Thursday, May 25, 2017

Windsor Smith for Century Furniture at High Point April Market 2017


Design icon, Windsor Smith introduced her new collection at Century Furniture during High Point Market April 2017.
The "Alchemy" Collection by Windsor Smith was well received and celebrated during April High Point MarketHigh Point Market in April!  The collection includes 70 easy-to-mix classics which are versatile enough to use in every room in the home.  The collection includes everything from upholstery, case goods to wall decor.  
The collection was named "Alchemy" - which she defined as "Seemingly magical process of transformation, creation, or combination" 
 Windsor explained her approach as the following in her own words, “My goal is to provide effortless combinations of shapes and materials culled from sources far and wide to forge a new, tightly edited whole. Every detail feels bespoke, precisely chosen for modern living, and engaging over time for generations to come.”
Let's take a look at some of my favorites from the collection:


Point in case.  The lady is a pro.  She pays as much detail to the front of the chair as she does the back of the chair so I'm showing this chic chair from the back. Take note of the "jewelry" for the back of the chair with a nod to the equestrian world.


The "Daybreak sofa" was equally stunning and dramatic at 110" in length.
The perfect sofa to add drama and great seating to your room.  It reminded me
of something you would see in an old Hollywood movie.  


Again, details are part of what sets Windsor's design sensibilities apart from the part.  Notice the cuff detail on the leg of this side table.  



 This gorgeous bed was so inviting.  By the time I saw the collection, my initial response was to climb in bed and pull the covers over my head but honestly, the collection was so stunning it captivated my interest and intrigued me to move forward and see what was around the corner.  



Across from the bed was this Hollywood worthy viewing corner complete with the most comfy and plush swivel chairs, bar stools and table for the ultimate media room experience.
My friend, Robert Leleux of Southern Style Now and I enjoyed a break in these comfy chairs and dreamed about having a room like this in our own homes.


Yes, you are seeing correctly!  this is the most stunning mirrored top dining table 
I have ever seen!  The floor is also from a collection Windsor Smith designed featuring weathered wood and various finished woods in a geometric pattern.

 The Meridian settee is a four-sided sofa which answers the designer's question to what to do when you need a pair of sofas in a room but wants something more unique and interesting than just a pair of sofas!  It can be used in a foyer, large dressing room or larger living space.  Modern yet classic in design, this is the perfect neoclassical piece with carved wood and gold left detailing. 



The "Twilight sofa" is another piece with " Old Hollywood" appeal.  It perfectly sums up what I would describe as a "fainting couch".  It's flirty and fun with its curvaceous seat and button back.  Great to use in an angled corner of a bedroom, dressing room or flanking a fireplace to soften the geometry of a square room.  



Bam!  Another winner!  I don't know which I like more, the Shield, framless mirror or the handsome desk.  One is feminine the other is masculine which adds the perfect tension to
a master bedroom in mybook.


A new dining table and chairs were another wonderful part of the collection.  I also loved how Windsor styled the rooms.  The simplicity of the grass in the round trays was the perfect centerpiece for the table.  Proof that sometimes there are things better as centerpieces than flowers.  


Other people have done cloverleaf ottomans but never have I seen them with cute little brass legs and grouped in a pair.  


Doesn't this vignette feel like the set of a great movie?  The oversized shield mirror is the pefect focal point in this room. 


Cool, chic and simple.  Three words to describe the feel of this ever so sophisticated guy's room!  I won't say boy's room because I think my 19 year old would love it as much as anyone.



How chic is this barstool? I'll take a pair and while you are at it please throw in the table for good measure, right?



 The Clara tete a tete from her original collection with Century is a Windsor iconic piece in my book.  It is what I remember loving from one of the foyers that first caught my attention and took me down a rabbit hole admiring Windsor's portfolio years ago.


Windsor's kept to her signature grey color throughout the collection but kept things interesting with textures such as fur and leather. 


I'll admit I had to lie down and experience the chaise which I found to be very comfortable.  When I first saw it, I didn't think that it would be but I was proven wrong.  



What a sexy, strong and artful silhouette this chair adds to a room.  Again, this chair was as comfortable as it was great looking. 


