High Point Market Report Day 3

Our day was spent pushing from showroom to showroom from all points of town.We crossed many things off our list and raced from elevators to stairs and escalators in an effort to get as many things as possible in. The day before our last day always brings a bit of panic into the plan! Oh. Dear. Tomorrow might be tense.

We spend time each market checking for new resources and seeing our favorites. It's tough to fit it all in! 

So....here's a few of the things I documented today for the sharing!

In the first show room we visited this morning, I spotted this chest. I tested it and it fits CD's perfectly! Mixed with modern elements, this stays in rank with that wonderful organic mix I love.

Here's a closer look!

We hunted down this comfy but stylish recliner...yes, a recliner!

 Another recliner, nail heads too!

You know my penchant for bird motifs...take a look at these cute wire sculptures. I put them on order right away.

 

Next time I'm asked for a suggestion for a center hall table, this is my pick. Stainless steel, architectural styling and mirrored top. Wow.

And just to show you that color abounds...this was my last snapshot while Jackie held the elevator! Not loving the style...but that color does make your heart race! 

 

 

Just one more day. Once again, stay tuned for more style reports. My feet can be traced for one more day!

Day 5 Style Picks

I love my blog! Blogging lets me share inspirations and express the joys of creativity. 

 We had a busy day today indeed. 61 photos later, I have edited the pool and will share the inspirations of the day.

 SO many inspirations today! 

There are always market trends in color. I know I've said that we are almost always ahead of the curve...but really, I painted my Buckingham location SW Yam (a great orange) almost 30 months ago! Recently, Pantone named their color of the year as a particular orange, and this market two colors predominated...

 ORANGE!  What's not to love?!  Check out these high style ottomans.

Orange, taupe (always a significant neutral) and white. Contrast, strong drama... style. That orange chair is calling my name as well. I'll get to the other significant color a bit later.

Strong contrast was abundant throughout most color stories. This season is not for the faint of heart in regards to color. Lime and eggplant. A most traditional print ( chinoisery toile) is shown in modern colors with a graphic print. Now that's a way to spin traditionalism with a modern twist.

 I love this settee shown in grey linen with nail head accents. The fan back shape and slight curve of the seat in simply engaging. I think this would be so fabulous in the curve of a large foyer staircase instead of the expected round table. Hmmmm. Who will do it?!

 How about this French inspired coffee table, combining a rather rustic cabriole leg with a reclaimed top? The size was what really gives it personality---about 6 feet long and 24" wide. This is a perfect fit to marry transitionalism with modernism. (Note the teal sofa in the background). Oops! There it is, the other significant color-Peacock. 

 

 Here is a great view of the juxtaposition of these styles. The color didn't translate very well from my photo, but peacock is an apt description of the true color. Over one year ago, I had a great project in Yardley, Pa. using this strong contrast color in a truly exciting design project for a visionary client. It was a bit outside the box then, but oh so current now. Love. It.

 Once again, chartreuse enters stage right. I have a client in a wonderful historic farm house who is looking for a piece of furniture for a large stone foyer (a room in itself). This may just be it!

 These beauties are coming in soon! I've had them before,but as previously stated, the trend wasn't fully embraced. Now, yes. Watch for them to appear in my windows soon! (I may take my pick first before offering them to my following).

 Several shapes and sizes...great color. No fail formula.

 I wanted to show this grande drum chandelier (check out the rope "chain") with this 10 foot table in order to show the scale. Burlap shade! Oh, that organic feel. Another style not to be ignored.

Could I possibly replace one of my vintage crystal chandeliers with such a statement?! Perhaps.

 At the end of the day, we met with a favorite resource for style! These large format photos framed in rustic reclaimed wood just stole my heart- all personal family photos taken by the owner of the firm and coll aged to make a real statement-a great statement!

This design would be perfect for a large foyer or rear hall, two story great room...perhaps the master hall or sitting room. If you have the perfect place for these, give me a call. I can't wait!

 I reordered these creative tea towels. You may have seen them previously in my merchandise mix. Watch for them to come back again, along with several new offerings from this cute designer. 

 The organic look is yet another trend that has made its mark. Look at these storage boxes made from reclaimed wood. I would have loved to have that mud room box in the day of my young motherhood life. *sigh*

But you can still have them! Give me a call.

Lastly, at the end of the day, I found this covetous item. That's me standing next to the stallion just to show you the size. It's a bit difficult to tell, but it is entirely coated in charcoal glitter...a good example of glitter gone wrong. 

