AphroChic at Maison & Objet

If you are attending the Maison & Objet trade show in Paris this year, we hope that you will stop by our booth in Hall 6, Booth B16. We are so excited to be presenting in our very first trade show and hope you will join us for this exciting new journey for our growing company!

{Postcard created by Nikki Porcher, AphroChic Intern}

David Bromstad Original Art Giveaway!!!

We have an amazing giveaway from HGTV Design Star Mentor David Bromstad this week! David has a new collection of fine art that's being sold through Penny Lane Publishing. To celebrate his new collection he is giving away a signed print to one very lucky AphroChic reader - Accident II.  This piece is one of my absolute favorites, and whoever wins this is going to be one very lucky gal or guy.



To win this piece enter in the comment section below your first initial, last name, and where you plan to place this gorgeous print in your interior.  You have until Friday, September 2nd, at 11:59pm EST to enter.

Thank you so much David!

Note: Limited to one entry per person.  Entries are limited to readers in the United States.    

Press Update: AphroChic on Cindy Dole's Home Wizards Tonight!

Hi friends. If you are in Southern California, you probably tune in to Cindy Dole's Home Wizards radio program on Saturday afternoons to hear about the latest in home decor. If you tune in this evening at 3pm PST / 6pm EST I will be discussing the upcoming book! I hope to have you tune in. And even if you're not in Cali, please tune in via your computer.  Thank you so much for your support!

Chic Clips No. 3: An Interview with Mochatini

Chic Clips No. 3: An Interview with Mochatini from AphroChic on Vimeo.

With all of the talk about hurricanes and rain this weekend, I thought I would bring you all a little sunshine.  Check out this Chic Clips interview with friend, Manvi Drona-Hidalgo from Mochatini.  The two of us dish on online mags, tabletop decor, and setting the stage for the perfect soiree.  Hope you enjoy it!

{Videographer: Nikki Porcher, AphroChic Intern}

Introducing Behind The Book

I would like to introduce you to a new AphroChic Site, Behind The Book.  Behind The Book will give you full access to the behind-the-scenes in creating the AphroChic book.  Learn about our photographer, stylist and videographer, see sneak peeks of home tours, and shop tours as we travel around the country to bring this book to life.  I hope you will follow along!

And The Winner Is...

Congratulations Natalia!!!  Please submit your contact information to aphrochic{at}me.com and you will receive your EcoFelt Modern Dot Pillow from EkoFabrik.  Thank you so much to everyone who entered, and to our sponsor, EkoFabrik, for this wonderful giveaway.  More giveaways will be coming up soon!

The winner of this contest was chosen randomly via random.org.  You can see the results above.

Press Update: Jeanine Hays on 107.9 WRNB Soulful Sundays

Jeanine Hays will be on 107.9 WRNB Philadelphia this afternoon during the Soulful Sundays segment.  Listen in as she discusses AphroChic style.  The feature will air around 2:30 pm.

A Day in Washington D.C.

I'm off to Washington DC for the day.  I can't wait to explore the Nation's Capitol.  I thought I'd share this Washington DC Landmark Print by J Hill Design with you.  Isn't it beautiful?

Morris Etc. Rugs

I love accessories that bring a bright pop of color home, and rugs from Morris Etc. do just that.



These vintage rugs are absolutely beautiful.  Heirloom pieces for any home, each piece adds a bit of fun in bright and cheery hues like hot pink, lilac and citrus orange.



I also love the patterns - diamond weaves and stripes are definitely in right now.



Morris Etc. offers both rugs and runners, so that every room, including your entryway, can be covered in these gorgeous designs.

An EkoFabrik Giveaway! {sponsored post}

EcoFelt Modern Dot Pillow Cover - Black and White

I am so excited to bring you a special giveaway from one of our sponsors, EkoFabrik.  Designer Kim Johnson has launched a new line of pillows featuring hand-sewn felt discs that add texture and color.

Lollypop Cushion Cover

With pieces of felt made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, these pillow are not only comfy, they're environmentally friendly too.

EcoFelt Modern Dot Pillow Cover - Multi-color

To win your very own EkoFabrik pillow please leave your first initial and last name in the comment section below.  One lucky reader will win the EcoFelt Modern Dot Pillow in Black and White!  You have until Friday, August 19th at 11:59 pm EST to enter.  Good luck!

Submit Your Home For The AphroChic Book!

Source: fromtherightbank.com via Jeanine on Pinterest

Does your home have AphroChic style?  We are looking for incredible homes in cities across the country that represent Modern.Soulful.Style.  We are looking for homes in New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Atlanta and Los Angeles with:

Source: designspongeonline.com via Jeanine on Pinterest

-  Color!  On the walls, in the furnishings.  If you are not afraid of color, and you like to go bold, we would love to see your space.

