From Russia, With Love

We all love looking at design magazines from across the globe. We may not have a clue what words grace the pages, but pictures really do say a thousand words. We may not speak fluent French, Russian or Italian, but most of us have keen eye and speak the language of style in any corner of the world. Studied well, you'll see that each culture incorporates their unique point of view into their design aesthetic, but on the whole our global style is just that: global. It's becoming more difficult to tell a Manhattan apartment interior from one in downtown Moscow. It's just the state of our increasingly diverse modern life.

So when we spied this cover of Russia's Elite Interiors magazine it was no surprise to see familiar elements of style. A modern take on the Chesterfield sofa in dashing blue. A glossy red phone booth to add a bit of whimsy to the bedroom. Poofs scattered about the massive space for casual impromptu seating. Teddy bear heads mounted on the wall... wait. What? Yes, all across the world designers and design enthusiasts have a sense of humor about their home fashions.

Inside the issue Pearson's new Peacock Crewel is showcased on our elaborate 1633 chair. If you've not seen the fabric or the chairs up close you are in for a treat. The unique silhouette and the ornate carvings on the legs serve up plenty for the eye to take in. And if upholstered in our amazing peacock crewel fabric you may find your own home worthy of design magazine coverage.

This fabric is new and was just introduced at Spring Market. Watch for it to appear on our textile website shortly. And in the meantime... be kind to those teddy bears, won't you?

Friday's Featured Fabric: Tempting Turquoise

Ahhh... what better fabric to tempt you with than this gorgeous sea-inspired beautyr? Blue, turquoise and granny apple green dance across this textural geometric woven textile to give you a medallion pattern that is fresh and vibrant. The design was inspired by hand painted Moroccan tiles. The almost cobalt blue makes me think of the azure waters of the Mediterranean and the blue domed rooftops on the isle of Santorini. Not a bad vision as we approach summer.

But let's talk texture: this textile has a thick quality and soft hand making this a very livable fabric. This is made in the United States exclusively for Pearson, so don't expect to find it elsewhere. It is exceptionally beautiful in person!

Details:

SKU: 4602-43
Content: 92% Rayon, 8% Polyester
Grade: 44
Cleaning Code: S
Width: 54
Repeat: H-7, V-7
Origin: United States

Dangerous Curves Ahead

Don't you just love the pendulum swing of design? As if in response to several seasons of Mad Men influenced home furnishings, this Market offered plentiful signs that femininity is on the rise. Bold, unstoppable, unapologetic femininity.

Pink was everywhere - and more importantly, the RESPONSE to pink was overwhelmingly positive. Bottom line: it's selling. Amping it up even more was the introduction of more curvaceous furniture. This sofa above? I like to think of it as the Sofia Vergara of sofas. Full force feminine form and dressed to the nines. Like Sofia, this curvaceous sofa has ample va-va-voom. Enough for the whole room. And when used as a pair? Stand back, baby! Mama is making her presence known and daring (begging?) everyone in proximity to stop and stare.

So what do we think of all this interior design drama? I for one love it. And the Decorista seems to have taken a liking to the shapely trend as well. I say bring on the peonies, bring on the pink, bring on the boom-boom-pow. We're ready for it!

{Note: sofas above are brand new and have not yet been added to online catalog but it is available for orders. These were seen for the first time at Spring Market in High Point. Get more info here and reach out to your local Pearson rep or showroom to place an order.}

 

Dragon Tales

We were so inspired by the High Point Market Authority's 2012 Spring Fashion report that we decided to follow suit. In the comprehensive breakdown of trends, they highlight Year of the Dragon influenced products.

Pearson's fierce new blue and white fabric made the cut, as did a handful of other great finds. If you're looking to add a mythological element to your next space, 2012 is indeed the year. Dragons, chinoiserie and other Chinese zodiac honoring products hit the floors at every price point.

