Meeting Great Designers at High Point October 2013 Market

High Point has more crackle when Rizzoli brings in their stable of top talent interior designers. It's a thrill actually to run into them at multiple showrooms and chat them up during the slower moments. Interior Design celebs have a great deal in common 99% of the time. What I enjoy the most is their active mental engagement. A common first sentence is: "I've been thinking more about xyz this year and how......" Lillian August was thinking about iconic women designers. Alexa Hampton was teaching younger women how to sizzle up intergenerational possessions and my new favorite fellow is the esteemed William Yeoward designs for the Jonathan Charles collection.

I always thought of William Yeoward as a crystal designer, and since--sorry WY I'm not a big one for crystal--I sort of missed the big picture. Silly me!! Like my friend, Hutton Wilkinson, William is encyclopedic in his knowledge of interior decoration at all levels. Drawing on this vast visual storehouse of history, Yeoward created his furniture line aligned to his design mantra: "When you buy something for your home, it is essential that the piece will give you continued pleasure, not just immediate gratification followed by years of disappointment." Believe him, like the slow-food movement, slow design makes for a better outcome. The Ataross console is classic gothic architecture kicked up to the millennium with a gray finish to break up all the mahogany finishes, although it comes in a classic brown Oak finish if you've overdone the griege.

While I am in "sitting pose," aching as I take this photo, I am as T.S. Eliot would describe: "In a still point of the turning world." There is so much grace, proportion and history flying at me I feel that I am being scrubbed clean from the horrors of tract mansions of the 80's and early 90's and the flour sack, burlap onslaught. Note his signature polka dot motif smartly dressing the sides and backs of his upholstered dining chairs.

Architectural and balanced, the Alnwick Bureau sports a flirty exaggerated cornice mixing a bit of muscle with pretty tones of cream and blue. Witness strength and beauty--an olympian on the cover of the furniture consumer's fantasy cereal box.  William Yeoward reminded us: "Beautiful things are always beautiful, it's perception that changes." He is so articulate and funny I recommend his book.

I know...I know...I know this is a quirky piece that requires some daring but..... I keep coming back to it as I review my market photos. All of us carry within us the image and memory of a beloved house, and Yeoward's  Daphne Cupboard is reproduced from a distant relative's possession. It evokes an Auntie Mame dramatic moment. Somebody grabbed a garden folly and brought it inside. You have got to love the Brits for their hubris and aristocratic confidence.

I love the detail of the hand carved traditional English fox on Yeoward's Godwyn console. The signature gray polkadot lining will be an identifying marker for generations to come. My other new design crush was Timothy Corrigan. He was delightful to chat with and honestly his restoration of the 18th century Chateau du Grand-Luce is the epic restoration of the century. It is the only chateau in France to escape the ravages of the French Revolution due to the loyalty of the towns people for the Baroness who housed and rebuilt the village after being burned. We will have more later on the vast topic of the 45,000 square foot chateau, but I will say Timothy Corrigan is as relaxed and elegant as his decorating style. Thanks Currey and company for having TC in the showroom! We always enjoy the Currey family hospitality!

And.....

We share a love of Belgian Shoes!

Timothy gets the men's sans the bows FYI
This book is a must!!

More Later.....

If you see any furniture in our blog or online store
that you would like to purchase or discuss

please give us a call at 

336-705-1316

or send us an e-mail

liz@dovecotedecor.com

If you are a local reader join us Friday November 15th from 4-6pm
and Saturday, November 16th from 9-6pm at the Benton Convention
at the Junior League of Winston Salem
Boutique
We have lots of beautiful gifts!!

Highlighting Madcap Cottage from the Junior League of Greensboro Showhouse and also one of Luther Lashmit's Winston-Salem Homes

John Loecke and Jason Oliver Nixon of Madcap Cottage did one of the most delightful rooms at Adamsleigh, the Traditional Home / Junior League of Greensboro Showhouse by architect Luther Lashmit. 

via Madcap Cottage's blog: Demystifying Design

John explained how they used the original turquoise color of the breakfast room and paired it with this bold Thibaut wall paper which creates a cottagey comfort vibe that threads throughout their design portfolio. While it seems counter-intuitive to use a large scale paper in a small room. It actually makes the room feel bigger. 

 

via Traditional Home

I am counting at least 6 different patterns in this room alone creating the harmonious collected layered effect of a room that has grown generationally. 

The designers encourage clients to use their homes as a form of self expression. A home with no personality in evidence is telling in itself and who wants to telegraph the message: "boring!" John and Jason encourage their clients to push the envelope and be willing to have fun with their environment. They are inspired by the work of Dorothy Draper, Nancy Lancaster, and Rose Cummings to name a few. 

This curio piece on the left is a natural selection for them as it is from the iconic Kindel Furniture Dorothy Draper collection. Again, this aesthetic has a distinct chinoiserie melody that we are seeing so much of this market. This pair of Currey and Company Chinese ginger jar style lamps continues this brush stroke throughout the canvas of the room.

