Wednesday, November 18, 2009

support the 3/50 project

Keep Carmel Valley Vibrant and viable, support the merchants where you live!

go to: http://www.kionrightnow.com/global/story.asp?s=11529444

Created to build loyalty and increased revenue for independent, locally owned businesses, The 3/50 project relies on a simple message: “Pick 3. Spend 50. Save your local economy.”

• Pick three locally owned businesses you would hate to see disappear, and then return to them.

• Spend $50 per month in locally owned businesses. If half the employed U.S. population did so, it would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue.

• For every $100 spent in locally owned businesses, $68 returns to the local community.

When spent in a big box, chain, or franchise, $43 remains. Purchases made online return nothing.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

such a life



Somewhat Sad, but from a store standpoint, quite glad. Our hand painted ceramic barbecue from the beautiful seaside village of Positano, Italy has found a new home, The seaside hamlet of Carmel, California. Every barbecue should have this good a life.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Fun Contest and a gift certificate





I got an Idea!!!!
Please send us an image of something imaginative you have done with an item purchased from Avant Garden and Home. It can come from our Carmel Valley Village store or from AvantGardenandHome.com. Periodically, We will judge the entries and pick a winner. The winner will get a gift certificate to Avant Garden and Home and get to go shopping. Oh You poor thing.
Our first entry (the one that inspired this) comes from Daniel S. and his friend.
Pull out the camera and get imaginative.
Jeffrey

send entries with an email and jpg. pic to info@avantGardenandHome.com

Monday, July 27, 2009


Back from Italy. We do love that country.
We brought back some interesting Ceramics and Leathers.
We got in a Ceramic barbecue. hand painted and fired with our designs. Definitely a must see.
I thought of a variation: the grille and ash draw can be removed and used as a wine cooler. the things you can do and the fun with just a little imagination.
Jeffrey

Tuesday, March 17, 2009



The Gardens are starting to bloom. Poppies are covering the hillsides. Spring has sprung!!
Outdoor Furniture is staring to peek out. We just got in a new line of WEATHERPROOF rattan furniture. It has the look of wicker chairs that would have been on the veranda of Teddy Roosevelt's Sagamore Hill. the biggest difference is this could have stood up to his "Rough Riders". It's built on a powder coated aluminum frame with a wicker look that is unbelievable. We also have some new wrought iron pieces. Tables, benches and chairs, all with a timeless look. The photo to the far right shows a line of fully weatherproof art. This particular piece is in my garden filling a previously bland wall. I have made a fountain out of this with cascading water and a peaceful sound. A little imagination and a trip to AvantGardenandHome can make quite the change in your surroundings.
You just need to come in to really see it. Feel free to email us and we can send you pictures.


Each year Meals on Wheels hosts a Charity fundraiser. The Classique d'Elegance.
twenty two Chefs and designers pair to create both a visual and culinary fantasy.
These pictures are of the Fall and Nature inspired table. Our Cohorts have been Chefs extraodinaire, 
Bird of Paradise Catering. (paradisecater.com)

Last Year's theme was Beatle inspired. A Life sized painting of the Beatles in Sgt. Peppers attire was the backdrop.There were items throughout the table hinting to Songs by the Fab Four. Little pictures of Lucille Ball suspended from a tree with glass ornaments
 (Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds) and a snow globe of the White House. If You held it up there was a caricature of George W. Bush in a jester's hat (Fool on the Hill).

If You have any brilliant ideas, suggest away, We are always thinking of some way to outdo the previous years


Saturday, March 14, 2009


We are off for another shopping trip throughout Europe.
This trip will encompass the Umbria and Tuscany regions of Italy.
Goals and plans, as usual are spontaneous. Florence, as always will 
offers Us amazing finds in leather goods and art pieces. Be prepared for a great selection of purse, wallets, packs, and whatever else catches our fancy.
  Hopefully You have gotten  some our our "Il Pilagio" olive oil we import. Generations of the Piccini Family have crafted this delightful Oil. One giant plus on this trip, we get to meet the newest generation, Monia's new "Bambino".
to get a fuller perspective of this masterful oil go to: http:/www.pilagiowineandoil.com/ilprodutto.page