Summer Leaves

It still might be the lazy, hazy days of summer, but it’s not too early to talk about leaves! Not the leaves on trees though. New to our showroom this week is this beautiful round Theodore Alexander dining room table with self-storing leaves!

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What is so special about this table you may ask? Most round tables transform into oval tables when expanded but this unique design with its pie shaped self-storing leaves expands from 48” to 56” and will seat up to 8 people when expanded.

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Nobody is ever left out of a conversation at this round dining table because everyone faces one another. The classic pedestal design also offers the advantage that nobody needs to straddle an inconvenient table leg. With this table you will never have to worry about storing your table leaves under the bed or in a closet!

Hang a Lock on the Tree of Love!

Summer is FINALLY here, and everything is in full bloom! 

Without a doubt though, the most beautiful thing we have "growing" is our Tree of Love outside the store. 

Inspired by the Love Lock walls of Paris, you can come and put a lock permanently in two locations at our store. There is a wall area outside the door, and a beautiful tree right on West Eighth Street. The wall is a dedication to a dear friend we miss. 

The wall outside the store is one of two places you can hang a lock.

The wall outside the store is one of two places you can hang a lock.

The tree was created by local artisan Ben Davis of Gene Davis Sales & Service from 100% recycled steel. As you can see, it's a work of art!

The Tree of Love on West Eighth Street

The Tree of Love on West Eighth Street

We "planted" this tree as a celebration of our great community - a place where you can commemorate an event, loved one, or special moment. The locks are permanent and won't be removed, and we hope we can fill up both spaces!

Place a lock on the tree to remember a special person, moment, or event in your life!

Place a lock on the tree to remember a special person, moment, or event in your life!

There is no cost or catch to putting a lock on the wall or tree - come by anytime and bring your own lock. If you need a lock, they're available in the store for a $10 donation that will go 100% to SafeNet, Erie's domestic violence shelter. We hope everyone will be encouraged to be a part of this project and celebrate the city and people we love!

Fly London is here!

For the first time in Erie, we're proud to welcome Fly London shoes! Yes, yes - we're a furniture and home decor store mainly...but we all LOVE these shoes, so when we had the opportunity to become a dealer, we couldn't pass it up! These shoes are high quality, super hip, and oh-so-comfy. You'll have to try them on to believe it!

April 2016 High Point Market Favorites

Here's some of our favorite snaps from High Point Market! We visit all the major gift and furniture markets several times per year to pick out the newest in furniture, lighting, gifts, accessories, and more. High Point is all about the latest in design and style, and there are so many cool things to see we wanted to share them with you. Look for some of these items to be coming to Traditions soon!

Brown Jordan Indoor/Outdoor Fire Pits

It seems like everywhere we go - even the grocery store! - they're selling fire pits these days. We love them too, but as you know we're always looking for items that stand out from the crowd. The difference is Brown Jordan, maker of fabulous outdoor living merchandise, and their line of indoor/outdoor fire pits (yes - indoor!). The difference is you can choose what kind of fuel you want to use - propane, natural gas, or bioethanol. Clean-burning bioethanol creates no smoke or sooty marks and allows you to use these beautiful, architectural pieces anywhere. They also have accessories like stools and side tables that can hide a tank away, making them perfect for your next outdoor soirée. Here are a few more facts:

“TRIPLE FUEL ADVANTAGE
Brown Jordan Fires provide you with unparalleled freedom and ultimate flexibility. With our Triple Fuel Advantage, you get to decide on the fuel source that is right for you. Choose from Natural Gas, Liquid Propane, or Bioethanol.

VERSATILE AND RE-LOCATABLE
When you select Bioethanol or Liquid Propane as your fuel source you’ll never be tied down! With zero hard utility connections, relocating your fire is a breeze. Entertain on your own terms with Brown Jordan Fires.

HIGH-PERFORMANCE MATERIALS
Re-engineered from the ground up, our proprietary composite concrete formula is half the weight of traditional concrete and double the strength! Rest assured you’ll enjoy your fire for years to come.

CLEAN-BURNING AND SUSTAINABLE
Brown Jordan Fires when fueled by e-NRG Bioethanol are the single, most eco-friendly fires available today. With zero harmful emissions and no smoke, soot, or ash your clean-burning, bioethanol fire can even be used indoors!”
— http://www.brownjordanfires.com/pages/urth

We also have the Horizon in four different sizes (including a model that would be great for a table top), the Strata, and the Solstice, and of course can order you other models if you'd like. Stop in and see them - we can show you how they look burning since we run them in the shop on the bioethanol fuel. They're a great addition to any entertaining space and will make you think any other old fire pit is just plain boring!

NEW 2016 Sid Dickens Memory Blocks

For the uninitiated, Sid Dickens Memory blocks are collectible artworks for life's special moments: "Handmade in Canada since 1994, Memory Blocks are the original collectible wall plaques. Interactive and timeless, the collection captures pieces of history as tangible, enchanting collectible art for modern life." For more information on the artist and his process, click here.

Our extensive in-stock collection of Sid Dicken's Memory Blocks

Our extensive in-stock collection of Sid Dicken's Memory Blocks

There's a Sid Dickens block for everything - love, family, holidays, children, special moments - and they make a really wonderful gift. Get one for a special person in your life and they stand on their own - or you can set them up as a series and they all compliment each other. These are part of the newest collection for Spring 2016, titled "Awakening" - stop in and see them for yourself!

