From Design Center Manager Karen Preli
Posted 4/8/08
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Karen Preli
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Welcome Spring…As I was putting away the last place setting of china, having enjoyed the pleasure of my family for a lovely Easter Sunday dinner, I was thinking about last week’s arrival of Spring.
The arrival of the vernal equinox has always been a time of excitement and energy for me. It’s a great motivator in preparing my home for the season ahead. Being a true Collector of “things”, aka decorative accessories for the home, I decided to indulge myself to a sampling of fab finds from my design center.
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Now I must tell you I did this very methodically. Several weeks ago I armed myself with paper, pencil and my camera and did a walk through of the house, knowing I was about to receive delivery on all the great accents purchased at the NYIGF (New York, International Gift Fair). One of the many pleasures as head of design is the opportunity to purchase merchandise for the showroom that I would display in my own home. So it started…I snapped away and took notes organizing a room by room shopping list. A new chandelier, a fabulous marble tray, a great rug (art for the floor), a bright pashmina along with a little bit of glitz and a little bit of that. I incorporated my new finds with my existing treasures to create vignettes full of excitement and energy.
I welcomed my family into my home to celebrate the holiday over a delicious meal, while beautiful surroundings enhanced the day.
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Patricia Rood as assistant to the design team. Patty has been a valued employee at UHW for over 14 years and is a tremendous asset to our team. I would also like to welcome a new member to our design staff Lynn McGill. Lynn and I have worked together in the past for several years. She comes to UHW with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the design arena.
Please stop in and get acquainted with the design staff at UHW. We will welcome the opportunity to come out to your home and create vignettes full of excitement and energy, mixing the old with the new, a little bit of glitz and a little bit of that!
Ask us about the “Accessories Home Call"...Happy Spring! |
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Have a question you would like answered by Karen? Click the link below to email our designer and you will receive a response to your question shortly. We may even choose to feature your question and our answer in our column.
Click Here To Email A Question To Karen |
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From Design Center Manager Karen Preli
Posted 1/8/08
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Karen Preli
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Happy New Year! Wow, I can’t believe we are into 2008! It seems like yesterday that I started my position as the head designer and design center manager here at United House Wrecking. I would like to say thank you to all of our customers who have supported us by shopping and spreading the word about our ever changing design center. Most importantly, I would like to thank the customers who have allowed me and my staff to help design your rooms. It has been my pleasure, and I hope to continue working together well into 2008 and beyond, creating beautiful, functional rooms together.
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For those of you who have been in the store, I am sure you will agree that we have brought in some of the most fabulous accessories and lighting that could be found. We just received a new shipment of John-Richard prints; always exquisitely matted and framed…..I have already selected a few new favorites!
For those of you who have not been in lately…please come visit. Our floor has been redone with a new selection of gorgeous Highland House upholstery which I selected back in October at the High Point Market. What a beautiful selection we have! I’m not sure which vignette I love the most…the “Simply Sara” collection is so fresh in today’s “new” blue. I have a fabulous settee done in “new” blue and chocolate toile! The Kensington group is rich and warm in chocolate velvet, menswear checks and a very spectacular floral. I also love my men’s room, which too is done in a subtle glen plaid reminiscent of a pair of trousers. This grouping is shown very well mixed with some of our John-Richard eglomise pieces and my favorite Theodore Alexander faux antler bench!! I also need to mention the fabulous Fairfield Chair pieces that came in…I am in love with the zebra print tufted Chippendale bench…such a twist on a classic!
This year will also bring the addition of our bedding department. We are expecting our mattress and box springs any day. Along with our Eastern Accents bedding ensembles, our current lines of Hooker, Virginia Sterling, Vaughan-Bassett bedrooms, and Wesley Allen iron beds, there is sure to be a new bedroom for everyone!
There is so much excitement and so much to talk about that I am going to invite everyone to stop in and see what’s new at the design center at United House Wrecking. Happy New Year! |
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Have a question you would like answered by Karen? Click the link below to email our designer and you will receive a response to your question shortly. We may even choose to feature your question and our answer in our column.
Click Here To Email A Question To Karen |
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From Design Center Manager Karen Preli
Posted 11/15/07
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Karen Preli
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UNITED HOUSE WRECKING INTRODUCES NEW ART GALLERY
If you have not yet visited the new art gallery in our Design Center, make it a priority.
