Painting is Done, Happy New Year!

We are pooped! We have spent the last three days giving the store a clean, fresh, new look on the inside, while helping customers. The back wall and the longest wall was a tuscan red called Red Pepper, is now a rich chocolate called Obsession for Chocolate. The south wall with many windows was Royal Purple is now Promises, Promises, a kind of light bluebery parfait and looks great with the

Tankless Water Heaters

In case you missed the article, don't subscribe to The Oregonian or live outside of Oregon, Bridget Otto had an interesting article in Homes and Gardens Thursday. In Tankless water heaters: wave of the future or drop in the bucket?, Otto tells us about tankless water heaters, that there may be considerable savings over conventional water heating and space savings. There may also, be some tax

Vitamin D!

New pill taken daily lowers the risk of colon, breast and ovarian cancer. A 45 year study has concluded that taking Vitamin D is so important that it should be made a priority. People might want to consider a vitamin supplement to raise their intake to 1000 IUs per day Seldom has a life-saving prescription come so simply or so cheaply: Get enough vitamin D daily and cut your risk of some cancers

Uttermost to Offer Lighting Fixtures

Uttermost is making its debut into lighting fixtures at the Dallas Market in January. "This is the largest product development effort we have ever made," said Mac Cooper, president and CEO. "It makes our lamp introduction three and a half years ago look small." The 161-piece introduction consists of 24 families of lighting, ranging from two-story foyer chandeliers to mini chandeliers to vanity

Terence Riley's Last Exhibit at MOMA

When I visit New York, the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) is always at the top of my list of things to see. I just read in ArtsJournal.com that Terence Riley, chief curator of architecture and design is staging his most elaborate exhibit at MOMA. After 14 years this is his last. He was traveling in Spain trying to put together an exhibit featuring stadiums, auditoriums and theaters, when it

10 Tips for Using Colors

From House Beautiful and Designers William Diamond and Anthony Baratta, how to rev up your rooms with 10 Tips for Using Colors 1. A painted ceiling will influence a room without interrupting the eye. Paint the ceiling pink to add warmth and surprise, or sky blue for a feeling of the outdoors. For a more dramatic effect, try gold or silver leaf.2. Buy a colorful quilt, old or new. Stretch it over

Your style makes your home unique

From the Homes & Gardens section of The Oregonian, an article by Bridget A. Otto: It is all about you Your style makes your home uniqueHome furnishing catalogs land in my mailbox everyday.These glossy publications pack page after page with stylish sofas, side chairs, vases, lamps and knickknacks that mix and match to bring together the perfectly coordinated room.It's great -- if you want your

New Products

Bubbles ThighShapersa "push-up bra" for the butt!slims the thigh without flattening the behindshaping hosiery provides smoothing and comfortable thigh control without the need for a girdle or pantyhosea special combination of fabrics provide upward push for a small or flat tush"no roll" band engineered for comfort, strength, support and holddesigned to support the thigh & butt cheek without

Doodling

I always look forward to the monthly newsletter from Bullguard, the anti-virus company. We all doodle, as far as I know, and some meetings offer more opportunities than others. Click on the link and see for yourself.http://www.bullguard.com/curiosities/default.aspx?id=409Bev & MikeLandfair Furniture + Design Gallery

Blog Demographics

In the article Blogs: no-cost marketing By Lisa Casinger, there is excellent information about blog audiences.This summer, online market research firm ComScore Networks released a report on the scale, composition and activities of blog audiences. The report was sponsored in part by Six Apart and Gawker Media (a blog software company and blog publisher respectively).The report detailed some

Blogs: No-cost Marketing

From Home Accents Today, Blogs: no-cost marketing By Lisa Casinger.A few home furnishings retailers started blogs as a way to communicate with their customers and increase their brand awareness. One retailer takes a more personal, unconventional approach to his blog because it ties into the type of advertising and marketing they do, while another retailer offers more business-like information and

Less is More?

