December is upon us!

The holiday season is here ... and many of you may be thinking about those family get-togethers and tables and chairs and seating - Oh My!

well, Mignonne is here to help ... we have affordable, flexible solutions that will work for you. Whether you want to purchase one of our pieces (this is just a peek at our chair stock!!!), bring in one of your own for customizing or have us search and rescue something for you ... we can make it happen~

Time is running short however so call us soon to make your holiday décor wish list come true!

(stay tuned here to find out about our upcoming custom chair partnership with Gina Perincini ... unique, high quality custom designed fabrics paired with our beautifully hand-restored dining chairs. Sets of 4 chairs with gorgeous color combinations and 3 one-of-a-kind fabrics to choose from. New from Mignonne Décor!)

Occasional Furniture From Kravet: 23 Finishes!

Kravet has brought us more beautiful furniture that can easily fit into any setting in any home! This line of occasionals has superb finishes in 23 different colors that includes 16 paints and 7 stains. These finishes can also be mixed on any piece such as shown on the chest above. Different styles of hardware are also available in silver and brass making it easy to find that perfect mix you will love. The chest above is the Petite Bombe shown in Barcelona/Spa Blue with Barcelona top. For more information on their beautiful furniture, contact your designer or go to the Kravet website and see what else is available in this line!
The Grande Bombe chest! A large chest for a foyer, dining room or living room. Shown in Shanghai Red and Ebony. Item OT404.
This Petite Bombe chest matches the Grande Bombe. A great end table size shown in Walnut, Sweet Pea and Stone with Buckskin top. Item OT403.

A more modern version of one of our favorite tables, the gateleg! This table is octagon shaped and is shown in Nutmeg and Charcoal. Item OT410.
The starburst scalloped cocktail tables above are also available in end tables and lamp tables. Shown in Fruitwood and Milk. Item OT409.
The center table in Maize, OT415 is an end table with a mirrored surface. The other two, OT413, are to be bunched as cocktail tables, shown in Spring Green and Spa Blue. We love the mirrored surface along with all the colors available!!
The Serpentine Chest, one of my favorites! This chest OT401 is shown in three finishes above: Barcelona, French Blue and Meadow. Different hardware also available.

This four drawer cocktail table is perfect for a room that needs a table with storage. The above OT412 styles are shown in Coffee-Pewter, Storm Gray-Antique Bronze & Nutmeg-Antique Brass. As you can see, each table also has choices of different hardware.
Other pieces from this group include more chairs, cocktail tables, end tables, consoles and lamp tables.

Another Great Fabric & Paint Grouping - Sherwin Williams & Robert Allen Fabrics!

Robert Allen Fabrics has paired with Sherwin Williams to bring you wonderful fabric collections and great paint colors that will enhance your room. We will bring you one of these collections from time to time and show the many different choices available. Below is the Hydrangea Collection featuring the Cool Contemporary Group. Our main fabric, Country Cabin, is shown below and then is followed by several optional fabric choices. A specific paint palette has been chosen to enhance this group. How easy is that!! All fabrics and trim can be purchased through your designer or The Designer Insider, just contact us.

Robert Allen Fabric: Country Cabin in Hydrangea.

Robert Allen Fabrics: (1) Angiolini in Hydrangea; (2) Church Window in Hydrangea.

Robert Allen Fabrics: (1) Jump rope in Kelp; (2) Ebel in Hydrangea.
Robert Allen Trim: Classic Bead FG in Seaspray.

Sherwin Williams colors from top: Melange Green, Sunrise, Leisure Blue & Pacer White. Visit your local paint store to see the above colors and their true tones.

All of the above fabrics can be purchased from The Designer Insider, just contact us. TheSource@numail.org.

