"I CAN'T - A ; I CAN - A ; - IKEA !"

I CAN'T BELIEVE I FINALLY MADE IT INTO IKEA!  THE ONE IN TRENDY RED HOOK, NO LESS.  THERE I SAW THE USUAL AND A FEW UNUSUAL THINGS.  AT FIRST I THOUGHT MY FAVORITE FIND WAS A BAR STOOL NAMED Glenn !  HOWEVER A LITTLE FURTHER DOWN THE AISLE WAS THIS INGENIOUS Fusion TABLE FOR 4 WHOSE CHAIRS TOTALLY TUCK UNDER WHEN NOT IN USE, THE CHAIR BACKS THEN APPEARING TO BE Hugging THE TABLE TOP.  GREAT FOR NY SPACES AND THOSE ON A BUDGET $299. for table & 4 chairs; Can't beat that & Can't go wrong! 

LAURA ASHLEY ON A MAN HUNT

Ok, ok what's the first thing you think of at the mention of Laura Ashley?  Need I say?  The image is branded on our brain.  But - -look - -something very new and different.  Take these Dining Chairs in the photo.  Why they're downright brawny!  A slightly updated take on a French design with bulked-up proportions.  These are chairs men wouldn't be embarrassed or afraid to sit in.Way to go L.A.!  Any other reactions?

Halloween, Already

Ok, ok - Labor Day really is over so now let's jump the gun. It's time for........Halloween!  Seriously once the sun and sand fade away we Designers (and humans in general) seek the heat in other ways.  Like let's talk wall colors.  Shown here is the delicious wall scheme at Lychee House, the Modern Chinese restaurant on 55th Street.  Ok in the summer, but especially appealing in the Autumn.  Marketers are well aware of this phenomenon.  Check George Clooney's latest billboard for the movie that just came out (Fall release) "The American" with a photo image background created to draw you in: ORANGE!