Trend-Setting Update – The 70’s Are Back!

This just in:

My previous blog post, “What’s Trending? -  Past Meets Present In Interior Design” , proved to be a spot on observation of what’s heading our way. 

Every now and then, I do have to give myself a pat on the back!

Groovy! ~ Wanda

Birthdays, Pumpkins, and the High Point Furniture Market

I’ll be the first to admit, some of my blogposts may seem like an exercise in free word association.  I remember as a small child, I was told I had the “gift of gab”, and I’m sure for the most part, it was meant in the “nicest sort of way”.  (If you knew my father, you would understand how I dove headfirst into that gene pool!)  I always promise to get to the point . . . eventually, via “a long story short”!

I used to be one of those people who would tend to ignore any hoopla around my birthday, as I thought passing a certain landmark, without any acknowledgement, might somehow create a magic age reversal.  Now, I embrace how the wisdom of gaining a few extra years and experience, should be a full-on celebration! 

(The early years:  Here I am on my Grandpa Blackwelder’s lap.  As to why we both look so solemn, I have no idea!  In grade school, I always loved cupcakes instead of having a birthday cake.  I think it was because everyone could have their own pumpkin candy decoration, too.)

Because my birthday is in October, I’ve always been partial to everything related to the vivid fall season.  I love the colors, the crisp crunch of leaves, and the cooler breezes.  As a child, I always had to tune into Charlie Brown’s “Great Pumpkin”, as I knew it meant my birthday and Halloween wouldn’t be too far away.  And . . . yes, I do love pumpkins!  The shape, the color, the flavor . . .  Well, they are nature’s equivalent to being a fat, jolly elf, in my eyes.

 

(Need inspiration for some fabulous pumpkin carving designs?  Look no further than the pages of Country Living Magazine!  These are just a sampling of how far your imagination can take you.)

(Just a hint about a wonderful color palette, seen at the High Point Market, and shown in this lovely design by Stephen Shubel.  Call it Persimmon, Caramel, L’orange – or – Pumpkin!  I even think the ribbing in the bench fabric refers back to the texture of that glorious gourd!  Future market posts to come!)

(I updated a traditional dining room, with deep persimmon walls, and had the glaze combed for added texture.)

By now you are probably agreeing with the first comments about my posts being a free association of words!  How on earth does this tie into the world of the High Point Furniture Market?  If you haven’t guessed, my birthday is this week and being at this beautiful event has been like a full-blown celebration!  I’ve seen so many friends, both old and new.  (You see, I love Twitter and Facebook and have found both to be a hugely supportive and connective community.)  I’ve attended so many functions, where I’ve met some of my favorite designers, caught up on everyone’s lives and business happenings, been inspired to be more and do more, and it has been a real design love fest. 

I’ve felt like Cinderella in the midst of a wonderful ball!  Even if my coach turned into this:

. . . I would be just fine!

Have a happy day!  Wanda

PS – I’ve got one more day of market so stay-tuned for future, fab blogposts as I share my design updates.

Easing Into Green Design

As a consumer, if you aren’t familiar with the Sustainable Furnishings Council, let me take a brief moment to introduce you to them and why this connection will be a valuable tool as you make your next furniture buying decisions.  I do promise to be brief as I’m working fast and furious so that I’ll be ready to get to all of the showrooms during my upcoming trip to the High Point Furniture Market.  I’ll also give you great links so that you can further explore some of the details! 

(A composite of manufacturers who belong to the Sustainable Furnishings Council.)

As a Charlotte, NC area interior designer, I know the jury may still be out, regarding green or sustainable design practices, mostly due to concerns about this being a “trend” or just some type of marketing tool, as well as the expectation it will create higher costs.  I do find; however, when I have a client who is getting ready to plan a nursery or a small child’s room, there is great attention paid to the sourcing of the furnishings, the bedding, and how we treat surfaces, such as the floor, walls, and ceiling, so as to keeping the environment as non-toxic as possible.  It’s certainly understandable that any parent would desire to provide their children with the best possible place to be nurtured, not only by them, but by their home.  Here’s the catch . . . What’s happening in the rest of the house?  Living goes on outside of the nursery and/or the playroom doors.  And, shouldn’t the rest of the family members and visitors receive the best of which any interior environment can offer? 

