Out of the catalogue and into a home

Great Skin-- For Life

2009-08-31T09:29:00.000-07:00

Don't get weirded out about the title, we are talking about leather sofas and sectionals, from our new line Cierre. Yes, you can have a piece that lasts a lifetime and also have it your way. The leather is simply superb and top quality. It simply lasts more than you want it to last. That is the good news, but the great news is that it is comfortable too. It is also made to match any style you want. The arm rests can be made the way you want them: traditional, modern and sleek, art deco. you get the picture.

You name it, we make it. You want the back to lift open for comfort so you can slouch on the couch? We can make it. You want lumber support and not have your couch look like a La-Z Boy, we can make it.

As far as cushiony feel: we have it all. Pillow top, feather, foam, square cut. Again, this is all about choice- a choice you make once and happy to live with it the rest of your life.

You can see more of the Cierre line live at Chez Moi in San Francisco, or on the web at http://www.chezmoisf.com/cierre-sofas-sectionals.html.

Go beyond Ornaments!

2009-07-02T14:37:00.000-07:00

Areaware is a New York City based company renowned for unique design products with an emphasis on forward thinking technologies and original expression. Their products are decorative but go beyond ornament. Each has an underlying meaning which they believe can deepen the relationship people have with the everyday objects in their lives.

Torch

War Bowl

Sport Light

Roller Stop

Peanut Bowl
Forget Me Not Ring

Number Clock

Water Proof Vase

Book Shelf

Banana Bowl

Visit Chez Moi for more creative designs.

Light is Life!

2009-06-30T14:27:00.000-07:00

As we continue to expore lighting elements, we always look for designers who encapsulate self expression in lighting fixtures. It is hard to do so, without talking about Viso.

Viso explored a variety of materials to capture emotion and expression in a product and still get an edgy final product.

The "Marini" collection of suspensions brings a touch of the mastery of the ocean coral to our interior decor. The marriage of the color printed fabric shade with a silver interior and Swarovski starfish crystals suspended inside creates this unique and distinctive family

Over the years, the range of materials used by Viso has expanded: with the use of crystals, ceramics, fabrics and glass, as well as polycarbonate and mylar, Viso extended it's offer to individuals who appreciate unique and contemporary comfort through light. The spontaneous use of hand made and industrial synthesis material enriched the intrinsic quality of the collections, interpreting the forms and functions of light into strong objects of character.

New materials and classic beauty: Hollywood collection is able to create an enigma. when the light is off, a mirrored Mylar shade with the reflection of its environments floats in the room and as the lamp is turned on, it reveals the interior dressed in crystal that shimmers and give the space the extra "bling".

Inspired by the space travel capsules of the 70's and 80's Nanoo gives your decor futuristic and unique qualities.Rotationally molded ceramic milk is used in the creation of this model."Mark and Mindy would have approved, Nanoo Nanoo..

The philosophy behind Viso is to drive us to design unorthodox collections that will elaborate on elegance through simplicity and desire for individuality.

Zebra incorporates technology and engineering in the production of this model: high quality polycarbonate and silver metallization are the key to this exclusive series. Like no other product on the market, Zebra enhances a modern setting with it's clean exhibition.

The collection "Bolio" is made with high quality polycarbonate with a metalized interior and polished aluminium metal components. Very comprehensible and non-pretense.

Fort Knox: the ambiance of this light gives out a warm and comfortable glow. To obtain maximum effect, it is advised to use the suspension in sets or clusters for a very powerful and rich effect.

Visit Chez Moi for more creative designs.

Lighting -- The Nature Way

2009-06-17T12:08:00.000-07:00

Nature has inspired many artists from singers to authors and composers to painters. It is now inspiring lighting designers. Many chandeliers, floor lamps and even light bulbs are now inspired by elements of nature. Hive, a design and manufacturing firm is now leading that trend.

Hive traces its origin back in 2001 when a group of friends acted upon a vision producing lighting and accessories. Hive developed into design and manufacturing facility where various designers can create objects for production under one roof.

Inspired by colors taken from spiders and insects, rattan vines are hand dyed, painted and tied to a metal frame

Hive products exude the beauty inherent in nature with the freedom and creativity of the human mind. Examples of some design influences include the fascination with creatures of all shapes and sizes, gargantuan mythical dragons and microscopic bacteria, and quirky technologies born out of raw imagination like mummified branches and exploding twigs- all indicative of nature’s wonders in both the real and imaginary worlds.

Salago fiber coated shapes of little people entwine around this lamp, embodying the playful nature of design

Birds nest made from sustainable coconut coir fiber perched on a chrome metal branch

Inspired by sea anemones and jellyfish, Moly is made of synthetic colored ribbons woven over a frame of light steel housing a fiberglass light diffuser

Visit Chez Moi for many more creative designs.

