Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Black and Light Candles.

As a design blogger, I actually do receive a lot of emails requesting that I review people's products etc. Most of the time I have to ignore them because why would I be interested in commercial paper products? I was very intrigued though when I got an email from this sweet company, Black and Light Co. They make the most gorgeous and fun beeswax candles I've ever seen! These would make such great housewarming gifts...hmm.

One of the things that I was most impressed by was the packing and presentation. Presentation is often the element that makes you fall in love with something to begin with. Not that looks are everything, but we're designers--we like things to look nice!

They included two matchbooks amid the amazingness!

I chose to order two candles because I just couldn't decide. This is the box that it was housed in.

The large one was black bees and inside this gorgeous box there was a sweet quote that warmed by heart almost as much as the candle did.

Oh Anne Frank. You are so wise.

I put the candles in my small foyer on the chest because I like to have a soft welcoming glow in there. They were just so simple and pretty and they didn't have a weird smell that I'd have to get used to or anything! I love bees (only in pictures though not in real life because I hate to get stung) so I chose the bees but they also have polka dots, floral patterns, and many others.



Besides the pretty packaging and the stellar product itself, their customer service was something we should all strive towards. They were patient with my questions, as I had many and were eager to know what I really thought! The follow up was great. Thanks so much Black and Light--talk to you soon for my next order. Probably the polka dots.


Alicia B.

Autumn catalog frontpage


This is the Isak catalog! Hopefully going to print today.

Saint-Germain

While in Paris (I can't believe we leave tomorrow!) Heather and I will be staying in the charming Saint-Germain neighborhood. This apartment in Saint Germain, by Yves Gastou, mixes the best of both worlds: an 18th century townhouse with the most glamourous 1940s&50s furniture.
apartment featured in the book 'Insider's Paris, an intimate tour'

Hell's Kitchen Flea Market Adventure

Yesterday you saw a part of my trip to the Antiques Garage, but the other leg of this excursion was to the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market. This was equally as fun and we got some goodies here, too! Too bad it was raining because there would have been much more. I bought the green/brown bottle above and the vendor said it was from the 1800's! Depending on how the light hits it, it can be deep olive or a dark green.

Clearly a company with a sense of humor. Appropriate as we started out the day with Mimosas...

These oversized wrenches were very interesting. I can see these in some sort of antique tool collection or group of 3 or 5.

This graceful glass jug had "Italia" written on it. I had no choice but to fall in love.

They had so many fabulous suit cases. I wish I had room for them. A stack of them would make a really fun side table.


Antique filing cabinets. Sand these down and repaint them and you're in business!

Truly appropriate for my friend. She is a star client of mine now!

Amazing crockery.

How pretty is this collection of glass jars? I just love all the different shades of blues and greens.


I'm so glad you all enjoyed our trip to the Antiques Garage yesterday and I hope you enjoy this just as much. I think we'll take another trip to the Flea market in a few weeks when the weather is more favorable. We still have a bit more work to do on my friend's apartment--I can't wait to show you how it's coming together!


Alicia B.


House Plans_ Good Design Illustrated 1

Last week we announced we are now selling house plans designed by Larson Brenner in Stillwater, Minnesota. We think that these designs are special in the way they cleverly pack function and convenience within a fairly modest floor plan. In order to convey that idea I am today beginning a series of postings on planning features. The idea is to illustrate good design principals by highlighting features on the plans. So this will be the first in the series.

The floor plan shown below is the Prescott Cottage, designed by Larson Brenner Architects. My comments are shown right on the plan. You can get a little better look by going to the Simply Elegant Monthly Newsletter.

New wallpaper

The new Penguin wallpaper is on its way! Apple green and Silver, all in time for the september trade show.