Don't we all want a corner sofa?  Dont' we all want to put Windsor Smith's new collection for Century in our projects?  I know I am dying too!  

"So many pieces, so little time" is the cry from most designers!  Windsor Smith hit a homerun in my opinion with this collection!  I cannot wait to see these pieces in upcoming features in magazines by designers.  Her collection is worthy of the best!

Make sure you visit the Century Website to see more here!  


This post was sponsored by Esteem Media Design Blog Tour for High Point Market.

Make sure to check out more of the Design Blog Tours participate's post here


The bloggers selected for this tour include:
 
– Courtney Allison, www.frenchcountrycottage.net
– Margot Austin, www.thedesigneditblog.com
– Nina Magon, www.livestylishdaily.com
– Lisa Mende, www.lisamendedesign.blogspot.com- Nora Murphy, www.noramurphycountryhouse.com
– Michiel Perry, www.blacksouthernbelle.com
– Jana Platina Phipps, www.trimqueen.com
– Ruthie Staalsen, www.decrenew.com
– Laura Umansky, www.laurauinteriordesign.com/connect/blog
– Rhoda Vickers, www.southernhospitalityblog.com
Thank you to Our Sponsors participating in the tour include:
 
– Artefama Furniture, www.artefamafurniture.com
– Bernhardt Furniture, www.bernhardt.com
– Century Furniture, www.centuryfurniture.com
– Crypton Home Fabric, www.cryptonhome.com
– Eastern Accents/Pandora’s Manor, www.easternaccents.com, www.pandorasmanor.com
– IMC – Interhall, www.imchighpointmarket.com/interhall
– Nathan Anthony Furniture, www.nafurniture.com
– Rachel Ashwell, www.shabbychic.com
– The MT Company, www.themtcompany.com
– Theodore Alexander, www.theodorealexander.com
– Universal Furniture, www.universalfurniture.com
- Emporuim Home www.emporiumhome.com
-Bunny Williams Home www.bunnywilliamshome.com
-Huntington House www.huntingtonhouse.com
-JoyBird www.joybird.com



Interhall Shopping - Bunny Williams Home New Collection at Spring High Point Market 2017


I love to peruse the aisles of Interhall when I hit High Point Market.  It seems there are always so many exciting vendors down the halls of this venue in High Point.  This year did not disappoint!  So many to see and many new ones to add to my offerings to clients.  I was so excited to see new people and reacquaint with old friends who I have bought from for years. Bunny Williams Home was showing in Interhall this market and was one of the first showrooms I visited.  

Bunny Williams Home did not disappoint this High Point Market.  I was so happy to see her collection being shown again after a hiatus from High Point Market for a few years.  
Bunny is one of my favorite designers because her projects are always so beautiful yet livable so it is nice to have the option of incorporating some of the furniture she has designed into my own projects.  My favorite piece in the collection was this plaster bas relief garden art. It will be showing up in a project of mine very soon!  This piece was inspired by a bas relief mural originally hand-carved in a little village outside of Semarang which Bunny owned.  This piece is available in interior grade plaster or exterior grade plaster that can be used outdoors.  I also love the large scale coffee table with built-in tray which would be perfect for serving drinks, or as a resting place for interesting objects or books.  The tray is removable which allows for multi-functional use.  The ottoman shown here is in signature Bunny blue and features details like button tufted upholstery, hand-carved turned wooden feet and French nailhead trim.



This bed was another favorite from the new collection.  Bunny's beautiful craftsmanship is evident in this beautifully designed bed with Greek key ironwork.  I love the high quality of the materials and beautifully executed finishes she chooses for her products.   Bunny uses some of her own furniture as inspiration for her collection and rounds out the collection with original designs that she feels are needed in today's home but she can't find in the marketplace for her own clients.   Her designs are classic and timeless yet creative.


There were so many beautiful new pieces that don't look new like the Arabella mirror shown above.  Hand carved wood with a flowing whimsical feel which mimics draped fabric on a wall would be beautiful in a foyer, dining room, bedroom or basically any room in the house.  The gold gilt finish adds glamour.  I think it would be lovely in a powder room or above a vanity in a dressing room. 


