Mrs. Howard Personal Shopper

Helpful Tips about Bedding from Sferra and the AJC

Today in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, journalist Katie Leslie offers a helpful piece about selecting bed linens. She interviews Aaron Stewart, creative director for Sferra Linens, and discusses how to go about choosing the best bedding for your budget, as well as how to care for your sheets once you get them home. Aaron will be at Mrs. Howard in Atlanta tonight for our party with Sferra as part of their Lose Count tour. The event is really just an opportunity to visit our store after hours and have a great time, but it also a chance to see the latest collection from Sferra Linens and speak with Aaron and Phoebe Howard about making a beautiful bed.

If you would like to attend, please email me (lkennelly@jmhoward.net) or call us to RSVP: 404-816-3830.

Weekly Q&A with Phoebe: Mixing and Matching Lamps and End Tables

Question: My question is about mixing and matching lamps and end tables. Is it okay to have two different end tables with two different lamps flanking the sofa?

Phoebe's Answer: "Absolutely. More often than not, we do not use matching end tables in a living room (but we do use a matching pair of lamps). However, we use different end tables and different lamps on occasion, as well. The most important thing to keep in mind is the height of the lamp. The tables should be within an inch or two of one another, as should the lamps. Meaning, they don't have to be exactly the same (one table can be a little higher if it's lamp is a little lower), as long as the overall heights are fairly close. Also, the scales of the lamp shades should be fairly similar.

This question also ties in nicely with my top ten from yesterday. As mentioned there, using a lamp and end table on one side of a sofa and a floor on the other can be another great combination. Take a look below at photos from some of my projects - notice how close the overall height is and that the general scale is congruent."

Phoebe's Top Ten: Brass Floor Lamps

Floor lamps are a wonderful alternative to table lamps. They are perfect when paired with a side table and upholstered chair to create a comfortable spot for reading. They are also quite useful for placing at one end of a sofa when there is not room for an end table and lamp or for keeping a design scheme light - typically, they take up less visual space than a traditional lamp. Of course they are always excellent in pairs. Their impact can be quite sculptural depending the design, and selecting a modern style can keep a traditional room from feeling too staid. The greatest benefit is the ambient light they provide - any opportunity to avoid overhead lighting must always be seized.

When selecting floor lamps, I believe they should be both beautiful and functional. Brass lamps are a Mrs. Howard go-to item. Below are some our current favorites!

(1)
Adjustable: 55 - 72"h



(2)
Adjustable: 59.25 - 61.75"h



(3)
63"h



(4)
61"h



(5)
Adjustable: 47 - 71"h



(6)
58.5"h



(7)
65"h



(8)
Adjustable: 49 - 58"h



(9)
Adjustable: 47- 62.5"h



(10)
48.75"h

Before and After of the Week

This week, we will share the final room Phoebe decorated for this Atlanta client. We have already shown you the living room and family room, and we will cap things off with the library. As mentioned previously, this client wanted the entire home family-friendly, even in more adult spaces like a library. This room was rather dark to begin with and felt a bit crowded even though there is ample square footage. With a fireplace that was blocked by a coffee table and accessories and artwork floating without much purpose, we needed to reign in and freshen up this space.

Phoebe began by painting the paneling and ceiling a simple shade of white that would show off the architectural lines of the beautiful woodwork. All of the furniture was removed and replaced with a pair of comfortable but tailored sofas. Now with fewer pieces of furniture in the room, what is left makes a greater impact and allows for easy conversation or casual lounging. A plush wool rug softens the space, and thoughtful arrangement of books and accessories fills the shelves.  A quiet room both in look and feel, it provides a restful retreat for the adults of the house without making the children feel unwelcome in the process. Have a look:

Before:

After:

Phoebe's Top Ten: X-Benches

A classic item that has become somewhat of a trend lately is the x-bench. Although this style has been around for a while, there a lot of new materials and fresh interpretations available in today's selection. They are great placed as pairs at the end of a king or queen bed, serving as the perfect place to put on your shoes or place your luggage. They are also good with twin beds (as a single), or for tucking under console tables for additional pullout seating. Here are some of our current favorites:

(1)
27"w x 21"d x 22"h



(2)
30"w x 17.25"d x 20"h



(3)
Small: 24"w x 15.75"d x 17.5"h



(4)
30"w x 17"d x 20"h



(5)
26"w x 21.25"d x 19.25"h



(6)
26"w x 20"d x 21"h



(7)
35"w x 23.5"d x 19"h



(8)
23"w x 18.5"d x 19.5"h



(9)
26.25"w x 21.5"d x 19"h



(10)
Small: 28"w x 20"d x 16"h
Large: 28"w x 28"d x 16"h