WilsonArt's Gift to You!!!....

Happy Holidays from WilsonArt!!!

Perla Piazza shown above

WilsonArt wants to give one of my readers a new WilsonArt HD countertops!  Yes, that's right, one of America's leading brands of countertops has graciously offered to give one of my readers not only new countertops but also an integrated sink for for your kitchen! 

Refer to my original post for details on how to enter to win!  

WilsonArt sent me samples and boy is it great looking!  The Aeon Performance enhanced technology provides more 3- 5 times more durability than laminates without this technology.  Aeon isn't a layer that is applied to the top of the laminate, but is actually a new way of making laminate which makes it harder than other laminate on the market today. WilsonArt HD comes in so many different surface options.  Make sure you check out their website for all the options and enter to win by following the directions on my blog here. 

 If you haven't voted for Lisa Mende Design on

 Modenus Top 100 Interior Design Blogs…. 

 I would love it if you did !!! I have slipped in the rankings!

Click on the link below then scroll down 

to find my name and click on 

the green thumbs up to the right of my name

til the number increases by one 

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Thanks so much for your support! 

Great Gift Ideas & A Giveaway!!!

Time to kick it into gear and tackle that Christmas List! I have compiled several Christmas gift lists that I will be sharing with you.  Today's list is compiled of items that can be shipped to our out of towners.  Get those items ordered now, so you aren't disappointed when you are told they won't make it by the 24th!  Trust me, ordering online now beats standing in line at the post office during the holiday  rush any day of the week! Here are some great ideas I happened upon that I think are unique!  I can't imagine anyone returning these gifts!

 Belllocq  Tea is a new fav of mine. I had a hard time choosing just one product to spotlight but "The Little Dickens" tea really caught my eye.  It is a chocolate kissed children's blend which calm jitters, settle tummies and soothe boo boo's.   (I think big kids would like this too! ) I love the incredible  travel tins, which can be used over and over! Check out the other flavors and way they package. I promise if you only order the tea strainer  for $12, you will make someone feel special!  For the ultimate tea lover give a year of teas for $229 and a new tea will be delivered to the recipient monthly. (Can someone send this to me please?)

Credit: Brian Samuels Photography

A beautiful tray is aways a favorite gift! Great for entertaining and setting up the bar. Here is a handsome one from Williams Sonoma with horn handles.

Williams Sonoma $64.

I'm digging these Olive wood paddle boards from 
West Elm!  Available in assorted sizes, these trays are
 the perfect hostess gift!  If you want a more elaborate
 gift, adda loaf of fresh bread, a Dean & Deluca cheddar, handsome cheese knife, add ribbon, a sprig of pine and you have a gift that is beautiful, functional and yummy to boot!

West Elm $19-$39

What about about this Brooklyn Slate cheese board from William Sonoma? Complete with soapstone chalk, burlap bag and gift card.  Would be great for parties as you can write the name of the cheese you are serving on the board.  Also great as a handsome trivet!  If you are handy, you may figure out a way to make your own, but I'm not going to go there right now. At only $24. I'll order and leave the DIY to some of you crafter people in blogland!

Brooklyn Cheese board $24 at Williams Sonoma

Well, there you have some of my favs for holiday gift giving. I'll be sharing some other favs in the next couple of weeks.  Now I have to go over to Tiny Prints and order my Christmas Cards while they have their big Cyber Monday Sale going on! If you want to get in on the Tiny Prints sale today click on the link on my sidebar!  It's too good to miss!

Oh, and before I forget....

The Giveaway!!

One of the nation's leading manufacturers of countertops, WilsonArt, had graciously agreed to give one of my readers a new WilsonArt High Definition countertop for their kitchen!!! Have you seen this beautiful product?  No worries with this Aeon performance enhanced technology, it is 3 times more scuff resistant than the average laminate.  Available in beautiful patterns and colors! Check out their website, then enter to win a new countertop and sink for your kitchen from WilsonArt!

Here's How To Enter:
Simply visit the WilsonArt HD samples on their website and choose your favorite, come back here and tell me which one you like and why you want to win!  Pin on Pinterest,Tweet, Facebook or Blog about the Giveaway Here on Lisa Mende Design for extra chances to win, make sure to attach a link back to the Giveaway on my Blog, then write one comment listing the ways you promoted the giveaway! 

The winner will be announced on Saturday, Dec. 8th!

Hope Your Thanksgiving Was....& A Giveaway Winner Announced !!!!

Like ours...

A crazy fun day...full of family, food & fellowship!

Enough food to feed an army.... 

Complete with a comfy place to crash

 "after the damage was done!

(I won't share our "after" photo, trust me

 it wasn't a pretty sight!) 

Here's wishing everyone has recovered from all the turkey 

and stuffing from yesterday! Now it's time to think about 

Christmas Shopping!!!