While a porcelain vase is still the most classic way to honor this trend, we love the idea of being a bit less predictable. After all, the dragon symbolizes strength, boldness and brash confidence. All important traits when it comes to styling your life and your home. And who couldn't use a little more fire in their design?

Featured: Pearson 1408 Chair; Mottahedeh Blue Dragon Dinnerware; Chinese Jar; Dragon Candelabra

Head of the Class

Across the board, one of the biggest trends seen at April Market was oversized headboards. Tall, powerful, statement-making headboards. We spied many variations on the theme at showrooms near and far. Jeanine Hays of AfroChic has one of the better roundups of the attention-getting trend.

There's an art to this look, of course. For me the trick is juxtaposing more dainty or at least more delicately scaled night tables next to the bed. Otherwise the bed itself (and corresponding massive headboard) can overwhelm a space.

In the photo above (of Pearson's newest upholstered bed) Jennifer and crew flank the masculine bed with travertine topped tables with cinched bronzed legs. Curvaceous lamps and playful pillows keep the look from being too handsome or too serious.

And did you spy those fat feet on the bed? Solid maple and seriously dramatic. With biscuit tufting and wingback styling this bed isn't for those without a brave streak for design. But I do think that its tailored appearance helps balance the overall vibe and keep it from looking to extreme. It's a statement piece that escalates the sophistication level of the bedroom. And isn't that what we all want from a headboard?

 

Scene & Heard

We thought we'd share mentions and observations from stylish designers and bloggers who attended Market. Regardless of how much fluffing and obsessing as you do over a showroom before opening day, the only thing that matters is customer response. Sure it may be pretty, but is is marketable? Is there a client in their books for that new console? Are there rooms in projects that would be perfect for using this new upholstery or that new imported fabric? That's the power of Market.

Here's a roundup of a few mentions from some of our favorite blogs:

• - Donna Vining, a celebrated interior designer from Houston noted the continuing influence of Mad Men on home furnishings. Her choices were spot on and we were flattered she chose to highlight our bolstered bench and brand new armless tufted chairs in her post.



• - Richard Rabel, an accomplishes interiors expert and art advisor in NYC and author of The Modern Sybarite, highlighted the awesomeness of our glamorous Art Deco-inspired three-tier table. Ball feet, panted black glass shelves and undeniable elegance make this a winner in almost any design environment. I suspect Richard's stylish clients would agree. Thanks for the mention, Richard!



• - Designer Cline Rose spied one of my favorite ottomans (I happen to own this very frame in the most remarkable metallic textile!) and remarked upon the large scale of upholstery she noticed at Market. I also enjoyed how she parsed out her trendspotting of the four D's in the post: Driftwood, Deep Blues (of which Pearson offered many), Daybeds and Details. Be sure to read more on her blog Design in Bloom.



• - Heather, designer and blog author behind Georgia James, featured our super chic chain link table in her roundup of favorite finds from Market. Can I just say I love Heather. Her bio makes me love her even more. 

These were all great posts from talented designers. Be sure to continue followng their blogs for more stylish selections from their trained eyes.

Happy weekend, all!

Spotted!

Did you follow the High Point Market Style Spotters? We certainly did. Whether or not you were in Carolina for April market, this talented crew did a fantastic job selecting the most eye-catching finds from showrooms large and small. Knowing that it is impossible to see everything during Market, this is a remarkable idea. It allows all of us to follow along and identify emerging trends, quirky product introductions and noteworthy pieces.

Beyond the obvious fun of being chosen as a Style Spotter, each individual has the opportunity to win a coveted prize: a free trip back to Market in October. If your Pinterest pinboard garners the most repins and "likes" you are declared the winner.

Traci Zeller wowed us with her choices, one of which was Pearson's brand new etagere. Standing tall with a gilded frame, beveled glass shelves painted black on the back. These are supremely glam and stopped many visitors in their tracks.

