D Magazine Voting Starts Today!

This photo of Jodi and I was taken in January 14, 2010 just three weeks after we opened the doors to LHO Design & Consign.  We needed photos for press releases and marketing materials and after a failed attempt to take them ourselves we resorted to calling in professionals.  One of the best decisions to date!

Our (professional) photo was published along with a wonderful article (Hideaway Chic) that appeared in the Guide section of the Dallas Morning News on Saturday, February 6th, 2010.    This article put LHO on the map.  I cannot begin to tell you how many customers - probably many of you reading this blog found us because of this article.  This article is the gift that just keeps on giving, we continue to have new customers visit LHO because of that article.  Just this past week, we had a family from Frisco in the store for the first time, they had read and saved the article for over a year!  

And now, just 14 months later we are receiving another gift.  This time from the editors at D Magazine.  We received notice on Friday that LHO Design & Consign had been chosen by the editors of D Magazine as a finalist for the Best of Big D Readers Choice Poll!  

And because it's a Readers Choice Poll - we need your help to collect the most votes and WIN the category of Best Vintage and Antique Shops.  

Click HERE to vote

The winners will be given the BIG GIFT in August when they are featured in the August issue of D Magazine.


You can vote every 60 minutes between now and May 8th!  And, this year you can also easily vote on your smart phones by going to Dmagazine.com


We know we are asking much of you - as your time is precious.
Thank you in advance for supporting LHO Design and Consign in our run for the gift of recognition and publicity as this years Best Vintage and Antique Shop.


Please VOTE now and remember to vote often.   Not to sound greedy - but several times a day if possible and we're not to proud to ask you to have your kids vote for us too.


Did we mention you can Click Here to Vote?



With much appreciation,


Cindy 

Goosebumps

In today's mail we received a packet from D Magazine. As you read that sentence you might be thinking, yeah, big deal.  And you'd be correct.  This is a big deal, very big. 

It's hard to describe the feelings associated with this packet.  It really took me back to high school to that day in 1974 when the coolest, most handsome and most popular boy in school actually called me by name.  I didn't even think he knew I existed.  It gave me goosebumps.

Today, we have been recognized and called by name by D Magazine and for a small business like ours, this is big stuff.  Definitely goosebump worthy.

The packet included a letter, highlights below: 

Dear Jodi,

Every August D Magazine publishes it's Best of Big D issue, wherein the editors name their favorites in food and drink, nightlife, shopping, goods and services, and culture and media.

We also give our readers a chance to vote for their favorites beginning April 25th, The Best of Big D: Readers Choice Poll for the shopping category will be available on our website.  And we're thrilled to tell you that LHO Design and Consign has been selected by the D Magazine editors as a finalist for the Best Vintage and Antique Furniture Shop in Dallas!

We hope you'll help us get the word out about the poll.  Tell your friends, families, and customers to vote for you at dmagazine.com. Voting lasts two weeks through May 8, and the readers' choice winners will be announced in the August 2011 issue of D Magazine and online at dmagazine.com.

I wish you the best of luck!

Jason Heid
Online Editorial Director


I'm hyperventilating.  I can't believe they know our name and have chosen us as a finalist.  As I breath into the paper bag I have another realization.  This could only be possible because our friends, family and customers have been "buzzing" about LHO.  After all, the most popular kid in school doesn't know your name without hearing it from others first.  So Thank You.

On Monday - we'll be asking you to spread the word and rally for votes.  We'll post details on how, where and how often you can vote to help us prove we are worthy of this recognition.

Have a fantastic Easter Weekend,  when we count our blessings we'll be counting you.

Cindy

What's New Wednesday? Big girl pants

Carole Lombard framed poster - on consignment ($150.00) and our inspiration for this post

Just as Carole was blazing new trails of fashion and independence as she donned Khakis in the 1950's we've decided to blaze a few new trails of our own.  Yep,  we're putting on our big girl pants and considering another store.  (gulp)

For those of you who follow this blog and know us, you know this venture started out with the intention of serving the lake house customers of North Texas.  So many lakes...so little targeted retail.  Canton has been our marketing horse, our merchandise test market and our research center as we talk to hundreds of shoppers from around the region about lake living.  They all have one thing in common - a big smile on their face!

So it's now or never for Lakehouse Outfitters to put on their big girl pants and open a retail store dedicated to our happy customers.  The question is:  WHERE?

We have spent the past 6 weeks hunting for the perfect location.  It has been all consuming.  For those of you who know me personally, you know I have tremendous, unwavering focus.  Well, as of this morning, my head is spinning and to quote a line from the New Karate Kid "My Focus Needs Focus."