  

(Great examples of “pretty”, green design from SFC members.  Click on a photo to visit their websites!) 

Wouldn’t it be nice to take some of the guesswork out of the process of making selections?  First, part of that responsibility falls on my shoulders, as your interior designer.  My charge is to be sure I learn as much as I can about the various sources, not only from the way they manufacture their products, but equally important would be how they travel to get to the consumer.  I also want to see if the vendor offers an aesthetic quality and comfort, which would be pleasing to my clients.  What makes the process much easier is knowing about the Sustainable Furnishings Council and the manufacturers who have been able to join as members.  Just being able to head to their website and browse the roster gives me a valuable tool to share with clients and the consumer public.  (An important note:  Some of the manufacturers, who are SFC members, may not have updated their websites, to acknowledge their memberships, and there are some manufacturers who do subscribe to green practices, who may not be members of the SFC.)  The benefit I can share, from my attendance at the High Point Furniture Market, will be seeing most of these sources, firsthand!

I’ll admit, I’m a discerning client, too.  I like to take my time to research and discover all of the details before I decide to make purchases, not only for my own home, but for my clients, as well.  I’m easing into the world of green design and thank you for allowing me to share my newfound knowledge with you!

Take a softer step to leave a smaller footprint.  All my best! ~ Wanda

Sourcing Interior Inspirations – Why I Go to High Point

“The next six days that matter.”

 

A most distinct privilege, as an interior designer, is to have entree to one of the best furniture shows in the world . . . in High Point, North Carolina.  Even though I’m able to take more frequent advantage of visits, as I live a short drive away, I never take for granted the special access I am able to have to such a huge variety of trade and industry-only showrooms!  With over 11.5 million square feet of showroom space, (yes, this isn’t a typo), I can’t even begin to cover every venue in the six days of this show.  Aside from examining and experiencing the many product lines, there are all sorts of events, seminars, and exchanges of new concepts in design.  While it can be quite a bit to process, I always come back energized from being immersed in the field I so love!

(Trend predictions?  We’ll see a continuation of:  classic, modern, new traditional, jeweled tones, mixed metals, painted finishes, Asian flair & bold graphics.  This room, bathed in purple and accented in gray, is indicative of the trends experienced in the European shows.)

Since the market is geared towards appealing to our visual sense, I’m going to step back and let you “stroll” the virtual halls and buildings with me, via a sneak preview.  I’ll unveil my market finds, in a follow-up post.  You’ll be in the “know”, even before some home design magazines hit the newsstands!

On the morning of October 17th, I’ll be having breakfast with Barry Dixon!  (Well, actually, he will be the guest speaker for the WITHIT Education Breakfast.)

As a WITHIT member, I’m excited to be able to hear this world renowned interior designer expound on his presentation, “Organically Inspired: Referencing the Natural World Beyond the Window in the Modern Interior”.  I’m a huge admirer of his work and can’t wait to see more!  (And for a 7:30 am breakfast, you know I have to be a BIG fan!)

Some of the vendors will be unveiling new showrooms.  Hickory Chair and Pearson are moving to the North Hamilton complex.  They will be in fine company with several other distinctive manufacturers.

Not only will Hickory Chair be in an exciting new showroom, they will be the location for several fabulous market events!  If you are in the industry, come meet up with your Twitter & Facebook Design friends on October 17th!

