Love the new looks at the store.  Notice the pillows on the couch add contrast and finish the look.

A closer look at the metal and glass Kolkka table, sandwiched between a leopard ottoman and linen couch.  These ottomans can be ordered in hundreds of fabrics.  Find the right one just for your space.

Now, that’s an office.  I feel more productive already!

Contemporary and Asian theme.  Notice the coffee table cubes from our recent LA buying trip — very cool gold glass mosaic cubes sophisticated, elegant, and versatile.  You can use two together for a great coffee table or split them for end tables.

Beautiful sitting room.

Curio cabinet with accent themes and pieces.

I love perusing the newest jewelry pieces.  Do you see Gina lurking in the background?  She is so knowledgeable, helpful, efficient, and just plain friendly.  Say hi next time you are in.

This is such fun.  The pillows just have to make you smile.

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Elegant linen sofa with contrasting pillows

The store looks beautiful!  Kirsten, and the Brick Monkeys have staged the newest acquisitions, and it’s not just new pieces.  The store has a new elegance.  Gorgeous classic pieces contrasted with exciting unique accents.  This setting at the front door, introduces you immediately to the new look.   It’s inviting, and elegant.  Peaceful, yet exciting.  The timeless linen couch is accented with the bold violet pillows.  In Brick Monkey fashion, you can add your personality to a timeless piece.

If you noticed the coffee table, yes, it’s a crafted iron and glass table from Kolkka, with a traditional contrasting trim.  You’ll find many more unique Kolkka pieces throughout the store.  Come in, and take a look.  Find your inspiration.  Define your style.  Let us help.

Corduroy Couch

Makeshift Desk

Horsing Around

Irridescent Blue Bowls

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Fun pebble mirrors

The Brick Monkey trio, Kirsten, Barry and Stephanie just went on their latest buying trip to the LA Mart and Convention Center, and then Las Vegas for furniture.   What made the Brick Monkey cut is starting to appear in the store, and it’s pretty exciting!  These pictures are a tease.  Come in to see the rest.

Gorgeous hand-sewn silk decorative pillows

Stuning wooden mirror on stand

Super stylish sofa with nailheads

On the hunt for new and cutting edge lines to add to our eclectic mix.

Barry gives it the comfort test

It’s a walk till you drop experience… which is why the monkeys are so happy to try out comfortable seating along the way.

You can't not love the animals wall decor for leash, hand towel, or?

It wouldn't be Brick Monkey without Whimsey Fido

Side table we couldn't resist

Just a sneak peek from the trenches.  Come see what’s new in the store!

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Console tables solve many needs and add design interest.

Where can you use a console table?

Arguably, the most versatile table, the console table fits nicely in every room and can add functionality and flare to your home.  It’s not the first table we see in a room, like the dining table or coffee table, but the console table can be key to organizing your bills, books, and keys to adding a point of interest.

Regent Demi Lune Table

At the front door, it’s a place for keys and mail and can add drama to your entry.

Behind the couch makes a great landing for lighting.  With shelving underneath, it can be a place to organize books for display, or  a place to feature decorative items.

Console table next to the dining table

For parties, a console table can be additional entertaining space for appetizers or a side board for serving.

At the foot of your bed, use it for ambiance or add a chair to use it for a desk.

The distinctive and versatile console table is a great investment.  It’s flexible, and functional and ideal for making a design statement.

Monkeying Around with Tim

I love the Brick Monkey – it’s hard put it in words, but the console table is a great place to make the point.  I like subtle, distinctive, unique and curious.  I like to add my mark, but want to be inspired, and that’s where Brick Monkey shines.  You have to meet Kirsten, Barry and Stephanie.  Whether it’s a forage find, or building steel and glass custom Kolkka tables, this team will inspire you.

See us at the Brick Monkey to find unique console tables and get organized.

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Holiday Tablescape at "Holidays on a High Note"

Having friends and family over for the holidays? Want to add a little punch to your decor?

