High Point October 2011 Trend Report

Right!!

High Point really cleaned up its act, after the Mayor of Las Vegas announced that they were going to bury the International Furniture Market. It was a bold statement, considering The High Point Furniture market is the largest event in the United States, exceeding both the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras for attendance and revenue. This year, we were not disappointed as we danced our way through the B-52's sound check, attended the Rizzoli book signings, and zipped around in the "go anywhere" vans.  Last October, my High Point wrap post celebrated the return of color. Gray scale, or as I like to call it: "Recession Griege," is still the entrenched mantra of many vendors, but the color trend continues to mutate from Soaring 60's preppy shades to saturated blues, greens, plums, yellows and oranges. 

Hollywood regency mirrored furniture has emerged from trend to household staple. Sheen is the counterpoint to texture in a room and dominates this chic aesthetic.  Lacquer, mirrors, glass, metal and high gloss finishes are the common denominator, as interiors recombine and mutate echoing the swinging single eras of the 40's and 60's.  The hip pad is in. The Shabby Chic nest is going out. 

Moroccan inspired mirrors and Eastern fabric combined with bold geometrics pull together this Rat Pack mid-century cocktail of a room.  Fast forward,  and you get Sex and the Single Girl, or...

Sex in the City! 

Thomas O'Brien's show room at Hickory Chair is pure modern opulent. Glowing velvets and silks elucidate this polished aesthetic, in contrast to the drab, raw finishes of the griege era. Nail head trims tailor both the bookshelves and sofa. Savile Row is in, flea market is out.

Thomas O'Brien desk in Carrie and Big's apartment. 

Opulent hip is the operative description for this sophisticated vignette. Tony Duqette, perfected the rich hippie look for the 60's version of the swinging pad. 

Whimsical details, layered patterns and Asian elements are all part of the Duquette "More is More" theatrical interiors. Here's how a cool pair of designers re-interpret the scene.

Shopping the look in the High Point show rooms-- Hermes Orange compliments the peacock blues and saturated greens. 

Traditional Asian elements emerge in shades du jour. 

Lacquer, mirror and metallic finishes combine with asian and mid-century lines to kick up the neutral palettes. This takes me back to my Azuma days. 

A new twist on Carrie's desk. 

Orange and gray are buffed with silvery finishes with this chic chest and geometric mirror. Graphic punch, organic forms, nickel and chrome create an alternate version of the hip pad. 

Lillian August's showroom at Hickory White, was a show stopper. This small room does big things, using several large antiqued mirrors and dark paint, Lillian's pulled together eclectic sensibility strikes a sophisticated Hollywood glam chord. Are you feeling it? The look is all about seduction. Its a room where you want to steal a kiss, dance backwards in high heels, or watch a confirmed bachelor drop on one knee. Another way to add a sleek dimension is--no dimension. 

Tony Duquette, the original hipster, glam, pad designer of all time, uses this lucite for a subtle layer. We have been stalking the elusive, well crafted acrylic coffee table for months. The right stuff is not plastic, it is a hefty material. It is impossible to buy it vintage from a photograph because it scratches and is hard to see. We found this little darling at market. 

Notice the X base is one molded piece. We hauled this ridiculously heavy, invisible load down corridors,  elevators and stairs in the IHFC--we are sore and stiff, but here it is!!

We are waiting for the new sofa, but loving the invisible acrylic coffee table. 

More market madness later!!

Annie Selkie Fresh American Design Booksigning at Belle Maison

Winston Salem is so excited by Annie Selke's visit to Belle Maison next week. I remember the first time the girls and I saw her Pine Cone Hill textile line in the early 1990's at High Point. We loved the clean, vibrant colors and patterns. The comforters are truly the coziest I've ever snuggled under. They are as beautiful in our house today, as they were 10 years ago. When the weather gets cold, I'm wrapped in Pine Cone Hill.

