Bernhardt Furniture At High Point Market 2014

 

Bernhardt Furniture looked amazing at High Point Market.
Did you see it?  If not, feast your eyes....
The new collections were amazing!
(Click here to see photos from the Bernhardt Collection...)

Ronald McDonald House "Part Deux" & "Design On A Dime"

Ronald McDonald greets Traci and I at the front door of the Ronald McDonald House Long Island.  This photo was taken by Charlie who is one of the volunteers for the house.

It has been a busy travel week for me and not much time for blogging.  I am on the plane home from New York, where Traci Zeller and I attended the kickoff event for the interior designers involved in phase two of the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island  .  It was a very emotional day.  The love and dedication of the staff, as well as the excitement of the participating designer's desires to make a difference in the life of others created a surreal environment for the afternoon.  This is the "house that love built."  Love has continue to manifest itself in the metamorphosis of "part one" and I think "part deux" will result in the same.   The number of participating designers has grown from the original 26 designers in phase one to 44 designers in phase two.  The increase in deigned involvement represents how important tho project is to the design community.  Thanks to Anthony Baratta who had the vision for this project and spearheaded the efforts initially.   He was there and was excited about phase two. What an honor to meet this design icon! Traci and I are excited about our room appointment, which I will share in detail later. 

 At the end of our event at the Ronald McDonald House,  Traci and I decided to go into Manhattan to attend  10th Anniversary of Design on a Dime.  "DOAD" is the most popular interior design event in New York city sponsored by Housing Works each year.   Each year for the past 10 years, more than 50 of the world's top interior designers have  created amazing room vignettes with totally donated or self created, new merchandise, which is sold at the event for 50-70% off retail pricing.  Click here to read more about DOAD!
There is so much to share about this event!  We loved seeing our friends, who participated in this years event.   It was so amazing that Traci and I have decided it is a "don't miss event" going forward.  I can't wait to show you what I bought and share our New York adventures, but first I must unpack and spend some time with my family.  They are looking a little needy.  Hope your Saturday is fabulous!

Katie Ridder - Rooms To Bloom

This past week I attend the  Charlotte Mint Museum Auxiliary's Room To Bloom Symposium and had the good fortune of hearing the talented New York designer Katie Ridder speak.  Wednesday was a crazy morning for me because I was trying to get work projects settled and pack for a trip I was leaving on later that day, but I thought it would be worth the effort to hear Katie Ridder and I was totally right. 
 If you aren't familiar with Katie Ridder's work the best description is found on her own website:

"Katie Ridder’s extraordinary dexterity with palettes of primary and secondary colors, her playful approach to mixing antiques and modern pieces, and her eye for unusual decorative accents have all established her as a leading, and singular, figure in the world of interior design. "

Room Designed by Katie Ridder

It was refreshing to hear a designer of Katie's statue share her journey and give us a peek into her world with funny and unglamorous stories of client work.  She spoke from the heart and often was self deprecating.   There were so many morsels of wisdom that resonated with me.  Here are some I found most interesting:

1) Colors don't compete with Art, they promote it.  She advises to paint the walls a color even if you have an extensive gallery like collection.  She says often designers pick white because it is easy when a color could be far more interesting.  

2) As a designer, our homes are our laboratories, we use our home to experiment.  We try out your thoughts and processes there.  I had never thought about it that way but it i true.  Our home is often a good example to share with clients.

3) You will never get anywhere by giving up if things don't happen quickly.  Katie started out with craft like items, then moved into making slipcovers and then had wooden printing block made in India, all of which never really amounted to anything but she didn't give up, she kept trying until she got it right.  Those processes taught her so much along the way and are good reminders to her about the path she has traveled to get to a successful place. 

4) Don't expect to start out with the big clients. Katie did not attend design school.  She started out working in House and Garden.  Her first job was filling rolodex cards and from that she worked her way up the ranks to where she is today.  It didn't come easy.  Her success is due to years of hard work and being willing to do what had to be done when often it wasn't glamorous or fun.  

