Great Skin-- For Life

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!

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!

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

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?

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?

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...

... 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?

"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

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

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

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.