cornered in all the right ways!

this month, real simple magazine has a great little piece on how to transform dull corners.  whether it is a bedroom that could use some life or you've found your closet or bathroom just too tiny to really feel pampered in while dressing, we are delighted by the simple list needed to convert a lifeless corner into a space you'll love to live in!

item #1: amazing vintage mirror

ok, so they said a 'big mirror' but if you're going grand, why not do it with vintage elegance?  this gorgeous green gazing space is perfect for the job.  you'll feel style savvy no matter what you put on in front of this beauty.

which, by the way... already contains must-have item #2: a great hook for your robe or the dress you're ready to wear!

item #3:

you'll need a great ottoman - somewhere to sit and put on just the right shoes, or simply a warm spot to hold the items you're considering...  red's organic home couture line of upholstery is, we think, just the thing!  come in to our design center to give your corner ottoman the personality it needs: 1) just pick a shape you'll enjoy, something that helps set the mood and feel you want while primping, 2) choose from our lush and lovely fabrics and leathers to set the right color and texture, 3) select a leg or trim finish, including nailheads in various shapes and finishes... and you're ottoman will be almost as well dressed as you are!

item #4: a small table

red has so many accent table options, it was hard to choose a sample, but this piece just won't be ignored!  great legs, a warm and wonderful fabric finished top... wait, is that you or the table...?

finally, item #5: something pretty

again, how to choose?  but we love these two vintage sister prints.  fresh and fabulous, they look amazing next to the vintage mirror above, drawing out the leaves, and the red and gold will pull in the fabric top table palette - this is decidedly an ensemble to turn heads!

stop by and see us at 218 west main, fredericksburg or call us at 830.990.0700 for more corner transforming ideas ...or simply to make these your very own!

happy halloween, baby!

happy halloween, from red!

{and thanks to Darla Parker for these haunting doll heads!}

how does it look?!

"We just purchased these wonderful drawers from you that we're using for end tables. They worked out fabulously and are very baby proof from our Ian's prying hands! Thanks again."

Regards,   John, Cynthia and Ian

the very day we brought them to the floor, we were happy to see the above pair of vintage end tables snatched up by the Riddles.  we loved these sets of small drawers for their great lines and terrific hardware and were thrilled with Cynthia, John and Ian Riddle sent us a picture of how well they work in their home!

we are aching to see all the different ways you've brought red's pieces into your home to make them your own!  send us your pictures (email: info (at) redinfred (dot) com), we promise to oooh and aaah!

paper wings

each time i take up collaging again, i start with a call for magazines.  after collecting all that i can, in every genre, from fishing to fashion, i sit and begin to search.  for color, for texture, for pattern...

(above: 'Sam'  24" x 30"x 2"  - torn magazine paper on wood, NFS)

i've collected a substantial pile of magazines and i am starting up again, with red's encouragement and collaboration.  we're teaming up early, it's true, but the goal is to give you one bit of frozen time.  one moment, one memory, one day that you'd like to keep, in the form of a torn magazine paper collage, ready in time for the holidays.

(above: 'Indian Princesses' 60" x 48" x 4"  - torn magazine paper on wood, SOLD)

i would love to work from your favorite picture memories...
(above: 'The Proch Family' 11" x 14" x 1"  - torn magazine paper collage on particle board, NFS)

or create a one of a kind piece tailored to your interests, your hobbies, your taste.  my collages are priced by size and by face:

for example, a 24" x 30" like 'Sam' above, with one face starts at $750.

smaller pieces, with no faces like 'The Proch Family' above, start at $250.

additionally, each piece is treated with a UV resistant sealant that has been time tested to protect printed paper from fading for over 100 years.

(above: 'Breasts or Thighs?' 21" x 20" x 1.5" - torn & cut magazine paper collage on wood, NFS)

from family members furry or otherwise, to 'the one that got away'...

(above: 'Elvis' 16" x 20" x 1.5" - torn magazine paper on wood, SOLD)

if this is the year to give something unique and lasting to you and yours...

