"Most Wanted" Fall Fashion on Friday

Yay! It's Friday! I don't know why I am so excited, I still have so much to do before I can officially call it the weekend. One of my favorite things to do at night is peruse the internet for cool fall fashions for myself and clients. Here are some things that caught my eye this week and made my "Most Wanted" List! Black is a staple in my wardrobe, but this fall, I am adding merlot to brighten things up a bit.  Bucket bags have never been more popular.  My favorite one is "Cynnie" from Elizabeth and James.  I love it in leopard but all the colors are fab.  Speaking of leopard, I am so happy to find this leopard coat from Piperlime.  This coat is a basic that will take you from jeans to church.  It's fabulous.  It reminds me of the Emerson Frye coat that sold out before I purchased it. So many great things...so few dollars to spend. How are you budgeting for fall?

Here are my "most wanted" picks for this week!

Coast Into the Weekend with These Fabulous Coasters & a DIY!

Marblized Coaster

There is nothing better than a good set of coasters to protect your furniture from sweaty glasses.  I am constantly picking up a new set when the seasons change or just because.  It's the little details in life that make the biggest difference isn't it?  I have been looking at coasters because we have a vintage Henredon Glass top dining table in the studio and if you have ever had a glass top table, it requires constant cleaning to stay sparkling fresh.  I think coasters will cut down on the work!  Here are some of my favorite coasters.  I included a little DIY at the end of the post for fun!  I think you will like it!

(Click Here to See Some fab coasters & a Fun DIY.....)

Announcing Studio 202 Retail Partnership with Taylor Burke Home

 Studio 202, home of Traci Zeller Designs and Lisa Mende Design is proud to announce a retail partnership with Taylor Burke Home.  Studio 202 will be your go to resource for Taylor Burke furnishings in the Charlotte area.  

{Click to continue reading & view the collection....}

JENNY VORWALLER - STUDIO 202 ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Welcome to Studio 202 Jenny Vorwaller!   

{click here to see Jenny's beautiful work...}

12 Ways to Organize Your Desk - Motivation Monday

Kids are back in school and I am in a cleaning and organizing frenzy both at the office and at home.  I am taking one day at a time and rethinking all my spaces.  Today I am focusing on my work space.  I will admit when I get busy, my work space is the first place that gets out of whack.  I am so happy to finally have an office away from the house, but that doesn't mean I don't still have a work space at home.  We still have to pay bills and keep our family calendar don't we?   I find when I like my work space I am more apt to keep things organized.  Often, my work space at home is my breakfast room table and not a desk are you like that?  Do you carve out a space in your dining room or breakfast room or do you have a specified desk at home?  What about your work desk?  Are you like me and  your work spaces need sprucing up?  Hang tight and see what I suggest to help you get organized.  Hopefully, you will find some things you like!

{click here to continue reading and see options for organizing your work space...}

POWDER ROOM PEARLS OF WISDOM

Do you have pretty linen towels and good smelling hand soap for guests who use your powder room?  I am always delighted when I visit in someone's home and they have taken care in selecting special items for their guests.  What are your favorites?  Here are some of my favorites!

{click to see my favorites to spruce up your powder room....}

STUDIO 202 - SAVE THE DATE!!!

Traci Zeller and I are finally announcing our Grand Opening for Studio 202

 and we would like you to :

SAVE THE DATE!!!  

Wednesday, September 10th 

5:00 pm - 8:00pm

We hope to see you at our Grand Opening on September 10th!  We will have raffles, door prizes and lots of fun and exciting things going on!  Pop over for a glass of bubbly and a gander!  Lots of pretty things to see!!  

(Click Here to Continue reading.....)

"Most Wanted" Boots for Fall 2014 on Fashion Friday & More!

Fall Fashions have never looked better.  I attended a Fall Fashion Forecast

Event for media at Neiman Marcus at South Park Mall, Charlotte, last 

week and saw great looking designer clothing, shoes and

 boots for men and woman. 
{Click Here to Continue reading....}

Introducing The Guildery,Inc and Sarah & Ruby Design Studio!!!

