New Wood Stains from Steven Anthony
Just one more choice to think about when designing your custom furniture from Vastu! We just received these new wood stain samples direct from Steven himself out in LA.
The colors/stains include (clockwise from top left):
- Whitewash
- Whitewash Antique
- Dove Antique
- Driftwood Antique
- Charcoal
- Driftwood Grey
- Dove
- Powder White
Vastu co-owner Eric says “these new wood stains are a great option for when wood is a big part of the piece we’re creating. Like if a sofa has full wood trim or a chair has a highly visible wood base. I probably wouldn’t choose these stains for, say, a bed where the legs are recessed and hidden under it.”
For example, the Dupont’s cradle base:
Dupont Sofa's Cradle Base
And the best part is that these stains are still neutral enough to work with most color schemes while still making a statement (if that’s what you’re looking for). Stop by the store soon to check ‘em out!
The Sleeper Sofa
The sleeper sofa, love em or hate em they’re most definitely useful as they can make any space multi-functional. However, people don’t always find them to be comfortable or all that stylish, something that can be discerned by reading the comments section of a recent Apartment Therapy post on the same subject.
Frankie Sectional
A little known fact is that a majority of the custom hand-made sofas we carry can be made as sleepers. All it requires is that you choose a frame that has loose seat cushions (so that you’re able to remove them) and that you pick a size that meets the minimum size requirements (66″ W for a full and 78″ W for a queen, in most cases). And if you’re worried about being able to see the sleeper component at the bottom of the sofa when it’s not in use, then don’t! We increase the size of the lower portion of the sofa (the apron) to conceal everything.
BAM! Now it's a Frankie Sleeper Sectional
The sleeper component consists of a 4″ innerspring mattress and a 4″ inflatable air mattress. That gives you 8 inches of mattress that prevents you from feeling a crossbar making it comfortable to sleep on.
Co-owner Eric Kole actually has a Metro Sleeper Sofa in his own home that’s used by friends and family when visiting.
Disguised in this beautiful den is actually a guest room waiting to be used...
The best part of being able to custom make sofas is that we have full control over the design of our furniture. If you want a sectional sofa with a sleeper inside, in a grey fabric with wood legs and tufting on the back…it’s totally doable. Just for you.
Is Bigger Really Better?
Mark Veltman for the New York Times
The New York Times had an article last week titled “Relax. There’s Plenty of Room” by Steven Kurutz. Apartment Therapy highlighted it and posed the question “Is Bigger Furniture Better?”
When it comes to interior design, the short answer is “no”. However, this doesn’t mean that smaller is a more suitable choice when choosing furniture for your space either. You need to find the happy medium and go with pieces that are in the right scale for your home and lifestyle. Read more
In the Old Days…
Well, not really old. We’re talking 2011 here. But here are some interesting stats from last year…
Vastu’s Top 10 Best Selling Product Types
- Chairs (side, dining, desk, etc)
- Pillows (custom throw pillows of various sizes)
- Dining Tables
- Side Tables
- Stools (counter-height, bar-height and adjustable)
- Sofas
- Coffee and Cocktail Tables
- Table Lamps
- Vases
- Sectionals
And as you may know, a lot of the custom upholstered furniture we make and carry comes from Steven Anthony out in LA.
Here are his Top 10 Best Selling Styles:
- Athens Dining Chair
- Case Study Sofa
- Georgetown Sofa
- Capri Sofa
- Ramses Sectional
- Dupont Sofa
- Frankie Sectional
- Astro Chair
- Little C Sofa
- It’s a tie between the Ramses Sofa and the Finland Sectional
We’re very excited to see what becomes popular with you, our customers and supporters, in 2012. Here’s to another great year!
Facebook Fan Appreciation Event
We love social media. We love the way it can bring people together and how it can broaden your horizons to a world full of culture and design. That’s why we hope you follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook (and hopefully read this blog regularly).
Until the end of the year, we’ll be offering our Facebook fans the opportunity to take 20% off any new Steven Anthony sofa and/or sectional order.
To take advantage of this first-ever promotion, simply “Like” Vastu on Facebook and send a quick email saying you’ve done so to facebook@vastudc.com at which point you’ll receive a secret code. Print out the code and bring it into the store when you come to purchase your new sofa and/or sectional!
That’s 20% off just for liking us on Facebook! Easy as that!
