Domestically Inclined: New Jersey Home Decor

Instant Mantel: Home Depot, Various Locations

2006-11-15T19:54:00.000-08:00

Just in time for the holidays, The Home Depot is marking down some of their more expensive mantels. I call them "instant" mantels, because you don't need to have a real fireplace in order to install them. The mantels can usually be installed in less than an afternoon, and are a quick way to create a focal point in the room.

The mantel at left is 50% off the normal retail price (was $1,400). It's constructed from solid wood and designed in a more traditional style. Would look equally well in a traditional or new home.

If the retail price is still not in your budget, look for a cheaper fiberglass model. When painted, you usually can't tell the difference between fiberglass and real wood mantels.

So what goes inside? You can go with an electric fireplace insert, a gel fuel product, or you can simply use candles. Mix differing sizes of monochromatic pillar candles in different sized holders in order to fill the space.

See homedepot.com for locations.

Photo from homedepot.com

Black Is Always In Fashion: Various

2006-11-02T17:21:00.000-08:00

So what does the tiny kitten have to do with the chandelier?

Well...not much. Trixie, my 2 year old cat (she's mysteriously maintained strangely kitten-like proportions) has black fur, and this chandelier by Schonbek just happens to be festooned with black crystals. Both make an immediate impact on your decor with their tremendous personalities.

But unlike a chandelier, Trixie does not require lightbulbs.

Anyway. I encourage you to consider acquiring a "statement" chandelier, since it will always make you appear as if you have fabulously eclectic tastes. People, I think, will never fully embrace non-traditional chandeliers. And if you're going to buy one, you might as well make the splashiest impact possible.

The Hamilton chandelier by Schonbek is part of the brand's "Back in Black" collection, and is available in a variety of places: Billows Electric Supply (Berlin, Burlington); Capitol Lighting (Eatontown, East Hanover, Greenbrook, Lawrenceville, Paramus); Lighting Expo (Freehold); Ferguson Enterprises (Lakewood); Paramus Lighting (Paramus); Union Lighting (you guessed it, Union).

And as for Trixie...well, I found her in a box in a parking lot.

Hamilton chandelier photo from Schonbek.com

Damask Wallpaper: Direct from Cranbury

2006-11-01T16:03:00.000-08:00

Damask is experiencing a revival--must be part of the absurdist Victoriana/Gothic trend that is going on (which is a welcome change from minimalist Zen, if you ask me). At left is a textured vinyl Damask wallpaper--don't curl your nose at the thought of vinyl, it's very durable and easy to install--in a fantastic shade of purple, by Graham & Brown. Though the company lists this product under the category of "Statement Wall," this would work fantastically in a jewelbox of a living room.

I've recently found out that Graham & Brown actually has a base in Cranbury, so ordering won't be a massive headache (the company started in the UK).

Photo from Graham and Brown

Wine/Sock Storage: Flemington

2006-10-23T19:46:00.000-07:00

I've decided that if your household is keeping wine in a wine cellar, then you are simply not having enough parties. What is the fun in storing wine, hermit-like, for an unforeseen occasion? What if that unforeseen occasion never happens?

It's for that very reason that I recommend using this attractive, durable and economically priced wine cozy (wine caddie? wine depository?) by Howard Miller as...a sock storage bureau. A place to store your mail. A place to hide your teddy bear when company arrives. A bunny hutch. Tea cup protector. Bath salt curio. Your own private votive candle stash. You get the idea. The wine cabinet system is available at the Flemington Department Store (151 Route 31, Flemington), if you are so inclined.

Photo from Flemington Department Store

Botanical Bark Vase- North Bergan

2006-10-10T11:44:00.000-07:00

Fall foilage is beautiful, but temporary in the Garden State. At least in my area. As soon as the leaves change colors, they immediately and unceremoniously drop from their respective trees.

If you can't enjoy the natural beauty outdoors, you might as well try to bring it indoors. The aluminum Botanical Bark Vase, left, from Michael Aram (2102 83rd St., North Bergan) resembles a log of birch, without all of that messy peeling nonsense. The vases are beautiful enough to display on their own, but you can try filling them with an architectural grouping of branches.

