where there’s smoke there’s mirrors
hey guys! hope you’re weekend is still in full force and you’re enjoying every second of it!
you know how hard it is when all you do is work. sometimes it’s thankless (well most of the time) but once in awhile you get a little cherry just when you need it. i have some good news and of course couldn’t help but share it. it’s business news, so maybe not all that juicy, but tpa was featured in both house beautiful and instyle this month for products we manufacture!
it’s just a knob but still a thrill to be included in a great spread on vamping up your closet by those trendsetters at inStyle
and two of our chairs are featured in this HB article (and shhh, my guys make 4 other pieces on this spread)!
here’s the slideshow from their site: housebeautiful.com/decorating/looking-for-lucite
after all this time, lucite seems to be returning and appreciated as a real art. it’s been around since the 30’s but got a real bad rap after the 80’s. (below katie is on the original helena rubenstein chair from around 1935. ours was modeled after it).
and i do see that the prices for lucite have been going up, making it not such an affordable option even with vintage pieces. maybe cause it’s a hard material to work with as there’s zero margin for error.
and since it looks like we all could use a little to freshen up a room, (according to HB of course)! i’m taking this opportunity to celebrate by discounting (to my bloggers) all my lucite benches by 50% and incorporating layaway plans. (if you’re interested in specifics let me know).
another cool thing in HB was a spread on some design bloggers and their homes. so if you’ve ever wondered how mrs. blandings, decorno, habitually chic and designsponge are living, check it out. the issue is also loaded with beautiful pics!
finally, i did hear from the producer i mentioned a few posts back talking about a show. (i made a couple pilots before with the travel channel and had pretty much shelved the idea of doing that ever again). they liked the idea of doing some green/fleamarketing and reno/decor stuff, but i was wondering what you think you’d like to see? i watched a lot of hgtv lately to see what’s current and am curious to hear what you like and loathe!
also, she does want to hear your pitches so if you have something and want her info, just say the word.
ok that’s it! back to the stocks and thanks for always letting me share my little successes with abandon! xoc
Melissa Lewis - Off The Wall replied:
Ahhhhh, that’s so exciting! What great news. Congratulations dearie, you deserve it:)
January 11, 2009 at 11:25 pm. Permalink.
theparisapartment replied:
thanks melissa! guess with enough perseverance anything is possible!
January 11, 2009 at 11:30 pm. Permalink.
cityfarmer replied:
I can feel it in my bones, this is gonna be fun.
January 11, 2009 at 11:55 pm. Permalink.
theparisapartment replied:
hi honey! thanks for always being there to enjoy life with =]
i hope you’re right!
January 12, 2009 at 12:02 am. Permalink.
Heather van Breda replied:
Claudia, great news about the magazine attention– and I love the chairs! Congrats!
January 12, 2009 at 12:18 am. Permalink.
petunia replied:
I would love to see shows on how to determine what’s fab and what’s not at the flea markets, how to negotiate prices there, how to salvage old chandeliers, the Paris apartment on a budget, when to walk away from a bad idea/deal. Well, I know anything you think of will be great. The discount you are offering is amazing and of course, good job on getting your name out there even more. 2009 is already a rockin’ year!
January 12, 2009 at 12:26 am. Permalink.
theparisapartment replied:
ok well that’s second nature so that works! plus i’m back into the Romantic Decor on a Fleamarket Budget (my subtitle i rebelled against for a few years)! in order to get press i had to have some high ticket items to get noticed. now i can get back to my roots!
January 12, 2009 at 12:40 am. Permalink.
Mrs. Blandings replied:
I have a vintage lucite stool in front of my fireplace! As a new reader I had no idea that you made these. Congratulations on the coverage!
January 12, 2009 at 12:46 am. Permalink.
theparisapartment replied:
thanks Mrs. Blandings! i’m a fan of yours and was happy to see you interviewed in the same issue!
January 12, 2009 at 12:51 am. Permalink.
Vicki replied:
Congrats C!! I screamed when my issue of House Beautiful arrived and there was the fabulous chairs of the paris apartment!!! Way to go girl!!!!