Source: leberpr.com via Jeanine on Pinterest

- Original Art.  Do you have a fabulous art collection?  Do you collect prints, sculptures, or unique works?  We'd love to see your collections.

Source: 79ideas.org via Jeanine on Pinterest

- Patterns and Textiles.  Is your home filled with a mix of prints and patterns?  Do you have unique rugs, wall hangings, or bedding that has a fun mix?  The bigger the mix of pattern and textiles the better.  Please share your space with us.

Source: elledecor.com via Jeanine on Pinterest

- Global Furnishings.  We are looking for homes that have an eclectic mix of global furniture.  Cabinets from China, Moroccan tea tables, Japanese lanterns, Rwanda baskets.  We want to see your global mix.

If you are a homeowner, or an interior designer who wants to share a project with us please send your submissions to jeanine{at}aphrochicshop.com with Home Submission in the title.  We can't wait to hear from you!

Submission Deadline: September 15, 2011

Original Art: Edwina Owens Elliott

One of the greatest things about blogging is that it provides an opportunity to connect with so many wonderful and talented people.  Daily I read the comments that come through on the blog, and love to learn more about those who come by and visit.  That's how I learned about the work of Edwina Owens Elliott.  Edwina is always sweet enough to comment on the blog, and through her comments I came to know a little more about her and her work.



An Atlanta native and illustrator for the past 30 years, Edwina turned her love of art and design into a fashion illustration career.  Having built a collection of her work over the years, Edwina's illustrations are now available through her online store, Fashion + Art.



Check out her beautiful collection of framed prints and notecards at Fashion + Art.  Enjoy!

Style Talk: Bob & Cortney Novogratz

Image courtesy of One.1

You know that I always love bringing you a new Style Talk interview, and today's segment is really special.  I have been inspired for years by the amazing interior designs by Bob and Cortney Novogratz.  I first spotted the two in The New York Times with their six children.  Their one-of-a-kind style immediately caught my eye, with rooms full of color, pattern, art, and absolutely fresh design.  Rock stars in the design world, the couple brought us into their reality on the BRAVO show 9 By Design, showing us how they worked as a husband-and-wife team balancing both family life (with seven kids!) and their design firm all at once.  It was an inspiring story for all up-and-coming husband-and-wife duos, like AphroChic!  And this year they are back on TV with their new show Home by Novogratz on HGTV which is all about the couple's amazing design work.

Photographer: Matthew Williams

Today, Bob and Cortney stopped by to tell us a little about their new show, their passion for design, and some of the new things they're working on, like their paint line for Stark Paint.  They were also nice enough to share some sneak peeks from upcoming episodes of Home by Novogratz.  But enough of me gushing about these two (I could go on and on), I'm turning things over to Bob and Cortney.


Photographer: Matthew Williams


Congratulations on the new show! It's been great watching the first episodes. How has the experience been moving from BRAVO to HGTV?
The new show has been a lot of fun and a lot of work! We had to come up with ideas (and execute them) for thirteen different episodes. But you know we love the challenge! We really liked the BRAVO experience, and now we are enjoying the new HGTV experience. We have to say that everybody at HGTV has been so supportive. It is a great atmosphere. As for the BRAVO show, we are glad that the kids are not the focal point of our show anymore. They are getting older (we have three teenagers now!) and it's nice for them to have more privacy.


Photographer: Matthew Williams


Our readers would like to know what inspires each of you as a designer? How do you keep your designs fresh and original? 
We pay attention to young, talented people and what they are up to. We try to keep up with everything that is around us. We love to take a risk, and we love change. All of those factors contribute!

So much of the fun of watching the two of you is seeing the dynamic of a husband-and-wife creative team.  Is there anything that you feel that each of you does better because of your partnership?
We enjoy the partnership aspect. We have each other when things are great and going well, and have each other when they go wrong. It's also really helpful to have another person you really trust to give a second opinion. And frankly, we just enjoy hanging out with each other. We are lucky that way.


Photographer: Matthew Williams


Can you tell us about your new paint collection with Stark Paints? It's clear that a lot of thought went into your new line. Creating a line that is "water-based," "environmentally responsible," and "kid-and-pet friendly" shows that you are concerned about more than just color. How do these concerns affect your overall approach to design? 
Regarding the colors, we try to be true to ourselves, and we always want to be different. Also, we are trying to streamline the process of picking the right color. You want the perfect shade, not a dozen or more tones of the same color that are really close and drive you crazy trying to find the right one! We have hopefully eliminated the pain of finding what works for you. Keep it simple and keep it fun—that's our motto. As to making it “green”, with seven kids, how could that not be important. We want to preserve as much as we can for our kids and for their kids. That is one of the reasons why we work with a lot of repurposed goods and artifacts in our designs.


