The New Blue

At October Market and this week's runway shows we've begun seeing pops of unexpected color entering the scene. But what about taking classic blue and giving it a new spin?

We've been seeing this unstoppable shift happen in tandem with more "out there" trends. A feisty lemon yellow living alongside prized Ming vases and blue toile.

Traditional Home offers up tips on how to handle blue without falling prey to a flat, outdated look. The trick, according to designer Ellie Cullman? Mixing textures and paying special attention to lighting in the space. This maintains a level of warmth in the room and keep it from ever looking like your grandmother's chintz-laden living room.

The February-March issue featured some beautiful elements to inspire. One of them was our 1416 French Bergère in our new exclusive tie-dye stripe fabric. Classic with a twist? Yes. It's the ultimate blend of traditional meets modern. The artisanal quality of the natural fabric keeps the very familiar form of the chair from looking too stuffy.

Looking at Ellie's paint selections and carefully selected design elements, it's clear she's paying homage to the past without being mired in it. We particularly love the graphic "Pow Wow" rug by Capel and the Soicher Marin "Blue Botanical Urn" print. Bold and beautiful.

See more at http://www.traditionalhome.com/">TraditionalHome.com.

The Pinking of Pinterest

I don't think there's any doubt that today's designers and creatives are using technology to their advantage. How better to create a moodboard on the fly and share those ideas with the masses, or keep it to yourself until your big reveal. It's easy, clean, keeps track of sourcing for you and can either be kept forever or disposed of at a moment's notice. After all, pixels are free and it's our choice what we wish to do with them.

While there are myriad tools at our disposal, the critical mass has been established at Pinterest making it one-stop-shopping for those in search of the pretty and the fabulous.

One of our favorite design firms, Woodson & Rummerfield, used Pinterest to create a Lucy Doheny idea book. In the melange that is jaguar meets pink meets Lucite, we think they captured the mood and the mystery of this infamous woman beautifully. No doubt this was a powerful resource as Jaime and Ron crafted and perfected their vision for Maison de Luxe.

Dare to discover more here...

Center Stage

One of the most tweeted and talked about pieces at High Point Market (October '12) was the new 9673 center table. Between its chain link legs and travertine top, designers and buyers alike were smitten by her elegant good looks. Those retro-styled bronze finish legs are only complimented by the 1" thick travertine top that rests upon the base.

At 48" diameter and 30" high (including the top) this beauty offers shocking versatility. Is she an entry table in a gracious foyer? A glamorous dining table in a posh high rise? The possibilities are as endless as her geometric beauty.

For the more adventurous among you, the base can be ordered separately (she is a nimble 41" w x 41" d x 29" h) and can be topped in any fashion you choose. Reclaimed wood? Vintage aged mirror with one-of-a-kind appeal? What about a dramatically beveled glass top to really play up the unique patterns formed by those Iron and cast aluminum square tube legs?

We can't wait to see how you talented designers choose to personalize this piece. In my home I'd certainly opt for creamy, dreamy travertine (partly because we don't often see this material used in this fashion)... but I just know there will be some incredible custom pieces created from this base in the coming months. Be sure to share them so we can showcase your marvelous talents!

The Delectable Sectional

For years I eschewed the idea of a sectional. It seemed "undone" at best and limiting at worst. That is until I moved and my new living area presented the ideal opportunity to finally cave in to my secret love of them. Done right, a sectional doesn't actually have to be casual and decidedly informal. Truth be told, mine is pretty swanky. Tufted seating, shimmery icy-blue velvet, tuxedo arms. There's nothing about this baby that is causal.

Lauren from Material Girls has a nice post that addresses the changing nature of this once sloppy choice. The ghost of sectionals past always comes in to haunt a project when clients (or designers) hear the word sectional. Fortunately, today's designs are often tailored, sleek and refined.

Yes, there are still relaxed family friendly options available. But Pearson and a handful of other brands have firmly entrenched the accommodating sectional in the category of chic seating options.

