Modern Furniture Blog

Modern Furniture Blog

Modern living rooms

Modern living rooms

About Alexander Calzadilla

Alexander Calzadilla is a Cuban male originally from Philadelphia, who has happily called Miami his home since moving here at the age of 15. He attended Southwest Sr. High School and Florida International University, ultimately receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. While in college, he began working as a paralegal for the Law Offices of Jeffrey E. Reichenbacher, a position he kept for seven years after graduation. He subsequently worked at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius Associates before landing at Costa Nursery. After distinguishing himself with many accomplishments, he was promoted to the position of Director of Specialty Products, which included the orchid, bonsai and lucky bamboo departments. When Alex was first put in charge of the three departments, they ranked near the bottom. By the time he left Costa after seven years, Alex had transformed the floundering departments into unqualified successes, posting record earnings, sales and profitability. In 2008 Alex was named the Costa Employee of the Year. Alex now puts his formidable prowess as a businessman into his newest venture, Avant-Garde Home Furnishings, LLC, serving as Managing Partner.

About Avant-Garde

We offer home furnishings and decor for every area of your home,both inside and out, always striving to bring you the most current design elements being used by today's top designers, at a fraction of their retail cost. Whether you are completely redecorating an area of your home, looking for the perfect accent piece to finish off an existing room, shopping for a unique gift, or simply "window shopping" to get design ideas, Avant-Garde is the place to go for everything modern & contemporary for your home.

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Friday, July 27, 2012

Emphasize home windows.. Bath, and Secret Storage



Emphasize home windows.. 
Bath, and Secret Storage

After all the changes to the AG Home Goods site I finally have some time to get back to doing the things I love, blogging and sharing with all of you, new exciting finds, rediscoveries, or trendy modern stuff I happen to love.. 

Enjoy the pics and Post...

Emphasize your windows



Even if you have blinds on your windows, there are still things that you can do to decorate the area. Why have a perfectly garnished room and then fall short on window treatments? Your windows welcome in sunlight, fresh air and energy so they should be emphasized, not hidden!
Panels Can be Fun

Traditional panel curtains certainly don’t have to be boring. You can always pull them to one side with tiebacks that are elegant or patterned and vibrant, whatever works for your room! Alternatively, you can buy a stencil and fabric paint and add a little personalization to them.
Framing the Window

Just because you go for the classic, framed look, doesn’t mean you can’t add an extra rod or two and layer up your treatments with different prints and fabrics.
Work With Blinds

Side panels, swags and even just extra long sheer tiers can be draped loosely to highlight the area. Also, keep in mind if you buy blinds direct in the UK or US, there are many made from pretty attractive materials today so they don’t have to be ordinary.
Let the Fabric Flow

There are no rules when you work with fabric. Layer or twist pieces and let them just coexist harmoniously. Shake off that rigid structure you have grown up with and invite something fresh and carefree into your space!

Bath as a pleasurable experience..


Given the bathtub is such a large fixture, its impact on the look and feel of your bathroom is significant. So why settle for an everyday looking bath when there are baths available that are stunning works of art? Whether it’s a modern aesthetic you prefer or something thoroughly royal, nowadays there are enough beautiful baths to choose from that you’re certain to find one that fits your home decor perfectly. Let’s take a look at a handful of outstanding bath designs for a good dose of inspiration.

Freestanding baths have a special elegance that is hard to match and they set a warm mood within the room. Consider this magnificent slipper bath with its traditional roll top and white claw feet. Seen here with classic vintage style taps, alternatively you could opt for a floorstanding tap set for that extra touch of elegance. Claw feet come in a wide range of finishes such as antique gold, chrome or raw cast iron.

For a more modern take on a freestanding bath, look for tubs with sleek sharp lines such as this spectacular bath finished in contrasting black and white. This ever-popular minimalist style does indeed bring a sense of calm and spaciousness to the room promoting complete relaxation and enjoyment, which I’m sure we could all do with a lot more of!




Envisage yourself immersed in this handcrafted regal cast iron bath finished in gold, complete with stunning vintage style taps and book stand. Baths such as this add a tremendous sense of beauty to the room and make for an amazing focal point that will be appreciated by you and your guests. How could anyone not enjoy such an indulgent bathing experience! And the good news is that majestic baths aren’t as expensive as one might think. Look to online bathroom supplies stores for impressive deals on baths and enclosures and be sure to check delivery fees not just the cost of the bath itself.




