News
16 Jun 2011 | News
Buying bedding is tough! Trust us, we know. But the truth is, that for the most part with bedding: You get what you pay for. We’ve all seen those extremely low prices at discount store for 1000 thread count bedding and wondered how it works and what thread count really is. So, here goes:
To put it very simply, thread count is based on the number of horizontal and vertical threads woven into a square inch of fabric. Extra threads (called picks) can be woven in to increase the thread count to the thousands and mislead the consumer. Most people say that the highest thread count available is 500. Anything above that is because there is a bunch of filler woven in.
Here are some things you should be thinking about when shopping for bedding:
- Make sure you are certain where the fabric is made. You want to look for European Linens, preferably made in Italy from Giza Egyptian Cotton.
- The softness of sheets depends on the quality of the cotton not on the thread count. The fabric could feel very soft but poor quality will not last and you end up spending more in the long run.
- Make sure you trust the store you’re buying your bedding from. A respectable store will be telling you the truth about what you’re buying. Hint: there are very few suppliers of fine Italian Linens. Most stores will outsource their Egyptian Cotton from China. The packaging can say Egyptian cotton but may only have 1% mixed in. You want 100% Egyptian Cotton.
- You’ll want to be shopping at a specialty bedding store with educated sales staff who can explain these differences to you.
After you go through these questions, it’s really about personal preference. We would love to show you more about the difference between the cottons we carry here in the store. Please don’t hesitate to us any questions and most importantly: touch everything!
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10 Jun 2011 | News
Yes! You heard it right. We are thrilled to be selling Anthology Magazine here at The Cross. Now, in their third issue, Anthology Magazine is rapidly becoming our favourite Home and Lifestyle Magazine.
In the age of the online magazine we have access to so much on our computers but there really is nothing like the feeling of having something tangible in your hands!
This quarterly publication is packed with thoughtful columns and features, stunning photography, and compelling graphics—totalling more than 120 pages. Since they are a reader-supported publication with a limited number of ads, there’s plenty of content to enjoy. The magazine is printed on matte finish stock that is eco-friendly. Measuring 7.5-by-10 inches, it’s the perfect size for tucking into a bag and taking to the coffee shop, or on the bus or plane. Of course, we also encourage you to curl up with Anthology in the comfort of your own home, in your favourite reading chair.
Each Issue follows a theme. This particular issue’s theme is “a party!” In many different meaning of the word.
Heres a sneak peek inside and make sure to pick up your copy at The Cross!
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31 May 2011 | News
Our turquoise Moroccan Pouf featured in the Globe and Mail this weekend. The perfect way to add a pop of color to your place! We currently have a few of the turquoise in stock so get yours quick!
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27 May 2011 | News
Recently, Fashion Designer, Erin Fetherston let Vogue into her beautiful French inspired, Tribeca Apartment. I absolutely adore it! Vintage furniture, neutral palette, candle chandeliers, floor to ceiling windows… the list goes on. Here are some of the photos:
Photos from Vogue
What do you think?
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20 May 2011 | News
What a gorgeous Sunny day in Vancouver! I hope you all get a chance to enjoy this weather!
I wanted to share some photos from a photoshoot we did recently for our Spring collection from The Cross Furniture Line. We set up in the enchanting courtyard at Brix Restaurant and the wonderful photographer Jamie Hodge snapped away.
Please don't hesitate to contact the store if you have any questions regarding any of the products shown 604-689-2900 or sales@thecrossdesign.com - Enjoy!
photos by Jamie Hodge
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14 May 2011 | News
After a long wait we are extremely proud and excited to announce that our order of Ladurée Candles has arrived. This amazing new line is exclusive to The Cross in Vancouver and only one other store in Canada carries them so far!
For those of you who don’t know about Ladurée yet, here’s a bit of background info on the company: Known to some as the quintessential French patisserie, Ladurée first opened in 1862 at 16 rue Royale in Paris as a bakery. With the construction of the Opera Garnier nearby, the neighbourhood surrounding the little bakery developed rapidly, soon becoming one of Paris’s most important and elegant business districts. Soon some of the most prestigious names in French luxury had taken residence in the neighbourhood. In accordance, in 1871 owner Louis Ernest Ladurée reinvented his eponymous bakery as a more stylish and en vouge pastry shop.
Ladurée is most famous for their Maracons. They are well known as the best in the world and they sell 15,000 every day.
Their Beauty line is also exquisite. With its candle scents, Ladurée offers you its distinctive signature, weaving a thread of emotion and delicacy between each of its perfumes.
This collection is a breath of elegance and refinement, where every fragrance is within an attractive biscuit China pot, engraved in the various Ladurée emblematic colours.
The Ladurée green, the sugared-almond pink, the charcoal grey, the lilac violet, the daffodil yellow, the pale blue, the black of the night…
Ladurée’s fragrances leave in their wake traces of unforgettable memories.
Have a look at our Ladurée display within our store and be sure to pop in to smell all the lovely scents!
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08 May 2011 | News
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04 May 2011 | News
Part 2 of our feature on our newest selections of books is our lifestyle books. These are always a fun gift ideas for the friend who has everything.