One choice is the 2398 frame. Sleek tailored arms, angled feet and crisply defined loose cushions make this a solid choice for a variety of projects. I've seen this customized in a variety of ways and it always comes off looking stylish and crisp. Two words not often associated with this type of sofa.

For those who prefer a more bold design, the 2378 has optional tufted bench seating, tuxedo arms and a dramatic exposed frame. While both can be configured any way you can imagine, the 2378 now comes with the option of chaise or even a coordinating daybed. This is far and away my favorite (I actually have this piece) and I love the ample seating it affords when entertaining and its handsome good looks when not a soul is in the room.

Whichever frame you choose, know that it can be customized any way you wish. Endless fabric options, custom finishes, optional trim and myriad seating configurations. Still don't see what you want? Just ask - they'll build it to your exact specifications.

Rest assured, "sectional" no longer means informal seating that reads bachelor casual or family den. Today's frames are posh enough to be positioned prominently in swanky hotel lobbies and the most stylish of homes. Is your living room next?

Elle Decor: Showroom Etiquette

While most of us know how to behave in public (with the exception of unexplained awkwardness in public elevators), there's still a risk of social fumbling for clients (and professionals) in designer showrooms. Elle Decor has gathered a list of 15 tips to remember when shopping with (and without) your clients for a project.

Being prepared and polite naturally rise to the top, but many of the other guidelines cover communication basics and setting expectations. None of these are overly complex, but I suspect these showroom shopping basics are often forgotten or ignored by even the best in the field.

For expertise and feedback from the side of the showroom staff, Elle Decor tapped Thomas Lavin of Thomas Lavin and our own J. David Hatfield, Director of Sales for Hickory Chair Pearson in New York.

I've shorteded their tips above, but you can see the full interview on ElleDecor.com.

As Seen In: St. Louis Homes & Lifestyles

St. Louis Homes & Lifestyles is consistently good to us. This week the magazine featured our sleep sofa 4409-2 (last row, second from right) as designed by G.M. Doveikis & Associates. The collection of goods they rounded up for their story Hello Handsome showcased the ongoing movement towards menswear inspired fabrics, furniture and décor. Rather than being rakish, these elements each provide quiet masculinity and balanced by sophisticated polish.

Also shown in the lineup is our undeniably handsome 2328-2 Leather Sofa. Although this can be covered in any of our fabrics, we love how it looks in tobacco colored leather with brass nailhead trim. The exposed legs and sleek arms keep the piece from being overtly mannish, but we still like his slightly rugged sensibility and feel this stylish piece would be right at home in any gentleman's quarters.

The Art of Accessorizing

{Image via Mrs. Howard personal Shopper}

I just uncovered a great blog post by interior designer Jennifer Reynolds. She lays out her five main considerations when accessorizing a space as well as revealing her favorite elements to add to a room. Her fab five were (and I quote):

• Fresh flowers (botanicals or edibles) – can also be a very high quality faux, read my lips….HIGH QUALITY:)
• Coffee table books as well as beautifully leather bound books or similar (I think I have a book fetish)
• Tall objects such as lamps, candle sticks or hurricanes
• Found objects like antiques, unique treasures or one-of-a-kinds
• Framed art and mirrors of all shapes, sizes and styles

Great list. Go back and read her post to see how she focuses on key elements like scale (Go big or go home!), quality (inexpensive should never look cheap), planning and budget basics.

Don't sully a perfectly beautiful space or incredibly made furniture by completing the room with under-scaled tchotchkes or poorly designed items. Take your time, pay closer attention and nail it with well-chosen items that enhance the space.

As Seen In: TheHome.com Video

Fall '11 Market Interview with Pearson Furniture from TheHome.com on Vimeo.

Listen and watch as creative director Jennifer McConnell dishes on colors, menswear inspired fabrics, styles, and other inspirations that Pearson brought to this fall's High Point Market.

Read the full story here on TheHome.com.

I love the colors and saturated tones seen on the upholstered pieces in this video. You'll want to note Jennifer's mention of a return to a Halston-esque glamour. I die!

