A PLACE OF RECHARGE

Everyone deserves a space to call their own!! You deserve such a place - where you can feel your best and be inspired!! That space doesn’t have to be a whole room or a ‘mom or man-cave’. It can be as small as a nook. What matters is that it is a place to recharge your mind, your spirit, your being and your technology. All of these need to be nurtured and re-fueled in some way.

Do you have a space where you can journal, think, brood, read a book, chat on the phone, doodle, plug in your techy stuff, or just get your juices flowing? The-Boutique MOD can help you design such a space, a ‘recharging space,’ to re-focus on you! The boutique offers a mix of modern and unique home-goods from 2modern, all modern, inhabit, cb2, west elm, Jonathan Adler, ETC which can be purchased thru amazon.

The Boutique MOD is set up to be very easy to shop and purchase: make choices on your own or get help from ‘readymade vignettes,’ narratives that suit your style and taste from the wide selection of products.

ready-made vignette (1):

recharging space MOD CHIC

You can turn this virtual space into reality!

Peek below at the-Boutique MOD, "goods to recharge your world!!"

Wallpaper: Stacey Garcia CORSETGS4812Wallpaper
Wood Floor: rift oak


the-Boutique MOD:

Outdoor Living: contemporary outdoor garden furniture

LUXURY PATIO FURNITURE COMPANY
Luxury Rattan Modular Garden Sofa

There is a wonderful trend for outdoor living. People desire to bring the inside out and dine or relax in a lush, resort-like outdoor living room furnished with high-end all weather modern furniture, fashionable rugs, accessories, and sleek fireplaces or fire pits. Wouldn’t you want to escape to your own backyard and attain that ultimate feeling of comfort? I know I do!  You can easily start creating your outdoor sanctuary with the right furniture, if nothing else.

I recently discovered a UK company called Luxury Patio Furniture, under their parent company Paramount Zone Ltd, who takes extreme attention to detail on quality and design. Their intent is to craft luxury furniture at affordable prices. Their stunning contemporary outdoor furniture features handcrafted 100% eco-friendly rattan with comfortable Teflon coated cushions.  James from Luxury Patio Furniture adds, “synthetic rattan has many advantages over traditional rattan. The main one being that it looks great year after year and requires hardly any maintenance at all. The Teflon cushions make the cushions very comfortable and long lasting.” Up close, the synthetic rattan design is beautifully finished and constructed and would add style and comfort to your outdoor space. Read on so you can learn more about all their products that are synonymous with complete and utter relaxation!

Rattan Double Outdoor Daybed With 2 Ottomans (Rome)

This Rattan Double Daybed looks so comfy and cozy for a night under the stars! Ahhh! The set comes with two ottomans and is extremely versatile allowing for a wide variety of seating arrangements.

Luxury Patio furniture offers so many possibilities that you will never be short on options: you can create two seating areas each with a sofa and a matching ottoman, or two single sun loungers or even mulitple Daybed loungers in a row for extreme luxuriance!! See below what you can mix and match with:

Rattan Sun Lounger with Wheels (Madrid)

The Rattan Sun Lounger is not only great for an outdoor garden space but also a pool area! 

Luxury Rattan Modular Garden Sofa Set (Milan)

Garden Sofa- Contemporary Garden Furniture (Paris)

The Garden Sofa is also a perfect choice for your outdoor livingroom! The internal framework of the furniture is thoughtful and well-done. See the aluminum feet protectors in the image above - you can position your furniture any which way without any worries of damaging your lawn or patio area. The framework used inside is made out of powder coated aluminum which will also prevent rust.

Take a closer look at the weave and construction:

Synthetic Rattan- 100% eco friendly and handcrafted

All of their synthetic PU rattan pieces do not fade or crack and will look great year after year!

The PU Rattan is so durable that it remains soft and cool to the touch and will not overheat on long hot summer days! It requires very little maintenance as well. A simple wipe down will do!

Outdoor Sofa - Luxury Modern Rattan (Barbados)

Outdoor Sofa - Luxury Modern Rattan (Barbados)

I love the sleek lines of the Barbados Rattan. The cream coloured Teflon cushions are well made, thick for comfiness and resistant to moisture. So have your wine party as they are easy to clean and care for! Any spillages can be easily wiped off. Depending on your design, there are many color options available. 

Luxury Rattan Garden Table With 8 Chairs (Barcelona)

Besides great versatility, function, and sleek design, Luxury Patio Furniture company has some quality furniture options to bring contemporary style to your outdoor living space which can be enjoyed for years to come!

To order your very own Luxury Patio Furniture set, contact them on their WEBSITE, FACEBOOK, TWITTER.


BIG thanks to Luxury Patio Furniture for  the interview, and becoming one of my sponsors!!! See their advertisment on my side-bar.

(all images provided by Luxury Patio Furniture)

ADVICE: BLACK COUNTERTOP HELP!

