Taking the "Real" Out of Real Estate

It's hard to say whether or not this activity is really trending or not... but according to the NY Times some of those property photos you see might feature a bit of digital altering. Such is the case in the photos above. Elegant room at the top, no? Completely done via digitally staging at the hands of a talented pro.

Best quote from this story? Virtual staging is “like online dating,” she added. “If you have a good picture, you’ll get a date. And if you have a date, you just might find a good match.”

See the full story here.

A Closer Look: Saddle River Showhouse

We wanted to offer you a closer look at the new 2012 Designer Showhouse. Pearson is one of the sponsors of th is project, situated on a spectacular 10 acre property in the Chestnut Ridge area of Saddle River, NJ. Traditional Home did a marvelous job attracting big name talent to put this winning project together.

Designer Angela Kumble had the opportunity to design the great room of this incredible property. She chose to use quite a bit of Pearson including the 2384 sofa, a pair of swanky 414 chairs, 1912 dining room chairs, 204 chairs and the versatile 9675 shagreen bunching tables. We love her sophisticated style and her distinctive style. Her choice of pieces is fresh and timeless at once (this is always a challenging balance to achieve), and we love the interesting mix of pieces in the scene above. I, for one, am in love with those lamps and her eclectic mix of accessories. The entire space has a collected look. I love it.

Unfortunately, this close cropped photo is all that we can show you at this time. Just a tease! For a more detailed look at this and every room in the Saddle River Showhouse you'll simply have to go on a tour yourself. Be sure to go soon, you only have a few more weeks to see this magnificent home decked out in all its splendor. The event runs until Sunday, June 10, 2012. The hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.(closed on Mondays). Tickets available here.

A Look Inside the Saddle River Showhouse

View more videos at: http://nbcchicago.com.

For those of you not in the New Jersey area, you might have missed the 6th Annual Saddle River showhouse sponsored by Traditional Home.

The Open House NYC video above features four of the designers who participated and gives insider tips and decorating tips.

The rooms are all so diverse and truly reflect the different points of view of the designers themselves. The garden room is colorful and open, but the dining room is luxurious and intimate. I love the diversity shown! Of course I love the kitchen, as it is a sexy blend of traditional and contemporary. Perfectly on point. And did I mention it's white? A personal favorite. But don't miss the "happy" library with eye-popping colors and a heady mix of fresh fabrics on traditional pieces. Love!

The showhouse is open to the public through June 10th. Don't miss your chance to see it!

Fresh for Spring From Pearson

Spring Market is here! To get things rolling here are a few of my absolute favorite new introductions from the design team.

1. A Louis XVI bed made in solid maple that is just gorgeous. I love the carving and the turned legs... but those nailheads and smart low footboard seal the deal!

2. A very cool mid-century styled chair with biscuit tufting and a picture frame back. What I really adore is it's low-slung look and armless design. This baby is begging to be part of a pair or maybe a foursome for great conversation.

3. Where do we begin with this etagere?! I love it. A soaring 84.5" high and about 2 feet wide. This lovely piece has a gilded frame and black glass shelves. I love it. I absolutely love this. Can't wait to see how our clients use this in projects.

4. Speaking of gilt finishes... this geometric cocktail table will make your jaw drop when you see it in person. It's almost too pretty to cover with accessories. Thank goodness for that bottom shelf!

5. Speaking of clean lines, this sofa boasts more good personality traits than we've seen this side of match.com. Track arms, Bauhaus styling and those big square maple feet make this piece a showroom favorite.

See more new introductions in our new Facebook gallery.

To all of you here (and headed) to Market... we look forward to seeing you! There is now FREE parking directly behind Pearson on Steele Street. This will come in particularly handy this weekend as it is expected to rain. Pack your Hunter books & sharp raincoat. Also remember we are one of several parties happening in the Hamilton Wrenn Design District Sunday afternoon/evening. Ours begins at 4pm. Swing by for nibbles and sips while rubbing elbows with industry greats and familiar friends. We look forward to seeing you!

West Week Wrap-up

One of these years I look forward to attending West Week, the massive spring interiors show in Los Angeles at the Pacific Design Center. Aside from the dreamy LA weather, the PDC is a terrific venue for attracting big name editors and designers alike. It doesn't hurt that Margaret Russell delivered the keynote speach. Let's say I'm a fan and leave it at that.

