Friday Find: Gump's Spring Sale

Gump's of San Francisco is having a Spring sale and look what I found!

Hello sunshine! This illuminated sunburst sconce in matte gold finish would add light as well as visual interest to any room. The light bulb is mounted behind the fixture, creating an intriguing play of shadows and light on the wall. Was $395 - now $299.99.

Glossy luahnus shells make lovely decorative accents in vases, bowls or planters. Two pound bag now $9.99 {from $19}.

This elegant antiqued rosette mirror would make a beautiful focal point above a fireplace mantel. It is truly a work of art - each etched with flowers - surround the beveled central glass while burnished golden metal frames the rosette's handset pieces. Was $295 - now $154.99.

The Macao Settee is part of Gump's white ash collection and features handcrafted details that reflect the influence of the Chinese Chippendale style. The settee has lovely geometric fretwork backs and handwoven solehia seats. Was $995 - now $599.99.

Happy Friday and decorating to you!

Meet Trina Turk!

Trina Turk in Burlingame, California would also like you to extend a 10% discount on any purchase Saturday, March 20, 2010. To receive the discount, please print out this post and present it at check out.

Hope to see you there!

Just a few more days to enter to win some gorgeous earrings by Blydesign! Go here.

You will LOVE this stuff...

I just discovered this adorable online store, Bombay Duck. If I could register for a house warming party, I think this might be it. If I had a house. Here are some of my favs...

these are tooooo pretty!



really cute shoe boxes


pretty glass knobs


vintage tea accessories!

adorable cupcake shaped trinket boxes


love the flower drawer pulls!
Check out all the goodies on Bombay Duck.

Friday Find: Chic White Decor

Light and airy, decorating with white can open up even the smallest of spaces. Here are some of my favorite finds at Pieces in this peaceful, neutral hue.

Isn't this fiberglass arm chair a beauty?

Made of soft goat's fur, this cream hide stool would make a wonderful accent in an all white room. It can be used for seating, side table or foot stool. Love that!

Loving this pair of vintage, white leather tufted chairs.

This handmade driftwood side table with glass top would make a stunning side table.

These white glazed ceramic cylinders with clover leaf pierced detail would make a beautiful table centerpiece. Simply add candles to enhance the mood.

I am digging the driftwood side table. What about you?

If you like white decor, you may also like this post, Clean and Simple: White Kitchens. Also, check back in next week for a fabulous jewelry giveaway here at Simplified Bee you won't want to miss!

*this is not a paid advertisement

Super cute and chic French finds...

I discovered this online boutique, French Freak, via House Beautiful. I'm sure you'll find something you love, and the prices won't make you wince either. I think this stuff is adorable!


This Eiffel Tower blind was what caught my attention when I saw it in House Beautiful

They have so many of those adorable bamboo mats with the old advertisements on them - so if you don't see one you like here check on their site.

Cute, huh?!?

Friday Find: Whimsical Elephant Bookends

Today's Friday Find are these adorable and whimsical elephant bookends by Zid Zid {launched by husband and wife design team from Morocco}. Weighted with sand and polyfill, these sturdy elephants can help keep up to 50 books in place. Not only functional, the bookends would add an exotic touch to any nursery, child's room or home office. $82 for the pair and available at Arte Bebe.

Happy Friday!

Ancient Fretwork Patterns in Today's Interior Design

According to Wikipedia, fretwork is an interlaced decorative design that is either carved in low relief on a solid background, or cut out with a fretsaw, jigsaw or scroll saw. The Chinese Chippendale Chair {above} is a classic example of decorative fretwork. Open geometric fretwork patterns have been used to adorn furniture and architectural designs for over 3,000 years. Buzz Kaplan wrote an excellent article regarding Antique Fretwork on Decorati's blog.

Today, ancient fretwork patterns including those from the Chinese, Moorish and Greek cultures can be seen throughout our homes on decor items such as rugs, casegoods, tile, wallpaper and textiles. Here are a few examples:

Song IV wool & silk rug from Tai Ping's Fret Collection

Evan Display Cabinet by Hickory Chair

Barbara Barry Fretwork Lounge Chair from McGuire Furniture

Siam Trellis wallpaper by Sanderson

Fabric Collection by Michael Devine Home: Fretwork Pattern in Chocolate

Fretwork decorative molding on built-in cabinet by Burnham Design

Modern Fretwork ceramic tile by Michael S. Smith at Anne Sacks

Table OM with the ancient flower of life pattern

Round Fretwork Mirror at Neiman Marcus

Fretwork bedding by Leontine Linens

Open Fretwork Stool at Doxa Home

Oslo Side Table at Shine Home

Brooke Green pillow by Madeline Weinrib

Do you have fretwork patterns in your home's decor?

Christmas Decorating with Nutcrackers

As early as 1800, standing wooden nutcrackers in the form of soldiers and kings were found in Germany and in 1830, the term “Nussknacker” appeared in the dictionary of the Brothers Grim. In 1872 Wilhelm Füchtner, also known as the “father of the nutcracker,” created the first commercial nutcrackers.

Today many wooden toy soldier nutcrackers are still manufactured in Germany. Each year interest is renewed by the productions of the Nutcracker Ballet. By the way, there are still tickets available to the San Francisco Ballet's version - it's excellent!

Here are some examples of classic wooden nutcrackers dressed in their holiday finest. From left to right: Williams Sonoma Home, Gump's and D. Blümchen & Company.

Today, collectors can now find hundreds of designs. Here are some of my favorite non-traditional nutcracker dolls. From left to right - White Rabbit, Beekeeper and Hamlet from The Nutcracker Christmas Shop and the Salty and Santa with Sleigh from Gump's.

Crate & Barrel's set of silver and gold nutcracker ornaments would look terrific on any Christmas tree.

How about a gingerbread nutcracker covered in holiday confections? yum.

These festive nutcracker place mats from Gump's would make any table setting magical.

Holiday desserts would be served in style on these handsome set of nutcracker bone-china plates.

Nutcracker salt & pepper shakers from Lillian Vernon would make a great addition to any nutcracker collection.

Do you collect nutcrackers?

* images courtesy of Gump's, Martha Stewart, Lillian Vernon, Crate & Barrel, SF Ballet, Williams Sonoma Home, The Nutcracker Christmas Shop and D. Blümchen & Company