Are You Feeling Lucky? Enter to Win Our First Give-a-way!

Our first GIVE-A-WAY!! We are excited to let you in on the big news.... you can now enter for a chance to win: either $100 Gift Certificate to be used toward any fabric or trim in our shop OR a $50 Visa Gift Card, your choice.

How to play along and get your name in the drawing? It's easy:

1) Sign in and "like" our Facebook biz page at www.facebook.com/storibookdesigns

2) Next, browse through the fabrics in our online shop here: http://www.storibookdesigns.com/shop_storibook_c365697.html

3) Finally, confirm that you've done #1 & #2 and tell us in a comment area, (either here or Facebook), which fabric you liked best!

One Lucky Winner will be selected through random generator, Friday, August 20th at 5pm EST!

Good luck!

Interior Inspirations from My Web Favs: Material Girls

Need to add a little punch to the spaces in your house? Whatever your style, whatever you're looking for to add that something extra to your home, Material Girls has it covered.

They've received much acclaim and working together, they continue to keep readers coming back for more.  Some of the things that have me listing their blog as one of my top picks include the following:

Cross-Country Coverage. How nice is it to have 5 super-savvy designers out there hunting down the fabulous for us?  Click on a specific metro - Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, or New York - and you will be delighted with what each area has to offer.   

From Dallas:

Source: Made Goods

From Houston:  Lauren really got my attention with this pick!

Photo Source: Southern Accents

                      
From Los Angeles: Jill highlights some of the stunning finds from Calypso Home

Source: Calypso Home

From New York: a tour of the Rustic-chic restaurants of our favorite city! .... the slipcovered stools have great vintage charm

Photo Source: L'artusi Restaurant

From Chicago: Julia shares her new home (work-home that is)... wouldn't you love reporting to work here?

Latest & Greatest. This blog is recognized for introducing readers to up and coming designers, whether it be showcasing their work in a post or talking about the new designers they have met at events. We all enjoy being in-the-know and able to watch the rise of our future design stars! Well, this one below is not so new.... it's a design from the much adored Nate Berkus... but, they were hot on his trail right from the beginning! Keep checking out their blog and you are sure to stay on top of new designers and/or products that are on their way to reaching the same kind of recognition.

 

Furniture Friday. I love this feature! If you already know what type of furniture piece you want to see images of, click on the Furniture Friday tab to get a list of all different pieces. Once you've decided if you're looking for an ottoman, coffee table, wing chair, or any of the other possibilities, browse through the images to find furniture that speaks to you and inspires you.

Photo Source: Mecox

Filters:  If searching by metro is not enough of a filter, jump on over to categories and filter to your hearts content.  No doubt about it, Material Girls has great ideas for styling your home. Here are some things that caught our eye while browsing the site via their simple search feature (upper left) and category search features.

Simple search = "bedrooms"

Photo Source: www.decorpad.com

Category Search = "Furniture Friday", Dining Tables

Photo Source: Summer Design Studio

Category Search = Dallas, Bed & Bath

Photo Source: Jonathan Adler

So what do you think of Material Girls?  Have I introduced you to a great new source of design inspiration or were you already a fan?   As you can tell, I think they are doing a pretty great job.  Of course, I would like to see some Boston coverage too... ahem... hint, hint..... but even with out Beantown beauty as a regular feature, the gals are always keeping us in-the-know with great design and finds!

As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Making the Bed: A Guide to the Basics of a Comfortable Rest

With all of our busy schedules and running from place to place, we're lucky to find a night where we get a full 8 hours of sleep.  Are you making the best of the sleep hours you do get by ensuring your bed is designed to be the most comfortable, sleep-friendly bed possible?

