A Day At The Museum

December 18, 2015December 10, 2015 | stephanievierra

Ever since I was a child, I’ve always been fascinated by art and all it’s splendid forms. There are no rules you have to follow and no limits to what your imagination can create. Hawaii has always been a breeding ground for creativity and art thanks to it’s natural beauty.

It’s interesting how when most of my friends and I were little kids, museums were one of those field trips we hated going on because we thought it was sooo boring. Now as the years go by, myself and my millennial generation are starting to embrace art and culture with open arms.

For over a year now, on my way to work, I’ve driven past The Honolulu Museum of Art. The other week I finally decided it was time for a visit, so I enlisted the help of my fellow Red Knot ladies to take a field trip with me. After a short walk just a few minutes away from Red Knot’s downtown location, we arrived at our destination.

The outside is just as stunning as the art within. There are a few courtyards throughout the grounds styled after the collections that surround it. Our favorite was definitely the Chinese courtyard with a Koi pond in the middle.

The art itself is organized by the different continents and cultures; we opted to start off in Europe and make our way over to Asia before taking a walk through the Contemporary art collection (very in sync with the Red Knot style). Each collection had its own unique style that made it beautiful – while much of the European art had a soft and ethereal feel to it, a lot of the Asian art had more vibrancy. My personal favorite was the 17th and 18th century European collections – particularly the portraits. The museum also had great furniture pieces scattered around that definitely caught the eye of us Knotzillas!

Museums like this one aren’t just a place to see art. It’s a way to explore history and time travel through the vision of these artists. Make sure to grab a map before starting your journey for easier navigation through each collection, especially if you want to view something in particular. It can be easy to get lost…although some people probably wouldn’t mind that!

We took a quick stop by the museum shop and picked up a few things to commemorate our visit before sitting down for a delicious lunch at the Cafe. Admission is $10 for adults to the museum but it’s free if you want to just stop by the shop or cafe, which I would definitely go to again! If you’re a fan of collecting postcards like I am, they have a great selection designed with some of the pieces featured in the museum.

If you’re interested in art, history, or even just some time to yourself to reflect on life, I would definitely recommend stopping by The Honolulu Museum Of Art.

If you can make it any time before April, I’d also recommend you take a look at their new exhibit Harajuku: Tokyo Street Fashion. Our uber fashionable team leader wouldn’t let us leave without taking a peek and it was definitely worth the extra stop after our lunch.

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8 Things We Are Thankful For

November 25, 2015November 24, 2015 | honeyaubrey

Oh my how has the year flown by!

It’s already Thanksgiving, one of our favorite holidays of the year! Not just because of the food, festivities and the biggest shopping day Black Friday, but mainly because it is a time to reflect and be thankful. It is a day we spend with friends and family and eat (and drink) way more than we can handle.

Thanksgiving is a day when we stop and take a moment to realize how truly blessed we are.

At Red Knot, we continue to be thankful. For every thing Red Knot. From our families within the different departments, our sisters stores and parent company C. S. Wo & Sons, Ltd., to our vendors and manufacturers, and of course to our loyal customers. Thank you.

Thank you for allowing us to continue to not only make a difference, but also to enhance your lives through our passion of providing the very best home furnishing service.

Of course we can’t do this without some of our magnificent lineup. To continue our yearly “tradition” of sharing our current Red Knot favorites for this year, here are some things we are thankful for.

Thankful

HESTER COFFEE TABLE SET
“Our new Hester Coffee Table Set has become one of my absolute favorites since the day it arrived on the floor! This piece starts off as a coffee table with four storage ottomans and transforms into a dining table with just the press of a button. With its maximum functionality and comfortable style, this piece is perfect for those that need the ultimate space saver.” – Stephanie, Red Knot Honolulu

JACKSON SOFA
“I love it because of its very sleek and simply luxury modern style! Be sure to balance the lighting of your setup to have a better contrast. Since the Jackson sofa is black I would add white and grey with a little hint of teal.” – Rogi, Red Knot Aiea

AUGUSTUS SECTIONAL
“This sectional is very versatile, trendy and you can pick the color that you want. Three pieces would be perfect but you can add more if you want to make statement. It’s totally up to you the only limit is your imagination.”– Jake, Red Knot Aiea

TOMPKINS CHAISE STORAGE BED
“The not-so-shabby but chic chaise lounge, sofabed and storage all in one! I’m so thankful that we have the Tompkins here at Red Knot- I love that it has the neutral look and curves of a chaise, but the functionality of a bed and storage space. It also comes with all of these pillows! Great for small spaces that can’t accomodate a full size sofa. Proving again, that big things come in small packages :)” – Honey, Red Knot Team Leader