Will 'Staycation" create the next furniture boom?

2009-06-11T23:34:00.000-07:00

Air travel is guilt-ridden, the dollar is weak and the recession shows no sign of abating. It’s all about the "staycation" this year; a growing number of Americans are canceling trips abroad and deciding to spend their summer vacation at home.

Furniture and accessory designers are capitalizing on this trend with new products aimed at home vacations and home entertainement. The slumping travel industry is offering home brands and retailers a big opportunity. The ‘"staycation" trend is proving to be a very welcome marketing demon.

New deck chairs, indoor-outdoor dining chairs and dining tables, the new shiny BBQ are all products being touted as the cornerstone of the "staycation" economy.

The poly chair by designer Karim Rashid is a great indoor-outdoor dinng chair

Home picnic products, like baskets, fun outdoor plates, blown-glass marguerita pitchers and glasses lead the accessory market as well. Anything that introduces the concept of vacation at home. "Why fly first class to an expensive resort when you can create vacation-style on your doorstep?" After all, you can upgrade your entire dining room for less than a stay at a resort and for once, you can enjoy it.

The global recession may have suppressed our readiness to spend but it hasn’t removed our creativity. Americans would rather give-up their trips abroad and spend on their garden and living room - which is only good news for interior and garden retailers. As a great designer puts it in his summer campaign, "Staying at home is the new going abroad - without the hotel bill at the end."

Visit the ChezMoi website and enjoy several "staycation" products and have a safe journey.

How are Yoo?

2009-05-25T12:25:00.000-07:00

When we spoke about the "Boutique Home Experience" a few blogs back , we didn't know that we uncovered a trend started by no one other than Philippe Starck. Under the Yoo Residential Company banner, Mr. Starck is bringing his boutique hotel experience into appartment buildings and homes, throughout the world.

The picture above is from the lobby appartment building close to Wall Street. It simply looks like an Ian Schrager/Starck creation. Funky styles, minimalistic and yet very functional. It is a really creative concept. If you liked the boutique hotel experience, why not live it every day. Needless to say that these residential buildings are also entertainment centers as well, with trendy resident bars and spas.

... and for those who love to bring the baroque style to modern times, Yoo created an appartment building in Argentina, shown below.

The picture is no different in Panama City, in this high rise. A lovely Murano chandelier imposes itself over a funky dining table and a modern leather sofas. A lot of empty space, a lot of modern-meet old, antique gone young, styles.

The picture is almost a post card from the Gramercy Park hotel in New York city. Baroque styles meet modern living.

This was and remains our style at ChezMoi. Blend modern with old, antique with new, a sleek leather sofa from Italy with a 400 year old credenza from India, you get the point, because Yoo gets it.

Mirror, mirror not on walls...

2009-05-24T10:01:00.000-07:00

... who has the best lights of all?

If you attended the ICFF design show in New York last week, you probably noticed the introduction of several lines of cluster ball lighting. For those of you who haven't, what we are talking about is a new design in lighting fixtures made from hanging or loosely spread balls (blown glass, polycarbonate, etc.) with lighting fixtures in them.

Very interesting designs- full of depth and reflection at the same time.

Tom Dixon's Mirror Ball pendant shown below adds brightness to rooms and give them a great amount of space. It is hard not to stare at them for a bit, but they are pieces that eventually melt in rooms and become an extension of it. It is hard to imagine a hanging ball mirror giving "space" to a room, but you just have to experience it and see for yourself.

Copper balls were also popular at the show. Several designers displayed them. At first look, they remind you of old copper pans hanging from an old french provincial kitchen. But a closer look reveals a trendier flare- great with contemporary furniture. It is hard to imagine "copper" being trendy, but I guess it is that modern antiquish look that is intended, especially when the light balls are made from highly transparent polycarbonate with a copper film inside.

For those who venture in bright colors, fire balls were also big at the show. An extra set of orange eyeballs with bright pupils were also displayed by Tom Dixon designs.

All in all, a light in a ball ... that is what I got out of ICFF.

What's behind that door?

2009-05-14T13:44:00.000-07:00

"Doors speak a story and convey a feeling, a presence. They are the Eyes to the Soul of those who lived behind them, representing the history and experiences they have witnessed. Some doors are proud; others are tired or worn, but tenacious. Some are welcoming and beckon entry and exploration, whilst others tease and tempt with mystery, encouraging the visitor to take the journey through. "

These are the words of Amy Karam, a local San Francisco artist. Amy has traveled to over 30 countries and has been passionate about capturing her experience through photos. In particular, she has consistently been drawn to taking photographs of Doors for the last 12 years. Her art is very expressive and adds a lot of open space to any room.

