My day with Vern Yip

When I was an awkward teen in middle school, I remember looking forward to retreating in front of the television on Saturday mornings, and being able to watch one of my favorite shows from back then: TLC’s Trading Spaces.  It was one of the first original “decorating” shows and was the start of an Interior Design Show revolution.  Onsets of many Home Decorating shows were soon to follow on HGTV.  One of my favorite designers from Trading Spaces was Vern Yip.  His rooms were always very clean, classy, and simple.  He infused his Architectural background, “less is more” philosophy, Asian inspiration, and attention to detail to create beautiful rooms for his clients.  I would have never thought in my wildest imagination that I would (10 years later) get the chance to meet him and work with him right here at ccino, in Omaha!

My exciting celebrity meeting goes a little like this: At 10:30am a lovely, nice husband and wife came into the store and were looking at our gorgeous Milford Sectional. The clients had heard that we carried Sunbrella, a very durable fabric that can be used indoor or outdoor s, and is known for its ability to be cleaned with diluted bleach and water.  We had sifted through many possibilities and found a very warm neutral color combination that worked well together.  They had mentioned that their designer was meeting with them later on in the day, and that they would like to check out the swatches for the designer’s approval.

Right at closing time, ccino got a unique phone call asking if we would be willing to stay open late for a “famous HGTV star”.  To my surprise, in walks the lovely couple I had worked with in the morning and accompanying them was my favorite childhood idol: Vern Yip, who had flown into Omaha from Atlanta!  All of the designer’s here in the store were swooning and knew right away who his majesty was.  His presence was very charismatic and he had a certain contagious happiness to him.   He was very pleasant to work with and we finalized on selecting two sofas designed by another HGTV personality, Joe Ruggiero. True to Vern Yip style: the selections were timeless, clean-lined, and the fabrics chosen were natural, calming, and timeless.  Thank you to the husband for such a thoughtful anniversary gift for your wife, she is truly lucky to have such a caring husband; I can die peacefully now knowing I was in the presence of such design greatness.

Here are the final selections:

main body is done in Sunbrella pattern Lace color Oat, Side pillows in Duralee Turquoise/cocoa,  Accent pillow in a Candice Olson

Drapery in a rich dark Espresso color purchased at z gallery.

So come to ccino…it’s where the famous people shop!

~Ginger