Images ranging through Annie's design categories, help readers define their personal vision: "In Fresh American, there’s no “right” way to create your ideal living space—design ideas become flexible, fluid, and, most of all, fun. You might find that you lean mostly toward one style, but still want to incorporate elements of another. That’s what Fresh American is all about—composing spaces that are entirely you." Are you "Romantic," "Nunaced," "Happy," "Cultured," or "Exuberant?" You might be a combination. Here is how you identify the zodiac of your taste preferences, and execute your look. 

A simple way to evoke the "Happy Preppy" look, Annie explains,  is to loose the pink and green cliches associated with the era. A two tone color palette, in a mixture of graphic plaids, florals and stripes creates an harmonious, pulled together room that is fresh and...well, happy. 

First time apartment owners and renters purchasing one piece at a time, frequently choose a neutral palette, as they select functional pieces on a budget. It makes sense, as neutral goes with everything. A calm design scheme is desirable in urban settings, as a refuge from the bright lights and big city chaos. Beach houses in these hues merge seamlessly, bringing the outdoors in. Done incorrectly, neutral can telegraph indecision, or lack of effort--read rental. Done correctly with textures, shades layers and sculptural forms, it spells c-h-i-c. Annie deciphers the code for lovers of this aesthetic. 

"Cultured Eclectics" love collections, curiosities, art, one of a kind and quirky pieces. It takes confidence to pull the trigger on a great flea market find or e-bay treasure. The big question is: " How do I pull all these disparate interests together. You've got the fever, Annie's got the cure. 

Every day exuberance takes me back. I can vividly remember the first time I walked into a house and saw a shocking pink sofa. It was my boyfriend's house, and his Mother was remarkably pleased. Incorporating graphic wall papers, and florals while celebrating modern design is how this style is achieved. 

If you are a Refined Romantic, you may be a Taurus, lover of home and hearth. Refined Romantics treasure craftsmanship and provenance. Lose the lace and the frills, and look for objects with history, and shine. Bring in fresh flowers from the garden and add floral accents with pillows, wall papers and fabrics. 

Come See Annie Selke at 

Belle Maison in

Historic Reynolda Village

Visit Her Website

And....

Don't forget to make 

Your Shopping List For Market!

Dovecote Decor Flash Sale!!

Dear Bloggy friends: I have taken an inexcusable absence from our scene and should have accepted reality and posted an "On hiatus" communique.

My guilty pleasure when I should have been posting--highly recommended reading

 Naturally, everyday I thought I would get a post out, but you know how it is. The children were toing and frowing, Mary was packing for her semester in Paris, then Benji, my partner, went in the hospital--a couple of times. He is much better!! Meanwhile, Dovecote Decor had its best month--ever. The blog must roll over for the wonderful new and repeat clients, and we are all very encouraged. This is not the post that I have been working on, because suddenly many of our vendors have exciting close--out sales that we want to share with you. We've been in a frenzy to pass on these knock out prices. We continue to load and delete product, as inventory shifts.  There are some great deals out there. If you find something, call me for availability. Here's a quick peek.

Retail: $5,164.00
Your Price: $3,590.00
(You save $1,574.00)
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Shipping: Free Shipping

 

Retail: $3,439.00
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Retail:  $1,310.00
Your Price: $838.00
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This handy little item is a steal:

 Product Description
Hand Carved Mahogany 20"w x 12"d x 17"h

One Drawer W/Antique Brass Pull

RRP: $264.50
Your Price: $158.00

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There were three of these yesterday, I am contemplating two. 

Retail: $1,120.00
Your Price: $672.00
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These painted faux bamboo chairs are perfect for dining, bridge, or as occasional chairs.

