Classically Beautiful

Trends may come and go, but for a lifetime of enjoyment I love investing in classics. Now, it's important to note here that classic is not a nice way to say boring or bland. On the contrary. I feel that timeless forms are often some of the best looking pieces in a room. There's a familiarity to their appearance that makes them even more beautiful.

A few pieces from the fall introductions really stand out to me as enduring beauties. The first is the tufted lounge chair that almost begs for a Golden Age Hollywood starlet to rest her weary legs. It's positively gorgeous. I desperately want a pair of these for my bedroom. There's an instant glamour they serve up with their welted borders and curved backs. Love, love, love this chair!

Next up is the Shagreen table that was all the rage at the NYDC even several months back. These were literally being carried out of the showroom one after another by designers who attended the What's New, What's Next event. The buzz on these little shagreen-topped tables still hasn't died down. The color of the top is difficult to describe yet impossible to resist. And that silver leaf Regency inspired base? To die for. Grab a pair of these bunching tables (or their best selling ivory topped sibling) and your room will sing.

And finally... classic continental style with decidedly modern materials. The travertine top of this side table sits upon bronzed iron legs in serpentine shapes, bound together by a ring shaped stretcher for undeniably good looks. There's something about those tied legs that I find endlessly desirable. This is a table I have drooled over since it arrived last Market, and no amount of admiring from afar seems to be curbing my cravings. Seems it's a given I'll eventually cave to my wishes to add it to my living room. A welcome addition indeed.

For more new introductions with enduring appeal, visit our gallery.

The Look of Love

In honor of Valentine's Day, I couldn't help but be drawn back to last fall's Spring/Summer runway show by Jason Wu... specifically, his dramatic pink and white silk look.

Let's face it, when we hear of a combination of pink and white it is easy to default to thoughts of Barbie^® in her Dreamhouse. And yet, the simple addition of black as an accent or a counterpoint make the resulting look anything but saccharine.

Jason's look - much like Pearson's pink and charcoal ikat fabric - offer strength and power instead of sweetness. Yes, the joy and optimism of brilliant pink is evident. But there's nothing cloyingly sweet in either look. The effect is bold, beautiful and powerful.

What I love most about comparing Wu's runway look to this fabulous ikat textile is the interesting similarity of form. By sheer coincidence, the shape of the ikat pattern mimics the silhouette of the voluminous layers of silk of Wu's pink skirt. Stunning!

Whether you're looking to add feisty toss pillows to your project or want to fully upholster a piece in this fabulous print, rest assured visitors will gasp and gawk at the dramatic visual moment you've created. It's a look you (and your client) will be sure to love for years to come.

Featured photo: Jason Wu, Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear Runway photo by Alessandro Farogolo via Style.com, Pearson Brilliant Pink & Black Ikat Fabric

Enjoy: Virtual Walking Tour of Paris Showrooms

I credit Jennifer for finding these fabulous videos on Editor at Large. In them, you'll enjoy a walking tour of Paris' Design District with Jessica Romm, Crans Baldwin of Donghia and Ludovic Darricau of Elitis. prepare to be wowed as you preview new fabric collections and home accessories for Paris Déco Off.

Of particular interest was that the trends and qualities mentioned are all part of our current fabric selection. Lively patterns, watercolored textiles, dip dyed and batik looks... . These are global movements in the textile industry, and we're proud to be just a skip ahead of the curve.

View the two videos in sequence: Part One and Part Two to get the full experience. We may not be at Café de Flore ourselves but we can pretend, no? Oui oui!

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Elle Decor: Bloggers' Choice Awards

The article is a must read - not only to spy great designers but also to see who Elle Decor finds influential online. Guilty pleasure: Seeing design duo Suysel dePedro Cunningham and Anne Maxwell Foster of Tilton Fenwick featured!

Photographers: Carol Dronsfield and Michael Rodenbush

One of my favorite online personas is the inimitable James of What is James Wearing. I love that he shamelessly nominated himself. If you are unaware of his blog, offer yourself some addictive pleasure and start immediately. As both interior designer and sartorial inspiration you are sure to glean plenty of ideas about glamour, pomp and circumstance from his incredible posts and photography.

{like his nomination, photos of James were taken by James Andrew himself}

Save the Date

One thing that's always on the minds of Marketgoers... when and where is cocktail hour?!? For the upcoming April Market we have the answer... right here!