Last year when Traci Zeller and I designed the gentleman's dressing room in the Traditional Home Show House, the custom wallpaper in our room featuring the original architectural drawings of the home, was made possible by collaboration and generosity of  Sarah and Ruby Design Studio. Sarah and Ruby are a delightful team of talented women.  They made the process so easy for us.  If you want to create a custom wallpaper or fabric project for a project, I highly recommend this talented duo.  Click over to their website to see their amazing work!  Yesterday, I received an email from them and was excited to hear about their new venture with THE GUILDERY, INC.  

{click here to continue to the collection....}

FUN WITH FLOWERS BY J SCHWANKE

This past week, Traci Zeller and I had a photo shoot in our Charlotte studio with photographer, Dustin Peck.  I don't know if you have ever experienced a photo shoot but the prep work is maddening but actually Traci and I quite enjoy it.  We combed Charlotte looking for white tulips only to find the morning of the shoot.  Have you read the 10x's Rule?  It is an amazing book which reveals that success is typically achieved only when one had done 10x's what one thinks it takes to be successful.  Photo shoots are a perfect example of the 10x's Rule.  If you think you can shoot five shots in an hour you are seriously wrong.  Flowers for photography shoots typically adhere to the 10x's rule as well.  If you think you will need 1 dozen flowers you will actually need 10 x's  that amount of flowers.   Well, maybe not 10x's on the flowers, but a whole lot for sure.  The flowers are the fun part!  I love loading my car with multiple bunches and varieties of flowers.  For this particular shoot, Traci and I decided to do all the flowers ourself so we ran about town gathering all the white tulips, snapdragons, and hydrangea we could find.   

Here is a tiny peek at our kitchenette....we love the Ann Sacks Back splash in chevron marble and our gorgeous marble countertops from The Tile Collection of Charlotte!

For the kitchenette we chose green and white hydrangea.  Most of the flowers we chose are easy to arrange but what do you do when you want something a little more complicated or interesting?  I have a new book, I would like to share with you.

 The book is called "Fun with Flowers" and it was written by Jay Schwanke.

This is the perfect guide to selecting, arranging and enjoying beautiful flowers.

{click here to continue reading....}

STUDIO 202 UPDATE!

It's time for a Studio 202 update!  My new studio with Traci Zeller is now open!  We are so excited to share our joint home studio gallery!  There are more exciting additions coming to the studio but for all intents and purposes our studio is open for business.  

SAVE THE DATE!!! OUR GRAND OPENING IS SET 

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1OTH!!!

5PM - 8PM
{click here to continue reading....}

Southern Pearls of Wisdom

Getting Ready For Fall on Saturday Shopping

Fiesta Floral for Fall

It's time to put away the beach bags and pack up the summer wares.   School is about to start which signals the beginning of a new season.  What have you done to get ready for Fall?  Here are a few things I buy to spruce up homes while shopping for clients.

{Click Here to Continue to the post and see fall spruce up suggestions...}

"Most Wanted" - Trends for Fall 2014

Valentino

I am in L-O-V-E with these polka dot Valentino boots from Neiman Marcus.

This pair of boots is a party on your feet.   I  went to a Trends Event at Neiman's this week where we were told that on of the trends for fall fashion is  Gray!  Fall Wardrobes are all about gray from head to toe.  I do love gray, but I have to put my own spin on things and mama needs a little color.   these boots would look smashing with grey head to ankle, don't you?
(click here to continue to the post & see what I want for Fall 2014 this week....)

PHOENIX DAY LIGHTING - NEW TO STUDIO 202!!

