombe potters in Maine. Now that I am here I have twice as much stuff I can''t put away and really will never use! My cleaning woman has taken an expensive children''s wooden kitchen set, a children''s wooden table and chairs set; a child''s upholstered armchair; and truckloads of dolls and stuffed animals in fabulous condition! Target and Bed, Bath, and Beyond have been the stores I needed to frequent in order to get towels and bedding for bedrooms and bathrooms than I previously had.

Deborah
 
I am decorating-impaired. I have to rip pics of rooms I like out of magazines and hire interior decorators to try to recreate the look. What sort of style do you prefer? I''ve morphed from traditional to a mix of modern-asian-contemporary-european and depend on some of the following mazagines for ideas. The mags usually have a list of suppliers in the back and I spend hours at night visiting websites for lighting, rugs, furniture, etc..

Metropolitan Home
Southern Living
Architectural Digest
European Home
 
Hi Michelle,

Here are a couple of my faves that should give you some ideas to how you want to decorate.

Westelm.com
Zgallerie.com
Frontgate.com
Chiasso.com
Restorationhardware.com

and occassionally,

Spiegel.com
Ballarddesigns.com

You can order catalogues through their websites. I especially love West Elm for ideas but also to buy from as their quality is excellent!

I also like CB2.com for ideas but they don''t have catalogues yet (its a spin off from Crate & Barrel).

They are fairly contemporary stores similar to Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel etc

Hope they help!

PS We just decorated ......I''m not a shopaholic !
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Deborah,

Ah, if only i had posted this a couple months ago (lol) You could have shipped me everything! My husband and I need so much stuff, including a kitchen. He ripped out all the cabinets and threw out the appliances and we''re having to cook on a little portable cooktop for a month until we get the hardwoods installed under where the new cabinets will be placed. Fun, huh? lol

Anyway, we have too much stuff as well and it''s not too convienent that none of it''s furniture, just literally, I kid you not, 20 boxes of photographs that I''ve taken of my kids over the past four years. It''s insane. I guess my family will be sitting on the Kirkland diaper wipe boxes that house the photos and pretending they''re gorgeous designer chairs with while eating Christmas dinner!
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Matata,
Good idea about checking the back of magazines. I''ll do that. It''s probably a good idea to splurge and buy 20 decorating magazines as I''m like you and have NO decorating skills beyond picking out towels and candles. So, we have 15 sets of towels and close to 50 candles that we cannot burn since the kids will try to reach up for them! lol

Decorating style is traditional with dark woods. Our hardwoods were going to be cherry, but last minute we changed to a wood color slightly lighter, but still darkish. I love bookcases packed with books and will need to purchase some to house our book collection. I''d like to throw some color in too, but with throws and fun things to add texture. But, overall the look will be minimalist as my husband complains about clutter. I''m planning to get a bunch of shelves that are attached to walls (cute ones from PB).

Michelle
 
Date: 11/17/2004 6
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9:18 PM
Author: mightyred
Hi Michelle,

Here are a couple of my faves that should give you some ideas to how you want to decorate.

Westelm.com
Zgallerie.com
Frontgate.com
Chiasso.com
Restorationhardware.com

and occassionally,

Spiegel.com
Ballarddesigns.com

You can order catalogues through their websites. I especially love West Elm for ideas but also to buy from as their quality is excellent!

I also like CB2.com for ideas but they don''t have catalogues yet (its a spin off from Crate & Barrel).

They are fairly contemporary stores similar to Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel etc

Hope they help!

PS We just decorated ......I''m not a shopaholic !
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hehehe, I''m not a shopaholic either. I swear. lol

Thanks so much for all the ideas. I forgot about Spiegel as I haven''t ordered from them in a few years. It''ll be fun to look at their clothing and jewelry sections too
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Michelle
 
I just went through a remodeling project on our home, it was great fun.

Here''s a new site that has some great transitional pieces:

http://www.wshome.com/index/index.asp
 
You''ve gotten a lot of good recommendations for websites with furniture and such. Another possibility to consider is hiring an interior designer for help. I did and it was some of the best money we ever spent. A good interior designer can keep you from making seriously expensive mistakes and can offer great advice. My interior designer helped me to choose paint color, rugs and hardwood floor stain, among other things. She put together room layouts on graph paper showing me where she would recommend my existing furniture go and what additional new pieces I could add. She then helped to find several of the new pieces. The key is to find a good designer, reputable and professional. Recommendations from friends or colleagues are the best place to start.
 
