Old is new! Ironically, this isn’t a new trend. However, the pieces we saw took elements from days past and formed them in a clean, crisp and modern fashion.

In the first showroom Surya, we saw this distressed shelving unit with clean and modern pieces inside.

What design is complete without lighting? Taylors on Ten had an absolutely fabulous lighting selection to meet your needs. The first thing you notice is Aerin Lauder’s collection (shown above). She has a great way of integrating this trend. The metal has a simple vintage sheen to it, while the structure is a little boxier. We love how the blocked crystals give the piece a modern touch!

They also had a great room featuring the Ralph Lauren lighting collection. His pieces had a more masculine and sometimes nautical feel. With simple vintage touches, they seem to still fit in the new century vintage trend we saw.

The final showroom, J. Mackie and Associates, featured these fun lighting fixtures made from what looks like old post office box panels!

What design trends have you noticed lately? Tell us on Facebook!

The post Summer Design Trends Part 2: New Century Vintage appeared first on Chalkboard China.

Bright colors may seem like a trend only appropriate during summer months but based on what our team saw, it might be a year-round trend!

The first showroom we went into just so happened to win an award from houzz, Surya. They had a great selection of brightly-colored fabrics, as well as effortlessly-peppy, patterns.

Another great showroom, J. Mackie & Associates, had everyone in awe at how they were able to pair subtle, modern décor with this bright green wall. They seemed to effortlessly incorporate the bright colors in a sleek and modern way.

Another great item we kept seeing in all the different showrooms was this agate detail. This was a subtle way to incorporate a bright color in your home.

Do you keep your ear to design trends? Tell us on Facebook which trends you see being hot this summer.

Be sure to stay tuned to the Chalkboard China blog for the second part of the series with another great trend!

The post Summer Design Trends Part 1: Bright Colors appeared first on Chalkboard China.

Mother’s Day is fast approaching! Don’t get caught rushing out to buy a last minute gift! Here are a few ideas of what to get mom this Mother’s Day from the Chalkboard China team:

Jewelry – If your mom is fashion forward, give her a trendy piece of jewelry to help her stand out this summer! This color drop necklace from Ann Taylor is sure to elevate any outfit she plans to wear.

Trivet – If your mom appreciates style as much as we do, you can’t go wrong with a stylish trivet that can be used to hold baking dishes, teapot or a fun vase! This agate trivet from Leif is available in many different colors, as well.

Flowers – Skip giving live flowers that will eventually wither and instead, give her a book of flowers that will be vibrant years from now! Whether it be for inspiration in the garden or for the coffee table, she is sure to love this amazing book from Carolyne Roehm.

Cheese Board – Do the words “happening hostess” describe your mom? If they do, a cheese plate is a must-have item! This classic slate cheese board our friend Camille Styles found from The Brooklyn Slate Company is sure to elevate her hosting immediately!

Creative Vase – If your mom has a creative streak, give her a gift she can customize again and again! A Chalkboard China Honeysuckle rectangle vase can hold anything from pens to cooking utensils, to (of course) a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

If you don’t have a Mother’s Day gift in mind yet, take the above ideas from our Chalkboard China team into consideration. However, the most important thing to remember is that whatever gift you give your mom, make it come from the heart!

The post Best Mother’s Day Gift Ideas appeared first on Chalkboard China.

Chilaquiles with Avocado – You can find many recipes for chilaquiles in the South, but this one from Love and Lemons has our mouths watering. It is also lighter than what you would find in restaurants, so you can enjoy a refreshing cocktail guilt free!

Chestnut & Chia Seed Pancakes – This healthy twist on classic pancakes is just as delicious as the original!  The chia seeds also help you feel full longer. Julia Gartland, on behalf of Camille Styles, suggests topping them with a few of your favorite fruits, as well!

Avocado Coconut Oil Tartine Recipe – This quick recipe is great for as appetizer, or a fun finger food! The mix of avocado, coconut oil and herbs in this tartine from 101 Cookbooks a great spring-time treat.

Don’t forget to cover all your bases and use a few, spring-colored vases from Chalkboard China to create a fun centerpiece with a bouquet of seasonal flowers!

What is your go-to spring brunch recipe? Tell us on Facebook!

The post 3 Spring Brunch Recipes from Our Favorite Bloggers appeared first on Chalkboard China.

Flowers–  Honeysuckle Cylinder Vase full of fun flowers can easily brighten any room. Play off the color and add cool blues and stark whites to create a modern-chic look.

Scent – Say goodbye to freezing, stale air and let the fresh scent of our Fern Candle fill the room! We think it mixes well with the scent of fresh spring flowers.

Create – Get creative with Chalkboard China pieces by personalizing them with a fun saying, announce spring or write your favorite quote.

Are you ready to shake off the cold, dreary winter ? Use Chalkboard China to help brighten your space this year!

The post How to Celebrate Spring with Chalkboard China appeared first on Chalkboard China.

Domino: The Book of Decorating by Domino editors – This great book is great for the amateur designer. This unique look into interior design from the eyes of Domino Magazine’s editors. They take you on a journey to each room of the home and give great tips and tricks along the way.

Aero: Beginning to Now by Thomas O’Brien – We had the pleasure of hearing Thomas speak about his newest book at the Dallas Market Center. One thing he said resonated with us, “There’s a lot of things that are very showy, and they feel uncomfortable to me. I love classic things.” We tend to agree and we think the book explaining the journey of his design studio shows that, as well.

Jonathan Alder on Happy Chic Colors by Jonathan Adler – Our Colors Collection is evidence that we love colors, but Jonathan may like pops of color even more than us! We admire his ability to make fearless color choices throughout the home, while still making the space come together. He even reveals some of his favorite fabrics and paint chips!

