the view from 505

We usually don't do RED at Christmas!!

2011-12-08T18:05:00.000-08:00

Normally, we don't do the traditional red and green Christmas. Normally, we don't do ANYTHING very traditional at 505. But this year, we let a little red drift into our holiday tableaus.

It doesn't scream Christmas, but it's a classy way to decorate for the season. Cream, white, silver and red look beautiful with the earthy pine cones, twigs and pheasant feathers.

Wow--the red really pops in the midst of all the white, cream and silver.

This gorgeous red and white pillow makes such a fashionable statement on the white bedding.

You don't need "Christmas" items to feel festive. Red straw balls help to usher in the mood without snowmen, reindeer or jingle bells.

The red chair peeking out behind the the holiday tray and trees helps to set the scene.

Ahhhhhh...a glorious display of glittery elegance, woodsy items, and yes....RED!!! Some traditions are worth keeping.

Turquoise is still a hot color!

2011-12-08T16:32:00.000-08:00

So turquoise was the 2010 of the year; honeysuckle rose (a deep reddish pink) led the way in 2011. What's ahead for us in 2012? It seems that turquoise has proven to be a color with staying power. Even though the trend forecast for blues in 2012 calls for a more brilliant blue and a deep aqua, turquoise still pops up all the time...because WE STILL LOVE IT!!! A quick look around 505 produced the following blue clues:

Picked out this piece on our trip to Bali this summer and I looovvvve the old turquoise paint!!

Gorgeous pillow (actually have 2 of these in my living room right now...)

A turquoise accessory with pizazz!

We love the lines of this Scottish bench (and psssst....the color ain't bad either!)

So welcome the new colors for 2012...but don't be afraid to invest in a wow piece with turquoise. It doesn't seem to be going anywhere.

Rustic Accessories for FALL!

2010-09-27T14:27:00.000-07:00

Beautiful, woodsy, nature-inspired, rustic accessories are waiting at 505 to slide into your home and fill your space with that seasonal warmth that autumn commands. Ditch the summer pillows, the seashells, the fun umbrellas and windchimes, the watermelon and pineapple candles... and cozy up to teak root vases and bowls, twig or rattan baskets and frames, and natural dried botanicals. And bring on the pumpkin spice candles....yum!!!

Teak Root Rantang with Handle

(contains dried grasses, burnt orange dried Chinese peony, and rattan balls.)

Hand-carved bowl from teak root--made in Bali, Indonesia.

Striking lanterns hand-woven from sliced vines.

Twig basket filled with blue rattan balls.

Natural, organic shaped bowls carved from teak wood in Bali, Indonesia

Bark vase from the Philippines filled with dried natural palm leaves.

Teak Root Vase from Bali, Indonesia

Let's face it. Mother Nature is the best designer ever!! Shop 505 for eco-chic products that are straight from the earth...and are earthy and woodsy and authentic in nature.

And don't be afraid to look outside for inspiration also: pine cones, cat-tails, fallen leaves...all of these can mix in with the beautiful teak products and add another layer of color and texture. GO AUTUMN!!!

What can you do with a birdcage?

2009-10-03T20:51:00.000-07:00

Birdcages were created to be homes for birds, but in today's design world, very few objects have to be used for their original purpose. We see this all the time at 505; a console table becomes a minimalist's desk, a dresser becomes a bathroom vanity, and a bookcase (with a shelf or 2 removed) becomes a plasma tv cabinet.

I happen to love a particular birdcage that we sell at 505, and I just wanted to see how many different objects from the store that I could put in it...besides a bird, of course. (I could have been dusting the furniture or putting out accessories but this was just WAY MORE FUN!!)

You really need a birdcage, so you can play like this, too. Change it with the seasons, fill it up with fruit, or shells, or candles...or use it for a bird or a frog. Just get yourself a birdcage.

Peacock Feathers Have Floated In

2009-08-14T16:06:00.000-07:00

If your favorite design concept includes a little splash of the bohemian spirit, then you'll love the new peacock feathers that just floated into 505. We have hundreds of feathers and they aren't just your standard peacock feather either. Some of the feathers have dyed spines (red or lime green), some are bleached to a beautifully pale golden color, and some are are brilliant colored swords (yes, we have right and left swords!!!)

Peacock Feathers with red spines have a lot of pizazz!!!

I can't decide if I like them more than the lime green, but both would be beautiful at Christmas!

The right and left peacock swords are a brilliant blue/green color and look great in small vases, wreaths, and arrangements.

But my personal favorite are the bleached feathers with their velvety champayne display of monocromatic chicness!!