This is so difficult,  obviously we are looking for the perfect location to house our wares for you to shop.
Here are a few of the options we like.  And as you see by the Poll we've posted, we'd like your feedback.  We do not want to make this decision with our heads under water (punn intended) - let us know your thoughts.

In plain speak, here's our criteria:

An area that is attractive as a shopping/dining/entertainment destination
Retail Foot Traffic - we need shoppers walking past our front door


The Harbors - Rockwall - we first considered this as a no brainer.  It's a waterfront retail/dining/entertainment venue.  Seems like a good place for a store with the name Lakehouse Outfitters.  But is it?  Lots of opinions out there...chime in if you have one!

2000 sq ft storefront available, facing the parking area next to
Genuine Jakes/Life is Good shop

Summer Music Series on the lakeside at The Harbors - starts May 5th  - 

Historic Downtown McKinney - known for quant shops and restaurants around the genuine downtown square.  The old courthouse in the center of the square is now home to the McKinney Performing Arts Center.  Pretty good location as McKinney sits (sort of) in the middle of Lake Country.  Five Lakes within 45 miles:  Lake Lavon, Lake Ray Hubbard, Lake Lewisville, Lake Ray Roberts and Lake Texoma.  A completely different vibe from The Harbors...

This old bank building offers 2400 sq feet of prime retail space, right on the corner of E Virginia and Tennessee Streets
Although, the large columns don't really scream Lakehouse Outfitters.  Does this matter?

Other considerations - with far less research:

The Shops At Legacy - a very urban, manufactured (in a good way) North Dallas destination.  Lots of restaurants, less shopping than I had imagined.

Knox/Henderson:  Obviously a retail mecca - Knox is now most likely out of the running due to lease rates.  We loved the former Smith Hawkins space until we learned that leasing 50% of it would cost us $16,500 per month.  Probably not a smart move - even with our big girl pants on.

Henderson:  There are a few spaces on the Henderson side of this hub, including 1/2 of the Jones Walker   Furniture store just across from The Wooden House and Gypsy Wagon.  No details...just noticed the sign in the window.

So there it is.  We're putting all our cards on the table.  HELP!  The last thing we want to do is to make our decision and then have one of our customers say...gee, I wish I would have known you were thinking about this I know of a perfect spot for Lakehouse Outfitters!

If you have thots, opinions, ideas or comments we are all ears.  We know in our hearts, your feedback will be genuine and with good intentions.  Please participate in the survey above, add your comments below or email us:  LakehouseOutfitters@gmail.com

Hugs!

Cindy

Did you miss the memo?

If you missed the memo regarding the Free Flea Market today - no worries!  There's still time to have your home furnishings and decor items added to our online Free Flea Market. (We just added several of Rita's items below)

It's EZ as 1-2-3-4

1. Take Photos of items you wish to sell
2. Attach to an email addressed to:  Sold@lhoconsignment.com
3. Include a short description and price for each item along with your CONTACT information
4. Hit the send button

Buyers, check the blog periodically to see what's been added.

Thanks again!

Cindy

PS:  There really was no memo, only a random idea posted on our facebook page.

It doesn't seem right to post without a photo...so I'll use this as an excuse to share the most recent photo of our sweet grand baby Madison - trying to nap through her mom's photo shoot in the Bluebonnet fields of Frisco.

Free Online Flea Market - starts today!

As with most of my ideas, this one just popped into my head earlier this week.  So with a post on facebook and a few encouraging comments, today we host the first Free Online Flea Market!


Bringing buyers and sellers together.  Here's the dealio:


Items posted below are items individuals would like to sell.  The photos, descriptions, prices and contact information has been provided by the seller.  LHO is simply posting the information on our blog as a way of promoting their sale items.  


PLEASE contact each seller directly.  We know nothing other than what is posted below.  :-)


Here goes!!  


Group 1:

1)  Pot Rack - wrought iron pot rack. 23x44" from outside hook to outside hook. Has 6 hooks for pots. Could afford to be painted, but it's nothing that a $3.00 can of black or oil rubbed bronze spray paint couldn't take care of. Asking $55 OBO

2)  Decorative Mirror -  Large comtemporary decorative mirror, 38" x 43". Blue, tan, cream and black. 

Asking $60 OBO

3) Vintage Chair - Heart shaped chair, not sure how old - it belonged to my husband's grandmother. It is a small chair, probably best in a bedroom/sitting area. It is low to the ground, think the legs may have been cut off at some time but not sure. It has springs in it, and would need to be recovered.  Asking $50 OBO

4) Burgundy sofa bed, cross between microfiber and suede fabric. Very good condition, one small tear behind cushion on the arm. Mattress on sleeper in excellent condition. Asking $250. 