You can find them HERE in our online store or we can give you other suggestions and resources 

for creating fun, eclectic rooms with sizzle, personality and comfort.  Since architect Luther Lashmit was a local architect for us in Winston Salem, we thought you might enjoy a glimpse of a more approachable Lashmit creation, for sale right here in Winston-Salem. 

 Luther Lashmit built several model homes at the inception of the Buena Vista subdivision in 1926. Deceptive in size from curb side, this house has been tastefully expanded over the years to accommodate modern sensibilities such as family kitchen spaces, luxurious master bedrooms, baths and dressing areas. You've got the best of both worlds, with generous moldings, arched door ways and architectural flourishes that add character and integrity to the home.

Architectural ovolo molding throughout the house combined with Lashmit's signature octagonal windows and unique hardware lend a dignified character to the non-palatial projects he completed throughout his career.

More Later!! 

Stand-by on instagram as we travel 

to beautiful Lexington Virginia 

Navigating High Point 2012 Update II

If you missed our last post: Navigating High Point Update click HERE. It is step one and will take you through some highlights of the IHFC and the Annex. I'm reposting the map, because it helps to understand the scope of the city and charts a path for you.

When you finish shopping the annex, orient yourself to Commerce and go left towards the C and D building. The C and D has some of my favorite vendors. Sarreid, with their Van Thiel and Encore Collections has well priced and executed reproductions and antiques. I ran into Eddie Ross at Van Thiel, so enough said.

When the girls were younger, I used to keep a homework/project room in the house. This companion desk  would have been a stylish addition. It can also be used as a serving piece, which makes the dining or breakfast rooms more versatile.  Also in the C and D building of note is Visual Comfort with collections by style stars, Alexa Hampton, Thomas O'brien and Suzanne Kasler.

When you finish the C and D building, turn left and walk across the street to market square.  Market square has a new juried equivalent of InterHall, called Salon. It is slowly improving.

Start on the ground floor and power walk the suites. I have trained myself to pass the junk quickly, and not sift for nuggets in every stall.  Don't forget to see the Wind Rose when you've reached the second floor. Here is their location: Space 246-250 Historic Market Square, Telephone: 336.327.5306. Market is disorienting, but there are guides everywhere. Ned and Cary have been scouring England, Belgium and France for years and it is a treasure trove. Nobody, hands down, has better painted furniture and accessories, so...if you don't go, don't tell me. 

When you've done the suites, which is in the front of the building, go to the rear of that area and enter market square. Don't miss the new antiques section on the ground floor. I will be at my friend's space on Saturday between 4 and 6pm, please come by and say hello! We are at Heirloom Estates: Market Square, Antique & Design Center MS-G 49.

After you tour the antiques section on the ground floor, you will want to ask the guides to direct you to the correct elevator to take you to Century Furniture. They are located near the ground floor restaurant and the courtyard. You don't want to miss this little darling in the Oscar De La Renta line. 

Don't miss HFI Brands: Lily Pulitzer and Barclay Butera on upper floors near the same elevator bank. The Information desk is right there.

When you've finished, go out the front of the Suites and catch a van to the Hamilton district. I get off the van or bus at Broad and Hamilton. This district has many excellent vendors, I will feature some of the must sees.

Pay attention to the  artisanal Wright Table company ((300 N. Hamilton 2nd floor) and  absorb the amazing array of custom work they craft in North Carolina. Don does a mixture of traditional, contemporary and European designs and is a master of teasing depth out of beautiful woods. The scale and design of his furniture is the perfect imperfection we are looking for in a custom reproduction. He made my breakfast table and it is beautifully indestructible. This industrial era inspired coffee table literally levitates to table height,  reverses with equal grace and has a lock for child proofing.  The surface and finish can be customized.  Pop in to say hello to Ian from Fauld Town and Country furniture( 330 N. Hamilton ST-S-204 tel:336-841-3918).

330 North Hamilton StreetWhile there are Asian repros, they also do exquisite English bench made work. My highly discerning English friends buy from them. 

We will move on to New River Artisans.

In the same district, New River Artisans, is an oxymoronic, crazy good taste, custom designed, hand made carpet resource from the middle of Appalachia. Their showroom is: 200 N. Hamilton ST. N. Court, suite #301. In that neighborhood, Mottahedeh has an "over run" cash and carry show room I hit each market.

Over the years, I have accumulated wonderful vases, far below wholesale. In the Hamilton/Wrenn district, you'll  also find Y.H. Antiques, together with Somerset Bay and Modern History, at 420 N. Wrenn Street that runs parallel to Hamilton. 

Don't even think about missing Hickory Chair (330 North Hamilton Street) where you can can chat up design icons Alexa Hampton, Thomas O'Brien, and Suzanne Kasler.

We are heading over to High Point today!

Sneak Preview Later!