High Point: Layered Coffee Tables

You expect nesting side tables but at High Point I noticed layered coffee tables. These are from Dwell Studio. They offer visual interest with their varied height and extra surface area for both a tablescape and empty space for setting down wine glasses or plates - who doesn't need that during a party! (That's Christian of Maison 21 and Ashlina of the The Decorista reflected in the mirror. It was great fun to meet them.)
If you look closely you'll notice there are 3 tables (above).
These clean lined layered tables are from Drexel Heritage.

Although I didn't see these layered tables at the Oly Studio High Point showroom, they are featured in an ad in this month's Elle Decor.

I like the idea of layered coffee/cocktail tables - do you?

Market, Take 2

As I alluded to in my last post, I got to see/meet a few well-known designers while at the High Point Market. So, before I get to showing you more pretty furniture, accessories, etc., I thought I would divulge an exciting tidbit of information - Mary McDonald likes my jewelry! If you don't believe me, here's how she signed my book . . .

Okay, so it's not earth-shattering news, but I must admit I was thrilled with the compliment. I'm shallow, what can I say? What jewelry was she referring to, might you ask? This horn cuff I love dearly . . . 

She even asked where I got it and said she might have to copy me. I said I would be honored. I may have even gushed a little or a lot. When I get starstruck, I tend to babble. So, before I said anything really stupid, I moved on and let Kristen get her book signed. Here's Mary chatting with Kristen. 

Mary looked very chic in a fur vest showcasing her toned arms.

In case you're wondering, Mary was extremely friendly, nice and genuine. She even told Kristen that they made her out to seem like kind of a bitch on Million Dollar Decorators, but that she's really just "funny." I believe her. And her book is great. There, I'll quit fawning now. Unfortunately, I didn't get to meet Martyn Lawrence Bullard (see him in the background). I bought Mary's book and Suzanne Kasler's (whom I also got to meet briefly and who signed my book; she was also lovely) at the book signing. I had already bought Undecorate earlier in the day and had Christiane Lemieux of DwellStudio sign it after hearing her speak. After flipping through Martyn's book, I decided to pass. No offense, Martyn. I only had so much room in my luggage for heavy coffee table books.

Okay, on to the pretty stuff at market . . . No surprise, that I was sucked in by the Jonathan Adler showroom.

Loved the burled wood/lucite combo on the desk. And of course, they paired it with a Chinese Chippendale faux bamboo chair. How can you go wrong?

Love the sheepskin with the lucite on these little benches. Cheeky.

On to Currey & Company whose lighting never disappoints. They even had a few pretty casegood pieces too.

This may be the one Kristen recently ordered for her house.

Next up, lots of pretty pillows and these cute little embroidered/embellished footstools by Ryan Studios. 

Designer fabrics as far as the eye could see including Martyn Lawrence Bullard's line for Schumacher.

Then off to the Market Square to the Antique and Design Center where vintage finds awaited us . . . my favorite!

So much Greek Key goodness.

These next two shots are from Collier West in Columbus, Ohio.

Loved these pieces from ESTATE design and trade. Steph Schofield works with designer Lisa Sherry (whose High Point home was most recently featured in Lonny) and started this business last year. Girl after my own heart.

Is this not the coolest bar stool you have ever seen?

Other finds in the Antique and Design Center . . . 

The caramel leather, the curves, the nailheads. Oh so pretty.

Whew, okay, I'm not even done yet. I'm sorry but I'm going to have to cut it off there for now. I've got more eye candy to share. Tune in later if I haven't bored you to death.

High Point: Color is King!

Color is king at High Point! It seems that at every turn, happier, brighter and glossier interiors ruled the day. Orange, pink and turquoise took center stage and while neutrals and rough textures are still to be found, they seem to be playing a supporting role to their cheerful counterparts. Maybe in this prolonged economic malaise, the design world is bringing us a much needed antidote! (above room from Hickory Chair)
Drexel Heritage, known for their vast range of custom options in finishes and fabrics, offered color in a wide range of styles; from an elegant, classic look (Laurie Chair) with a Moroccan flavor to a more traditional European feel in the Christelle settee below.
Love everything about this room!

I'll be posting more later about Drexel and their amazing collection of upholstered case goods, like the one above.
At Thomasville, traditional furnishings have taken on a more relaxed, fresh vibe. One of my favorite pieces was the Monaco chair with accompanying curved shaped ottoman. Love the scale and I can attest that it's super comfortable.

Thomasville has expanded their accessories line with some wonderful options; more on that in a later post, as well as their authentic take on the industrial look.
This was my favorite fabric from all of High Point - an outdoor fabric called Lovebirds Sorbet . It was clear that Lane Venture, a firm that focuses on outdoor furniture and indoor wicker, was all about blurring the line between indoors and out.

Vibrant color options from their outdoor slipcover collection. (More on that later too. There's just so much to post about from High Point!)
Even prints you would typically see in sepia tones are now donned in bright colors. These are from Lillian August.

As I was wrapping up this post, I came across this room from DC Designer Heather Safferstone and think it really captures the trends from High Point:

- embracing happy, strong color

- glossy surfaces (mirrored tables, lamps) and

- rough textures and neutrals in a supporting role (driftwood lamp, raffia covered side table, rug)

This was my first time at High Point and I want to extend a huge thank you to Cheminne Taylor for inviting me to join the bloggers for the sponsored trip. There's so much more to post about in the coming weeks - including all the fun people I had a chance to meet.

To Market, to Market

Sorry this post is delayed. Had a million things to do upon my return on Monday, and basically spent all of yesterday at my kids' school or at an after-school activity. So, where to begin? Kristen and I had so much fun at High Point. Saw a bajillion things, met some nice people and walked a million miles. Without further ado, here's just a smattering of what we saw in more or less the order we saw it. This may require a few posts.

The first vendors are basically lighting and accessories manufacturers that have a few small tables and casegoods thrown in . . .

 Thought these two looked very Dorothy Draper-esque.

Liked this leggy table. Very elegant.

 

 Lots of wood and gold and gold wood at the Phillips Collection.

Who doesn't need a black sheep in their living room? It can speak volumes about their family history.

Some cool pieces from Global Views:

And possibly one of my favorites in the accessories arena - Made Goods. Just look at all the faux shagreen goodness.

These shagreen trays about killed me! Oh, how I wanted to take them all home.

Then I spied this malachite tray, and I think my heart skipped a beat.

 Next up, Serge De Troyer for some interesting focal point pieces . . . 

Kind of liked the vibe in this place . . . 

They had the whole French/Belgian linen thing going on like SO many others did, but they seemed to infuse theirs with more cleans lines and interesting textures. So, I gave them props for that.

And the rugs, my God, the rugs. These were all over the place, and I loved them so. Wish I could've fit one in my carry-on.

I believe they called these sari rugs. They are made of silk in ikat patterns and are so gorgeous. Maybe in my next life.

Okay, so I still have a ton more to show you, as well as share some fun stories re: who I met (hint: her initials are MM), but I'll be back with more tomorrow. Your eyes probably hurt from all the beauty.