Name That Blog And Get $250.!

Lamps Plus has a great online store for a zillion kinds of lighting fixtures. And they have a blog. And it's kind of a snooze.

We can do better than this HERE

So they are having a contest to challenge the creativity of the readers of Visual Vamp to come up with a new name for their blog (which is actually a pretty cute blog). If they pick yours you get a $250. gift certificate to the Lamps Plus site.

How creative are you? That's what they asked me! About ten other bloggers are also doing this contest. It would be fun if a Vamp reader won! So when you comment or submit your idea, please say Visual Vamp sent you!

Team Vamp! Name That Blog!

From Lamps Plus:

"We really want to make our blog a place for everyone who loves interior design, we decided that our blog should have a piece of our readers in it. We are inviting everyone to partake in giving us a new name with a “Name That Blog!” contest. In fact, whichever reader ends up with the most votes in this contest will get a $250 online shopping spree for partaking.

As a resource for such creative readers, I want to invite you to let your readers know about this.

Readers can submit their name ideas in a few ways:

- As a comment on our blog post about the contest (will be published May 25^th) http://www.lampsplus.com/info-center/b/blog/archive/2011/05/25/name-that-blog-contest-win-250-shopping-spree.aspx

- As a comment on our Facebook page

- As a tweet using the hashtag #namethatblog

- By email to community@lampsplus.com

The submission period runs May 25^th- 31^st. The community will then vote on the top names June 2^nd- 9^th.

Good luck everyone!

Subway Sign Giveaway!

Here is a great giveaway for you! Last two days to enter! Winner announced on Monday!

Chris from Subway-Sign.com offers a choice of any "standard" products sized 20" x 30" selected from Subway-Sign.com Subway, Metro and Streetcar 20" x 30" Photographs or Subway-Sign.com Destination/Personal History 20" x 30" Photographs
It is only available for shipping to USA addresses. The prize winner will need to provide her/his street address and email address.

You know the drill - please go to Subway-Sign.com HERE and look at all the cool choices. Come back here to Visual Vamp and leave a comment telling us which sign you like. The contest will go on for one week, and the winner by random choice will be announced next Monday. You must please leave a comment here on this post in order to win.

Visual Vamp has a subway sign in the kitchen!

Say what???!!!! Can this be the dreaded subway sign dissed on many a decor blog as another trend that bites the dust?

Like many of you, as a trend gets popular and trickles down to entrepreneurs like Chris, it becomes affordable and accessible to us mere mortals, of which I am certainly one.

I am a great fan of the art of typography, and have loved vintage subway signs, since I saw one hanging in a friend's loft in New York twenty years ago. These genuine vintage signs have become rare and collectible and pretty expensive, and I have always had my eye out for that miracle flea market find.

Buenos Aires subway sign HERE
Visual Vamp kitchen

Over the past three years printed reproductions have been cropping up most notably at Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn. Oh the kiss of death for sure for so many that wouldn't be caught dead using such pedestrian stuff. And the signs were pricey. And then one showed up in a JLo movie, and the coffin lid was creaking shut.

Visual Vamp kitchen with chicken wire insets on upper cabinets

As many of you who read Visual Vamp know, Alberto and I have been working on a progressive kitchen project HERE, as in we progress when we have some money and energy to DIY improve our kitchen. It is a quirky space in an old New Orleans shotgun house. Alberto has been refacing the cabinets, and yay! he felt well enough to hang the last two cabinet doors he made with chicken wire inserts to show off the white ironstone.

Eventually we will replace countertops, and maybe do a new backsplash. In the meantime a concrete treatment I did six years is holding up, and I love the color. There is a boxed in chimney from an old fireplace that has also been walled in (by the previous owners), and this provides a very long and narrow wall space to uh hang something. I have always envisioned a subway sign in this space. Read more HERE

Of course I always thought it would be a New York subway sign of some sort. Or maybe a sign with the streetcar stops in New Orleans. Or maybe a Paris metro sign.

New Orleans streetcar stops from Subway-Signs.com
It was added to Chris' great selection at my suggestion

But since our devastating trip to Canada, Alberto and I realize we may never be able to fly to Buenos Aires again. So what does this have to with our kitchen and subway signs? Well after trying several art options on the long narrow wall space, with nothing looking right, I bit the bullet, swallowed my pride, and gasp, started looking for a subway sign for that wall. I immediately knew I wanted to have one from the B Line from the Buenos Aires subway, and couldn't find any such thing, because, uh, it doesn't exist.