Retail for a pair: $563.50
Your Price: $400.00 for a pair
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Pass the word to all your friends!!
Here is the link

The Hampton Designer Showhouse 2011 Presented by Traditional Home

I want to share some of our favorite designers featured in the Hampton Designer Showhouse.  I have a special place in my heart for Southampton Hospital, since I was taken to their emergency room in the 60's and was diagnosed with starvation--that will never happen again. I was staying at the famous old Murray-McDonnell compound, containing scores of grandchildren. They often fed us en-mass, outside, while I was engrossed with Red-Light/Green-light or, Mother May I. All of those twirling umbrella steps finally took me down. I would toss my food in the bushes, to stay in the game. Cleaving to the era, I was revived with Frosted Flakes. Things have changed.

Offered at $6,500,000, the Hamptons showcase house is a many gabled affair, with strapping design talent generating sell-out audiences. The living room was orchestrated by Lillian August designers, Skye Kirby Wescott and Angela Camarda. The room is furnished in furniture and upholstery carried by all of the five Lillian August Stores (Greenwich, CT, 2 in Norwalk CT, New York City, Los Angeles) as well as vintage finds. 

 

I often find myself trailing behind the Lillian August buyers at High Point, and admire the abundant vintage swag that is plastered with destinations for her eponymous stores. I have been lucky enough to find some of her Hickory White pieces in  Hickory, N.C. for local clients. 

Showcase houses are a great place for designers to flex their creative muscles. Drama and "Wow" factor rarely translate to "normal life," but the Hamptons Designer Showhouse walks the line to perfection. The branch canopy over the living room, bringing the outside in, strikes just the right chord.

 Eddie Lee's guest suite below is hip, yet still manages to be pretty. Are they mutually exclusive terms? I think not.

Eddie Lee explains:

"I designed it to be a comfortable lounge for house-guests to relax and entertain. The sofa is deep enough to double as twin beds to sleep guests with children in tow. 

Decoratively, I schemed the room from the view of the pool, and the lush green foliage from the windows. The washed out versions of the colors adorn the upholstery, carpet and ceiling, with purple and gold/brass accents. I used a combination of painted French and Swedish antiques, a 1970's lucite coffee table, a 1970's Venini chandelier, mid century modern style upholstery, and contemporary art to make the space feel Hamptons appropriate, but still dynamic and youthful." If I was moving in to this house, I'd take the whole room! Fun ceilings were a motif, and Tobi Fairley's guest bedroom did not disappoint. 

 

A fearless mixture of pattern and color, combined with bold graphics is one of Tobi Fairley's signatures. I said: "One of." She displays an operatic virtuoso, design range. You couldn't have more fun in a bedroom! Speaking of fun, going down to the basement, between the movie theater, game room and the lounge, you'll find yourself in a hip, swanky bar space by Wilhel interiors. 

Auction House alums Lisa Hilderbrand and Jeanette Weldon, founders of Welhil Interiors are all about savvy shopping for their clients.  The space is handsome, and welcoming, slightly masculine, and suitably nautical.  The walls are covered in a reflective, lacquered paper by Farrow and Ball, and the stunning bar crystal is Saint-Louis. Dmitri and Co., created the custom banquette worthy of propping the stylish pair--Nick and Nora Charles, of The Thin Man.  The classic bar is a vintage find that makes me want to dance backwards, in very high-heels. Mid-century crystal chandeliers, shiny brass accents, a Lucite tub chair, and the circa 1940 molded consoles by Paola Buffa, enhance the invitation to linger in a normally neglected space. Always put the liquor in transitional spaces. Your guests will gleefully fill the voids. 

 Through the hall, this sunny basement space is a delightful surprise. 

Now famous, Anne Maxwell Foster and Suysel DePedro Cunnigham of Tilton Fenwick, pair luscious, mossy velvet, back to back sofas to anchor the space in a way that works surprisingly well. I imagine the grown-ups with feet propped, reading the old National Geographics, while the children run circles around them.  We covered the Justin Belmont "Not a Gallery" digital painting above the Hickory chair console HERE. Note the subtle texture of the Phillip Jeffries wall paper.

I became seriously engrossed in their fantastic blog, where they share some terrific "Before" shots and renderings of the space. 