And pay close attention to the surprise color star of Market this year... a return to (dare I say it?) brown! But you'll notice it's paired with stunning aubergine, plum and some incredibly beautiful shades that elevating familiar brown to full on rockstar status. It's a quick video, well worth watching!

Insider's Guide to Market: Navigating Hamilton Wrenn

You've been inside the glorious IHFC for so many hours you've lost track of time. Spend too much time indoors at Market and it begins to feel a bit like Vegas. No sign of daylight, a labyrinth of hallways and showrooms, shiny pretty things tempting your wallet and your willpower... we get it. That is, after all, the Market experience. Without a clock in sight it's easy to lose track of time. If you're not careful you could be indoors from dusk til dawn. The easy cure? Step outside and meander to the Hamilton Wrenn Design District.

What makes this area so special? Sunlight, tony little curbside art galleries & antique shops, fresh air, live jazz bands setting the stage for the evening's events, trees blowing in the cool Carolina breeze and some of Market's very best boutiques & showrooms. Honestly, it's my favorite place to linger during Market.

Walk with me as I show you my favorite stops and few hidden gems...

First stop, Pearson. Come sit in our gorgeous showroom at 200 North Hamilton and see our latest offerings as well as the antiques and unusual finds we've sourced from around the globe since April Market. There are always several one-of-a-kind items on the floor and these go very quickly once the international buyers come to place orders. If you see something you like, move quickly!

After you have perused Pearson’s new offerings, head out the front door and downstairs directly under our showroom. Our neighbor Jonathan Charles has expanded their showroom to encompass the area right underneath us. Shop their beautiful casegoods, as well as sister companies Wildwood for amazing lamps and Chelsea House for gorgeous artwork and table top. Then relax at their brand new English styled pub. (Look closely and you'll see a few Pearson pieces in there too!).

Next stop, New River Artisans. This is one of Tobi Farley’s favorite rug sources and it's located right above our showroom. New River Artisans creates one of a kind hand made rugs for the design trade, and just like Pearson, they LOVE color. Classic Fretwork looks take on a new life when rendered in turquoises and emeralds. Chippendale patterns are reinterpreted in soft grays. A small, family run company, everything is woven here in North Carolina. You might even see a few of these rugs scattered in Pearson this season!

One of our favorite places to stop in at Market is Mottahedeh. Not only do they have to die for china settings, white porcelain classic oriental figures (LOVE!) and gorgeous oriental ginger jars, but did you know they have a back room packed with seconds and discontinued items? There are tons of bargains and steals to be had in the back room, including full china sets for dinner parties and upcoming holidays. (Think holiday presents and hostess presents.)

Trust us, there are stacks and stacks of treasures! You'll never go away empty handed. They take cash or credit, and will help you find that last missing desert plate or demitasse cup to complete your collection. 200 North Hamilton St N court Suite 131, right behind Pearson on the corner.

Working up an appetite? While the area isn't known for it's restaurants, if it's early enough in the day you do have a few options. Exclusively for High Point Market, Honey Baked Ham opens a restaurant located on the 3rd floor of the 200 building (right above the Pearson showroom). They offer a variety of lunch items such as sandwiches and salads and are open every day of Market just in case the urge hits.
 
For something different, head over to the 320/330 building above our sister company Hickory Chair.  There the Spring Garden Bakery offers some great options for breakfast and lunch, and they always have yummy coffee (essential!). In addition to their usual bakery fare, they add wraps and sandwiches to the menu during Market. This is fabulous for a quick nibble. Get them while you can, as these limited offerings go quickly!

These are but a few of the things to do in this area. See the full listing of showrooms as well as the map to navigate your way. We look forward to seeing you! Stay tuned for our next post that tells you to be here in Hamilton Wrenn on Sunday night. Expect cocktails and quick bites to be on hand!

Follow Up Interview: What's New, What's Next @ 200 Lex

For those of you who weren't at the NYDC event a few weeks back, we wanted to follow up with Pearson's impossibly chic creative director Jennifer McConnell and ask the question on everyone's mind: What is new and what is next?