Have you updated the lighting in your home lately?  Are you living with bland

builder grade fixtures or still staring at the fixtures you have been promising to

replace for 10 years?  Traci Zeller and I can help you replace your boring lighting with 

new exciting options!  Lighting plays such an important part in every room. What

are you waiting for?  Here are some great options from Phoenix Day
now available through Studio 202.
{click to continue reading....and see more..}

AELFIE RUGS

I recently had the good fortune of being introduced to a great rug resource in New York called AELFIE.   Located in Brooklyn, AELFIE is a rug design company and vintage rug showroom.  I find the story of how this company began quite interesting.  AELFIE is another story of how "necessity can be the mother of invention".  The owner, Aelfie bought her first rug as a teenager in Istanbul.  That first rug ignited a flame which has grown into AELFIE rugs.  Aelfie's first dealings with textiles, was as a student in Columbia University's Department of Religion.   When Aelfie couldn't find the rugs she wanted in the United States she decided to design her own collection.  Voila, a star is born!

AELFIE design studio is home to the signature line of AELFIE rugs and a curated collection of textiles from around the world.  Located in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, the showroom is open by appointment.

{click here to continue reading and see the collection...}

TradHome's Late Summer Edition Featuring Little Ole Me!

Thank you TradHome Late Summer  2014 online edition for including Lisa Mende Design in the feature on buffets!  My friend and fellow designer, Leslie Moore of Greensboro, had the feature shot of her beautiful Somerset Bay Console which was in the sunroom of the Traditional Home and Junior League of Greensboro's "Adamsleigh" show house last year.  Below is the rest of the article with favorite buffets from other favorite designers.  I am honored to be among the mix of these fabulous designers like my talented friends John Loecke & Jason Nixon Oliver of Madcap Cottage, as well as the amazing Eileen Kathryn Boyd and the fabulous Vicente Wolfe.  

Harrison Blackford, Newest Artist in Studio 202 Gallery!!!!

I posted this picture four days ago on instagram just to tease you but I was the one who got the joke played on me.  So many of you wrote to ask me about this piece of art.  I am happy to announce that artist Harrison Blackford has joined Studio 202 as an artist in our studio gallery!  I actually corresponded with Harrison over 2 years ago but we finally met in person when she dropped off paintings last week to our new studio gallery.  We currently have 8 of Harrison's beautiful paintings in the studio in a range of sizes and colors!!!  Would you believe that Harrison is actually an interior designer by trade?  She jumped ship about two years ago and decided to paint full time.  If you would like to learn more about Harrison click here.  We can commission Harrison to paint size painting in any colors to match your fabrics or decor.  

{Click Here to continue reading and see the Harrison Blackford paintings

 currently available in Studio 202, Charlotte,NC}

Don't Miss The Surprise Sale at Kate Spade Starting Today!!!

It's Kate Spade's Surprise Sale!!!  Today thru Thursday at Midnight!

It's a great time to buy yourself or your daughter a little back to school treat!

There are so many great buys in this sale I am having a hard time choosing!

The sale includes what my grandmother would call "sensible bags" all the way

 down to the best in novelty items such as change purses, iphone cases,

jewelry and more!  Great time to stock up for birthday gifts or mark some

names off your Christmas list!  There are also some adorable dresses,

 tops, and shoes!  I don't know about you but I wear flip flops every summer

at the beach, so I plan to buy a new pair for next summer!

Don't miss out!  Things go fast so start shopping!!!!

{click here to see more and continue reading...}

Paint - Is There a Difference In Quality?

Sherwin Williams "Naval" on House of Earnest

Have you eve wondered what makes one paint better than another? There are so many brands out there.  Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, C2, Richards, Pratt & Lambert, and Farrow and Ball, are the main paint lines I specify for clients. 

{click here to continue to the post and read more...}

Carl Robinson Wallpapers & Murals

I love social media for so many reasons. You never know what connections you will make on social media.  Last week, I stumbled upon Carl Robinson, a UK designer who creates beautiful wallpapers and murals.   There were so many fabulous designs I had to share!  I have always been fascinated with European designed wallpapers, fabrics and furniture.  

Both Carl's mother and father were designers so I guess you could say he got a double dose of design talent.  Carl began his career working for his father then worked at Burlington Wallcoverings and also Graham & Brown in England. By 2000, he was serving as a consultant for Wallquest, Inc., one of the world's most-innovative wallpaper manufacturers, whose brands include Pelican Prints, Fairwinds Studios, Sandpiper Studios and Printers Guild Productions. Finally, in 2003, Robinson joined the Wallquest team on a full-time basis, and today is the company's Design Director.

