Peek-a-Boo: Serena & Lily

As part of a continuing review of online shopping destinations, today's Peek-a-Boo post dives into the world of 'Serena & Lily' - yet another example of how an online shop has evolved and is bringing a unique and more design conscious experience to it's clients.

Serena = Painter/Textile designer/Art consultant

Lily = Technology and accounting to baby boutique owner

Together, these two entrepreneurs after a chance meeting in 2003, decided to combine their knowledge and worlds of expertise to form Serena & Lily.

What for most was the go to shopping destination for Children's decor and bed linen, has more recently expanded it's offering with a plethora of objects which help you recreate the Serena & Lily lifestyle and aesthetic.

THE MENU

What's new
Shop by room
Baby
Bedding
Furniture
Fabric
Paint
Gifts
Bazaar

Design schemes abound, and with a "Shop the Look" feature directly accessing the product within the scheme..it couldn't be easier.

Most of these pieces provide you with customizable options as well! You can choose your own fabric and details which provide you with the possibility of recreating the scheme, and the added security that this provides knowing that these items fit well together aesthetically as well as functionally. Everything from Sofas to Paint color!

BAZAAR

The story of the "Bazaar" as described by Serena & Lily themselves: "it all started with a photo shoot....inspiring us to launch our online Bazaar - a rotating collection of one-of-a-kind finds culled from markets and shops around the world...shipments arrive once a month and it's open for 6 days only."

Products ranging from furniture, to art and holiday finds, here are a few of my favorites from what's on now.

FURNITURE:

 







ART: All styles and price ranges, with a more in depth look at some of the featured artists as part of their Artisan Spotlight, which features Paul Norwood at the moment.

Other art available...

 
And while you are starting to think of your holiday shopping,
check out some of these fun kid friendly ornaments (of course I had to choose the ones with owls!)

BEDDING

From the Nursery, to tweens all the way to the Master Bedroom..Bedding options in stylishly timeless designs with a mix and match possibility provides you with endless choices.

But for those that need that extra bit of help with a visual, they offer design ideas with paint colors and a complete the room switch.

The best of all is the Online design tool allowing you to Make your own Bed with just a few simple clicks..

Never has making the bed been so much fun..

For my designer friends - there is a great trade and wholesale program..
a little bit of love for everyone.


Check it ou,t if you haven't already and share your stories and thoughts with me.
  



*Please note: This post is based on my experience and opinion and not sponsored by Serena&Lily.

DAP 360* - Designing with Online Flash Sales

This week is coming to a close, and I have to say that I have enjoyed so very much getting to know these different online flash sale companies a little better. It has made me think a lot about how the interior design experience, for designers and their clients, is changing and evolving at lightening speed. These are 3 more examples of how the Online Shopping experience is available.

Starting off with Haute Look. A very large variety of styles and products, this is another great example for your "online decorating", through themed selections like "French Cottage", we can choose items that play a part in this design story rather then brand related..or products that are perhaps a little away from what seems to be more available on the other sites, such as "Happy, Imagine, Home"

and I love this FIND IT FAST detail, that allows you to quickly sift through the selections..especially when the clock is ticking!



Check out Haute Look and see what you think.



Number 2: MYHABIT.com is Amazon.com's contribution to this market place, which allows us to utilize all the other perks and services that this website has to offer (shipping, bundling with other purchases, etc). Although there is still a small Home Selection, well...it's Amazon so how could I not include them?!

A much more recent addition is HomeSav.com, but they include a really nice lifestyle Blog that asks "Experts" to participate in Curating some of their sales, like Meredith Heron's feature below.
The "you might also like.." is a really nice detail, and can help some buyers quickly find additional items that other customers purchased within the same style and category.

Lastly, a look into V&M - Vintage & Modern which shines a light on the unique, the artistic and vintage find. Positively beautiful in it's design and extremely user friendly it is self described as a "destination for discovering unique and original pieces as well as inspire and educate with innovative editorial content". I have to agree.

Not exactly a "flash" sale, in that the sale lasts a little longer usually then the traditional 48 hours or so, but an important contender in this market.

A touch of 1st Dibs meets high end interior design magazine quality editorials, VandM also allows for a "Shop the Look" experience, which is always a hugely popular feature.

