Thursday, December 22, 2011

Great New Product!

Several months ago we began carrying a new product called NuMe. It's a natural soap made in Woodstock, a small town near our store. Their website, www.numenaturalsoap.com, explains the origins of this amazing company.  




Also on the website, the soap-making process is explained. They use "pure plant and vegetable-based oils, which have been carefully chosen to create soap with excellent lathering, moisturizing, and cleansing abilities." Natural essential oils "from flowers and plants produce their amazing fragrances" and shea butter with its "moisturizing and skin healing abilities" are infused into each bar. To help the skin "attract and retain its own natural moisture", "a cold process soap-making method is used that retains the natural glycerins."


Because of its overwhelming popularity, we have reordered several times. Could it be because we place the display on the counters where the scents seduce our customers, or because they look so gorgeous? Then again, it could be because they are priced just right...$7.95 a bar.  


Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Accessorizing Your Table Settings

In her book, Accessorize Your Home, Caroline Clifton-Mogg writes, "A well-set table is the ultimate detail. It says far more than an arrangement of china and glass; it is an invitation to enjoy yourself, to relax and have fun. That is why, no matter what the occasion, every table should be set with care."  She goes on to say, "...the idea of a well-laid table is to make your guests feel welcome. This you do by making an effort to decorate the table in an attractive way, choosing interesting china and glass and adding flowers, candles and other ornamental pleasures."

In the image below, our merchandisers have designed the table with a brown color scheme. They used an inexpensive piece of burlap for the center of the table with wicker vases and bottles to compliment the design. Notice that the dinner plates are stacked on wicker chargers and the chargers are placed quilted mats. 


The copper candle holder placed on the dinner napkin could be used as a place card or a gift for each guest. 

A luncheon plate is placed on a flat bird's nest to give a spring-like design. Again a charger is placed on a placemat. 

A "touch of fall" was integrated into the bottom design. Our merchandisers used a green and white combination using pottery pitchers as vases holding evergreen sprigs.  




Use your imagination and creativity. Pull out those plates that you no longer use and mix them into new settings. Add flowers, candles, fruit or even architectural pieces into your design and have fun!

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Accessorizing With Frames

Hanging art on the wall, whether it's photography or paintings, requires a lot of thought and planning. It seems that more and more decorators are incorporating all sorts of art for hanging. The picture below even includes clocks and mirrors with the art. I have scanned pictures from several Pottery Barn catalogs to show several ways to design your arrangement. The example below is usually referred to as "salon" style, which began in the 1800's in Paris.  Mary McDonald, a decorator in Los Angeles, created a similar grouping on a client's wall and called it a collage. So, I guess it doesn't matter what it's called, as long as it planned and harmonious.

The picture below shows how pictures placed on adjoining walls gives the room a warm and inviting feeling. The arrangement echos the placement of the furniture and the color scheme. 

The next example shows pictures that are grouped on the wall above and below eye level. The frames are similar in width, but not every frame has a mat. 

The last example consists entirely of black and white photography. Again the frames are similar in width as well as the spacing between the pictures. This grouping took lots of planning involving a tape measure and most likely a sketch or two! 

It's important to remember to do a lot of planning before attempting this project. Consider the amount of space for the grouping, the furniture in the room, the color scheme, and the types of art. Trust your eye and hang what you like. Go ahead, try it!

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Bramble Shipment Arrives!

We love Bramble and so do our Casabella shoppers, so you can imagine our excitement when the new container arrived! Not only is Bramble very affordable, but they have made a "commitment to the environment by planting trees and monitoring their survival rate." Since 2005, they have planted over 300,000 trees. 

I have included images of a few of our popular pieces. Below is the Roosevelt Buffet Sideboard. As you can tell, it has plenty of storage. 

The Octavia Dining Chair is painted grey. We have it paired with a black table and it looks great! 

The Fairlane Armchair has a contemporary wicker look. 

The green Tucker Six Legged Round Side Table would be a welcome addition to any room. 
The Shutter Plasma TV Stand would give your family room a comfy, cottage feel. 

You could store lots of things in the Veranda Triple Storage Tower...crafts, towels, vegetables...you get the idea.
And finally, this white Aries Dresser would be just the thing for any bedroom. 

We have many, many more pieces in the store...from tables to trays to dressers. They all have that "weathered Bramble" look that is admired by many. 
Come in soon and make your selection.

ACCESSORIZE, ACCESSORIZE, ACCESSORIZE...with vases!

Vases provide a strong impact when used in various areas around your home. I have a large collection of McCoy vases that I have been acquiring for many years. In this post, I'll include several images of different ways that I have used them in my home. 

Space, balance, and color should be taken into account when displaying vases of different heights and styles. Below, I have pictured some of the McCoy vases from my collection. The mirror and the lamp provide a dramatic backdrop to showcase my vases. Using the stand helps to enhance the vignette by giving needed height.


