FYI- having feed problems!

We have had a few people alert us to the fact that our blog's feed isn't working properly- thank you to all!

And we apologize for the static "Drake's done it again!" blog post title and icon that you've been seeing for the past forty days or so on your blogroll feeds...and I assure you that we haven't disappeared- we are still up and blogging!

Hopefully we'll be back up and running like normal here soon!

In The Pink

  Many people credit David Alhadeff with helping to launch the Brooklyn design scene when he opened The Future Perfect  in Williamsburg 5 years ago. 

"Brooklyn is everything that everyone expects New York to be but New York is no longer," says he at the kitchen table of his New York loft.  Owner David,  despite busying himself with interiors projects recently, has finally given a proper website for his wares.  Looking for the latest table object from Jason Miller or Jaime Haylon?  A bubble-gum-pink necklace from Kiel Meade or wireless light switch by Tobi Wong?  Get thee straight to thy keyboard and surf this site.
This large screen of wallpaper is at the top of David's "Best list" in the apartment.  He had scraps of wallpaper from Timorous Beasties and Cole & Son that he maneuvered into a random pattern. A collage was born!  David labels all that is in his shop as "good new design, kitschy knicknacks and home decor. " 
At the entrance of the home is a massive industrial sliding door with a turquoise patina (my favorite color BTW.)  David scraped it down a bit to create this perfection.
I spy a "Ghost Chair" by Philippe Starck in David's  dining room!
David states that, " It never occurred to me that I was painting my room pink.  I know that seems a little crazy.  Historically, pink was for boys, it was a version of red.  Red was a strong color only to be worn by men.  Then "Reader's Digest" came out and said pink for girls and blue for boys.  That was the turning point.  It's actually just a very, very strong color."   It's called Baker-Miller Pink and is a hue sometimes found in prisons.  The shade is alleged to lower anxiety, increase melatonin production and also to decrease appetite.  David states that "if you can chill out, fall asleep faster and lose weight in a room, it's perfect."  I must agree.  Wonder about the prison connection?
In his living room there are two couches: a dark green Chesterfield and a flat "Bottoni" sofa by my hero, Marcel Wanders for Moooi covered in cushions including a graffiti needlepoint pillow by Future Perfect alum Heather Dunbar.  Incredible rug is by Timorous Beasties,

 yet again.

David has perfected the idea that,  "luxury is really about the eclectic combination of things."  I just love that.

All images courtesy of Vogue Living Australia.

Dreaming of a Getaway

In case you are dreaming of a tropical vacation in the midst of winter, check out this new hotel opening in Bali on April 1st. Just in time for spring break! Featured on Design Hotels.

Southern Chic

One of our readers emailed me this showroom's website because it's one of her favorites and she thought it might be of interest to us Material Girls and our readers. Thank you so much Laurel!

The name of the showroom is SummerHouse and it's located in Ridgeland, Mississippi.

They have a great website- flash photos that give you a complete tour of their showroom (the only downside of flash is that I couldn't import more photos to show you guys!)

Southern showroom road trip, anyone?

We can start in Texas and make our way to Louisiana and visit Julie Neill, then head on over to SummerHouse in Mississippi, and then drive on over to Pieces in Atlanta! Then we will finish up the trip in Florida where we will lay on the beach in Miami for days. Sound like a plan?

Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall...

Thought I would share a few mirrors I've been sourcing to go in a client's powder room along with a Kohler vanity (featured below).

West Elm "Wood Cut Out" 24" x 32" $199:

William Sonoma Home "Notched Wood Square" 31" Sq $395:

West Elm Sun Wall Mirror 24" D $129:

Restoration Hardware "British Cane Mirror."


Mersing 30" Vanity from Kohler.

Twig 1 vs. Twig 2

I found two very similar (but also very different) twig side tables.

You have two trendy elements put together in each piece- Organic + Metallic

Without telling you where each is from, how do you think these two measure up?