 

With the stark vista of stone steps, this cozy space becomes a balancing counter point to the glaring light of high July in the Hamptons. 

You can see how the room is grounded by the large verdigris lantern. This is a large house so we'll try to cover a few more designer interviews for you next week. More Later!!

The 2011 Hampton Designer Showhouse
Presented by Traditional Home
To Benefit Southampton Hospital

This year’s Showhouse is located at
1224 Scuttle Hole Road
Bridgehampton, NY
[ map]

Open Daily Monday to Sunday
Sunday July 24 to September 4
11AM to 5PM
Admission is $30 and includes a Journal.
Tickets may be purchased at the door or may be purchased in advance (click here).
No admission 30 minutes before closing.
No strollers, infants, children under 6, or pets are admitted.
House built by All Seasons General Contracting
House Designed by James Theiss - Architect

The Thin Man

Elevate Yourself at Penland School of Crafts!

Well, the heat is on, and if you want to elevate yourself and increase your coolness in more ways than temperature, go to Penland School of Crafts in the Great Smokey Mountains, near Asheville North Carolina. American craft work in textiles, silver, paper, metal, ceramics, photography--you name it, has been going on here, since the turn of the 20th century. It is a great story, of the right person at the right time. Initially, Penland was an Episcopalian mission school for the industrial arts, training and educating the neglected population. Miss Lucy Morgan arrived to teach, after studying weaving at Berea College, and shifted the emphasis to the traditional craft work of the area. Inspired by the Craft Revival Movement, Miss Lucy taught the mountain folk how to weave, actively marketing their goods at resorts and fairs, Miss Lucy dramatically changed lives by creating cottage industries in the region.  Miss Lucy embraced the gifts of her new, impoverished community, relishing, honing and preserving their skills. She arrived with respect versus reform. It is a life lesson for all of us.

Miss Lucy is shown with Edward Worst of Chicago. Worst was a prominent member of John Dewey's Progressive Education movement, and believed that handicrafts taught as experiential education was an integral part of mental development. Fueled by reactions to the industrial revolution, the Arts and Crafts movement, instigated by William Morris and John Ruskin in England, flooded unexpected tributaries in America. To me, these kindred Pre-Raphaelites lived in a time where rules were broken and individuality  reigned.  The Impressionists were turning Royal Academies upside down in Europe. Frank Lloyd Wright was changing Architecture in America and Miss Lucy was training mountain folk and consumers. She was singular, creative and confident, while persuading the Episcopalian bishop to continue to back an entirely new enterprise.

You have got to love this woman as a complete force of nature for her cause. This is her traveling log cabin that she took to resorts, the Chicago Exposition, and many state fairs selling the arts of her burgeoning collective of teachers and artists, on consignment. The beauty of it all, is that her emphasis on hearth work, allowed women to supplement their family incomes while staying at home, creating handicrafts of their own designs, as artists in their own right. Today, the area surrounding the school is a vibrant artists' enclave, many of whom have been associated with Penland, with many studios open to the public. There are many others in the surrounding counties which may be visited by appointment. The gallery staff can provide you with maps and information about these artists.

I was lucky enough to watch some of the classes in progress. My favorite was the pop-up book making class, taught by Colette Fu. 

My nice guide Marie shepherded me around. We lingered in glass blowing for awhile. 

The gallery exhibits the work of Penland instructors and regional associated artists, where you might discover the next big collectible, or just find something that makes you happy. 

William and Katherine Bernstein

Burnsville, N.C. 

Eliot Pujol

Session Two Instructor Fine Metals

99.9

$20,000.00

Frederick Birkhill

Session Two Instructor: Flameworking

Floral Goblets

$200.00 each

Penland is a very cool place to visit or study. I'm thinking of a photography course. The countryside is breath taking, and if you are up for an event, the food, fresh from the school's vast vegetable garden is scrumptious!  There is great music in the area, and Asheville is a beautiful city, with stunning old spa hotels.