Photo from michaelaram.com

Flapper-esque Curtains: Semplice, Montclair

2006-10-01T22:09:00.000-07:00

I think we could all benefit from a little fringe in our lives, don't you agree? Adding an unusual material adds movement and texture to a room, qualities we often forget when decorating.

Fringe will add movement and texture, along with a little whimsy. These curtains, available through Semplice (465 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair) can be used as a wall hanging, room divider or curtain, and are a wonderful shade of turquoise. I'd personally layer them over an existing curtain panel, or underneath drapes, acting as a blind/shade.

Photo from domino

Tortoiseshell Goblets: Nordstrom, Various Locations

2006-09-19T20:09:00.000-07:00

The Fall tortoiseshell trend is picking up, now seen (aren't you glad that I didn't say "spotted") at Nordstrom ( Menlo Park Mall, Edison; Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold; The Mall at Short Hills, Short Hills; Garden State Plaza, Paramus). While I have my reservations about colored wine glasses--they have a way of making wine look unattractive--I do like the idea of tortoiseshell glassware.

Think of how lovely these would look on a fall table...the clear stems providing a visual rest between a warm-toned tablecloth and the bowl of the glass; the gold tones of tortoiseshell picking up the warmth of a gold-rimmed china place setting. With a table like that, who cares if your wine looks off.

Photo from Nordstrom.com

Paper Dolls For Grown-Ups: Pinnacle Galleries, Belmar

2006-09-15T21:34:00.000-07:00

I will confess: I hesitated to post this collection of 19th Century paper dolls from Pinnacle Galleries in Belmar (912 Belmar Plaza, 2nd Floor), for fear of being labeled batty, fussy and all the other adjectives used to describe people who use dolls as decorative statements.

But as I thought about it, the more I liked the idea of displaying these hand-cut relics. It's a lot like the current toile resurgance: a reminder of the olden days, but interpreted in a modern way.

Here, it's all about the display. The black velvet backing transforms the dolls in to a graphic statement, enhanced by the repetition of the dress forms. The frame is fancy enough to evoke the period, but not too overwrought as to detract.

I'd like to see this juxtaposed with genuine mid-20th century furnishings or alongside re-interpreted classic period furniture. Whatever you do, don't put this with toile, or in a very cluttered, antique-filled room--there won't be enough contrast to make this look sophisticated.

(photo from pinnaclegalleries.com)

Polka Dotted Teacups: Urban Details, Spring Lake

2006-09-12T12:25:00.000-07:00

September is the perfect month for taking trips over to the beach. The garish crowds have thinned out, the water is still warm and you probably won't have to pay a beach fee to be there.

Personally, I've always liked the beach towns in Monmouth County. While the South Jersey beaches are picturesque, they feel a bit too remote for my tastes. I'd go as far as to say that my comfort levels are inversely proportioned to the percentage of pine trees I'm around.

Anyway, I found some lovely spotted teacups at Urban Details (1111 Third Avenue, Spring Lake). The teacups, part of the Mona collection by Milani, add a bit of Dorothy Draper-esque whimsy to a table setting. I certainly believe that we should all incorporate a tiny bit of polka dots in our lives. Why not on a tea cup set?

While you're in Spring Lake, pay a visit to the Bottle Shop (1400 Third Avenue), one of the best wine merchants in New Jersey. Whether or not you start taking to serving champagne in tea cups is entirely up to you.

(photo from milanihome.com)

Stop Burning Your Cupcakes: Domain, Multiple Locations

2006-09-05T14:00:00.000-07:00

I'm a pretty bad cook--but I'd like to think it's because I have to use an electric stove that was manufactured sometime during the Carter administration, instead of a blinding lack of culinary talent on my part.

So it's with very high hopes that I'm recommending the very-pricey but oh-so-adorable Aga cooker from Domain (Bridgewater, Freehold, Marlton, Paramus, Princeton, Short Hills, Woodbridge). At roughly $9,000, the enthusiastic site assures us that the Aga will make cooking effortless, energy efficient and nearly guaranteeing delicious results.

The Aga, a mainstay in Europe, comes in about a dozen colors (including electric blue, above). If it doesn't improve your cooking, at least take comfort in the fact that an Aga will usually increase the value of your kitchen, should you ever decide to move.

