We're Plaid Proud!

Make your Black Friday... PLAID!

This year has been an exciting year of "firsts" and "new" things for Stuart, Dwayne and myself, that's for sure! A new business, a new way of thinking, new clients, and new challenges. But for me personally, a new thing has truthfully come to front of my mind without a second thought, buy locally.

Being a Local Business owner, my eyes have been opened to how really important it is to support local businesses. Before, I never really thought of going to a local shop for gifts, or for lunch, or for...well anything. It was too easy to just stop by a "Big Box Store" and get something "cheap", and truthfully, I use the word "cheap" loosely. As I've found, we're often less expensive than "large retailers" on the same exact items.

Something as simple as produce was just a quick trip to Wal-mart or Meijer. But when I experienced the Farmer's Market, I discovered a whole new world of true local celebration. The Farmers Market is a great example of how easy it is to buy locally grown foods, support local farmers and their families, and make a fun experience out of the whole thing!

As Black Friday approaches, and we're all thinking of the excellent "sales" the Big Box/Big Retailers are preparing, don't forget the local retailers who are also sharing in the excitement with discounts, deals, and sales! And this my friend's is what has become known as "PLAID FRIDAY". Actually thought of and celebrated widely in Oakland, California, this day is simply the fun and enjoyable alternative to the big box store "Black Friday," and is designed promote both local and independently owned businesses during the holidays. The actual name Plaid Friday celebrates the diversity and creativity of independent businesses, how we're all weaved together to make our own neighborhoods, cities, and towns. You can share in Plaid Friday by wearing Plaid, and by stopping by a local business. Whether it is our store, or someone elses, please make sure you stop by and let them know that you support them. We're all in this together!

See you Friday...and I'll be wearing my PLAID!

Featured in the Herald Leader, Weekender!

Here's what Harriett Hendren had to see about our Christmas Open House coming up!!!

Christmas is nearly two months away, but November means the beginning of "open house" season, with stores decked out for the holidays offering specials and treats.

One of the first open houses in Lexington starts Tuesday and runs through Nov. 6 at House, the cut-as-a-button homem decor shop at 1583 Delaware Avenue.

Everything will be 20% off. Co-owners J. Stuart Hurt, Dwayne Anderson, and Jeremy Rice worked for years at Corman's, so they can decorate for the holidays like nobody's business.

A sampling of what you'll find: candles, trees, garlands, wreaths, swags and loads of holiday design ideas.

Call (859) 523-3933 or go to http://www.housebyjsd.com

Christmas Open House! It's here!

Mark your calendars! 'house' will be celebrating OUR first ever November Christmas Open House! We are so very excited! Tues Nov 2 - Saturday Nov 6 Save 20% off EVERYTHING

We've been working our little butts off (well if mine is the determining factor..." fat butts off " )! Christmas is EVERYWHERE in the store....I MEAN EVERYWHERE.

Against what I would have chosen, we started listening to Christmas music on Tuesday of this week, but 4 days in...I'M READY! There's just something about Christmas Music that puts you in the mood!

We've been putting up trees, decorating garlands, wreaths, and swags! If you've thought our store was full before....just wait until you see it for Christmas! I should have went on a diet!

To let you in on a little honesty, every year as the Christmas season approaches, I get a little nervous, wondering how we are going to top what the three of us created before. WELL....this year, is VERY different. Hands down...we've smacked anything we've ever done out of the park this year.

As far as themes....we have everything. We have Burberry Equestrian, Classic Williamsburg, Traditional Red & Green, Oompa Loompa Red and Green, Candy, Cardinal, Formal Gold, Formal Silver, Ice and Snow, as well as some new combinations of Navy/Burgundy with a Flocked tree, and many others!

We are so excited to open our doors and share this wonderful season with you!

We also need your assistance to help us spread the word of the Christmas Open House Nov 2 Nov 6! Please tweet (we're @housebyjsd) , facebook, email, word of mouth all of your friends! Not everyone knows where to find us now! And after all....we're half the fun! (insert disclosure of possible snow and glitter thrown here! we do like to have a good time!)

We're counting down and hope that you are too! Thanks again! And see you soon!

What I love about Fall!

Now that it seem the temperatures have finally started to lower and become the Fall that so many of us love, I can't help but think about all of the things that I love about Fall!

The crisp mornings, warm afternoons, and chilly nights! Bowls of chilli! FOOTBALL! The turning of the leaves! And maybe...just maybe that the hint of Christmas is right around the corner! (I know it's still early, but I had to mention it!)

In the last few weeks we've been working on many Fall parties, and have created a number of different takes on Fall. For me, Fall isn't just about sunflowers, and pumpkins (although I'll never pass on a piece of pumpkin pie....don't judge!) , however the season is more about the colors and textures.

Our lovely friends at Heaven Hill asked us to do a couple of Fall floral arrangement to sit out at an WEG event at Keeneland. So what was I to use?

We first off, I found the incredible orange coxcomb seen in the arrangement, it was without a doubt what set the color direction for the rest, and who can pass on the fun texture that it provides! Taking the lead from the coxcomb, I had the color direction, but needed the right textures to add. The large bourbon stained fugi poms (the flowers that are kind of like star bursts) were a great texture against the coxcomb, plus they gave me the option of them being the "star players" in the arrangements. The unusual color and flower shape were ideal!

