Stella on Style

Is Style a Mystery? . . . Learn some History!

2010-06-04T14:03:00.000-07:00

My dears, I love a good story almost as much as I love good design . . . so I will share the following, a wonderful tidbit received from Sarah Henderson of Schumacher:

During World War II, day-to-day survival was a struggle and fabric was one of the many things in short supply. This shortage led to rationing, mending, reusing and improvising.
Vera Neumann began her legendary business with a small printing operation in her kitchen. She used a simple screen printing machine to make placemats and napkins. However, with the WWII rations, Vera was unable to get linen to continue making the only products that she sold. A trip to an Army Surplus store that had an excess of parachute silk put Vera in the scarf designing and printing business!

Very quickly, the world fell in love with Vera’s fabulous scarves and ladybug logo.
Vera, along with husband George, expanded their printing operations. Vera’s unique styling of natural elements and abstracts drew the attention of Schumacher. The successful Schumacher/Vera collaboration began in 1947 with her ‘Gold Coast Collection.’

Vera continued to design her fresh, simple fabrics and wallpapers for Schumacher until her final 1979 collection.

I simply love having insider info like this . . . in Stella’s world you simply can’t have too much information!

On Memorial Day . . .

2010-05-28T15:12:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, May 27, a ceremony was held at the Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery to honor Army Col. John M. McHugh who was killed in Afghanistan May 18. As noted in this article in the Tonganoxie Mirror, military personnel and civilians were joined by nearly 150 members of the Patriot Guard Riders to honor Col. McHugh.

An email titled “Honor and Respect” has been circulating. It concerns an airline captain flying home the remains of a fallen soldier. The original story the email comes from can be found at Captain’s Log. It’s an uplifting read that will remind you of what Memorial Day is all about.

Enjoy your home, friends and family this weekend, stay safe, and remember to thank our Armed Forces for their service and sacrifice!

2010-05-11T10:10:00.000-07:00

It may surprise you to find out that a Design Diva can be very patriotic!
Do you know about The Wounded Warrior Project? This is an organization that is dedicated to provide vital services needed by severely injured veterans and their families. The donations they receive help to buy backpacks for the wounded, alleviate the financial burden on families, sponsor adaptive sports and recreation events, and provide a national voice to this newest generation of veterans.

The owners (my people) and staff of Stoney Broke, Ltd., (my friends) in Prairie Village, Ks., have founded the “A Light in the Window Campaign” dedicated to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.
The electrified candle, adorned with a ring of greenery, accented with a patriotic ribbon and original poem “A Light in the Window”, was designed specifically as a reminder of the sacrifices performed daily by the men and women of our Armed Forces and their families. If all of you will buy just ONE…and put it in your window…just think of the voice that will be heard across the nation without anyone having uttered a sound!
Other items that can be purchased to benefit the cause are a custom designed metal ornament printed with the original poem, and patriotic figures designed by artists Lori Mitchell and Heather Myers.

Twenty percent of all profits will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project. Contact information is as follows:
    Stoney Broke, Ltd.
    6911 Tomahawk Road
    Prairie Village, KS 66208
    913 432 3700
    www.sbl@stoneybrokeltd.com

Please help us support and remember our Armed Forces and their families!

Table Talk

2010-04-26T14:23:00.000-07:00

Consider the table. Once a simple board set on a base when it was time to eat (well, for humans, anyway), these days there are probably more varieties of tables than any other type of furnishing. And as we know, variety is the spice of life!

Could anything be more practical than this nest of tables? They can be spread throughout the room when needed, then nested back together to save on space.

Drop-leaf tables are versatile too . . . this dainty example is only nine and one-half inches wide with the leaves down—it could go anywhere—and with the leaves up it has a generous twenty-four inch square surface.

LOVE anything with drawers for storage—the “gorgeous” factor it adds to a room is a bonus!

Small accent tables provide interest while adding practicality to the design equation. I would love to have one of these tables beside my bed!

2010-04-13T15:45:00.000-07:00

You know, Dears, I just LOVE comfy bedding! I mean, REALLY…it is so easy to be good to yourselves in the bedroom.

Just take a peek at what Stoney Broke, Ltd. has to offer in both beds and bedding! The beautiful iron bed can be ordered in all sizes, to include a daybed, and in a multitude of great finishes. The bed provides a good example of pairing pre-made bedding with a few choice custom made items in shades of lavenders and greens to create an overall look that brings personality to the room.

The custom made dust skirt (from Sanderson Fabrics) enhances the look of an affordable cream matelasse’ bed cover.

Designer Joye Adamson has gathered all sorts of pre-made pillows and combined them with a couple of custom designed pillows in an interesting striped fabric that coordinates with other items in the room.

Do you just LOVE that luscious wall color behind that fabulous cabinet? So TODAY!!!

More enticing bedding options--just a taste of what can be had:

Shades of pomegranate, tangerine and eucalyptus in designs inspired by exotic locales . . .

Teal, cocoa and maize add couture appeal . . .

And the Northern Coast of France infuses paisleys, stripes and embroidery.

A few more beds from Old Biscayne Designs (www.oldbiscaynedesigns.com) and today’s blog is done!

Dahlings…I am just EXHAUSTED from all this work…I think I will just curl up in my bed for a nap! Talk to you soon……

What IS your style?

2010-04-01T14:34:00.000-07:00

Dahlings…

Is there a frustrated home owner out there who is having difficulties identifying personal design style? Can’t tell the difference between a cabriole and a Louis XVI leg? Is there a decorating project in mind with no idea where to begin?

Fret no more…Stella’s S.O.S. to the rescue! Stoney Broke, Ltd., in the Prairie Village Shops, is offering design classes, beginning April 10th.

The first class, “What’s Your Style? , features interior designer Jill Graves.
This class is designed to help identify one’s personal style and how to successfully reflect that design personality within a home. It will be SO much fun having my dear friend, Jill, (“Miss Bubbly”) demonstrate how to effectively mix furniture styles within a room or throughout an entire home and avoid costly mistakes.

My Dears…as if that were not enough…there will be drawings and prizes and coupons from other stores…delicious cookies…what more could one want? A fun and fabulous Saturday afternoon experience that is absolutely not to be missed!

P.S.--It's not too late to sign up for Jill's class! Call Stoney Broke at 913-432-3700 (or email: sbl@stoneybrokeltd.com) for more info!