Be sure to let your friends and family know so they can join in the savings and get some really great custom furniture.
The Facebook Fan Appreciation Event will run from today December 15th through the end of the year (close of business, Saturday December 31st, 2011). You must “Like” Vastu on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/Vastu and email us at facebook@vastudc.com to receive your special 20% code.
As You Like It, From Capitol File Magazine
If you subscribe to Capitol File magazine, or stay up-to-date through their website, then you might notice a familiar face in this month’s issue.
Vastu Co-Owner, Jason Claire
Entitled “As You Like It” and written by the talented Merlisa Corbett, the full-page article sums up Vastu’s philosophy on personalized upholstered furniture from Vastu co-owner Jason Claire. Using the Vastu High Platform Bed and Madison Ottoman and comparing the ordering process of a Steven Anthony piece to a handmade tailored suit is right on (and appropriate since this article appears in the Men’s Issue). Read more
As Seen On Eric Kole’s Showhouse Showdown
We know you’ve been waiting to see pictures of Eric’s rooms since his episode of Showhouse Showdown premiered on September 12th. Especially if you weren’t able to catch it or DVR it. Well continue on below to see photos of Eric’s designs and a list of products shown in each room!
Brian Petro’s Showhouse Debut
Vastu art dealer, Brian Petro was recently on tv alongside Eric Kole. Okay, well, Brian wasn’t physically there, but some of his art was!
In charge of finding new and exciting art and artists to showcase in our showroom, Brian has been a friend of Vastu’s for quite some time. He occasionally has exhibitions in our space and you can even seee him at work during one of the many open studios that occur throughout the year.
For his episode of HGTV’s Showhouse Showdown, Eric used three of Brian’s pieces from his Grocery series. They beautifully adorned the wall in the family room and looked great next to the Finland Sectional and Bowie Swivel Chairs from Steven Anthony and the Saarinen coffee tables from Knoll.
Read more about Brian Petro’s Grocery series in this past Design Clique post and be sure to stop by Vastu as Brian is offering 30% off of any purchase of work that’s in his studio. Call for appointments – (202) 270-7352. The studio is here at Vastu – 1829 14th street, NW, Washington DC. Hours are 11 am to 7 tues-sat, sunday 12-5.
Vastu Fan Shoutout: Hope M. & Jason H.
Last week we received a couple of emails that just made our collective day and put a big smile on Vastu co-owner Eric Kole’s face.
The first was from Hope M. of Rochester, New York. While watching Eric’s premiere episode of Showhouse Showdown, she was so inspired by his design that she submitted the following comment on our website:
“I just watched HGTV’s ‘Showroom Showdown’ on 9/14 and had to write to let Eric know that he got robbed. I wasn’t surprised by the end results of who ‘won,’ given the demographics of the area. But I wanted Eric to know that at least 1 viewer thought his design was absolutely beautiful and inspiring. From the fireplace and stunning furniture selections to that headboard (oy.,,,) and sublime graphic tree wallpaper to the citrus slices and grocery art, I was literally jumping off the couch. Even my dogs got into it! I would have bought that house in a minute. Actually i would have MOVED that house to a much cooler location! Thank you for providing a much-needed breath of modern, clean, fresh design. Someday when I’m rich, I’ll hire you! Peace out, Hope.”
"Sublime Graphic" Spring Blossom Wallpaper
In a follow-up email, Hope continued with:
“I truly was drawn to your ideas and thought the spaces you created were so simple and sophisticated, yet still fun and very livable. I’m an avid interior design junkie and this is the first time I’ve been moved enough to want to contact the designer.”
Comments like these let our designers know that they’re doing something right! And even though Eric didn’t win his individual episode, Hope’s messages really did make him feel like the winner. Thanks Hope!!
The second message we received last week was from a recent Vastu client, Jason H. of Arlington, VA. He had ordered a custom Cosmo Bed by Steven Anthony and when he received it, he had this to say: Read more
Back to School
HGTV’s Blog recently had a gallery post on “8 Stylish Dorm Room Updates”. In it, interior designers Vanessa De Vargas, Summer Thornton and Lana Kole shared tips on creating dorm rooms that not only looked great but helped students study hard and get their work done. That got us thinking, even though the back to school season is right around the corner for many (if not already here) these tips could really extend to anyone living in smaller spaces. Read more
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