January 12, 2009 at 1:40 am. Permalink.
theparisapartment replied:
aw thanks vicki, i’d love to have seen that!!
January 12, 2009 at 2:54 am. Permalink.
Isa replied:
Congratulations on the features in both magazines! The chairs are delicious!
xo Isa
January 12, 2009 at 3:38 am. Permalink.
laurie replied:
Congratulations! Those lucite pieces are gorgeous. laurie
January 12, 2009 at 4:04 am. Permalink.
Pamela replied:
I used a fabulous lucite table in the living room of a client this year and was thrilled with how it looked. I had to discourage them from doing everything lucite in the house, they were so pleased! It creates a very elegant look.
I do have some ideas for things I’d like to see on HGTV. Should I write her?
January 12, 2009 at 4:40 am. Permalink.
theparisapartment replied:
merci tout le monde! it’s been a long time in the works so i really do appreciate your cheers. pam, do you have a treatment? i’ll send you her email address.
January 12, 2009 at 4:49 am. Permalink.
Linda replied:
Congratulations. How exciting it must be to see your work in a magazine or book. I personally love shows that show a boring place and spiff it up-maybe you could do that with flea market finds? I have a friend whose whole house is done with nothing but flea market or garage sale items. I find it amazing.
January 12, 2009 at 7:47 am. Permalink.
i.d. replied:
Wow I just saw that InStyle feature today! Congratulations – that’s super exciting! xx
January 12, 2009 at 8:15 am. Permalink.
Parisbreakfasts replied:
WOWZA! Isn’t that just fab!!!
Really excellent.
bon chance
January 12, 2009 at 9:26 am. Permalink.
Charlie replied:
C, Now I can scream with abandon, right?:-) You know what I tawkin about sista… because the last one last month was premature. Congrats for real this time you deserve it! You work so hard and are so talented. Truly happy for my friend! Yippy!
January 12, 2009 at 11:53 am. Permalink.
Joy replied:
Getting Claudia in yet another format – I’m all in! Would love to see you on the tele!
p.s. Those are two pretty cool mags to be featured in
Joy
xo
January 12, 2009 at 12:28 pm. Permalink.
Bonnie replied:
Congratulations Claudia! The magazine pics are fabulous. And we know your lucite is the best. Your blog just keeps getting better and better! Keep up the great work!
Bonnie :)
January 12, 2009 at 12:33 pm. Permalink.
Janet replied:
Claudia,
Okay… so You and TV? A no-brainer for a *huge* hit!
I’d watch religiously– and I don’t watch TV. (Very much. Unless one counts the v. dull Weather Network…)
The mag mentions are waaaay cool. You *so* deserve all the attention and more! Wtg!
X’s & O’s,
J.
PS. *Loving* the lucite!
January 12, 2009 at 1:48 pm. Permalink.
Jill replied:
congrats!!! I love lucite. I did some diy lucite drapery rods the other day for a clients bedroom. I don’t watch much hgtv (funny, after decorating for clients all day, that last thing I want to do is watch in on tv), but a show on flea markets would interest me. I’m not sure if one already exists. Lovely post!
January 12, 2009 at 2:49 pm. Permalink.
renee finberg replied:
ok, ……….
huh…….
did you know this when we went antiquing ??
i am flipping out !
this is too fabulous for words !
love you babe……i am dialing you now
January 12, 2009 at 3:31 pm. Permalink.
Y. replied:
That’s wonderful! So exciting. My sister wants one of those chairs. :)
January 12, 2009 at 4:26 pm. Permalink.
theparisapartment replied:
wow! you guys are the best! thank you for your support, it so wouldn’t be the same fun without my blog friends, and i want the same good things for you too.
as for the show, it looks like fleamarketing is still most of our current fascination and i couldn’t be happier. you can do an entire house in a day! not to mention the jewels at auctions, estate sales, garage, tag, yard, consigment, antique shops, thrift…the list is endless!
January 12, 2009 at 4:27 pm. Permalink.
