Colorful Furnishings from PolArt

Bright colors; traditional shapes featuring a modern twist - PolArt may be my furniture soulmate.  PolArt's modern collection offers classic style chairs, sofas, coffee tables, and more, in fun and funky colors that you can customize to make your piece as unique as you are.



Tufted chairs



Innovative patio furniture, like this yellow outdoor chaise



And cool baroque-style pieces are all a part of the PolArt collection.



If you're shopping in the US, check out their items at the Home Furniture Showroom.  Very fun!

{Images via PolArt}

Deep Dark Africa

Deep Dark Africa is a lovely online boutique focused on bringing contemporary, handmade African design to a wider audience.  Offering handmade pieces for the home, decor stylist Alexia Kondylis has curated some beautiful finds by artisans from countries throughout the continent.



The Vetiver Basket Bowl above and this Wire Side Table are both made in South Africa.  The table would make such a striking outdoor piece.



Gorgeous Horn Cups are hand carved and shaped in Madagascar.  I love the range of natural hues in each one.



And who can resist this beautiful flatware hand carved by artisans in Kenya.  The brilliant white color feels so modern and contemporary.

You can explore more handmade design from the African continent at Deep Dark Africa.  Enjoy!

Wawa Welcomes America with a July 4th Concert!

July 4th is almost here!  I always get excited about the 4th.  It's the week before my birthday and a great time for family barbecues, concerts and fireworks!  This year I'll be heading to Wawa Welcome America's free concert series on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.  There are going to be some amazing artists, including Philly's own - The Roots.  Earth, Wind & Fire, Estelle and Sara Bareilles will also be performing.  If you live in the tri-state area, and want to hear some great music next Monday night and enjoy one of the best fireworks shows in the nation definitely plan to come to Philly.

There are also some other wonderful events happening this week that you might enjoy:

- Wednesday, June 29th, Rocky will be playing at the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum.

- Thursday, June 30th, watch The Devil Wears Prada in Rittenhouse Square.  I'm dragging the hubs out for this one.

- Friday, July 1st there's going to be a Hairspray sing-along on the Parkway. 

- Saturday, July 2nd and Sunday, July 3rd get ready for the Super Scooper all-you-can-eat ice cream festival.

It's going to be an amazing week here in the City of Brotherly Love.  I hope you're ready for some fun!

{Image via Welcome America and the Hip Hop Chronicle.  This post is brought to you with the support of Wawa Welcome America}

AphroChic is Now on Houzz!

There is one more place to find AphroChic style around the web.  You can now find me posting monthly on Houzz as part of their Ideabook series.  I am excited to share with you my first ideabook - Modern Morocco.  Featuring amazing new products that showcase Moroccan style, you can explore some finds that are available here in the US and even in Morocco.  Check out the ideabook and let me know what you think.  I would love to read your comments!

{Image via Graham and Green, featured in the Modern Morocco Ideabook on Houzz}

Private 02 04 Rugs at CARROTS

I get so happy when pretty things land in my inbox.  And I immediately fell for this line of hemp rugs by Danish design company Private 02 04.  These one-of-a-kind rugs are handmade in Anatolia, Turkey in remote villages where they are washed in the sea and then reconstructed and dyed.  The result is beautiful rugs perfect for layering and adding a bit of a rustic touch at home.



From runners to full 7 x 12 rugs, no two pieces are alike.



Each one is simple and beautiful in its own way.  I love the black and white stripes that feel modern against the rough-hewn texture.



These rugs are now available at San Francisco store, CARROTS.  You can contact them directly for pricing and sizes.

Cocopani: Designer Umbrellas

Summer is here!  It's the time of year for long, relaxing days at the beach, and these umbrellas from Cocopani are the perfect beach accessory.  Created by Australian model Bianca Cheah, these umbrellas beautifully integrate fashion and function.  The mod prints and bright colors are chic and just right for fun in the sun.  Here are a few designs that will definitely stand out at the beach:



Licorice Allsorts



Watermelon Streak



Daffodil Polkadot



Aqua Fish Scales

You can view the complete collection right here.

{Images via Cocopani}

New Sponsor: Wawa Welcome America!

I am so excited to announce a new sponsor on the blog.  Wawa Welcome America Philadelphia is one of the nation's largest 4th of July festivals.  I am a huge fan of the 4th, having spent many years in Philly going down to the Parkway to see the fireworks and enjoying the free concert that happens every year.

This year, if you live in Philly or close by, you may want to come out to see what we like to call here, "The Largest Free Concert in America."  Performers will include The Roots, Earth, Wind & Fire, Estelle and Sara Bareilles.

There are also some great activities happening from the 24th - 4th in Philly.  Check out Welcome America for more info on free concerts, the Wawa Hoagie Day and fireworks celebrations starting next week!  And you can get updates on festival activities on Twitter and Facebook.

{Image via Welcome America.  This post is brought to you with the support of Wawa Welcome America}

The New Bemz Bedroom Series

Looking for a quick and affordable way to update your bedroom?  Bemz, the company known for creating cool covers for IKEA sofas and chairs, is about to launch a new line of covers for IKEA bed frames.