RANDALL SOFA CHAISE
“The Randall sofa chaise is my favorite piece at Red Knot. This is because of the quality of its construction (solid wood frame, 2.5 density foam cushion with Pirelli webbing), price (a steal at $1599), and contemporary style.” – Tobias, Red Knot Honolulu

CARMAN SOFA
“I’m thankful for the Carman sofa because for one, I love the color yellow and because it stands out from the rest of our sofas here in RK. Most importantly it makes me feel happy whenever I look at it and sit on it!” – Micah Ellah, Red Knot Honolulu

MAGUIRE COLLECTION
“My current favorite item is the McGuire living room set . It takes you back to a retro time period but still has a modern look . The clean lines makes this pieces versatile when designing a home or staging. I have had a lot of great comments from clients.” – Shawn, Red Knot Aiea

“I definitely don’t mind this piece photo bombing my selfie! The Maguire accent chair has great styling for a large high-backed chair and fits into many color schemes with its grey fabric. I especially like the extra space to get comfortable with a book, or get cozy when sharing the seat with someone, or maybe even both. Definitely a favorite of mine from the many new pieces here at Red Knot!” – Alex, Red Knot Aiea

YORK SWIVEL CHAIR
“I love the modern style and comfort of the York. It reminds me of a mini Papa San chair. Being that I grew up with a Papa San chair in my house, it brings that home feeling with a hint of modern style. C’mon who doesn’t love a swivel chair?!” – Anson, Red Knot Honolulu

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Get The Look for Less – The Chesterfield Sofa

October 2, 2015October 1, 2015 | honeyaubrey

The Chesterfield sofa is more than just a classic piece of furniture. It is historic as it is luxurious. Named after the Earl of Chesterfield in the 1700s, this sofa has been around for hundreds of years. Created and handcrafted in endless forms and fabrications throughout a span of four centuries, the Chesterfield retained its signature elements – button tufting, rolled arms, rivet trims, and low bun legs.

As styles vary, so do prices. At Red Knot, we stand by our standards – to provide you savvy dwellers value and quality at affordable prices. Our Chesterfield sofa is a steal compared to industry designer pricing. How awesome is that!

And now — for our Splurge VS. Steal feature.

POTTERY BARN Chesterfield Grand Sofa * ANDELLA HOME Audrey Sofa * JOYBIRD Theo Sofa *ANTHROPOLOGIE Linen Lyre Chesterfield Sofa, Wilcox *WILLIAMS SONOMA Bond Chesterfield Sofa

Inspired by Madison Modern Home‘s staging project featured on Houzz, we recreated this living room with our Chesterfield sofa as the focal point and used other Red Knot pieces. The Chesterfield sofa gives off a modern twist with a little bit of texture play when paired with a cowhide rug, glass coffee table and fun pillows and tabletop accessories. We had so much fun recreating this look!

Happy 1st Birthday Red Knot!

August 21, 2015August 21, 2015 | honeyaubrey

It was just like yesterday when Red Knot first opened its doors, inviting the island’s savvy dwellers to a showroom never before seen in Hawaii.

It has been exactly a year ago when you allowed us to introduce ourselves as Red Knot, the “freshest furniture store”, where we help you create a fun, stylish and unique space in your home. With raving reviews from customers who come into the store as well as through social media, we know that in some way we made an impact.

And as our company mission statement to “enhance our customers lives through innovation, continuous improvement, exceptional values and ultimate customer experiences”, here at Red Knot we strive to achieve that mission on a daily basis.

To celebrate our anniversary, we wanted to share with you some of our favorite photos that reflected our adventures throughout our first year being in business. Enjoy!

Here’s to 100 years and more, Red Knot!!!

(I am your) Father…’s Day

June 20, 2015 | honeyaubrey

It’s just a couple of days away.

Every year, it seems to get trickier. Sure, for the most part dad’s simpler than mom, and he probably won’t make a fuss if you get him another “World’s Best Dad” t-shirt, pen, or mug, in which this case, simple = bo-oring. Another watch maybe? How about a tie? Bleh. Same o’, same o’. Definitely not an ounce of cool factor there.

Put a little bit more effort into getting dad something unique, stylish and practical. This guys deserves a little more thought as he was probably the one who taught you how to drive, play your first ball, scared the pants off of your first boyfriend and one day (or he may already have) walk you down the aisle.

These awesome finds at Red Knot will really wow him.

Spring Break!

