Perfect Christmas Souvenirs under $20

Perfect Christmas Souvenirs  under $20

All available at the Accessory Store

 

PANIC ATTACK! Only three days until Christmas  and you still don't have presents for a few people? Alright, not few, but all family members? Don't worry! Here, at the Accessory Store, we can really relate to how you feel. December is one of the most hectic months of the year and finding time for buying all Holiday gifts, decorative items and produce is overly stressful.

RELAX, we got you covered! Simply stop by at the Accessory store and get gifts for everyone on your list.

 Bellow are  ideas for useful gifts that will leave them satisfied:

 

1) Unique candle holder. Candles provide incredible warmth and comfort to a space - every female knows that. Yule Log Rustic 3 candle holder by Bard's Products is an outstanding holiday addition to any home. It is an excellent versatile decoration that can be used for years on end. Add red and white votive candles for a Christmas look, switch to orange and gold for a Thanksgiving accessory.

 

2) Cocktail Shaker. Those who make cocktails know for a fact that having a transparent shaker is incredibly useful. The one from the Accessory Store has six  recipes of world famous combinations, right on the shaker, no need to memorize  proportions any longer; your options are: Manhattan, Vodka Dry, Bronx, Martini Dry, Rob Roy, and Red Lion.

The shaker has a strainer lid, which adds convenience.

 

3) Ice bucket. You will be surprised on how many people actually don't have this extraordinary useful item. The Accessory store has these in four different sizes; bigger for multiple bottles and smaller of singular. Choose your favorite bottle of champagne, feel the bucket with large chunks of ice, decorate with red silk ribbon  - and here is your perfect holiday gift. This gift will be ideal for "someone who has everything". Indeed, who would reject a sip of cool satisfying drink?

 

 4) Decorative spreaders. Who is ready for a memorable Christmas day breakfast? Brainstorm on favorite cheeses and jams of your loved ones and put together a gift basket. This is a perfect idea to make a personalized gift. Want to push it up a notch? Make your own preserves! Say, you know that your loved one is bent upon pears, then all you have to do is find a good recipe for a pear preserve. Add a few unique cheeses, honey, spreaders, decorate with transparent plastic and a bow, and your gift is complete!

 

5)Christian Lacroix Papier. Everyone takes notes and keeps records. A unique, one of a kind notebook would not only be appreciated, but also widely used.  If notebook is beautiful it is almost impossible not to use it! Christian Lacroix is a splendid example:

 

6) Placemats. Who wants their  solid wood or glass table to get ruined? No one. Placemats make outstanding gifts that are definitely going to be used. You can choose a neutral pattern that will suit the décor of the kitchen.

 

And to finish off all those marvelous gifts you will need: ribbon, accessory bags, and gift wrap.

 

Hope that these ideas will inspire you and will reduce your stress level!

The Accessory Store team wishes you Happy Holidays and Phenomenal New Year!

 

 

 

Vanity table with The Accessory Store

Vanity table with The Accessory Store

Elle Decor inspired

          The vanity table, truly allows you to get motivated for the day ahead. Everyone knows that having the opportunity to indulge in to "you" time is more important then ever in the hectic life style that is lead by many of us. It is the vanity table that allows you to transform in to your true self. Organizing your vanity table is important and The Accessory store is happy to provide you with ideas and incredibly useful items.

 1. "The talk of the town." - The vanity table.

 When deciding on the Vanity table chose one that is just as functional, as it is beautiful. Jacklyn Ice Glass Vanity table is a perfect depiction of such a balance. Such a table will catch one's attention and will serve as a center piece of your bedroom. Vanity table with shelves, (Jacklyn Ice Glass Vanity table  has three) allows for extra storage space. Like for hiding your Hair brushes!

 

 2. "Who is the fairest of them all?" - The perfect mirror. 

A lot of  time will be committed to looking into the mirror, therefore it is important to chose one that that has a unique frame to it. A magnificent mirror will please the eye and motivate you in the morning. The Accessory Store has a wide variety of one of kind  mirrors .    