Traci chose this new occasional piece as one of her Style Spotting picks and caused quite a stir with designers and clients alike. We just learned that this talented Carolina designer WON the contest! Congratulations to you Traci and thank you for featuring one of our new introductions in your picks.

We would also like to extend a warm thank you to ALL of the Style Spotters for featuring such remarkable finds. It really enhances the Market expeience and is an incredible way for new brands and small vendors to be discovered. We look forward to seeing where Pinterest and technologies like it take the world of design.

Congrats again, Traci!

Showstoppers in the Showroom

Whew. Is everyone recovered (or recovering) from Market? Traffic was great in spite of the unfriendly weather. Much thanks to all of you who joined us for our cocktail party Sunday night. And warm thanks to everyone who ventured by for a peek at our new introductions or just to say hello.

The name of the game this year is color, color, color. And where there's color, there's pattern. Our showroom really reflected these trends and we delivered them with our own unique twists. As a recap, I'll show you just a few of the highlights of the showroom.

1. This dramatic blue and white fabric was showcased beautifully on the back of these Louis XVI dining chairs. You may also notice the new finish being shown on the frames... more on that in a future post. We're sure it will be a huge hit.

2. Sitting next to this adorable shagreen topped fretwork table is a classic chair with English arms. What makes this truly remarkable is the railroaded fabric applied with such great precision. We love how the textile works PERFECTLY on this upholstered frame.

3. Tangerine Tango, anyone? Who could resist the sunny appeal of this dining group. Velvet host chairs, a settee on one side and painted framed chairs on the opposing side (with classic x's on the backside) - I swoon over this little arrangement. That fabric is new and I'll be sharing much more about it once it's live on the web site. For now, note that it comes in three fantastic colors.

4. Peacocks are still going strong in the world of design. This embroidered fabric has a very large scale pattern and offers designers many opportunities to showcase their creativity.

5. Pearson's new bed program offers headboards AND footboards and bedframes now. This French-inspired option is sure to be a runaway hit.

6. While there are many things to point out in this photo, it's the new Italian digital watercolor print fabric that I'd like to point out. This comes in two colorways. Shown here is the indigo and yellow version. If you think this is pretty, you'll love the teal and raspberry version. True statement makers.

7. Oh, pink. I normally don't instinctively jump for pink in home decor. This vignette, however, is a true exception. Notice the curved sofas flanking the beautifully upholstered Star of India ottoman. I saw this and knew immediately I needed that ottoman. Just look at how this arrangement begs for you to unwind, sip a favorite beverage and settle in for a lengthy conversation with your favorite people. It's incredible. And the pink somehow makes the overall look even more inviting. {Beautifully done, Jennifer!}

Stay tuned for specific details on the new frames and textiles seen above. We have MUCH more to show you!

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!

Anticipation

As we eagerly await the kickoff of this and this, we are busy preparing for this. See you all soon!

Pre-Market Sneak Peek... Charcoal Shagreen Starburst Cocktail Table

Often the best way to outdo yourself is to literally outdo yourself. For April Market we've remixed our very popular 9742 cocktail table with the shagreen we used on our feisty 9675 bunching table to create this showstopping piece.

The new cocktail table stands out with its starburst top in charcoal faux shagreen. Contrast that with gilded galleries and legs and you have a striking piece worthy of any seating area. We love the stylistic references to the Art Deco of the 20's and 30's. Note that this beauty also has a companion side table... a hexagonal shaped little wonder in the same color shagreen that'll knock your glamour-loving socks off.

Join us April 22 for sips and bites and come see this duo in person.

Party Hop With Us!

Source: helloloveblog.com via Lesli on Pinterest

Market is almost here! We're excited that there are several parties happening in our neighborhood Sunday night, April 22. Ours goes from 4 until... who knows! The names you know and love in the press have already RSVP'd, so there is sure to be plenty of excitement here in the Pearson showroom.