What do you say When… $21
Everything is Going to be OK $14.95
The Art of the Handwritten Note $24
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02 May 2011 | News
Our always expanding Library at The Cross is filled with wonderful books handpicked with you in mind! Recently we've found so many new books we had to share them on the blog. You can buy them all online as well.
Enjoy!
Creative Walls $34.95
Handmade Weddings $29.95
Paper + Craft $22.95
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22 Apr 2011 | News
Check out the newest styles for 'The Cross Baby' – Perfect Timing for Spring!
xo
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21 Apr 2011 | In-Store Events, News
In-Store Promotion:
Mother's day is coming soon, and this year The Cross and Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel have dreamed up something very special for all the moms out there! When you purchase $100 from The Cross for mom, you will receive a $25 Gift Certificate to use at the Willow Stream Spa. How wonderful is that!
The Willow Stream Spa is perched on the 5th floor of the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel (across from the new Vancouver Convention Centre); with a focus on pure and natural. Surrounded in views, the spa offers nine treatment areas, including a couples’ room with deep Japanese Zen tub, a Nail Spa, three lounges (two with fireplaces), outdoor spa terrace and a full fitness centre.
Click HERE to find out more about the services at The Willow Stream.
Take advantage of The Cross' knowledgable staff to help you find the perfect gift for mom. And, as always at The Cross, we have complimentary gift wrapping, and if you have experienced this service before you will know how much we love and care we put into even the tiniest gift. Leave it to us, we will make your mother's heart sing!
See you in the shop soon.
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15 Apr 2011 | News
Today we did a photo shoot for our Spring Collection with photographer Jamie Hodge. The Setting : The lovely courtyard at Brix Restaurant. It's such a wonderful venue, we're lucky to have such kind neighbors to let us take over their space for the morning!
Here's a Stephanie's favourite shot – taken on her iPhone. It's all about the accessories.
More to come….
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07 Apr 2011 | News
We are thrilled to announce that we are now carrying a new line of cards from Cartolina!
“At Cartolina we design beautiful, environmentally responsible, greeting cards and paper products for all occasions. Our collections feature colourful patterns and designs that reflect the stylish, global-culture we live in. Every one of our designs is an exotic collage of colourful inspiration. Ancient patterns and contemporary colours, detailed type-ornaments and chunky wood block prints- An eyeful of sizzling colour. Completely unique and gloriously refreshing! Our products feature centuries old block prints and antique cartouches, combined with twentieth century lead type, contemporary colours and our own original illustrations.”
Please be sure to pop into the store to check them out soon!
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04 Apr 2011 | News
It’s spring…
The cherry blossoms are bursting, the latest fashion trends have hit the shops with happy colours, your toenails are painted neon pink…there is promise of change in the air. How can one NOT be inspired?
To draw inspiration for this season’s spring 2011 collection, I hit the textile showrooms with serious desire (it was a long winter). I spent hours pulling my favourite patterns, textures and colours and imagined the placement of each fabric in my mind. A sofa here, a chair here, pillow there, drapery panel…it was coming together beautifully. Among my favourites were, Indian inspired embroideries and ikats, sailor stripes in roughly woven linen and cheerful tea-party florals.
Paris is undeniably my constant muse, but I unexpectedly and happily fell head over heels with Morocco and India along my journey. We are proudly introducing the textiles of John Robshaw, and the candles of Laduree, into the shop in April.
I’m still loving this trend of ‘anything goes’ in décor since it’s a mantra I have always championed in my own work. The mash up of styles, our collections on display, and the informality of design is what I love about what we do. It’s personal and unique and fun! Let’s keep it that way…
All that food imagery, I’m off to make some cupcakes!
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24 Mar 2011 | News
The most frequently asked question by customers at the end of their shopping experience at The Cross is “Where should we eat?” There’s obviously something about shopping with us here at the store that really works up an appetite! So we thought it might be time to share some of my and our staff’s favorite 'go to' eating establishments in the city that we suggest to our customers and enjoy indulging in ourselves.
If seafood is what they want my first choice is always Rodney’s Oyster House. Being in the home décor business, the look and ambience of a place is always a factor and when you step through the door you’ll definitely feel transported to an east coast crab shack.The concrete floors look like ocean swept sand embedded with actual crushed oyster shells, and there are crab pots hanging from the ceiling.
I slurped my first raw oyster at about age 10, tide out and knee deep in mud and seaweed on the Washington coast and have been hooked ever since Over the years I’ve learned that a properly shucked oyster is quite an art and the boys at Rodney’s are front and center on the bar doing it right with a bit of attitude to boot. With a pint or glass of wine, freshly grated horseradish and one of the homemade in house sauces such as “Seawitch” or “Back to Hell” it’s quite an experience. If oysters aren’t your thing have the guys put together a platter of assorted offerings and then move on to fresh lobster or crab, chowders, or my favorite the potato crusted halibut. And don’t forget dessert…Jan makes a mean chocolate mousse, cheesecake and crème brulee!
Enjoy and get your oyster on!
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