Editor at Large was at the PDC in March to interview Suzanne Kasler, Lisa Borgnes Giramonti, Emily Ruddo, Gay Tapp, Charlotte Moss, Lisa Newsom, Shelly Van Rozenboom, Amy Meier, Typanie Peterson and Keith Granet. In the video, Vanessa Kogevinas uncovers what inspired the designers and gives insight into emerging trends in residential and commercial design. Catch the full video here.

To Market, To Market...

It's April! You know what that means... the countdown to High Point Market has begun. By now (I pray) you've booked your room, scored early booking airfare and come up with a game plan. If not, I've got just the thing to help you.

Visit the High Point Market Authority's site, pop over to Plan Your Visit and enjoy all of the resources available to you. First timers can benefit from general information and ease of registration. Enjoy downloadable maps, restaurant guides, showroom contact information and more.

New attendee or not, don't miss the opportunity to use the MyMarket tool. Thanks to this bit of technology you can select the exhibitors, events and contacts you'll need once you hit the Carolina soil. Sign up, fill out your calendar and reap the meny social benefits of the app. First you'll notice you have quick, easy access from any web-enabled smartphone, anytime, anywhere to your itinerary. Better yet? You can even keep track of friends and colleagues on the move to you're never out of sync or out of the loop. Market just got better, don't you think?

This isn't a new tool, but I like seeing that it's gaining momentum and popularity. The more you use it, the more you'll benefit. Get started now to ensure your market experience is seamless and easy.

Honoring Hadley

Albert Hadley, society's designer extraordinaire has passed away at age 91. Known for his fearless approach to design, Hadley's legacy and influence is difficult to overstate. While he might have been described as "bold" and "brave" in his designs, I always admired his stylish restraint. His rooms were never overdone. His look was never too extreme. “Never less, never more.” was his design philosophy - and it shows in his work.

If you want a quick history lesson in Albert's design past, this NY Times article does a fabulous job. But to me the most important influence Albert offered is found in his interviews and the soundbite quotes he is known for.

In an interview with House & Gardens Best in Decoration he opined, "If you really like things they all tend to be of the same spirit and they all work together... If you don’t know right away that something is something you want or can use you shouldn't buy it."

Hearing a designer share these and the more regularly shared quote, "you can never do anything for a slob" gives you a greater sense of the person himself. We are sad to see him go, but appreciate so much the rich and colorful influence he left behind.

{Sketch and photo above of the famed library in Brooke Astor's apartment. To achieve the ideal look of the bookcases it required a staggering 10 coats of oxblood red paint. The resulting combination of high gloss red and brass is somehow high drama and completely inviting. A balance only a pedigreed interior designer like Albert Hadley could pull off!}

Connect The Dots

Just a quick note to let you know you can subscribe to this blog's feed, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook and follow our pins on Pinterest. Still craving more? Join us for cocktails and an up close look at our new fabrics and furnishings in our Hamilton Wrenn Design District showroom at High Point Market.

That's Sunday, April 22 from 4-7 pm at our showroom located at 200 N. Hamilton Street, Suite 107. We look forward to seeing you!

Floral Explosion by Tilton Fenwick

You've seen a veritable explosion of primavera inspired beauty on the runway. Flowers and vibrant colors as far as the eyes can see. It's as if all of nature has landed at our fashionable feet. Now.. expect that same fearless approach to color, pattern and femininity to extend to your home.

It starts easily enough at the table. Witness this gorgeous Christian Lacroix inspired table design by interior design team Tilton Fenwick. Their starting point was the opulent “Vuelta” fabric by Christian Lacroix through Designers Guild, distributed at Osborne & Little. From there, they just kept going and going (or should I say growing?) much in the fashion of nature itself.

The resulting design for DIFFA Dining by Design is their contribution to the “Emerging Designer” category at Pier 94 in NYC. It will be on display through Monday if you want to see it in person.

Be sure to see the rest of the photos and their insights on what inspired the design at their blog. Stunning, and we hope they are widely praised for their bold design!

AD Home Show Begins Tomorrow!