 3. "The little, special something." -Items that matter to you.

 Surround your-self with pieces that speak to you: an antique, a family relic, or simply,your favorite article. For instance keep an elegant snuffer on you vanity table, as an accessory and as a useful tool for your bedroom candles.

 

 4. "You are not a pirate!"- Don't hunt for your jewels.

 "If you don't see your jewelry, you don't wear it," says  Merrit Elliot to Elle Decor; this is a great point, as many of us "organized people" always keep jewelry out of sight, in rectangle jewelry boxes. Use Jewelry display bars, in order to see all your beautiful treasures. They will inspire your day and complete your outfit. 

Keep in mind that delicate chains are to be stored on a horizontal surface, not coiled up. This will insure a secure connection between the links. It is a great idea to have a beautiful specious tray for all of your expensive chains. 

Having your accessories, make up and perfume in sight, is just as important! Organize your perfume in style under a transparent glass dome. Find a beautiful glass jar to store small items: nail polish or lipsticks.

 5."Light it up!" - The scent of your candle.  

To set a spectacular mood when getting ready to go out, have your favorite candle handy. The fragrant candle creates an incredible, relaxing and positive aura, while the candle light insures a warm and cozy atmosphere. Candles by Aquiesse create a one of a kind olfactory experience.

 

Why is Jonathan Adler an impeccably successful desighner?

Why is Jonathan Adler an impeccably successful designer?

Review of the Fall 2013 catalog

What is the difference between an appealing space and a space does does not evoke any emotion? What makes space cozy, alluring and captivating? By attempting to answer those questions, I will unravel why Jonathan Adler is such a success. 
1. Fluidity. When browsing through the catalog it is impossible not to notice the emphasis put on the organic nature of the shapes. First page greets us with a table that has wave resembling legs.Vases and accessories follow the same mentality - it is as though shapes flow from one state to another.We respond to those shapes because they take after nature.
2.Dynamic. Static objects awaken less interest than those that have a hidden dynamic. Exceptionally, geometric rugs with high contrast between colors, almost serve as coming to life optical illusions. Similarly, items composed of fine, exposed fibers create an illusion of movement (note those covers below).

3. One of a kind. Every page of the catalog has a  focal point - a one of a kind, unique piece. How do you find a one of a kind piece of furniture? When you see one, you want to come closer and investigate it. Too many strong pieces make  the space look like an antique store, however one focal point makes an incredible attraction.
4. Harmony. Harmony between objects is subjective, while harmony between colors is well established. In the image bellow analogous colors are used to create the base look (different shades and variations of blue), yet within it, we see an accent created  with triadic color scheme (yellow-green- purple). Take a look at Color Wheel Theory for establishing the most harmonic color union.

 5. Art. Art does not only satisfy the eye, it also personalizes the space.Doing art takes time; art is an expression; art is energy - by having art in the space a definition and character is gained.
6. Diversity. We see an overall trend of mixing extremely unpredictable items, textures, lines. The more variation, the more intriguing the space becomes. It is unpredictable. 
You can check out Jonathan Adler catalog, and see if you agree with the above. Enjoy the beautiful J.A. designs!

Give a new life to an old space

                      Give a new life to an old space

                                    Furniture that makes a difference

      You have long hair, yet it is brittle, dry and not shiny any longer. You see those short hair styles are popular this season, and, ultimately, a desire to cut your hair engulfs you. After sometime, a realization arises that you actually love your hair long: it suits you, it defines you. You can either cut it off and forget about it or put time and effort to improve what you already have.
    This metaphor is making a point: in order to change a look, there is no need to start from scratch; you can simply improve what you love.
Say you have a specious and open foyer, yet it appears a  little blend and predictable. What you are looking for is a space that impresses right from the start. Here is an idea: Choose a bold, rich color for the walls: foyers can pull off even a darker shade, due to the presence of the windows and the doors, there is a great presence of natural light. Next step is too find a sofa, but not just a regular "grey" sofa; the sofa must be unique, find one that speaks to you in terms of color, shape and details. Not only is the sofa beautiful for the eye, but also extremely practical: who likes putting shoes on standing? Use the color wheel to establish the most successful relationships between the colors. Furthermore, lighting fixtures can act as an upgrade for the look, choosing a chandelier that grabs attention is a way to go. By making those simple changes your old foyer will be unrecognizable.
  