Thanks again. I ordered all of these catalogues except Chiasso as it was a bit odd
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lol My husband wouldn't be amused if he woke up in the morning to find his organic
waffles heating up in a green and pink daisy toaster. . .

http://www.chiasso.com/productshowdetails.asp?Designer=0&PriceRange=0&Keyword=&Keywords=&Department=Kitchen%2520%2526%2520Bath&Category=Kitchen&Interests=&Occasion=&lstManufacturers=0&BrowseID=&AgeRange=&search=0&specialorder=1&Vendor_Name=&outlet_center=&ReturnPage=1&StartPage=1&redirectTarget=&saleItemsOnly=&NewItemsOnly=

It is kind of cute, though, isn't it? I think I will get it. hehehe
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Youngster - An interior decorator may be a good idea at least for a consultation. I'm nervous to have someone see my shambled interior touches as is. . .
what if she laughs at my current artwork (like a priceless one-of-a-kind crayola impressionistic work by the famous diaper wearing D.A.S., circa 2003)?
Or my lava lamp dining room center piece? lol Just kidding. Anyway, actually, I may call up a person and see what she recommends expecially since we're trying to
coordinate hardwoods with new cabinets and I'm not sure if they should match or how to make them complimentary. Maybe the Home Depot guys will know
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lol

JoangA- thanks for the site. How did your remodeling project go? Did you remodel the kitchen, as well?
Any advice on how to survive a good month w/out any kitchen except a fridge and yet still cook three home meals per day? lol

michelle
Click to expand...
 
Michelle, have you looked at Horchow and Ballard Designs? They have beautful things that might work with your style, which sounds similar to mine (a friend of mine once said my living room looked like a picture from pottery barn catalog
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). I have been very pleased with everything I have gotten from each vendor.
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They do catalog and web:

Horcow.com
Ballard
 
My new mail delivery person is going to think my husband and I are insane. All we''ll be getting in the mail are furniture catalogues and pre-approval letters from credit card companies. lol

Thanks, Jennifer. More amazing stuff. Where have all these companies been hiding out?
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westelm.com

roomandboard.com

ikea.com

macys.com

anthropologie.com
 
My favorites are PotteryBarn, C&B, Williams Sonoma (they have a new catalog out for Home as well which has exhorbitant prices!!!), zGallerie & Restoration Hardware. I especially love that PB, WS and RH are more than just a product catalog..they do alot of design suggestions and/or tips and the photography is so lovely that you find yourself ripping pages out to save for a future 'wall' or 'room' redecoration!

We shopped locally for furniture at a very old company called Breuners which now is going out of biz after something like 150 years! Also, our Macys has nice furniture as well. Don't know if you have a Thomasville locally but they have some beautiful furniture that I think is not as pricey as EA, and walking around the store gives me ideas as well.

Lastly, CraigsList in your local area may have some great deals! I got a PB mirror that was originally $200+ for $40 a few weeks ago off Craigs List....the gal had used it for 2 years, it was in pristine condition and was exactly what I wanted! Wide sculpted antique gilt frame, about 36x42 in size, perfect for over our fireplace in our downstairs living room. She just didnt have room for it anymore, I LOVE IT! :) Also eBay has some great deals on things like pillows, throws, bedding etc...so I usually check there before I go into the store to buy something at retail.

Have fun!! I am so impatient to set our house up the way I want it...I have a list of everything that goes in which room and from what company and what color paints, etc...it's very slowly getting there. My girlfriend told me that it took her 3 years in her house to feel as though it was really the way she wanted it. Yikes!
 
How about Ethan Allen.
I purchased my bedroom set, my dining room set and my living room set from them! They have very formal stuff, but also have comtemporary lines as well.

My all time favorite for childrens furniture is PaliUSA. I got my daughter's bedroom set from them. The prices are not bad and the furniture is pretty.

I also love Pottery Barn and have picked up a few things to decorate with from them.
Lastly, try Fortunoff's. They have great outdoor furniture.

