Historic Homes

Hello everyone!
Today we're happy to introduce to you one of our excellent interior designers, Michele!

Michele Moschides,  M.A.H.P

Specializes in Historic Interior Design Services

BIO:

Michele has a Master’s Degree in Historic Preservation, a Bachelor’s in Art History and an Associate’s degree in Travel and Tourism. She has been researching and studying historic architecture and interiors for over twenty years. Also a fine artist, Michele has a flare for color and design. As a hobby she restores small antiques and likes to create one of a kind art and décor using unique and vintage finds.  She specializes in vintage and antique art, smalls and furniture that will set off your interiors and make them totally unique. She also specializes in historic color consultation for historic homes, both interior and exterior.

As a Historic Preservationist, Michele also provides professional historic research and investigation services, historic paint consultations, historic home design consultations, suggestions on adaptive use of older structures, etc.

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Historic Interior Design Services

Do you have an older home that you know has great possibilities and you just don’t know where to go with it? You can give almost any home instant charm. Whether you live in a 18^th century Colonial, a High Victorian, a cute 1950s Cape Cod or a classic new home and want an historic look, we can help you achieve it. You can decorate your home the way it should look for its era or just add a bit of warmth and charm.  You don’t have to spend a fortune to add a touch of class and imagination to your home. Attention to detail and choosing the best pieces you can afford without overdoing it or over-decorating is the key. This unfortunately is something that a lot of people can’t visualize. Some styles we specialize in:

Early Colonial

Victorian Era

Art Deco/Jazz Era

1950s

Adirondack

Southern Coastal

We travel within the NY Metropolitan area. (Travel fees may apply). We do not have to work on site. We can work by photos if necessary. Call us to inquire.

Sources: 1., 2., 3., 4., 5., 6.

Maura Daniel Spotlight - Light Your World!

Hello everyone,

We've got another wonderful Spotlight for you. This week we're spotlighting Maura Daniel Lighting! Maura Daniel was started by the husband-wife duo, when they realized they couldn't find the perfect lamp for their daughters room. This creative couple were artists in their own right and the lack of design and quality, inspired them to create a couture lighting line with style! We carry a variety of their products at Lavender Fields.  As always, here are some of our favorites:

 1. Camilla Milk Glass Chandelier | 2. Black Lily Double Sconce | 3. Betsy Medium Table Lamp & Shade 

4. Mimi Gold Chandelier | 5. Margaret Floor Lamp & Shade | 6. Eleanor Sage Chandelier

7. Sophia White Medium Lamp & Shade | 8. Sophia Pink Lamp & Floral Cream Pink Shade | 9. Sophia Small Table Lamp & Shade

 10. Rose Celadon Small Table-Lamp & Shade 11. Petite Lamp & Shade in White | 12. Stella Sage Green Chandelier

They are truly passionate about their work and it shows in each product they produce. Providing lighting for not only commercial but also residential use, they have turned themselves into one of the most sought after lighting on the market today. I truly enjoy the playfulness in some of their lights (like #7) and I then instantly fall in love with the sophistication (#3) with another. That just proves to me that their products are very versatile! I assure you that whatever you're looking for, they will definitely provide you with the style you want.

Enjoy this inspirational illumination!

Bella Notte Baby!

Bella Notte Linens has amazingly luxurious baby bedding for your adorable teeny tot! Since you want what is best for your bundle of joy, they also know how important it is not to expose your baby (or yourself) to dangerous toxins. This is why they use top of the line non-toxic and low-impact dyes. It keeps the environment healthy, and you and your munchkin too.   

 

1. Whisper Linen Crib Dust Ruffle | 2. Loulah Baby Blanket | 3. Quilted Linen Bumper
4. Betty Bumper | 5. Silk Velvet Baby Blanket | 6. Whisper Linen Receiving Blanket
 

Bella Notte pride's themselves in creating beautiful products with the least environmental impact. Each order is custom dyed with their low-impact and non-toxic dyes. The process they use saves more heat, water and energy than the use of conventional dyes. Bella Notte's low-impact/non-toxic fiber reactive dyes are the best quality man-made dyes available and the most environmentally friendly.

"While conventional dyes not only contain toxic chemicals
and cancer-causing heavy metals, excessive amounts of water are used
to rinse these harmful substances from the fabric.
In contrast, low-impact fiber reactive dyes are able to provide us
with the same diverse palette of vibrant colors, yet create less toxic waste
and use less heat, energy and water. Low-impact fabrics are categorized as
those textiles with a minimal impact on the environment over their
entire life cycle--including raw material selection, production,
usage and disposal. Each fiber differs in impact throughout
the varying stages of its life.
For example, organic cotton (a textile used in our line) is grown
using a production system that replenishes and maintains soil fertility,
reduces the use of toxic pesticides and defoliants, and builds
biologically diverse agriculture.
Such methods and materials have a very low impact on the environment
unlike the production of conventionally grown cotton,
which uses more than 40 million pounds of pesticides per year." - Bella Notte Linens

Our very own Lori Madrid is a certified interior designer and offers free design assistance. With free swatches, layaway services, and free shipping, you're getting the whole sha-bang! All of this can be done on a payment plan for even further ease.

Lori also offers FULL design services within the Lavender Fields service area, which is located in Long Island, New York city and New Jersey.

I loved sharing all things Bella Notte baby with you!

Stick around, we have much more exciting things to share coming your way.
Have a pleasant weekend!

Bella Notte Linens Spotlight

Hello, hello!

It's that time again; it's time to spotlighting one of the many wonderful brands we carry in our shop. 