Eclectic Interiors - Beacon Hill Fabrics Teams With Christie's Auction

Beacon Hill Fabrics has teamed with the famous Christie's Auction House to bring four vignettes to the public that combines both traditional and contemporary objects. The objects and fabrics in this display can be seen in an exhibition at the D&D Building in New York City through December 7th. Then they will be moved to Christie's at Rockefeller Center where they can be previewed December 12th -17th. The objects will then be sold at auction December 16th and 17th. The fabrics from Beacon Hill are part of the Luxury Naturals collection that will debut in January 2010. They are combined with wonderful Christie sale objects to create spaces that will inspire through luxury, quality and substance. Below we highlight the beautiful fabrics in this collection and give you a preview of this fabulous auction. Visit Christie's website for more information and how to place online bids.


Vignette One:

Framed Fabric: Thale Cress in Light Taupe. This heavy silk/linen blended fabric began as a painted watercolor and was transformed by an Italian mill that has been family owned since the 18th century.

Bench Fabric: Rock Leopard in Snow Leopard. A cotton and linen velvet based on a French document. Woven in Pennsylvania on /french looms with an old world style weaving.

Bench: 20th century Giltwood Curule-Form Window Bench. A $1500 - $2000 expected bid.

Four Light Girandoles: One of a pair from 20th century. A $2000 - $3000 expected bid.

Vignette Two:

Framed Fabric: Water Meadow in Linen. A moire design in a silk/linen blend. A more abstract form of pattern inspired by a French motif and designed in an American studio.

Lounge Chair: One of a pair of chromed steel, pony skin and leather chairs designed in 1928. A $600 - $800 expected bid.

Goddess: A sandstone torso of a Goddess from India in the 12th century. A $1000 - $1500 expected bid.

Vignette Three:

Framed Fabric: Canyon Rivers in Patina Rust. Inspired by a paper collage in silk and linen and woven in India.

Chest: A Chinese red and gilt decorated chest. Expected bid of $800 - $1200.



Vignette Four:

Framed Fabric: Craquelure in Ming Green. A silk and linen matelasse with a washed finish. Designed in America and woven in China.

Vase: A pair of polychrome paint-decorated metal vases, 41" high from 20th century. Expected bid of $3000 - $5000 for pair.

All photos courtesy of Beacon Hill Fabrics and Christie's Auction House. Fabrics will not be available until 2010 and then may be purchased through The Designer Insider.

Wooden Toys Made in America

Looking for an alternative to electronic toys this holiday season?

Our American Toy collection includes a variety of wooden toys, made in the USA. They are a refreshing throwback to simplicity, battery-free and safe. In an age full of electronic gadgets that leave little to the imagination, these toys inspire creativity. They are built to last - sure to be keepsakes for years to come.

David Stehly - Carved Walking Sticks and Canes

David Stehly is a wood artist that specializes in walking sticks and canes. His work is outstanding. You can visit his website at: http://www.artsticks.com/ . I had heard of David and seen his work on the internet and in publications at various times. What I didn’t know is that he is practically a neighbor. His home and studio are about 5 miles from where I live. Small world.

I had a chance to visit David’s workshop as part of a local artisans’ “open studio” tour last weekend. He is noted for carving very realistic snakes that are twined around the walking stick. He starts out with a relatively large diameter log and carves it down to the normal walking stick diameter with the snake around it…a lot of work, but the result is certainly unique. His snakes and other creatures are very realistic with sharp details and life-like coloring.

His studio has a blue décor. Blue as in blue ribbons. David has won many first prizes in wood carving competitions. I went to his studio to be inspired. Instead I was humbled by his artistry and mastery of the wood. I've carved a few canes and walking sticks, but mine look like junior high school wood shop projects compared to David's. Nice work David!

Have you ever tried your hand at carving a walking stick?