We love our new addition to the store: the absolutely gorgeous  "Robbins Egg Sofa". Pure leather, vibrant color, elegant shape - talking about first impression!

 

If you have a space limitations omit the idea of a sofa and welcome the armchair. Arm chair can also serve as accent furniture giving the same benefits. Choose one that has character and makes a statement -  Cameron Gold Leafed Chair with Navy Velvet Upholstery will make a perfect center piece

Mirrors are one of the best transformers for any space. They are extraordinary versatile and  tend to add depth to any space - they visually make the space large and appealing. .

Keep in mind, this exact same beautiful chandelier in black (as above)  is available at The Accessory Store:

Bellow is another example of how a combination of a mirror and a central lightning piece creates a new dynamic. The Accessory store has a diverse collection of mirrors both in-store and on-line.

A unique console can be just as beautiful, as functional. Choose one with interesting details or glass inserts for an eye catching look. Also, a console with multiple thin shelves is a great companion at hiding shoes.  

So next time you decide for a drastic change think twice. Embrace what you love, improve what you have. 

Statement-Making Accessories

            Statement-Making Accessories

      When putting together an outfit in the morning we start with the basic pieces and continue to build up the look. For a male: belt, shoes, pocket square and cuff links  - all critical components for a complete look. Need I say, a female would simply look plain without jewelry, a purse, nail polish and make up? Similarly to people, rooms are in an incredible need for accessories.

       Accessories can add character and a clear statement in any space. They are a direct language for conveying your point of view, your style, and your character. Accessories can be divided in to two groups: time-specific and all time classics. Time-specific accessories are great at expressing our mood and current state - Seasonal Touches are a great example of time-specific accessories. Such accessories may also have a vivid, saturated color scheme or be a direct reflection of a interior decor trend. Unfortunately, time-specific accessories have a great disadvantage - they have a capability to bore us - trends vanish and strong colors irritate. That is the reason why when choosing accessories it is import to focus on all time classics. Ageless, all time classics will stay in fashion forever and  will always please one's eye.

       Below are 12 rooms with different accessories in them: Try to figure out which are the all time classics and which are the time specific ones.

1.  The featured item Gold leaf Bangle Table is an example of an all time classics accessory, the table has multiple uses: it's great as a magazine table in your foyer or a bed side table, or , as in this case, a coffee table. It has a very versatile look to it - the table would easily suit multiple environments - rustic, bohemian, chic or even contemporary. The brass finish does not tie up to any color scheme, as gold, silver, brass will complement any palette.

Note the Skull art piece on the wall in this room - this is a time-specific piece. Chances are, when the owner of this room finally gets married, the art will go.

2. This space is decorated with great intelligence - the base colors of the room are neutral: milks, whites and beiges; however, the accents are made with rich aqua and gold. The beauty of this trick is that all of the accents in the room can be easily substituted when need arises, for instance, this is an admirable set of items for a summer decor, yet if you alternate the color of accessories for red, it will make a splendid winter room. The featured item is a Deauville Sea Glass Table Lamp. It is an all-time classic item with a twist - it has an elegant shape with a fresh color. A lamp as such will serve your summer decor for decades.

3. In the following room the shades on both lamps are very light in color, considering that the walls of the room are also light. In this case the shades get completely lost against the all white background. Consider a lampshade with a rich color, such as the one on the Glass Motif Table Lamp or if you really love the black and white contrast as seen on the Antique Brass Tripod Floor Lamp with shade, consider  putting the floor lamp against an active background - in both cases, the lamp would stand out and make a more prominent presence. If for any reason you cannot find a shade with the texture and color that you want, bare in mind a custom shade. Select any fabric of your choice from the Antique and Artisan Center's newly opened  Fabric & Upholstery Showroom, featured in our April Newsletter and enjoy your unique, one of a kind, shade. A custom made shade is always an all time classic piece, as it will always be dear to your heart.