Robinson is happy to have found a home at Wallquest.  He fits in perfectly as Design Director with the family-owned business.  Carl enjoys being active in every role of the process in designing a line of products.  Since the company is small, he is allowed to pursue ideas rather quickly and can introduce a new product into the market within three months, unlike the big wallpaper companies which aren't quite as flexible.  Carl is also allowed artistic freedom at Wallquest, which is important to him. 

{Click here to continue reading and view the collection....}

Pearls of Wisdom - Billy Baldwin

  A designer's job is to listen to the client wants, needs and vision for their home, office or whatever space is being designed, then carefully put the rooms together to reflect the owner or people who inhibit the spaces while exercising good design principles.  The older and more experienced I become as a designer,the more I realize how important it is for our environments to reflect who we are or what we like.  Our homes tell a story about us.  We should be able to walk into a room and feel as though we know something about the person who lives  or works there.  

(continue reading.....by clicking here...)

Fashion Friday - Wants for this Week!

I'm currently dying over these beyond fab booties by Pierre Hardy which are driving my fashion thoughts for my fall wardrobe!  Do you ever see one thing that sticks in your mind and you just can't seem to shake it?  These shoes are it!  Wow! 

Random thoughts on Friday....

I've been thinking about Fall a lot lately!  I want a really cool pair of shoe boots.  Yeah, I know my husband says, "but you already have 50 zagillion pairs shoe boots."   Well, I don't have a printed pair, or a pair with lucite heels or a nude pair!  I really want this pair from Sixtyseven   Phhh-leeeezzz!
And so the argument begins....  
 I also need a new poncho for fall.  I'm kinda digging this one from Paolo Casslini with orange fringe.  It has that little bit of my favorite color(orange) that seems to blend with my entire casual wardrobe.  Yeah, that one!
 I also need a this cute Robert Abbey brass pharmacy lamp from Burke Decor, for my son's new Kravet linen wrapped nail head desk and think this one will do perfectly.

 Hey, if you haven't tried "They're Real" mascara by Benefit, buy it now!  It will make your lashes look amazing!  Trust me on this!  Better than falses. (eyelashes I mean)

 I thew in a few other things that have been on my fashion radar too.  Digging that italian scarf by Jonathan Saunders. It has just the right amount of color to make an outfit pop!

What have you been thinking about lately?  It's time to regroup for back to school.  UGH!  Why not make it fun! I love to see a package on my porch when I drive in from a long day at the studio.  Speaking of studio, Traci Zeller and I have set our Grand Opening date for Studio 202!  It's going to be Friday, Oct 3rd, so Charlotte people put the date on your calendar!  It's going to be a fun night!
 Happy Friday!  Ciao!

Williamsburg Brand New Fabrics - Sneak Peak

Last week I received the most incredible box of fabric samples.  Now mind you, I am a total fabric lover and receive boxes of fabrics all the time, but this particular collection blew my socks off.   WILLIAMSBURG and licensee PK Lifestyles are launching a new collection of dramatic multicultural chinoiserie- and vintage Asian-inspired textiles, that fit in with the chinoiserie-chic trend that is so popular.  

The new collection is called WILLIAMSBURG Classics IV Collection.  

{Click Here to go to the collection and read the entire post....}

Great Tips for Back To School and Life In General!

 On WCCB News Rising last week, my studio partner, Traci Zeller shared her top tips for getting organized before school starts.    If you missed the show, it’s super-easy to watch the segment online by clicking here.   I still can't believe summer is coming to a close. It's time to get back to a normal routine.  What do you do to get ready for back to school? When I was a child, school shopping,was a big deal, but now that children wear shorts to school year around, we hardly ever go school shopping.  The back to school list at my house consists of notebooks, paper, pens and perhaps a new pair of tennis shoes.  
What's on your school list?  {click here to continue to the entire post...}