“It’s okay to give the standard red-and-green color scheme a pass now and then.”

Kirsten McKay, our art director, was inspired by the Foothill Auxiliary’s 13th annual “Holidays on a High Note” benefit.  I asked her how she does it.

“Table-top display is a lot like painting, You start with an idea and it takes on a life of its own once you begin.”

Kirsten chose something unexpected and different, focusing on birds, and affectionately called her setting “Home Tweet Home for the Holidays.”  I really liked the pointers she offered.  It really helps!

Decorating Without the Stress

• Start with an object or theme as your guide
• Work with what you have
• Give yourself a deadline

A table-scape like this can look intimidating at first glance, but it doesn’t have to be. Kirsten started with a natural, organic theme as her inspiration and let that be her centerpiece.  She’s a great believer in scavenging, and gathered easy-to-find items, including branches, leaves and dried grasses for the display.

Kirsten adding a final touch

Silver charger and bronze bird favor.

Then she added ornaments from the store—like this whimsical brass bird—to complement the look and make it fresh and fun.  And how do you get all this done you may ask?

“I think it’s good to work with a deadline.  Good ideas come when you have a need.”

Monkeying Around with Tim

Here’s some tricks of the trade I learned from Kirsten:

• Create a framework with your big items, and then layer around it.
• Use a triangle, layering at the top, middle and bottom.
• Great style comes from contrasts.  Use textures, colors or objects.

First, for the framework and top point of the triangle, Kirsten used large Raku vases filled with dogwood branches. For the midsection, she added the carved wooden reindeer on each side, and for the lowest level, she layered in clusters of leaves and dried grasses to add dimension and depth.

Natural materials can look dull, so add a little contrast.

At Brick Monkey, you’ll see a penchant for including a touch of bling and sparkle in what they do. In Kirsten’s table setting, the silver hammered chargers and brass birds catch your eye and give the table elegance and contrast, making it fun and fresh.

We want you to be inspired

Creating a fun, new seasonal look doesn’t have to be daunting. You can make it fun, stylish and simple. Visit Kirsten, or any of the monkeys at Brick Monkey, and let us help you find your holiday inspiration.

At Brick Monkey, we strive to support our local community, including the “Holidays on a High Note” event. This annual fund-raiser is a benefit for Peninsula Family Services; a nonprofit organization based in San Mateo dedicated to helping transform the lives of children, families and older adults in need.

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Decorate with Candles

Temperatures are dropping and the days are getting shorter.  We hope you are enjoying the transition as much as we are at the Brick Monkey!  Are you wondering how to bring out the flavor of the season?

Want to add some instant fall ambiance?!

We found an awesome line of decorative candles.  Simple and elegant, we think they add instant flair to your living space.  Mix and match colors and sizes to make your own statement.  Here we’ve arranged them on the coffee table, bringing a new warmth to our sitting area.

Monkeying around with Tim

These candles are beautiful wax candles, no question, but here’s what’s really cool.  They are ecological and safe.  From the outside, they glow with the warmth you get from a nice candle, but look closely and you will see an inner glass lining with a reusable fuel cell, or if you prefer, use a votive candle inside.  Light your candles without worrying about safety or the hassles of having to dig out that worn out wick or clean up dripping wax.

Brick Monkey wants to help you make every day a special candle day!

Come on in to find your inspiration. It’s what we are all about.  We love helping you define your style. Our goal is for you to love your space.

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Brick Monkey was asked to create a harvest style tablescape for the premiere issue of Nesting Newbies magazine which will be out in digital form in October 2009.  We can’t give all our secrets and tips away until the issue is published but rest assured we gave the table our own curious twist to a traditional holiday setting.

Kirsten sets the table with a selection of one-of-a-kind vintage pieces, budget finds and beautifully organic wooden plates (available at Brick Monkey).

Just a peek at the whimsical place setting…

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