 

4. Recall those Baroque Chandeliers seen in history books? Guess what? Even after hundreds of years, those are still in style. This is one all time classic accessory that will always wow guests and never disappoint. Traditionally, they are made with great quality and will last forever. You will think that such chandeliers are only good for traditional decor, yet this is not the case, check out how White Stella 4-light Chandelier  fits into this modern and hip room.

Take a look at another example of how a traditional chandelier can complement a very modern and colorful space:

5.  Let's be honest: even if you adore pink, too much of it will overwhelm your eyes over time.
An easy way to convert a time-specific lamp in to an all time classic is by changing the shade to a more neutral tone, as in the Janita Table Lamp example. The lamp can be maintained very active in ornaments or color, but a more sophisticated shade will create a very classic, chic look.
 

6. When creating a space with a rustic feel, a modern drum adds a very contemporary touch. Material in this case would be key: if choosing an opaque parchment shade in a dark color a futuristic look will be created - time-specific accessory; on the other hand,  a linen drum in tawny will emphasize the rustic atmosphere and serve as a all time classic as in Class Motif Lamp example.

7. One will fall in love with a fixture like a Small Seaward Chandelier - simply change the sconces from hot pink to a neutral color and - voila! - a time specific accessory becomes an all time classic. The same can be done for Natural Brass Up Swing Arm with Shade.

8.  Mirrors in a metallic finish are an outstanding accessory for any room. If you believe that the one used in the room below is too grandiose, use something mildly posh like Rectangular Antique Gold Mirror as an ultimate all time classic.

9. It is always advantageous to have a floor lamp that can suit multiple spaces. When making a choice, an industrial floor lamp might be a little limiting. Instead, a traditional floor lamp with an empire shade will add a little more coziness and freedom, as the shade can always be replaced. The shape of the shade and silhouette of the lamp will guarantee an all time classic look. 

10. The final and best advice that I can give is never fear adding classic accessories into modern spaces. In the example below a Federal Antiqued Silver Leaf Mirror would perfectly fit the modern room, it will make the room more interesting and unique. Classic accessories have a more diverse spectra of applicability, they do not age and they add character. 

Hanging Fixtures 101

Hanging Fixtures - What you need to know!

Almost every house these days has a mounted hanging fixture of some kind. But most people don't know how to fit a fixture to their space. Our decorators are well-versed on the types and benefits of fixtures, and we would like to pass this knowledge onto you.

1. Type of Fixture

This is the most crucial part of deciding what fixture will work for your room. Determine the amount of space, amount of light needed, type of room, and personal taste. This will help you decide which of these types you need:

Chandeliers

Giustina Blown Glass Chandelier

 

Everyone knows what a chandelier is! They were originally used to light up a broad space in a castle or large home. The basic layout hasn't changed much in 1,000 years. In fact, many still feature bobeches (originally in place to catch dripping wax) and "candle sleeves" (as shown below) to mimic candles.

Antique Drip Candle Cover

Chandeliers are great for lighting up a broad space, over dining room tables, or even in a bedroom with a high ceiling. Although designs will vary, most of them broadly distribute light.

Allusion Chandelier

Nickel Nocturn Chandelier

Small Crystal Bud Chandelier

Flush Mounts

Antique Brass Chase Flush Mount

As implied by the name, flush mounts sit "flush" to the ceiling. They are typically used in hallways, front porches and other transition areas. They are also a perfect solution for low ceilings or bathrooms. You can get very creative with flush mounts, and even make one from a fabric shade! Flush mounts are typically light broadcasters -- lighting up a large area. They can also be designed to be directional or accent lighting.