Photographer: Yuri Yasegawa


Charitable work seems to have always been a big part of your design focus. Tell us a little about the School of Rock Project you recently did.  How was that experience? 
It was such an amazing project, and we treasure working with kids. Kids mean a lot to use, but I guess that is obvious! Winegard Elementary really needed some help, and it made us so happy to give those kids some inspiration and the materials to make music, and in vibrant, stimulating surroundings. The principal of the school was a true rockstar, and we were privileged to work with her.


Photographer: Matthew Williams


After seven kids, two shows, and scores of projects, interviews, and flipped houses, we can't wait to see what's next for the Novogratz family.  Any hints? 
Cool retail products (a line of home decor coming later this year!), on a budget commercial gigs, and hopefully some surprises. We feel like we are just getting going!


Thank you so much Bob and Cortney for sharing with AphroChic readers today!  And for all of those HGTV fans out there, check out Home by Novogratz on Saturdays at 10pm EST.  You are going to love it!

Introducing Chic Clips!

Chic Clips No. 1: Creating An Outdoor Bar from AphroChic on Vimeo.
I am so excited to introduce a new feature on the AphroChic blog, our Chic Clips video segment created by our fantastic intern, Nikki Porcher.  Chic Clips will be a monthly video taking you deeper into what we work on here at AphroChic.  We decided to start this new segment with some styling tips that we shot during our Rooftop Soiree feature for Matchbook Magazine.  Just click play to view my tips on creating the perfect outdoor bar for your Summer parties.

And if you're looking for some of the accessories we used to create this bar, you can find them here:
-  Decor Chalkboard Sticker Oval, Kikkerland
-  Reflection Wallpaper, AphroChic
-  Hammered Glass Drink Dispenser, Pier1
-  Liquid Chalk, Chalk Ink

I hope you enjoy the new segment.  There is more to come!

{Videographer: Nikki Porcher for AphroChic}

Thank You Home & Decor Singapore!

I was so excited to hear from Home & Decor Singapore Magazine a few months ago.  It's incredible to know that people around the world are finding and loving the AphroChic blog.



They were nice enough to name me Blogger of the Month in the July 2011 issue of the magazine.  I truly wish we got this mag in the states.  It is incredible, and I am honored to have been featured!

Kravitz Design

Lenny Kravitz is a designer.  Yes it's true!  Not only does he design, he absolutely rocks at it.  In 2003, Lenny Kravitz established Kravitz Design, an interior design firm that specializes in both residential and commercial design.



The designs are glamorous, rock-star gorgeous, and absolutely dynamic.



Homes sport bold chandeliers, furnishings designed by the Kravitz team, and amazing pieces like acrylic pianos.



You can view more from Kravitz Design on their website.  You are going to love it!

Will and Jada Pinkett Smith on the Cover of Architectural Digest

I love getting emails from Architectural Digest about their latest issue, and this time when I opened my email I was absolutely floored.  I have been a fan of Will Smith ever since Parents Just Don't Understand, and it has been amazing to watch his career grow.  The new issue of AD showcases Will and Jada's fabulous family retreat near Calabasas, CA.



Full of amazing one-of-a-kind touches, this home away from home features handcrafted elements and adobe architecture inspired by Persian, Moroccan, Spanish and Southwest American cultures.



The global influences can be spotted throughout this massive 25,000 square foot interior, including Moroccan lanterns, Brazilian chairs and pieces upholstered in kilims.



Pick up the September issue of AD (I just spotted a copy in New York) to view the full home.  I promise you won't want to miss this issue.  It's incredibly inspiring.

{Photography by Roger Davies for Architectural Digest}

Original Art: Eric Cahan

I thought I would start this week of with some beautiful art.  I spotted the work of Eric Cahan on one of my favorite blogs, Design For Mankind.  Eric's Sky Series immediately caught my attention.  He captures sunrises and sunsets in places around the world.  The colors in each piece are amazing.  Better than what Pantone could ever reveal to us, the natural colors in these skyscapes are so inspiring.



I remember seeing skies like these when visiting Chile, where they have the most pink sunsets, and Jamaica, where the sun is more golden than anything I have ever seen before.



Eric uses as many as four different cameras to capture each image.  Chromium prints of each image are produced numerous times until a seamless piece is created.



To view more of Eric's Sky Series visit his website.  There are so many beautiful images to explore.

{Images from EricCahan.com}