Brick & Mortar vs. www

Since 1943, Weisshouse has been a "brick & mortar" store. Stores have a "feeling". Stores provide shoppers with a way to sit in a sofa, touch fabric and really "see" everything up close and personal. In addition, brick & mortar stores provide shoppers with customer service that simply cannot be had on the Internet. While there are advantages to online shopping like late hours and free shipping, a rather interesting article from Yahoo.com highlights the highs and lows of Internet vs. department store shopping and how Internet consumers could actually be paying more. 


"With so many brick and mortar stores online, many times shoppers can choose between the convenience of ordering merchandise online or purchasing it in the store. Some people choose online ordering because they like shopping during the time the physical store is closed, or they avoid crowds. Other people prefer shopping in stores in order to try on merchandise and get a feel for the item. While theses choices are the reason for both mall and Internet shopping, in the long run, a consumer may actually be paying more for this convenience.Sometimes, online coupons for merchants will entice shoppers into believing that, with a coupon code, their order will be less expensive then if they were to shop in the brick and mortar version of that retailer. Some of the most popular codes, "Free shipping" and "25% off" may look like a big savings, but what most people do not realize is that the discounts are meant to draw shoppers to the website. This is because most items when ordered online are shipped, not directly from a physical store, but from the store's warehouse. This is in contrast to department store shopping, where inventory is limited to quantities on hand, hence the reason for limited availability of some items".


To view this article from Yahoo.com in its entirety, visit: http://voices.yahoo.com/online-shopping-vs-department-store-shopping-which-310836.html. 

Still Bright After All These Years: Vintage Lighting

We are always searching for cool and unique vintage light fixtures. We have found some amazing chandeliers, desk and table lamps and even some rather unusual light fixtures that can also be used as sculpture. All of our vintage lighting at Weisshouse has been fully restored. Check out all of the photos below for some of our favorite finds and visit http://www.weisshouse.com/products?cat=5 to view our entire vintage lighting collection available to purchase!

Black, White & Bold: Stripes

We love the effect that horizontal stripes have and they can be achieved on any budget. You can paint them for almost nothing...leftover paint and tape. You can also go high end and choose a luxurious wall covering printed in vertical stripes and turn it. Weisshouse designer, Stan Adamik created a huge impact in a small room when he used black & white striped wall covering in a powder room. Bold stripes aren't reserved just for small spaces though. Bold stripes above a mantle would be an amazing focal point in a living room and a striped interior door could prove to be a very chic and memorable statement. Stop by Weisshouse and speak with one of our talented interior designers about how you can achieve this look and compliment your style at the same time. See the photos below and visit our website to see the entire Kara/Adamik project @ http://www.weisshouse.com/projects/15.

For more on black & white stripes, visit one of our favorite websites, Apartment Therapy @ http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/design-inspiration-bold-black-stripes-166242.

Kara Powder Room Designed by Stan Adamik

Photo Courtesy of Apartment Therapy

Photo Courtesy of Apartment Therapy

Photo Courtesy of Apartment Therapy

Mad About Furniture: Part 2

In our opinion, the best part of the acclaimed television show, Mad Men is the fabulous set full of amazing vintage furniture. We are simply obsessed with vintage furniture at Weisshouse. We just received an impeccable pair of Stow and Davis Furniture Company chairs in Naugahyde and teak.

"Stow and Davis manufactured executive wood office furniture. Many of their products have become icons of the 1950s,1960s and 1970s office landscape. Look closely at the Mad Men sets and you’ll see desks and seating that could be from Stow and Davis Company".

To read our original "Mad About Furniture" blog, follow this link:  http://weisshouse1943.blogspot.com/2012/04/mad-about-furniture.html

Check out the photos below to view our pair of Stow and Davis Furniture Company chairs in Naugahyde and teak and visit www.weisshouse.com for more great vintage furniture, rugs and accessories!

Tangerine Tango: The 2012 Must-Have Color

You see it everywhere...fashion, cosmetics and most importantly, interiors. Pantone 17-1463 Tangerine Tango is a hot, hot color for spring and summer for any room in your home or office. "Energize interior spaces with Tangerine Tango patterned home accessories. Pillows, bedspreads and tabletop accessories in this high-impact hue add spice to any room. Or incorporate Tangerine Tango appliances and personal electronics for an unexpected pop of color. Looking for an inexpensive way to perk up your home? Paint a wall in Tangerine Tango for a dynamic burst of energy in the kitchen, entryway or hallway". - Pantone.com


Check out a few of our favorite Tangerine Tango-inspired photos below and visit  http://www.weisshouse.com/  and http://www.facebook.com/weisshouse for more design inspiration and ideas.

Vases available @ Weisshouse in this year's hottest color. More sizes/shapes also available.

A stylish bedroom from the blog, Paint Me Plaid

iPhone Case

Vintage Russian Karabagh Rug. $ 1,450.

"Modern Family Living" from www.weisshouse.com/projects/8

In Honor of Memorial Day: Nautical Theme

Well, it's Memorial Day Weekend. In addition to parties & picnics, this is a time when we recognize the holiday originally called Decoration Day (ironic), a day of remembrance for those who have died serving our nation. Since this IS an interior design blog, we thought this would also be the perfect opportunity to focus on a hot, new design trend, Nautical.


There are lots of ways to pull a little nautical inspiration into your existing decor. It can be as subtle as framed, aged-looking or vintage prints of sea creatures, a porthole mirror or even an actual vintage ship or boat anchor! Check out the photos below for a little nautical design inspiration. The top photo shows some of our latest nautical acquisitions. The photos below that are some other great ways to approach this trend courtesy of our friends at ELLE Decor.

