The Cultivated Home

To find our next new obsession, we had to skip across the globe to Japan!  What did we find?  A fabulous, freshly opened (as of December 2009) design store just waiting for us, Truck Furniture!  We may not be able to understand everything written on the website, but the only language we need to know to respond is the language of love, for their pieces!  With an influence from spare wood and metal works, and with a bit of a retro feel, Truckload reminds us of ever so classic pieces from the time of the inspirational Eames, and we cannot get enough.  They create pieces from everything—from chairs to sofas, dressers, home accessories, and more.  The best part is shipping to the US is a snap!  So if you see something you like, don’t hesitate to contact them, these unique pieces are needed NOW!

It can be hard to keep a secret, especially when it comes to finding deals, but we just can’t keep it to ourselves any longer! Today we are going to share with you some of our “Best Kept Secrets,” including some of our favorite interior design outlets and factory stores. Some require a car or a special trip and some are online, but all of them are definitely worth a visit!

Stark Carpet Outlet: Located in Connecticut, North Carolina, and California, the Stark Carpet Outlets have over 100,000 square feet of merchandise and feature not just rugs and carpets but beautiful fabrics and wallpapers as well. If you can’t make it to any of their three locations, check out the different carpets they have available online, and purchase them over the phone from any of their locations.

Matouk Factory Store: Located in Fall River, MA at their main production facility, the Matouk Factory Store truly represents its name. They have some of the most amazing bed, bath, and table linens out there—but with minor defects that most consumers would never even notice. We have even found amazing bedding sets and great gifts at just a fraction of the price.

Crate and Barrel Outlet: One of our favorites for classic finds, this outlet’s inventory can be viewed both online and in person. Featuring everything from furniture to dinnerware and priced at as much as 50 to 75% off, why look anywhere else!

Stripes remind us of spring—and even our dreams of the approaching summer!  We are counting down the days until we are sitting under a stripped awning, on a stripped lawn chair, in our stripped bathing suit, and drinking some fabulous frozen drink out of a stripped straw.  With stripes in our thoughts and in our dreams, we thought we’d share with you some of our favorites on this lovely Friday!

Stripe Cotton Pillows – These pillows from Be Still are great by themselves or as a pair on a couch, stool, or bed.  Priced at $42, they’re a definite must!

Dash and Albert – Their collection of woven, cotton, striped rugs are some of our favorites!  From black and white to lime green and brown, they have stripes for every color range and space.  They even have fabulous indoor and outdoor rugs that we love for areas that get a lot of foot traffic!

PB Classic Stripe Bedding – This classic bedding reminds us of awning stripes and the freshness of warmer months.  With matching sheets and shams, this bed can be an All-American classic or, for something different, throw in a bright colored sheet set.  Either way you’ll have a fun, new bed that you are excited to jump into every night.

Sag Harbor Stripe Dinner Plates – Whimsical and nautical, these blue and white stripped dinner plates from Kate Spade make us want to eat every meal on something so chic.

It has been confirmed! Another one of our favorite fashion designers is branching out into the world of home design and accessories. It may seem too far away to already begin dreaming about, but in January 2011 Diane Von Furstenberg is going to launch her own home collection. The collection will include tabletop and decorative accessories, as well as bedding and bath goods and is going to be available at international department stores and her website, DvF.com. We’ve tried to imagine what the pieces might look like by mixing a little bit of DvF fashion with her rug collection at The Rug Company—it just builds the anticipation. We cannot wait!

It’s a new year, which means SALE time!  It’s a time to bring in the new and clear out the old, so here are some great sales for the home!

ABC Carpet & Home:  All stores and all floors winter tag sale.  Up to 75% off!  (Also, check out their new, easy online shop option!)

BoConcept: Up to $300+ off selected pieces!

The Conran Shop:  Up to 75% off select pieces!

DWR: The Upholstery and Rug Sale, 15% off!

Jonathan Adler: Deep discounts for the final week on selected items.  Sale ends January 17^th!

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams: In-store winter sale offering 35 – 70% off floor samples and selected stock!  Also, 20% off special order upholstery.

West Elm: 20% more off of all sale furniture.