take a tour through historic charleston
Did you know that Charleston was originally a gift to eight loyal friends from King Charles II of England? It was established in 1670 as a walled city to resist Native Americans, raids by Pirates and assaults by Spain and France. It had a diverse mixture of ethnic and religious groups. The oldest church dates […]
Antiquing in Round Top
I’m sure you are wondering where the PPDS team goes to purchase our most interesting furniture and accessories. Who would have thought that this tiny Texas town could host a world-class Antique Market? Thousands of vendors come from all over the world to sell their wares ranging from French Antiques to reclaimed wood tables. All […]
Kona Coffee Bean Plantation
Most people savor their morning drinking coffee. There are so many different types out there – just try to make a simple Keurig order! I had the pleasure of spending a day with our favorite Kona Coffee Plantation Owner – Dale and his wife Gretchen of Watson-Kabei Coffee Estate. You can order their coffee online […]
Exploring Santa Fe
Santa Fe is a wonderful combination of mountain coolness and desert aridness. It is also a popular place for honeymooners and girls’ trips. When driving up from Albuquerque, take the long route. We stopped in Madrid, a coal mining ghost town, nestled in the Ortiz Mountain Valley to shop in one of their many galleries. […]
Stonepeak Factory Tour
In an industry that utilizes tile on a consistent basis, it’s easy to forget that there is a very detailed process behind its creation. How a tile is produced determines, not only its sustainability characteristics, but its quality and functionality for the end user. Amanda Palmer with American Tile offered me the amazing opportunity to […]
An American Tradition: Omaha, Nebraska
Happy Fourth of July! I recently made a quick visit to Omaha, Nebraska, the Gateway to the West. You may think of Omaha as the home of the NCAA Men’s World Series, the Cox Classic Golf Tournament, and of course Omaha Steaks, but it is also a great place to explore some of America’s past. […]
TRAVEL INSPIRED SHOPPING – OR SHOPPING INSPIRED BY TRAVEL…
Anyone who knows me knows there are two things I live for: Travel and Shopping. On a recent trip to Hawaii I took advantage of the local design opportunities. Many think that it’s difficult to find resources when you travel, but I encourage you to explore, drive around, and read local journals. Look for items […]
NeoCON snapshots
I find that tradeshows are a great source of inspiration. Seeing all of the new products as well as old products used in innovative ways really re-energizes you to get creative with your designs. Here are just a handful of the products I saw and learned about while in Chicago last month. Should any of the images […]
laissez les bon temps roulez
If you’re looking for an escape from the mundane – join in next year’s Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans! I spent last week strolling up and down the French Quarter, absorbing the sites that the city’s locals and revelers alike had to offer. The numerous trips to and from the Bourbon Street apartment that […]
organically L.E.D.
Everything seems to be under the sea or in the sky with these organic LED light fixtures I discovered during a recent trip to Europe! (Left to right, from top to bottom) 1. Softly colored purple orbs are playful and beautiful. 2. Cloud-like fixtures create in an indoor skyscape. 3. An indoor grassy experience is complimented by fragmented light fixtures. […]