Paul Frankl: American Modernist

"Paul T. Frankl (1886–1958), an Art Deco furniture designer and maker, architect, painter and writer from Vienna, Austria, was the son of a wealthy real estate speculator. After Frankl completed his architectural studies at the Berlin Polytechnic, he traveled, spending time in Berlin and Copenhagen before arriving in the United States in April 1914. He settled in New York City and brought with him an outsider’s fresh perspective and an enthusiasm for forging a uniquely American design aesthetic. Frankl began as an architect and later switched to designing and painting fine art and furniture. In the years between the two world wars he, more than any other designer, helped shape the distinctive look of American modernism". - Wikipedia 


Weisshouse proudly welcomes Paul Frankl by way of two oh-so glamorous rattan and teak side tables with a matching 5 drawer low chest. These pieces will turn any bedroom or living room into a 1930s or 1940s glamorous Hollywood film set. See these incredible pieces for yourself at our showroom on Highland Avenue this Memorial Day Weekend! If you can't make it into the showroom, see the photos below & visit our website @ http://weisshouse.com/products/2221?cat=3.

Tufting and Buttons and Nail Heads! Oh, My!

Every room in your home can use a great, tufted piece of furniture. Whether it's a sofa, a chair or a tufted cocktail ottoman, any tufted piece makes a stylish statement. A tufted headboard is romantic and cozy feeling in the master bedroom. Today's blog features a line-up of our current absolute favorite tufted pieces of furniture (all available at Weisshouse)! Check out the photos below & choose your favorite...

Kennedy Sofa (MG+BW)

Helaine Bed (MG+BW)

Rocco Ottoman (MG+BW)

Butler Bed (MG+BW)

Earl Chair/Chaise (MG+BW)

Chester Sofa (MG+BW)

Gretta Chair (Cisco Bros.)

Romero Bench (Cisco Bros.)

Hines Ottoman (MG+BW)

Kantha Quilt Chair - Austin Chair (Cisco Bros.)

Benedict Sofa (Cisco Bros.)

American Industrial Designer, Russell Wright

It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, every piece of vintage furniture is worth a thousand words too and always has an interesting past and story to tell. A new shipment of vintage furniture has just arrived at Weisshouse and each piece is incredibly unique. One piece in particular, a small side table designed by Russell Wright is the focus of this blog.

From our website (www.weisshouse.com): Russel Wright (April 3, 1904 – December 21, 1976) was an American Industrial designer during the 20th century. Beginning in the late 1920s through the 1960s, Russel Wright created a succession of artistically distinctive and commercially successful items that helped bring modern design to the general public. Wright designed a succession of popular furniture lines for many furniture companies beginning in the early 1930s through the 1950s. His most popular line of essentially Art Deco American Modern “blonde” wooden furniture was produced by the Conant-Ball company of Gardner, Massachusetts between 1935 and 1939, and bore the branded mark “American Modern Built by Conant-Ball Co. Designed by Russel Wright.”

Check out the Russell Wright table below available at Weisshouse and for even more great vintage furniture, visit our website!

Thommy Conroy: Fabled & Hanging Art In Your Home

Some topics come up time and time again. The topic of selecting and once selected, how to hang or display art is often discussed among designers and art lovers and collectors. I thought it would be great to revisit this topic and also discuss a local artist who just had an opening, Thommy Conroy of Lawrenceville. According to his website, "Thommy Conroy lives and works in Lawrenceville. He helps people plan their parties and affairs, decorate homes and stores, and enjoy art and gardens. When he isn’t working with flowers, dressing windows, or planning galas, he makes paintings, silk screens, and practices calligraphy." In my opinion, Thommy's show last Friday at Mendelson Gallery(http://www.mendelsongallery.net/Site/Welcome.html) on Ellsworth Avenue in Shadyside was well worth a visit. The small gilded gnome sculptures were oddly welcoming and the vibrant paintings evoked a feeling of the past. I found myself getting lost in the dream-like gazes of the subjects. Any one of Thommy's paintings would be a welcome and conversation provoking piece in your home. For more on Thommy and his art, visit: http://thommyconroy.com/aboutthommyconroy.

Photos, interesting frames and works of art shouldn't be scattered throughout your home without any sense of ryme or reason. Creating a small "gallery" wall in your home is the most interesting way to hang random pieces. Break up large scale paintings or photos with smaller to medium scale items. It's also appealing when you hang various types of frames together. For instance, metal and wooden frames of any finish look interesting and create a more unique look when grouped together. For more advice on hanging Thommy's or any art and to read the blog in it's entirety, click on the following link: http://weisshouse1943.blogspot.com/2011/01/advice-for-hanging-art-and-photos-in.html. Visit our website http://www.weisshouse.com/products?cat=4 to view our collection of art (new & vintage).

Check out the photos below to view some of Thommy Conroy's work from his show at Mendelson Gallery: Fabled

Something Old, Something New-ish, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Something Weiss?

We are in the midst of "wedding season", the months of May through October are the most popular months for couples to tie the knot. Vintage weddings are all the buzz lately. Check out this link (http://vintage.weddings.com/articles/easy-vintage-wedding-ideas.aspx) for 6 Easy Vintage Wedding Style Ideas from the lifestyle website, "The Knot". Since we LOVE vintage at Weisshouse, we thought we should share a few great vintage gift ideas for wedding presents and accessories to adorn your own vintage wedding!

Vintage Deck Light $ 175

Vintage Lithograph $ 245

Wood Cut Print - Virgil Cantini $ 225

Tramp Art Frame $ 350