Announcing the launch of Second Showroom

The idea started out with an epiphany.

Let us explain.

As an operator of an online store, we have our fair share of both pleasure and pain. The pleasure part is going to trade shows and buy all these wonderful things. The painful part is sometime we buy too much or when we have returns. What do we do with all these beautiful items that are brand new and absolutely too beautiful to sit in the warehouse?

So we are so excited to announce the launch of SecondShowroom.com.

This is the site where you can get overstock, showroom samples and excess inventory directly from the manufacturers, retailers and showrooms throughout the country at amazing prices, and we mean AMAZING prices. More often than not you can get new items at savings of up to 75% off. What's more, by buying directly from the retailers and the manufacturers, you'll get the added assurance of buying from a reputable source; and that the merchandise will be in good condition when you receive it.

Now, the site is fairly new and we only have a limited number of items up so far, but keep checking back as we add more dealers and more merchandise.

It'll be a great hunt! We guarantee it.

10 Things You Must Have in The House

We love lists, don't you? We love reading other's people list too, mainly because we're lazy and sometimes it's nice to have other people to do the work so we don't have to think so hard.

We recently saw a list of 100 things you should do in LA before you die by Caroline on Crack and we thought it was great. For those who live in LA, it's a really fun blog to read. For those who live outside LA, it's a great resource to find things to do in LA if you visit.

So we thought we come up with our own list. Since this blog is about the home, we'll focus on that theme. And since 100 is way too many for our brains, here is a list of 10 things you should have in the house:

1) A fantastic bed. This is where you spend of your time and this is where you should splurge and buy the best possible mattress you can find. Hotel mattress are the best! We like the ones from Westin. They even teach you how to make up the bed at home.

2) Fantastic bed sheets. They don't have to be expensive. We find amazing ones at Nordstrom Racks that have very high thread count and get softer after each wash.

3) Fresh scented candles, and please, none of that Glade cheap stuff. Scented candles are like perfume, the cheap ones just give you a headache. We love Votivo and Dyptique.

4) Amazing wine. Even if you don't drink wine, have some anyway. Your guests would appreciate it.

5) A great sofa. This is another thing you should splurge on. Buy the best one that you can afford. You can always reupholster it later. We like ones from Moroni and Burton James.

6) Great books. Even if you don't have time to read, when you see books that you like buy them anyway; then stock them on the bookshelves to read later. Books give soul to the house, and they make you look smart, even if you are not (well, that kinda depends on what kind of books you buy...)

7) Great music. CDs are gone to the way side, and good things too, because they are messy and unattractive. Invest in an IPOD and a good sound system. If you have great wireless Internet, Pandora is amazing for free music.

8) Gorgeous home accessories. By home accessories we means things that add character and style to your house, like rugs, artwork, flowers, decorative pillows and such. Of course we will plug our own site, InsideAvenue.com, but we like ZGallerie too... Again, our mantra is less is more, and quality is better than quantify.

9) Fantastic cookware. Cooking is amazing relaxing and creative. Having great cookware inspire you. We love Sur La Table for high-end cookware. Williams Sonoma is a great store too.

10)A dog. Yes, a dog. A cat if you are not a dog lover. We're plugging dogs because they are so sweet, so loving, so adorable. There's nothing more comforting that coming home to a dog who is so happy to see you, all the time!

What about you, do you have a list of must-haves? Email us your list and we'll publish it.

Irrational Exuberance to Irrational Desperation in 60 Seconds

We don't know about you, but we have had enough with whole frugality thing that our whole country is in. Oh my god, can we do without one more article about how to make one chicken into three meals, how we can have all kind of fun doing free things like taking a walk in the park ? How many walks in the park can one possibly take anyway?

Now, we have nothing against taking a walk in the park, or cutting back for that matter. The economy still sucks, people are losing jobs--that much is clear. But all this cut back is DEPRESSING! Not to mention, if everyone stops spending, we'll have a serious stagflation problem. Look at what happened to the Japanese--their economy has stood still since the 80s.

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stagflation–noun

an inflationary period accompanied by rising unemployment and lack of growth in consumer demand and business activity.

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While we don't encourage living beyond our means, we think everyone should spend a little, if they still can. No, we don't advocate spending your rent check on a pair of Pierre Hardy shoes, but if you can still afford it, and if you really, really want it--why not?

Buy less, but buy quality. Eat out less, but eat well. Spend less, but spend wisely.

And yes, do take that walk in the park, but in some cute shoes... You'll feel much better.

So Pretty-New Products from Jardins En Fleur

We got an email from Jardins En Fleur about their new pieces today. OMG they are so pretty! You probably know from our previous post that this is one of our favorite new vendors. The prices are getting more reasonable. The chairs shown are about $350-400/each. The console table is about $1500.