Expect terrific wine, incredible passed hors d'œuvre, extra waiters on hand to help ensure you always have what you need.

Our philosophy is the more the merrier... so spread the word and bring your friends. We are looking forward to seeing everyone and showing you our new & exciting introductions.

We are located at located at 200 North Hamilton, North Court, Suite 107, at High Point Market in the Hamilton Wrenn Design District. See you there!

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.

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!

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!

Market Sneak Peek: The Scene Stealer

What a week! In addition to #SXSW, the Apple keynote speech (iPad, anyone?) and the sudden realization that winter isn't really happening this year, Decor Mentor gathered together a team of designers to discuss (read: give us the inside skinny!) on what we can expect at April Market.

Decor Mentors in the mix:

• Beth Dotolo and Carolina Gentry: Pulp Design Studios @PULPdesigns
• Lisa L Kahn: Kahn Design Group @LisaLKahn
• Michelle Jennings Wiebe: Studio M @StudioM_
• Jennifer Brouwer: Jennifer Brouwer Design @JennBrouwer
• Elaine Williamson: Elaine Williamson Designs @elainewdesigns
• Kati Curtis: Nirmada @designerkati
• Lisa Ferguson: Lisa Ferguson Interior Design @DecorMentor

All of whom brought their A game to the tweetchat this past Wednesday. While you might have missed it, you can catch up quickly by following #HPmkt on twitter and following @HPmarketnews.

Why it matters: these aren't design "enthusiasts" cheering on the latest and greatest things to come down the furniture runway. These are established interior designers who relentlessly attend Market with the goal of opening new accounts, placing new orders, staying on top of their game and sourcing exactly what their clients need. But there's a greater goal and benefit at work here: it's an unbelievable way to further your relationships with peers, hone your craft and build new and important relationships and partnerships. Market is an absolute must for you and your business.

If you are a fellow design professional, consider looking at ELEVATE (an interactive wall for interior design pros to exchange ideas, encouragement and expertise) and joining Lisa and her posse for a Market Kickoff Party Saturday April 21st 4 PM – 5 PM at 220 Elm, 3rd Floor Balcony

April Market... Sneak Peek (of a new fabric!)

Some secrets are just too good to keep under wraps for long. In this case we could not wait to show you one of the exciting new fabrics being unveiled at April Market.

This is an Italian digital watercolor print being offered in two different colorways. This one boasts greens, blues and a wild raspberry for an undeniably happy look. The second version (which you'll just have to wait until April to see!) offers a range of blues with a fresh pop of yellow for contrast.

Brad Goreski would be so proud, as both offer his much celebrated POC. That's "pop of color" for those of you not glued to Bravo TV like we are.

But the real question is... what creative use will you dream up for using this playful print?

Highs & Lows

It's fun seeing Pearson step into new product categories. Last Spring Market they introduced upholstered headboards, but last fall they ushered in a terrific selection of bar stools. Smartly, they offer each style in both counter height and bar height. I love the variety offered by the three different styles.

Looking for versatility? The transitional 1921/1922 bar stools (counter height and bar height, respectively). What I find most appealing about this style is the curvaceousness. A circular base supports a perfectly proportioned round seat set off by a curved back that tops with a scrolled top. It's just a beautiful design from start to finish. Keeping it sexy is the low back and the easy swivel motion. Love these stools and can see them being perfectly at home in almost any setting.

My personal favorites are the 1409/1410's as they mirror the styling of the 1408 & 1409 dining chairs - which I feel are perfection. The Louis XVI frames are carved from European Beech before being accented with heavy duty return swivels forged from high strength steel with smooth motion ball bearings. Even more thoughtful? The footrest is protected with an antique brass plate clear coated to decrease wear. Love that feature!

For those who love a bit more geometry in their furnishings, the exposed picture frame backs of the 1917 and 1918 stools are just what the good designer ordered. Although these beautiful creations don't swivel, I assure you their handsome good looks will turn heads.

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