March 13, 2015 | honeyaubrey

Everyone loves to dream about their next vacation.
Whether you’re looking for a blast of sunlight to recharge or some outdoor winter fun. Let’s say yes to a full week rejuvenation with our destination picks for an unforgettable Spring Break.

NASSAU, BAHAMAS
The Bahamas is known for its breathtaking beaches. Nassau, its capital city, is a popular destination for shopping, dining, entertainment and of course, beach activities. Things to do: Boat trips, snorkeling, guided tours and shopping in busy Bay Street. For James Bond fans, visit the British Colonial Hotel, where they filmed two of the Sean Connery-era movies. Fun Fact: As part of its rich history, Nassau was a home base for pirates for many of years and yes, that includes Blackbeard.

*****

PHILIPSBURG, ST. MARTEEN
An island on Northeast Carribean, St. Marteen (or St. Martin) is divided between France and the Kingdom of Netherlands. Phillipsburg is the Dutch Capitol with old renovated buildings and typical Antillean architecture. Things to do: Soak up the sun in their sugary white beaches such as the Great Beach Bay and Orient Bay. For shopaholics, visit Frontstreet and Backstreet, the main streets that are crammed with retail shops. As a leading duty-free port, St. Marteen offers over 500 duty free shops for up to 50% below U.S prices. Love butterflies? Experience the dazzling world of St. Marteen’s Butterfly Farm. Fun Fact– At 37 square miles, St. Marteen is the smallest land mass in the world to be shared by two countries – the lack of conflict creates an unusual serenity which makes it even more appealing to visitors.

*****

MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA
Reggae music? Check. Rum punch? Check. Tasty jerk chicken? Check. The sun never sets at Montego Bay, Jamaica! Montego Bay, or “MoBay” for short, is the second largest city in Jamaica. Beautiful perfect white sand beaches, backed by picturesque low mountains, MoBay is the tourist capital of Jamaica. Topping it is the laidback culture of the Jamaican people that will put your mind at ease. Things to do: Doctor’s Cave Beach, with its clear and calm waters believed to have powers of luring visitors from around the world. Hipsters and artists, check out Montego Bay’s “Hip Strip”- Gloucester Avenue. The strip is filled with art galleries, coffee shops and souvenir stores. Go bamboo rafting at Martha Brae Rafter’s Village and learn about tropical flora and fauna. Feeling brave? Visit the haunted house of Annie Palmer, The Rose Hall Great House and learn about the mistress of voodoo. Fun Fact: Montego Bay is also called “the friendly city” because of the warmth and friendliness of the locals.

*****

HEAVENLY, SOUTH LAKE TAHOE
Living in Hawaii, sometimes you may want to walk away from the sunny life in paradise and experience something different. Different, like, somewhere cold, where it snows, and maybe you can even do snow activities. Heavenly, Lake Tahoe is just the place. Things to do: Ride the gondola to Heavenly slopes where you can ski and snowboard, with your choice of terrain variety–more than any Lake Tahoe resort. For less or non-experienced snow-goers, classes are available. Shop at the Heavenly Village shops for fun stores like Rocket Fizz and Sock City – candies and socks for days! Walk on over to the other side of Heavenly, and there is Reno, Nevada, where Harveys and Harrahs casinos are (conveniently) located. You read that right. You can be in two states at one time! Fun Fact: Lake Tahoe is surrounded by the Sierra Nevada mountain range, a beauty created by nature that the Washoe Indians called it “The Lake of the Sky”. Up in the Heavenly mountains, you can see a spectacular view of Lake Tahoe.

*****

MIAMI, FLORIDA
Miami is one of the nation’s and the world’s most popular vacation spots. No wonder Will Smith wrote and sang a song about partying in “the city where the heat is on!” Besides having the largest cruise ship port in the world, Miami also has the largest collection of Art Deco architecture. She boasts more than 800 buildings in Miami Beach’s Art Deco district. Things to do: Miami offers a little bit of everything, from serene beaches to art and food festivals, to the lures of deep-sea fishing and golfing, to the trendy nightlife of South Beach. Nikki Beach Club and Key Biscayne are great hangouts, for the partygoer and the introverts, respectively. Little Havana gives you a taste of Cuba, while Viszcaya Museum and Gardens invite you to a fairytale experience with its European-style palace. For clubhoppers, SL Miami, Liv, Cameo, Skybar, and Mynt Lounge are some of their swankiest nightclubs. Fun Fact: The first suntan lotion was invented in 1944 by Miami Beach pharmacist Benjamin Green.