I have selected a broad assortment of new framed art, ranging from scenic and botanicals to architectural themes which enhance those special places in your home that are not quite accessorized.
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Used singularly, in pairs of larger subjects or groupings of smaller paintings these will enhance your existing furniture pieces. My favorite way to display art is creating a wall-scape of various sizes--displaying pieces that hang horizontally and vertically.
In your foyer we can help you select a large painting and anchor it with a console table, or use a small seating piece with a floor lamp and several smaller pieces of wall art. In the dining room don't forget that area above your chairs flanking the china closet. You will find the assortment versatile enough to complete most of those unfinished areas in your home.
From John Richards, these classic Audubon hand colored pieces are exquisitely matted and framed in color ways that will be at home in any earth toned or neutral setting.
Call or email me with your accessory questions. |
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Have a question you would like answered by Karen? Click the link below to email our designer and you will receive a response to your question shortly. We may even choose to feature your question and our answer in our column.
Click Here To Email A Question To Karen |
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From Design Center Manager Karen Preli
Posted 7/2/07
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Karen Preli
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I've just returned from a very exciting, and successful trip to the Dallas Market. I was out on a mission to bring back to my design center the product I need to create our lighting and accessory gallery......wow! I was blown away - not only are my finds gorgeous, but they will also retail at a great price point. Now who doesn't like that - beauty, function, and value.
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I'm crazy about orchids,
and these are so authentically done.
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Oggetti Luce Pendants
This is the Istanbul Collection, absolutely drop dead gorgeous, handmade Murano glass. The hanger that I'm holding in the photo is beaded.
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Can't you picture the large lantern on your patio or deck illuminating a summer party, then bringing it indoors in the winter with one of the orchids. |
Architectural obelisks are always a great way to add some impact to a
coffee table or sideboard,
I even purchased the red tin rooster.
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That's my sales rep. Carol,
I feel very lucky to have met her,
we worked well together
- notice the table top -
the covered baskets are full of texture.
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My mother always refers to me as Natasha - Antlers off to Bullwinkle.
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I told you I was orchid crazy
- Here's Carol again.
She is wonderful - we had a great time.
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More orchids! These are beauties
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These market trips can be tough - I brought back so much wonderful merchandise, that the sensors kept going off.
- Ross couldn't resist this photo - |
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Have a question you would like answered by Karen? Click the link below to email our designer and you will receive a response to your question shortly. We may even choose to feature your question and our answer in our column.
Click Here To Email A Question To Karen |
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From Design Center Manager Karen Preli
Posted 6/26/07
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Karen Preli
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Hello, I'm Karen Preli and this is my introductory editorial column. I'm the new manager of the Design Center here at United House Wrecking. We'll be offering in each newsletter this new column that will include the exciting product we are bringing in as well as introduce any upcoming design trends. We will also take questions from our readers and will offer solutions in future columns for your design dilemmas.
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Initially I'd like to mention the wonderful array of accessories that we are introducing. We find that our clients are much more sophisticated today and may, in fact, feel comfortable placing larger pieces in their rooms. They may have purchased their sofa and chairs, their tables and area rugs and find that the place just doesn't feel "finished”.
My advice--it isn't finished until it has "you" in it. Let's focus on wall art, lighting, vases, and soft accessories like pillows and woven throw accents--signature subjects that you love, in colors that are personal favorites.
Here at United House Wrecking we recognize the importance of those finishing touches so we are expanding that category enormously.
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Our new floral introductions from both John-Richard and NDI are really extraordinary. The wild flowers look as if they were just freshly picked from a meadow, and some of the larger arrangements are just breathtaking. Even the individual peony blooms in glass add a brilliant touch.
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We have added a number of smaller paintings as well. They will be arriving soon and they will be perfect to group or to enrich those smaller wall areas that are too tiny for a big painting or mirror, and just a bit too large to be ignored.
So come in soon to see all of the exciting new accessory arrivals. I'll be expecting you. |
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Have a question you would like answered by Karen? Click the link below to email our designer and you will receive a response to your question shortly. We may even choose to feature your question and our answer in our column.
Click Here To Email A Question To Karen |
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