If you are like me and would rather stay home on Black 

Friday, and you are ALLLLLL about Cyber Monday, then you 

might enjoy the Black Friday coupon codes on the right – for 

fabulous discounts on everything!!!!

{If you are viewing this via email or a reader, you will need to 

click over to the Lisa Mende Design Page to see the codes 

and click on the image links}

Happy Shopping!

Congrats to The Winner of The Pyar & Co Gift Certificate!!!!

The winner of the Pyar & Co $100 gift certificate is

Betty Smith! 

Betty send me your email, so I can forward your

gift code to purchase a lovely Pyar & Co pillow!

If you didn't win, make sure you click over to Pyar & Co

Site today and purchase a pillow during her Black Friday Sale!

Thank You Paula for your generosity!

Now for the Next Big Giveaway!!!

I have decided to wait til Monday to announce!

If you are renovating your kitchen, you might want to 

check back on Monday to enter to win!!!!!

Spreading Holiday Cheer! My "Fir Ladies" by Joe Jumper of The Clay Pot

Last year I found this image on Pinterest and was intrigued by the uniqueness of the designs.  I had always visualized making dresses out of things found in nature, but had never carried the idea further than just thinking about it.  Here it was...someone had actually done it!  I had to find out who this clever person was!  After doing a little research, I discovered the creative brainchild, behind the dresses, was Joe Jumper, owner of The Clay Pot in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  They were created for the windows of a local boutique named

 K: A Boutique by Katherine Roberts. 

The base of the design is created from chicken wire, and  covered with live cedar skirts, burlap blouses and adornments such as this carnival ticket brooch and ribbon.  Are these great or what?  Remembering last years fab designs, I couldn't wait to see if Joe had been commissioned to create designs for Katherine Robert's holiday window for this year.

Look what I found.....

Up close of a sassy bustier with peplum!

Mid-length one shoulder with peacock belt

 

Stunning maxi 

Twine and peacock feather necklace 

Pretty dresses all in a row!

  This years dresses are also made of cedar and burlap, but peacock feathers

 were added for the perfect accent!  

Look out Project Runway you might have a new contender!

All this goodness was created in this quaint little place!

Located in a 1930's bungalow, Joe isn't new to the design scene.  He has been in business for twenty one years, but says the past two  have been his favorite.   Along with his design business Joe, holds summer workshops for kids called "Camp Joe Joe's Creative Camp for Kids".  He also teaches numerous workshops for adults which range from flower making to creating gifts.  

One of Joe's favorite events is "Project Snowman".  This past weekend, he held the second "Project Snowman" event, where children and their parents make yarn snowmen, that are distributed over the holidays to children in the local hospital.  The event was attended by over 150 children and adults and produced over 100 snowmen.  From the looks of the smiles on everyone's faces I would say this event was a huge success!

Here are some photos from "Project Snowman 2012."

I asked Joe to tell me what he liked best about what he does and this is what he said,  "It's all about changing and coming up with new ideas, being creative and keeping my customers coming back for more!"  He takes pride in knowing that his customers feel they can come to him for creative ideas for any special event in their lives.  Kudos to Joe for not only his fabulous creations, but also for spreading holiday cheer to all those around him!  

If you want to know more about Joe or The Clay Pot,

 find him on Facebook, Pinterest  or follow his blog

"Dirt from The Clay Pot". 

(All photos courtesy of The Clay Pot)

P.S. It's not too late to enter 

The Pyar & Company Giveaway!

If you have until midnight on Thursday (Nov. 22)

to enter.  The winner will be announced on Black Friday!!

Also, if you pin your favorite Pyar & Company pillow to your Pinterest Board,

 you will be entered twice! (Make sure you @LisaMendeDesign on the comment portion

 of the pin, so I will know you did!!! (Make sure you visit their website here

and enter your email to receive "pillow talk"

Click Here to Enter If You Haven't Already!!!

PS- If you haven't voted for Lisa Mende Design on

 Modenus Top 100 Interior Design Blogs…. 

 I would love it if you did !!!

Just click on the link below then scroll down 

to find my name and click on 

the green thumbs up to the right of my name

 til the number increases by one 

Click Here To Vote!!

(you only have to vote once)

Thanks so much for your support! 

Pyar & Co

Pyar & Co (pronounced pee-ar,the Indian word for love) is  aptly named because it exemplifies one woman's love for the beautiful handmade items from India.  At the time of her initial visit, to India, Paula Queen, had no idea that she would one day leave her job as a business development manager for a large US construction management firms and start her own company selling custom handcrafted pillows from India in silks, with beads, individually dyed sequins and sewn by local artisans, she was simply looking for a keepsake to carry home.  Little did Paula know that the beauty she witnessed on her trip to India, would occupy her thoughts and eventually lead her start her own company in 2011, creating a luxury brand of custom created pillows.  The custom designed handcrafted pillows are reminiscent of works found on Indian Saris which are adorn with intricate patterns of beads and sequins in very unique patterns with hand dyed threads on velvets, silks, and jacquards creating very unique works of art.   All works from Pyar & Co are from fair trade markets and ethically produced.  Feast your eyes on the beautiful collection of Pyar & Co pillows!