I found several sites that do custom signs, and I found Chris and he/she (still don't know if Chris is a man or a woman ha ha) immediately came up with a design based on the information I sent.
I wanted do the canvas sign, but the size I needed is not available. So I opted for the paper sign, a super glorified poster, great quality on a superior heavy paper stock, and at a terrific affordable price.

The Buenos Aires subway sign is so perfect for anyone who loves the city, or for a tango lover. Two of the stops on the B Line are named for two important and beloved tango personalities: Carlos Gardel and Osvaldo Pugliese.

The sign did need to be framed, and a huge custom frame job like that would break the already broken piggy bank. After a little Google shopping I found a DIY frame and ordered that too from HERE

Framing it was a two person job, and not that easy, and I am sure there is a hair or two and a speck of something under the plexiglass. But all and all, it came out so great, and Alberto and I love it.

I sometimes let the idea that something is "out", influence my decor choices. Often this is valid concern and a good thing. But sometimes when you know something that has been trend trashed is really right, and it is something you really like, you just have to say fuck it, I like it, and that's that.

Enter the giveaway - you will love having one of the high quality signs from Subway-Signs.com in your home, or giving it as a holiday gift.

If you don't win this time, just buy one! It won't break the bank.

And thank you Chris for providing this wonderful holiday giveaway to the readers of Visual Vamp!

Win A Trip To Spend Christmas In New Orleans!

Christmas is just around the corner–and where better to spend the joyous season than in the most joyous city – New Orleans! But don’t take it from me, take it from one of our favorite local actors and Mad Men star Bryan Batt. Plus, this holiday, you could win a $4000 shopping spree, plus a three-night stay at the Loews Hotel, free airfare, and two Reveillon dinners. Very jolly indeed! Go HERE to enter, and happy holidays!

via GoNOLA.com

A Dirty Little Secret

Dear Vern Yip,
My dirty little secret is that I actually like you and your work. You are oft ridiculed on the blogs as a veteran mediocre designer who relies on big box store merchandise, who uses an alarming amount of candles mounted on walls, who likes to over use multiples and lots of knick-knacks, who has a soft heart for those in need, who can be a bitchy Asian empress on Design Star, etc. etc.

But here you are designing an Urban Oasis in New York City, that is to be given away in a sweepstakes.

Italian made sofa, antique Peruvian rug, vintage bar cart as an end table

At first I wanted to hate it. All the "hip Yip", "urban" big box stores are represented: West Elm, CB2, Crate and Barrel. I read all the catalogs, so all the merch is instantly recognizable.

Couch converts to chaise

And I work in a home furnishing shop that is a dealer for Kartell, so I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when I saw the Ghost Chair used in multiples.

And the couch converts to a bed
Maybe the dogs will like it

The apartment itself is a slippery slope. It's in a trendy hotel, and to me it doesn't seem very much like a home, but rather a glorified hotel room, something to visit once in awhile but not to live in.

The apartment at night

I will replace and lower the chandy

But if I win, I do plan to live here. I don't know if the building allows pets, because there are two dogs to be reckoned with. I also don't know if there is a monthly maintenance fee, or what the property taxes will be, or for that matter what the taxes will be on the value of the winnings of this prize. I will surely have to sell my home in New Orleans to afford these things, and then who knows for how long? But that's okay, because I will work my ass off to afford living in New York again.

Over size photo over the couch - it could be bigger
An image taken in the Natural History Museum in New York
I will change the side lamps, and ditch the knick-knacks

But back to the decor. As I poured over the photos of what you did for this space, I began to appreciate it. Your choices are thoughtful, and I suppose all you could do with this cold box of a small, impersonal place. That, and I am sure all those stores donated the furnishings.

Classic modern chaise

I wonder what you would have done if you were doing this place up for yourself, and money were no object. Perhaps you would not have chosen this address, or if you weren't looking a gift horse in the mouth, you might have purchased a larger apartment, or perhaps two small units like this, and joined them.

Classic modern chaise - this is a keeper

I like the way you tried to add some funky artifacts, and some photographs. Perhaps I would not have chosen photos with images of New York, since, duh, the living photograph of the city is right outside the window.

Groovy artifact with CB2 candle holder

And the apartment feels a little cold. The light is New York tends to be on the cool side, and this apartment just doesn't say cozy...yet. Gray is fine, but this is not the right one.

Nice wood floors - maybe too dark?

I of course can add the finishing touches, and style it to look much more inhabited and less like a catalog photo shoot. I would add some color, though you tried with that red rug, but man that red is so heavy looking. I would also add window treatments.