Her "Doors" collection includes shots from Tunisia, Morocco, China and many more countries.

Amy's work is on display at Chez Moi in San Francisco. Come and open one of these doors!

Design Between Tweets

2009-05-06T23:17:00.000-07:00

When I joined this industry, I was surprised how low-tech it was. It felt like the interior design industry was still stuck in the brick and mortar, pen and paper world. It felt like HighPoint, North Carolina was still the center of gravity of the world of design.

That was two years ago... I have to admit that I have seen a major shift in the industry.

The designers are coming out and in full force in social networks. It is happening, on facebook, on decorati and on Twitter. Designers are watching each others- sharing quick trends, getting minute by minute updates from trade shows and more importantly building a great community that they always lacked. Everyday, my Twitter following is increasing.

Retailers are there pushing latest products.
Design Magazines are there waiting for the latest headlines on design
Designers are there sharing design ideas
and clients are there, selecting their clients.

But is Twitter the holy grail of interior designer marketing? the jury is still out.

Is Twitter a good way to network with designers? Yes.

Is Twitter a good way to get new trends in design? Yes

Is Twitter a good way to reach out to the press and coordinate design events? Yes

Is Twitter the way to reach customers? That is where I believe it falls short! I haven't or heard of anyone that has bought or sold something on Twitter- Not a product and not a service. So I have to say no.

Can Twitter give a fake sign of fame? You might be tweeting, but who is listening?

Does Twitter have the potential to waste time? Sure it does. After all, it is a fad and it might simply be absorbed into something else.

In the meantime, here are a few tricks to not to fall into the wasteland on Twitter:

Select your followings and followers carefully. Make sure they are either designers, trade rags, customers or retailers

Don't post useless tweets: forget the "great burger", "heading to lunch", blah blah tweets. Focus on what will make the industry better: A new line, a new trend, a new fabric combination- Project a highly professional image of yourself
Maintain a consistent presence: Tweet at the pace of the industry (example: if designers are tweeting once a day, then tweet once, if they are tweeting 10 times a day, then do the same- Bottom Line- Don't be the quiet one, nor be the babble mouth in the crowd
Make your Tweets an event followers wait for. Tweet an article, a blog or any piece of content that you are an expert in. That is what people are looking for
Last but not list: Maitain your brand. Make sure you let people know who you are, what you know and what you want to know. After all, this is what a community is all about.

Don't miss out on any trends, follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ChezMoi_Design or at Chez Moi and design between tweets... or should it be Tweet Between Designs ?

Out of the catalogue and into a... social network

2009-05-06T09:44:00.000-07:00

These days there social networks for almost every community, from Dog lovers to whale watchers. It seemed like the design community is missing out on these trends and using mass market networks like Facebook and Twitter and doing a poor job at it. No more. The interior design industry is finally catching up and several social networks focused solely on passionate interior designers are emerging. Last night, I had the chance to meet a new one, homeanatomy.com.

They are about to launch later this month, and they are focused on building a community around interior design. Designers will join, discuss trends, shop for products that are not mass market and share design ideas. Home anatomy is all about design and in their words :

"At HomeAnatomy we believe that a home is more than just the objects that fill its interior; it is about comfort, personality, lifestyle, and family. We hope to help our readers achieve these qualities in their homes by facilitating creativity though a vibrant and social networking community. Our design network will connect modern interior design enthusiasts with all the resources they need to make their house a home. "

This is exactly what Chez Moi stands for. A place that turns a house into a home, a place where your style, your personality and not that a production line somewhere in China, is reflected.

Homeanatomy.com is not the only one, already decorati.com has launched and features over 300 design only companies and many passionate interior designers.

The more the merrier. Let the era of catalogue living end and the era of personalized living begin!

Puff Up That Comfy Style

2009-05-04T00:25:00.000-07:00

Now that the Milan show is over, the new focus is on New York's ICFF show in Mid May. Curious minds want to know whether the new "comfy style" that was prominent in Milan, would cross the atlantic and make it to New York city. We are not talking about Bean Bags, we are more talking about cushion, pads, comfort ... everywhere, especially in sofas and sectionals. Living rooms are more like kid play rooms, for the adults. Sit, lounge, channel surf, nap, even sleep - Couches look more like sofa beds with great pillow tops.

The Peanut Collection from Designer Bonaldo looks more like a grown up kids room with plenty of style.

The Nuvola collection, also from Bonaldo, mixes modern design and old style comfort. Great padding everywhere and kind of a "laissez aller" - put your hair in a scrunchy look.

The abbracio collection from Cierre is no exception- The leader of living in leather is more like "relax in leather".

.. .and finally the Nick collection from Cierre lays out that cushiony feeling too.