 

 

For the past eleven years, I’ve considered Pearson as my “go-to” line, for some of the industry’s finest quality upholstery.  I think they offer wonderful construction, comfort and fabulous custom options!  In comparing their pricing with some of the well-known catalog companies, they bring a higher value story to my clients.  I love that they are a North Carolina manufacturer, about ten minutes from the center of the High Point Market.  The food concept of, “from farm to table”, is not too far-fetched, in parallel, when I’m able to provide the Pearson experience to my clients.  I can have it delivered directly from the plant to their home.  I not only consider how products are made, I also consider how far they have to travel to a destination.  Pearson allows me to bring clients to the showroom, between markets, for a hands-on shopping experience!

While at market, I’ll be on the prowl for some great accessories!  These are the “icing on the cake” items which can take a simple setting from dull to divine.  I zero in on great lamps as they can serve the multi-purpose of function and fashion.  If a room needs a new life, I’ll often scrutinize the lamps to see if they are up to par.  (No lighting pun intended!)

(Lamps are taking their cue from organic shapes, with the ever popular gourd lamp still holding its own.  Asian influences have been very strong, as the historic, clean lines work well with almost any style and period in design.  Drum shades, which once graced 50’s & 60’s retro decor, will probably be interpreted from simple to pleated, and I hope, with a few more edge details.  Of course, one can always add a bit of trim or braid, for a personal touch.)

A new exhibitor, for the upcoming market, will be Snug Furniture, a truly artistically inspired line of casegoods and upholstery. According to Snug’s Creative Director, Maybelline Te, “Snug Furniture explores shapes and forms that are both fresh and familiar. Each artistic design reflects the essence of the Snug Life---functional | beautiful | personal comfort that is truly at home now.”  I had the honor and privilege to feature the Cocoon Chairs, shown below, at a tabletop event in the Charlotte area.  I’m so excited for my dear friend, Maybelline, as she and her partner, Alex Hendricks, will share the Snug lifestyle in their Interhall Showroom!

 (Snug’s sculptural pieces can be appreciated in all types of interiors.)

A doyenne of interior style, Bunny Williams, will also be debuting her BeeLine Home collection, during the fall market.  She has written several books about the subject of interior design.  Her experience, at the famed Parish-Hadley design firm, as well as her accomplished career at her own firm, Bunny Williams, Inc., brings her talent full-circle with this lovely line!  Her collection will be found in the Wesley Hall Showroom, at 310 North Hamilton.

Looking for the true one-of-a-kind piece?  The Antique and Design Center will definitely be on my agenda for a visit.  This new venue will be opening with a preview on Friday evening, October 15th.  With over 50,000 square feet of treasures from all over the world, their website declares the showroom to be “swoon worthy”.  I can’t wait to see if that’s true.  (And hopefully there will be an early 20th century fainting couch to catch me!)

Meanwhile, a first, not only for the High Point Furniture Market but also for the home furnishings industry, will be the big reveal of the winner of Project U Design on October 20th!  (You can read all about it in my previous post.)  There are now three finalists . . . students from the Savannah College of Art and Design, who will be waiting with baited breath to see if their wing chair design will be selected to be produced by Century Furniture.  I can only imagine, when I was a student, what an impact this might have had on my career!  Be sure to cast your vote for your favorite chair.  Just click on the link, below. 

Yes, my dance card will be full, as I waltz down the side streets and aisles of a wonderful world, filled with design inspiration!  I’m reviewing my market books, my wish lists, and I’ll have my camera ready to take it all in.  One of the reasons folks hire an interior designer is to help them sort through all of the choices and to provide the best possible options for creating a surrounding that say’s, “Hello, I’m home.”  For that, I’ll put on my best walking shoes and hit the market trail! 

(In my humble opinion, comfy feet = happy market!)

Shouldn’t you experience the best about design?  I’m just a phone call away!