What to add next?! Well, I LOVE hydrangeas.....or maybe I should say I LUUUUUURRRRVVV hydrangeas (I have about lost my religion with mine at my home, because they bloomed like twice this summer!) The mini-greens hydrangeas were a perfect pop of color in this monochromatic orange/bourbon/green combination!

The final pieces to finish the combination were hypericum berry, decorative cabbage, and a surprise addition by a pomegranate. Notice the color of the hypericum. Often you find it in either a red/burgundy, apple green, or white color.... Well this morning I hit the jackpot....with this creamcicle hinted hypericum! THE PERFECT filler!

As for the cabbage, I use cabbage a lot in the fall, they are such a statement piece! And the pomegranate...it was a beautiful green pomegrated with hints of orange and burnt umber. NOW, just between you and me, it was artifitial....that's right....fake! But this morning while at the store, everyone who has saw it and touched it have asked where in the world have I gotten this beautiful fruit! I never shared the information around it! It just proves that in some circumstances, you can add artificial pieces with fresh to make a look!

So for me today, this was fall. A monochromatic look at the season through a different eye! Now...if I could just find a piece of pumpkin pie!

So here we are, only 6 months into this business...and 'house' was voted Best New Store in Ace Weekly's 2010 Best of Lexington by their readers!

It is an incredible honor! Thank you to all of those out there who have supported us when we opened the door and those of you that have continued to support us!

It's hard to believe that the year is coming to an end....Well...I mean there's still Fall coming up, but Christmas will be here before we know it...and then Stuart, Dwayne, and I will be at market again trying to figure out what new we're going to do next year!

I know it's a little early...but thank you for the incredible year!

Also, I realize that I have slacked majorly on blogging.....I promise to do more with that! However, if you would like to see lots of current events and etc...always check our facebook and twitter pages!

J

For those that weren't able to attend our grand opening, we've posted some images on our facebook page! You can click here to see them!

I just love this photo! It's a perfect example of updated traditional! There's nothing I love more than wainscotting! mmm....! This is what we have been preaching for a long time! Mix and matching super traditional elements like the wainscotting, with a modern color, traditional table, modern line chairs, crisp modern light fixtures, and the softness a classic flower (a hydrangea, in a white modern vase!)....this is the future of interior design! While it mixes modern, traditional, and transitional altogether, this is a classic look which will carry for many years to come...if not forever!

A Little Sneak Peek.....OF CHRISTMAS...

LOL....We want spring to get here as much as the next guy! But I
thought I would share a little peak of one of the Christmas lines
Stuart, Dwayne, and I created for 2010! It's called a Welcoming
Christmas, and it is Southern to the bone! Don't worry, no more peeks
of Christmas....at least not until July....lol

Our Signature Scent

Upon our search for the perfect candle of "house", we found Aspen
Bay's Eclipse! Recycled glass, hand made metal lids, and absolutely
the perfect scent! You won't be able to miss the scent when you walk
in the door!!!! mmmmm soooo good!

Art In Bloom 2010

So this past weekend was the Art In Bloom held at the UK Art museum, and wow!...it was the best yet! If you aren't familiar with AIB, it's a fundraiser for the Museum in which local floral designers are invited to interpret works of art through floral designs. And guys...this year definitely takes the cake in "most creative" there were some truly beautiful designs.

Stuart is actually on the board for the event, so "house" had the wonderful opportunity to create a awe inspiring entrance! Seen here is only one of 2 matching 10'+ tall floral arrangements that graced attendees once they entered The Singletary Center. It was clear very quickly that the combination we used was a huge hit with guests! Not only did we use classic spring flowers as tulips and forsythia, but you also found nestled among the flowers mangos, cantaloupes, peaches, and a few other fruits which textures and colors just bounced with the tones of the petals. The arrangement was billowing with tulips casting towards the ground, while the forsythia, bells of Ireland, and white gladiolas stretch towards the ceiling!

Without a doubt, these were the largest arrangements Dwayne and I have ever made! ( I feel very sorry for the guys who had to move them to a second location later that night....actually....I said a little prayer for them every hour on the hour until the movement had to take place.....phhewww...) You want a statement piece...these were statement pieces!!!!

Video of actually how the flower arrangement swere made are coming soon! As well as video of Stuart's own personal art/flower interpretation and a piece made by our very own Sherry Russel.

Who said burlap wasn't hip!

Our new lamp!

I just love it. My favorite thing about this lamp is being to fill it
with anything and it looks great. Currently it's filled with pages
ripped out of an old book! Fab!

I LOVE TECHNOLOGY!

Ok....so here's another reason I love technology! It's a Saturday morning, I'm still laying in bed (don't judge, it's 1015am), and I'm able to post to this blog by text message! I don't have to sit down at a computer to post anything anymore.

I'm so excited! Because this means we're going to be able to post and communicate with you all with a touch of some buttons on my phone! Whether we see a "must have something", or just finished a floral arrangement for one of you, or whether we just met the Queen of England (which some say is Stuart's sister) we can get it to you quickly! Another exciting feature we are planning on bringing to you from "house"!