Look how a cluster of the feathers dress up a table with beauty and simplicity.

And if you think all the peacock feathers are beautiful, just wait until the other peacock items start showing up at 505!! (peacock chair, peacock vase, peacock fireplace screen, linen wall art with peacocks, metal peacocks, and carved peacocks with botanicals and feathers) Yes, I (reluctantly) admit I have a peacock problem, but...I don't think I'm the only one!

Oh, wow, I just remembered that two years ago I even designed a peacock bed. Perhaps there are some serious issues here!!

Animal Prints are Still Hot!!

2009-08-01T20:06:00.000-07:00

Will animal prints ever go away? I really don't think so...they seem to have a life all their own and creep into every design style and room setting. Actually, today's animal prints are recognized as a design "neutral" and can be meshed with french country, rustic, traditional, modern, bohemian,--basically all styles of decor.

From rugs to upholstery to vases, exotic animal prints show up everywhere in design and make a room more luxe and fabulous! (You'll find them all over 505!!)

Check out the animal print rugs from Surya.

Pure white cow hides can be stenciled to look like a zebra rug.

Black and White Zebra Sunbrella Fabric is beautifully
displayed on performance pillows that can be used indoors or out.

A soft cheetah print updates an upholstered dining chair.

A tiger striped vase with rattan details is created from the eco-chic company, Palecek!!

Sometimes the animal print shows up
.....on the animal himself!!!

A Coastal Moment...

2009-07-16T17:44:00.000-07:00

Each time I blog (and now it's starting FOR REAL...not like my pretend blogging experience of over a year ago) I want to show a small slice of the inspiration that I give and receive from 505.

There is such beauty in the small details of all the globally inspired objects that grace our bookshelves, tabletops, and cabinets, and I wanted to share some of those moments with you.

The coastal section of 505 is speaking to me right now...see if it excites you as well.

Coastal + splashy shells

Coastal + Brilliant Color

Coastal + Metallic Glamor

Coastal + Fun

Coastal + Mysterious Shadows

Coastal + Soothing Nature

Coastal + Bling

You don't have to live on the coast to enjoy the beautiful nature-inspired designs that come from the land and the sea.

Virgin Blogger

2008-08-31T18:08:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's the first time. I'm nervous...excited...and about to be in the middle of a hurricane--but nothing else matters right now.

I'm an ecstatic 58-year old who is embarking on a second career...ecstatic because after 32 years of teaching, there is rampant discovery around every corner. Yes, there is life after retirement, and for me it consists of developing an import furniture store, a franchise company of the same, and a manufacturing company. Not only am I surrounded by beautiful objects, but I get to attend markets all over the country--and in the process I can spend money like a wild Banshee with few consequences other than my daughter's disapproval. (not really...but my daughter is also my business partner and her daily challenge is keeping me in line.)

So now I'm about to post my first picture ever on my first blog ever, and this is an exciting historical moment for me. Not as historical as Gustav who is a few hundred miles away and trying to rain down on my parade, but we've "hunkered down" (always hated that hurricane phrase) and are hoping for the best.

Here goes.
One of our design concepts at 505 Imports is Coastal Cottage, and this is one room setting from the 505 showroom a few months ago.

I love the turquoise ceramic stools from Emissary, and the silver philodendron leaves and carved blue case from Tozoi make such a statement!!

Another coastal setting with soothing blue and a pop of orange. Vicki Singletary, a local artist in Lake Charles, provided a beautiful oil painting that captured the essence of summer. Her original art in our store creates a classy vibe that really showcases her talent and our hand-crafted furniture at the same time. I wish I could be on that orange lounge chair on the beach right now--but then again, maybe not...since Gustav is knocking at our door.

This nature inspired setting features a reclaimed teak canopy bench that I designed for a client in Galveston. The canopy has handmade carvings of palm trees across the top and some beautiful "old paint" across the teak--very organic looking with eco-friendly "reclaimed"materials, but it's more than eco-chic--the beauty and character of Indonesian reclaimed teak is amazing!!

I've been into summer and coastal and nature for so many months without being the least bit bored... it's difficult to switch gears now for fall and (gasp!) Christmas. But it's time to say goodbye and move on...even though it's 96 degrees outside.

My first blog was short but oddly satisfying..to me anyway. Hopefully, I will get the hang of this, and there will be many more to come. I am welcoming the personal growth and design experience that is in my future...not to mention the beautiful Cong white pots from Europe that are arriving next week.

Could this new adventure possibly be any more fun?