Sunday April 22nd Pearson is hosting a cocktail party at inside the showroom. Show up between 4 and 7pm and enjoy mixing and mingling with fellow designers and buyers as you sip wine and sample hors d'oeuvres. We are located in the posh Hamilton Wrenn district at 200 N. Hamilton Street, Suite 107. We look forward to seeing you there!

One Kings Lane Picks

The One Kings Lane sale is live! Here are a few choice picks from the available goodies. As always, if you see it, snag it... as there are typically not multiples of any item in the sale. Items also go quite quickly. While I was there, several of my picks were pulled into a nother member's cart. Go forth and shop!

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}

Countdown to the Napa Valley OKL Tag Sale

Two days to go until the Traditional Home tag sale begins on One Kings Lane. Featured are beautiful items that were featured in the Pearson and Lee vignettes during the Opening Night Gala at last fall's Napa Valley Film Festival.

What does this mean for you? One of a kind or custom pieces specifically designed and chosen to stage the space for this celeb-studded installation. There's also more than a good chance that a Hollywood celeb or other well-known name sat in the chair you'll choose or rested their glass of vino on your future cocktail table. Now that's something we can all raise our Riedel to, I'm sure!

Should you need an invite OKL, snag one here. Sale begins Monday morning, February 6.

Pillow Fight! One Kings Lane Style

Do you recall seeing that incredibly glam space designed for the Napa Film Festival? The one inspired by Pillow Talk? Yes, that impossibly chic white sofa and those jewel toned pillows. Well, all of those can be yours next Monday. We're having a One Kings Lane sale where those stunning furnishings and accessories are being sold at insanely good price points. Brace yourselves... this is one sale you won't want to miss!

Sale begins Monday, February 6th at 8AM Pacific Standard Time. Don't sleep in... you'll surely miss all the goodies as these events tend to sell out quickly!

Trends in Fabrics: Featuring Lori Weitzner's Newest Collection

We always love the Editor at Large interviews. There are two in particular you should watch immediately. In this particular clip Karen Marx interviews Michael Boodro, Lori Weitzner, Arthur Ellsworth and Marvin Wilkinson while on location in Paris. The cause for the celebration? Lori Weitzner is debuting a new fabric collection and celebrating her partnership with Pollack. What's in store for us? Plenty! Time honored artistry and handcrafted textiles. Shimmery details. Luxe textures. It's a full on glamour fest and we love every single handwoven thread of it.

This next video is specifically about the debut of Lori's new collection (video also shot in the Paris location). See the two for a full preview of what to expect in 2012. We absolutely love seeing painstaking details and techniques being celebrated and promoted. Designers - and the customers they serve - who support these artisans are to be thanked for supporting what is truly and form of art.

A Peek Inside The Historic Dumfries House

Ever wondered where princes and princesses spend their royal weekends? The answer: At their country estates, of course. In the case of Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, his private retreat is the now fully rejuvenated Dumfries House in Scotland. Described as "the most gloriously intact 18th-century house in Scotland" this property possesses the requisite Chippendale furnishings, curated antiquities and gilt-framed art one would expect from a royal hideaway. In fact, the property has at least 50 examples from "a fledgling cabinetmaker" named Thomas Chippendale which were ordered straight from the workshop in 1759 by the fifth Earl of Dumfries.

Even with such a pedigreed past, the once esteemed property was recently at risk of being sold and its rare collector's pieces auctioned off. The Prince himself got wind of the fate of the mansion and intervened. Why? He's a true advocate of British craftsmanship and understands the importance and significance of preserving of integrity of the exquisite collection of art and furnishings on the property.

You'll want to read the full story at Architectural Digest, but suffice it to say His Highness was able to drum up some $90 million to not only restore and preserve the property, but to make it available to "for anyone who cares about great architecture and decoration."

Margaret Russell appeared this morning on the Today show in a rare television interview to discuss the estate. She shares more on the interesting history of the property and its royal rescue. See Margaret's morning appearance here. The next time you're in Ayrshire, Scotland, the Dumfries House ought to rank high on your list of grand locations.After all, if this 18th-century Palladian villa is grand enough for the Prince of Wales it ought to be worthy of a few hours time on your travel itinerary.

Franki's Fab Finds: OKL Sale

Many goodies have sold out but there are still many great pieces available in the Pearson One Kings Lane sale. Here are just a few of my favorites, but there are many more items still available. Shop now... there are not multiples of these beauties. Once an item is sold it's gone for good.