(Photo from domain-home.com)

Historic Wallpapers: Newark

2006-08-31T20:59:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what happened, but suddenly, toile feels right. The mustiness that used to be associated with the 18th century allover print has completely disappeared. Perhaps its because toile has a bit of a graphic quality to it, boldly contrasts with most furniture types and makes up for a lack of architecture or art (see mosaics, below).

Thibaut, located in Newark (480 Frelinghuysen Avenue), specializes in life-friendly reproductions of historic prints. The toile pictured at left is available in a variety of colors, with similar prints in varying scales. Other favorites: the Laguna and Spring Lake collections.

Photo from Thibaut.com

The Amazing Expandable Table; The Studio, Frenchtown

2006-08-29T19:33:00.000-07:00

Though people flock to the suburbs for more square footage, more often than not, homes lack decent workspace. You could torture yourself endlessly, wondering whether to relegate Junior to the den so you can finally have a place to pay the bills.

Or you could buy a dining room table that can do double-duty as a desk, through folding panels. The trestle table (left) by Morgan Hill is available through The Studio in Frenchtown (12 Bridge St.). Made of solid walnut, the table can also be used as a sideboard. And even better, The Studio offers the table (and other pieces) at a nice discount.

Contempory Mosaic Designs, Short Hills

2006-08-25T15:20:00.000-07:00

Some say that you don't really know someone's real personality until you get in to a fight with them, or you're in some sort of emergency situation.

I also like to think that people's true colors come out when they buy art.An art purchase, quite often, exposes one's jarring lack of taste. One bad purchase and suddenly you don't have any friends. You certainly don't want your name to come up in conversation and have someone say, "Oh him. I thought he was a nice person until he bought that Thomas Kinkade. I thought I knew him."

Those are the exact terms that people use to describe their neighbors who end up being serial killers: "Oh I always thought he was a quite, polite person. I had no idea he was really an axe murder."

So what does this have to do with these fantastic mosaics ( left), part of the Erin Adams line by Ann Sacks? Well, if you notice, these tiles form their own art. If, deep down inside, you know that you would only sully your reputation with questionable artwork or trite posters, a wall of tiles can save you.

The mosaic tiles would work well on just one wall in a living room (acting as a focal point), but also through an entryway (on the walls, or on the floor), a bathroom or kitchen floor. It'll be more money up front, but the look offers timeless interest.

The Ann Sacks line is available through Short Hills Marble and Tile (658 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills).

Upholstered Bed at ETC Company, Princeton

2006-08-22T20:05:00.000-07:00

So I've been looking all over this state for an interesting bed set- meaning headboard/footboard combo. You'd think this would be a relatively easy task, since we spend over a quarter of our days (if we're lucky) in bed, therefore the furniture item is just as important as the couch in our living room.*

*Unless your couch IS your bed. That's sad. Hopefully it's a temporary situation.

Anyway, I found a very great selection of beds at ETC Company in Princeton (25 Palmer Square East), particularly the Mirabelle Leather Bed, pictured at left. I especially like this piece, since it adds an antique accent to a room that normally doesn't include antique furnishings. Made of maple and cherry woods, the leather upholstery really establishes the bed as an important piece of furniture. Keep it simple with plain bed linens.

The Shoppe on Main Street, Moorestown

2006-08-17T23:12:00.000-07:00

Despite being named "One of the Best Places to Live" by a major money magazine, Moorestown N.J. tends to be known better for its outlying chain store shopping centers, or really, being a barren town by 9 p.m. But I found an outstanding locally owned home decor store that deserves a mention.

The Shoppe on Main Street (8 East Main Street, Moorestown), has a wide selection of antiques at reasonable or at-market prices. The inventory could use some editing (as does the ad-heavy site), but the chair selection is definitely worth a look. My favorite was the Mahogany Estrella Side Chair (left). The seat is upholstered in what appears to be a neutral brocade, but this can be changed easily. A periwinkle linen would update this classic in to the modern era.

Work in Progress...

2006-05-27T13:17:00.000-07:00

Coming very soon, a guide to New Jersey's best home decorating sources.