Market Watch: Cisco Brothers

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Adam and I are in High Point, North Carolina at the famed Furniture Market. We love this time of year! It is Christmas for us. We are here scouting out the latest and greatest to bring home to you all - First stop, Cisco Brothers! It's known for it's high end casual. I melt. I had to get there first thing - first day! Because I love their one-of-a-kind pillows.  I can only buy them 2 times a year when I'm at Market. I usually have to pick from whatever is left. Not this year! I gobbled up all my favorites. The pillows are made from vintage saris and scarfs - down inserts, unusual sizes. They give any sofa, chair, or bed that Cisco flavor, which is traveled, collected and inspiring.

I bought a boat load! They should ship next week. We'll give you a holler when they get in! Or you'll just feel it in the air.

Here are a few more things to look forward to in the coming months.

- Jessica

How-To: Style a Tray Table

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Let me introduce you to the simple beauty of the versatile tray table. The tray table is no longer used just as the cocktail lover's best friend - but as a resting place for your favorite food and beverages, your most special serving dishes, your prettiest cake plates, or even your mother's linens.

In one of my most recent projects we had an empty, awkward corner in the kitchen. Rather than filling the corner with art or useless accessories, we decided to fill the space with a functional and stylish tray table.

We loaded the tray table with all of her favorite things from ice cream dishes to serving trays to cake domes. The portable tray makes it so simple to serve your party guests - it's an effortless entertainer's dream!

"Entertaining is not about making an impression", says this internationally known event and party planner, Colin Cowie. "Instead, it's about being welcoming and calm and making your guests feel comfortable. Your presentation can still be chic and stylish and elegant, even in the relaxed environment of your own kitchen."

So what better piece than the versatile tray table to lift your style to a new level!

- Christy

St. George Here We Come!

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Jessica and Suzanne will be in the St. George area the first week in November. We are scheduling appointments for any of you design-lovers that are interested in our services! What do our design services entail?

The process typically begins with a First Time Consultation - The designers will visit your home, talk to you about your hopes for the space and your personal style... just get to know you, measure and take photos of the space.

After gathering this information, they will come back and start to fulfill all of your dreams! They will then give you a presentation, either in-store or via email, that contains a floorplan, a rendering, a packet of the selections and a spreadsheet with a breakdown of the pricing. Here is just a sprinkling of what the presentation will look like:

Here is a breakdown of how it works:

To schedule an appointment or for any questions give our project manager, Alisa, a call at (801) 222-9028.

Show n' Tell - Jessica's Bedroom

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My bedroom - It is the room that I use the most. Somedays I get home when everyone is in bed. When I creep up the stairs in my heels with tired legs and open the door - this is what I see.

Pulling your Master Bedroom together is like designing for your soul. What speaks to you (and your spouse) - not what's popular or trendy. What makes you want to melt in ultimate comfort and peace. You should wake up in this perfect little cocoon and fall asleep each night there.

Our Master Bedroom is the first room I did in the house. I needed to be comfortable and at peace with my surroundings before I fell asleep at night, and to be able to wake up the same way. This has been a gift in my life. Everyone should get to experience their own heaven on earth in their room - Whatever that is to you. You should attain it, on any level. Your personal space should be a great beginning and end to EVERY day.

People always put themselves last. The Master Bedroom is usually at the bottom of their list. It's a sin! How can you start each day feeling great about whatever is about to challenge you?

My room is a story of natural fabrics and fibers. Linen sheets, feather down inserts, cotton percale duvet cover, silk shams, hair-on-hide and leather pillows on the lounge chairs - The colors are all natural. Slight variations in tone. And a few shimmery metals to add sophistication.

I won't make my bed on Sundays - that gives me permission at anytime of the day to get back in it!

I need to say for the record, this is a home that we have been renting for the past 3 years while we've been busy building our business. So, it's not MY home. But it feels like it now. We should all make ourselves comfortable wherever we may be. Temporary or not. There are enough things that make us uncomfortable out there. Our home shouldn't be one of those things.

- Jessica

[photos by Nicole Hill Gerulat]

Show n' Tell - Jessica's Home

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I've read somewhere that the Entry is like the appetizer for your home. It gives you a sampling of what's to come... This is my entry. Sparkle and shine, angels and mohair - pear and metallic finishes and a little pop of color to keep it from getting too serious!