The Sold Feature: Probably my favorite, and the most informative feature (especially for other vendors and designers) Amazing tool!

So generous for VandM to share this information and so it gets a special shout out from me!

Each site this week has it's own voice; providing us with a unique shopping experience.
Through the evolution of online flash sales, there has been a new found revival and interest in Home Designing which especially in today's economic climate, can only be considered a great thing.

Although I am inspired by how exciting these new opportunities are, I am left with some lingering concerns...so on closing today's Dec-a-Porter 360* I wanted to share some of them.

What is the new role of designers when access to new products are hand delivered to each and every one of us on a daily basis?

How can we continue to provide quality service, without engaging in what becomes the almost inevitable "race" with our clients in selecting and creating design schemes and ultimately pricing them out?

Simply put: How can we keep up and remain an invaluable member of the team?

As a designer, I dedicate most if not all of my time and money into remaining current; furthering my on hand knowledge of the quality and styles of the products and vendors I choose, much like a doctor or specialist would do.

Visiting trade fairs, attending conferences and workshops,showrooms and galleries, while devouring design magazines and catalogs and continuously reaching out to fellow designers, etc..

Designers are crucial in providing careful consideration into maximizing the budget while creating an innovative and functional space for our clients.

So I say - there must be a way to provide a platform for each other in order to preserve the integrity and respect for our profession whilst allowing our clients and ultimately ourselves, to benefit from great pricing and sourcing through what will inevitably be the future for home shopping.

Next week, come back and see how I have decided to 'tackle' this issue - head on.
Enjoy your weekend and may it be full of inspirational shopping!

P.S.
A little bird told me that the Who's Who Designer Directory site - Dering Hall is launching  a Featured Sales element next month as well...Stay tuned for more, but in the meantime have a look...maybe still missing a "few" designers (hint, hint), but a great site!

Other Online Flash Sites:

www.ideeli.com

Updated:
Further Reading: After completing this post, I received this link to a very well thought out article by Meredith Heron Design on the Blog " Sashay", and like me, she felt compelled to share how this new world of design is making her feel. Have a look, it's a very thoughtful post.

Online Flash Sales more than double in a year By Rachel King | August 10, 2011, 10:25am PDT

Summary: Flash sales are turning out to be a popular revenue booster for online retailers.

Open Sky through the Color Wheel

In order to continue my week long Online Flash Sale coverage I decided to shop one of them and share my experience, and as it is Thurday, through the Color Wheel of course.


Open Sky, only 6 months old and with a rapidly growing following ,& how it stands apart from the rest:

1. There are curators or tastemakers (designers, actors, etc);
2. We choose which one to follow. Sort of like "Twitter" or "Facebook";
3. They share hand picked products with their "followers" allowing us to have a more personalized experience and selection based on our choices. We get to be more involved in the whole process and at the same time show our support of those we believe represent our design aesthetic.

So here I go...

First with Blue:



Alfi La Ola Carafe, Rhadi Living Pillows, Pair Leather Luggage Tags, Rhadi Living Melange Mats , Kathryn Ireland Inc. Pillows, Kathryn Ireland Book - Classic Country
Visit this Page: Here




  
Then with Neutrals:

Elan Letter Opener and Clock, Martyn Lawrence-Bullard Signature Extraordinaire , Adrienne Landau Rabbit Fur Throw - Charcoal, Large Horn Magnifier, Live, Love & Decorate" Signed Copy by Martyn
To visit this selection: Here



and finally, as a mom and as a designer that loves color, with Happy Colors:



WallCandy Arts Wall Decals - Six Different Styles, Reversible Playhouse by Easy Playhouse, Tegu Magnetic Blocks and Totes + Video (which I posted about in NYGift Show recap!), P'kolino Clothes Tree - Green, Children's Wall Art
To visit this store: Here 

To register on Open Sky, and to begin following your tastemakers, visit www.opensky.com
Come back and share your choices...


Happy Shopping!



  


Congratulations to Open Sky on this Recent update:
October 24, 2011 – OpenSky.com, the shopping destination that allows members to design their ideal shopping experience curated by some of the world’s most interesting people, today announced it has secured $30 million financing from new and current investors. New investor Providence Equity Partners led the financing, which included participation from existing investors Highland Capital Partners, Canaan Partners and The Raine Group.