Linen Love

You may have heard us talking about our love of linens - specifically, Libeco Linens. From the moment of harvest all the way to your home, Libeco takes the utmost pride in how they sustainably create their fabric, bedding, pillows, home goods, and more from the finest quality Belgian linen. If you're interested in the linen production process, they've created a short film...

The Libeco Linen production process

For all practical purposes, linen sheets are one of the most wonderful little luxuries you can treat yourself to. Warm in the winter, cool in the summer - you will sleep better every night in their temperature-regulating comfort. We have a variety of Libeco sheets and home goods in stock, and can order much more for you.

One new product their introducing is getting a nod from the home design world - the Super Sham! They're so simple, they're brilliant: extra-long shams that actually go across your whole bed because their sized longer than their standard King or Euro counterparts. Originally designed for their European market, Libeco has brought these to the US in two sizes. The "Super King" at 28x36" gives height to your bed, while remaining about the same width as a king sham. The "Grand Euro" is perfect for large scale headboards or in airy spaces where volume is needed because it measure in at 32" - a full six inches larger than a regular euro sham. They're available in ALL of their bedding patterns and colors, and collections that have shams without a flange can be used as large pillows on sectional sofas!

Items like these might come into your life in pieces - you start with a few dish towels, add some basic sheets, etc. - but it's great that these pieces are available additionally for us to collect over time, too. I'm sure they'll become your favorite!

Introducing Designer Michael Aram

When I visited the Home and Gift Show in New York City, I had the opportunity to meet many of the designers to learn about their craft and what motivates them. Once such designer I met was Michael Aram, and I learned how he makes the beautiful pieces I plan to introduce to the store this spring (there's a sneak peek of what we're ordering below!).

Mr. Aram is an American born artist who works primarily in metal. After studying fine art and living as an artist in New York in the late 1980's, he took a life-altering trip to India where he discovered rich metalworking traditions. Inspired to work with craftsmen whose skills he felt were greatly untapped, he turned his creative energies towards craft-based design, setting up a home and workshop in New Delhi.

What I love about his work is how it reflects the handmade process. Each piece is lovingly made using age old traditional techniques. The artisan nature of his work has a soulful quality and energy, which he believes reflects the hand of the maker. Michael Aram pieces cause us to pause and consider them, and therefore create a sense of ritual and ceremony in their day to day use. I love meeting inspirational new artists and sharing their work with you, and I'm sure you'll see a perfect gift or accessory for the brides, friends, family, and other loved ones on your list - and for yourself!

New Shipments Just Arrived!

Often customers and friends will ask me what I love about what I do...and one of the highlights of Traditions is when a new shipment arrives and we unpack the boxes of items we have collected from all over the world to share with our customers.

For example, a beautiful new Theodore Alexander SQUARE mahogany table just arrived.  You can stop in our showroom and see the detail and the uniqueness of the rolled finish.

But for me, what I like best is pairing pieces with just the right customer.  I have a few customers in mind who have collected gorgeous pieces over the years, but now want to downsize and need a smaller table to match what they already own.  THIS jupe table fits the bill of being large when company arrives and yet small for daily living.

That's just one example of why I love what I do.  -Maria

Details make the Difference

Recently I visited the home of a customer who knew she needed a change but didn't know where to start. 

After really focusing in on what SHE wanted, we decided what her home needed was new window treatments.  She has beautiful furniture but the missing detail was her windows were not coordinating well with her current decor. 

THAT was the missing detail. 

In fact we are changing every window in her home and I hope to show you before and after pictures as this project is very exciting!

Until then think about the details that you can add.  Sometimes just a new light or a new centerpiece can do the trick. 

Stop into Traditions for some inspiration because as our tag line says....Traditions, where it all comes together here.  

 

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2016 is here!

For starters I want to thank all our customers who shopped at Tradtiions in 2015. Not only did you support a locally owned store, but we enjoyed meeting everyone who browsed and purchased gifts, and I truly enjoyed visiting the homes of clients who wanted decorating advice and services.  

From choosing new paint colors and flooring to adding new furniture and lighting, I helped my customers transform many rooms right before Christmas and right before New Year's Eve parties. 

I worked wirh with young couple who both had a vision for their family room, and by the time the project was completed we ended up with a gorgeous room that blended both their ideas and interesting colors of orange, navy and gray.  

Sometimes an upcoming special event is the perfect motivation to finish that one room in your home or completely redo another room.

Now that 2016 is here and in full swing, I look forward to the many exciting projects you need completed  Wirh some conversation and  a little planning I can help you beautify your home.

Stop in the store anytime for inspiration.  Ask for me. Together we can spark some creativity.  I look forward to seeing you! 

Traditions is a home decor store with an array of choices in furniture and also great gift ideas. 

Traditions is a home decor store with an array of choices in furniture and also great gift ideas. 

New at Traditions...the ATLANTA Orders are in!

Our orders from the Atlanta show are starting to come in...which means we've got all kinds of beautiful new items! There are great new options in furniture, art, lamps, and especially lighting. Take a look and Pin what you love.

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Our Visit to the 2015 Hampton Designer Showhouse

We just got back from a buying trip in New York, and on the way we had an opportunity to stop by this year's Hampton Designer Showhouse in beautiful Sag Harbor. The Showcase house is presented by Traditional Home all summer, and proceeds from ticket sales benefit Southhampton Hospital.

Here are a few snapshots we took highlighting our favorite details including lighting, wallpaper, window treatments, and accessories. Showhouses are a great way to see what's trending and new because there are so many different designers involved!

Source: http://hamptondesignershowhouse.com