A part of my collection is placed in a small bookcase located in a corner where I needed some color. Pictured below, I have included pictures and plates to add interest in that area. 
In another area I have displayed my cream McCoy that is paired with a brown ironstone plate. I prefer to keep my vignettes harmonious with their surroundings. The light wooden bookcase provides a wonderful backdrop for this cream colored vignette. 
Collections don't have to be complicated. Below, I have placed three vases of similar color on a shelf. This is an option I use when I don't want to hang a picture. This three dimensional option is appealing to the eye and and does a wonderful job "showing off" my collection. Notice how the curved lines in the vases and the plate are compatible with the curved lines on the shelf? 
I hope I have given you several ways to use vases in your decorating. We have many vases in the store that you could incorporate into your scheme. We would love to assist you and help you create your own vignette. 

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

ACCESSORIZE, ACCESSORIZE, ACCESSORIZE...with collections!

Accessories provide the finishing touches in our homes. By including mirrors, pictures, vases, plates, and flowers, you enhance your living areas, and at the same time bring your personality into your space. 


Many of us collect things...figurines, photography, pottery, plates, and vintage items that we love and we want to display, but not sure how to do it to get the best "bang for your buck." At Casabella, our designers visit homes throughout Atlanta to offer ideas and ways to include your accessories in a way to make your home more comfortable and inviting. 


Pictured below are examples using a collection of ironstone, some english and some american. We started with one platter and added three vases with willow balls for interest.


Then we added one more plate and a bowl.


Soon, more and more plates were added to the collection.





Plates can be displayed in any room in your home. One plate can be as appealing as two or three, depending on your taste. LIke the plate below, you can make a statement...


or just have fun...


with souvenirs of your travels.



Just remember, it's your space, your home. Show your personality and have fun. 
Go ahead, do it!

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Did You Know?

If you've been in our store during the last few years, then you know we carry OKAb shoes. What is not known to everyone is that OKAb's are made in America, actually in a town not far from our store. These shoes have consistently been a top seller and each spring we can't wait to see what new colors and styles will be offered. 


The shoes are both stylish and comfortable. They have great arch support and soothing massage beads that make your feet feel great! 


OKAb's are extremely durable and even machine washable! 


At Casabella we have lots of styles that we are sure you will love. So come in and try on a pair or two. You'll be glad you did. 

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Monochromatic and More!

Lots of areas in the store have been moved, and clothes are no exception. We designed a new way to display our clothes by creating vignettes based on color. Hats, jewelry, purses and shoes are also infused into each area. By including these extra items, it makes it easy for the customer to find matching items to compliment the outfits.

Below are images of each vignette. The first is gray and beige.


Black and White


Aqua and Brown


Multi-Color


We are constantly changing things around. Come in a see how you like the new arrangements...monochromatic or multi-color, they both look great! 

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Made In Roswell, Georgia!

At Casabella, we like to support our local artists. We carry works by jewelry artisans, potters, and photographers who live and work in our area. Vicki Hunt is a local photographer who we are proud to support. 

Vicki, a well known photographer in the Atlanta area, creates gift tags for us to offer to our customers to attach to their gifts. Pictured below are several examples of her tags. As you can see, she includes images in various categories for any gift you can think of!






On her website, www.vickihunt.com, Vicki writes, "Capturing the Rural South is my primary focus." She adds, "My latest ongoing project, Country Roads, explores lanes in the deep South through vine and moss-covered trees."


Her work is included in the permanent art collection at The Shepherd Center, as well as Dobbins Air Force Base and several metro Atlanta government buildings. 



Our customers love Vicki's tags and we know you will too! The next time you are shopping in Casabella, remember to purchase a gift tag for that special gift. Vicki thanks you and so do we! 

Monday, February 28, 2011

What A Mess!

This is usually what a new "room" looks like before the merchandisers get their hands on it. In this picture all of the flowers were moved from their previous area to this holding area that would soon become the "flower shop." 




After hours and hours, the "shop" is completed. 


We buy flowers in a large variety of colors and we take pride in buying only the best silk flowers. One of our merchandisers, Debbie, creates amazingly beautiful arrangements for our store and for our customers. When a custom arrangement is requested, Debbie always asks for a snapshot of the area where the arrangement is going to be placed. That way, she can add additional spots of color to make her creations "POP!"


As you can tell, we love flowers at Casabella. When you visit our store, you'll see flowers included in every vignette. When you visit, take a walk around the store to get ideas that you can use in your home. 


Hope to see you soon. 



Thursday, February 17, 2011

Where Are The Placemats?

The other day a customer holding two placemats, approached me and asked if we had more placemats. I replied that we had more in the "new" kitchen area. The perplexed look on her face told me that she had no idea that we had a "new" kitchen area. My guess is that she went to the "old" kitchen area and saw the flowers. She didn't know that the "new" kitchen area had been moved to the other side of the store. To make a long story short, she was in a hurry and didn't have time to peruse the "new" area where lots and lots of placemats are displayed...she said she would be back and when she does return, this is what she'll see. 




This used to be the flower area where hundreds of flowers were displayed and Debbie did her magic. The flowers have been moved, but that will be a story for another day.


This is the area after the flowers, containers and architectural pieces had been moved. It's a blank space just ready for the merchandisers to move in the displays and the beautiful merchandise.




We display most of the merchandise in this area according to color. Here is some of our dinnerware in shades of gold.


And here is the dinnerware in shades of green.


Cookbooks are also displayed together making it easier for our customers to select just the right one! 




Now that you know where the "new" kitchen area is, come and visit. Hopefully, you'll find something to take home to use in your kitchen.