(above: 'Facing'  13" x 10" x 1"  - torn magazine paper on particle board, SOLD)

i would love to help and am available, through red, to start thinking and working on the perfect gift!
call us at 830.990.0700 and ask for Carolyn, Darla or Theresa or send us an email at info (at) redinfred (dot) com.

thanks for your ongoing support and interest,
nikki

(above: '(C)harm' 60" x 48" x 4" - quilted & torn magazine pages on wood, $2900.)

the thrill of the hunt, the joy of the harvest

the leaves are turning and so is your attention:  it's hunting season.  the time when your searching skills are at their peak.  you've done your homework.  you know what you like and what you are looking for... or you'll simply know it when you see it.

and the time is ripe for a harvest: a way to bring things near and dear into your home and enjoy these months when being inside, being cozy, being together is what matters most.

for all these reasons, we've set our sights on natural materials, uncommon design and pieces as agile, beautiful and rare as they come.  we're ready to help you track your own exotics, and we invite you to come in and share the bounty at red, autumn 2009.

red's very own design diva

you've heard us sing her praises: Theresa Heard is red's very own design diva. well... it's true, we can't claim her as our own - her designing star began to rise during years as an apprentice to her godmother, who just happens to be the hill country's home couture heroine: Carol Hicks Bolton. on hand during a stream of endless magazine photo shoots, Theresa watched and learned and honed her skills as the display queen for Homestead's former white on white delight, Room #5.

she is now the beauty at work in each of red's in-store displays, (we like to think of them as home bound works of art!) and the designer to all our hill country stars (meaning red's shining friends, customers and clients, of course!) available in-store to help you create somethings wonderful and whimsical, and in-home as red's one and only redesign diva!

whether you are starting from scratch and just finished pouring the foundation for your new home or you've been looking at the same living rooms for all too long and are ready for some re-arrange refreshment, Theresa is a delight to work with and a design talent that should not be missed. when you just need a second pair of eyes to help with fabric selection for custom linens, or someone with a great sense of style and an knack for helping you design custom beds, sofas, chairs, tables and/or ottomans, Theresa is the queen of furniture placement, accent & accessory selection and custom creations.

call us today to schedule a time with Theresa in-store or in-home to see for yourself:

the first one hour in-home consultation is free and all in-store pow-wows and brainstorming sessions are on us!

a material world

it may not be what madonna had in mind while floating above those handsome tuxedo clad gents, but when we think about 'living in a material world' we're thinking rich and sumptuous too... in just a slightly little different context! from the lovely washed and worn fabrics featured on our newest 82" slipcovered, fully washable rolled-arm sofa to rich leather and metal accents old and new - we're happy to be 'material girls'... naturally!

the leather club chair: it is a hill country signature piece. something so essential, we'd like to think of them in pairs, particularly his & hers! yet if this delicious club won't fit perfectly beside your fireplace, red is ready to help you custom design a one-of-a-kind chair considering shape, size and leather for your home. we've got so many leathers to choose from - whether you're looking for granny apple green, a bold tooled black or smokey saddle-worn shades of cognac and espresso - our design savvy team will pull out all the stops to fit your family in classic style.

we love the look and feel of these flat-head distressed tacks. for industrial farmhouse details, nothing compares.
as each of our upholstery pieces are created, start to finish, on a single upholster's bench, the quality and customizability is as rich as the materials we offer. made in the USA, we are thrilled to be able to offer pieces that not only bring the best practices of the industry to bear for you, we are proud to support products that employ talented american craftsmen.

another timeless material shaped in a cool modern-classic style - these metal chairs with a baked on powder paint finish will undoubtedly wear better than we do! and once you sit in them, well... you'll be happy to have an hour or two, lemonade or cider in hand, to sip and sit and smile.

quality craftsmanship shaped in Eames' timeless style...

what's not to love for porch, patio or as an occasional chair that adds spunk to any room?!
and speaking of spunk, you've seen this vintage table style in old advertisements... donna reed, setting the table for dinner or serving cupcakes. it's a lovely thought, but today, we love this table as a computer desk! by pulling one of the extensions out like so (see above) your keyboard will sit just below your monitor for comfort and style that just won't quit! perfect as a multi-purpose piece for small spaces; this sleekly striped metal gem will still pull out into a table anytime you get the itch to whip up a chocolate cake for the whole gang, *wink!

ode to loyalty

they follow your every move. every day you walk in the same door, and every day they couldn't be happier to see you. in an ode to man's best friend (though we all know he really loves her best, *wink!) we've collected a few fun ways to celebrate and remember your favorite little four legged lovelies!

above, salt & pepper scotties... only $6 a pair!

leather bone frames in tan (shown above) and in chocolate (available in store) are the perfect dog-lover's gift at $10. and don't forget this little metal nutcracker! this is one puppy whose bite is thankfully worse than his bark!

this fantastic series of dog days will start every day off on the right foot ...or, rather, paw! 365 days of clever pictures and adoring photography for only $30 would equal $.08 per day... (mere puppy chow!) except that as perpetual calendars, they'll continue to stand by you year after year - just like s/he does!