If you’re asking ”But where’s the bling?” look no further than this truly spectacular double ended slipper bath. You can decorate your bath in a similar way with your own personal artistic style. Many cast iron baths come finished in grey primer ready for your choice of colour, from there it’s just a matter of choosing additional decorative elements to embellish your bath with. Before you know it you’ll have a bath that doubles as a work of art and a luxurious place to bathe – what more could you ask for than that?



Bathtubs come in all shapes and sizes and with a variety of different features such as built in jet systems, tubs big enough for two, steam baths, corner baths and the list goes on. There’s a tub to suit everyone’s taste and budget so add a spectacular tub to your home and transform your bathroom into an opulent spa-like retreat that you can enjoy day in and day out. After all, you deserve a sanctuary of your own to escape to at the end of your busy day.

 Trendy Storage Options


Like most people, it’s quite common to have books, DVD’s and LP’s falling this way and that out of crevices, cupboards and covering coffee tables all over the house. If you have just moved home, or are in the process of moving, the problem of having all your personal possessions spread throughout the house or flat can be quite frustrating. Speak to any graduate who has had to move once a year for the past four years; the stress of having enough room will certainly not be lost on them!
So what storage options are there in the world? Besides your average bookshelves, newspaper holders and garage doors hiding your prized possessions, there are a plethora of gadgets, groovy cabinets and expensive storage units which you can utilize for your home or flat or you could just choose to stick with the traditional option and throw everything in your garage and you can check out the garage door trends at ABI garage doors.

Nightstand Fridge



For those of you out there who want to hide your favorite beer from ensuing friends during a house party, the Nightstand Fridge could be the perfect tool for not only cooling your favoured beverage, but also hiding it from thirsty tongues. Available in three differing designs, the nightstand is made to fit a whole range of decors and home designs. Though currently only available in the United States, you may have to pay a few more cents to get your $379’s of fridge to the United Kingdom.

Spiral Wine Cellar



Continuing with the theme of alcohol, the Spiral Wine Cellar is the perfect solution for storing your masses of wine from the more conventional methods, such as boring old wine racks and holders. With your own chic wine cellar you will become the king of parties with sleek glass doors leading the way into a world of fine wine and alcohol. For example, one cellar can hold up to 1,900 bottles and needs not one iota of electricity to run, as the surrounding earth and ingenious air flow systems provide the perfect conditions for your cache!


Underground Garage



If you want to think big, then the underground garage system may be just what you’re looking for. If you’ve just managed to get hold of your dream car or motorbike, or just want to show off (why wouldn’t you?), then the underground garage provides the perfect security solution to keep your vehicle tucked away beneath the ground. Amazingly, all it takes is the single click of a button and your car will rise proudly out of your driveway, much like the old Batman programmes you enjoyed in your childhood!

Hidden Door



Okay, so more of a door than a bookshelf, but it is the combination of the two entities which makes the hidden door to the list of trendy storage options. With the option of faux books if you’re not a big reader, a hidden door into another or secret room is a great security option besides an excellent tool for scaring or pranking your friends with! Available for both domestic and commercial purposes, the hidden door could be your secret gateway into your own gaming room, study or just a place to sit and relax.

Simply amazing.. Hope all of you enjoyed

AG Home Goods







Monday, July 16, 2012

Changes almost finished at AG Home Goods...


Avant-Garde Home Furnishings, LLC présents

Changes almost finished at AG Home Goods... 



TODAY I want to share with all of you that most of the new branding 
and logos are up throughout our sites. The store, interior design site, 
and info site are all up and running. We also have a new site aghomegoods.net 
which will become aghomegoods.info that is a brief intro page that links
 to all our sites. Please check out the new and improved AG Home Goods..



We have redone or user interface, created new categories, and made 
navigation through the various sites as easy as eating a piece of cake.. 
Check them out for yourself and please send in any comments or 
suggestions  that your might have to better improve our sites..





We have gone a long way to make the store cleaner, more user friendly, 
and much more food for the eyes.. In other we think you will be impressed 
by all our changes.. Please let us know and send any and all comments on 
our store.. The input will be greatly appreciated..

Thanks for your continued support..

Its simply amazing..


Tuesday, July 10, 2012

New branding and changes at Avant-Garde

New branding and changes at Avant-Garde

Today I am sharing with all of you all the interesting and exciting changes at Avant-Garde and the new logo designs our graphic artist Edward Saunders has made for our company.. 

