We have all heard it, and we all want it. The phase couples with the ideas of personal, hand crafted, and expensive. You can get virtually anything custom made these days--sofas, chairs, dining tables, and even rugs. We love "One of a Kind' here at Mecox. We believe this is what truly helps us define ourselves from our competition.

If you are looking to push your décor up a notch or two, try adding a custom piece. Original art is a perfect place to start. Mecox is a terrific venue to find local up and coming artist. In our Houston location we are featuring the works of two very talented artists, Saba Jawda and Melanie Millar.

Saba Jawda is a Houston based Interior Designer with formally training in fine art and design. She also has her own line of modern yet glamorous furniture. We believe she is a force that has only begun her climb to popularity and we will enjoy watching and being part of her career. Here is an example of her work.



Range

Melanie Millar is also a Houstonian whom has already had a phenomenal amount of success and has become collectible. We are so proud to have her works in our collection. She is well versed in a multitude of different mediums including oil, acrylic, and has recently added (iron) rust to her palette. Due to her wide array of artistic abilities, she is able to come up with a style of painting that is very much her own and yet absolutely " One of a Kind". Here is one of her more recent works.



Line of Beauty #5

Austin takes a fresh modern approach to a room with classic roots. The perfect balance of old and new, something we strive for at Mecox. Cited as a "favorite source for accessories" in the May issue of House Beautiful, we consider Austin Varner one of our favorite designers!

For more information on Austin, please visit her website.

Many of today's modern designs are influenced by the Modern Movement of the late 19th Century. The Modern Movement instantaneously removed all ornamentation, focusing on pure form, with full attention to the qualities of the material and the honest use of those materials.



Panelled Velleum Door Cabinet

The movement started as a protest against the intolerable ugliness of the nineteenth century home. The clean lines and outstanding materials became an expression of the mindset of the age itself. Some of the most prolific designers of the time were Jean-Michel Frank, Andre Arbus, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Ruhlmann.



Mid-Century Parchment Buffet

Use of exotic woods, parchment, shagreen, marquetry inlay and chrome were some of the exquisite materials that define the period. As we walk through the Dallas Mecox store, and look at the furnishings prevalent in high-end design today, the influences of the Modern Movement are undeniable. The designs are timeless and luxurious yet, very simple and pure. They have stood the test of time, and will continue to do so for many years to come.



Jonathan Lounge Chaise

We invite you to the Mecox Dallas store, to see a wide range of Modernist-influenced designs on the floor. You can also read about and see more examples of Modernist Movement designs in the book Jean-Michel Frank, which is part of our book collection.



Yvette Short Sofa

Mecox L.A. is very pleased to host not one, but two (2!) of our very favorite designers with book signings this week during the famous La Cienega Design Quarter Legends Event, "Windows on the World"!

The lovely Mary McDonald (Star of Bravo TV's "Million Dollar Decorators") will be in-store on Thursday, May 10 from 1-3 signing copies of her fabulous book, INTERIORS. Champagne, light hor d'ourves and attitude will be served!

Our good friend Tim Clarke will be in-store on Friday, May 11 from 2-4 signing copies of his beautiful, relaxing new book, COASTAL MODERN. Please stop by on Friday and enjoy complimentary frozen Margaritas (a Mecox L.A. staple!) and delicious tacos from Santa Monica's Blue Plate Tacos. Fiesta indeed!



While you're here, please make sure to inspect our gorgeous designer window for the week-long event, "Berlin", by famed L.A. decorators Bonesteel, Trout & Hall. Being in a library was never so chic!

For more information on the Legends event, please visit the La Cienega Design Quarter website.

For information on Mary McDonald, please visit her website.

For information on Tim Clarke, please visit his website.

For information on Bonesteel, Trout & Hall, please visit their design website.

Thoughts of brightness seem to make our spirits soar. What could be more delightful than a sunny day? Unfortunately, there are no guarantees in the weather no matter what season it may be. Absolutely no problem - A rainy day means we simply use the most functional, sleek, chic or vintage lighting to illuminate our space!

Not so bright, but so chic:



Vintage Pair Tortoise Shell Lamps

Thoughts of the ocean:



Resin Faux Coral Lamps

Thoughts of the Sea:



Pair of Wood and Iron Boat Lamps

Finding sea glass on the beach:



Blue Sea Glass Lamps

Sleek as a pony's hide:



Hide Lamps

Mecox Southampton has a new shipment of bright, beautiful and bold garden stools! Fill your garden with color and entertain in style.



