A "Modern Twist" on Placemats

We had a frenzy in the store this morning for these placemats by Modern Twist.

Quite frankly, I'm not surprised! So what makes them so special? These fun mats are hand-made out of food-grade silicone and ink. That means they are non-porous (therefore, no germs) and BPA free. Here is the clincher: you can color on them! It is a great way to keep kids occupied at the table during breakfast. Since the markers wipe right off the placemants with a damp cloth, they are sure to entartain again and again. There are also a lot of really cool "grown-up" designs that will sophisticate any dining table. We won't tell if you color on these, too!

Need a last minute birthday gift for a hip boy or girl? Swing by the store and grab the "Kidz Box" by Modern Twist. It includes a kids design placemat and set of dry-erase markers. We will gift wrap it for you so that you can make it to the party on time--unless you decide to browse the store and be fashionably late. :)

P.S. Mitchell Gold is having the Special Order PLUS Event: 20% off all special order upholstery AND tables, storage, rugs, lighting and accessories. Hurry--sale ends 10/11!

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

On Saturday, October 2nd, North Hills is hosting a 5k for the fight against breast cancer. The motto: making strides toward a world with more birthdays. I hope the majority of our blog readers have had the pleasure of meeting Susan, one of BeyondBlue's owners. You can find her here on the weekends--usually moving around heavy furniture and ladders that are three times her size. Susan is quite the trooper and also a breast cancer survivor. Ironically, her birthday falls on the day of the 5k. We will be celebrating Susan's birthday while raising money in hopes that other survivors will be able to enjoy many more birthdays with loved ones. Here is a picture from last year's event.

We encourage participants to stop by the store post-walk to enjoy some refreshing *pink* lemonade and mini-cupcakes to wish our wonderful owner a "happy birthday" and to also thank the walkers for their time and devotion to the cause. We are accepting $1 donations for the American Cancer Society.

The Proof is in the Photoshoot

Remember the blog we did a few weeks ago about the yellow and gray color combo? I wanted to share the latest collection from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams...

Look familiar? We just got in the Miller Bench at the foot of the bed in a beautiful dove gray. Come to the store and check out the newest pieces from market! We also have the pictured Butler Bed on the floor, as well as the Van Dyke side table (the striated wood finish on this is gorgeous).

It's "Puppy Love" at Beyondblue

Our blog readers know how much love BeyondBlue has for our customers and the environment--two very important things that we consider when selecting our pieces. However, we can't forget about man's best friend: all of the dogs that are lucky enough to enjoy the down sofas and plush rugs that their owners have purchased. On many occasions at the store, our canine comrades keep us company and help greet customers. We love vendors who love their pets too. Chilewich created a pet mat that is adorable and sturdy. This mat will withstand the tugs and tears of the biggest pups and keep the kibbles and bits where they belong. It also makes a great gift for pet lovers and their spoiled pooches.

Chartreuse Yellow and Cool Gray--A Combination For Any Season

With fabrics, there are lots of colors that are season-specific: winter white and spring green are two examples. Wouldn't it be nice to have a color scheme that works year round that isn't a boring beige? Chartreuse Yellow and Cool Gray is the little black dress of design--you use it throughout the seasons! I have put together a story board with some of the items from our collections. The pieces on top are suited for an informal family room, and the ones below would look nice in a more formal living room. Let our on-staff designers help to pull together your space. We can work with the pieces you have and love to give your home a face-lift!

Last Week For 20% Off MG+BW Upholstery Special Orders!

It is already that time--the pool is losing it's luster, backpacks and pencils are filling shopping carts, and fall clothes are lining store shelves (even though it is 101 degrees outside). It is back to school time. Soon, homes will be filled with long nights of homework that have even Mom and Dad scratching their heads. A great way to beat these back-to-school blues is with Dr. Pitt. He is the perfect companion for study-sessions and Saturday slumber parties. With so many configurations, the comy sectional can morph into the perfect sofa for any space. Plus, the plush pillows are perfect for fort-making. Take advantage of the 20% off upholstery sale through the end of the month. Dr. Pitt also has a LOVE program where select fabrics are over 20% off everyday. Come in the showroom and see for yourself--maybe after you drop the kids off at school! :)

Reduce, Re-use, Shop at Beyondblue!

There is a lot of lingo thrown around these days about furniture being eco-friendly, but I think it is important to understand exactly what these terms mean and how they relate to the furniture you bring into your home. I am not an expert on this, but from my experience in the industry this is what I have learned:


Sustainable: continuing to have minimal long-term effects on the environment


A great example of this is buying items with longevity in mind. Instead of purchasing a sofa that is cheaply made, it is better to buy a piece that has doweled joints and corner blocks to ensure it will be around for a while. A good qaulity piece will last twice as long. Sofas take up a lot of space in landfills and by reducing the number of pieces thrown away, you eliminate a lot of waste. We just got the Norton chairs at the store (sofa pictured left). You would definitely want to hang out to this piece for 10+ years since it is so comfy!




Green: using natural resources that promote healthy living and a healthy environment



This term has probably been the most widely used and understandably so--it is hard to define. In the design world, an example of green furniture would be a bamboo piece with non-toxic stains and glues. Bamboo grows very fast and is easily replinished. By using non-toxic finishes, you are cutting down on hazardous chemicals in your home. These paperstone coasters from Dinah Coops are made from cork, recylced paper and resin. We use them at the store for our parties and love them!






Recycled: re-condition and adapt to a new use or function



This is one of my favorite ways to be environmentally-friendly. Some of the most beautiful and unique pieces I have seen in the design industry have been recycled. We just got a piece in by Shiner Furniture which is made from responsibly-harvested wood (a "green" item) as well as steel which is 85% recycled. This coffee table has to be seen in person...it is so cool.

Now you have a basic understaning of eco-friendly furnishings and accessories so that you can go out shopping informed. This is a topic that is close to our hearts at Beyondblue, so don't hesitate to ask us questions. We would love to help you find pieces that are not only beautiful in your home, but ones that keep the environment looking good, too!