Black Fridays!!!!!!

I think people universally know "Black Friday" as the day after Thanksgiving when holiday shopping season kicks off with a big bang -- as all the major retailers try to outdo each other with discounts to entice us all in their doors. With the economy being what it is, discounting is becoming a way of life and an expectation on the consumer's part. This season, many retailers have jumped off the band wagon and started "Black Friday" early -- one even started on October 30th! This is because last year's reaction to the stock market crash sent retailers scurrying to dump merchandise at huge discounts and now consumers are waiting on the side lines for last year to happen again. But, it won't. Retailers have been able to pare down their inventory levels and do not have to "get rid" of stuff this year like last. But the smart ones are starting Holiday discounting early in hopes of getting more of the consumers' dollar. So how does a small retailer like us compete? We decided to think outside the box ourselves and are having a weekly Black Friday special just for our customers! Keep you posted!

Napkin Rings -- To Do or Not To Do

The use of napkin rings goes back a couple hundred years, where they were generally monogrammed and used to identify one's napkin - which was used several times before laundering. Nowadays, we use napkin rings as a decorative accessory for our table! Napkin rings are a natural extension of the formality of your event -- you can dress the table up with a very formal napkin ring or you can dress down an otherwise formal table by introducing something whimsical and fun ! If you don't have napkin rings and can spring for them right now, you can use a beautiful ribbon to tie up your napkins and add something seasonal -- a small branch of bittersweet, leaves or flowers for a Martha Stewart look.
But if you really want to impress your guests, there is nothing like a beautiful folded napkin. Here we've displayed one of the many folds from Yves DeLorme's napkin folding brochure (available online at YvesDelorme.com or get one free at our store). Almost any type of napkin can be used to do a folded napkin that lies down on a plate. But those that stand up are best created with a heavier jacquard weave type napkin of cotton or linen, which has the body required to hold the form. Happy Folding!

The Holidays are coming -- time to prepare!

Each year the holidays seem to descend on us before we know it -- it seems the key to enjoying them is to start early and prepare! If you're hosting Thanksgiving this year (or Christmas for that matter) now is the time to start thinking about your Holiday table, If you need a new tablecloth or placemats and napkins, you should be ordering them now.
I'm frequently asked how to determine the correct size tablecloth. As a general rule of thumb, take the table's measurements, including the leaves you will use(length and width) and add 10" to each side. For example, a table that measures 40 x 80 needs a tablecloth that measures 60 x 100. You can get by with a 6 or 8 inch drop if the table is rectangular or oval. But, a round table needs at least a 10" drop to not look skimpy. Etiquette guidelines say a formal tablecloth is anywhere between a 12 and 20 inch drop -- but most of our clients don't want the tablecloth in their guests' lap. Measure from your seat height to the top of the table to determine what is the right length for you. And remember that cotton tablecloths can shrink -- so allow for that in your measuring.
What about napkins? We like 20-22 inch napkins for a formal dinner, although 18 inch will work. Anything less than 18 inches is considered a luncheon size napkin. Buffet napkins are generally bigger -- at least24 inches, allowing for your guest to adequately cover their lap.
If you want an easy care tablecloth that looks and feels like cotton, but is polyester and comes out of the dryer wrinkle free, we recommend Sferra's Orchard pattern. Remember though, polyester is harder to get stains out of then linen or cotton. All our tablecloths, placemats and napkins are on sale Friday, Nov. 6th for one week!
In my next several blogs, I'll address napkins and napkin rings as well as cleaning your table linens. Let me know if you have any questions!

More Street of Dreams Photos!

2009 Street of Dreams

The 2009 Street of Dreams is in full swing! The Royal home in the Silverleaf developement, is featuring the interior design work of Trish Barmettler and linens from the Linen Gallery! The soft, easy, soothing color palette Trish put together is a perfect setting to feature our beautiful bed ensembles, and our gorgeous towels. The overall feels is pleasant and easy, although still very interesting, inventive, attractive and most of all creative.....
Stop in to see the linens by Sferra being auctioned off on Ebay! They are turly beautiful!

Buy this Bedding on Ebay

We are auctioning off the master bedroom linens from the 2009 Street of Dreams project to benefit the Omaha Chapter of Habitat for Humanity. A $2752 retail value, these linens will go for the best offer made over $680. (Could be a steal!). 100% of the proceeds will go to this charity. The items included are all new and on display at the Royals Home in Silverleaf Estates until Sunday, Sept 27th. The auction is on Ebay -- item number 150372117424. Headboard, decorator pillows and down can be purchased separately. This is the first time we have ever done this -- support us in our efforts!

Street of Dreams 2009

What happened to August -- it just flew by! We spent a good deal of it getting ready for the 2009 Street of Dreams where we did all the linens in the entire house! Featured in Royal Homes exquisite house, we di three bedrooms, five bathrooms and two of the tables. To top it off, we worked with Sferra to create a master bedroom that anyone would love and it is being auctioned off to benefit the Omaha Chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Check out our article specifically on this on our blog.