What are your favorite interior design books? Tell us on Facebook!

The post Our Fav Interior Design Books for Library Lover’s Day appeared first on Chalkboard China.

If you were as excited as our team about the new Pantone color of the year, you immediately started thinking about how to freshen up your home with Radiant Orchid. There are plenty of options, but we’ve found a few of the best ways with the help of a few friends!

Pop of Color – If you aren’t in the mood to completely re-do your room, consider adding small pops of color! Consider refreshing your Chalkboard China Medium Vase with a few purple flowers. Pillows, throws and other smaller items, like this Agate Acrylic Tray from Shop Ten 25 can be easily swapped out.

Perfect Purple – Radiant Orchid may be the color of the year, but don’t be afraid to play with any shade of purple this year! Orchid actually pairs well with deeper shades of purple and even last year’s color, Emerald.

Touch of Paint – Even the smallest splash of paint can take a room from drab to fab! Using Pantone’s new Radiant Orchid paint, you can easily update a room to 2014. Get creative and paint one wall, or the ceiling, like Style Me Pretty recommends.

How do you plan to incorporate Orchid into your home this year? Tell us on Facebook!

Photo credit: Style Me Pretty

The post How to Decorate the Home with Pantone’s Orchid appeared first on Chalkboard China.

Any website that promises to give glitz and glamour is on the top of our list. However, The Glitter Guide offers so much more! Their team, headed by founder Taylor Sterling, strives to ignite their reader’s creative energy.

The Glitter Guide features fun, chic and colorful lifestyle tips and tricks to make your life sparkle inside and out! A few of our favorites are:

1. Style At Home: Amanda Dawbarn Of 100 Layer Cake – The only thing we love more than 100 Layer Cake is the interior design of one of it’s creators, Amanda Dawbarn.
2. Our 10 Favorite Glitter Guide Living Rooms – If you’re looking for ideas on how to decorate a living room, or you just want to browse the best of the best in design, this is a must read!
3. A NYE Bubbly Bar – New Year’s Eve is over, but we  can’t stop pining over this creative bar area. A few Chalkboard China Champagne Glasses would be a perfect addition too!

We also found this great inspirational quote:

If you’re looking for even more of The Glitter Guide, their editorial director Caitlin Moran is currently a guest editor on another one of our favorite blogs, Daily Candy!

Where do you get your inspiration to sparkle? Tell us on Facebook!

The post Brands We Love: The Glitter Guide appeared first on Chalkboard China.

This season make your party the most festive on the block! Here are our top five tips to have a happy holiday party with a few of our friends and Chalkboard China!

1. Decorate your home for the holiday season. Ring in the holidays with beautiful, vibrant reds and greens! For a festive display, pair our Evergreen Vase with a Poinsettia flower arrangement. Use a gold ribbon to add an extra pop of color! 

2. Set the table for the feast! No holiday party is complete without a festive meal and a beautifully-decorated table. Use this guide from Coco+Kelley to decorate your table with elegant wintery gold and silver! Our Gingerbread Charger also makes an excellent addition to any holiday meal!

3. Break out the holiday wine! Take your meal to the next level with a festive bowl of wine. Try Camille Styles’ Spiced Winter Wine for a delicious, festive drink. This recipe combines a wintery mix of cinnamon, vanilla and ginger for a spicy twist. Serve this tasty concoction in our chalkable wine glasses for a personal touch!

4. Get creative with your gift-wrapping! One of the best parts of the holiday is gift-giving! Beautifully wrap your gifts using Creature Comforts Real Wood Bow DIY guide. This not only gives your guests a small gift to go home with, but also provides them with a beautifully crafted handmade bow!

5. Accessorize the fireplace mantel. The holiday season means many friends and family will flock to the fireplace for warmth! Decorate the mantel with a festive wreath, such as this one from Bright Bazaar. Complete the look with our Vanilla Chiffon candle to fill the air with the sweet scent of the holidays.

Have a happy holiday and a creative, festive season with Chalkboard China! Don’t forget to thank your happening  hostess with a lovely Chalkboard China gift!

The post 5 Ways to Have a Happy Holiday with Chalkboard China appeared first on Chalkboard China.

The fun doesn’t have to end when the Thanksgiving holiday is over! Leave your guests with a lasting impression. Check out these four simple, tips from the Chalkboard China team to keep the good times going!

1. Grab a to-go box! So often we’re left with too much food, save your refrigerator and have your guests some home! Camille Styles created these stylish, decorative labels to spruce up your leftovers. All you have to add is the containers and food!

2. Go for a post-Thanksgiving turkey sandwich! Our friends at Spoon Fork Bacon provided this great recipe for gobbling down all, and we mean all, Thanksgiving leftovers. This delicious sandwich includes every part of the tasty feast with turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce. Guests can repeat your savory Thanksgiving feast the next day with this all-in-one sandwich!

3. Provide Thanksgiving recipe cards! After enjoying the feast, send guests home with Camille Style’s downloadable recipe cards! Simply download the template, paste your recipe and print it out on cardstock. This way you can send your guests home not only with full bellies, but also with the tastiest Thanksgiving recipes you used!

4. Chalkboard China Favors! Any of our fabulous daisy vases, like the Gingerbread Daisy Vase shown above, would be the perfect gift that your guests can take home and reuse for the next holiday, party or as a reminder of their amazing Thanksgiving dinner!

Even though Thanksgiving is over you can leave your guests with a lasting impression. Spruce up their post-Thanksgiving with these festive and creative ideas to spread the joy and the food!

The post Post-Thanksgiving Hostess Ideas appeared first on Chalkboard China.