*****

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
What happens in Vegas, goes on instagram 😉 Known to Hawaii locals as the ninth island, Sin City, Las Vegas has evolved into one of our favorite destinations. About 40 million tourists visit Las Vegas every year, and it’s easy to see why. You can visit every part of the world without leaving the city. Things to do: Possibilities are endless in Las Vegas! Place bets on card games or slot machines, watch dazzling and jaw-dropping shows from world-renowned entertainers, performers and magicians. Party at the hottest nightclubs like the Tao and Hakkasan usually ventured by A-Lister celebs. Visit museums, watch a spectacular water-based show at the Bellagio, go hiking at Red Rock Canyon, see a man-made wonder at the Wynn, go shopping at the fabulous Fashion Show Mall– you name it, Las Vegas got it! Fun Fact: The Las Vegas strip is the brightest place on Earth when you are looking down from outer space.

Now it’s time to let yourself unwind… Where will you be spending your next Spring Break?

(Images courtesy of Google images)

DIY – Canvas Painting

January 23, 2015January 23, 2015 | honeyaubrey

A fun & creative do-it-yourself project for artists and non-artists – Handpainted Canvases!

What you’ll need:

Canvas (your choice of size, for this one one, we used 9×12)
Acrylic Paint
Pencil
Paintbrushes (for you ladies, old makeup brushes will also do)
Scissors
Small card stock or scratch paper

Steps:

STEP 1. Create and print an image using Photoshop (or any illustration program). Use scratch paper or cardstock paper to cut any desired shape you’d like to include in your painting.

STEP 2. After printing, flip paper over and using a pencil, trace dark lines over the image and lightly shade. Remember, do not trace it on the canvas – yet.

STEP 3. Flip your paper back over, and place onto your canvas. Tape sides down for better control. Using your pencil, trace back again, this time, over the image on the front. If any, trace cut shapes onto canvas.

STEP 4. Now paint, and let your inner Da Vinci & Van Gogh take over! Remember, it’s okay for your artwork to not be excessively perfect – it’s supposed to be handpainted. You can also go back and erase pencil marks that may be still showing through. You can always go back to add shades, more colors, anything you want.

Make this is your masterpiece.

Painted Rattan

January 16, 2015January 15, 2015 | honeyaubrey

He-ello color!

Rattan and wicker furniture are making their way back to being fun and trendy again! We’re not talking about your Great-Aunt Anne’s patio furniture. We’re talking bold, striking, and stylish indoor wicker and rattan furniture. Yes…for the living room, dining room, even the bedroom.

You must think we are completely out of our minds, but let us share with you the features of painted rattan and why they work well indoors. After seeing photos of the home decor ideas we have below, you just might be swayed.

Rattan pieces can go well with any taste of design. The different textures add an organic, durable and timeless look. It can be incorporated into a shabby chic, tropical or coastal setting but can also switch from traditional to a whimsical environment. Furthermore, wicker designs made of synthetic materials can create unusual shapes and innovative styles. Like any accent piece, a pop of color will add an element of surprise. You can bring out your inner rebel by mixing and matching colors and styles. In our world, it’s perfectly OK to have yellow rattan dining chairs with your sleek Calem glass-top dining table.

Still not convinced? Here’s some inspiration to get you in the mood.

Ready to break (and make) some rules by taking the so-called “traditional” outdoor furniture and elevating it to a more contemporary level?

Come shop at Red Knot and view our colorful rattan choices.

Honolulu City Lights

December 23, 2014December 23, 2014 | honeyaubrey

There is something magical about spending Christmas in paradise. It’s not bitterly cold, but chilly enough to wear sweater and boots, and call it winter in beautiful Hawaii nei. Not to mention, this is the only place in the world where you see a giant sculpture of a barefoot Santa throwing the “shaka” sign, next to a cheerful Mrs. Claus (Tutu Mele) dressed in a muumuu.

The Red Knot staff visited the beloved Honolulu City Lights last weekend, joining the thousands of locals and visitors who get to experience the tropical holiday celebrations of downtown Honolulu. The event kicks off on the first Saturday of December with the lighting of the city’s 50-foot Christmas tree. Honolulu Hale features beautifully decorated Christmas trees with various themes- some elegant, some whimsical, some adorable! Photo-ops with the “real” Santa are also available. Lights, decorations and displays of snowmen, elves, Rudolf and other familiar holiday icons extend two blocks on King Street and Alapai Street. A must-see for those who love Christmas! Events run through the month of December and on till the first week of January. A joyous sight at night, the Honolulu City Lights is not one to be missed!

Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hau’oli Makahiki Hou!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

— from your friends here at RED KNOT.