The fabulous Paula Queen,

owner and creator of Pyar & Co

 I met Paula on twitter after I had inquired as to whether she was showing at the High Point Market.  Her response was hopefully next market, so make sure if you are going to High Point in April you look for this line.  If you aren't an attendee to High Point, never fear, she has just launched a new "shop" on her website which sells to the public. 

Find Pyar & Co or Paula here:

Pyar & Co Website

Pyar & Co Blog

Pyar & Co on Facebook

twitter : @pyarandco

Pyar & Co on Pinterest  

GIVEAWAY!!!
Paula has graciously agreed to give a $100 gift certificate to one of my readers!!!!!

Make sure you pop over to Pyar & Co website 

and check it out here! 

While you are there, pick out your favorite design and comment below to win $100 gift from Pyar & Co to be used to purchased one of their beautiful pillows!!!  If you tweet, blog,

Like Pyar & Co, Lisa Mende Design on Facebook, twitter or

follow on Pinterest make sure to leave in your comment for added chances to win!!!! 

Winner will be announced on Black Friday, as well
as another big Giveaway announcement on that day!!!!

Hope you are enjoying your weekend!

PS- If you haven't voted for me on Modenus  Top 100 Interior Design

 Blogs….  I would love it if you did !!!

Vote for Lisa Mende Design scrolling down 

to find my name and clicking on 

the green thumbs up next to my entry here

Click Here To Vote!!

(you only have to vote once)

Thanks so much for your support! 

All photographs are property of Pyar & Co,
 Photographer Danielle Moss 
 Stylist Alaina Kaczmarski

Should I Do It or Not?

Ty Larkin Interior Design

I have long been a lover of painted floors which leads me to a dilemma.  I am at a crossroads and can't seem to move forward, since it is my own house and there isn't a client to yay or nay the idea, I need you! My floors need refinishing and I very tempted to paint them instead!  I absolutely love the look.  Will I hate myself if I do?  Two boys, one yorkie and 

lots of kids will be the issues?  If I do it, do I buy socks for everyone to adorn when they visit?  haha!  I have heard all kins of tales of using marine paint, etc.  What are your thoughts?  Have you painted floors?  Were you happy? If you have an opinion or advice I am opening the flood gate....

Tell me pah-leazzze!!!

If you have painted floors and they have held up

 well please share your process!  

If you want to see some of my floor inspirations other that the dynamite show house  above that designer Ty Larkin so beautifully created, check out my Pinterest Board Here!

PS- Modenus is compiling a list of the Top 100 Interior Design

 Blogs…. this blog has been nominated by readers, I would 

love it if you would vote for Lisa Mende Design scrolling down 

to find my name and clicking on 

the green thumbs up next to my entry here

Click Here To Vote!!

(you only have to vote once)

Thanks so much for your support!

It's Time for a Beautiful Switch - Adorne by Legrand

Remember my post about outlet placement on the kitchen backsplash and how a perfectly beautiful backsplash can be ruined by ill placed switches and electrical outlets?  Well, I found the solution!   Enter Adorn, by Legrand!  This under the cabinet system not only provides lighting, electrical outlets, USB docks,and music, but is conveniently designed with swappable outlets that can be easy snapped out and moved around if your needs change.  The best part is that it is hidden under your cabinet!  No more fighting over the iphone charger in a kitchen with this system!  Want to use your ipad to cook? There is a tablet cradle that easily attaches to hold your iPad in place and free up counterspace for cooking.  Puck lights or linear LED lighting is available too.  Watch the video and see for yourself!  It's amazing!

Forgive the iPhone snapshots but wanted you to see unclose

the display to get the full affect of how it works!

Options:

Speakers

Puck lighting with USB in background...

This company has also redefined the look of the standard outlet/switches for the walls.  Just look at the options!

 Have it your way in metal, leather, bright colors or wallpaper it to match your walls!  Sleek and refined!

You have many options in the type of switch you choose as well.  What's your touch preference? Do you want to click,

flip, touch, wave or do you want a nightlight that removes and can be used as a portable flashlight if the electricity goes out?

No need for those ugly outlet covers to protect

little people, here's your answer.  Socket pops out

when you need it and is hidden when you don't!

open:

Closed:

USB

This was my favorite!  All you do is wave and your lights come on or go off.  Who wouldn't like this by your back 

door when your arms are full of packages?

 As you can see, Adorn by Legrand has tidied up our

backsplash as well as helped up make those necessary elements like switches and outlets a little noticeable.

If you want to learn more pop over to their website

and check it out.  There are videos about all the

 products I mentioned in my post!  

I think I am in love!  Sigh!