Edited to add that I got my daughter's nursery set from PaliUSA.
If I have another child, I plan to get my daughter a Pottery Barn set that I absolutely love, but I can't remember the name of it right now. It comes in dark wood and can be purchased as a day bed, and has very curvy edges. It is beautiful.
 
A designer is a good idea. Talk to a few, and make sure that you look at samples of what they have done. Some have certain styles that they gravitate to, so make sure you like that style! If you have specific ideas, make sure they understand them. Designers are best when you don't have specific ideas, because you can tap into theirs.

Another good source is Room and Board. They have a catelog and a web site. I've bought a few items from them, and their quality is good. Design within Reach (www.dwr.com) has great things too, but is very modern. It really depends on your style. Eathan Allen is a nice blend between traditional and contemporary. There was a thread on this a while back, I think in the shopping section but I don't see it now. Seems to me that MMM had some traditional sources that she liked.


Edited to add: whoops -- I think I forgot to hit submit for a while. This response was to one way back there!
 
I think your idea of an initial consultation with an interior designer is a really good one. (I think Ethan Allen''s designers will do that sort of thing for free as well as room layouts. They might even get into helping you pick paint colors as well if it''s part of an overall room or house scheme.) Trust me, a pro won''t laugh!! They want to help and will work within your budget. It really was the best money I ever spent. A pro has an eye for color that someone like me doesn''t have, even though I''m really picky about stuff like that. My initial choice of paint would have been too yellow. She steered me in the right direction to a color I absolutely love now. She also had numerous ideas we incorporated into various rooms, really getting me to focus on what the purpose of each room was and what activiteis were going to take place there. We then "went shopping" among all my existing stuff and then only added new stuff when I didn''t have something that would work. She thought of creative ways of using things that I thought didn''t have a place - two small chests of drawers became my son''s night tables, instead of traditional night stands, etc. Everything left over was gotten rid of. It was great!!
 
Hey Michelle,

I didn''t remodel the kitchen, it was done when we purchased the house. Which was why we purchased this house in the first place, there wasn''t a thing to do, plus I loved it. We have a wonderful kitchen, and I promised to make more than reservations in it.

I used a Decorator on this project, it was the first time I ever tried one. I must admit, it really helped! She was wonderful to work with, gave me great advice etc. I was very involved in the project, and she appreciated that and encouraged it.

I recommend setting a budget, then figuring out how much your really willing to spend. I spent double what I intended, I don''t regret it, just decided to go for it and get it done.

The other thing about the decorator was she recommended great people to paint etc. I had spent a year looking for someone to just build a fence. She recommended a great handyman, I was calling him my new Honey Do..

So I would recommend a Decorator too. Just interview them, look for someone you want to work with. You''ll spend time with them. She also turned me onto a great discount place in the Bay Area. Giorg''s in South San Francisco. I was able to save a lot of money through them.

Remember it''s all about you and what you like.

Hope this helps.
 
I also love Pottery Barn and have picked up a few things to decorate with from them.
If I have another child, I plan to get my daughter a Pottery Barn set that I absolutely love, but I can't remember the name of it right now. It comes in dark wood and can be purchased as a day bed, and has very curvy edges. It is beautiful.
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Most of my boys' room is decorated w/Pottery Barn stuff. Luckily the kids have a very generous grandmother as my husband cannot be convinced that the price of their blue corduroy curtains with the fire engine tie backs was justifiable.
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I love their stuff, but we've unfortunely had a few items break on us, so I think overall their products are more suitable for girls since girls tend to be more gentle. Their kid's rugs are great though and hard to break. lol

Okay, thanks again for all the ideas. I'm making a list after ordering Williams Sonoma and Ethan Allen ;) lol as I'm afraid of becoming overwhelmed! lol There's too many things to think about now. I keep gravitating back to the candles again as these are "safe." My huband actually became mad at me when I mentioned another set of red glittery xmas candles (from Bath and Body Works) that i picked out. lol

