High Point April 2012 Sneak Preview

We zipped over to High Point today to get the early bird peak at one-of-a-kinds. Savvy designers and buyers hit the antiques first, as they go quickly. We motored over to Historic Market Square, where the Antiques and Design Center is located. Our first quarry our antiques vendor, The Wind Rose. Sally Altizer, who is a brilliant designer out of High Point, styles their space and we are always anxious to see what she's done.

In addition to antiques, accessories, lighting and art, The Wind Rose (Market Square 246, 250) has their bespoke White furniture line, with lots of graphic punch and impeccable proportion.

 I'll be at Heirloom Estates booth(MS-G-39) in the Antiques and Design Center of Market Square, from 4-6,  so please come by and say hello to me. Lisa has some really unusual things, here's a glimpse. Her Clydesdale door stop is tempting me.

I have a blog crush on Bruce Barone,  whose celebrated photography is exhibited in Antiques and Design in 30b and c. He's a bit out of the way, so hunt him down. He is a fantastic cook, so he may have some goodies for you.

Acquisitions in Market Square Suites had this whimsical menagerie, not to mention the best Noah's Ark--ever. It even has a pair of spiders!

Then, we had to see Lillian August's incredibly styled showroom to see what she's got on that brilliant design mind of hers. I will admit to parking on the sidewalk, don't try that tomorrow. Just say orange and Greek Key.... My client has been circling the slipper chair in front of the fireplace, for two markets. I think it has our names on it.

My clients are going to flip over this table. I am constantly getting calls for metal topped tables, and they are hard to find for good value.

 

Saturated turquoises and acidic colors are still in the mix. This market Lillian shines them up for a bit of Hollywood glam. 

This is not your Mother's decor, unless you are Lillian August's sons, but her look is fresh, timeless yet still traditional. The most talented designers know how to mix disparate elements seamlessly, that is the secret to style, and really good cooking...wine...personality...fashion. It is harmonious complexity. 

I bought the black storage cabinet for a client's breakfast room last year. I am telling you, it goes everywhere, living room, dining room, hall, bedroom, den. It is a little black dress, chameleon, as it can look modern, traditional or transitional depending on the accessories. It is urban and sophisticated in this setting, but I can tell you it is sensational in a mountain house. 

This is just pretty. Women ask me all the time if they can do girly bedrooms. The Yin and Yang of it is the casual graphic punch in the rug--a touch of nail head trim. In the morning, lets face it, men like to wake up in a woman's room. They can have their man cave in the basement or their office. As I finish up after my long first day, I wish you could all come to visit me. We've had a glorious Spring with the most perfect weather. I kid you not, it only rains at night, is warm in the sun...cool in the shade. My flowers have never been so pretty, so I'm having you over for a minute. 

More Later!

I do love my Leagrave Bench 

In case you missed it, Dovecote Decor was credited on the TODAY Show with 

Our very cool Zebra Garden Stool

Thank you again Chassie Post from Gilt Groupe

Happy Market!

Liz

High Point Day 0

High Point actually opens before the published date.  Permanent show rooms have already been buzzing for a couple of days, so we sallied forth to see new vendors and venues. The Hamilton district is completely rearranged with the new Hickory Chair relocation, which is a good thing since we got slightly lost, but bumped into...

Bunny Williams, new BeeLine Homes space.  We were welcomed with her Charlottesville, Virginia  charm, while she multi-tasked between clients, show room fluffs, and posing for a picture with Liz and Viive (pronounced Viva), for Dovecote Decor. I can only say, High Point is thrilled to welcome BeeLine Homes. I will say, nobody has more beautiful upholstery.  God is in the details. 

It is a treat for High Point to have Bunny and BeeLine Homes. The next grand addition, is the new Antique and Design Center at 229 Russell Avenue. There are 55, one of a kind exhibitors, with 37 shops completely new to High Point. 

A spectacular 17th century chandelier has migrated from a wonderful palazzo, finding its way to Karen Luisana's, brain child design center. Tonight was opening night, and we were dazzled. This chandelier is the exuberant, joie-de-vivre piece, dialed down to a single theme--crystals. It dances, yet stays on point. 

Marquetry and inlay are a huge trend, but this dresser to the left is unique. The design is hand cut lemon wood, inlaid in walnut, from Damascus, Syria. It is one of a kind. Think about the perfect repetitive hand cuts of the design motif on the drawers.  