Ghost chairs in dining area shows how small the living space is

But overall I like what you did Vern, and Alberto, my co-worker Jack, and I are entering to win everyday. We have a three way pact that if one of us wins, we will share the place with the other two. The questions of who will sleep on the sofa bed, or how three adults can share a bathroom, or how we will get Jack's 60 pound dog Girl who is object phobic into an elevator, all remain to be worked out. (Cholo we can pick up and carry in, or for that matter smuggle him into the building in a tote bag).

But work it out we will!

Galley kitchen
The table used as an island is pretty cool
But the whole of the main room seems to fit on the rug!

The bedroom
The back wall looks like glorified cinder blocks - this is not witty

Bed is from Oly - hope it's a king!

Another clever artifact with another photo of New York
Duh, just look out the window
I will change the art work

Greek Key bedding from Williams Sonoma

Pocket door between living area and bedroom

Leather covered radiator cover makes it a window seat!
Oh boy hot leather!!!

On closes inspection it looks like faux ostrich
Nubby and hot!

The hotel size closets are painted a bright color inside

The skinny console came from ABC Home
It's a great space saver, and the mirror finish is nice
All the electronics you win look great

The bathroom
I do not like the asshatbox toilet

So dear Vern, thanks for designing this Urban Oasis. You did a heck of a job Vernie!!!
ex oh ex ho

Have You Ever Had Anything Custom Made?

Oh the luxury of having something made especially for you. Before the machine age everybody wore custom made clothes and shoes, and had custom made houses with custom made furniture. With mass production custom made goods assumed a place for the privileged minority who could afford the cost and time.

Custom made shoes HERE

As a dancer I have had custom style shoes made, but never real custom made shoes that require having a last made. The process begins by making a plaster mold of the customers feet. Then a shoe last is modified to accommodate any irregularity in the foot.

Lasts stored at the shoe makers shop

This pair of lasts are stored and can be used to make future shoes. The uppers are hand made with detailed input from the customer. Style, color, type of material are all customized. Details like the type of sole, heel, lace are also part of the custom made process. Finally an insole is made that makes the shoe comfortable.


I have had a purse made for me in Spain and in Argentina, but not just a custom style for me, because they sell the same "custom" model to anyone with the tourist dollars to pay.

Grace Kelly with the Hermes bag made and named for her

It's not like Grace Kelly or Jane Birkin having Hermes design and name a bag for them, but it still was wonderful to see my bag in pieces at the workbench, and then put together just for me.


There is a cute little contest going on at the blog over at CustomMade.com, the most visited website for artisans to feature their custom made goods. They are currently running a contest starting this Friday 6/25 asking anyone to present us with reasons why handmade and custom goods are a better idea than the lacking quality of mass production goods.

They are offering a $100 gift card for the best response to the question "Why Custom?". You could win $100 for taking 30 seconds to enter a one sentence response, and please mention Visual Vamp.

Getting measured for custom made gloves

I also have had leather gloves made for me in Spain. I felt so pampered!

Feragamo the famous Italian shoe maker fits Audrey Hepburn

Who is more beloved for her glamour then Audrey Hepburn? She certainly had many beautiful custom made things made for her: Clothes, shoes, bags, etc.

Givenchy fitting a dress on Audrey Hepburn

Hubert de Givenchy was her personal designer and life long friend, and custom made her clothes for her movies and for her real life.

Audrey Hepburn in the little black dress Givenchy made for her

Who wouldn't love to have a life long relationship like this?

Many of us experience the feeling of having something custom made and fitted when we get a wedding dress. For that one moment in time we allow ourselves to indulge in luxury. And men often have custom suits and shirts done for them if they have the budget for it.

It's even a small thrill to have a label with our name or initials sewn into a garment made especially for us.


Home decoration affords more opportunities for custom made goods. Built-in book cases and kitchen cabinets are accessible custom projects.



Custom made furniture is not out our of reach either. If you buy a good quality sofa or chair, it is often made just for you. And custom drapes and upholstery is something attainable.

Audrey on a custom couch

If you are lucky enough to have a dressmaker, or even more lucky to be able to sew and make your own clothes, you can have a custom made dress form. One size certainly does not fit all in the world of custom made goods.

Custom made dress forms

Now go enter the contest HERE, and tell the Vamp sent you!

Readers Projects: The Amanda Talley Reveal!

What a blast! Yesterday Amanda Talley came over for lunch. Alberto made Gumbo. After lunch we sat down to look at all the photos you sent in, and to read all the comments in conjunction with the giveaway of one of Amanda's paintings.

Vicki A. sent a photo of her romantic bedroom in France
We were mesmerized by the shoes!

It is alot harder than you think. Should we choose on the basis of the eloquence of a comment? Or should we choose because of the wit and humor of a comment?

