Mariah Carey big time shopping

The world maybe suffering from the recession crisis but the same doesn"t seem to affect the pop star Mariah Carey. She bought over $200,000 worth of chairs, sofas and furnishings during a four-hour shop at a trendy Melrose Avenue store on Thursday (19Feb09).

The singer and her entourage closed down Kreiss Showrooms so she could shop in peace with husband Nick Cannon and top interior designer Kenneth Bordewick. A source tells WENN that Carey bought a host of top items from the Kreiss Collection, including contemporary chairs and sofas from the company's Gatsby range.

And it seems the Hero singer is set on giving her new home a taste of old Hollywood, picking out stylish items in beige and taupe with dark wood frames in rosewood and mahogany.

One insider says, "It was like a raid - the shop was closed down and her huge minders stood guard at the door. Mariah clearly knew what she wanted, but took her time making sure she got the right matches and designs. She has terrific taste. They looked very much in love and she looked great."