The Parker Sofa shown here in deep blue velvet makes you feel like royalty when you sit on it and it should since it was originally designed for British Royalty!  It was inspired by an antique Knole-style sofa Bunny had in her apartment for many years.  Bunny updated the design with exposed wood finials at the top corners with a matching tie-back connecting the drop-down side arms and back.  My favorite detail about this sofa is the decorative nailhead trim which is designed in a geometric pattern around the base of the sofa. 

So those are a few of my favorites from the latest collection of Bunny Williams Home.
  Make sure to visit her website here to see more!


Exquisite designs and unparalleled high quality are what define Bunny Williams Home.


I will be posting more about what I found in Interhall this market so stay tuned for me!

This post was sponsored by Esteem Media.  I was a participate for the Esteem Media Design Bloggers Tour for High Point April 2017 market!

Make sure you check out the post from my fellow Design Bloggers Tour participates!


The bloggers selected for this tour include:
– Courtney Allison, www.frenchcountrycottage.net
– Margot Austin, www.thedesigneditblog.com
– Nina Magon, www.livestylishdaily.com
– Michiel Perry, www.blacksouthernbelle.com
– Jana Platina Phipps, www.trimqueen.com
– Ruthie Staalsen, www.decrenew.com
– Rhoda Vickers, www.southernhospitalityblog.com

Here is a Hug Shout out to the Sponsors participating in the tour:


– Artefama Furniture, www.artefamafurniture.com
– Bernhardt Furniture, www.bernhardt.com
– Century Furniture, www.centuryfurniture.com
– Crypton Home Fabric, www.cryptonhome.com
– Eastern Accents/Pandora’s Manor, www.easternaccents.com, www.pandorasmanor.com
– IMC – Interhall, www.imchighpointmarket.com/interhall
– Nathan Anthony Furniture, www.nafurniture.com
– Rachel Ashwell, www.shabbychic.com
– The MT Company, www.themtcompany.com
– Theodore Alexander, www.theodorealexander.com
– Universal Furniture, www.universalfurniture.com
--Bunny Williams Home www.bunnywilliamshome.com
--JoyBird www.joybird.com
--Huntington House www.huntingtonhouse.com

Thank you to Luba and Adam from Esteem Media who allowed me to participate this market.  It was a blast as always!  oxo lisa

High Point Market Recap 2017

 Bunny Williams Home


Life has been crazy since I returned from High Point.  I had to laugh the other day because one of my readers wrote to me and ask what happened to me!  I have not been blogging very much because my project load has been so heavy, but I have lots to share.  Let's begin with a recap of High Point Market!
I was excited my dear friend, Ann Maine joined me at High Point.  We had a great time on the day of her arrival visiting showrooms.  Ann knows everyone in the industry so to walk around the market with Ann is like walking around with a celebrity.  Her years as Editor-In-Chief of Traditional Home Magazine introduced forged bonds with many companies so she has tons of friends at High Point. 
When I wasn't walking around with Ann I was walking the beat as a Design Blogger.
I was also chosen to participate in Design Blogger's Tour which is sponsored by Esteem Media which was quite fun.  What I love the most about being on the Design Bloggers Tour is how each designer hones in on different details.  When you visit a showroom with a group of people who love details and we point out things we like, so collectively no detail is left unmentioned.  This year group was especially fun!  We visited some of my favorite showrooms and saw many beautiful new collections from Emporium Home, Bernhardt, Universal, Bunny Williams, Rachel Ashwell of Shabby Chic, Theodore Alexander, The MT Company, Century, Crypton Home Fabric, Eastern Accents, Nathan Anthony, Bagley Mischka and Artefama.  I plan to share a blog post on each because I took too many pictures for one post!    I am so excited to share everything we saw!  

Here are some of the highlights of our blog tour visits:



We visited The MT Company and enjoy tea time and saw so many things I liked in the
every collection.  I especially love the Dana Gibson line.  Dana loves color like I do and isn't afraid to use it. The ottoman above is covered in a Chanel inspired fabric which added texture and panache to this seating area.  So many of their pieces were covered in high-performance Crypton fabrics which make this line great for families.  Do you love knowing you can finally have a white sofa and not worry about spills?  Thank you, Crypton!