Here's a little more detail - and why. A mirrored console is always a good trick. Mirror gets along with everything, because it reflects it's surroundings. I nested a mohair ottoman below it. Low in contrast to keep the eye from stopping and brings a little warmth and texture. At the center of it all is Isabella, by James Christensen. I love just about any winged figure - it is angelic. She is peaceful and brings a reverence. Isabella is a patron of artists - allowing them to paint with encouragement and love of their art. The wings were painted on her because she served as such an inspiration to his (James Christensen) calling as an artist. I have always loved the arts. I majored in them. And knew from when I was a young girl that I wanted to be an artist. So with that - I had to bring Isabella home to watch over my entry. All the other details speak to the art. The lamps have a layered feathery texture - the carved finial also has a repeated feathery motif. And of course the carved wings that hang above Isabella.

I have a staircase that feeds to the upstairs opposite the entry. On the other side of the staircase is a keeping room where we gather for conversations while meals are being prepared. It's a catch-all for all our comings and goings. A quick place to land and pull on our shoes, read a magazine, talk on the phone or entertain a neighbor that stops by for longer than a minute. It's easily one of my favorite spots in the house. What makes it my favorite? - The graceful linen loveseat. - Oversized detailed silver floor lamp. -Hand-knotted Martha Stewart Liana rug. - Carnation wall sculptures.

Across from the loveseat is this contemporary Asian Chest. It's a great secondary surface just off the kitchen - where we can set up a dessert buffet if we are entertaining. The original oil painting is by Chelsea James.

The kitchen table has been with me for over ten years now. It's a robin egg blue french farmhouse table. I've had white linen aprons made to tie on the kitchen chairs - with every intention of having them monogrammed with white thread. Someday I'll get around to that!

This is where we gather, eat, visit, do homework, watch the deer out that side yard window. It's a comfortable spot adjacent the kitchen we can't ever seem to get up from once we sit down.

[photos by Nicole Hill Gerulat]

Show n' Tell - Jessica's Family Room

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HOME - It's where your story takes place. This is where we live. My husband and I and our two darling girls, ages 6 and 11. It's where we pile in at night and watch tv, play games and build the most magnificent structures out of Legos. There are plenty of surfaces to build on, put down a drink, phone, or plate of nachos.You name it, we live in here. This is our Family Room.

The home is a Spanish Revival home. Originally built in 1980 - We did a massive remodel and addition to the home about five years ago. Adding more traditional, neutral finishes and features that will make the home transcend time. The arched opening into the family room is one of the last Spanish features left. I love the thickness of the wall and the sense of entry it creates.

I begin each room with a rug - to me, it's like buying art. The rug gives a definitive energy to the room, and sets the tone for how the room is used. In this case I chose Thomas O'Brien's wool and silk Guilded Teal 9 foot by 14 foot rug. It has bits of teal and olive that dance along the off-white background. Then bits of deep brown scattered in sections that give the rug depth.

I chose a massive sofa for this room. it spans 108 inches in width, and is 41 inches deep. We lay on it, sit Indian style on it and stretch out and lounge. This isn't a Living Room sofa where you are expected to maintain your posture. We puppy pile on our sofa... the more the merrier! I upholstered the sofa in a chunky linen the color of oatmeal - casual, natural, sofa... and comfortable.

I knew I needed to add height to create the illusion that the 8 foot ceilings were higher. I chose a pair of chairs opposite the entry that are forty-nine inches tall. By running a vertical band of leather up the center, it also lengthened the lines of the chair. One other elongating trick is mounting the drapery rods right next to the ceiling. Those long vertical panels did wonders for the room and framed in the magnificent views of the valley below.

I used Oly's Thor Sliding Cabinet as an entertainment unit. The silvered resin doors add an austere depth and are a bit of throw back. I layered a photo of a horse behind the TV. On more trick to add height to keep the eye from stopping at the top of the TV - just like putting together an outfit, it's all about the layers.

Some of my favorite moments in the room are: - Daylight streaming through the collection of Beijing navy vases from Oly Studio. - The large loosely painted landscape by Chelsea James. I love what it gives to the room - color, life, tranquility. It inspired me to use more purple in the accents of the room.