Hey M,

I am putting in a new modern kitchen and have hit a wall. Unfortunately, the cabinets have been ordered and are arriving in a couple of weeks, but I am lost for a countertop. The cabinets and the floor are going to be very white so I was hoping to contrast it with a black countertop. What do you suggest for a shiny black countertop? Thanks so much!
Monique M.

Hi Monique!

I love dark contrast for your ultra chic modern white kitchen! I have some stylish stones in mind to blow your dinner guests away. Since you are a bit under the gun to find a countertop, your best bet might be Caesar stone slabs. Caesar stone is a premium quartz material that is very durable and stands up to spills and scratches. You can build up the edge of your counter to 4-6" without any worries! Some of my faves are:

CAESAR STONE CARBONE

The mix of black and white, kinda cool and hip for a modern-look!

CAESAR STONE BASALT 6185T

The Basalt has some texture to the touch!

CAESAR STONE JET BLACK 3100

Just simple and sleek!

MISTY BLACK GRANITE POLISHED

Misty Black is a natural stone, so it does have some natural veining and remember to seal every 3-5 years!


I hope this helps! Good luck with your installation!

Tween FashionistaTrend: Mogo Charm Bracelets

MOGO CHARM BRACELETS color inspire
the young fashionista
(all images via MOGO)

Mogo Charm bands are the latest collectible Tween trend.  My 8 year old is obsessed with these charm bracelets!  Really cool and pretty button-sized magnetic charms easily snap and click into brightly colored bands. There are tons of designs to choose from like peace signs, hearts, cupcakes, initials, birthstones, butterflies, bling charms and many, many more!  Believe me I know, as my daughter wants more and more..! Here's the innovative part, its versatility: the bands can be connected to make accessories such as necklaces, chokers and belts.

source

Price point is very reasonable, about $25-$40 for the band and a couple of charms.

See some images below:

CHARM BANDS

VARIETY OF MOGO CHARMS

The jewel toned colors in these charms are really special and made me wonder how it would translate into interior design? Love the idea of a crisp white room embellished with pops of saturated bright color! That would make a space feel playful, dramatic and sophisticated! See some spaces below for inspiration:

Hot pink color and pattern adds adds elegance to this great room!

source

SHERWIN WILLIAMS
GALA PINK #6579

Next:



Pops of yellow and orange adds whimsy to this babies room!

(source)

SHERWIN WILLIAMS 
HEARTY ORANGE #SW6622

SHERWIN WILLIAMS
EYE CATCHING #SW6914

Next:

The bright pop of pink in the bedding and chevron rug is artful and refined.
The touch of yellow adds a ray of brightness too!

source



SHERMAN WILLIAMS

DYNAMO #SW6841

Next:

The juxtaposition of green, yellow and purple in contrast to white makes this room ultra modern and dramatic!

source

SHERMAN WILLIAMS
FULLY PURPLE #SW6983

SHERMAN WILLIAMS

CENTER STAGE #SW6920

Are you inspired and running to the store yet?
I buy my daughters at the Hallmark stores.

Find more info about MOGO on their WEBSITE, and FACEBOOK!

GIVEAWAY: CICCIA BELLA COWGIRL RIDER

CICCIA BELLA COWGIRL RIDER GIVEAWAY

Thank you Ciccia Bella for the awesome interview last week and the cutest Cowgirl Rider Giveaway!

MDG Readers, get in on a comfy-cozy for your toesies GIVEAWAY! See below how to enter:

Prize:  Vintage Bear Cowgirl Riders®

Description:
For all the youngins, whether colt or filly, there is surely a playful style to tickle all fancies. From roughhousing to a school field trip, these snuggly boots will make your lil one comfortable anywhere. For indoor play and outdoor wear.

Children’s sizes include:
SM - M (12/13 - 1/2)
L - XL (3/4 - 5/6)

To Enter: 
Click HERE and LIKE Mod Design Guru Facebook page and let me know in the comments section below that you liked it!

Giveaway ends: 

Winner will be notified on Monday, June 25th at 7:00pm (USA only)

Jennifer Ryan

You are the Winner!

email moddesignguru@gmail.com your mailing address!!

Spotlight: the playful, fun and fashionable Ciccia Bella

CICCIABELLA COWGIRL RIDERS - FALL SHOOT
(image by Ashley Kelly)

Are you a CicciaBellan girl yet? If not, you should be! I discovered these trendy Western inspired slippers that every little girl would love! Moms too! They are chic, comfy-cozy and great for both indoor play and outdoor wear! The CicciaBellan style is known for its combination of playfulness, fun and fashion as typified in the butterfly logo known as the "pretty little one." 

What I love about this brand is the attention to detail. You would know its a CicciaBella by the footwear's impressive detailed stitching, fun fabrics and its signature butterfly logo impressed on the bottom of the soles. But what is really unique is the construction. They are made out of TPR which makes them tough enough for outdoor wear. Tough enough for their spokesperson, TLC's Reality star Eden Wood from "Toddler and Tiaras," and "Eden's World" during their catalog shoot on a farm with chickens, horses and zebras (oh my), with the talented and creative photographer, Ashley Kelly!