The Zandl Group!They advertise "If you want to see the world through the eyes of young people, you've come to the right site." Home Accents Today writes Zandl Group outlines 2006 trends in which theyt sayWine bars are starting to replace martini lounges, as young adults become more wine savvy. Stodgy and elitist is being replaced by contemporary and modern.Retro kitsch is growing because it's

Review of Siam Society

I have been trying to get Michael to a Thai restaurant. He says he would rather go to a good Chinese like PF Chang or Sungari Pearl. His real taste goes to Hung Far Low if you ask me. But now there's a chance. An Exploration of Portland Food and Drink has just reviewed Siam Society and gives it very good reviews. Food Dude starts the review with: In my humble opinion, Thai food is some of

Nature-Inspired Style from High Point

From the special November High Point edition of Home Accents Today, High Point Finds Comfort with Nature-Inspired Style by Kara Cox. The fall design trends draw rejuvenating inspiration from the same natural elements that have spawned recent chaos this hurricane season. As retailers and manufacturers alike recover from the recent effects of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, style trends sooth

Cruise Oregon Highway 101

I love to come home and have Michael tell me I have a new Cooking Light Magazine in the mail. Aside from cooking 101, menus and planning and great recipes, that I try out on my husband, it has articles about health and fitness, beauty tips and travel. The latest issue has an article about the Oregon Coast. Entitled Cruise the coast of Oregon the article encourages you to take a four-day road

Allison Smith Interior Design

The Oregonian carries a very nice story, Personal Magic by Bridget A. Otto in the Homes & Gardens of the Northwest section. The article is about two local designers, mother and daughter, Alison Smith and Ramona Ramos of Alison Smith Interior Design whose idea is to help people decorate using what they already own. A client, Judy Tichenor and her husband combined households with their younger

Meet J.D Chamberlain Again

I went today to J.D. Chamberlain, an accent furniture company, looking for fresh material about their furniture offerings. I didn't see what I was looking for, so I emailed the company. I received a warm phone call from Dori McKearn in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Dori and her husband John started the company in 1993.http://www.jdchamberlain.com/images/johnDori.jpgLandfair Furniture carries their

What Is Your Repeat Business Strategy?

I received today, a email from American Express, a Small Business Newsletter. The first article is 3 Money-Making Marketing Strategies. The three stratagies or approaches that lead to higher sales in any business or industry are: 1. Increase the number of customers 2. Increase the average transaction amount 3. Increase the frequency of repurchaseMy first thought was nothing new here. I

Is This $23.8 Million of Art?

American artist David Smith's large-scale metal structure 'Cubi XXVII,' seen here, has become the most expensive work of contemporary art ever sold at auction, fetching 23.8 million dollars at Sotheby's in New York(AFP/OFF)Experts attributed the record price to the fact that most of Smith's works are in museums or permanent collections and therefore make extremely rare auction appearances.This is

Florida's Retail Hit Hard By Wilma!

When I saw this article in FURNITUREToday, Florida retailers hit hard, I was confronted once more with how devastating Hurrican Wilma was to Florida and how Katrina, Rita and Wilma have affected the lives and economy of the Southeast. Furniture stores were cleaning up and trying to get back to business last week, almost two weeks after Hurricane Wilma cut a swath of destruction across south

Designer's Challenge on HGTV

We are excited! Tomorrow on HGTV, Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery will premier its first TV ad buy on Designer's Challenge during the show, before and after. Designer's challenge this week will feature Bungalow Living/Dining RoomJulie and Chris Gilbert, a professional kite-boarding couple, have settled down, sort of, in a 100-year-old Oregon home. They want to redecorate and update the two

Vindalho & Nostrana

Two new restaurant reviews are up at An Exploration of Portland Food and Drink. Vindalho is the first.Vindalho was opened a few weeks ago by David Machado, owner of Café Lauro, at 2038 SE Clinton Street, Portland. I can't wait to try the pork vindalho over balsamic rice is probably the best thing on the menu, a good balance and depth of flavors. The pork was fork tender, though there tend to be

Who is Cristina Saralegui?

INFURNITURE has an interesting article about famous people cross-licensing their names in the furniture business. I came across an article today about Cristina Saralegui, The Queen of The Airwaves By JEANNE DEQUINE and learned she is cross-licensed with CBK Ltd. in an accessories line "Casa Cristina" which is carried at Landfair Furniture.Time magazine had an article on August 22 about The 25

Casual Dining Hits the Heights

INFURNITURE has an article in the October 3, 2005 issue Casual Dining Hits the Heights by Jo Fleischer.There are countless theories circulating to explain the current boom in counter-height and pub-height tables. Some blame the aching backs of busy moms who constantly shuttle between the stove and a low dining table where the kids are doing homework. Others speculate that pub-height tables

