Out of Site

In the event that any of you out there have made an effort to visit our "real" site recently, you've probably noticed that, well, you can't. It's currently password-protected because...drum roll, please....we are days away from the launch of our grown-up site that includes an e-commerce function. Hooray!

With a 3,000+square foot store, it's quite an undertaking to pull together information on all of our inventory for posting online, so initially you'll see a small fraction of our merchandise. The good news? We'll continue to add and update, and over time we'll also be able to offer lots of products we aren't able to stock on the floor.

If you'd like to be notified when our site goes live, be sure and sign up for our mailing list (see link at right), and we'll keep you in the loop.

What's New, Pussycat

I'm running out of clever ways to introduce new items and am now forced to delve into my Tom Jones references.... Thanks for your patience. But back to those new items. Here's a smattering:

Vintage 1960s-era Lucite table lamp with new custom silk shade in glam hot pink....perfect for a feminine boudoir or dressing room, or a punch of color in an otherwise neutral space.

Vintage 1960s-era Blackamoor lamp pair with new custom linen shades, shown here with some pieces you may have spotted before.

Detail of lamp

Detail of coordinating lamp

Fabulous "new" vintage needlepoint pieces reimagined as pillows by August Morgan

Vintage batik blocks used for printing--all sorts of patterns and colors.


Framed silhouettes, great alone or in a grouping.

Pillow Talk

We are so thrilled with the newest additions to our pillow family, courtesy of wonderful Texas-based duo August Morgan, which you may have read about in one of katiedid's recent posts.

Principal Kate Hersch travels the globe, picking up needlepoint pieces along the way, and uses fabrics to transform them into one-of-a-kind pillows that border on artwork.

Pillows have always been a quick and easy way to put your own fresh stamp on a space, and these are perhaps the most personal of all statements. No two are alike, and with so many quirky designs from which to choose, you're sure to find one that's got you sewn all over it.

Read more about them here, then come check out our selection.

Things We Love, Chapter 812

Pagoda Breakfront

We love a lot of things around here: lacquer (the look and the smell!), boxwood, clean sheets, Girl Scout Thin Mints, the colors turquoise and red together, sleeping in, Javier Bardem (did we say that out loud?)...

Over the last few days of scouting for the store, we've added some new items to that list, and we wanted to share them with YOU. Oh, and did I mention that you can buy any and all of these from us? You can, and you should.

Double Iron Lantern

New chair from one of our favorite lines, Shine Home. Lots of fabric options available.

Fabulous armchairs...can be done in any fabric!

Pagoda Dining Table - other colors available

Canopy Chair - can be completely customized...any finish, any fabric!

Highback loveseat, can be upholstered in your choice of fabric

Fab vintage-style dining table... custom colors and finishes

Another great new item from Shine Home--can you imagine going to bed every night in this? Lots of fabric options here as well.

Greek key desk

While we strive to have a store filled with every item you desire, please remember that we have access to thousands of products that we can review to help you find exactly what you're searching for. And if we can't find it, we're always happy to direct you to someone who can. Don't hesitate to ask us for help!

Krista Faye Knows Love...and Necklaces

One of my favorite lines in the shop is a local one, vintage jewelry designed and handcrafted by Ballard's answer to Kenneth Jay Lane, Krista Kenner.

Krista's jewelry is sold under the name KristaFayeKnowsLove...I'm not entirely sure why, but this seems a good time to find out. (I'll keep you posted!) She scouts amazing vintage components--beads, chains, random decorative items like a jeweled "VOTE" charm--and combines them with new finds to make truly unique, fresh, and whimsical designs. She has a great eye for color, and I am always surprised and delighted by each new piece she brings in.

The latest batch of new pieces, which we just received last week, is my favorite to date. And the star of the show? This necklace. It must be mine. Oh, yes, it will be mine. (Luckily she can make a few more.)

The beads themselves are dyed magnesite that are a dead ringer for turquoise but cost less (i.e, "recession turquiose"), and the vintage chain is gold-plated. The shape of both the beads and the chain links causes my heart to flutter.

Not pictured are some fabulous coordinating pieces of turquoise and vintage coral: earrings, another necklace, and a necklace that converts into a bracelet.

Krista Faye does indeed know love-ly. And you need to know Krista Faye!

UPDATE: This just in, from the mouth of KristaFaye herself:

"I started a faux love advice (with terrible advice) column back in 2005 -- it's how I met my husband. He wrote in (thought it was funny) and the rest is history...

