» Furniture

white tables

laura — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 11:00:09 +0000

There is something very relaxing and pretty about a white table.

A simple summer table to enjoy friendship and conversation.

Photo Credits; via The City Sage, via Splendid Willow, via Swedish Blue Designs, via Simply Seleta

the chair mixer

laura — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 23:29:27 +0000

Bright and bold

subtly different on the back panel,

or a frame change around the table.

I love the chair mixer.

Ruthie Sommers via Simply Seleta; Donna Maselli via The Bayou Contessa; Anna Spiro

High Point & Hickory Chair

laura — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 01:23:33 +0000

I have had a great few days in High Point this week. While shopping for clients, finding new vendors and connecting up in person with ones I work with is a lot of fun…meeting Suzanne Kasler, Alexa Hampton, Thomas O’Brien and Mariette Himes Gomez all in a two hour time frame in the Hickory Chair showroom was the highlight of it for me. Suzanne Kasler’s rooms and furniture lines for Hickory Chair are just beautiful. As she says, ” A room should be collected, not decorated”.

I think I need this chic desk and chair in my office.

She is so nice, interesting and easy to talk to. I now have three copies of her book in my office, and a lucky reader is going to get a signed one soon in my next giveaway. stay tuned….

cane + wicker

laura — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 11:00:31 +0000

Rattan furniture has been popular in the United States for a few hundred years and dates back to 2000 B.C. when it was used to weave chests and chairs in Egypt. Rattan encompasses hundreds of types of palms, cane furniture is made from the outer layer of a palm and wicker is made from the inner core. Cane chairs are high on my list as they are comfortable to the back, sturdy and look smart.

I love the form of these cane chairs from the Madeline Stuart Collection.

Even in a more transitional setting a cane sofa looks great.

Martha Stewart makes a nice cane slipper chair for Bernhardt and I love the second one from Ralph Lauren.

Wicker is very easy to paint and stain and therefore can become versatile. It is also relatively inexpensive and readily available.

Wicker is also great outdoors because it is very durable.

That covered porch looks just like my kind of spot. Nice light fixture too.

Photo Credits: Robyn Bell via House Beautiful, David Kleinberg, Madeline Stuart, Chris Barrett via House Beautiful, Martha Stewart, Ainsworth Noah, Peter Denham, House & Home, Southern Accents

so true

laura — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:31:28 +0000

Photo Credits: House & Garden

Charlotte: City Supply

laura — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:00:39 +0000

City Supply is one little gem of a shop. Located in the Plaza Midwood section of Charlotte, there is very reasonably priced art, furniture, lighting fixtures, lamps and accessories. There is also a small gift section with hysterically funny cards. There is a great mix of pieces and styles. Robert Boyd who owns the shop has a great eye and is super friendly and helpful. Here are a few of my favorite finds…

Turquoise Porcelain Stools $199 each

Paintings $299

Anderson Sectional $2499

Lamp $169

Pendant Dogwoods $195

Bird Cage $79

Ibiza Lantern $24 (How fun for an outdoor party!)

1219 Thomas Ave, Charlotte, NC - (704) 347-2489

Even just one or two pieces can help you to update!

Test of Time

laura — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:00:19 +0000

There are a few key pieces when furnishing a home that you can count on to last a very long time if you pick the right ones. Often people say that their styles have changed or that they have grown tired of their furnishings. Here are a few key pieces that I feel will stand the test of time.

A tight back sofa. Clean lines with not too oversized arms.

A durable fabric and some throw pillows and you are set for a long time.

A beautiful lightly tufted Jansen sofa with just the right proportions.

Chinoiseriehas never gone out of style and it never will. I can’t resist papers by de Gournay.

Even with contemporary furnishings and accessories the wallpaper still looks great.

A wing chair is also a good investment. There are many updated versions of the wing chair so it doesn’t have to look like your great-grandmothers. Williams Sonoma Home makes a nice looking with great looking nickel or brass nail heads.

A few good table lamps are key investments. A Bouillette Lamp has a more traditional look but when paired with some eclectic accessories or a more muted palette it doesn’t look too dated. Daryl Carter did this nicely, though I am not into the Georgia O’Keefe style accessories…

Beautiful Venetian glass lamps from John Salibello Antiques.

