DESIGN DIVA: Look for design star Vern Yip to decorate St. Louis on Aug. 19 when he comes into town for the grand opening of the I.O. Metro store on The Boulevard in Richmond Heights.

Yip, the headliner of HGTV's "Deserving Design with Vern Yip," and in his fifth season with the series "HGTV Design Star," will open the doors of the store with a reception beginning at 6 p.m.

Yip, who is also set to premiere "Urban Oasis," a new show on the home and gardening network on Sept. 6, will be available for pictures and free design advice.

I.O. Metro is an Arkansas-based retail chain that sells contemporary furniture. The retailer operates 17 stores in seven states; this is its first store in the St. Louis area.