Vlisco: Luxurious African Fabrics

The colors, the patterns, the lookbook - everything about African textile company Vlisco is absolutely stunning.  A friend from Paris sent me a link to their site, and I fell completely in love.  Since 1846, this company has been designing colorful fashion fabrics, and personally, I want all of them!



At Vlisco, they are inspired by West and Central African culture, and that inspiration is translated into vibrant patterns that can be used for creating the most gorgeous gowns, to luxurious home furnishings.



Their African wax prints sport unique and innovative designs, with a vibrant palette that's all about celebrating color and design.



Beyond fabric, this company also offers clothing and accessories.



You can view more of the Vlisco line here.  And I'm sure you'll love this - they ship international!

Press: AphroChic on Vogue Italia

A few weeks ago I was contacted by Vogue Italia.  They were interested in doing a feature on AphroChic.  I knew about their beautiful site that embraces diversity in fashion and design with sections like Vogue Black and Vogue Curvy, and was so happy to be asked to participate.  In the interview feature I talk about everything from the book, to our recent trip to Maison, and the future of design.  I hope you love this interview as much as I do.  I am truly honored to be featured.  Thank you so much Vogue Italia!

Design Trend: Vintage Textiles on HGTV Design Happens

This week you can find me over on HGTV Design Happens talking about a new design trend: Vintage Textiles.  I would love to hear about how you use these pieces in your own interior.  Be sure to comment over at HGTV.

{Image: Domino}

Reflecting

I am going to be taking the next week off to work on the book.  It's time to fully dive into the writing process, and I'm going to need some quiet days with no blog, facebook, or twitter to distract me.  Before I go, I had to share with you a photo that truly touched me this week - an image of the Obamas at the MLK Memorial dedication ceremony.  Looking at this photo, I truly had to reflect upon Dr. King, his dream and how it has come to fruition in the lives of extraordinary people like President Obama, and even in the lives of little people like me.  You can read more about the ceremony here.  It's truly a moment for our entire nation to reflect upon.

Style Talk: Marcia Prentice of Lamps Plus

Last year I did a Style Talk interview with designer Marcia Prentice, discussing her role on HGTV Design School and as a writer for Apartment Therapy.  A year later, I am catching up again with Marcia as she takes on a whole new role as the Design Internet Copyrighter for Lamps Plus.  You can find Marcia sharing professional tips and information on lighting trends on the Lamps Plus blog.  Today's she's here sharing the latest about what's happening at Lamps Plus.

You are a writer for the Lamps Plus blog. Can you let us know about the blog. What kind of information can readers find there? 
The Lamps Plus blog, Style Illuminated, is a collection of design related content on topics such as inspirations, tips for decorating your home, Lamps Plus lighting in real environments, and our Monday designer interview series. We have a handful of bloggers in-house and a few contributors who are freelance. Our bloggers all have diverse backgrounds and a few of us are interior designers, which means free design tips from professionals.




Any tips for lighting your living room, bedroom and home office? 
When lighting your living room select a mix of light fixtures to give the space a dynamic lighting design. Start with selecting the overall room lights (recessed lights and/or floor lamps). Add table lamps to highlight intimate vignettes and don’t forget to incorporate art lights to show off your prized artwork.  When designing the lighting for your bedroom, think outside of the box. Our first instinct is to use matching table lamps as bedside lighting. Hanging pendant lights or swing arm light fixtures are other unique options that give your bedroom a more personalized design.




What is the latest in lighting trends? Any new contemporary lighting or designer lighting that is new to Lamps Plus? 
LED recessed lights! The time has come when LED lights are more commonplace and are making their way into homes in a big way. For a quick video on how to install the LED downlights, check out our recent blog post: Switch to LEDs with New LED Recessed Lighting Retrofit Downlights.




Can you let us know what else Lamps Plus offers? Any new home decor trends for Fall in stock?
Lamps Plus carries more than just lighting products. If you browse through our website you will also find furniture and home décor products as well. Every time I am on our site I discover a new product that I didn’t know we carried. Spend a solid 30 minutes clicking through all the products pages and you will be amazed by what you find.



