how to: set four unique tables

For a bright brunch, focus on cheerful colors and personalized elements. Wrapping paper makes a low-cost, high impact table cover and a travel mug doubles as a placecard. Live greens, sliced branches, and organic shapes recreate a natural habitat. Small plants can be less expensive than a fresh flower centerpiece while lasting longer—and push the envelope with eco wood bath mats as the table cover. Mix different styles, textures and period references to add interest. The labra candleholder is perfect to set the tone of this modern baroque table—especially when contrasted with angular white porcelain plates and a rich red bouquet. Mix different shapes, materials and finishes in shades of grey. It creates an urban, sophisticated look and becomes the ultimate blank canvas which can accommodate a variety of layers for a unique setting.

Thanks to stylist and photographer Bobbi Lin for setting these four tables featured at cb2.com/idea central.

how to: make a bubble wreath

In our latest catalog, our creative stylists used clear glass bubble balls to create modern wall art in the form of a wreath. While ours was made to appear permanently installed in the room, these instructions allow for temporary or Holiday decorating.

Supplies:
1. space on a wall that can be nailed, or a flat MDF board sized appropriately
2. pencil and string
3. 3” nails and a hammer
4. bubble balls—a mixture of 4” and 6” sizes
5. optional for the MDF: paint as desired and hanging hardware
hint: always contact your local hardware store for advice on which hanging hardware is appropriate for your wall art and walls.

Directions:
1. Measure to find the center of the wall area—or MDF board—intended to display the wreath. Connect that point to a pencil and draw a perfect circle.

2. Roughly following the circle, positioning nails slightly inside and outside the circle, hammer in nails at least 1/2”.

3. Check position by temporarily placing a few bubble balls on the nails for a visual.

4. Complete nailing and place bubble balls as desired—starting with large ones first and fill in with smaller ones.
hint hint: if installing temporarily, hang the board once all nails are secured—without the bubble balls for safety reasons—then add the bubble balls.

how to: make a snowball wreath

Supplies:
1. Styrofoam ring—ours measured about 24” in diameter, almost 3” wide and 2” thick
2. ornaments
3. hot glue gun and glue sticks
4. ribbon for hanging

Directions:
1. Hot glue fuzzy snowballs one at a time on to the Styrofoam ring—start with the 6” first, then use the 4” to fill in the gaps.

2. Place shiny mobile, starburst, and wire ornaments as desired.

3. To hang, loop a ribbon as desired.

how to: design wine storage

Underground cellars date back hundreds if not thousands of years—before refrigeration—but today they can simply be accessible storage for wine lovers and frequent entertainers.

Whether you’re a novice or a connoisseur (fr., to know) there are a few key points to keep in mind before building a wine cellar.

1. UV rays can break down the complex structure of wines—which is why bottles are made of protective, darker transparencies—so choose a dark space in your home such as a corner in the basement, a closet, pantry, or under the stairs.

2. Avoid extreme heat and cold—but temperature fluctuations are the worst. Find a space that’s consistently cool with a 70% level of humidity, or where the climate can be easily controlled.

3. Wine breaths while it’s in the bottle, not just after it’s opened, so avoid strong aromas in the air.

4. Always store bottles on their sides to avoid dry corks—which can lead to oxidation or outside air getting into the wine.

5. Moving the bottles or constant vibrations can disturb wines so avoid the space next to your washer/dryer. It’s best to secure racks to walls—definitely if they’re taller than 48”.

6. Whatever racks suits the overall design of the room, make sure they accommodate champagne bottles—which are larger than standard reds or whites—if you intend to stock them.

8. Think about what kind of filing system makes the most sense to you. Reds vs. whites is easy—it’s when you get down to regions, grape varieties and blends that’s a challenge.

7. Go big and include a tasting area by incorporating a high dining table or mini bar. Keep accessories nearby—including bottle openers, glasses, cork bins, napkins…

9. If you build it, wine will come to you as gifts year-round so over-build and grow into the space.

10. For the best deals to stock your cellar, sign-up for membership to your favorite vineyard or wine club. Not sure what to stock? Or for how long? Research, build, then plan a wine tasting party!

inspiration: new york, sidewalk catwalk

What: The Fashion Center Sidewalk Catwalk
When: June 24-September 3
Where: on Broadway, from Times Square to Herald Square
Who: Created by The Fashion Center Business Improvement District

Don’t miss this a one-of-a-kind public art exhibit featuring the artistic talents of New York City’s top fashion designers—not only is it free all summer, you’ll find inspiration in every one.

Created by The Fashion Center Business Improvement District, this very public installation showcases the vitality and creative spirit of the industry in a unique outdoor setting.

The exhibit showcases custom-built mannequins, displayed runwaystyle, each modeling a bold one-of-a-kind manifestation of its designer’s artistic vision—in outdoor materials to withstand the elements.

They’re under the watch of guards to deter vandalism, so whether you’ve planned or are planning a trip to the Big Apple this summer be sure to include the Fashion District to catch the exhibit.

Thanks to vance, store designer soho, for this contribution.