A great four-poster bed from Ralph Lauren. I love the caning at the headboard.

A great kitchen table is essential to family meals. Whether your style is a little more traditional or transitional you can’t go wrong with a basic farmhouse table that will only get better with age. I would be especially happy if the farmhouse table was made with reclaimed wood.

Iconic fabrics should get their own post because there are too many to pick from. What I will say though is there are some trendy ones today and there are some classics. Many of the ones today are based on those from the master himself. If you know the history of a fabric it will never be dated. Thank you Mr. Hicks.

When choosing coffee table books pick ones that you are genuinely interested in. They can make for great conversation topics. When working with a client I try to remember things that they like as we go through the process. A client might mention that he or she loves Cy Twombly artwork or the style of Bunny Williams. What never goes out of style is books that you are interested in and enjoy discussing.

A simple arrangement of peonies or hydrangea from your local farmers market is always classic.

The list could go on….A Billy Baldwin étagère, a hand-knotted rug in beautiful colors, a klismos chair. I think soon I will do a post on what I think is trendy today and what I doubt we will see in 25 years from now.

In your eyes, what will stand the test of time?

Photo Credits: Baker Furniture (1), Jansen Sofa (2,Pigtown Design), de Gournay (3,4), Williams-Sonoma Home (5,6), Daryl Carter, John Salibello, RL Home, David Hicks, Ursus Books, Bunny Williams, Google images

Greek Key

laura — Wed, 06 May 2009 13:05:39 +0000

I enjoy writing about the connections between past and present aspects of interior design and architecture. Everything that is current now has a source of inspiration and a piece of the past. The Greek Key has been used for centuries in architecture and design. I don’t think designers can get enough of it! While it is most often referred to as the Greek Key, it can be found in Ancient Egypt and China.

The Parthenon, Athens, Greece (447-438 BC). Classical Style, Doric Columns.

Greek Key Detail (also know as Fret)

The mazes of British gardens (Hatfield House below) were based on the mazes of Rome (who borrowed it from the Greeks).

It became a popular design on furniture. Regency Mahogany Sofa Table with Greek Key Design, ca. 1810, England

Suzanne Sharp for The Rug Company

Amanda Nisbet

Garrow Kedigian

Want to incorporate it at your house? William Sonoma Home bedding is on sale.

Like it? I do.

Photo Credits: Parthenon, Greek Key, Hatfield House, William Word Fine Antiques, The Rug Company, Amanda Nisbet Design, Garrow Kedigian, William Sonoma Home

to market, to market…

laura — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:04:09 +0000

I am off to High Point for Market this week and am hoping to see some great new lines. In the fall I saw the line for Baker Furnitureinspired by Tony Duquette. Duquette worked for Elsie de Wolfe early in his career and was best known for his dramatic style.

a few eclectic pieces from the collection…

I also enjoyed seeing Annie Selke’s line for Vangaurdfurniture. She is the brains behind Dash & Albert, the rugs that are fun and durable. Her furniture and fabric lines are family friendly.

Will let you know what I find this week…

Home again, Home again, Jigidy-jig.

In the Loop

laura — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:37:21 +0000

Sotheby’s recently auctioned two original pairs of Elkins Loop Chairs circa 1934.

Frances Elkins designed the chair in the 1930’s and the repros have been quite popular ever since.

Celerie Kemble used them in a house in Palm Beach.

I love Anne Harwell’s drawings of the loop chairs. You can find them on Etsy here

and here.

With a more circular form, Maguire carries a line designed by Laura Kirar.

ZGallerie has these fun pillows.

I had the opportunity to hear Charlotte Moss speak on her sources of design inspiration last Thursday. I will be posting a recap on it soon. Pickard carries this china pattern that Moss designed called “Elsie”. It was inspired by Elsie de Wolfe and her love of treillage.

I’m in the loop…are you?

Photo Credits: The Magazine Antiques (1-4), Anne Harwell (5,6), Maguire Furniture, ZGallerie, Pickard China