Nancy Zieg Competes in HGTV's Designer's Challenge

Hey gang, next Thursday at 9:30 PM EST and PST Nancy Zieg will compete in HGTV's Designer's Challenge. Nancy Zieg was one of Landfair Furniture's Top 20 Designers for 2004, based on business done with the store. We interviewed her here at Landfair Furniture (Blog).The show's website explains the challenge this way: Wouldn't it be great to choose from different plans offered to you by three

Volunteers Need for Friends of Trees

Several years ago, we decided that our parking needed a tree or trees. Bev and I worked with Friends of Trees to decide what tree to plant and through them how tall a tree was permitted, due to overhead wires. We decided on a maple that would have bright red leaves in the fall. Planting was to take place in mid-January. Sometime prior to the planting, some group of volunteers dug a hole in

"An Exploration of Portland Food and Drink" Blog

I wrote in September about a blog that gives restaurant reviews and blogs about food called An Exploration of Portland Food and Drink. If you are into the latest restaurants, you have to visit this site. Today we read this comment:This is an amazingly busy time for new restaurants. We have Roux, Nostrana, Vindalho, and Fenouil (Jamison square in the Pearl), Siam Society on Alberta, an oyster

Decorating Trends at High Point

Kara Cox at Home Accents Today has a look at High Point and finds there is comfort with nature-inspired styles.A soft mix of seascape hues such as sea green, sky blue and sandy beige create a simple palette for showcasing the treasures of the natural world. Wood is interpreted as a pattern in silky soft goods and cool silver-toned metal designs. Birds offer a feminine touch as sculptures and in

Frederick Cooper Opens New Showroom

One of the lamp lines that Landfair Furniture carries is Frederick Cooper, a high end lamp that is almost art. An interesting note in Home Accents Today, Frederick Cooper improves its showroom.After entering the showroom at 200 N. Hamilton St., S-302,in Chicago, buyers move past the reception desk into an area featuring Larry Laslo licensed designs, then on toward other high-end designs in a

Interior Design Styles: Oriental

We have been discussing five design styles used in the interior design world: Traditional, Country, Modern, Exotic and Oriental.From the September Home Accents Today Anniversary Issue, Kara Cox Describes Oriental design in The Big Trend.In the world of design, Asian or Oriental style has long cast a spell over the Western world with its air of elegant exoticism and mystery. Always in fashion,

Chinese Gardens

Preparing for the Oriental review of themes and designs, I was reminded of our beautiful Chines Garden in the heart of Portland, Oregon, wonderful on a crisp fall day.Bev & MIke

Chinese Gardens

Chinese Gardens31 Preparing for the Oriental review of themes and designs, I was reminded of our beautiful Chines Garden in the heart of Portland, Oregon, wonderful on a crisp fall day.Bev & MIke

Interior Design Styles: Exotic

We have been discussing five design styles used in the interior design world: Traditional, Country, Modern, Exotic and Oriental.From the September Home Accents Today Anniversary Issue, Kara Cox Describes Exotic design in The Big Trend.Over the years. the definition of exotic has broadened to include a host of looks outside the borders of conventionally defined design. Webster's sums up exotic as

Ralph in the Fall

Ralph in the Fall Originally uploaded by gily122000.This is the best picture I have ever taken of a dog. It shows his sweetness on a beautiful day and fall is in the air.Bev & Mike

Interior Design Styles: Modern

We have been discussing five design styles used in the interior design world: Traditional, Country, Modern, Exotic and Oriental.From the September Home Accents Today Anniversary Issue, Kara Cox Describes Modern design in The Big Trend.Contemporary style's birth can be dated back to the late 19th century with its popularity growing through the two world wars. Dutch De Stijl, Bauhaus, Wierner

Interior Design Styles: Country

We were discussing yesterday and for the next few days, five design styles used in the interior design world: Traditional, Country, Modern, Exotic and Oriental.From the September Home Accents Today Anniversary Issue, Kara Cox Describes Country design in The Big Trend.The April 1986 issue opened its style pages with the statement, "Country is unquestionably the most popular of all decors today."

Interior Design Styles: Traditional

For the next few days we will describe five design styles used in the interior design world: Traditional, Country, Modern, Exotic and Oriental.From the September Home Accents Today Anniversary Issue, Kara Cox Describes Tradtional design in The Big Trend.Traditional design borrows on themes and styles from centuries past, updating the elements with fresh color, finishes and motifs. For the past

Goodbye Neighbor!

