Site Spotlight: Decorator Tag Sale

Ever wonder what designers do with the stuff that clients just can’t stomach? Or extra fabric? Or what if  the designer just ordered wrong? (Hey, it happens.) Decorator Tag Sale lets designers put the goods up for sale, at a discount of course, rather than let it sit taking up space in their showroom or some warehouse.

A search of the site turned up pretty decent pieces from some of my favorite designers, including Amanda Nisbet, Sara Gilbane, and Tori Golub. Other participating designers include John Loecke, Foley & Cox, Timothy Whealon, and Philip Gorrivan. Take a look at my finds:

Chartreuse tufted chair with navy blue trim and gray stained legs, originally $1,800, now $1,000 from Amanda Nisbet.

French birdcage in original pale green paint with zinc tray, originally $1,750, now $1,400 from Tori Golub.

Fontana Arte crystal chandelier with clear and smoked glass, circa 1960, originally $8,750, now $7,000.

Double brass lamp with perforated cone shades, originally $1,188, now $950 from Tori Golub.

Pair of French leather armchairs with dark palissandre frames, originally $875, now $700 from Tori Golub.

1970’s painted metal hanging light, probably from Northern Europe, originally $500, now   $300.

Custom laminated black and white acrylic side table with black pull out tray, originally $1,800, now $950 from Christopher Coleman.

Porcelain double gourd vase by Two’s Company in imperial yellow, originally $63, now $44 from Sara Gilbane.

Orange and pink striped cushions, originally $125, now $90 from Amanda Nisbet.

Nautilus pillow in blue and brown cut velvet on linen, originally $200, now $100 from Amanda Nisbet.

Real tree trunk side table, originally $950, now $675 from Sandra Oster.

One yard of embroidered Osborne and Little “Bahia” fabric from Liberty’s “Pampas” collection, originally $167, now $143 from Sara Gilbane.

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Designer Spotlight: Karen Combs of NAMA ROCOCO

Karen Combs of NAMA ROCOCO

I first came across Karen Combs wallpaper line NAMA ROCOCO in an article about a West Newton house in Boston Home, for which Lindsay Bentis of Thread Art & Design did the interior design. Lindsay framed individual sheets of NAMA ROCOCO French Dot and hung them in the stairwell. I tore out the page and kept it in my files.

West Newton house, design by Lindsay Bentis, Boston Home.

An installation from the NAMA ROCOCO website.

And a detail.

Ok, so I’m obssessed.

I re-discovered the line while researching eco-friendly wall coverings for “Raw Materials” for the recent “green” issue of the Boston Globe Magazine.

Combs uses French acid-free papers and hand-mixed artist’s pigments. The painting is done by hand and printed by hand, using silkscreens and other reproduction techniques inspired by artisan practices of 18th century Europe and Japan. In fact, it was a Chinese scroll painting at the Met that spurred the creation of a wallpaper line.

The NAMA ROCOCO studio in North Adams, Massachussetts.

Karen describes the NAMA ROCOCO aesthetic as “a mix of mod bohemian, rock, and soul, with 18th century European and Asian art influences.”

She goes onto say, “I like to mix bold pattern and high style with simple plain organic shapes and geometrics. I like for spaces and objects (and my wallpaper) to feel luxurious but surprising, relaxed, but engaging enough to draw you in.”

Here’s a sampling of NAMA ROCOCO designs:

Serious Bokay in Black & White  |  Chateau 66 in Kraft  |  Sixty-Eight in Mellow Orange

Serious Bokay in Orange  |  Little Butterfly Loop in Chinese Red

Random Geometry in Graphite  |  Serious Bokay in Emerald

Tokyo & Vine in Cerise in Karen’s own house.

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For more on Karen Combs and NAMA ROCOCO read “Shopping with… Nama Rococo” on The Inside Source.

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ARTmonday: Joyful Studio

Portraits from a young artist living in Portland that I found on Etsy. She doesn’t give her name, but goes by Joyful Studio.

Tony                                                        1940’s hair, 2010 attitude

Girl no. 3                                            Girl with sadness in her eyes

Guy in glasses I

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Covet: Lauren Wolf Jewelry

Lauren Wolf Jewelry


One of a Kind Rutilated African Quartz in 14k Green Gold Stingray Claws, $1,200

Blackened Silver Palm Frond Earrings with 14k Green Gold Stingray Middle, $985

14k Green Gold Spike Needle Earrings, $1,370

One of a Kind Fossilized Sand Dollar in Silver Stingray Claw Setting on 18″ Chain, $550

Blackened Silver Fangs on Yellow Gold Chain

Silver Starfish Radial Bangle. $150 each; 14k Green Gold Starfish Radial Bangle. $2,700 each

One of a Kind 14k Green Gold Stingray Claw Ring with White Dendritic African Opal, $1,250

Blackened Silver Diamond Anaconda Bone Earrings, $340

14k Green Gold Stingray Baby Spike Bracelet with Diamonds, $5,980

Blackened Silver Webb Pendant w/14k Green Gold Stingray Disc & clasp on steel chain, $520

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DEAL ALERT

$100 off any online purchase over $250. Use code “july2010” at checkout.

Offer valid through the weekend, expiring on the evening of Aug 1st at midnight.

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