I recently rounded up my favorite affordable home décor products for the living room. Any of the products would be a great transition into the fall season. Happy decorating!

{Images via Marcia Prentice and Lamps Plus}

Special Promo: Sheyna Jewelry

Have I got a nice mid-October gift for you.  Sheyna, the online site for unique jewelry, is giving every AphroChic reader 20% off your next order!



From earrings, to bracelets, necklaces and rings, each piece at Sheyna is handcrafted, with designs by you!  Yup, you can create your own unique designs, creating jewelry the way you want it.



Visit the site's Sketchpad link to design a piece just for you.



You can also shop pieces by other artisans, and create your own My Sheyna list of favorites.



To receive 20% off your order, just enter promo code AC20 at checkout.  You have until October 31st to enter the code.

Shop Kelly Wearstler

I love everything Kelly Wearstler!  I have always been a fan of her interiors full of bold color, and the most interesting collection of objects.  Now, everyone can bring a little Kelly Wearstler style home by shopping at her new online boutique.



Beautiful, and unique pieces like a brass knot



Marble books



And a hand-carved oak sculpture are a part of Kelly's curated collection of home accessories.

Explore her new shop featuring home decor, fashion and accessories.  It's amazing!

Custom AphroChic Runners at Lotus Bleu

If you love design and you live in SF, you must know the boutique in Hayes Valley, Lotus Bleu.  Owner Jeannie Fraise has an incredible eye for design, and color in particular.  We were happy to work with her on some custom table runners in lots of fun shades like red, apple green, gray and navy blue, just in time for the holiday season.  Stop by Lotus Bleu to check out the new AphroChic Haze Runners that are available now.  They're beautiful!

BELDI: Beautiful Moroccan Wares

How I love Morocco.  It's the one place I have always dreamed of going to that I haven't been to yet.  Moroccan poufs, tea tables, and pierced lanterns are always at the top of my list when searching for new decor, but these pieces are hard to find here in the states.  Well for others who love Moroccan design as much as I do, there is some good news.  BELDI, founded by Chafiq Ennaoui and Aimee Bianca, brings beautiful Moroccan pieces closer to home.



Ennaoui and Bianca live in New York City and are sourcing unique Moroccan items including rugs, baskets, and other handcrafted Moroccan decor, and selling them here in the states.



The pieces are gorgeous and the pricing is very affordable (poufs for $120!).  Check out BELDI for more beautiful Moroccan pieces.  I am absolutely in love.

Adore Home Turns 1!

Have you seen the latest issue of Adore Home?  The online mag just had a big milestone, turning one this month.  What better way to celebrate than to have a special edition full of chic New York interiors for readers to peruse.



The issue is absolutely gorgeous and some of my fave friends are in it, like Rebecca Orlov from Loving.Live.Small., who did a feature on products perfect for small spaces (page 30).  You can see our Haze Wallpaper in the feature too.  Thanks Rebecca!



On page 114, there's also a beautiful collection of Brooklyn products.  I was thrilled to see items from our Brooklyn Renaissance Collection featured, including our Brooklyn Life Indoor pillow.



There's over 150 pages of beautiful New York style to explore.  Enjoy!

The HGTV Holiday Shoot

Last week I was away for a two-day trip to New York.  One of my favorite places (really it's my second home), it was fabulous to spend two days in the city for an HGTV holiday shoot and blogger brunch.  The folks at HGTV really know how to spoil their bloggers, and they definitely did by allowing us to spend a day behind-the-scenes with HGTV talent, and pose as extras in a holiday commercial that will be airing in a couple of months.  The set was in a penthouse apartment in Brooklyn.  Fabulous views!  I wish I could have moved right in.  Here are some pics from what was a truly awesome day.

Here's a quick shot of the HGTV hosts during a break in the shoot.  Some of my favorite hosts were there, including Emily Henderson, Bob and Cortney Novogratz, Jon and Drew from Property Brothers, Antonio Ballatore, Tanika Ray, Genevieve Gorder, and the fabulous Thom Filicia.  

My hubs was there too.  He watched the shoot from the screening room.  It's the coolest room where you get to see how the producers come to a decision on which takes to use, what to reshoot, etc.  