It looks like Italian designers are sending us a message to chill and relax. Would New York listen? I guess we will wait and see at ICFF. In the meantime, you can enjoy these lines and many more at Chez Moi in San Francisco.

Mother of Pearl on Mother's Day

2009-04-30T18:11:00.001-07:00

When it comes to mother's day gifts, it is hard not to think about Mother of Pearl products. The Capiz shell, which is mother of pearl, is now used to create great tableware and bathware in addition to great accessories. Chez Moi has a great collection of Capiz accessories designed by a Seattle-based artist and manufactured in the Philippines.

Great Tableware

A blend of style and nature. The Capiz line of tableware comes in a variety of styles and colors. From white and silver, to Gold, to a collection of spring colors ideal for outdoor parties. Come and see for yourself.

Great Bathware

Put great styles in your bathrooms. A Great collection of bathware and in many colors: white, silver, gold and sea-blue. A complete gem.

Designers with emotions, tables with atttitude

2009-04-24T12:02:00.000-07:00

When you throw designers with emotions at a problem, you get more than pieces of furniture. You get an experience. Check these tables out and judge by yourself.

Glam_Glam glass - design by Gino Carollo

Glam is available in pouf or coffee table version. The structure is in wood, with polyurethane padding. Glam can be covered in shiny technical fabric or in leather. In the small table version, Glam glass has a glass top.

Folio design James Brönte

Small glass tables, square and rectangular. Various finishes are available.

Exell design Gino Carollo

Small table with etched, chequered-pattern glass top, available in various finishes

Miami design Gino Carollo

Small table. Top in transparent plate glass. Base with gloss lacquered finish.

Amble design Mauro Lipparini

Small table. Chromed frame. Top in smoked plate glass

Lux Design Gino Carollo

Small tables with chrome-plated steel base. Top in extra-light mirror glass with etched chequered-pattern.

Oscar design Dondoli and Pocci

Rectangular leaf table with central extension. Frame in steel. Legs in die-cast aluminium. Top in plate glass.

H2O Design Massimo Iosa Ghini

Round fixed top table. Frame in chromed steel. Top in transparent plate glass.

Jamesdesign Peter Ross

Extending table with side extensions. Wooden structure and glass top available in various finishes.

Jamesdesign Peter Ross

Extending table with side extensions. Wooden structure and glass top available in various finishes.

Jamesdesign Peter Ross

Extending table with side extensions. Wooden structure and glass top available in various finishes.

Twice design Mauro Lipparini

Fix or leaf table with side extension. Frame in steel. Veneered wooden or lacquered legs. Top in plate glass or veneered wood.

Twice design Mauro Lipparini

Fix or leaf table with side extension. Frame in steel. Veneered wooden or lacquered legs. Top in plate glass or veneered wood

Tomdesign Peter Ross

Extending table with side extensions. Gloss stainless steel structure and glass top.

Lingotto design Gino Carollo

Lingotto is an extending table with etched, chequered-pattern glass top, available in various finishes. The structure is in steel

Lingotto design Gino Carollo

Lingotto is an extending table with etched, chequered-pattern glass top, available in various finishes. The structure is in steel

Laud

Rectangular or round fixed top table. Veneered wood, gloss lacquered or gloss stainless steel legs. Top in plate glass

Dry design Donodoli Pocci

Leaf table with side extensions. Frame in steel. Top in plate glass

Vision design Gino Carollo

Swivel TV stand for plasma or LCD television sets. Base in chromed steel. Frame lacquered. Size of plasma or LCD TV: 70x51 cm minimum, 102x60 cm maximum. Maximum capacity 50 kg.

Some of these tables are displayed at ChezMoi in San Francisco

Design with Emotions

2009-04-22T19:04:00.001-07:00

When you combine experimentation, unique design and emotions you get more than contemporary furniture- You get Bonaldo.

The Lingotto Table- A recent introduction

Since 1936 Bonaldo has produced creative, elegant, quality furniture that convey a profound sense of the experience that they fully embody. The company has always been involved in experimentation. Sixty years ago it began with its range of tubular metal applications and today it conducts wide-ranging research into plastics, the use of different alloys and the use of materials such as pressure cast aluminium, flexiblec old-pressed polyurethane and propylene. The company has a high-tech focus, however it entrusts fundamental planning and production stages to human skill.

The Nuvola Sectional- A game of comfort and Style

The result: a great line of furniture that totally reflects Italian tastes and lifestyle, something unique to Italy that cannot be reproduced elsewhere, but which interacts with various international trends in contemporary design. The company has partnered with great designers such as Ron Arad and Karim Rashid, Mauro Lipparini, Toshiyuki Kita and Denis Santachiara, D’Urbino and Lomazzi and Giuseppe Viganò- to create lines of furniture than span the globe and time.