Fashion Designers Badgley Mischa introduced their new home line called  " The Monterey Collection"  which includes lighting, upholstery, and accent furniture with hand-gilded metal structures.  Check out their collection here.



Rachel Ashwell, the founder, of Shabby Chic, returned to High Point Market and introduced a new collection, after a long sabbatical.  Her collection looked fresher than ever!  Cannot wait to share!  Check out her new collection here!


Bernhardt Furniture new "Faux Bois" collection was clean, crisp, and perfect for so many applications.  Every market, Bernhardt offers several new collections but this one happened to be my favorite.  I cannot wait to show you more from Bernhardt!  Visit their website to see more from Bernhardt! 


One of my absolute favorite venues to visit while shopping the High Point Market is Interhall!  There are always amazing discoveries to be made in Interhall.  This year was no exception!  I was excited to see The Bunny Williams Home Collection had made a return to High Point and was in Interhall along with so many other of my favorites!   I was thrilled to see Bunny back!  The collection looks amazing!  I especially loved this ottoman but there are so many great pieces, I will definitely be sharing more!  Visit Bunny Williams Home to see the complete collection!

I always love everything Ashley Childers, owner of Emporium Home, introduces at High Point market.  Ashley is a little ball of fire with an incredible talent for design.  This market I fell hard for her amazing faux bois pieces.  This little side table would work so many places and adds just the right amount of style.  Visit Emporium Home's website to see more!  Warning, it's all so good you may hang out there for hours!  



Universal Furniture has become one of my "go to" companies for my beach house projects as well as kids rooms, and basically any room of the home.  Their new intros at High Point Spring Market were exciting.  I especially loved the Alexander Jullian collection and will be sharing more about this collection from one of my favorite North Carolina born and bred designers!  Always nice when one of our own does so well in the industry.  I was so excited to finally meet Alexander Julian in the Universal showroom.  He as nice as he is talented which says a lot.  Visit Universal Furniture to see more Universal Furniture here!




Another favorite showroom visit was to Nathan Anthony!  This company is incredible.  Look at the detail on this chair!  We had so much fun in this showroom.  We played a little game and learned about the amazing designs created by Tina Nicole and Khai Mai 
Founded in 2005, Nathan Anthony creates award-winning contemporary furnishings in its own design studio and furniture factory in Los Angeles, CA. Co-owner and principal designer Tina Nicole has been recognized for design excellence by The Design Society UK with two International Product Design Awards, several Best of Year Award nominations, and two Pinnacle Award nominations. Visit their website to see more here!!!  I was amazed at the creativity and craftsmanship of Nathan Anthony.  They can make anything!  I loved that they even upholster the underside of their furniture when necessary.  You ask why someone would do that?  Because they have glass floors or floors that can reflect the pattern under the furniture!  Yes, it is true!  I would have never thought of that but Tina and Khai do!  They think of every detail!  Make sure you check them out!



Eastern Accents continued the excitement with new collections of beautiful bedding from Celerie Kemble.  I mean seriously, is there anything this designer can't do?  I love everything she designs.  This collection was designed to work for adults as well as kids.  I loved the soft pinks offered as well as the crisp whites in bedding and pillows.  There is too much to single one item out.  I cannot pick a favorite here because it was all so fab.  Visit their website to see more new introductions here.


Eastern Accents also owns Pandora's Manor, which is a beautiful home in High Point which offers lodging.  The home has recently been redecorated by top designers and this market, Eastern Accents hosted a gala there and the Blog Tour was lucky to be included.  Shown here is the bedroom in Pandora's Manor that was designed by The Madcap Cottage guys using Eastern accent bedding!  Isn't it fabulous!  I hope to share more from the talented designers who revamped this Manor into a showplace.  Tobi Fairley, Barclay Butera, Celerie Kemble, Thom Felicia and Madcap did an amazing job!


