Things We Are Loving

The new Elle Decor features rooms that are predominantly black.  We love the fashion forward contrast black provides with clean, simple hues.  

Some of our new looks for 2011 are already showing lots of black or black accents.  This sophisticated touch adds a bit of glam to any room, and nearly any style.  Ask how we can incorporate black into your space, even as a subtle addition. 

Fall Seminar Series

Fall is nearly upon us, and so is our Fall Seminar Series at the Iowa City location!

Join Rhonda Staley this week on either Thursday September 23rd at 6:00PM or Saturday September 25th at 1:00PM.  She will discuss "Accessories and Art for Today's Home" and provide some inspiring tips about updating your accessories.  Rhonda will show you new ways to rearrange what you have, ways to add to it, and ideas you haven't seen before!


Take a brief tour of our showroom to see the new fall accessories and the fabulous original art from Toby Penny, Therese Murdza, and Bev Gegen. 

Designers on Design Free Seminar this Saturday

Please join us this Saturday July 31st at our Iowa City location for

another free Designers on Design seminar! 

At 11:00AM Amy Smith Pasley with Regeneration Factory will be discussing how you can rejuvenate an old upholsered piece by making simple changes to its design, finish and fabric using materials that are eco-friendly.

Amy will have a show of newly designed and recovered chairs in the gallery space at Hudson River Frame Co.  All chairs feature "green" fabrics and are available for purchase.

Jan Finlayson, interior designer will also be available for any of your design questions or dilemmas.  Stop by anytime between 10AM and 2:00pm for refreshments and to view the chairs in this exclusive showing!

A Few of Our Favorite Things.....

Thibaut Wallcoverings and Fabrics

Jane Churchill Fabrics

Thibaut Wallcovering

The Mansion in Iowa City  would like to invite you to a showing of spectacular framed original oil paintings presented by Paul Robinson, Inc., Distributors of Fine Collectible and Decorative Oil Paintings

Works of art will be available for immediate purchase in a variety of sizes, price points, and subject matters. From traditional to contemporary and everything in between, you’ll find the perfect piece for that empty wall in your home.

Join us for a cocktail from 4:00 to 6:00 pm Friday June 11th and 10:00 am to 2 pm Saturday June 12th.

Iowa City's Newly Remodeled Room

Stop in at our The Mansion's Iowa City location to view our newly remodeled room featuring Hickory Chair furniture.  We ripped out the old carpet, painted the walls, and gave it an entire makeover. 

During the month of May, Hickory Chair will be on sale at 30% off.  We'll be happy to show you why this has become one of the designers' favorite companies to go to - superb quality and selection with countless ways to personalize the pieces anyway you like!

Hickory Chair Spring Event

Join us for a Hickory Chair Furniture event to welcome our regional sale representative, David Yates at both our locations.  

David will be showing off the latest and greatest furniture introductions from this past International Furniture Market in High Point, NC.  Designer Thomas O'Brien has created an exciting new collection, exclusive to Hickory Chair.  David will also show the new trends in upholstery and how you can personalize pieces for a completely custom look.

Hickory Chair Furniture will be on sale the entire month of May at 30% off.  Our fabulous staff of interior designers will be available to help you find just the right pieces. 

David will be at our location in Des Moines on Thursday May 6th from 5:30 until 7:30.  Meet him at our Iowa City location with presentations at 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM.  There will be plenty of cocktails and appetizers!

Iowa City also welcomes you to see our newly remodeled modern room that is filled with incredible pieces from Hickory Chair.  Up to the minute shades of gray and cream are accented with touches of silver, black, and turquoise.  A collection of art from Michael Kinzle fills the walls.

Find out more about Hickory Chair at http://www.hickorychair.com/.  We hope to see you!

BAKER FURNITURE SALE!!!!

One of our favorite furniture companies here at The Mansion is Baker Furniture & they are currently holding a sale. We know many of you are big fans of  Baker too! To see all the items on sale click here. You can also stop by The Mansion to see some Baker pieces. The following are a few more great items on sale!

Contact The Mansion to find out more about the Baker Sale!!

Bookcase Seminar in Des Moines!!!

 Join the designer's in Des Moines this Saturday for The Mansion's Designer series. This week we will be  featuring "Bookcase Makeovers".  Becky will be presenting on new ways to to arrange & update your bookcase! The seminar begins at 1:00 PM and we welcome anyone to attend! Come to be inspired!