1-2-3 - Online Flash Sale Mania

"Time is Money" as the old saying goes - and that is the name of the game when shopping Online Flash Sales.This week's 1-2-3 post, is all about the shopping experience of Joss & Main, Rue La La and The Foundry.

Are they different than their larger or more "Home" dedicated competitors that I focused on earlier this week? Yes! ... but they should definitely not be discounted as each has their own unique take on how to approach the market, and all with a very distinctive & loyal client base.

What makes one vendor or client choose one site over the other? Is it about the timing? The mood? I am so fascinated at how the same brand may fair completely differently in each or all of these sites. And so my in depth look begins with...

With "Curator's Collections" and "Lookbooks" for each sale, and through the Joss & Main Blog, we get a deeper understanding into the creativity behind the products.

It's not just about the curated selection but how they are part of this stylised aesthetic making them more desirable.

There is a smaller selection of products and sales - at this time there were 11, but as part of CSN, one of the largest retailers selling home goods online, there is a history of customer service, and relationships with the great manufacturers and brands in the business. and - they have my initials.
Check it out: www.jossandmain.com

Maybe better known for it's connection to fashion, but I do feel that the "RueLaLa"' Boutiques have a place in this list for providing alternative "LIVING" options to their clients interested in Home & Design. After all, wouldn't we all agree it is about the Lifestyle package, not just the product?

This example is Five Hours of Organizing Services for purchase..an very innovative alternative to simply purchasing the products themselves. What a great idea!
Visit today: www.ruelala.com  and while your there, maybe get a great DVF dress to wear!

The Foundry, by Hayneedle, offers a variety of styles and brands to their curated selections by their very own team members. The "who" that makes up this team and their story is important to them, and it shows (they even have a video to prove it (here), humanizing the experience.

But definitely my favorite part of the site is the "What's Selling" feature that shows you in real time everything that clients are purchasing.



For someone like me, basically extremely curious, I could watch that clock for hours!

So I leave you today with these parting words: "What's with the Dog?".
Visit: www.thefoundry.com


Happy Shopping!

Peek-a-Boo: A deeper look into the new Gilt Home

The latest design news and this week's Peek-a-Boo report focuses on the launch late last month of Gilt Home, led by Jason Goldberger with Editorial Director Tom Delavan, Divisional Merchandising Manager Alexander Ogof and Lead Design Advisor Shane Reilly.

A new 4 part online shopping experiene for all things Home.

“Since we founded Gilt Home, we’ve had the opportunity to truly understand how our members shop, what they are passionate about, and what they want and need, which is why we felt that the time was right to further expand our offerings,” said Jason Goldberger, general manager of Gilt Home. “With the new Gilt Home, we wanted to create a unique shopping experience for our members by providing them with everything they love about Gilt and more.”



Gilt Home: Ways to Spruce up a New Home Flash Sale
Visit here

Former loved "Domino" magazine editor-at-large Tom Delavan inspires with great design schemes and allows us to 'Shop the Story" with a selection of Gilt Home featured items. One stop shopping to its max!

"... if you show readers a beautiful room, a room that they crave, they really want you to show them how to put it together and where they can find it. At Gilt Home, we will do both—create the inspiration and then give our members access to the product.”

This is a great feature, which allows you to customize your search not only by brand but also by categories such as Kitchen Essentials, Handmade Home or Black & White.

Designer boutiques curated by renowned interior designers Bunny Williams, Alexa Hampton and Laura Kirar, providing members with access to a curated assortment of products, original lifestyle content and a “shop the room” experience. The product selection will include items from the designers’ own personal inventory and existing Gilt products, with a focus on items exclusive to Gilt.

Bunny Williams

"So much of design is about education and Gilt has found a way to incorporate

education, editorial content, and shopping through one experience. To be a part of
something that aims to bridge the gap between design and a larger audience through this
experience is truly exciting," said interior designer Bunny Williams.

Alexa Hampton

and Laura Kirar

Vist GiltHome.com and come back and share your favortie shopping experience.