Bella Notte Linens is a magnificent example of thought, quality,  and care put into manufacturing process. The entire collection is manufactured in the San Francisco Bay Area, by local craftspeople. Spending years refining their process, they have become pioneers in the garment-dying world. Their unique process leaves the end result with rich colors and a luxurious softness that you can't find anywhere else.

 

One of my favorite aspects of Bella Notte is the fact that they pride themselves in creating beautiful products with the least environmental impact. Each order is custom dyed with their low-impact and non-toxic dyes. The process they use saves more heat, water and energy than the use of conventional dyes. Bella Notte's low-impact/non-toxic fiber reactive dyes are the best quality man-made dyes available and the most environmentally friendly. Top quality and it doesn't ruin the environment? Count me in! 

 

We carry a wide variety of their products in our shop, from bedding to baby, and a whole lot more. Here's a sneak peek at just a few of our favorites. Be sure to check out the entire collection here.

1. Homespun Duvet Cover | 2. Linen w/ Crochet Lace Duvet  | 3. Madera Duvet Cover 

4. Colette Duvet | 5. Primrose Sham  | 6. Betty Duvet Cover

7. Loulah Sham | 8. Whisper Linen Shams | 9. Silk Velvet Quilted Sham

10. Linen Whisper Tablecloth | 11. Homespun Napkin Set of 6 | 12. Silk Velvet Quilted Placemat Set

The quality of their products is clearly evident, even just from viewing a few photos.  But the ability to provide such beautiful products that are safe for our health an environment really brings "quality" to a whole new level. 

"While conventional dyes not only contain toxic chemicals and cancer-causing heavy metals, excessive amounts of water are used to rinse these harmful substances from the fabric. In contrast, low-impact fiber reactive dyes are able to provide us with the same diverse palette of vibrant colors, yet create less toxic waste and use less heat, energy and water. Low-impact fabrics are categorized as those textiles with a minimal impact on the environment over their entire life cycle--including raw material selection, production, usage and disposal. Each fiber differs in impact throughout the varying stages of its life. For example, organic cotton (a textile used in our line) is grown using a production system that replenishes and maintains soil fertility, reduces the use of toxic pesticides and defoliants, and builds biologically diverse agriculture. Such methods and materials have a very low impact on the environment unlike the production of conventionally grown cotton, which uses more than 40 million pounds of pesticides per year." - Bella Notte Linens

That's pretty amazing, if you ask me! Be sure to check out the fabrics we carry by Bella Notte Linens and peruse all of their products that we carry in stock. 

 

Thank you so much for joining me for this Spotlight! We hope you enjoyed this exciting brand. 

Until next time, friends! Have a great day!

The Interiors Insider - Winter Whites Edition

Happy 2013, everyone!
I couldn't think of a better idea than to start off the year with a new series for our blog.
The Interiors Insider will be your chance to learn great interior design tips, from a certified interior designer, for free! Our very own Lori Madrid, owner of Lavender Fields, will be offering her wonderful expertise to you, so your home can be even more charming and beautiful.
This week Lori is sharing great information about the mystery behind keeping your whites, well... white! Pull out your notebook, grab a pen, and take notes - this information will have all of your guests wondering how you get your whites looking brand new.

But before we equip you with this new advice, I had to share a bundle of my favorite white products from the store. There are plenty more on our website but here's just a few of my favorites from our bedding selection. Hope you enjoy!

1. Abigail Cream Sham | 2. Louisa White Duvet | 3. Belgian Linen Sheet Set | 4. Louisa White Bedding Set 5. Balmoral Sheet Set | 6. Ruched Platinum Duvet Cover | 7. Bella Notte Linen Duvet | 8. Linen Voile Bedskirt  9. Bella Notte Crochet Lace Duvet | 10. Elisa White Duvet | 11. Juliet White Duvet Cover | 12. Curtain Panel with Ruffle | 13. Crib Dust Ruffle| 14. Hampton Duvet | 15. Petite Ruffle White Pillowcases

Interiors Insider - Winter Whites

How to Keep Whites White:

"I love my white bedding and linens and work hard on keeping them white. These tips will help you keep your whites white.

Wash whites separately. The best way to launder white items is together and in the hottest water the fabric will tolerate (water that is at least 120 degrees is most effective at removing soil). Choose detergent with a bleach alternative and/or enzymes, using the maximum amount recommended.

You can increase the cleaning power of a detergent by adding a booster, such as borax, oxygen bleach, or washing soda to help maintain whiteness. Before washing, soak heavily soiled items using an enzyme detergent or oxygen bleach, and launder them separately.

To remove perspiration and other greasy stains, pre-treat with liquid detergent, dish-washing liquid, or colorless shampoo . Gently rub the liquid into the fabric using a clean toothbrush.

Tackle colored stains. Address food spills, such as coffee or juice, and underarm yellowing, which is residue from antiperspirant or deodorant, by applying undiluted liquid oxygen bleach directly to the fabric immediately before laundering.

Use a color remover. Once a month or when your whites become dull, wash them with a color remover. Alternatively, soak items in boiling water and oxygen bleach in a basin (this is suitable only for fabrics that won't shrink). You may have to experiment to determine which technique whitens best."

Call me crazy, but now I'm excited to do laundry - how about you? :) I've always struggled with stubborn whites that lose their sparkle. I'm eager to try these out for myself. Thanks so much for sharing your tips with us, Lori!

That's all for today, friends! I'm off to wash my bedding, so it's as white as the beautiful snow outside. We hope you enjoyed this new series; keep your eyes peeled for a new edition. You never know what kind of interior design tip Lori may share. As always, thank you for reading!