Our ultra-modern Polished Nickel Sputnik Flush Mount

Antique Silver Roderick Flush Mount

Semi-Flush Mounts 

Mayflower Olde Bronze Semi-Flush Mount

You get the best of both lighting worlds with a semi-flush mount. If a chandelier is too large or imposing for a room, but you want something hanging instead of flush, a semi-flush mount is a perfect solution. It's also a good complement to use a semi-flush that matches a flush in a different area of the house (see below). These can be directional, accent or broadcasting lights depending on the layout and the type of bulbs.

 Bling Hanging Fixture and Bling Flush Mount

Small Zara Semi-Flush Mount

Hampton Bronze Semi-Flush Mount

Pendants 

Amber St. Croix Pendant

Pendant lights also vary greatly. People typically use them in a home over a kitchen island, bar or pool table. There are many more creative uses, especially in a more modern or industrial designed space. They can often replace chandeliers or semi-flush mounts, and are great for stairways, over kitchen tables or even in bedrooms hanging over the bedside tables! Pendants are almost always either directional or accent lighting, and are often not the primary light source of a room. Using diffusers can alter the direction and intensity of the light, and you have to keep this all in mind when designing a space. We often have customers come in who are being blinded by an over-counter pendant in their kitchen. A nice decorative mirrored bulb (see below), will take care of that problem.

Mirrored Light Bulb

Deep Bronze Maurice Pendant

Large Antique Mirror Star

Easton Polished Antique Nickel Pendant

Black Penelope Shade Pendant

2. Height of fixture

Again, this varies on the type of fixture and its interaction with the space. As a general rule, a chandelier should be about 30 inches above a table in the dining room, 6 feet above the floor when it's above a kitchen island and 7 feet above the floor in a living space. More modern fixtures will sometimes look better while hanging lower. Near a bedside table, a fixture that is replacing a sconce should hang at about where the sconce would have been. Of course, this will all vary depending on table height, where the light is being broadcasted and proportions. (Reference: homedit)

 

3. Light Bulbs 

Permaglow Radio Bulb 30 watts

An often overlooked detail, what wattage and type of bulb you use can affect the fixture in dramatic ways. See our bulbs 101 blog and incandescent light bulb types blog for more information on types of bulbs! Wattage is important as well. The more watts, the brighter the light. It's crucial to read the fixture directions or look on the sockets to determine the maximum wattage a fixture can take. If you are desperate for light in the space, you'll want to go with the max wattage (just don't use real wax candle sleeves, they'll melt!). If it's more of an accent light, you can play with wattages. Be sure to know your needs before buying a fixture!

4. Style

Contemporary? Art deco? Traditional? Industrial? I've provided a few examples below.

Traditional: Pompeii Chandelier

Art Deco: Astral Pendant

Modern: Green Glass Tall Adler Pendant

Rustic: Lenwood Pendant

Transitional: Small Brownlow Pendant

5. Chandelier Accessories

Yes, you can accessorize just about everything these days. And we are The Accessory Store!

Candle Sleeves 

Made to replicate candles of past chandeliers. Real wax one's are the most realistic, but using a bulb over 25 watts with these spells disaster. Paper, cardboard or vinyl with or without "dripping" will give you the look without the hassle. If it's being hung high, no one will see the difference! We carry plastic sleeves as well, but we don't usually recommend using them; they gather dust, are flimsy and are hard to cut. They are more economical, and on a high fixture, they won't be noticeable.

 

Chandelier Cord Covers 

We offer rewiring to give your hanging fixture a nice silk cord. If you don't want to do that, you can always use a cord cover to add a decorative flair to your fixture. In more modern pendants, the cord is alone without the chain! It can be metallic, black or white.

Chain & Canopy 

Canopies are decorative and functional. They help hold the fixture up, while covering the electrical box. There are many different types of canopies. Most canopies also need a screw collar, crossbar, and other components.

The chain is also decorative and functional. Use caution if your fixture is heavy, a lot of decorative brass chains can't support the weight! When in doubt, use a steel wire to give additional support.      

Cast Brass Chain

Thank you for joining me on our hanging fixture journey! Be sure to visit our Ceiling and Wall Lighting & Accessories for Chandeliers and Sconces selection of our website.