Mara - we're planning to only stay in this house for three years so hopefully it can feel "perfect," for at least one of these years. The other big obstical (aside from trying to keep my husband passive through this whole process rather than dishing out his opinion
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) is finding items that can be easily transferable to another house. Really simple, traditional, yet, with personality. I plan to add lots of family pictures and frame some works of "art" my kids have made, using nicer frames to add the personal touches. But, we're doing home renovations now (officially) for a living and will be moving a bit more frequently until the kids settle into second to fourth grade so an appropriate style is essential unless I want to spend endless hours reselling all my stuff on eBay every time we move. lol! {we won't be actually living in every home we renovate, but still want to turn the house we're fixing now into our official business site since it's commerically zoned, so we will be moving at least once more}


Michelle
 
Regarding an interior decorator. . .we''ll be setting a monthly budget rather than an upfront full-price amount so should I hire a designer to provide help and then just work with the ideas or have the person come back every month or two and help fill in the gaps (or would the latter be exorbitantly priced)? We won''t be buying any items until around January/Febuary since we''re in the process of selling another home and don''t want to spend any $ until both this is done & our new house has floors and a working sink AND after we actually move in on the 15th (lol), so I have a bit of time to compile ideas.

You gals have been amazingly helpful. Can''t wait to show off some pictures. I''ll post some priliminary shots after we get our floors in so you all can see what I have to work with, which is basically many empty rooms
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Check out http://www.homeportfolio.com. Everything in one place. I mean everything. Faucets to dishwashers to lamps to sofas and everything else. Lot of fun browsing and you can find photos of things you like to show others.You can create your own files there of products you like and want to remember.


The designer I work with charges by the hour. You can start out with just the structural issues like room layouts, color scheme, paint, carpet (if you are changng those out) and stop there or have them make recommendations for furniture and other items. You can work with the person as much or as little as you like. My own designer I have worked with periodically over five years (still not done but almost!). I just call her when I''m ready to add a piece to finish out the rooms that have already been laid out on paper. Now, we''re down to the fun stuff, occasional pieces, accents, etc. She bills me for actual hours spent searching. If the piece I buy is a designer piece, she gets a discounted price from the seller since she''s a member of the trade, though wouldn''t work with places like Pottery Barn or other chains.
 
Date: 11/18/2004 12:53:36 PM
Author: youngster

Check out http://www.homeportfolio.com. Everything in one place. I mean everything. Faucets to dishwashers to lamps to sofas and everything else. Lot of fun browsing and you can find photos of things you like to show others.You can create your own files there of products you like and want to remember.



The designer I work with charges by the hour. You can start out with just the structural issues like room layouts, color scheme, paint, carpet (if you are changng those out) and stop there or have them make recommendations for furniture and other items. You can work with the person as much or as little as you like. My own designer I have worked with periodically over five years (still not done but almost!). I just call her when I''m ready to add a piece to finish out the rooms that have already been laid out on paper. Now, we''re down to the fun stuff, occasional pieces, accents, etc. She bills me for actual hours spent searching. If the piece I buy is a designer piece, she gets a discounted price from the seller since she''s a member of the trade, though wouldn''t work with places like Pottery Barn or other chains.
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whooa. . .we''re in the same state. lol Are you in the Seattle area?
 
MATATA!!!! ARE YOU TRYING TO HURT ME????
Siiiiggggh. BEAUTIFUL stuff. AMong my favorites.

I would just get tons and tons of mags. I''m not fond of those pottery barn pre-put together looks. I say you get Archit. Digest, Southern Living, Beautiful Home...etc...tons of mags!!!

But I totally love Waterworks for bathroom ideas. Siiggghhh.
 
I absolutely LOVE decorating so don't even get me started!! I HIGHLY recommend The Company Store - it is more in the realm of bedding, curtains, bathroom decor, knic-knaks, etc... But they have the most wonderful merchandise. AND it lasts forever - it is definitely an investment. Another nice place to find home decor is Pier 1 Imports. I'm almost positive they have a catalog, but don't quote me on that. And - this might sound strange, but Lowe's has started a very nice collection of home decor!! Kitchenware, Ceiling fans, lighting, cool curtain rods, bathroom accessories, hardwood/marble flooring, etc........ Have fun!
 