Twig Contestant #1:
-Black stone top
-Metal on metal tripod base
-"silvered tree branch look"
-17" diameter
- Was $399, now marked down to $299

Twig Contestant #2:

-White marble top
-Antiqued brass intertwining legs
-16.5" diameter
-$349

Which twig tripod would make it into your home?

Ole!

I opened up the new Anthropologie catalog and almost mistook this shower curtain for a very, very, very long skirt.

It's called the Flamenco Shower Curtain- cascades of ombre ruffles envelope this festive curtain- reminiscent of a Spanish dancer's skirt.

Thanks from the Material Girls!

Just wanted to give a heartfelt thanks to Kineda for featuring us on their 40 Amazing Architecture and Interior Design Blogs list.

There are a ton of great blogs listed and even some that I've yet to discover. Be sure to check them out.

Off to go read!

Calling all readers with paint problems: February's Challenge

Is your home feeling blah? Are your builder's beige walls finally getting to you? Not to worry, you are not alone!

I can't tell you how many consultations I've gone on where people want strictly color/paint advice. I experienced a similar situation a few weeks ago when I got a call from my boyfriend's sister who told me that I need to come to Georgetown ASAP to fix her color problem (or lack thereof). Her walls "look lifeless", she said. The same neutral color flows throughout her entire new house and she needed paint advice from a designer STAT. I designed her pediatric dentist office this summer (with bright colors galore) and then she comes home at the end of the day to a lackluster color scheme of neutral upon neutral upon neutral. Sigh.

A home should reflect one's personality and when it doesn't reflect anything, well it can end up looking pretty dismal.

I always tell people that one of the easiest, most affordable, and quickest way to give your home a makeover is through paint. What better way to express yourself and to highlight your art, furnishings, accessories?

For this months challenge, please send me up to three rooms that are in desperate need of a paint revamp! If you only have one or two rooms, no problem- send it my way! These can be bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, powder rooms, dining rooms (you get the jist).

To enter the contest, please email me, Emily (emily@ejinteriors.net) with the following (please submit by 2.28.09):

**At least four 4 images of all angles of the rooms you wish to repaint (can send up to three rooms) and send photos of existing flooring

**Images of any connecting rooms (to make sure the colors flow well with the rest of your house)

**General colors that you like, general colors that you dislike

**What you want the overall feel of the room to be? Dramatic, light and airy, warm and homey, etc.

**Please send photos of the existing furniture in the rooms as well as any existing fabric swatches (winner will be asked to mail- if possible, any fabric swatches to me that way we can make sure we get the closest match possible for your room!)

**Please state or show lighting conditions in the room

**I can choose paint from these vendors: Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, and Farrow and Ball- please state in the email which vendor fits your budget and location.

**Please specify which areas of the room need to be painted- walls, moulding, ceiling, built-ins, etc.

After the first fifty entries or the last day of the month (whichever comes first), we will post a note on our blog that the giveaway submittal window has ended.

Here is a reminder of our contest calendar:

1st- Challenge announced

15th- Previous month's challenge winner announced on our blog as well as a solution to the challenge.

Last day of the month- All entrants must be emailed to the designer who is taking on that month's challenge.

Big sale at Jan Showers!

Dallas Interior Designer Jan Showers is having a huge sale at her Slocum St. showroom from February 9th- February 13th!

This is her first sale in almost nine years and it's going to be open to the trade AND the public! Items will be marked 30-50% off. This is definitely something you don't want to miss.

Here is a sneak peek at some of my favorite items that will be featured in Jan's upcoming sale:


Lauren, you need this couch! (and the rug, for that matter)


Lots of glam lighting...

And my absolute favorite item...the drinks cart! A little bit of lucite heaven

She also has some very gorgeous chairs...



This sale is a very rare occurence so make sure you stop on over!

1308 Slocum St.

Dallas, TX 75207

Hours- M-F

9 am-5pm