Tassel Ceramic Accent Stool



Honey Glazed Ribbed Garden Stool

These accent pieces are perfect for use as stools, side tables or even grouped together as a coffee table. Tuck them into a corner with a blooming plant on top and--voila!--a fresh, new look for summer.



Blue Mushroom Stool



Coral Red Triangular Ceramic Stool

If you need a new look for your porch, garden or entrance stop in to add a pop of color this spring. Or better yet, use them for double duty indoors and outdoors. These versatile pieces don't have to stand alone in the garden. Use them inside next to a sofa or chair. Garden stools can go anywhere!



Oval Garden Seat



Round Contemporary Ceramic Stool

The Design Center at the Merchandise Mart and Luxe Interiors + Design magazine recently named Tracy Hickman the winner of the first annual Chicago Interior Design Hall of Fame. She accepted the award at a gala at the Merchandise Mart.



Second runner up, Darcy Bonner of Darcy Bonner and Associates and first runners up Shea Soucie and Martin Horner of Soucie Horner Ltd were also recognized.

"The event was a huge milestone for the Chicago Design community as it's the first award of its kind," said Julia Chappell, managing director of marketing for the Design Center. "Our goal with the Chicago Interior Design Hall of Fame was to bring recognition to the vast array of design talent in the Chicago-area and honor the many designers who have contributed to interior design, civic endeavors and overall community well-being."



The ten nominees were selected by a jury of Design Center and Luxe Interiors + Design representatives. They included Susan Fredman of Susan Fredman Design Group, Alex Jordan and Dan Smieszny of Gregga Jordan Smieszny Inc, Gary Lee of Gary Lee Partners, Suzanne Lovell of Suzanne Lovell Inc,Margaret McCurry of Tigerman McCurry Architects, Frank Ponterio of Frank Ponterio Interior Design and Tom Stringer of Tom Stringer Design Associates.

In addition, Judy Niedermaier was honored with a special video tribute at the Awards Gala and received Posthumous Recognition for her many contributions to the design community. Luxe Interiors + Design is owned by HTT parent company Sandow Media.

Mecox Chicago congratulates all the nominees and the winner, Tracy Hickman.

Please join Mecox Los Angeles as they present Thomas Hamel's new book, Residence. It is a glorious celebration of 20 years worth of design and collaboration by award winning international interior designer Thomas Hamel.



Mecox Los Angeles
April 26, Thursday
2:00-4:00

Residence is a glorious celebration of 20 years worth of design and collaboration by award winning international interior designer Thomas Hamel. A beautifully illustrated volume, Residence offers a breathtaking view of magnificent homes in Sydney and Melbourne from a harbour-front villa and bayside Italianate residence, to a stylish retreat in Florida and a French farmhouse in Luberon. Rich with over 150 gallery worthy and aspirational colour images, the book is a showcase of favourite projects from one of Australia's foremost talents.



Both inspired and instructive, Residence allows the reader the opportunity to have a sneak peak into some of the most private homes in Australia, Asia, Europe and the US. Chapters focus on a specific residence and are accompanied by an insightful and personal description of the design process used in each transformation. Residence is the pre-eminent design book for 2010 and will no doubt prove to be an indispensable part of any design-conscious library.

For more information on Thomas Hamel's design and projects website.

For information please contact us at 310-358-9272 or
919 North La Cienega Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90069

Pagoda describes the unmistakable tiered tower with multiple eaves common in Asia, and this ancient silhouette is often found in modern design. Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most commonly Buddhist, and were often located in or near temples. Look closely, and you will see the awe-inspiring form take center stage in a variety of home decor from fabrics to furniture. Exuding mystique and beauty, the Pagoda likeness is a favorite unique touch in many Mecox goods blending seamlessly with our signature look.

Flank a contemporary console with ceramic Pagoda accessories.


Square Pagoda in Light Blue

Display treasures on our Vintage Faux Bamboo Pagoda Etagere.


Vintage Faux Bamboo Metal Etagere

Dress up a dining room with a pair of Vintage Gilded Pagoda Mirrors.


Vintage Gilded Pagoda Mirrors

Add a punch of color and whimsy with our Pagoda cotton and linen pillows.


Cotton and Linen Pillows