Glass, wood, chrome, leather and more all blend artistically well under the Bonaldo umbrella. The company continues to receive international design awards.

The Fluff Bed- Elegance and a great night sleep

Bonaldo is now shown at Chez Moi in San Francisco. Come and experience it.

Tables, sofas, side chairs, dining chairs and TV stands. A great line up of designers, a great collection of designs and so many awards. That is Bonaldo.

A Guide to a Cocoon Lifestyle

2009-04-20T11:26:00.000-07:00

Top 5 tips to make your home a place you never want to leave

The uncertain economy, the rise of natural disasters and persistent war conflicts have resulted in the further insulation of people within their home cocoons. This cocoon lifestyle has given a boom to home decoration since more and more people turn to home entertainment and dinner parties instead of “going out.”

But as people tend to stay in it is important that they connect with their homes and not treat them like a lifelong hotel. Here are five tips that are necessary to create a balanced home.

Reflect your personality on your home

Take a deep breath and think of what makes you safe and happy and design your home around it. If you are happy being at a club surrounded by loud people and techno music- then think loft with minimalistic furniture and big chandeliers.If you feel comfortable and happy in nature, think of natural elements such as wood casegoods and stone and wood tables. You get the point.

Trendy-looking home- For Party affecionados.

Let Nature In

Remember that nature is the best designer. All the colors of the universe simply blend well. Nature tells you what color schemes to use. I am not talking about putting tree trunks in your house or simply plants. I am talking about taking a few natural elements and pick color schemes from it. For example, if you take a tree trunk, look at the color scheme in it: mainly shades of brown- dark brown surface, light brown inner circles and dark brown again in the core. I would say, choose a light brown sofa and sprinkle dark brown pillows around it.

Small elements of nature- Tables from Tree Trunks

Control Lighting

Lighting is life and again, adjust the amount of light your house gets according to your personality. If you are an extrovert increase the light, use very thin shades for the day, if any, and spot lights for the night. Introverts usually need less light and more of a safe zone that reduces exposure.

Give yourself space

No matter what personality you are, you always need space. The cluttered rooms lead to severe claustrophobia. As a rule of thumb, furniture should only occupy 20 to 25% of the space of the room. The rest has to be empty space. When looking at accessories, they also should only occupy 20 to 25% of the surface they are accessorizing. For example, if you have a cocktail table, and you put a big vase in the middle that takes more than 50% of the table, then you have cluttered it and created a scene you need to escape from. People need space, the eye needs a horizon to look at.

Plenty of space

Let History In

Time is an essential element for people. You can’t make your home a moment frozen in time. What I mean by that is that your furniture should blend modern and antique, old and new to create a feeling than spans the length of time. Usually, I would use predominantly contemporary furniture and one or two antique pieces to break the modern streak.

All in all, the home is the eternal sanctuary and the place where we can balance ourselves. So let us balance!

Glass Blowing... East to West

2009-04-15T00:44:00.000-07:00

Over two thousand years, a lightning hit the sandy coast of small town Sarafand on the east coast of the Mediterranean sea. The lightning created a small urn in glass that locals used to hold wine in. Little did these people know that witness the creation of an industry that will last two thousand years. Since that moment and for the past two thousand years, millions of glass blowing artists have surfaced around the earth and created works of art. From candelabras from Lebanon, to Chandeliers from Murano in Italy, to carafes in Mexico and Vases in New York City, it feels like glass blowing has become the lingua franca of art- something that unites people across continents, time and culture.

The above candelabra from Soufle-Dorient is a simple reflection of the mystical nature of the near east. The glasscandelabras and glass accessories are made using a 2,000 year technique. They have preserved the culture, warmth and charm of the Mediterranean sea.

The imposing nature of the above Murano chandelier simply speaks for itself. Each piece is blown individually and the whole structure is put together using the highest craftsmenship. It is a great chandelier for lofts, victorians and edwardian homes.

From Murano also come these gorgeous hanging lights that are winning award after award. They are modern with a timeless twist. You can think of them as neo-murano work. Something that fits modern homes but completely preserves the authenticity and craftsmen ship of Venice.

Last but not least, glass blowing hit New York City, with Brazilian artist Regina Medeiros. Her glass work, sheeted or blown is simply amazing. It represents great elements from nature like plants, clams, shells, etc and preserves them in glass. Colors, styles and lights are blended together in her pieces.

You are welcome to travel to Italy, Lebanon, Brazil and New York city to see all this great art, or you can simply visit Chez Moi in San Francisco and see all this on display. You will be blown away with glass (or class!)

Freezing a moment in time

2009-04-10T15:27:00.000-07:00

Pictures and videos have done a great job capturing moments of our lives. But can you think of capturing a moment in time and storing it in a chair? Sofa? Table? Lamp? This what Josh Urso- an emerging designer from New York is doing.