Crypton Home was another sponsor of our Blog Tour so we visit the JoyBird showroom to see furniture in my personal favorite fabric, Crypton!  If you are not using Crypton in your home or if you are a designer and not using them in your projects you are missing the train!  Now Crypton is available in so many wonderful fabrics.  It is soft, lux and so smart!  Spill your wine?  No problem!  Get lipstick on your sofa?  No problem.  Did your 5 yr old just draw on your favorite chair?  If it is covered in crypton, you are good!  Simply take a damp cloth and wipe it off.  I think crypton has saved many children and some adults from punishment!
When I introduce this product to my clients I call it "THE ah-mazing Crypton" and add that I feel like Superman did with his cryptonite when I use Crypton. Wanna learn more about crypton? visit their website here!  JoyBird was a new intro for me as well.  Learn more about this wonderful resource here!  Their showroom looked amazing.  


Windsor Smith new collection "Alchemy" designed for Century Furniture was introduced this High Point Market and boy oh boy was it ah-mazing!  Here is one of the rooms she designed in her signature gray.  The designs as well as the textures, soothing palette and artfully curated grouping we a treat to the eye as well as comfy and cozy.  Check out all the pieces in the line here!  While you are there peruse the entire Century site to see the quality of furniture this company has been making for centuries.  This company is still a family-owned and run furniture company which is rare in our industry.  The younger generation works hard to maintain the quality, customer service, and craftsmanship which is what this company was founded upon.  



We enjoyed our visit to Huntington House Furniture.  Always so nice to visit their showroom and see what is new.  My absolute favorite sofa in their showroom is one called "the Heavenly sofa".  It is named that because it feels so heavenly!  Shown above is one of their more tailored sofas but this sofa also sits very comfortably!  Huntington House is finely, handcrafted furniture made right here in North Carolina!  Visit their website to learn more!



Artefama was a new resource for me although this company isn't new.  It was founded 45 years ago! Recognized worldwide for accountability, quality design and also for respecting the FSC standards, this company's commitment to social and ecological concerns is well respected throughout the industry.  Look for more from this company!  Shown here are the Medallion Dining chairs made of solid oak and upholstered in a gray fabric.  The chair is offered in two different colors, natural and cinnamon.  See more from Artefama here!




Last but not least, we visited Theodore Alexander which is an absolute beautiful showroom and a treasure trove for designers!  We were introduced to their new "TA Custom finishes line" which is the answer to many designer's prayers !  Pick your silhouette and then choose the paint color to custom create til your heart's desire!  How fun is that?  We also had the pleasure of viewing Michael Berman's newest introductions in his collection with Theodore Alexander which were just gorgeous! Visit their website to see more! 


Here are the members of our blogtour!

 Blog Tour Members for Market 2017

– Courtney Allison, www.frenchcountrycottage.net
– Margot Austin, www.thedesigneditblog.com
– Nina Magon, www.livestylishdaily.com
– Lisa Mende, www.lisamendedesign.blogspot.com- Nora Murphy, www.noramurphycountryhouse.com
– Michiel Perry, www.blacksouthernbelle.com
– Jana Platina Phipps, www.trimqueen.com
– Ruthie Staalsen, www.decrenew.com
– Laura Umansky, www.laurauinteriordesign.com/connect/blog
– Rhoda Vickers, www.southernhospitalityblog.com


 A Big Shout Out to Our Design Blog Tour Sponsors!

– Artefama Furniture, www.artefamafurniture.com
– Bernhardt Furniture, www.bernhardt.com
– Century Furniture, www.centuryfurniture.com
– Crypton Home Fabric, www.cryptonhome.com
– Eastern Accents/Pandora’s Manor, www.easternaccents.com,      www.pandorasmanor.com
– IMC – Interhall, www.imchighpointmarket.com/interhall
– Nathan Anthony Furniture, www.nafurniture.com
– Rachel Ashwell, www.shabbychic.com
– The MT Company, www.themtcompany.com
– Theodore Alexander, www.theodorealexander.com
– Universal Furniture, www.universalfurniture.com
- Emporium Home www.emporiumhome.com
- Bagley Mischka www.bagleymischka.com
- Huntington House Furniture - www.huntingtonhousefurniture.com
- Bunny Williams Home www.bunnywilliamshome.com
- JoyBird www.joybird.com



Thank you Esteem Media for allowing me to be on your fabulous tour!  I had a blast and cannot wait to share more about our adventures with my readers!