I got to catch up with two of my fellow HGTV bloggers, Lili Zarghami and Brian Patrick Flynn who are a riot!

I was excited to take a pic with one of my favorite people, Lindsey Weidhorn from HGTV (you may also follow her on Tumblr - The Inside Stoop), and Cortney Novogratz.  Cortney doesn't know this, but it was when I read an article about Sixx Design in The New York Times that I became inspired to make AphroChic my full-time job.  Although I've interviewed both Cortney and Bob in the past, it was really wonderful to meet them in person.  They are so humble, and laid-back.  A very inspirational couple.

Thom Filicia was so sweet, and actually remembered meeting me at an Elle Decor party in High Point.  I was so surprised!  And it was so nice to meet Emily from my favorite HGTV show, Secrets From A Stylist in person.  She is definitely one of the world's most genuine people.  I just love her!  Nicole Cohen from Sketch 42 blog was also there.  Have you seen her paintings?  They are amazing!

At brunch the next day I connected with two of my Spelman sisters - Tanika Ray, host of Design Star and HGTV'd, and Jade who works for the network.  It was fantastic to meet some incredible Spelman women.

Brunch at Bond 45 was the perfect way to end the two days.  I absolutely cannot say enough about how much I love HGTV.  I feel so lucky to work with a network that showcases so many amazingly talented people.  And, everyone, and I mean, every single person was so nice.  I really loved it, and hope to connect with the HGTV family again soon.

{Photos taken by Bryan Mason; HGTV hosts photo by Lili Zarghami; the brunch photo was taken by Lindsey Weidhorn}

SFAS Saturday!

I'm heading off to New York today for an HGTV holiday shoot, and wanted to let you know that we have a very special Saturday coming up. This weekend you will be able to see AphroChic's The Vibe wallpaper on Secrets From A Stylist! Absolutely my favorite design show, I was thrilled when Emily emailed me to order some wallpaper for her Sexy Afro Glam episode. The photo above is a little sneak peek, and I can't wait to see how it all comes together. You can see Sexy Afro Glam on Saturday at 9pm EST. I'll be on Twitter at the time, so join me as I watch the episode.

UPDATE: I just found out from Emily Henderson that this episode has been postponed.  I will provide you with an update on when it will air. 

{Image via Emily Henderson}

Sponsor Spotlight: Angela Belt

I'm sure you've noticed me talking a lot about our stylist extraordinaire, Angela Belt.  Not only is she the amazing stylist behind all of our AphroChic catalog shoots, she also has a full-time job as the visual for the Room & Board Washington DC showroom.  That amazing showroom on 14th Street - she designed every room setting you see in the store down to the floral arrangements.  And oh yes, she's also my baby sister (design seems to run in the family).

If you live in DC you may have spotted her in the Fall issue of DC mag's article, The "Un"traditionalists.  It's a great article on how DC design is moving into a new form of trad style - full of color, pattern, and modern classics.

You can check out what Angela and other DC designers have to say about the new trad style in the online version of the mag.

And be sure to also make a visit to Angela's site showcasing her portfolio and her favorite etsy finds every Friday.

{Angela's image taken by Leon Belt}

Press: Apartment Therapy

Apartment Therapy did a fabulous post over the weekend regarding our new Chic Clips segment on the blog.  I'm so happy our video segments are catching on!  You can read the full article here.  Thank you AT!

ShelterPop is Now Stylelist Home (& My New Gig!)

There is a new site in town.  You may remember AOL's site dedicated to home decor - ShelterPop.  Well, now the site has a new name and a fabulous new look.  Rebranded as Stylelist Home, it is the go-to site for design inspiration and expert advice from some of your fave designers and bloggers.  The line-up of experts is an exciting one, with everyone from Grace Bonney, to John Robshaw, to yours truly!



Yup, you will find me on Stylelist Home a couple of times a month, talking about some of the latest design trends I'm seeing out there.  My first post was a behind-the-scenes look at the Maison et Objet experience.  Check it out!  I hope you enjoy it.

ElleDecor.com

Me and a few other bloggers and designers are talking about our favorite weekly finds on ElleDecor.com.  You can check out their Friday series here.  Enjoy!