If you like the softer, prettier style of home decor, this line is so for you. It's Asian decor done in a very modern and original way.

Here are pictures of the new pieces. They are shown here in white lacquer, which is a great neutralizing color. We love using it in rooms with lots of colors or patterns...

If you need pricing and availability, please visit our home decor store. Thanks!

Fresh Bedding from Mystic Valley Trading

We haven't purchased any bedding for our store for a while, mainly because they are a bit cumbersome to sell. But we just received our Mystic Valley Trading catalog today and they have some really pretty stuff! What's more, they put everything into one convenient package so we don't have to list each piece individually.

Here are some bedding from the Spring collection that we really like. They look fresh and fun.

The bedding sell for about $1500-$2000 per ensemble. To see more, visit the Mystic Valley web site. To get pricing and availabililty, please drop us a line.

Modern Fabrics from Duralee

Duralee just came out with a collection of modern fabrics that we thought are really pretty.

Here is a sample of it. To see each sample, check out the Duralee's Simply Modern Collection.
There are five additional books...




To get pricing and availability, please visit our fabric store.

Bargain Buys from Arteriors Home

We decided that every Friday should be the designated "bargain day", what do you think? On this day, we will post all manufacturer bargains that we feel are tremendous buys. Again, these are brand-new, top-of-the-the line overstock from the manufacturers (no need to worry whether people had sex on that couch you got from Craigslist!).

Here are some bargains from Arteriors Home--they make beautiful chandeliers and accessories....

This horse sculpture has always been one of our best sellers. It was $350 now it is $160. Very Hollywood-Regency-ish, don't you think?


This Pagoda chandelier originally sold for $1000, now $500

We love this one. It comes with a sconce as well. Originally $1250 now $600!

This chandelier is really dramatic in person, especially if you are into green. This used to be $1800, now it is $650 This one is smaller in scale and is perfect for a powder room. It used to be $1200, now it is $500
Isn't this one cute? It is now $850 (was $2400-okay, it was a little over-priced)

This one is adorable in person. It used to be $1500. Now it is $650
This sconce has a matching chandelier (see above). Used to be $400. Now it is $160.
This table was orginally $600, now $250 This looks great as a pair. Used to be $400 now $175/ea
All prices listed above do not including shipping cost. Stock is limited. If you would like to purchase these items or need to get dimensions/more info, please drop us a line...

Amazing Bargains on Modern Furniture-Nuevo Living

We are on a bargain hunting mode lately. Who isn't with this economy!

So we've been browsing through all the manufacturers bargains that have been sent our way. You see, manufacturers need to make room for new inventory, new styles, whatever, then they send us the lists of items that have been marked down like crazy.

Here are some bargains for the day from Nuevo, which specializes in modern furniture. We like the quality of their furniture quite a bit. We use their barstools for restaurant projects and they hold up really well.

We've listed the prices here but keep in mind that they do not include shipping cost.

This cool -looking chair is only $210.

This one is shown in black but the only color available is brown. The leather is top grain Italian leather. It is $210.
This floor lamp is $150 .
This sofa is $950. It is also available in a loveseat ($700).
This sectional is $1700!

If you are interested in any of these items, drop us a line. Again, these prices exclude shipping cost, which vary depending on the qty and the location of where you live. Also, stock is limited.

Z Gallerie Filed Chapter 11

Z Gallerie filed chapter 11 today, citing difficult economic environment.

More information can be found here:

Z Gallerie News

Please Support Your Local Stores

We were driving down the design district in Los Angeles the other day and we were struck with how many "For Lease" signs were out there. It seems like almost every other shop is closed! Then we read in the LA Times that Cook's Library is closing. For those who do not live in LA, Cook's Library is an independent bookstore that specialized in cookbooks. It's one of those places that you can spend hours in--the staff is incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. In the LA Times article, the owner was lamenting about how they would spent a considerable amount of time with a customer on a book, only to have that person ask them to write the title/author down so that they can buy it at Amazon.com. That is so wrong!

Which leads to an appeal we would like to make to you today:

PLEASE, PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES.



Source: New Yorker Magazine


Yes, we know sometimes you can get a better deal on the Internet, but the stores have so much overhead they can not maintain business on the same margin. They HAVE to charge more. You are paying a little bit more to be able to see the products, touch the products; and most of all, have some personal attention.

We especially feel the small businesses need the most help--the mom-and-pop stores that work so hard and put their life saving into a business.

We need businesses like this to make our community more vibrant and intersting. What would life be if there are no small, charming stores to shop in; or if there were nothing but chain stores. Don't you hate it when you go to different cities and all the shops are the same ones you can get at home?

So let's all pledge to do a little bit for our local business community. Times are tough, but if we each do a little that would help so much.

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