I filled my room with things that make us happy to look at and that are useful - usually both. Using things that are generally low in contrast allows your eye to move from one thing to the next without much pause. At the end of the day, we all just want to be comfortable, and a big part of that is surrounding yourself with the people and things you love.

Cheers! Jessica

[photos by Nicole Hill Gerulat]

This Just In - Jonathan Adler Pillows and Accessories

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Our shipment of Jonathan Adler accessories have finally ARRIVED! Fun and quirky pieces with TONS of personality. These pillows will add a punch of color and will definitely be a conversation piece. Bargello Chevron Pillow - $195 Acapulco Pillow - $125 Anger Pillow - $195

I think I need this one! How adorable to sit next to my fall candle! Squirrel Match Strike - $45

This little treasure is a perfect place to keep little treasures! Turtle Box - $125

And how can you resist this... This is on my wishlist as well! Whale Bookends - $170

How-to: Choose a Fall Scent

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With the cooler and crisper weather that is quickly approaching, also brings with it, cozy nights tucked inside the house, holiday parties and entertaining. A fall scent for the home is a must to start off the season right. Last month for our birthday, we introduced our newest line - Voluspa, known for their creamy coconut wax blend and the ultra clean burn. We are delighted with all of the rich scents and the pretty packaging.

Warm but fruity, these scents start us off right in the transition from summer to fall:

Pink Citron - Ripe citron grapefruit with a juicy pink center is layered with a tart cassis and a heart of subtle rose. Saijo Persimmon - Japanese saijo persimmon, considered to be the finest gourmet variety, is layered with peach and red currant.

And an Alice Lane favorite - Goji & Tarocco Orange.

Perfect for the kitchen, the James Boyce collection was designed for the kitchen specifically, taking scents that mix well with the smell of many cuisines.

Sommelier is a unique but warm scent with a combination of ruby port, mission fig and star anise. This is one of my favorites! Spice Market is the perfect traditional fall scent with a mix of cassia, ginger and ground clove. If you are looking for something clean and citrus scented, California Citrus is perfect with satsuma tangerine and meyer lemons.

A comforting scent that takes us into the winter months are Snow Flakes and Frost Pinecone.

Which is your fall scent?

What's in Store - Tables with Animal Feet/Hooves

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We've been seeing tables and chairs with animal feet and hooves all around! Quirky and full of personality! This is definitely no passing trend... this detail all started with the animal-worshiping Egyptians! The animal legs also influenced Greek and Roman designs. Can you believe it? Here is one of our favorites, the Ari Side Table from Oly Studio, featured in Elle Decor. Just the perfect little accent table that is full of character!

Here we see another Oly piece. Not quite as subtle here, the Ajax side chair has been slipcovered and gives a modern twist to an otherwise traditional Dining Room from House Beautiful.

We love our Oly pieces and can order them in but we do have these lovelies in the store now for instant gratification.

1. Stag Side Table - $737.50 2. Side Table - $900 3. Foyer Table - $1,296 4. Demi-Lune Console Table - $879

Giveaway Winner!

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Congratulations Kate! We will email you to let you know that you are our winner!

Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate our 3rd birthday. We appreciate all of your support! Keep reading for more design tips, inspiration and fresh ideas!

Don't forget about our sale! Today is the last day for the Vanguard Special Order Sale but there is still a WEEK left for the Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams sale. Make sure to stop by!

A Few Words from: Suzanne

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I'm pretty sure I've quoted this verbatim to client's as I am an avid believer that everything in your home should have reason. There's something to entering a home and reading spines of the books, seeing picture frames filled with candid moments, and discovering traveled collections! I feel fortunate to have learned so much just by associating with so many great people and getting a sneak peek of who they are, what they believe in and all things that inspire. Thank you, thank you to those that have allowed us in their homes!

- Suzanne

[photos from Sibella Court's Etcetera]

A Few Words from: Jessica

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This is what Alice Lane is to me - a place to be lifted out of the ordinary. A place of inspiration. Where you can identify with an item, or a spark goes off... and you think - That is me! or I could live like that. Or I'm going to try that when I get home. Charm and make believe don't have to be so far off. We have to have these moments that make us feel capable, happy - Come out and play! Find yourself in here.

- Jessica

[photo by Nicole Hill Gerulat]

* Don't forget to enter our giveaway! Leave us a comment here to enter.