To Market To Market We Go!


photo-4Just got back from Market…not the market, mind you. Like a celebrity known to all by just a first name, when Market is discussed in the interior design world it is understood that the subject is The High Point Furniture Market. Held but twice a year in North Carolina, it is marked on calendars six months in advance by the who’s who of the design world. It is the Milan and fashion runway of the interior design world, and no one wants to miss it.

What a whirlwind….exciting, exhausting, fabulous, exhausting, inspiring, amazing…oh and did I say exhausting? But it was and is always great!
Most important thing to know about your first trip,…wear comfortable shoes!

My Cole Haan blue suede shoes did the trick!

My Cole Haan blue suede shoes did the trick!

As one might guess, it’s all about the visual, what’s new, what’s old but new again, what color is hot, how patterns are being mixed….

Color was all around town, especially orange:photo-27

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Of course. we still love our grays, and why not? They pair so well with everything,

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A beloved neutral, especially wonderful as a wood finish.

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But look out gray, because inky blue is here to stay;

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Every color of the rainbow was shown in this market. There were pops of bright color, soft pastels,  patterns, interesting finishes….

photo-30photo-9 Radiant Orchid, Pantone’s color of the year was out and about…seen on fabric, pillows, art, and as a background.

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As if on cue, even the trees at Market were blooming with orchid,

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Loooved, loved, loved Mr. Brown and Julian Chichester’s showrooms. We even met the master himself who styled both places…couldn’t resist giving him an actual bow. After all, I had goose bumps walking around their showrooms.

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Also goose bump worthy was this vignette at French Market;

photo-6 Love the backdrop…they sure put together a feast for the eyes. The hue of the pillows pulled the colors right out of the vintage panels.

Looove Mary McDonald’s pieces and showroom for Guy Chaddock….she too is a master and good thing she wasn’t there when we walked through as I might have spontaneously curtsied…it was just that good.

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and these books…I don’t have to say how I feel about them, they speak for themselves!

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books2Now what else are you going to do with books if you read everything on the ipad? Nice to reinvent oneself.

Global Views always has a feast for the eyes….

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and they give out good drinks (and food) too!

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Lisa & Annie were here!

Arteriors had it going on!

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Jaipur has amazing rugs. This one I could get lost in:

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Lots to choose from when you need just the right one

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And I hear good things about the company too. They not only design and supply beautiful rugs, but care for the artisans who create them. Makes you feel good to know…..

Lots of ottomans , benches and poofs…..this little number might just find its way into a project we are working on….more to come on that…

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Geometric patterns are everywhere;

But at some point a gal just has to get home. One can experience just so much visual pleasure, and the feet can walk only so far…

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NY Now 2013

With summer comes much to look forward to; a mojito  (or two) by the pool, a hike in the cool woods, amazing sunsets. But for me, another highlight every August is the NY gift show, recently renamed NY Now. Of course, I’m only one of the over 35,000 designers, buyers or lifestyle editors roaming up and down the aisles of over 2800 exhibitors at the Javits Center, but that only adds to the excitement.

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Each show, I can’t wait to see what’s new from my favorite vendors, what’s trending color and style wise,  and even more importantly, to simply get inspired by all the displays that are so creatively put together by the design world.

This, I can only imagine, is to an interior designer, what Fashion Week must be to a fashion designer! One difference is that walking shoes, more than stylish shoes,

photo 2-2 are a must as you are literally walking for miles and miles while being completely absorbed in all there is to see in every aisle.

As you may know, Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2013 is Emerald Green, and while it had a very strong presence at the High Point Furniture Market as shown below, it was not as visible at the NY show.

What did have a noticeable presence at NY NOW were actual minerals…some emeralds for sure, but also many other gems and crystals to use as accessory and accent pieces.

As for other colors seen, I loved Indigo Blue displayed by Two’s Company.

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and thought it interesting they included background info on the color…

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Julian Chichester and Mr Brown highlighted vintagey blue lamps, along with other blue accents, that worked surprisingly well amongst a colorful array of other interesting pieces.

And while speaking about color, blackboards were, or still are, popular..many with words of wisdom painted right on them.  That same matte chalkboard black was very visible for mirror frames, globes and backgrounds as wall displays, giving a  bit of a vintage vibe.

Getting back to emeralds and crystals, many other nature inspired themes abound. Roost has both sides of the organic theme covered in both the rock crystals and plant life, especially succulents.

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Metals were also popular, and we just couldn’t help ourselves from ordering some beautiful copper pots and trays for the shop.

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Two’s Company had another twist on all things from nature, as I thought their black and white animal display was quite captivating, Of course animals are found in nature too.

while at another booth, I loved these hide ottomans and I was reminded once again just how much we like to bring the animal kingdom into our homes.

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Of course, for the animal lover that prefers not to use an actual hide, French Market had these wonderful benches.

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Bliss’s booth is always a heart stopper as not only do they have beautiful pieces but they always do such a nice job with their displays.

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I love a display that tells a story and draws you in, as  Juliska’s  display made me wish I was invited to THEIR dinner table,

photo-12I know it would be magical.