Victoria Art also has a very romantic bedroom

So many of you are wonderful decorators! Should we choose the prettiest room?

Tara sent a photo of her bedroom viewed through the mirror in her bathroom -
Amanda and I love this color

Some of you are involved in the process of creating your spaces, and even unfinished we could see how fabulous your vision is.

Rebecca tells us: "I would put it on a fabulous small easel
that I already own on my favorite piece of furniture in my foyer!"

Some rooms looked like they needed some love, like a beautiful little painting.

Gina's current project is her pretty master bedroom, and the painting would be perfect

Should we choose the pretty or the needy?

Ms. Smart has an awesome art wall and the painting would be a fab addition

Back and forth we went, getting more confused, and wanting to give each and everyone of you a painting.

Missy would love the painting for her living room: "We do not have an entrance hall
and the front door opens directly across from the fireplace.
The Amanda Talley painting would be the first thing you would see."

There were entries from all over the world, including the Cayman Islands.

Michelle is an excellent New Orleans artist herself, and would love to have an Amanda

Readers from New Orleans entered, as well as New Orleanians living elsewhere wanting a bit of something beautiful from their hometown.

Mid Century Meg thinks an Amanda Talley painting would look swell in her house

Large expanses of wall space, and little nooks beckoned one of Amanda's paintings.

Renae told us, "I adore AT's work and have her on my 'go to' list next time I'm in NOLA!"

We loved this headboard in Mae's bedroom, who said, "A small AT painting would look fabulous over my little nightstand (and a fun restyling of that whole area)."

Amanda was so touched by the response to her work that she became inspired to create the painting for the winning space.

Linda has this lovely credenza - wouldn't an Amanda look smart here?

Finally she said: You decide.

Kwana sent a photo with Jack in it! No room is complete without Jack!

And I said: No, you decide.

Kristen hates her candles

I know some of you, and tried not to let my blog crushes cloud my judgment.

Kim wants a painting for this very nice office

I couldn't decide. Amanda couldn't decide.

Katie has the best entry hall table - how pretty would an Amanda look here!

Lunch segued into the cocktail hour.

Julie says: "In my little house, which I am renovating,
I have an open kitchen and I think the wall with the sconces is screaming for something
bold, graphic, and amazing...like and Amanda Talley painting!"

A rain and wind storm howled outside. We were ready to settle in and make a night of girl talk and cocktails.

JT has a show stopper of a room! We love the windows!

We thought about sleeping on it, but I said no, I've got to post the result.

Jennifer writes: "This is the hallway off of my great room and it definitely needs something."

Everybody wants to know.

Jamilyn's living room is so elegant. We could see Amanda's painting here!

We made a list with everyone's name on it.

Hana's living room is so stylish! She writes: "I would hang Amanda Talley's painting in my living room, above my sofa, as part of a grouping of art and photography.
This gallery wall is (obviously) a work in progress!"

Linda Lime In The Coconut sent this wee picture, but we could still see how great her space is!
She says" I love small pieces...and would love to create a spot
near the desk in the LR for her beautiful work."

Amanda tore the paper into strips, each piece with one of your names on it.

Gwen thinks her Keeping Room would be a wonderful place for an Amanda Talley

In our heart we had agreed on a favorite.

Talented Dianne writes: "Your Amanda Talley give away is very generous.
I too am a painter and would so adore owning one of hers.
Please consider this dining room. Something contemporary in there would be fabulous.
I did the self portrait you see hanging."

But we wanted to be fair, so we put all the strips of paper in a white ironstone bowl.

Courtney's bedroom is wonderful, and the painting would be surrounded by all this beauty

You pick. No you pick.

Christine would like the prize for her cute dining room

We were pathetic!

Cassie tells us, "I'm a Louisiana native.
Your blog helps me stay connected with the city-- thank you!"
PS Amanda and I love this rug!

Let's get Cholo to pick!

Carey doesn't want any more place holders! She wants the good stuff! She wants Amanda!

He sniffed the bowl and walked away.

Camilla would upset this perfect grouping to make room for Amanda!

We had a cup of coffee, and chatted some more. Did you know Amanda lives in the carriage house that belongs to the big house Anne Rice once lived in? The house that was the back drop for The Mayfair Witches? And that Nicholas Cage rents the big house?

Beth's bedroom is cool, chic, and modern. We loved the mirror nightstands.

And that her across the street neighbor is Julia Reed?

AK from the Cayman Islands sent this photo of this gorgeous dining room,
and we were transported there!

Okay we're just stalling.

Amy's classic living room really has the wow factor

We picked this name out of the bowl:

Congratulations Kristen!

And thank you all for making the first Visual Vamp Giveway so much fun.