Featuring bed frame covers in luxe Belgian Linen, cushions and bed skirts, each piece in the new collection is beautifully designed to transform your bedroom in an instant.



One of my favorites is the Floro Bed Frame Cover.  The mix of pattern and print is gorgeous.



With over 180 different patterns and colors from the Bemz range to choose from, you can create a bedroom that is uniquely you.  The new collection launches later this month.  Be sure to check it out!

{Images furnished by Bemz}

David Bromstad Joins HGTV Design Star!

Have you heard the news?  David Bromstad is returning to HGTV Design Star!  This time he won't be a contestant, but instead a mentor to the latest crop of designers who are hoping to realize the dream of having their own show.  David sent me this cute pic to celebrate the upcoming season of Design Star (aren't we adorable together!).

The new season starts on Monday, July 11th, so be sure to set your DVRs.  And you might remember that last year I got to be an online guest judge for the show and was tweeting constantly about my favorite contestants.  Let's all make a date this year to dish here on the blog and twitter about who we think the next HGTV Design Star will be.  I can't wait!

Original Art: coniLab

Are you on the hunt for some cool prints?  Definitely check out Etsy shop, coniLab.  These handmade screenprints are by graphic designer Coni Della Vedova.  After years of working with other designers, Coni recently decided to step out on her own and start a shop featuring her own designs.



Her handmade prints offer uplifting words, and would make perfect gifts for the entrepreneur in your life, a newlywed couple or a new family.



One of the things I love about Etsy is the ability to connect with artisans from around the world.  Coni lives in beautiful Barcelona, Spain, and her pieces can be shipped anywhere in the world.  So, even if you're in the U.S., one of these lovely pieces can be a part of your art collection.



See more pieces from coniLab right here.  Enjoy!

FAVN by Jaime Hayón

FAVN, the Danish word for "embrace" is the name of designer Jaime Hayón's latest creation.  A result of a collaboration between Hayón and Fritz Hansen, this new sofa brings together the qualities of both Spanish and Danish furniture design.



"FAVN is an evolution of Fritz Hansen's design language that brings together the qualities of Spanish and Danish design,” says Jaime Hayón. "FAVN is picking up from the long tradition of Arne Jacobsen in the sense that I wanted to create a form that was based on a shell, like the Egg™ and the Swan™ which looks equally beautiful from all angles."



FAVN comes in a number of colorways including light gray, sage green, beige, taupe, chocolate, mustard, red, violet, dark blue and black.



I have to say the black is my absolute favorite.  The design is stunning.  For more on this unique designer collaboration click right here.

{Images furnished by Fritz Hansen}

Lighting X Design

I recently had the opportunity to review a gorgeous new book by lighting design guru Bentley Meeker.  Lighting X Design is filled with photos covering 20 years of event lighting.  Highlighting both amazing exteriors and interiors, this book is full of inspiration for anyone who enjoys color, event planning, and the art of lighting.



With a foreword by celebrity event planner Preston Bailey (don't you just love his work?!), this book takes you into fabulous New York events, from museums, to loft parties, and even open-air events in the Hamptons.



On every page there is something new and spectacular to explore.



And though I wish I could create an event with even a tenth of  the amazing beauty showcased in this book, even the novice event planner can take away some ideas for summer soirees and upcoming gatherings.



If you're looking for a new design book to add to your collection, be sure to check out Lighting X Design on Amazon.

{Images from Lighting X Design}

Are You The Next AphroChic Intern?

I am so excited to let you know that we have an intern position open at AphroChic.  We are looking for a young and savvy woman or man who has a love for social media, can create a newsletter in the blink of an eye, knows their way around Photoshop, Twitter and Facebook, and can write up a storm.  We are looking for interns in the Philadelphia or New York area.  If you would to gain experience in entrepreneurship, writing and communications, branding and social media please contact us.  We have an amazing internship for you.

You can submit your resume and any references to jeanine{at}aphrochicshop.com.  We are looking forward to learning more about you!

{Image via Arise Magazine}

Original Art: Sweetdesignstudio

Have you heard about Sweetdesignstudio?  They have the cutest greeting cards!  Aimed at celebrating women of color, these handmade cards feature mixed media designs that use everything from paper collage to cotton string to create silhouettes of some pretty chic ladies.









These are just a few of my favorite gals in their card collection.  Check out the whole series right here.

{Images via Sweetdesignstudio}

AphroChic in the Home Furnishings Business Designer Look Book!

I am so excited to let you know that you can find AphroChic in the Home Furnishings Business Designer Look Book.  If you are an interior designer, this magazine is chocked full of information to help you move your business forward.



I was very happy to write an article on Innovative Ways to Market Yourself as a Designer, starting on page 36.  It was an opportunity to share many of the lessons learned as a textile designer marketing my business through social media.



I hope that all of you who are out there starting your companies and working to make them thrive can find some lessons in this article.



You can also find AphroChic in the Blog Addict section on page 53.  And be sure to check out other articles in the magazine that provide great insights for the design entrepreneur.

{Images: Home Furnishings Business Magazine Designer Look Book}