All my best!  Wanda

Some other great lines to see, while at market:

John Strauss Furniture and TLS by Design – Showplace

Eloquence – Interhall

Scott Thomas – 525 North Wrenn – Tomlinson Bldg - *New Location

Making A Beautiful Choice in Interior Design

 

Sustainable . . . It’s not exactly a word which brings to mind a sultry, sexy image.  In fact, the concept can be so complex it can create a bit of a yawn. 

Paul Hawken has said:   "Sustainability is about stabilizing the currently disruptive relationship between earth’s two most complex systems—human culture and the living world.” 

A titillating discussion for some, while not so much for others.  I promise, if you’ll stick with me, this post will become more exciting!  (And if you’re an interior designer, who will be attending the High Point Furniture Market, you should continue to read on to the end.  There’s a juicy tid-bit waiting just for you! . . . No reading backwards, either!)

First, here’s the “skinny” on BiOHpolyols ' Project UDesign:

It’s a contest, in collaboration with the Savannah College of Art and Design (On Twitter as @SCADdotedu), Century Furniture, and Toray Ultrasuede, to crowdsource the next generation sustainable wing chair.  (Crowdsourcing is simply where a group or community is asked to participate,through an open call, in order to collaborate on an idea or a project.)  In the case of Project U Design, you get to help to decide, (via your vote), which design, created by one of the students at SCAD, moves forward to actually be manufactured by Century Furniture, a truly glam furniture manufacturer who also happens to be interested in incorporating eco-friendly, sustainable products into their production process.  Beauty isn’t always in the eyes of the beholder, it’s behind the scenes, too!

There are currently six designs and five semi-finalist students in competition for the decision. Between now and Oct. 3rd at 11: 59 pm, everyone can vote for the three finalists. They will be selected only by those who vote online and the 3 finalists will be announced on Monday, Oct. 4th on www.facebook.com/BiOHFans.   

(Okay, I promised to spice things up so I thought you might enjoy a visual reference for all of the key partners in this historical design adventure.  The Tortoise Chair is one of the six designs, for which you can place your vote.  You’re getting warm if you’re wondering about my vote.)

(The Tortoise Chair, designed by Colin Jones.  You can click on this picture to read his comments about this design’s inspiration.)

How can you place your vote?

The voting for the three finalists, (who will be announced on Oct. 4th), will end at 11: 59pm, Tuesday, Oct. 19th. The designer of the chair who has the most votes will win. The winner will be chosen only by online votes and none of the partners or related parties have any say so in the winner. It is completely the public's choice.

What will the winner receive?  (Aside from your vote of confidence?)

1. A thousand dollars from BiOH – immediately!  (What budding new designer couldn’t benefit from that?)

2. Their winning design will be produced and put into Century's regular line up for intro at the Spring 2011 HP Market!  (Can you imagine?  I would have to be tied down with a ton of bricks to keep from hitting the ceiling!)

3. The winning student will be paid royalties by Century on all sales of their winning chair, once it's produced! (Mom and Dad would sure be proud to know “sustainable” could live up to it’s other application!)

4. A lot of publicity!  (You can say you knew them “when” and helped to put them in the pages of “House Beautiful”, “Forbes”, “The New York Times”, or perhaps they’ll even be chatting it up online, with you, as they develop their next big idea!)

Now for My Big Reveal!

For those of you who don’t know me, I’m southern born and bred.  Having created interiors in the Charlotte, NC area, for the last fourteen-plus years, I like to say I have a foot in the past, (as I have an affinity for antiques and history), but with an eye towards the future.  I happily embrace the style which is being referred to the “New Traditional” or “New Classic”.  The Tortoise Chair, by Colin Jones, appears as if it would nest just as comfortably within an antebellum estate or in a mid-century modern ranch.

(Please click on my inspiration board to enlarge it for a better view.)

When I looked at Colin’s design, I thought about some long past days when I was in interior design school.  I imagined it might be fun to see if I could utilize the colors of my alma mater, East Carolina University.  They aren’t always the first hues I would think about bringing into an interior – purple and gold – but then . . . 1.  I am an interior designer, after all, and I should be able to address most design requests  . . . and . . . 2.  Purple has been making a grand entrance at recent market events. 

