'Summer Arrivals'

Unwind in your newly styled home this summer with the help of new arrivals at Décor Innovation. From sheer linen to suede curtains, Décor Innovation carries the most sought after fabrics to meet your home draping needs.

Sheer Linen Curtains

Summer is the time to let go of excess baggage. Light and versatile fabrics like cotton and jersey rule your wardrobe, as they also reign in your home. Quality sheer linen curtains (above)in white or gold are hard to find, but are now available at Décor Innovation. Whether it’s allowing more sunlight to filter into your space or keeping your space cool and private, these pale-colored curtains provide both style and function.

Chiffon CanCan Curtains

Fun, flirty and feminine, these chiffon cancan curtains encompass the three F’s in interior fashion. Available in colors like blue, pink, purple and white, these curtains feature three tiers of ruffles at the valence at the top and a ruffled hem at the bottom. The curtains are transparent and light, making this a wonderful summer installment in your little girl’s room. Hang either with standard or decorative rod brackets.

Big Flower Sheer Curtains

A bit of floral-infused fashion goes a long way. Choose this pair of sheer curtains with floral print for your kitchen or patio doors. The cream-colored curtains are made of a light, durable fabric that is both easy to care for and install. Falling in graceful pleats, the two panels each have a rounded scallop edge.

Star Blackout Curtains

See stars with this set of blackout curtains (available in beige, black and navy) with a star print. Perfect for a child or teenager, these star print blackout curtains not only signal lights out, but actually work to block out light. Blackout curtains are known for reducing indoor brightness and outdoor noise. These curtains can be used alone, or can be best paired with a set of voile curtains for daytime use.

Reinvent your home this summer with a host of new arrivals at Décor Innovation. Your windows will thank you for it.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of DecorInnovation.com

'DIY: Old dresser'

Do you have a couple hours to spare? Would you like to introduce a new piece of furniture to your home, but don’t have the budget right now to do so? Or have you bought some recession furniture at a garage sale and would like to incorporate into your home?

If the answers are “yes” to all these questions, then I have another do-it-yourself project for you . DIY meets: that old dresser.

Here’s what you will need:

- Wallpaper

- Dressers with flat drawers, otherwise wallpaper will not stick appropriately

- Mod Podge

- X-acto knife

- Rubber hand-roller used for flattening

- Foam brush

- Newspaper

- Cardboard

- Pencil and ruler

Here’s what you do:

1. First, remove all the drawers and remove any knobs or other hardware on the drawer. This is where the screwdriver will come in handy.

2. Roll the wallpaper face down on a flat surface and position cardboard underneath (for protection).

3. Position the drawer facedown on the paper and line the drawer with the edge of paper to guarantee cutting a straight line in the pattern.

4. Use the X-acto knife to cut the wallpaper around the drawer. The drawer, in this case, serves as a sort of tracer. (If you would rather trace the outline of the drawer on the paper with a pencil before cutting, you can do so. Use a ruler after tracing to make sure the dimensions are even and then cut.)

5. Now, place the drawer face up on a sheet of newspaper.

6. Take the strip of wallpaper and put only a small coat of Mod Podge on the edge of one side of the paper with the foam brush. Adhere this side of the paper to the drawer. Working your way down the drawer, coat the paper with the foam brush and smooth out the paper onto the drawer. Repeat for the other drawers.

7. After you’ve applied the wallpaper to the drawers, take the rubber hand-roller and smooth out any bubbles or creases formed. Let the drawers dry overnight.

8. The next day, replace the knobs or any other hardware on the drawers. Put the drawers back in the dresser.

*Tips: Test out the look by applying wallpaper to only one drawer and leaving the other as is. Or play with combinations and apply wallpaper to every other drawer. You decide!

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of redbookmag.com

'Dolicious Summer'

Models sport Dolita Paris at launch party

Checking the clock on my cell phone as I wiped another bead of sweat run down my cheek, I wondered, "How anyone could possibly look fabulous in this balmy weather?"

I could feel my Marc Jacobs flats (soon to be replaced by my Stella McCartney heels) sticking to my soles and my white chiffon Sachin & Babi top cling to my skin as I hurried down Lexington Avenue, pressed for time.

With temperatures in New York City rising well over 100 degrees, how did the pigeons manage not to pass out from heat exhaustion? They were holding up surprisingly well, I thought.

But at the Roger Smith Hotel RS Pop Shop, 501Lexington Ave., the Dolita Paris launch party kept its cool.

Ignoring the heat wave, attendees crowded the entrance of the storefront and ate hors-d’oeuvres as others milled in the store and took a look at designer Dolita’s collection. The current collection of Pucci-inspired print maxi dresses, lacy frocks and ‘Princess’ dresses with luxe detailing will be on sale at the shop until the end of the month.

The collection owes much of its color, sensuality and stretch (a majority of the pieces are made of Lycra) from its Parisian-raised designer. Dolita started at age 16, working for designer Jacques Esterel and eventually designer her own collection of lingerie and swimwear. Her handcrafted dresses – both boudoir and resort-influenced – are sold rarely outside of select trunk shows held throughout the year.

Models Shanel and Stephanie Miles were at the party too, donning Dolita Paris creations throughout the Thursday evening. The event also included performances from a young singer named Stephanie Marie Hanvey, who belted several of her own songs in a Dolita ensemble while dancers Dionna and Taylor performed in the background.

The event was organized by Melissa Gonzalez, a newly-made acquaintance thanks to a jewelry designer friend of mine. As co-founder of RS Pop Shop, Gonzalez maintains the storefront as a place for emerging designers to sell their wares to the public.

Not that generating sales was the focus amid the uncorking of wine and mingling, but after attending such a Dolicious summer party I have every confidence that it will.

*For more pics from the night, visit Dolita Gallery.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of shawnpunch.com for the examiner.com

'Hot Summer Savings'

With sweltering temperatures at their highest now that summer is in mid-gear, looks like the savings are just as hot.

Most retailers have slashed their prices down further, and Décor Innovation is no exception with up to 50% off select merchandise for the home. If you’ve been waiting to buy a set of curtains, don’t wait much longer.

These styles are not going to stick around for very long – not in this heat!

What’s HOT:

Sheer voile curtain

A white voile curtain set (that means two!) for only $10.50 is sheer heaven, pun intended!

Perfect for summer weather, the voile curtains allow maximum light to filter into the room without having to part the curtains entirely. Ensuring privacy and still having the ability to open the window for that refreshing summer breeze is crucial.

And no other curtain can beat its visual appeal – falling to the floor in soft, graceful pleats and radiating just a hint of shimmer as its fibers catch the sunlight.

Polka-dot curtains

Polka your way this summer with a set of polka dot curtains for $14.99 in color options like blue, green, pink and yellow. These curtains are not nearly as translucent as the voile curtains, but are still rather light. Ideal for a young girl looking to brighten her bedroom this summer, or a playful addition to a dayroom, these polka-dot curtains are fresh and fun.

Practical too, these polka-dot curtains come with two hanging options depending on your curtain rod needs: a back tab for easy pulling or a rod pocket that creates the ruched effect on the top hem.

Gingham curtains

Or for a country-inspired look to your home, choose this sheer gingham curtain for $14.99. The check print is a major trend on the home and fashion front, as gingham tends to bring to mind summer barbecues with the family or romantic afternoon picnics for two.

For a feminine touch, opt for a gingham curtain set in a pink print. Looking for a more versatile color option? The light brown gingham will complement almost any color scheme in your home.

It doesn’t get much hotter than that!

-S. Gonzalez