You too, can own this for a mere $9000.00. I'll be waiting for your call.

Tomorrow, day 6. More style searching.

Style Report Day 4-All About Color!

Our goal today was to cover four full floors of our favorite showrooms. Lofty.

As we were heading towards the elevators, we took a look at some display windows spotlighting new products. We were drawn to this interesting lamp...

 (closeup of shade)

 How many should I order?!

 

 We always come prepared to source special needs for clients. I found this spectacular over sized lidded urn in the most fabulous sea salt color...so breathtaking. I can picture it in her dramatic foyer on either side of the front door. (Hope she likes it as much as I!)

 I placed an order for these cream-ware oval compotes. The modern design brings them into the here and now. Can you just picture these filled with mosses and succulents? Yes, please.

 As I stated, color reigned the day. Those of you who know me well, know that I wasn't disappointed in this bevy of beauties. Chartreuse soldiers of drama. Aaah.

 In the world of design, wall coverings are making a big come back in a very graphic way. I could really live with this one. Slate gray, modern, dramatic. Love. This.

We came across these modular cube tables. Exciting colors! Taupe, orange, grey. They are marketed to mix and match...you purchase multiple tables in one solid color and then re-stack-thus, the mix and match!  The high lacquer finish was perfect! A bit price-y, but definitely a consideration . High style.

 Last market, the trend of sculptural art like this was just beginning to emerge. We saw more of it today and I quite like it! I have had several porcelain flowers at Black-eyed Susan since I used them in the Bucks County Designer House in May. (See earlier post.) I've reordered them multiple times. Watch to see these soon at my store. It's a great alternative to framed wall art. (For more ideas on "My Idea of Art" check out my Pinterest board with this title).

 How would you like this glamorous leaded glass as a centerpiece?! It was filled only with a number of heart shaped exotic leaves in graduating lengths. (There's a little distraction behind it with the orange...but what better color to distract?!)

 There is still a large influence of French inspired furniture. The mix of this classic style punctuated with modern accents is so stylish! I took notes on this great cupboard with French wire doors for a project I'm just beginning in Bucks County. Pale grey blue, slightly distressed and with dramatic height. It's perfect.

 Towards the end of the day, we stopped in another rug showroom and landed on this taupe and citron Ikat design rug! Kristy, this could be you! Great sizes and prices-good combination. I love a good deal as much as the next person. Success.

Here's another example of the power of color. You've heard me say before that "paint is my magic wand"...look at this! Persimmon accents. I'll also tell you that any stag, deer, or moose with horns is an important motif currently. We saw loads in all colors and sizes. I just finished a dining room project for a favorite client . We hung a wall full of assorted white ceramic safari mounts. Pretty cool! I'll post some photos of that soon.

I also spent some time musing on ideas for my own home re-style. There's so much stimulating stylish options out there. I can't wait and I'm sure you'll enjoy the progress reports as I move forward.

Another successful day and a few more to come. Stay tuned for more pure style.

High Style!

The Bucks County Designer House held it's annual "Meet the Designers" night tonight.

Well attended, Juliana and I hosted our room . We greeted guests with enthusiastic explanations for my lipstick pink high gloss walls, Sunbrella dining chairs with rhinestone tufts, and zebra rug. We handed out stacks of photo postcards (our room in photography) with an enticing 20% offer to visit Black-eyed Susan. All in all, our room was a hit and very well received!

At the end of the night, on the heels (excuse the pun!) of a comment regarding my aching feet, I recounted a segment that I had seen on a national morning show this morning. It seems there is one Doctor who feels that wearing high heels has a link to cancer. He touts that any stress is a factor in cancer and high heels definitely equate to stress.

Let me just say that Juliana is my one staff member who could rival my choice of high heels on a daily basis. After I had retold the story and as we commiserated together about the state of our toes, she said very seriously,  "Well, high heels can bring on nausea" . I cracked up laughing!!

So, for your enjoyment, we took these photos of our individual choice of shoes.

Juliana in purple/hot pink and me in metallic graphite...

In our defense, we asked out neighbor designer, Mark to take our photo...I guess he didn't get the significance of this documentation!

*Note the zebra rug!*

I don't think either one of us will be making a change towards practical shoes any time soon.

Style. It's all about style.  The hot pink high gloss walls speak pretty loudly for style as well.