Choosing A Chandelier: French Country, Rustic or Elegant

There are many different styles of chandeliers and light fixtures available to the consumer, more than ever before. First you need to decide on your style, then size, then color. Try and keep all the lights within the area the same finish for a more cohesive look. For example: If you choose a main light in bronze, then your sconces in that same area should be bronze too. Below are some of our most popular fixtures categorized in three different styles: French Country, Rustic & Elegant. Look for more styles coming soon in our next article. All of these fixtures can be purchased at our site, The Designer Insider. Just search under the item number.

French Country Chandeliers below: Top to Bottom - C09334, C09603, C09683 & C09794.



Rustic & Lodge Chandeliers below: Top to Bottom - C09006, C09327, C09793 & C09799.



Elegant Chandeliers below: Top to Bottom - C09008, C09357, C09643 & C09882.

Pairing Paint With Fabric: Sherwin Williams & Robert Allen Fabrics

Robert Allen Fabrics has paired with Sherwin Williams to bring you wonderful fabric collections and great paint colors that will enhance your room. We will bring you one of these collections from time to time and show the many different choices available. Below is the Terrain Collection featuring the Ethnic Influence Group. Our main fabric, Crowning Top, is shown below and then is followed by several optional fabric choices. A specific paint palette has been chosen to enhance this group. How easy is that!! All fabrics and trim can be purchased through your designer or The Designer Insider, just contact us.

Robert Allen Fabric: Crowning Top in Terrain.
Robert Allen Fabric: (1) Pankow in Leek; (2) Crown Point in Leaf; (3) Droz in Chocolate.
Robert Allen Fabrics: (1) Toad in Khaki; (2) Shimmer Gold in Twine; (3) Musical Chart in Terrain.

Above: Robert Allen's Classic Bead Fringe in Teak.

Sherwin Williams colors from top: Rugged Brown, Verdant, Khaki Shade & Smokey Topaz. Visit your local paint store to see the above colors and their true tones.

All of the above fabrics can be purchased from The Designer Insider, just contact us. TheSource@numail.org.

Plaid Friday!

Mignonne Décor is participating in the bay area's "Plaid Friday" on Friday, November 27, 2009.

The day after Thanksgiving traditionally kicks off the holiday shopping season and is known to be one of the most popular shopping days of the year. It isn't an 'official' holiday, but because it always follows Thanksgiving Thursday, many people take this Friday off. Because lots of stores hold promotions on this day as well, the combination means lots of folks out and about.

The term associated with this day is "Black Friday" and it has negative connotations associated with the headaches it can give in terms of overcrowding, traffic, etc

In recent years, there has been a growing movement towards supporting local, independent businesses in the community versus large, national (or multinational) corporations. Particularly in the SF and East Bay Area communities, local consumers celebrate and appreciate their local business owners and seek ways to provide their support.

Two local businesses, Blankspace Gallery and the Compound Gallery, have founded an alternative to Black Friday and coined "Plaid Friday" as another means for shoppers to support their local East Bay businesses and help them thrive, particularly in our recent more difficult economy.

Mignonne Décor is joining in the fun and will be offering a 20% discount on everything in our shop (except original artwork) on Plaid Friday. In addition, we will have some edible treats to share when you stop by to visit us!

To learn more about Plaid Friday 2009, including who else is participating ... JUST CLICK HERE.

Choosing A Chandelier: Traditional, Renaissance & Transitional Styles

There are many different styles of chandeliers and light fixtures available to the consumer, more than ever before. First you need to decide on your style, then size, then color. Try and keep all the lights within the area the same finish for a more cohesive look. For example: If you choose a main light in bronze, then your sconces in that same area should be bronze too. Below are some of our most popular fixtures categorized in three different styles: Traditional, Renaissance & Transitional. Look for more styles coming soon in our next article. All of these fixtures can be purchased at our site, The Designer Insider. Just search under the item number.

Traditional Styles: Top to Bottom - C09370, C09421, C09642 & C09880.



Renaissance Styles: Top to Bottom - C09216, C09405, C09474 & C09528.



Transitional Styles: Top to Bottom - C09224, C09467, C09498 & C09628.