The Down Low on the Update

Thomasville featuring Eastern Accents bedding, Photo credit: Ansley Nguyen

Think traditional. No, no. Not that traditional. It isn’t old, it isn’t drab, it isn’t stuffy and boring. It is cultured, it has a story, it is exciting. Well, at least it is now. Thomasville furniture has brought a new light to the traditional style– the company has kept the wonderful quality it is known for while bringing that update that everyone desires.

The Thomasville showroom at Market this fall gave a wonderful peek into the updates they are bringing to traditional furniture. Clean lines, custom headboards, and new fabric options bring an exciting contemporary feel to the brand so synonymous with classic pieces. Pairing the beautiful bedding from Eastern Accents made the settings even more warm and inviting as we walked through.

Forget heavy, dark, and drab. The Thomasville collection this year took the classic structure and made it modern. They made it relevant. They brought true timelessness to the traditional line they created, and in doing so have solidified their place as a top design pick.

Inside Out

Mulloy Residence featuring Lane Venture furniture, Photo credit: Frisco Style

“Our interiors are an extension of our personality… [and] it is important to take your interiors outside.” -Martyn Bullard

No words have ever rung so true than those spoken by the wonderful Martyn Bullard. So many people often forget to extend their interiors to the great outdoors, and in doing so they forgo so much space that is open for them to use. But there are no excuses to give up that space when such beautiful outdoor furniture is available.

Sadly, beautiful isn’t enough. Many companies fall short in durability, customization options, and selection. But there is hope! Enter Lane Venture. The options you get with the furniture are outstanding. The quality is the best of the best, the durability unparalleled. I’m talking 365 days of sun, rain, wind, heat, and cold and it holds up and keeps it’s integrity. Every piece is crafted to stay outdoors all year long, with special fabrics and cushions that don’t need replacing every season.

Monogramming is available on these chairs! Photo credit: Ansley Nguyen

Lane Venture has always been a favorite of mine, whether it is theirtraditional collection or the swanky collections by Raymond Waites. The company has always had an eye for bringing the indoors outside and completely fulfilling what Martyn expressed. Furniture is made to be enjoyed, and Lane Venture makes it pleasing not only to the eyes but to the body as well. With a multitude of fabric options (some are reversible– talk about serious options!) and a wide array of paint choices, the combinations are endless. Individual personality and unity come together with the monogramming options and beautiful patterns, so really, what more could you ask for?

Raymond Waites for Lane Venture, Photo Credit: Ansley Nguyen

What about some more Raymond Waites? Well, sure! I have always felt so connected with his style and the depth that he brings to his designs. The structure of the pieces is phenomenal and unique, and the textures, patterns, and colors he uses complete the pieces that he creates. I even StyleSpotted one of his sofas from High Point Market! The shape of it was so dramatic yet so incredibly beautiful and inviting, and it seemed to bring life the the room. And I can personally say that Raymond has always had a flair for the dramatics and over-the-top designs, but he does it in a way that is controlled and elegant, so his pieces can be used in any setting.

Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens

Photo Credit: Ansley Nguyen

You know those times when people ask you to pick three of your favorite things out of a list, but you can’t decide because you love them all? Imagine picking between fifteen and twenty-five out of thousands of items. Now talk about being indecisive!

Does indecisiveness occur? Yes. But, oh, how fun it was to walk around ogling at all the beautiful things Market had to offer! Being a Style Spotter at Market was such a great experience, and it allowed not only the opportunity to bring the spotlight to some of my favorite things, but also to foster wonderful relationships. Meeting and spending time with fellow Spotters Tobi Fairley, Lisa Ferguson, Jennifer Brouwer, Meg Biram, Julieann Covino, Wanda Horton, and Heather Clawson allowed me to take a look into the unique and wonderful styles that others might have, and gave us opportunities to discuss our favorites.

There was no restriction on what we as Spotters could choose– it could be lamps, linens, pillows, rugs, a clock, a painting– anything! Anything at all that we found interesting that suited our style. Several items I chose had more than just an intriguing look about them. They had amazing stories behind them (something I talked about in a previous blog) that made them even more beautiful.

So how did I choose? After finding an item, I would ask about it– not just who made it and what it is called, but what was the inspiration? How did the idea for this come about? So what are a few of my favorite things (hint: the list does not include dogs barking or bees stinging, but it does include the Bees Knees!)? They are all pinned on Pinterest, an online pinboard where you can share all of your favorite things as well! Go to High Point Market’s Spotter page to find out more and request your invite to join in! Once you log in, you can head to Pinterest.com/highpointmarket and follow us! Be sure to re-pin your favorites and let us know what you think!

A True Piece of “Work”

Roger's Writing Desk Photo Credit: Ansley Nguyen

The office is a crucial part of the home for the working professional. It doesn’t matter the career path, it just matters to get the work done. But just because something is functional doesn’t mean it can’t be elegant. Making a beautiful workplace can not only inspire you, but can also soothe you. You see, beautiful things have an interesting duality to them. They can arouse you, soothe you, move you, calm you.

Lexington’s Mirage collection features the Roger’s Writing Desk that brings all of these elements to the table (pun intended). Modern design and traditional grandeur come together in an exquisite way to create this piece of art. Sleek and simple lines make it a piece fit to work on. The dark stain of the wood brings a streamlined yet natural effect that contrasts beautifully with the modern composition of the legs.

Going back to nature seems to calm the mind. It forms habit that becomes part of our regular routine. And what better way to go through that normal day-to-day grind on a desk that is all but normal?

High Point Market October 2011 #HPmkt

Elaine on day one of Market Photo Credit: Ansley Nguyen

Ah, market. The highlight of the year, where new pieces and new collections are highlighted and past collections get reinvented. It is where designers, vendors and artists meet and create new connections and friends, and where they can expand the amount of people their products reach.

This year, Market added Style Spotters to go around and choose up to 25 of their favorite things from around the showrooms– furniture, art, accessories– anything that caught their eye and proved worth mentioning. I am blessed to have been able to be step in for Franki Durbin as a Spotter. It has not only allowed me to let the public know about some of my favorite finds, but has allowed me to meet some truly amazing people along the way. I met bloggers Danielle Hatfield, Jennifer Brouwer, Leslie Carothers, Lisa Ferguson, Stacy Naquin, Susan Rapp, Jennifer Reynolds, and Becky Freeman– all women that inspired me to write the blog I am typing right now.

Market is more than just about the furniture. It is about the stories and experiences of the friends you make and the creators you meet. Those are the memories that stay with you and build lifelong relationships and the true love between a designer and a piece. In the two days that I have known these women, we have formed such wonderful bonds and I know that we will continue to be friends for many markets to come.

But stories don’t only matter when you consider the people you meet. Every piece of furniture must have a story for it to have meaning and give life to a room. Like the Black and White Hand-Creweld Chair from C.R. Laine. It was creweled by a village family in the mountains of Kasmir, carried down via donkey and flown to the U.S. Right after reaching customs, the fabric gets washed and sent directly to C.R. Laine to be placed on the furniture. Or The Giving Tree by Seth Marksberry, at Charles Harold Company. The painting is the second in a series of six that is a beautiful interpretation of the children’s book, and this particular piece is the phase of the boy’s life where he is happiest. It is layered, textured, and complicated and just like the life that the boy leads. Those are the stories that count. Those are the stories that matter. After all, without stories and memories, what joy would there be in the adventures of life?