1stdibs Saturday Sale

It's Saturday morning at 8:00am, and you are at the 1stdibs Saturday Sale. No, you are not out in the chilly morning air, holding a cup of coffee and wondering why in the world you got up so early. Instead, you are in the comfort of your own home, exploring items from antiques dealers from around the country - a beautiful trove of some of the most amazing finds out there, and they are being offered to you at a substantial discount. What could be more fun?!

I absolutely love 1stdibs' re-imagined weekend yard and barn sales. Every Saturday morning at 8:00am EST, they will offer a new collection of 500 or more items from dealers across the country who are posting items, many of which have been marked down to move quickly. And I have to say the items they post are absolutely amazing.


Are you looking for that perfect Hollywood Regency credenza? Well, look no further.


In need of an antique French settee?


Is there an African stool that you've been on the hunt for?


Unconventional lighting? They've got it all.

1stdibs' Saturday Sale is a unique idea, and a nice rest from ebay or craigslist, that makes flea market shopping fun and new again. See you there on Saturday! Well, I won't actually see you, but I know you'll be there.

Fall Colors: Tracy Reese Collection

I love color, and this year it looks like everything is in from bold pops of color to calm neutrals and glamorous metallics.

I found Tracy Reese's Collection at New York Fashion Week to be full of beautiful color inspiration. Above teal and yellow are tempered with bits of black and brown.


Olive and black is sexy and sophisticated.


Old-fashioned florals feel modern against a dark backdrop.


Absolutely golden! Rich and luxurious, gold is definitely my favorite color this year.

Go to Style.com to see more of the beautiful hues in Tracy's collection.

Sustainable Home Furnishings

{Image: Domino Magazine}

Wood furnishings are a wonderful way to warm up a modern interior. Terra Furnishings offers a beautiful collection of wood furniture, art and decor that is one-of-a-kind and eco-friendly.



With graceful lines and striking wood grain patterns, Terra Furnishings' earth-friendly pieces make a statement as functional pieces or works of art.



Support an eco-conscious lifestyle, with hand-made products made from sustainable materials.



And as warmer days approach, you'll definitely want to check out Terra Furnishings' new teak spa collection.



Just beautiful.

Better Homes & Gardens "Save My Room" Contest

Have you always wanted to see your home in pictures or do you cringe at the thought of someone coming to visit? If the latter is true, there is a contest just for you. If you have an unfinished space and need some decorating help, you can enter Better Homes and Gardens' "Save My Room" contest.

From now until April 12th, enter a household photo of a room that you need help with. If you win, you will receive a free makeover from interior designer Stephen Saint-Onge along with free furniture and accessories, AND your home will be featured in the November issue of BHG.

Here are some beautiful rooms designed by Stephen, sure to inspire you.







I hope one of my amazing readers wins!

Banana Republic City Stories

With the current economic situation, marketing has become more important than ever. Brands are working hard to make personal connections that preserve customer loyalty, and of course, get us shopping again. With so many ad campaigns out there it's always impressive when something new breaks through. That's why I love Banana Republic's new City Stories campaign.



Featuring nine musical talents, including Esperanza Spalding, Sara Bareilles, Ayo and David Sanchez, the campaign features online performances from each artist, interviews that highlight their inspiration, and free music downloads.



Engaging and stylish, I also love how this campaign has a global feel, featuring artists from the U.S., Latin America, Africa and Europe.



If you live in San Francisco get up close and personal with the new campaign through BR's City Sounds Tour. This Thursday, enjoy live music from David Garrett and check out new the new spring collection. Get more information on the BR event right here. Hope to see you there!



{Images from Banana Republic}

Innovative Design at Pid.Se

I was so happy to receive an e-mail from Swedish design shop, PID.Se. This personal interior design store has the most amazing collection of modern furniture and decor, featuring the work of new designers and their limited edition works.

I was on the site for an hour yesterday, and fell in love with so many amazing pieces. Their beautifully curated collection has everything from furniture to lighting, drapery, kitchenware and so much more.

A few items that I kept coming back to again and again include The Glass Cluster chandelier above. Forty glasses hang from a chrome frame and can be removed just in time for a cocktail party. When you're done, just hang the glasses back up and wahlah...you have a shimmering chandelier.



The Wannabe table is the perfect entryway piece. Powder coated steel is wrapped around a cardboard box creating one of the most fun and functional pieces I have ever seen.



This Disco in Capetown rug is so unique. Not only is it a must-have, it can also be customized in the size and colors of your choice.