You'll find a wide range of pieces that were newly created for fall market this past October. Ikat pillows, custom upholstered pieces, beautiful casegoods, etc. Hard to believe these creations (designed specifically to attract magazine editors, designers and buyers) are being sold at such incredible prices. And yet, space must be made to make room for new pieces for April Market. Ahh, the benefits of time marching on. Happy shopping, designer friends!

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!

Borrowed and Blue

Take a classic, add a hand printed imported fabric and voila! Watch the admirers gather to witness the new movement in design.

Such was the case when we unveiled two remarkable new fabrics at market. The first is a fresh spin on a decidedly classic look. Boasting the feel of architectural renderings, this rosette laden fabric offers amazing detail. The ground cloth has a weathered old world look that only adds to its unique charm. It is woven and and printed in Spain and is exclusive to Pearson. (This unique fabric is also available in Bark.)

We love it on the new 1406 chair with Louis XVI styling. Somehow old meets old becomes old meets new with this marvelous blue textile.

Next, we threw caution to the wind and introduced an Italian crafted tie-dyed effect striped fabric. Although printed in state of the art mills, this stripe lends any project an artisan, handmade appeal. The linen and cotton ground ground the print in sophistication, taking humble tie-dye to a elegant new level. Woven and printed in Italy exclusively for Pearson.

Seen on our classic Bergere chair, this new textile caused quite the stir at October Market. We think it has lasting impact as we head into 2012 with a fresh new attitude.

What is noteworthy here is the balance of classical forms paired with bold new design. We are thrilled to exclusively offer these two incredible textiles and look forward to introducing you to more unique prints such as these. The possibilities for application are endless. More importantly, the design world (and the marvelous clients who encourage growth) are ready for something old and something new. We think it's a style marriage made in heaven.

Featured: 1406 dining chair in 8071-54 fabric, 1416 Chair upholstered in 8074-54.

Pearson's New Introductions Online

Those of you who attended Market will be excited to know that Pearson's new introductions showcased in the showroom at High Point Market in October are all online as of today. Browse the gorgeous pieces in one convenient location. Enjoy!

Dreaming of fabrics instead of frames? Those are online now too! See them all here in one grouping.

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.

Maison de Luxe: Star of the Show

It seems that green designer Lori Dennis was having more fun that anyone at Maison de Luxe. As she entertained visitors to her space she was also filming for her upcoming HGTV show, The Real Designing Women. All eyes were on Lori and the incredible room she transformed for Maison de Luxe/

While another talent might have been put off by the task of outfitting such a small area, Lori embraced the challenge. In fact, she celebrated the diminutive footprint rather than fighting it. One wall was covered in a series of what appeared to be Moroccan mirrors. How incredible are they? Mirrors (specially when used in multiples) are stunning way to enlarge the space. Here Lori's choice in style added not just light and space to the room, it conjured up images of faraway lands.

Center stage in the room was our Star of India ottoman (swoon!) in the most fetching fabric choices imaginable. Look at those gilded sides and shimmering tassel trim. This piece, when done well as shown here, is a showstopper. Gorgeous. I love how the pattern and shape plays off the geometry of the rug design. Rather than stop there, Lori reflected the unique star shape with a metallic tray filled with shimmering rocks. Just look at that drama!

Also seen in the space was our 9654 table, a round accent table with Greek key stylized feet. The room's proportions made it very hard to take photos of the custom bed, but it is best described as being "like a womb, completely gold leafed on the outside, upholstered in royal blue velvet on the inside, with built in speakers." Talk about drama.

As if all of this wasn't enough, Lori had the most amazing mural painted on the ceiling. It just goes to show, square footage need not stand in the way of powerful design. Impact can be achieved in any amount of space when placed in talented hands like Lori's.

Be sure to see more of this space in the Editor at large video filmed during the event.

Rheinstein's Romantic Touch

Hollyhock owner and internationally acclaimed designer Suzanne Rheinstein used color and clean details to transform a guest suite into a romantic retreat. Her design mantra is simple: that the need to live well each day far exceeds the importance of dressing up your home for special events. As a result, her projects always embody a certain elegance and ease that only fine living can deliver.

In the case of her space at Maison de Luxe, the very simply styled bedroom beds visitors to unwind and curl up with a glass of wine for a long conversation. Her mix of spring green and soft lavender play well off one another. I'm particularly smitten by the lavender velvet bench at the center of the room. And do you see the tassels? They are certainly back in a big way. Sneaking in every chance they get.