Josh Urso’s furniture and lighting designs are moments frozen in time that invite us to stop, observe and wonder. “Confuse, amaze and entertain your guests” is the pitch on Urso’s website for his aptly named Specter chairs.

To make them he takes fabric, infuses it with resin, then hand-molds it into the form of a seat casually draped with a sheet or blanket. Frameless, hollow, lightweight, the result is indeed ghostly (especially when done in see-through, openwork mesh) and deceptive in more ways than one. At once soft and solid, animated and inert, ethereal and sturdy, it’s a trompe-l’oeil sculpture you can sit on. Each Specter is oddly anthropomorphic, with a distinct personality depending on fabric and color: there’s the pristine white modern one, the earthy-brown embroidered one, the retro hipster with the Eames pattern.

Josh approaches furniture making from a scientific point of view. Focusing on the interaction of materials with the laws of nature, Urso creates pieces of furniture that exhibit scientific principles and properties: resin that changes from solid to liquid in an exothermic reaction or rope that has a tensile strength that is strong enough to lift a car. There is a connection between the kind of wonder people experience with natural phenomenon and the reaction of people to Josh Urso's work. By utilizing the unique properties of materials, Urso creates an unforgettable experience in reason and tactility.

“What we do is kind of a combination of design, furniture and art,” says Urso.

Josh Urso's products are featured at Chez Moi in San Francisco. Come and see how you can freeze moments and keep them in your home.

The Boutique Home - A New Experience

2009-04-08T23:39:00.000-07:00

"THE ONLY WAY TO DISTINGUISH YOURSELF IS TO BE YOURSELF IN THE PURSUIT OF YOUR OWN PERSONAL VISION."- IAN SCHRAGER.

Since the 70’s, entrepreneur Ian Schrager, CEO of Ian Schrager Company, has achieved worldwide recognition for concepts that have revolutionized both the entertainment and hospitality industries. His commitment to the modern lifestyle has been expressed through a series of pioneering concepts: The hotel as home away from home, the hotel as theater, "cheap chic", "lobby socializing", the indoor/outdoor lobby, the urban resort, and the urban spa. The result, a complete reshaping of the modern hotel from a place to crash to a place to experience.

The Gramercy Park Hotel- By Ian Schrager

Now imagine you can do the same to your home. Turn it from a place to live to a place to experience. You can and you don't have to hire architect Philippe Starck to do it for you. In fact, you can do it on a budget. The trick is to mix styles - Blend ecclectic with contemporary. Blend modern and antique. Don't build a hodge podge. Simply build an image of fun, an image you want to experience, a travel destination you want to re-live and design your home accordingly.

It is time to bring the great social experince back home. It is time to experience your home and not just live in it. It can be done. The Chez Moi team has done it in San Francisco.

Ecochic ... on the Rise

2009-04-08T10:42:00.000-07:00

The trend to go "eco" has started across every industry. Preservation is in, waste is out. The furniture industry is in no isloation from that trend. In fact, many new furniture and accessory companies have launhed focusing on ecologically friendly products. However, these products, and excuse the word, are mainly clunky and lack style and personality.

Enters ecochic... a new "new" trend is ecologically safe furniture. Ecochic focuses on using antique and reclaimed wood that is absolutely gorgeous and mounting it on a new frames to create wonders. It is like capturing history in a small jar and making it work for you.

From old doors and door frames (almost 300 to 400 years old), you can make tables, credenzas, cabinets, wine cabinets and more. It is not just preserving nature, it is also preserving history and heritage.

The good news is that these pieces are also very affordable. The price range for a buffet or credenza is $1,600 USD to $2,100 USD retail, which is great. A piece like this, mixed with contemporary furniture simply adds life and a small touch of depth, history and soul. In one word, it adds life.

Chez Moi in San Francisco carries one of these lines. Several credenzas are always on the show floor. Enjoy, history and more to come.

Burning Your Passion- In Glass

2009-04-06T12:46:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered what Glass artists think when they create a piece? Are they art producing machines? There are some, but that is what differentiates artists from artists and piece from piece.

Agnethe Maagaard, from Denmark, is one of those artists that reflects her dreams in her own artwork.

“IF YOU HAVE A DREAM - THEN GO FOR IT!- MY ART FULFILLS MY DREAM... - I tell a story. -I think in images; this is not just a plate. It is picture, an image.I "paint" with glass; cut it into shapes and colors - and add it to my palette like brush strokes."

This is the artists with one of her pieces.

The Water Piece below is simply a dream trip inside a turbulent sea.

The RED PASSION is inspired by conflicting feelings- A struggle between love and hate, a struggle between evil thoughts and good thoughts. A mix of emotions burned in glass.