Can you say cardboard? This No. 106 lamp is absolutely amazing! Corrugated cardboard combined with innovative design results in this lamp designed by Sebastian Kjersen. No. 106 is also environmentally friendly since its made from a material that can be recycled.

I promise, this is just a small taste of what PID.Se has to offer. You must visit their site, and I know what you're thinking - yes they do ship to the U.S.

{All images from PID.Se, visit www.PID.se for more information}

Regency Shop: Affordable Modern Furniture

Regency Shop

I absolutely love modern design. I have come close to giving my husband a heart attack over my modern furniture wish list, which includes a whole set of Philippe Starck Ghost Chairs, a purple Womb Chair, and of course an Eames Lounge Chair.

With my love of all things modern, it is great to come across retailers that can offer modern design at a more affordable price. Regency Shop is one of those places, offering high-end modern furniture including modern classics and design reproductions at a price that many of us can feel comfortable with.

Searching their site today, I came across a new must-have for my list, this Hanging Egg Chair. This chair is sure to make a statement indoors and out, and it just looks so comfortable. I'm sure I have place for it on my patio.

Here are just a few ways that you can make this classic at home in your own interior.


Dallagnese


Domino


D Magazine

Just beautiful.

Crocheted Jewels

I am fascinated by the work of Israeli textile designer Inbar Shahak. Using traditional textile techniques, Inbar creates hand crafted jewelry that mirrors patterns found in Victorian lace.





Her creations are truly unique, fusing delicate crocheting techniques with modern materials. The results are glamorous - pieces that have been woven out of pure silver.





See more of Inbar's gorgeous textile-inspired jewels at erayo.com.

Happy Valentine's Day!

4 días libre / 4 days of freedom, originally uploaded by JFabra.

I love this Flickr photo. Exactly how Valentine's Day should be spent. To bring a little romance your way, my hubby and I created this special modern and soulful playlist just for you.

Happy Valentine's Day. Enjoy!

Revisiting Jenna Lyons' Apartment

A comment left on this week's Color It Bright post got me thinking about striking interiors that use bold pops of color. I couldn't help but think back to the home of amazing J. Crew Creative Director, Jenna Lyons, that was featured in Domino last year.



The yellow, grey and black color palette in Jenna's home comes together offering clean, sophisticated style, with a bright and modern touch.





Jenna also warmed the palette with wood elements, and of course, ethnic textiles, like the Moroccan and zebra print rugs featured in the living room.



And if your budget doesn't permit buying brightly colored furnishings right now, well, just show off pops of color with your brightly colored wardrobe. Fabulous!

P.S. - stop by tomorrow for a special Valentine's Day surprise just for you!

{Images from Domino}

Just For You: 30% Off At Amenity!

I love Amenity. Their vision of organic living is one that I truly embrace. Their nature-inspired collections are simply beautiful. And with everything from organic pillows and gorgeous duvets, to a new line of tote bags, their organic lifestyle brand has something for everyone.

If you haven't already visited Amenity, then you will definitely want to today since they are offering a 30% discount to AphroChic readers until March 15th! Yes, that's 30% off anything on their website. Just Enter code "sunshine" at checkout.

Thank you so much Kristina for this wonderful discount for AC readers. Enjoy!

Color It Bright at The Conran Shop

Color is in! No matter where you look bright pops of color are everywhere. And no color is more present this year than vibrant yellow.

From golden hues to neon shades, yellow is bringing that necessary jolt of color into our homes. And this year, more than ever, this honey-colored shade can be found in everything from sofas to table lamps.

The Conran Shop's "color it bright" collection, offers plenty of yellow hued items that will inject one of Spring's must-have shades directly into your home.


Palm Tree Lantern.


Cherish Chair.


Stockholm Staples Gold.


Toobe Table Lamp Orange.

This year, brighten your home with colorful furniture and accessories. See more vivid accessories at The Conran Shop.

Spring Preview: Duro Olowu

The connection between fashion design and interior design continues to grow closer. Magazines like Domino and Living Etc. have often written of the relationship between the two industries. Domino made the connection even more evident through its regular feature that transformed an outfit into a room.



This Spring, take your interior decor cues from what's happening in the fashion world. This year's Spring collections are particularly inspiring, and for the first time in the 21st century, I feel like we're finally landing on a style that really defines the time - global patterns, innovative shapes, pops of color and rich accessories that bring it all together.



Duro Olowu's Spring 2009 collection highlights all of these things, blending luxurious fabrics, polka dots, jeweled tones and that one accessory that makes it pop.





Whether in your closet or in the living room, this Spring is an exciting time for design, full of innovation and unique elements.

How will you translate these new Spring styles into your own home?