Let Stone Live!!

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.

Crystal is out, Glass is in

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!

Top Trends in Home Decoration and Design

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.