High Point can be a disaster, it can be weird, but then again, it can take my breath away,  uplifting my soul with the hand of the artisan. More tomorrow!

Coffee Tables

Coffee tables are seldom in the spotlight. They stand quietly in a living room, offering a place to put one’s cocktail.  They are often simple and boring, only invited into a beautiful home to be covered with magazines and hidden with floral arrangements.

Until now…..

This glass-topped table allows the focus to fall upon the beautiful and unique base – a boat propeller!

The “Math Lesson” table features a built in dog bed.  It is a gorgeous mix of natural wood, dark metal, and leather.  Wouldn’t it look just charming with your little furry friend inside?!

Low and sleek, this wooden table has an eye catching mirrored niche in the middle, perfect for floral arrangements, wine bottles, magazines, etc.

Vintage trunks are incorporated, as coffee tables, into eclectic room themes recalling the era of luxury extended travel.  This modern take on the traditional trunk is fresh and functional.

Interesting objects from the vertical axis, like this French road sign, function beautifully on the horizontal plane as table tops.   This sign is an example of the current "travel" theme resonating through  designer showrooms.

We never get tired of the Greek key motif.  Its sculptural geometric qualities add dimension to the quiet, calm, neutral themes prevalent in our hurried era.

Dovecote Decor Eddie Ross Interview

Eddie Ross talks to Dovecote Decor at the High Point, N.C. April market! He was thrilled with Gustavian antique reproductions, their great finishes, and price.

A Feast For the Eyes at High Point Furniture Market

-Benji
Time and creativity combine in the design extravaganza encompassing over 2,000 vendors exhibiting at  The Furniture Market --High Point, NC.  Manufactures put their best foot forward to seduce and entertain Market goers.  "Market" is an event where designers and buyers are inspired by the best in showroom designs.        

                                       

This whimsical showroom captured a moment at Hogwarts. 

The most noticeable trend at this spring's International Home Furnishings Market is sustainable design. The offerings of reclaimed wood  are abundant.   Several manufactures interpretations of "safe"colors for  coffee tables, consoles and dining tables, in gray and white washes were seen throughout showrooms.

A refreshing departure from the gray scale is lacquer.  These Mid-Century consoles and bedside tables pop, and add an eclectic accent to any style room.

Ethnic patterns and animal prints still are a favorite!

A few showrooms delivered big on color; a lively antidote to the gray scales all over town.

High Point, North Carolina

High Point, North Carolina is an elusive, and surreal locale. It is loaded with trash and treasure, and has endured some thorny transitions. The recent painful shift of furniture manufacturing to Asia, was cataclysmic. Yes, prices declined, but scale, finish, and style, were “lost in translation” for many years. Some of the savvier boutique companies, started exporting containers from the antique fairs in Europe, along with renowned restoration experts, guiding production processes.  To our complete elation, new collections emerged completely indistinguishable from their antique inspirations.

Elm, marble and brass bistro serving cabinet, re-produced from a cafe in Paris

Wonderful, quirky pieces from the Paris Flea Market were identical, down to the paint drips, and without the terrible excesses of “over distressing” that ironically made furniture appear artificial.

CFC Reclaimed Lumber Spanish Console

Today, a good reproduction looks old because smart designers have started using old wood, water based finishes, and traditional scaling.

Barclay Butera Bel Air Bench

The giant “McMansion,” baronial pieces that are simply offensive, are auspiciously fading.  We have observed, over the years, that upholstery trends mimic footwear design. Sofas and chairs have morphed from clunky Steve Madden’s to sleek Manolo Blahnik’s.

Alex Papachristidis and Milly de Cabrol with screens by Hudson Furniture and Arteriors Home, from April 2010 Elle DECOR

Mid-century modern aesthetic is everywhere, and makes wonderful eclectic accents. The most important paradigm shift traces its origins from the conventional downside-up model. Boutique designers became almost curatorial in their devotion to authenticity, with double-digit sales increases in the face of drastic losses experienced by the big, brand name manufacturers.

From Carlton Varney’s Houses in my Heart, Joan Crawford’s New York living room

The old guard’s motto of: “Never underestimate the bad taste of the American public,” has been trumped by the value that:  good-taste is not subjective. It exists as one end of the spectrum within every genre, and the public is voting with their wallets!