(This was my color combo challenge!  How well did I do?)

Thanks to Alluminaire.com, I was able to create a custom shade, for a ceiling pendant fixture, which helped me to incorporate another accent color, timely for the fall season. . . Pumpkin!  I also added in a little gray as I envisioned it to be the background color of the walls in this room.  (Painted in Sherwin William’s Harmony paint, of course!)  It was fun, as well, to peruse some of the latest runway fashion statements, as I knew those trends can eventually work their way into the lines created for home interiors.  I loved this photo of singer, Joss Stone.  She had the perfect backdrop as she posed in her embroidered silk dress and with a lovely plum shock of hair!  (I could just envision that dress being made from some draperies yanked down from windows, Scarlett O’Hara style.)  I decided to tweak the original chair’s covering and selected Wild Plum from Ultrasuede’s line-up of eco-friendly fabrics.  (A soft landing at the end of a hard day.)  Duralee provided a great little accent pillow fabric with their line from Clodagh - coincidently, in the color pumpkin!  The modular carpet tiles, from Flor, offered a curvilinear backdrop as well as the “Sensuous” gourd vases from a local Charlotte area gallery, Red Sky.

Good design should always be about making a beautiful choice.  The beauty of the choice will be the one where it’s based on being all about you!  As a designer, I bring it to your home with the selection, the knowledge, and a bit of gentle guidance. 

Please be sure to vote.  The industry needs your feedback to develop sustainable products, which are stable, sultry, and sexy!

PS – I didn’t forget my interior designer friends!  Are you attending the High Point Fall Market?  Be sure to put October 18th at 5pm on your calendar.  All registered market/trade attendees are invited to share time with the traditional shelter print press in the Century Furniture showroom.  It’s a great opportunity for mixing and mingling.  Come meet the folks involved in creating your favorite publications!

Perfect Pairings In Design

High Point Market ~ #Details in Design ~ “Shorts” #1

Upon returning from the High Point Spring Market, I’ve had a lot of inquiries about I what I thought might be trending.  There is so much to cover, one post can’t do it all justice, so I’m going to pop in what I’ll call, “High Point Market Shorts”.  I promise to “keep my long stories short”, as I know visuals are always much more fun!

Back to this pairings post . . . I noticed, as I went from showroom to showroom, there were lots of happy couplings – and no, I’m not talking about reps who had been working way too many hours together!  Lamps, vases, pictures, tables, chairs, loveseats and sofas, shelves – just about anything imaginable had been neatly placed, side-by-side.  While designers might think we should be challenged to find a different way to display or plan a space, I think we are simply looking towards make rooms feel less cluttered, more balanced, and well . . . even more intimate.

  (This perfect “couple” greets you in the entryway!  - Councill Showroom)

So, without further adieu, I’ve created a little video for some of my market photos.  I hope you’ll keep checking back, as I’ll be posting more of my observations.  (You can turn off your sound, if you prefer to view in silence.)

Cheerful Pairings to You!  Wanda

On The Road Again – To Market

A High Point Market Countdown ~ “Details in Design” ~ #6

In about 48 hours, the town of High Point will resume a slightly slower pace.  Market shuttles will be parked away until the crisp October breezes blow and the next whirlwind of activity begins.  I’m making one more round trip to make sure I haven’t left any stone unturned, before Thursday, the last day.

(A lovely setting of seating in the Pearson showroom.)

I enjoy visiting new vendors. It’s exciting to see what they can bring to the world of design, with their fresh and new concepts.  I’m also thankful to see vendors who’ve been “around the block”, a time or two.  There’s comfort in knowing, even in some challenging times, they are still able to provide designers with a trusted resource and quality product.  I like knowing, that even while I may not be the largest account they will see at the market, they will take care of me as if I might be designing a project for the White House.  (And, one never knows what might be ahead!)