All furnishings came from either Pearson, Lee Jofa or Suzanne's own Hollyhock. The settee seen here is the classic 2874, a designer favorite from Pearson's upholstery collection seen here in Lee Jofa fabric. I love the addition of the plump extra pillows on this already intimate piece. It looks perfect for a cozy tête-à-tête!

More on Maison: Mrs. Doheny's Boudoir

Jennifer McConnell, Pearson's VP of design, just returned from Greystone Mansion. She offers up an array of amazing photos from the star-studded event and just as many colorful stories to share. The usual suspects were on hand: Mary McDonald, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Jamie Drake and the other big name designers responsible for the amazing spaces created within the property at Maison de Luxe. The well publicized event drew massive crowds, enough to fill the home and the grand outdoor patio.

We'll begin our tour with the Woodson & Rummersfield gem: Mrs. Doheny's Bedroom. We've shown photos in other posts, but this time Jennifer was able to see it up close and in person. The custom Pearson pieces designed by Jaime & Ron were just gorgeous. In fact there are so many elements in the room that it made the most sense to number them and offer a bit more detail on each one.

A bit of background... all of the furniture in the bedroom was Pearson with the exception of the bed and the nightstands. Pearson fabric was used on most of the pillows in the space. Even the window valances were made out of Pearson trellis chenille fabric.

Let's start at the top of the images above and I'll share a bit of info on each frame.

1. Featured on the bed pillows, Greek key stripe and our festive trellis print with butterflies. What must be mentioned here is the custom mural that Ron and Jaime had painted behind the bed. Isn't that fantastic?
   
   The bed and nightstands themselves are as opulent as one might hope them to be. Lucite and silver combined with tufted ivory leather. I die! The added glamour of the commissioned peacock-centric mural only serves to heighten the posh vibe of the bedroom.
2. On the window valance, the gorgeous 6477-74 chenille fabric adds depth and a luxe treatment to the windows
3. Our glamorous French 1366 Chair with front covered in the stunning pagoda fabric and backed in the rich red print with Greek key stripe detail. The true beauty of the pieces is the silvery vermeil finish.
4. In front of the window sheers, the Greek key console with antique mirror top and lower shelf (one of my favorite pieces!) keeps the glamour of the room going while offering a chic display surface for design books and objects that appeared to be carefully curated objets of the Mrs.
   
   This photo also gives you a better look at those pretty bed pillows. Sadly the butterfly trellis fabric backing the Greek key stripe pillows is discontinued. Ron & Jaime were able to use the very last of it for this incredible project.
5. The Pearson Chow sofa is a fan favorite. Here it shimmers in rich red velvet with contrast piping. We love the extra peppering of the butterfly trellis pattern on the pillows (as seen on boudoir pillows on the bed) to tie the two areas of the room together.
6. Keeping the theme going, our shagreen topped bunching tables with Greek Key detail on the base flank the sofa.
7. The glamorous look of this seating vignette is completed with the ivory cocktail table covered in faux shagreen leather squares. The Parsons styling of this piece is perfect for the mood of the room.
8. The lovely 187 bench at the foot of the bed, finished in that fabulous silver vermeil finish. Jaime and Ron had it upholstered in COM faux exotic skin. The Hollywood glamour results speak for themselves!

For more on Maison de Luxe and the master suites, watch the video from Editor at Large which features the always enjoyable Martyn Lawrence Bullard (designer of Mr. Doheny's Bedroom) as well as Ron Woodson & Jaime Rummerfield.

Designer Lori Dennis

CasaSugar has a behind the scenes look at green interior designer Lori Dennis's private California home. {Lori is one of the designers who chose Pearson pieces for her Maison de Luxe installation. Catch the video here.}

During the CasaSugar interview she discusses her approach to pared down living and the impact it has on the life of her family. What is most fascinating to me is the perceived contrast between Lori's personal style and much of the work she produces. Her portfolio boasts an incredible range of work. Opulent old world luxury in one project... modern zen minimalism in another. There are no boundaries and no limits to her talent. And yet, I would venture to guess that even in the most plush of projects Lori incorporates her desire to reduce, reuse and recyle. Eliminating unnecessary costs and waste for her clientele.

In addition to her book Green Interior Design, she will also be featured on HGTV's The Real Designing Women, coming in early 2012. This green designer is clearly an unstoppable creative force.

See the full interview and house tour on CasaSugar. {All photos above via CasaSugar.}