MMM, Yes, yes, yes, I woke up this morning thinking it had been way too long since I caused you pain and suffering. Besides why should I suffer alone when coveting fine furniture? I came very close to buying a sofa from Baker....did a lot of self-speak about how buying a quality piece that would last a lifetime is better than replacing junky furniture on a regular basis. Then I imagined how I''d feel the first time my cat barfed up a hairball the size of Rhode Island smack dab in the center cushion of my down-filled $5500 sofa......
emsad.gif
 
eeeccchhhkkkkk, eeeeccchhhhkkkkk, that''s me coughing one up LOL...
I purchased a new sofa last December...and my cats punished me for taking away their old scratching post and not replacing it fast enough. I have a huge hole in the side/back of the sofa. Bast*rds. Well, I''m "over" that whole Swedish COuntry phase anyway LOLOLOL!!!
 
whooa. . .we''re in the same state. lol Are you in the Seattle area?
Click to expand...
Yes, I am. Small world!!
 
Ahhhhhhh....DECORATING!!!! This word makes me feel like what the word DIAMONDS does to most here! I absolutely love a blank canvas
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For 9 years we lived in an our starter home and I spent my time collecting some beautiful furniture for my dream home! 4 years ago we built our dream home and I'm sad to say that every square inch is decorated
emcry.gif
It was sooooo fun going room to room, dreaming up a scheme to blend with all the rest and then onto the hunt for putting old and new together. I just love something wonderful and new, next to an antique. I realize this is a personal preference, but it gives a room a look that is you and your family, and not just a copy of a pic. When people come to your home, you want them to feel warmth and get a reflection as to who you and your family are. The Macaroni art should be framed and hung!!! Ok, enough rambling.

Do you like antique furniture? Find an auction house in your area and go to a preview and auction. You'd be really surprised at the bargains you can aquire and have fun doing it. One of my favorite pieces I have is an old china cabinet from the 1920's that we use as a bar, and right in the same area on the wall is a really cool piece of modern art. I use an old steamer trunk as a coffee table that I picked it up at a flea market for $20, and in an antique store it would have easily been $200 or more. This trunk in a room with a beautiful leather sofa and bernhardt chairs. I just love a little element of surprise!

Ok, you want to know stores and websites. One that hasn't been mentioned is Bombay Company. Bombay has an outlet that has great accessories for built-in bookcases and fun inexpensive lamps. You can link to the outlet from the main webpage. Also if you are looking for hardback books for a bookcase, go to the Good Will. I can't tell you how many trips we made to fill up those shelves and majority of the time each book is $1.00 We have hardwoods throughout the house and all rugs are PotteryBarn, but I didn't buy them from Pottery Barn.....I bought them from EBAY! All brand new and the same ones in the current catalog, but for about 40% of the price. Look around on EBAY you'd be surprised what you will find. Also, for accessories, I could always find odds and ends at TJ Maxx & More, Home Goods, Marshalls, you know the ones. Also Cost Plus World Market has some interesting items.

For one other catalog, go to www.wisteria.com Very unusual items from around the world, you're sure to find a conversation piece here. A couple of others for odds and ends:
www.brylanehome.com
www.homedecorators.com

Ok....I've given you more than you probably be wanted, but I just LOVE decorating!!!!
 
One that hasn''t been mentioned is Bombay Company. Bombay has an outlet that has great accessories for built-in bookcases and fun inexpensive lamps. You can link to the outlet from the main webpage.
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Hey, cool, thanks so much. There isn''t an outlet store in my state, so I didn''t even know this extension of the store existed! The site has some nice items and I already picked out a few things for the walls, which ARE a blank canvases (or at least until my kids get ahold of the permanent markers, that is) lol!
 
Glad you found the Bombay Outlet useful. I''m fortunate to have an outlet store right down the road. Right after we moved into this house, it was a weekly trip to the store on delivery day
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I have a 2 seater car and hubby was always suspicious as to why I needed to borrow his SUV!!!!

One other thing that I forgot to mention regarding art. I realize some people like it, some don''t, but I have found some great original pieces on EBAY, for great prices. Just go to the "self representing artist" area. I wanted some great "Martini" orignal acrylic paintings and would type in the word "martini" in the self representing artist area and I was amazed by the talented people all over the world! I love the fact that I can go outside of my local art shows to acquire new, fun pieces.

Michelle, I''ll probably think of more things, as this subject is really a passion for me!!! Have fun decorating and hunting for that perfect item
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