Two furniture retailers in trouble! Two weeks ago Martin Scott Ltd. on Macadam avenue, in Portland, announced a "going out of business" sale. I don't know what happened to them. They were good neighbors and we will miss their competition. Rumors are that they may reopen in The Pearl under another name.FURNITUREToday brings news of Levitz filing for Chapter 11. Mike remembers when they went

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Delivering furniture can be hazardous. We have heard of drivers suffering back and elbow injuries, but this injury to a driver was new.We were supposed to get a shipment to fill a special order last Tuesday the 4th. The driver called and said he would be late. He arrived yesterday the 11th and apologized a number of times. I told him everything was ok and asked what had happened. He said he

Duralee introduces Pavilion Fabric

From Casual Living, Duralee introduces Pavilion FabricDuralee Fabrics introduced the Pavilion Collection, a line of indoor/outdoor fabrics with color-coordinated prints, weaves and trimmings in a seven-book set.Created from a variety of fibers, including Sunbrella, Weatherwise and Teflon, Pavilion fabrics are engineered for outdoor durability.durable outdoorBev & Mike

Beaumont Trees

I love trees and I love the trees in Grant Park that harbor squirrels that Ralph loves to chase. Having gone to the park for over nine years, I have seen a lot of changes. Old trees have gotten sick and had to be cut down. New trees, usually deciduous, planted and now showing their red fall clothes.I came across Ron Franscell posting at Under the News. He writes about his love for trees and

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Found this while surfin', How to walk through a museum at Marginal Revolution. I especially liked this bit of advice: Go with a variety of people (but not all at once). It forces you to see the art through their eyes.There's more advice here plus loads of comments. Have fun!Bev & Mike

Fall Maple in Dolph Park

DSCN0025(2) Originally uploaded by gily122000. Fall is here and we are looking forward to this tree putting on its annual show.

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The residents of The small English seaside town of Brighton and Hove agreed “in principle” to a plan for "starchitect" Frank Gehry to build a £290 million landmark that should do for Brighton and Hove what the Guggenheim did for Bilbao, Spain, which is transform it from "off the grid" to tourist hot-spot. Gehry's inspiration for the project came from this image of Edwardian ladies.The big news is

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I have added some new links to the Blogroll and I invite you to check these blogs out:An Exploration of Portland Food and Drink - THROWING MYSELF ON THE GRENADE OF BAD FOOD TO SAVE YOUBeaumont-Hollywood - Just north of the corner of NE42nd and Fremont is Beaumont Village's newest coffee cafe, Ristretto Roasters. From CoffeegGeek is a definition of RistrettoThe standard I teach is a 1 oz shot of

Macy's Changes Names

From PDXHistory.comIf you said “meet me under the clock”, all Portlanders knew that meant the clock in the middle of the main floor at Meier & Frank. For nearly 150 years, Style and Tradition have been synonymous with the name Meier & Frank in Portland, which was founded in 1857 by Aaron Meier.Now the name will be gone. The name will now be changed to Macy's!(see also Jack Bog's Blog)

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Interesting article in Casual Living: Designers shaping casual industry By Cinde W. Ingram and Courtney Mueller. As consumers' needs change for space, storage and styles change, designers lead the casual industry's evolution.Marshall Mullins - Mosaic tabletops fit Mullins' design needs. He designs mosaic tables with wrought iron bases, a kind of old world Tuscany look. We have had several

Silver Plume to Shutter Operations!

We are sorry to see them go! Cheryl Jackson, founder and president of Silver Plume, said the Portland, Ore.-based importer and marketer of fine home furnishings will close on or before Oct. 1.I met Jackson at market and her store has a great reputation. "Over the 20 years we have in been in business, immense satisfaction has come from providing uniquely creative and well-made products for our

Katrina Slows Deliveries

We don't know what effect Katrina will have on the economy. However, FURNITURE Today has an interesting article that says Fuel shortages in the wake of Hurricane Katrina are affecting furniture suppliers’ ability to deliver product.With gas and oil production in the Gulf of Mexico at a standstill and pipelines from the Mississippi Delta region to the Eastern Seaboard idled, truckers sometimes