ALL ITEMS ABOVE FOR SALE BY: 

 Lisa Thornton, 214/535-8375, jerrylisa@embarqmail.com

Group 2:

Gold framed picture of flowers. Very good condition, pretty picture, 33" x 43".  Asking $40.  
Contact Info: LATeague@prodigy.net or 903/498-4070


Group 3: - Mustang Sallies:

"Bejeweled" 3x3 ottoman. Vibrant fabric, diamond jeweled tufting and lime green piping (not storage) $225

"SoCo and Lime" lime green and brown accent chair. Has lime green piping, buttons and a chocolate leather back $300

"Blue and Brown" 4x2 storage ottoman. Pattern is small blue and brown checks. $125

We have more pics if you need them. 

CALL 512.698.7509 regarding the three items ABOVE

Group 4:

2007 Cindy Crawford queen sleigh bed and matching dresser and mirror, great condition almost like new since it has been a guest bedroom set. 

ASKING $1,000 for the set (sells for $2300 new)

amberlodal@att.net

Group 5: 

Editorial Comment: I was going to comment that this is a perfect pairing - a washing machine and a great rack for the laundry room to hold supplies and a folding area...then I see the wine storage below.  I reconsider just for a moment.  Nope, I stand by my recommendation- Perfect for the laundry room! 

Kenmore 500 Series washer Heavy Duty Super Capacity

3 years old.  Have all the manuals and hoses. 

It works great. No problems. Moved into a house that already had a washer no need for two.   $200 or best offer.

Bakers Rack:Height 67" at tallest point  Width 27"

Depth 19.5 at the widest point.   Wood shelf depth: 16"

Great shape. No scratches. Great little wine rack. 

$75 or best offer

If Interested email: k8mph@yahoo.com

Group 6 - posting by item due to the number of listings.  Contact info below:

Coffee Table $150

It is 34”x28”.  Lots of greys and purples in this one.   ASKING $40

This was never hung so it could be considered new.  It is 17” x 41”.  Asking $30

15” x 27”  – Asking $30 for both

15” x 15” -- $15 for both

 set of three – asking $15 for all

Love and Hope canvas pictures.  The Love one is new.  18” x 18” – asking $12 each

Large brushed silver mirror.  38” x 45” – Asking $70

CONTACT: sweetpotato98@gmail.com

Thanks to all our sellers today - all facebook friends of LHO.  Hope you'll join us there too, it's a good place to hang out while you're on a conference call or pretending to be otherwise working.

Our Facebook Page

Hope we see you at the store soon to take advantage of our sale.  Wednesday and Thursday of this week we worked like crazy to marked down a bunch of inventory to be included in our sale - take an additional 25% off the lowest price!  Look for the new markdowns with the pink 25% tags. 

Additional Savings

Have a great weekend everyone!  

Happy Shopping,

Cindy

LATE ENTRY/Rayven:

Price $150 for set OR $85 individually

Contact: Rayven Williams

RayvenDWilliams@yahoo.com

903.387.0725

And another/Rita:

China Cabinet

Color: Blue, cream, textured wallpaper lining

$350.00

Color: Green, Chalkboard Black
price: $65.00

Color: Mint Green and white

Dimensions:
From top to end of legs: 50"H x 46"W
Headboard portion only: 31"H x 46"W

price: $65.00

Color: lime green and white

Dimensions: 28" tall x 15" wide x 15"deep

price: $40.00

Color: Dark Brown/ beige

Dimensions: 23.5" wide x 23.5" long x 18" tall

price: $150.00

Color: Black/ light blue fabric

Dimensions:
45.5" tall x 23" wide x 17' deep
from floor to seat 18.5"

price: $80.00

contact info:

Rita Mireles

rdmireles@gmail.com

469-426-1532

TGIF - late entry, just in time for the weekend!

8 bottle countertop wine fridge

Still works great, we just replaced it with a larger one.

$30

16"(w) x 19.5"(d) x 9.75"(h)

Contact:  kendra.ramick@gmail.com

Spring has sprung and sales are bloomin'

We're so over the winter we had this year and oh so ready for spring and summer.
Kinda the same way we feel about our older inventory, we're kinda over them too!
So you know what that means!!!

SAVE AN ADDITIONAL 25% OFF

THE LOWEST PRICE - *100'S OF ITEMS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS SALE!!  

*SOME CONSIGNORS ITEMS EXCLUDED- ALTHOUGH NOT MANY AS WE ARE IN THE MOOD TO CLEAN HOUSE! AND YOU KNOW, WE'RE HAPPY TO MAKE OFFERS ON YOUR BEHALF

Other sales blooming in the design district and worthy of spreading the word (as seen in the LOL blog this morning).  

Click here for more details on both sales

This week is definitely a great time to visit the design district and save some $$ sprucing up the pad.

Lots to see and plenty of ways to save.  

Hope we see U soon.

Cindy