The FISH Piece is inspired by Ocean life and the interesting shapes and creatures in reflects.

Maagaard's work, like all great artist, is simply alive. It tells a story, it reports a dream, it reflects a feeling, it places an imagine in front of a passion and more importantly creates the need to look at it and reflect on what it means to each one of us.
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Agnethe Maagaard will have some of her Art pieces displayed at chez Moi.

In San Francisco, The Leather is Beautiful!

2009-04-03T23:14:00.000-07:00

Mark Twain once said "the best winter is a summer in San Francisco". Who ever lives in SF can never deny that. But this is talking about real weather. But, when it comes to Leather- San Francisco's summer is gearing up for a nice heat storm. Chez Moi's team is bringing a new line of contemporary leather furniture: Cierre.

Here is Cierre, in their own words

In 1972, Cesarina and Romano Conficcioni founded a new furniture company focused on quality, craftsmanship and professional pride. They named the company Cierre, and they gave it a slogan: Living in Leather. From what the name susggests, the company specialized in high-end, yet affordable leather furniture. They purchase their own hide from Italy and South America and never sacrify quality.

Cierre combines timeless design with a craftsman’s eye for detail, often in the form of hand-stitched details. Their strength lies in their varieties of leather which scale new heights in terms of look and feel as well as durability and ease of maintenance. Suitable for a lifetime of luxurious living in leather.

Cierre is now exclusively offered by Chez Moi in San Francisco. Cierre sofas and sectionals can work in modern dwellings (lofts, etc.) or in stylish victorians and edwardians. The quality and the craftsmanship is simply second to none.

Let Stone Live!!

2009-03-30T16:36:00.000-07:00

Who could have ever thought that a 10,000 year old piece is actually contemporary? It is. By simply taking a slab of stone that is nature's work of art and using it to build modern and timeless furniture. This is what this great new and exciting line of furniture is. Mixing stone with wood, leather, brushed nickel or simply mixing it together- you can create wonders.

This line comes from Italy. Florence to be more accurate. Florence, which is known to work stone- anyone saw the statue of David in Florence (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelangelo's_David)? It is a great work of art. That art transpires through the new furniture line.

You can visit us at http://www.chezmoisf.com/ and see for yourself how stone can be modern or ... timeless.

Rope Tables

2009-03-28T14:34:00.001-07:00

When hundreds of feet of rope are impregnated with resin a study in contrasts emerges! Functional designs that provoke curiosity wonder and enjoyment of life! Inspired by the complexity of the natural world and the beauty of chance!

Through experimentation, creative instincts and pure genius impossible designs are brought to life.

Come and visit us at http://www.chezmoisf.com/

For interesting designs check out these inspiring designs at http://desiretoinspire.blogspot.com/

Crystal is out, Glass is in

2009-03-28T13:49:00.000-07:00

Did you ever get the urge to pick up the crystal piece your folks had on the cocktail table and throw it out of the window? Well, I completely understand. Crystal bowls are so last century... sterile, old style, you know what I mean. Crystal is out, but modern glasswork is in. There is a new class of blown, sheeted and worked glass that is simply amazing. Artists from all around the world are working glass and working on it.

ChezMoi is now featuring the work of famous Brazilian (turned New Yorker) artist, Regina Medeiros. Her work is simply alive and inspired by great elements of nature:

This glass bowl is modeled after a clam. Do you believe that this is simply hand made- That means no machines were involved. A great piece to LIVE in your home and give it a marine scent.

You like the surface of the moon? Check out these great bowls. Made with Glass and infused with either Gold or Silver leaves. From lofts to Victorians, these pieces are simply alive and add luster and personality to any place.

Did we get you intrigued. There is more at Chez Moi (http://www.chezmoisf.com/glassware.html)- Take a look. Send that old Crystal bowl back to where it came from -- and glass it up!

Pillow Talk

2009-01-06T11:32:00.001-08:00

No, this is not a secret that is being shared ina bedroom. This is a new trend in home decor and design. Use pillows to rejuvenate homes. Think as your couches, sectionals and sofas as a white canvas and start placing ecclecting pillows on them to create a paiting and the whole thing will simply talk. That is Pillow Talk.

As sofas, think leather- Top colors are Pearl White- Like a great canvas. It leaves room for so much to work with (http://www.chezmoisf.com/files/lewissmall.jpg). Then think of a color scheme and then shop for pillows to accentuate the whole room and enjoy living!

Home Design- Without Borders

2009-01-06T11:24:00.001-08:00

I will continue to share top trends in design for early 2009. Today, I am all on design without borders. Make a home a complete travel guide, or a souvenir book from all over the world. It is what makes a home personal and without borders. It is a complete escapade even if you are confined to four walls and a few windows.