First everything has been redesigned on the site. From the logos and branding to ythe actual user interface in our store and main site www.aghomegoods.com. The new interface is easier, bertter on the eyes, and simple.. Simplicity is key when navigating our new site.. Please have a look and feel free to coment on our improved site.. 

First the logos and branding have been completely redone.. Here is a brief sample of some of them.. 

New storefront headers..

New Ag Home Goods Footers

New Ag Home Goods Headers

New Ag Home Goods Headers


New storefront and site category Headers

Here are a few samples...








New picture images using the same style format...







New category images 

All showing our logo and branding... The new category small images also match and have been made part of the larger category header banner.. For example the bathroom header banner is a picture with the box picture also part of the banner becoming the small square category image..

Example.. 

Bathroom Header Banner 


Bathroom Category Small Image








We have started to publish all odf our new cghaqnges and have already almost completely finished our main site and our store withg many changeds already made to ouyr information site and Interior designs site as well.. Stay tuned for our changes to be finioshed in the next week or so.. Hope this makes it easier on all of you to navigate our site.. 

Thanks for the support..

AG Home Goods.. 




Saturday, July 7, 2012

AN ELEPHANTS SAD STORY..








AG Home Goods
Endless possibilities in home furnishings & home decor
présents:


AN ELEPHANTS SAD STORY.. 
ONE WE CAN CHANGE 

Please re blog and share this story.. Its very important

Mali the elephant at the Manila Zoo



PLEASE TODAY I ASK FOR YOUR HELP..


A heartfelt story.. Please everyone who reads this blog must help us change this..

The Story:


Imagine, if you can, a youngster, shipped to a strange and frightening place, never to see her family or home ever again. But no alert is ever issued, no reward for her safe return offered. This is because the victim is an elephant, Mali, the lone elephant at the Manila Zoo.
This nursing baby was taken from Sri Lanka in 1974 and has spent the last 35 years in a small, concrete pen.

Try to imagine living your whole life in a room the size of a bedroom, seeing the same four walls every day. You'd have no friends or companionship and nothing whatsoever to pass the time or provide you with comfort. You'd never get to leave. That's exactly what life is like for Mali.
Mali is a mere shell of the magnificent being she's meant to be. She is the only captive elephant in the Philippines, and she needs to be retired without delay.

The Office of the President has issued a directive stating that Mali should be transferred to a sanctuary after an evaluation of her health. A sanctuary can offer her thousands of acres to roam, ponds to bathe in, fresh vegetation to eat, foraging opportunities and, most importantly, the company of many other elephants. But despite the fact that PETA has offered to cover the entire cost of the transfer, authorities are stalling PETA's efforts to faciliate Mali's move to a sanctuary. Take action now to free Mali!

PS Want to do even more to help us help Mali? Please "like" the Free Mali page on Facebook and share this video with friends and family.

THE FULL STORY

World-Renowned Elephant Veterinarian: Mali Is Suffering


Mali the elephant at the Manila Zoo


Following a directive from President Benigno Aquino III to evaluate Mali, the 38-year-old solitary elephant at the Manila Zoo, and move her to a sanctuary, a new medical report on her condition reveals that she is suffering from potentially fatal foot problems and profound loneliness and that the only way to ensure her physical and psychological well-being is to relocate her to an elephant sanctuary, where she can be cared for by experts. Paid for by PETA, internationally recognized elephant expert Dr. Mel Richardson has just published his report from a visual medical examination of Mali. View the report here.

No Veterinary Care

In the report, Richardson cites chronic pressure sores open to contamination as well as foot ailments, including cracked nails, overgrown cuticles, and cracked pads—all three of which can harbor bacteria and become infected. Such foot problems are the leading cause of death in captive elephants. The zoo’s veterinarians admitted to Richardson that they lack the means to trim Mali’s cuticles, and they have not yet accepted PETA’s offer of assistance. Richardson’s examination is the most complete physical evaluation that Mali has ever received, but she has still not had a blood workup.

Mali's feet, Manila Zoo


Suffering and Alone

While Richardson is concerned about Mali’s lack of veterinary care, he is particularly troubled by her loneliness and the extreme psychological stress that it causes:
“My major concern is that Mali is alone,” writes Richardson in the report. “Female elephants in their natural habitat never leave the herd. They are in constant communication with the other members of their family. Mali’s social and psychological needs are being neglected at the Manila Zoo. Even the best intentions … cannot replace these needs, which can only be met by the companionship of other elephants.” He concludes, “In my experience, even elephants who have been alone for more than 20 years integrate well with other elephants when moved to a sanctuary.”