Kelli replied:
CONGRATS! Working hard does pay off! I hope you do get a little time for YOU this week!
Bisous
January 12, 2009 at 5:44 pm. Permalink.
Judith replied:
Congrats Claudia! Much deserved!
xoxo
Judith~
January 12, 2009 at 5:51 pm. Permalink.
Courtney @ Nesting Instincts replied:
Claudia – congrats again…that is so fun! About a show idea…I watch TONS of HGTV too, and I think what would be really fun is to just tag along with you on one of your trips to the Paris fleas…sort of the “inside scoop” and watch as you discover bargains (or not) and why you like the things you do. Maybe even a follow-up shot or two of that item in a client’s home or in your store or something like that…does that make sense? Anyway, i would totally watch that. I’d get to live vicariously through you. I bet it would be an amazing marketing tool for your trips, too – suddenly you’d have 5x as many people signing up, I bet!
January 12, 2009 at 7:11 pm. Permalink.
Jean replied:
Congratulations! We’d love to see you on television.
The kids loved their soft blankets. I wasn’t sure what Conor would think but when he saw his blanket, he said “that’s totally awesome!” and he has slept with it the last few nights.
January 12, 2009 at 8:09 pm. Permalink.
London Calling replied:
I saw that article in HB and thought of your venture. Congrats on the press piece.
I think people would go nuts for a show on your tripping to Paris Fleamarkets – the ins and outs, ect.
Smiles, LC
January 12, 2009 at 8:56 pm. Permalink.
J Covington*Designs replied:
Sweet – congrat’s!
January 12, 2009 at 9:20 pm. Permalink.
Maureen replied:
Congrats on the mention in the mags! I do hope you decide to do a television show. Personally, I love working with yard sale/flea market/thrift store finds and also with renovating/repurposing things. It’s green and creative, to boot.
BTW, where’s the latest kitten pics????????? By the way, I don’t think you’ve mentioned the kitten’s name to us……….? Enquiring minds want to know!! :-)
January 12, 2009 at 11:07 pm. Permalink.
Kathleen replied:
Kudos to you! Lots of exciting things going on! Your lucite benches are beautiful! Excited to hear updates!
Have a happy week!
January 13, 2009 at 1:13 am. Permalink.
theparisapartment replied:
ok i guess it’s time to post kitty pics (his name is not official cause he has over 10 names i swear, no one can stick to one). he’s getting big and super cool. playful, silly, he’s interested in everything all the time!
January 13, 2009 at 2:03 am. Permalink.
Dorothy replied:
Congratulations, Claudia. Can’t wait to check out the magazine! Recognition well deserved!
D-
January 13, 2009 at 3:08 am. Permalink.
Paris replied:
bravo claudia … c’est magnifique … i saw the page and immediately thought of you and VOILA there you are!!
bisous!
January 13, 2009 at 8:47 pm. Permalink.
Chessa replied:
this is fabulous news! I’m going to buy them both tomorrow! hurray!
as for ideas, I was just looking at your website and I love the shopping trip. I wish I could make it…it sounds like a wonderful time and I’d love for HGTV to follow you so we could all see it even if we’re not there. I love antiques and I especially love flea markets. I like knowing that items in my home has a life some where before the came to be mine. The shops and markets in Paris (and Argentina too! I love them) have such incredible things I could spend hours in one store or at one stand alone.
January 14, 2009 at 6:10 am. Permalink.
theparisapartment replied:
Oh i’m dying to go to buenos aires, i heard the shopping there is unreal. guess cause it has a lot of european influences. has anyone been? it may be fun to do a show about the bloggers, visit some and see where they shop and what they do, i know i’m fascinated by you!
January 19, 2009 at 1:53 am. Permalink.
~Tina replied:
Very glam. I love it.
January 19, 2009 at 3:15 am. Permalink.
theparisapartment replied:
merci tina!
January 19, 2009 at 6:22 pm. Permalink.
stacy replied:
Congratulations Claudia! I just got caught up on your posts!! Fantastic News.
January 23, 2009 at 4:05 am. Permalink.