(Parker Southern not only offers this lovely chair in a multitude of leather, the embossed design can be customized to fit Coats of Arms and company logos.)

So . . .  Thank you, Maria Sanford, customer service rep extraordinaire, with Pearson Furniture.  You are always so patient with my questions about customization and “how soon can I get it?”  Thanks to all of the folks at Parker Southern, who welcomed a new designer, many years ago into your showroom, and helped me put together my first opening order.  (And I’m so glad “Mamaw Starnes” still makes us boxes of her pecan tarts.)  Thanks to everyone, in this fine industry, who makes my work such a pleasant process, as I act as the liaison between the client and the vendor, in creating special places for people to live and work.  You deserve a hand – and probably a well-deserved rest!

 

Until next market . . .

Three cheers to all!  Wanda

My First Blog Contest!!

A High Point Market Countdown ~ “Details in Design” ~ #4

I'm very pleased to share my first blog contest with you!  If you’ve logged onto my BlogSpot:  http://interiorconceptsbywanda.blogspot.com/ – be sure to leave your comments on any posts, which include the words, "Details in Design", and I'll enter you into a drawing for a $75.00 gift certificate to: Wisteria - http://www.wisteria.com/  You can log-in to post a comment with most Google, Wordpress, LiveJournal, or other types of accounts. 

I love these Swedish style headboards.  This is a cool bedroom for spending hot summer nights!

Contest Expires:  April 30, 2010.  The winner will be announced May 1st on my blog.  Prize must be claimed by May 30, 2010

Thanks for entering and best of luck!

Cheerful comments!  Wanda

The Finishing Line

A High Point Market Countdown ~ “Details in Design” ~ #3

It has been my experience, if I ask almost any man about painting over a stained wood finish, it will elicit a facial expression somewhere between shock and horror.  I’ve witnessed this, firsthand, in my own household – and I’m an interior designer!  (I emphasized the “I’m” as it doesn’t seem to carry much weight in the opinion department.)  Nevertheless, if one sees it already applied by the manufacturer, well then, it must be perfectly acceptable.  I do want to offer a disclaimer . . . I’m not suggesting painting over any precious antique or artifact.  I would certainly defer to the advice of the Keno brothers before lifting a brush to Napoleon’s grandmother’s Recamier!

I did notice, at the fall High Point Market, painted or special finishes were popping up all over the place.  I would imagine we’ll see this trending even deeper at the spring show.  People are long past the concept of purchasing suites of furniture.  It’s more about the process of collecting and layering rooms.  Painted pieces, or even pieces incorporating exotic woods and finishes, are a way to add interest and whimsy.  We always can use a bit more whimsy, in my opinion.  Who wants to live in a stuffy space?

I love this line-up of chairs from Century’s Oscar de la Renta collection.  Wouldn’t you just expect to see a rainbow of colors against the “Cloud” finish?

This étagère from Councill Furniture sizzles in the color “Pepper”.

Metallic finishes will continue to be strong.  This French style chest, from Currey & Company, would be so “oooo la la” against lacquered walls in aubergine. 

These chests from Shine by S.H.O. demonstrate how a change of finish gives a whole new vibe to the same design.  One is in a lacquered white and the other is in a natural cerused white oak veneer.  (A cerused finish is very much the same as a “limed” finish.  An open grained wood has a special finish applied, in white or grey tones, where the remainder of the wood tone is allowed to show through.  See my recent newsletter tab for an article on this technique.)

Here are some examples of finishes and wood species, which are used to create little jeweled pieces of furniture.

A spoon foot, cabriole leg is often found in more traditional furniture pieces.  Look at how this splash of sunshine changes ones perspective!  Even with a deep, mohair cover, whimsy lives on.  (And you know how I feel about whimsy!)

Wishing you colorful cheers!  Wanda