Hard to believe it's here again! The 11th annual Architectural Digest Home Design Show runs from March 22-25th with exhibits from nearly 400 premium brands. Naturally keynote speech by Margaret Russell, Architectural Digest Editor in Chief and appearances by many industry greats are a huge draw. But most designers come for the opportunity to shop new and established brands, preview new ideas and mingle with other industry giants. If you can make it to NYC, the one-on-one designer consultations by this esteemed list may just be enough to lure you to attend.

Spotted @ High Point Market

Most of you will recall last fall's initial Style Spotting efforts. This Pinterest-driven event at Market is the brainchild of Cheminne Taylor-Smith of the High Point Market Authority. What is it? Curators from varying disciplines of design descent upon Market and identify (pin) what they deem to be the most noteworthy items and/or trends at this particular Market. Have a sneak peek at this season's Style Spotters before April arrives.

How does it work? You (yes, you!) choose your favorite Spotter. You do this via repinning and liking their pins and following their boards. Last year, acclaimed interior designer Tobi Fairley won. Although Style Spotters are not allowed to win twice in a row, I assure you Tobi is back this year to give the new crew a run for their money!

If you're not already pinning your little heart out, here's an invite. Be sure to follow this and all Market events on Twitter. Don't be left behind!

The Golden Rule

This next look was inspired by Madonna's grand entrance at last night's Super Bowl halftime show. If anyone can be considered pop royalty, it's the blonde megastar we witnessed last night. She arrived on the stage in a glamorous black and gold Givenchy topped with a gold Egyptian warrior style Philip Treacy headpiece. Cleopatra style, she was was literally carried onto the stage on her golden throne by what has now been commonly referred to as a "phalanx of Greco-Roman soldiers."

While the exact historical references become quite muddied here, what was clear was that we were witnessing a mega-performance by a megastar. It was a sight to behold. The performance was inspiring in so many ways. But it led me to ponder the idea of a more grand chair in my own home. After all, a queen isn't the queen of her castle without a proper perch. The obvious choice was the 1480 chair. This is one of those marvelous pieces that can either be designed to play well with others or take center stage... depending upon how you dress it up.

For the more spectacular appearance I'm going for - directly influenced by Madge's gorgeous Givenchy costume - I've selected Pearson's new cut velvet with Greek Key pattern. Stunning in appearance and seemingly made for moments such as these. It comes in four color options, but here only glamorous black will suffice.

Next, I'd finish the chair in either Vintage Black or Piano finish, depending upon the level of formality desired. The finishing touch of course is the presence of the nail heads. After all, the Givenchy Couture dress was jewel encrusted and glistening under those stage lights. These glimmering antique brass nail heads do just the trick necessary to cement this design firmly in the glamour camp.

Fit for a queen? Absolutely. Timelessly beautiful. I feel the Greek Key and the silhouette of the chair are eternally beautiful. The black finish and antiqued nail heads ground the design and keep the finished look from becoming too theatrical. Although... no one would be the wiser if you did start belting out "Vogue" in the privacy of your own castle. After all, we all deserve our moment on the stage.

{Madonna image via Billboard}

Pearson One Kings Lane Sale Tomorrow!

Listen up, designers and design enthusiasts... Pearson is clearing off the showroom floor from October Market to make room for fresh, new inventory. This means you get brand new "of the moment" style at steeply discounted pricing.

These are not items they've had sitting around for ages... these are custom pieces designed to showcase the newest fabrics and silhouettes introduced just months ago. See the pics above? These are all items from tomorrow's sale. Ikat pillows in a brand new fabric. A Bergere in a dreamy new tie-dyed fabric. It's hard to believe these are already being sold off at bargain discounts... but such is the nature of the furniture biz... you have to stay current. So whether you're shopping for clients or just want to dress up your own home, this is an incredible opportunity to obtain investment quality furnishings at entry-level pricing.

Sale begins tomorrow at 11am EST. Sign up now and add it to your calendar. If past sales are any indication, items will not last long!

Okay... now for MORE news. Remember those incredible pieces Jennifer designed for the Napa Valley Film Festival? That's right... the curved white sofa covered in Sunbrella fabric, all of those incredible pillows and the beautiful occasional pieces? (Here's the post to refresh your memory.) Well in just a few short weeks those pieces could be yours. On February 6th we will have yet another One King's Lane Sale giving you the opportunity to purchase the pieces inspired by the movie Pillow Talk. Save the date... and save some room in your home (or those of your clients) for these beautiful pieces.