The column has been on hold --- I don't mix business with pleasure -- but I think I'll integrate vignettes of funny advice (blog style) when we launch the KFKL website. :)"

And now you know the rest of the story. (Apologies to the late Paul Harvey.)

My Vintage Valentine

Last weekend, while making my rounds scouting for fabulous finds, I found something I did not expect: an amazing vintage sofa, covered in an incredible turquoise brocade, with no rips or tears in the fabric. Be still my heart!

Look at the lines! The legs! The long, low back pillows with Asian-esque symbols!

After some new seat-cushion inserts and a thorough cleaning, my only problem will be deciding between selling it at the shop or keeping it for myself.

Who says there's no such thing as love at first sight?

More in Store

After three exhaustive evenings earlier in the week, the store is officially remerchandised--existing pieces have found new homes in the shop, and new pieces have been introduced to add a new flavor to others you might have seen on a previous visit.

Here's a sampling:

One of our favorite chairs ever to customize for clients, we have a new set on the floor, newly upholstered in a fun pattern ("East Village") from one of our favorite fabric lines, Rubie Green, a wonderful organic cotton line from a former Domino magazine staffer. (We can't even write the words "Domino magazine" these days without a little tear collecting in the corner of our eye.)

We reimagined a pair of 19th-century turned-leg ottomans as these modern-day, David Hicks fabric-covered versions. (We have another pair waiting to be customized, so inquire if interested in exploring.)

We refurbished this vintage Milo Baughman gentleman's chest and added a coat of white lacquer where black once lived to brighten it up. Inside are scads of drawers, making this a lovely example of form and function!

This dining table/desk is crafted from wood culled from vintage ships and sports so many interesting knots and markings.... a true conversation piece for your dinner conversations.

New chandeliers add new life to existing pieces.

We are absolutely in love with this set of six vintage dining chairs, awaiting new fabric and finishing love. Give us a call to discuss designing these for your home!

Wonderful stacking "bamboo-esque" etagere, formerly a sad woodish-stain, now fabulous in black lacquer.

Check out the brass door hardware. Love!

Additionally, we have some new developments in store (no pun intended) that we are excited to share with you:

1. A back-of-store "scratch and dent" section, where you can get screaming deals on floor models or items we are just tired of looking at. Discounts start at 30% and featured products will change frequently, so stop by often to see what's included.

2. A design resource center for customers to explore trade fabrics and wallcoverings, as well as furniture, rug, and accessory catalogs. We're building a user-friendly area complete with a giant glass-topped trestle table and a pair of vintage red-lacquer chairs, the perfect spot to lounge and drool over the loveliest fabrics and home items under the sun.

You'll be able to check out samples and work with us to incorporate all of the latest and greatest materials and products into your home.

As a result of our new projects, the back of the store is a bit of a construction zone at the moment, but still available for you to explore. (Just trust us that it will get prettier in the weeks ahead.)

We hope to see you soon!

Dearly Departed

I have given myself time to read all the blogs and posts, flip through past issues, and reflect on the future of shelter magazines, and I have reached a conclusion: Domino, you can't go. I am going to keep texting you, finding excuses to drop by your house with a sweater or book you left behind, drunk-dialing you, and frequenting all your old haunts.... That's right: I am a lover spurned, and I am not going to go quietly.

For others sharing my sentiments, check out this great new blog/support group.

Heaven's Gate

I promise this is the last gardening post for a bit--at least, the last related specifically to my own garden.... it's barely interesting to me at this point, so apologies to those of you still here!

But I had to share images of our new (old) gates leading into our side yard. My husband found them at our favorite salvage building-supply store, then existing as two rusty metal panels, and we knew they would be the perfect replacement for our sad, droopy, six-year-old wooden gate. (In a true testament to how well my husband knows me, he spotted them on a solo shopping trip, noticed the presence of the greek key motif, and bought them without even soliciting my opinion. He's good!)

After a few weekends of work (my husband's, not mine, though I have contributed my fair share of encouragement, and boy, am I tired), they are installed, and I could not love them any more.

Or, as my beloved Jonathan Adler would say, "J'adore the doors!"

Here's our newly reconfigured fence panel, which is now our plan for the entire fence. Guess who gets to deconstruct the whole fence and reassemble it horizontally? Hint: It's not me. I can't wait to put every last bit of the ugly trellis topper into the yard waste bin!

Detail of gate - beyond it, check out our cool rainwater barrel, made from a plastic container used to mix Coca-Cola syrup (my husband works for Coke) and corrugated metal. Way better than the green giants we thought were our only option!