5)   Travel has played a huge role in inspiring her passion and love of design.  She ventured to foreign lands of India, Istanbul and other faraway places with her husband, famed architect, Peter Pennoyer.  Her vast exposure has resulted in threads of exotic lands being woven into her design aesthetic, which often adds a unique and interesting twist in her projects.  It also prompted her to open a shop which she later closed. Many of the pieces of her shop were used to create what she refers to as the "Zam Zam" room in her own home.  It's a place of fun memories where her children entertain friends.  

6. Good designers don't have to go to design school.  I did go to design school but when people ask me if I think they must, I say no.  You either have interior design talent or you don't.  Going to school is certainly great, but you can learn at the hem of a good designer or by working with designers which is what Katie did.  Her discerning eye came from working with designers when she was in the magazine business.

 I have long been a fan of Katie Ridder's and after hearing her speak, my affinity for her has grown even more.  Here are some of my favorite rooms designed by Katie.

Designed by Katie Ridder

 Designed by Katie Ridder

Designed by Katie Ridder

Designed by Katie Ridder

 Designed by Katie Ridder

Katie's work has been featured in all the top shelter magazines.  She has been on the cover of Elle Decor and House Beautiful.  She has appeared on the list of "Top 100 List of Designers" in Elle Decor, House Beautiful and New York Magazine, but Katie is more than that.  She is a artist who uses her talent to paint beautiful interiors for her clients.
She is a weaver of fabulous interiors for families who want to feel like their homes speak to them with style and grace.    

"The Design Process is hard work, but in the end I want my interiors to look inspired and relaxed, not studied" 

- Katie Ridder

Louise Gaskill Lighting

I am crazy in love with Louise Gaskill Lighting.  Louise takes vintage materials and creates modern designs.  While I was at High Point Market, I paid a visit to Louise Gaskill Lighting in the salon at Market Squares.  

When I first met North Carolina lighting designer, Louise Gaskill, we instantly connected after discovering we were   Meredith College alumnus.  Meredith is located in Raleigh, NC, where Louise currently resides.  It is a girl's school, that boasts an angel for a mascot.  The angel mascot began as a   "tongue in cheek" joke, but was quickly embraced by the student population.  Once you become a  "Meredith Angel" you are part of a special sisterhood for life, so I consider Louise a "sister".  

I knew I wanted her beautiful lighting in Studio 202.  It is perfect for the concept Traci and I envisioned for the studio of offering things that are not currently found in Charlotte.  We both love custom pieces with a unique flair for our client work too.  Louise's line is an extension of the original art offerings, we have curated for the studio. We can't wait to share the entire collection which is growing by the day. 

I am happy to welcome Louise Gaskill Lighting to Charlotte!

Yay! Her lighting will be in Studio 202! 

(click here to continue reading and see more of Louise's beautiful lighting....)

World's Away's New Permanent Showroom at High Point Market

Hands down, my favorite new showroom at High Point Market was World's Away's new permanent showroom in Interhall.   World's Away isn't new to the High Point scene by any means, but the growing company has graduated to a much larger, permanent showroom.  

It's no secret that I have been a long time fan of World's Away having style spotted them all three times I was a style spotter for High Point Market.  I think the line just keeps getting better and better.  

Years ago, I bought World's Away when I had a retail space under another name.  That was in the 1990's and I bought "painted toile" table tops, wastebaskets and trays. The line looked very different and my style was different in those days as well. In more recent years, the line has evolved into "Hollywood Regency and Mid Century Mod Style offerings,  perfectly timed for the growing need of more transitional pieces for today's updated interiors.  

You may not know that World's Away was one of the first companies to offer mirrored furniture.  It all started with the "Cary" mirrored dresser and the rest is history!   The company was founded in Memphis, Tennessee in 1992 and their headquarters remain there today.  World's Away offers high design pieces at great prices.  I took the liberty of snapping a few pictures to share when I was in their showroom.  

{Click Here to See Showroom Pictures....}