Sunday, February 24, 2013

Exciting New Arrivals and Projects

I'm very excited to show you the newest addition to Room 363.  Drapes!  The colors and textures are fabulous and the quality of fabric is excellent.  You must check these out next time you're in the store.


Beautiful reconditioned love seat, Bulldog pillows, vintage-inspired man bags and cool animal heads are just a few new items you'll see when visiting the store.  Let me tell you, the picture does not do this love seat justice.  It is a fantastic piece.  It would be so cool at the end of a bed as place to sit down to put on shoes or cozy up with a fantastic book.

I had to zoom in on the "Nourish Your Soul" pillow for you, too.  Isn't it great?  The colors are so vivid and pretty.


Mark has also brought in some new really talented local jewelry designers to showcase.  The pieces are so unique, no worries about showing up wearing the same thing as your girlfriends. 


Not only is Mark constantly stocking his shop with unique furniture, jewelry, clothes and accessories, he's also working on set designs with Alicia's Photography.  He recently designed a set for her Valentine's Day mini sessions that he also used to shoot pictures for Room 363 marketing materials. Here's a quick peek from the shoot.

Things got a little dirty on set when Alicia brought out a HUGE cupcake for sweet little Elsa.  The adorable pink jumper and CAKE banner is from Room 363.  I could probably lose weight a little faster if I'd be willing to sit on my cupcakes instead of eating them.  You might be on to something here, Elsa!


Mark and Alicia have another collaboration coming up very soon that I can't wait to share with you - one that you can be a part of.  Look for another post soon with details!

Have a great week!

-Maria

Friday, February 15, 2013

Ladies Brunch this Saturday!


Room 363 is hosting a Ladies Brunch, Saturday, February 16, from 10am - 3:30pm.  What a perfect excuse to get out with your girlfriends, sisters, moms and daughters!  Enjoy great food, check out the trunk show by an amazing artist, Jeannie LaBelle of The Crown Jewels of Art, who makes beautiful jewelry out of vintage finds, and see Carla Bryant's demonstration of Rodan + Fields at-home Macro Exfoliator.

All participants will be entered into a drawing for FREE merchandise, sponsored by Carla (purchase NOT required) and will receive 15% off the entire store.  Saturday only!

Hope to see you there!
-Maria




Saturday, February 9, 2013

New Jewelry, Clothes, Sneak Peeks and a New Arrival


Hands down, the most popular item at Room 363 this month HAS to be the Jewelry Bar Mark created.  It's fun to dig through the charms and build your own necklace.  Just when you think you've seen every charm, you find one more that you just have to have.  Make sure you stop in soon with your girlfriends or daughters to create your own.  

Mark is also carrying a new line of vintage inspired handmade charm necklaces.  You can see them below with the bird and butterfly charms. They are stunning in person.

**FREE** Leading up to Valentine's Day, Mark is giving away a free "Made with Love" charm when you make a necklace at the Jewelry Bar (while supplies last).  



Now to give you a peek at what you'll see in Room 363 this week.  Punxsutawney Phil says Spring is coming and Room 363 is prepared!  Take a walk through the shop and you'll find lots and lots of birds, nests, greens and fabric flowers.  It's time to get rid of those winter centerpieces and replace them with something that shouts SPRING!  (Don't tell Mark, but my dining room centerpiece is still shouting CHRISTMAS!)

It's just about time to prepare for those Spring Break trips, and Mark has just the tops you'll need.  My favorite item right now has to be this turquoise blazer that shows a bit of orange when you roll the sleeves.  It's a great Winter to Spring transition piece and brings a fun pop of color to your wardrobe.



In addition to the new items in the store, Mark has been working on client homes as well.  When does this guy sleep?  I'm not sure that he does.  The massive amounts of Monster energy drinks he consumes probably plays a role.  This first group of photos are of a dining room he just finished.  Mark utilized a mirror that has been in this client's family for years to bring height to the buffet area.  He also had a mirror cut to size to turn an old farm item into a really cool one-of-a-kind centerpiece.   I'm loving the double chandelier look. 


Take a look at these pictures of the office he just completed.  Where do I start?  I can't pick a favorite between the cow-skin chair or the vintage wooden desk.  Notice all the really cool black and white family photos on the shelves.  It's nice when clients have these mementos to personalize a vintage look.  Dig out those old postcards and family letters to display - don't hide them away in a box. My favorite treasure in my house is my grandparent's old love letters (if you can call the way my grandpa teased my grandma in writing about her big feet a "love" letter)


Mark also just finished this bedroom where he was able to incorporate branches, vintage wooden shutters and lots of candles for a very cozy feel.  Looks like a room where I could curl up for hours and read a good book.


I have an exciting upcoming new arrival to tell you about!  Room 363 is now a proud retailer of Tru Blooms.  Tru Blooms is naturally and locally grown eau de parfum, sold in limited quantities and at limited Chicago retailers. You'll find Tru Blooms perfume gardens in public parks, on North Michigan Avenue, in urban farms and in sections all over the city of Chicago.  Tru Blooms Chicago is the first-ever fragrance made from indigenous-sourced ingredients grown by the residents for whom it's created.  It smells amazing, too! Stop by the counter next time your in Room 363 and check it out.


-Maria