EDEN WOOD SPORTING COWGIRL RIDERS
(image by Ashley Kelly)

SWEET PETAL- SOLD IN WOMEN'S AND CHILDREN'S SIZES

SUPPORT SLIDE SLIPPERS FOR MOM TOO!
Champagne & Roses

Mod Design Guru was able to interview the creative owner of CicciaBella, Adria Laxson whose story is very interesting. "I sold CicciaBella in my retail location, Ceil gallery since 2003. I fell in love with the slippers while shopping in my hometown and had to have them to sell the day I opened my store. In 2007 I did some designing for the company and got a pass to do so anytime in the future. When it came time for the previous owners to retire they thought of me! I bought the company in 2010."

(image by Ashley Kelly)

Mod Design Guru (MDG) was curious about what inspired the Cowgirl rider collection since it is a big hit amongst young girls. Adria gives crdit to the previous owners for the original Cowgirl Rider collection. She adds, " the Farinas are an amazingly creative couple who have helped guide me since taking over their baby. As for me, I'm bubbling over with ideas and consistently have to scale it back to make it fit in a season. Much of my inspiration is to give what once was their baby, now mine, the attention it deserves to make the Farina's proud."

MDG thinks Adria's design sensibility is very hip and very now! Learn more as Adria gives us more insight into her catalog shoot with reality star Eden Woods, her inspirations from her travels and a peek into her future handbag line!


How did "Toddlers and Tiaras" reality TV star Eden Wood, come to be the company's spokesperson? 

Eden Wood was invited to our Debutante Fashion show hosted by Kelly Bensimon for Fashion week in September of 2011. From that point forward we knew it was a match made in heaven because we adore Eden! Communication for a deal began instantaneously.

ADRIA LAXSON, EDEN WOOD AND KELLY BENSIMON FASHION WEEK 2011

Your catalog  for the collection is very creative. Take us behind the scenes of your shoot with live animals, reality star Eden Wood and photographer Ashley Kelly? 

Originally we were introduced to A-list Dallas star, Ashley Kelly, by publicist Andrew Sullivan. Now, she is officially a CicciaBellan. Each season we join forces to create something new and even more fabulous than the last. This last time we had a zebra, miniature horse, chickens, hay bales, longhorns and we have to mention a vintage leopard tub! Who knows what the next will hold but we know it will have to impress.

(image by Ashley Kelly)

(image by Ashley Kelly)

(image by Ashley Kelly)

How has your travels sparked design inspiration? What interesting fabrics, colors, textures have you applied to your collections? 

Obviously traveling has only increased the love of lux fabrics and fantastic colors. Just this last February, directly after our Pop-Up Fashion week event, I found the most fantastic brocade material at a Shanghai market that actually literally sparkles. We’re not talking gaudy at all, actually very demure but with actual hints of sparkle. After the glittery event it seemed right in line for our Fall 2012 line. When better to bring the sparkle than the holidays?

BROCADE FOR NEW FALL SLIPPER

HANDBAG LINING

What line are you most proud of and why? 

Honestly, I’m most excited about the handbags we’re about to come out with in the Fall! We like to spice it up and not follow the rules! Obviously, they will be in line with our price points and have our classic CicciaBella style. We know our CicciaBellans will love them.

What is your ultimate goal for your brand and strategy for success? 

Really, as cheesy as it sounds I want to always love what I do and that's exactly what I do. As a company, we'll always adjust to the current market situations and make it work but we realy do this for love of fashion. Period.

Thank you Adria for an awesome interview! I can't wait to see the new handbag line! You can find Ciccia Bella on their WEBSITE, FACEBOOK, and TWITTER!

Look out for a Cicciabella GIVEAWAY this week posted on the

Mod Design Guru Fanpage! Ciccia Bella donated the most adorable pair! So click LIKE, so you don't miss out! 

FOODIE SCAPE: GOURMET POPSICLES COLOR INSPIRE

GOURMET POPSICLE  (source)

Wouldn’t you want to sink your teeth into this Blackberry/Vanilla Gourmet popsicle this summer? What a great backyard dinner party treat that inspires a modern sophisticated space!

I have always loved the color purple. Its hue embodies luxury, sophistication and royalty. When teamed with vanilla white, it is a forceful statement. When it comes to interior spaces, this regal color is striking; yet soothing. It blurs the line between masculine and feminine and has a youthful edginess;yet mature and elegant. So GO for it!

See the crisp white sheets against the lush headboard designed by Vern Yip below. This bedroom is inviting, peaceful and calm:



(image via Vern Yip)

SHERMAN WILLIAMS KIMONO VIOLET #SW6839

What a fun and flirty bedroom for a young and contemporary girl:

(image via homedecorgallery.net )

SHERMAN WILLIAMS DYNAMO #SW6841

Purple is also a creative color and works well in working environments and communal gathering spaces like the space designed on Design Star below. The contrasting white really pops against this rich use of color.

(image via Design Star)

SHERMAN WILLIAMS INPULSIVE PURPLE #SW6832

Be unconventional like the color Purple!