For a quick background, you have to realize that Jennifer's role with Pearson requires her to travel extensively in search of new techniques, new textiles, new ideas, etc. She is always, always a few steps ahead of trend and has an amazing eye for style. While global travel keeps her informed and curious, it's clear she possesses an innate flair for design. If Jennifer says it's en vogue, you can take that to the bank.

Best of all, she's bubbly, energetic and one of the most fun people I've had the pleasure to work with. Pearson has a true dynamo on their hands with her!

She took time to follow up and answer my questions about What's New, What's Next and shared more about the event. Read on to see what she has to say about the home fashion forecast and the talented company she enjoyed that evening.

Jennifer, we must know... what is new in interiors and furnishings that was evident at WNWN?
"We are definitely seeing a return to the 70’s. Whether it is 70’s glam or 70’s boho chic its taking front and center just like it is in fashion. Sparkly gold mixed with mirror feels like studio 54 disco glamour. Ikats and batiks feel much more earth mother sensible."
 
Were there signs of what we can expect next? Emerging trends? 
"More color! Everyone is finally tired of the greys and ivories. Touches of gold everywhere from furniture to bathroom fixtures, and color is taking front and center – not just “pops” anymore."
 
You walked the Hickory Chair + Pearson showroom with Michelle from Lonny and the talented duo that is Tilton Fenwick... what elements stood out to them the most?
"I brought from High Point a quick sneak preview of some of our more exciting exclusive textiles for Fall 2011. Lots of color mixed with hand crafted looks; ikats, tie dyes, batiks. Oranges, fuchsias, raspberries and indigos. They generated some of the most excitement for the event – definitely the most photographs taken. Michelle loved one tie dye stripe so much she took it with her for hopefully the upcoming issue of Lonny! Keep your eyes peeled for it!"
 
"They also loved the number of mirrored pieces mixed with the menswear looks. Michelle commented that they keep the herringbone and wool upholstery from feeling too masculine."
 
"And they both adore the 9651 shagreen bunching table!"
 
The event was a huge success by all accounts. We heard you were selling pieces directly off the floor to keep up with demand! Which item was the runaway hit for the evening? Or were there several?
"Everyone loved the small occasional pieces! They are so perfect for NYC living when space is limited so pieces have to wear multiple hats. In particular I saw one 9645 silver leafed table and one 9651 shagreen bunching table be carried out by very happy shoppers!"
 
How did the crowd respond to your newest additions, like the new chaise sectional or the swanky new sofa?
"The chaise sectional combination is just perfect for NYC living. A number of people commented on how decadent it is to own a sectional in NYC because it takes up so much space. However, they loved this version because both pieces are very small scale, and both can ride up in a passenger elevator (no freight elevator needed!) For such a small footprint, it seats quite a few, and of course looks stylish while doing it!"
 
Anything you spotted in another showroom or heard from the attendees that was unexpected or downright fabulous?
"There were so many amazing events going on – Sub Zero had celebrity chefs cooking gourmet meals in their showroom. Neirmann Weeks had a silver leafing demonstration happening – if you ever get the chance to see a demo like that make the time! It is an amazing dying craft! Laura Kirar was supporting her gorgeous new collection for Arteriors. There was so much going on, that it was too much to see in one night!"

Thank you so much for sharing, Jennifer. Looking forward to the next soiree and more importantly, excited to get a preview of those new colorful textiles coming at us this season. Color is back!

Focus On Shagreen

I have a new obsession: shagreen. I'm in the process of redesigning my living room and this incredible option keeps taunting me with its uniquely textured surface. Although Pearson tends to use faux shagreen, true shagreen is an amazingly durable exotic surface. Its unique appearance and ability to repel water make this a designer favorite for table surfaces.

You might be wondering why this creamy textile is called "shagreen." Historically, in the 17th and 18th centuries, the trend was to dye the skins green then polish them with black lacquer. It was then used as a veneer for the furnishings of the wealthy. It's verdant appearance caused the resulting finish to be known as shagreen.

Try adding a little sting to your next project to lend a slightly exotic edge to a space.

Featured: Bunching table, Cocktail Table, Butler's Tray Table.