Ta ta for now... and happy shopping!

As Seen In: Luxe Interiors + Design Winter Issue 2012

Doheny does it again! The gorgeous master bedroom of Mrs. Doheny at the Greystone Showhouse is featured on the cover of the national issue of Luxe Magazine for Winter 2012. The vignette above is a portion of this beautiful room designed by LA darlings Ron Woodson and Jaime Rummerfield.

Congrats to this talented creative duo for this terrific coverage. The entire room is a marvel of color and design prowess. It's always nice to see such deserving designers receive such acclaim for their originality. They certainly took risks, but it was certainly worth it. You don't create drama and impact with safe choices. It's clear this room is a space that will be celebrated for quite some time.

Each piece of occasional and upholstered furniture shown above (as well as the fabrics) is from Pearson. For more on this beautiful space, take a peek at this post or this one as well as this Editor at large video which features the designers sharing their inspiration and concept.

When you score your issue of the magazine you'll also spy plenty of Pearson within the glossy pages. Three additional images of the showhouse feature Pearson furniture used for the Maison de Luxe event.

Additionally, our handblocked linen script print (a marvel of artistry from India) is featured in a separate article about the continuing trend of type motifs. (This pretty textile is also featured on the index page of the magazine.) This particular fabric is very special due to how it is crafted. Due table size limitations, it can only come in 20 yard pieces. All print is hand applied in neutral tones (making it incredibly versatile) to this 100% linen fabric. Look closely and you'll notice phrases, signatures and dates written in both English and French. It's beautiful to see online, but even more lovely when seen in person. We're thrilled they chose to feature it in this issue.

Delightfully Doheny

If there's one thing Greystone has an excess of, it's a rich and storied past. From the construction of the massive property itself to the famously wealthy families who inhabited it, this is no ordinary manse. Knowing this back story makes the design of the bedroom of the late Mrs. Doheny an even more imposing challenge. But Ron Woodson & Jaime Rummerfield likely didn't flinch when it came time for them to transform her bedroom into a showstopping space for Maison de Luxe.

Jennifer just returned from a whirlwind trip to Greystone where she had ample opportunity to see the entire property. As we await those pix, I have borrowed several from the W&R blog for this post.

These photos give you a glimpse into the concept behind the gorgeous window treatments for this master retreat. In glorious pink with gorgeous black and white bowtie-backs. If you're a fan of this talented duo you might know that bowtie-backs are a signature drapery detail seen in many W&R projects. Don't you love that femme little detail? It really adds a memorable moment to the windows.

The video interview we showed you a few days ago features Ron & Jaime in the room they designed, Mrs. Doheny’s Master Bedroom. Watch closely and you will spy Pearson’s 2294 chow legged sofa, our 1366 french bergere, 187 bench, 9730 shagreen cocktail table, the ever popular 9651 shagreen bunching tables and the 9783 Greek Key console as well as a number of our textiles. We can't wait to see more detailed photos of the space and to hear Jennifer's first hand account of how it felt to walk this impressive showhouse.

Additional photos will be coming up shortly. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

Maison de Luxe: Video III

Maison de Luxe at Greystone, Part III from Luxe Magazine on Vimeo.

Could Barclay be any more adorable? We think not. The only thing that upstages his California beach boy looks is his impeccable work inside the Greystone. He gives us an insider look at the driving force behind his inspiration. I've long been a fan of his über plump feather down pillows. One look at his space tells you he's quite the fan, too! Check out that Chesterfield loaded with enough pillows to beckon a well-deserved fireside nap. Love!

We also get quality time with designers Lori Dennis, Wendy Schwartz and Philip Gorrivan as they reveal as much about their rooms as they do themselves.

We're proud to share the Lori also chose many Pearson pieces to outfit her space. The centerpiece being the Star of India ottoman which is a widely celebrated piece in our upholstery collection. I also love her acknowledgment of "museum fatigue" in her portion of the video.