 Photo: Real Simple

When designing, our primary focus tends to be directed toward the "stylish" aspect of the bed: the headboard, the duvet, the shams, the bedskirt, and so on.  It makes sense, as these are the things that make our bed and rooms lovely to look at.  But, hidden beneath the fabric and pattern, are the things that make the bed heavenly to sink into at the end of the day.  Lets talk a bit about the often-unrecognized components behind a good night's sleep: 

• Thread count: Many assume that the highest thread count must be the best quality sheet, and while this is one element, it's actually the make up of the fiber that is most important in selecting sheets.  Most often you will see cotton and cotton/polyester blend.  The advantages to buying the blend are that the sheets will be less likely to wrinkle and less expensive, however, cotton sheets will be softer, cooler, and easier to clean.  And as we all know, particularly with the heat of this summer, cooler can be a very important characteristic! (Do you find yourself flipping your pillow to the "cool" side?)  

• Fibers: Cotton sheets are available in several different kinds of cotton; those with longest fibers are the softest and most comfortable, such as Egyptian and Pima cotton.  Also pay attention to the weave of the fabric as it affects texture and price.  Percale is a plain weave with a higher thread count.  Sateen weaves are extremely soft, but are also more prone to pilling than a plain weave. And then there is silk...ahhhh!  Silk sheets provide natural comfort in response to your own body temperature.  They keep you cool in the summer and warmer in the winter.  Some claim other magical qualities from silk sheets, such as anti-aging and healthy hair but I have to be honest... can't really say I believe that!  Silk sheets are a little different, in addition to thread count you need to consider momme weight (measure of the silk fibers).   You want to look for weights between 12 and 20 to ensure long-lasting durability.
  

 Photo: Elle Decor

• Size: Another important element, particularly with today's mattresses, is the depth of the pocket.  For most mattresses, you want to be sure it will fit the mattress depth. Be sure to check that the sheet will accommodate that measure because there is nothing more aggravating than sheets that don't quite fit and continuously pop off.

• Mattress Pad: When choosing a mattress pad, also look for 100% cotton content.  It will be more comfortable and more durable than its cotton/polyester blend counterparts.  Pay attention to whether a thread count is noted.  A higher thread count can mean a mattress pad that is able to stand up to more wear and tear.  A down-alternative fill in the quilting of a mattress pad will be the thickest, most comfortable option, however most mattress pads will have a polyester fill (which is better for ease of laundering).  As long as the mattress pad has substantial thickness, a polyester fill is a good option.

 Photo: Google Images

• Feather Topper (or Down Alternative): Feather toppers are sometimes grouped with mattress pads, however, they can be placed either in lieu of a mattress pad or on top of the mattress pad, but below the fitted sheet, for added cushion.  Feather toppers can be made out of down, a mixture of down and feathers, or down alternative.  Down is the longest lasting and softest choice, however for allergy sufferers, down alternative is an excellent option.  Pay attention to how the feather topper is quilted.  Most will have stitching in either a channel or box pattern.  Box quilting allows for a more even spread of the down as it keeps in smaller sections and prevents it from concentrating in one area.

 Photo: Pure Living Collection

• Pillows: Did you know that experts say pillows should be selected based on the type of sleeper you are?  I admit, this is another one of those "gray" areas... not sure I'm convinced; I just go for whats most comfortable.  That aside, experts advise that if you sleep on your stomach, you'll want to use a soft pillow.  Back sleeper? Try a medium pillow.  For side sleepers, a firm pillow is your best bet.  Whether you opt for synthetic fiber-fill, foam or down will depend on your budget and allergies.  Synthetic pillows are obviously much less expensive, but also last only a couple years.  Down pillows can last five to ten years, though make sure you find a down with a high fill, meaning the volume that one ounce of down takes up within the pillow.  There are also memory foam pillows which are extremely firm, and great for those with neck or spine issues.

 Photo: Real Simple

Now you should be armed with the knowledge necessary to put together the best night's sleep you've ever had.  Beneath the layers of beautiful bedding, you'll have the bedding basics that will make every night unbelievably comfortable.

Photo: My Home Ideas