Try leather sofas or sectionals from Italy, with antique credenzas and buffets from India. Can modern meet old world? Give it a try and see (http://www.chezmoisf.com/installations.html). It is a very new trend, but it makes perfect sense. If this doesn't complete the picture, add a capiz chandelier from the philippines (http://www.chezmoisf.com/cchandelier.html).

All in all, make sure that walls are not borders! and enjoy living

Top Trends in Home Decoration and Design

2009-01-02T09:28:00.000-08:00

Fashion trends no longer dictate the way we dress or decorate our homes. Eclecticism and contrasting style directions reign in home decorating. More and more people develop a taste of mixing contradictory furniture trends in their home decor, combining contemporary furniture with vintage finds and exotic art pieces.

Uncertain economy, the rise of natural disasters and persistent war conflicts have resulted in the further insulation of people within their home cocoons. This cocoon lifestyle has given a boom to the housewares, home decorating and furniture industry since more and more people turn to home entertainment and dinner parties instead of “going out.”

The “cocoon boom,” which originally started after September 11, 2001, transformed the modern home into a family sanctuary and hideaway. Casual living remains as the major theme with contemporary furniture today, with an emphasis on home entertaining and informal dining.

From modern furniture to accessories and dinnerware, people look for ihome decorating tems that possess a strong sense of personal style. The casual living trend in modern furniture translates into multi-functional furniture with clear non-cluttered design and extended seating furniture pieces such as extra-long and curved couches and sofas.

Modern furniture today encourages family values, promotes quality family entertainment, supports traditional values and generally helps people connect. Another noticeable trend in home décor and home decorating is a return to ‘formal’ for special occasions. People tend to make a greater effort preparing for special occasions or dinner parties and spend more time selecting dinnerware, candles, photo albums, seasonal decorations and table linen. Another important modern furniture trend for home decorating is sensuality which means luscious fabrics, soft warm colors and simple shapes.

Many furniture items are adjusted for use for the targeted group of single men. This means sleek minimalist design and an emphasis on the use of multi-media applications. Flat screen TV’s are accommodated in hi-tech entertainment centers, and flat loudspeakers are incorporated into lean, spacious sofas, covered with dark trendy upholstery fabrics. This trend is also reflected in one-of-a-kind furniture items, such as art pieces having a functional meaning. Wide use of LED lighting technology helps transform a coffee table into a futuristic object that will change colors depending on a situation.

Speaking of materials used in modern furniture today for home decorating, light woods still dominate. Oak, cherry, and birch are the most popular woods, with rattan and bamboo on the rise. Many woods are artificially stained to resemble exquisite tropical woods, for example, zebrano, mahogany, or palisander. A varnished solid front is often combined with a veneered body. Stainless steel, polished or brushed, and aluminum are used widely, often combined with innovative satin glass and boldly colored fiberglass.

In the upholstery, modern furniture designers favor refined large abstract patterns or sophisticated monochrome surfaces. Stripes and checks, as well as floral patterns are slightly out of fashion. The most popular materials are wool, cotton and leather, with wool felt gaining popularity.

The main characteristic feature of modern furniture is its understatement. Giorgio Armani, a couturier turned furniture designer says that a subtle richness, not an obvious beauty, is most important in contemporary furniture design for home decorating. Like a beautiful woman, furniture today reveals itself over time.

The Balanced Home is the start of wellness

2008-12-20T10:32:00.000-08:00

After all, we do spend more than 8 hours in that place- so better be balanced. The trick is not to fall for trends- but for a style. Make it your place and not a page out of a catalogue.
Take a deep breatth and think of what makes you safe and happy and design your home around it. If you are happy being at a club surrounded by loud people and techno music- then think loft with minimalisting furniture and big chandeliers.
If you feel comfortable and happy in nature- Think of wood casegoods and stone and wood tables. and the list goes on and on and one.
Remember that Nature is the best designer- Learn from it. It has the most homogeneity in colors- Learn from color its schemes. What goes with what.
But always remember- Think of what makes you safe and happy and model your home around it.
You can get more info on this at http://www.chezmoisf.com/files/styleguide.pdf

Let the Light In... and Save

2008-12-16T11:40:00.000-08:00

Capiz Chandeliers are really big this year. The trend is to blend exotic and dramatic light fixtures with clean-cut modern furniture. The fun and mystical element is big.

ChezMoi in San Francisco carries a large collection of capiz chandeliers. Most of them used in home decoration, but also in new restaurants (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/02/FDR214F6J1.DTL). The impressive light fixture in the middle is made from gold capiz shells. Very mystical.

The chandeliers are made from the abalone shell, which is nothing but mother of pearl. Handmade in the philippines and designed by seattle based artist, these chandeliers have captured the imagination of many. They add color and light to modern homes.