Knowing that attendees would be overwhelmed by the time they reached her meditation room on the third floor, she decided to design a space that would give weary eyes a reprieve. This green designer used natural elements as inspiration and made an otherwise small space seem quite open and inviting. I also spy the Maitland-Smith pillar chair in the space, which is the very chair I'm perched upon right now as I author this post. Always fun to see elements you own used within a showhouse.

Stay tuned for more on the mansion as we reveal additional details about the spaces. And if you're planning to attend you should note that the showhouse will only be open until December 22. Reserve your tickets now.

Maison de Luxe: Video II

Maison de Luxe at Greystone, Part II from Luxe Magazine on Vimeo.

Oooh, here come some of our favorites! This video gives us much needed face time with the incredible Ron Woodson and Jaime Rummerfield, Mary McDonald, David Phoenix and Sheldon Harte. We're not shy about telling you that Woodson & Rummerfield used plenty of Pearson upholstery in their glorious space. I love that they used the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to create "comfortable opulence" within such an historic space. These two truly have a gift and they thrive one being fearless in their execution of a unique creative vision. Always a fan of their boldness.

These four rooms will blow you away Does Mary McDonald ever disappoint? Never. So expect to be wowed by this space as you always are by Mary's incredible work.

I have to say: LOVING these videos delivered by Luxe Magazine. Much thanks to them for adding this extra layer of content for those of us too far away to attend during the busy month of December. Seeing video of the spaces brings so much more richness to the online experience. Enjoy!

Maison de Luxe Unveiling

Maison de Luxe at Greystone, Part I from Luxe Magazine on Vimeo.

Love seeing the lovely and talented (Dallas-based!) Michelle Nussbaumer discuss her vision for transforming her space within the Greystone Mansion. In addition to Michelle we also see Jiun Ho, Kendall Wilkinson and Jamie Drake discuss their gorgeous installations. Watch closely as these leading designers share how they did their part to transform a storied, 1920s mansion into a modern-day marvel.

Napa Valley Film Festival: Silver Screen Influenced Style

We can't give away too many details, but we can share that pearson's very own Jennifer McConnell will be designing a space for the Napa Valley Film Festival. Here's more on the event:

The inaugural Napa Valley Film Festival (NVFF) debuts November 9-13, in Napa Valley's picturesque communities of Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga. Not to be missed by film buffs, food and wine lovers alike, the 5 day "extended weekend" features the best of new independent films, studio sneak previews, and conversations with actors, directors, producers and writers. Join us for unforgettable parties, Tribute and Awards programs, culinary demonstrations, wine tasting and late-night lounges. VIP and invited guests will enjoy receptions and dinners with Napa Valley's own celebrity chefs and winemakers. Spend the weekend and enjoy walkable access to the best of the Napa Valley Film Festival.

While I can't reveal the inspiration behind her upcoming design, I can assure you it will be glamorous and sensational with Jennifer in charge. Details to follow as soon as we are able to reveal more...

Editor at Large NYDC What's New What's Next Recap

Watch the Editor at Large video to see Jeanine Hayes, Eileen McComb, Charlotte Moss, Michelle Adams, Suysel dePedro Cunningham, Carolyn Sollis, Dara Caponigro, Carlton Varney, Drew McGukin, Amy Preiser, Allison Mezzafonte and others dish on trends they are seeing in the marketplace.

They list the popular color trends to be pink, persimmon, orange, purple, aubergine, grey and chocolate brown. All of which will be featured prominently for our upcoming Fall Market Launch. It's always fun to see that we hit the nail on the head! Beyond that... aren't those some dreamy color combinations to work with? It will be thrilling to see the return of full on color in the home.

The interview with Michelle Adams, Editor in Chief of Lonny Magazine, Suysel de Pedro Cunningham of Tilton Fenwick, and Carolyn Sollis actually takes place in Pearson's NYC showroom at the NYDC. So watch it twice to catch some of the lovely items in the background.

a href="http://editoratlarge.com/editortv/what-s-new-what-s-next-in-color/95">See the full video here. In video two we see Jim Druckman and others discussing art deco, soft modern, exotic/skins, exuberance and risk taking all coming on strong for fall. Notice our 2378 sectional in this video just after Jim begins to talk. The section isn't new, but due to client demand Pearson has added a left arm and a right arm chaise to the mix as well as a bench. All of these will be on full display in our High Point showroom this month. Can't wait to see you all! See the full video here.