All elephants who are confined alone and denied everything that is natural and important to them suffer psychologically. The frustrations of captivity and lack of companionship often lead to abnormal, neurotic, and even self-destructive behavior called “zoochosis” or “stereotypy”—in Mali’s case, incessant pacing. A growing number of progressive zoos—including several in the U.S. and the U.K.—have realized that they cannot possibly fulfill the complex needs of elephants and have closed their elephant exhibits. The government of India has ordered that all elephants in zoos be transferred to government-run sanctuaries and reserves.

What You Can Do to Help

Please support PETA’s campaign to transfer Mali to a sanctuary. Click here for a list of ideas on how to help Mali get the retirement that she deserves.

Petition Letter:

Please expedite Mali's transfer to a sanctuary in Thailand
Dear Secretary Alcala,
As I'm sure you're aware, in her current environment, Mali is denied socialization, stimulation, room to explore, and everything else that is natural and important to her. Mali endures intense confinement, loneliness, boredom, and isolation in an area a fraction of the size of her natural habitat.

But you have a chance to change that. Will you immediately work with PETA in facilitating Mali's transfer to a sanctuary, as ordered by a directive from the office of the president?

The Manila Zoo has a chance to join a growing number of progressive zoos—including several in the U.S. and the U.K.—who have realized that they cannot possibly fulfill the complex needs of elephants and have closed their elephant exhibits. The government of India has ordered that all elephants in zoos be transferred to government-run sanctuaries.

PLEASE SIGN THE FOLLOWING PETITION...




Please help give Mali the life she truly deserves.

Sincerely, 

AG HOME GOODS



Monday, July 2, 2012

My trip to Inglis Florida and new pics of Avant-Garde

My trip to northern Florida and new pics of Avant-Garde

This past week I went up to northern Florida to take a friend of mine home and I tend to forget how nice it is to visit this state which is full of wild natural preserves, the everglades, and vast expanses of forest and lakes as we travel north past Orlando and into Inglis Florida, a small town that is perfect for relaxation and to simply unwind and let go...

Enjoy the pics of the serene countryside of Florida...

Northern Florida

Our trip to norther Florida was full of excitement even getting a flat tire on the way which we had to get fixed at one of the local repair shops.. It worked out great and we had a great time up there ... 

As we traveled north, we got a flat tire which we had fixed right before we traveled back down..

The dollar general store up in Inglis Florida

The small town's downtown section of the city

The roads leading out of this scenic town..






This is the lively downtown area..

Churches as we approach main street


Main Street WHOSE NAME IS MAIN STREET

MAIN STREET








Beautiful and Tranquil..

Heading home.. back to Miami






Back at Avant-Garde in Miami...

Now back in Miami, here are some pictures of the revamped gardens at Avant-Garde.. We are very proud of our offices and the peaceful setting in which they now sit.. Its relaxing and ideal working space.. 

Please enjoy the pics...

Side Connecting Gardens that connect the front and back gardens at Avant-Garde

Front Gardens- Avant-Garde

Front Gardens- Avant-Garde

Front Gardens- Avant-Garde

Secret Gardens - Avant-Garde


Front Gardens- Avant-Garde

Front Gardens- Avant-Garde


Front Gardens- Avant-Garde

Side connecting walkway..


Front Gardens- Avant-Garde

Side connecting garden

Our Beautiful Lily


Front Sitting area bamboo gardens - Avant-Garde

Our Buddha Statue

Our outside sitting Area




Our Beautiful Bamboo Gardens



Entrance to our offices...




Back Gardens right beneath our offices - Avant-Garde

Back Gardens right beneath our offices - Avant-Garde

Our Offices on the second floor

Our Offices on the second floor

Back Sitting Area - Avant-Garde


Back Sitting Area - Avant-Garde




As you can see we work in a very nicely decorated serene area that we enjoy very much so.. I hope all of you enjoyed the pictures... Here are some pictures of the gardens at night.. 










Our gardens at night are spectacular.. Please stop by for a visit sometime..

AG Home Goods 



Avant Garde Interior Design Ideas

A House that Transforms

Trip from Miami to Miami Beach

Domain Auctions at GoDaddy.com

Domain Auctions at GoDaddy.com

Miami Beach Art Deco District Slide Show

Modern contemporary showplace and home of Avant-Garde Home Furnishings, LLC, Miami, Florida