GREER WYLDER -- Best Buys

Corona del Mar’s newest specialty furniture store, Cottage Corona del

Mar, is having a grand opening today with an all-day reception from 10

a.m. to 5 p.m. Festivities include an 11 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony,

cookies, old-fashioned 5 cent lemonade and door prizes.

Most of the items in Cottage Corona del Mar are one-of-a-kind pieces

that can be personalized with custom faux-painted decorations, while

others are high-quality, cottage-conducive antiques suitable for use in

beach homes or as unusual decor pieces in larger houses. Smaller

specialty gift items and collectibles are also available, and all items

except large furniture pieces can be wrapped for any occasion.

Inside the store, the selection includes bed frames, rusted iron patio

furniture, chandeliers, chintz china, magazine racks, vintage vanities,

benches, tables, vintage pillows and picture frames.

Cottage Corona del Mar is owned and operated by Melinda Kent and Janet

Ray, longtime friends who’ve dreamed of opening up a business together.

Kent is an interior designer and artist who began painting murals and

furniture for friends’ homes several years ago. Her faux painting and

decorations were a big success, and she soon became busy with people

wanting to use her artistic talents to decorate their homes.

Ray is the former operations manager for Discovery Science Center and

previously owned and operated the Launch Pad Science Store at the former

Crystal Court.

With Kent’s artistic talents and Ray’s business experience, the two

decided to open Cottage Corona del Mar. Cottage Corona del Mar is open

Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m.

to 4 p.m. It’s closed on Mondays. It’s located at 2411 E. Coast Highway

in Corona del Mar. Information: (949) 566-9339.

Subtle Tones carries the best pajamas, lounge wear and casual

clothing. There is also a nice selection of shabby chic-like home

accessories including linens, pillows, sconces, mirrors, candles,

chandeliers and more. This coming Tuesday is a great day for moms to shop

at Subtle Tones. There is a story time from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. While

kids listen to stories, moms receive 20% off clothing purchases. The next

story times will be on Oct. 10 and 24. Story time also includes treats

and fun for kids.

Roger’s Gardens always has the best in holiday decor, and Halloween is

definitely one of their specialties. Every year the special Halloween

rooms change, and they’re always very creative, with eyeballs roaming

back and forth in the paintings, chairs rattling at the dining table,

heads swirling on dolls and puffs of “smoke” shooting out from behind a

curtain.

Roger’s design team also stocks the rooms with the best in Halloween

decor, which includes light, spiders, black crows, monster hands,

pumpkins, cats and more. Roger’s Gardens is located at 2301 San Joaquin

Hills Road in Corona del Mar. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Information: (949) 640-5800.

Newport Bedding is having a mattress and bed super sale through the

end of the month. On sale are iron beds reduced 30% to 50%. There are

more than 100 wrought iron beds to chose from. Adjustable electric beds

are on sale; they range in price from $799.95 to $1,199.95. There are

also twin set mattresses that range in price from $209.95 to $649.95. The

full set mattresses range in price from $299.95 to $799.94. The queen

sets range in price from $349.95 to $999.95 and the king sets range in

price from $499.95 to $1,199.95. Newport Bedding is located at 1534

Newport Blvd. in Costa Mesa. It’s open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.

to 6 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sundays from 12

p.m. to 5 p.m. Information: (949) 646-3991.

Aaron Brothers art & framing is having a big sale that lasts all

weekend. On sale are frames reduced 30%, mantel shelves reduced 30%,

framed art reduced 20%, mirrors and wall decor accents reduced 20%,

museum image collage frames starting at $9.99, stretched canvas at 50%

off, kid’s easels at $39.99, compact mat cutters at $59.99 and paper pads

at 50% off. Aaron Brothers is located at 1714 Newport Blvd. in Costa

Mesa. Information: (949) 645-6880.

* BEST BUYS appears on Thursdays and Saturdays. Send information to

Greer Wylder at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa 92627, or via fax at (949)

646-4170.