Photos: Elle Decor

My Latest Obsession

Kate Dickens, interior designer for The Mansion in Iowa City, finds that her latest obsession is any fabric featuring metallic.  Kate loves the "pop" that a touch of metallic gives any type of textile.

Whether it is metallic threads woven throughout, shimmering painted prints, or touches of bling like sequins, beading or rhinestones, the hot trend of metallics is being felt throughout the interior design and fashion industry. 

The Mansion has a large number of metallic fabrics to show you for any of your design needs.  The Pollack fabric "Bedazzeled" featured above is a sequined sheer that is perfect for any room.  It will add a soft shimmer to breezy window without being too overwhelming. 

Left:  Beacon Hill's Ornamenta Umber

Right:  Highland Court's Isabelle Agean

Stop into The Mansion to see the latest colors and trends for 2010.   We can show you how to add some new touches without letting a trend take over  your space. 

Mark your calendars!

Designers Guild "Darly" Bedding

The staff at The Mansion has been busy planning some great spring events, and we've got a few things coming right up to let you know about!

Baker Furniture is on sale at 40% off through March 22nd! We also have several other lines that are offering 30% the month of February - Hickory Chair, Hancock and Moore, and Pearson to name a few. Stop in or call to learn more.

Our Designers on Design seminars have been very popular, and we have two great topics scheduled for February in Iowa City!

• February 13th at 1:00: Design Trends for 2010. Jan Finlayson will show you what the up-to-the-minute trends are for this year. Find out the direction colors and furnishings are going, and how to update your home's look without having to completely redecorate.


• February 20th at 1:00: Beautiful Bedrooms and Baths. Rhonda Staley will be discussing how to make these rooms your sanctuary. Stop in before the seminar starts to view a trunk show of Designer Guilds' lastest throws, comforters, linens and more.

The Designers Guild Bedding Trunk Show will be available to view starting Friday, February 19th through the 20th at the Iowa City store. All items will be available for order.

Need a gift for a hostess or birthday? Stop in to see our large selection of accessories, glassware, candles and other goodies. We have the perfect gift for any occassion!

My Latest Obsession

Rhonda Staley, IIDA, joined The Mansion last summer, bringing an elegant signature style. After designing homes in Las Vegas, Minneapolis, and other Midwest locations she has made her home here in Iowa City for the past five years.



Rhonda loves beautiful objects, and finds herself obsessing these days about screens. She provides her professional insight for adding screens in just about any area of your home with a few tips below. Stop in The Mansion to see our unique collection of screens and how they can solve problem areas or add depth to your room.

"There are many things I love using in projects, and right now using screens as art is my latest obsession. Screens are perfect for any home and can be used in so many different ways. These are a few of the reasons I like to use screens."

Milling Road's screen, available at The Mansion in Iowa City.

• A large size, up to 10" wide and 8" tall are excellent for massive rooms with high ceilings.


• A screen can be a dramatic headboard, either mounted flat on the wall, or with the panels slightly peaked.


• Fabric or leather covered screens soften a corner and continue the room's color scheme.

A mirrored screen, like the one pictured below that is available at The Mansion, reflects light and magnifies spaces, making a room appear more spacious.

Mirrored Screen

The Mansion is open 8:30-5 during the week, and 10-2 on Saturdays in Iowa City. Stop in to see all the new and exciting pieces we've just brought in for the floor!

Designers on Design

Mark your calendars and save the date for The Mansion's upcoming free seminar series. Starting this weekend, you can stop in for some inspiring ideas and great advice. Seminars will be held on the following Saturdays at 1:00pm, and refreshments will be served. Bring a picture of your room and we'll try to answer your questions afterwards!

Please RSVP to 338-2830 as seating is limited.

Saturday, January 23rd:

Rhonda Staley, IIDA presents "Decorating Ideas for Great Rooms." Rhonda will discuss how to achieve a comfortable and stylish Great Room, Family Room, Living Room or Media Area.

• Find out her inspiring ideas for furniture arrangement, color schemes, window treatments, and new design trends.


• Enjoy a brief tour of The Mansion's showrooms

Saturday, January 30th: "Full Spring Ahead" with designer Kate O'Brien

Save these future dates for Designers on Design Seminars: February 13th and 20th, March 6th and 13th.

Welcome!

The staff of The Mansion in Iowa City would like to welcome you to our new blog, allowing us to keep you up to date on the latest and greatest in residential interior design. We'll be sharing new products, hints on using the latest trends, pictures of inspring ideas, and insider tips. Check back weekly for regular updates from Kate, Jan, Rhonda and Andrea, as well as news on upcoming events.