Happy Thanksgiving!

Sending my best to you and yours!

Thanksgiving Cheers - Wanda

I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas!

Even though we Southern folks may be a bit skittish about news of predictions for snow, as we make a mad dash for milk, eggs and bread, (after all, we don’t have many snow plows available to address the two inch “drifts”), we balance our caution with the giddiness of school children, who received a bonus holiday – a SNOW DAY!

I think we also enjoy the rare, pristine beauty of a snowfall.  It’s especially magical, if we are able to watch the flakes quietly dance down through the lights of the evening.  It brings a rare moment of peace, as life slows down . . . just a little . . . just enough to have time to reflect on the wonders of nature.

If you live in an area, where the snow is abundant, you can color me a little “pea green with envy”, during this time of year.  If you are in warmer parts, here are some winter room settings and accents to help you make your Christmas dreams come true!

The white slipcovers create snowy drifts of linen.  Can you only imagine how beautiful this would be in candlelight?

A lovely and clever wall cabinet is adorned in simple garland.  I love the Tiffany blue background.  It reminds me of the brilliant sky on a clear winter’s day.

The adjacent living room beckons you to curl up on this sofa for a steaming cup of cocoa.

A starfish in the snow?  Anything is possible, when you keep an open mind and an open heart!

Some things are just self-explanatory!

Crystal baubles and shimmery ball ornaments on a silver platter . . . a festive way to “serve-up” the idea of a tree-trimming party.

    . . . and while you’re trimming the tree, offer guests some lovely treats, served up in a matching palette. 

The mirrored doors, of this armoire, almost appear to have been crystallized by a frost. 

Such simple things become luxe with the right touches.  Silver painted cones, “snow” dusted garden cloches, and mercury glass vases are just the right touch for a mantel scape.

During this holiday season, as you prepare to address your lists, things to do, places to be and people to see, close your eyes and imagine a quiet snowfall, breathe deeply, and feel the wonderment of the moment.

Cheers to You!  Wanda

(Thanks to “Country Living” for the lovely photos!)

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It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like . . .

I had really promised myself I would slow down and let each holiday be given its own due.  Halloween? That was pretty easy.  The pumpkins, gourds, and harvest accents were properly placed and enjoyed, as the month of September rolled into October.  November?  Well, that’s a different story.  Christmas Carols are already playing on several radio stations - and non-stop, I might add.  It goes without saying the stores have been decked out. In Charlotte, we are also in the midst of the Southern Christmas Show. 

I looked at the calendar and calculated the days before my Wyoming in-laws will be in town, for Thanksgiving week, and then the number of weeks, in between, when my folks will be arriving for Christmas.  Okay, I give up!  I guess it’s just time to crank up the music and warm up the wassail.  It IS beginning to look at lot like Christmas and I’ll share with you some sights to help you get in the spirit, too!  

Give your guests a sneak preview as to what to expect, inside.  This is the entry to a client’s home and we honored her mountain-inspired retreat with cones and long-leaf pine – a tree indigenous to North Carolina. 

I love white ironstone for its versatility.  (And, I can’t help it, I still love clocks!  See my previous post on the subject.)

I’m a fan of Carolyne Roehm and her Christmas Canine wreath is so “bow-wow-tiful”!  (A good sense of humor goes a long way towards maintaining the holiday spirit, don’t you think?)

This Colonial Candle display certainly gets the message across regarding what they are all about.  What happy color combinations and you’ll always be prepared for a power outage! 

There’s something about a farmhouse table, laden with goodies, graced with topiaries and crowned with a chandelier.  Red is definitely one of my favorite colors . . . Like a moth to a flame, is a pretty accurate description, for me!

The decorations, on this mantel, are a lovely extension of the wintery scene.  Couldn’t you just get lost for hours, here?

A contrast of textures, to the previous mantel photo.  The asymmetrical groupings of potted conifers and obelisks compliment the rustic fireplace.  A comfy, casual spot!

A gathering of pinecones, accented by either a pile of apples and magnolia leaves, or placed around a planted amaryllis, are a quick and easy way to add an earthy touch to your seasonal greens and flowers.

What?  Never heard of the Christmas Bunny?  If your storage space is limited or you can’t bear to put your favorite everyday decorations away – go ahead, break the rules.  I “triple dog dare you”! 

I always say, the holidays are like the Bermuda Triangle of sweets.  Who could resist saying no to this? 

Speaking of treats, I do enjoy spreading the seasonal joy to the kitchen.  This is not a case for “less is more”.

For those of you who prefer an option to the traditional reds and greens, Carolyne Roehme offers up her version of a blue and white Christmas.  So wintery and magical! 

How about a “green” Christmas?  I can see this room being an homage to an eco-friendly holiday.  Recycled floors and stone from an old farmstead.  The antique coffee table, had a previous life as a kitchen table.  Organic linen slipcovers placed on the sofa and chairs made of soy foam and renewable frame materials.  Even the tree is sustainable as it is a live version, to be planted later!

 Finishing touches can be created from a bit of this and a bit of that!

 

While this post may be longer than the Twelve Days of Christmas, I hope you’ll enjoy my gift to you and will take away something to inspire you for a season, merry and bright!

“It is not our things which make us happy, but rather the people with whom we share them.”  Wanda Horton

(Thanks to:  House Beautiful, Home and Garden, Traditional Homes, Colonial Candles, Veranda and Interior Concepts by Wanda for the photo sources.)

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Dining by Design – Six Smart Solutions & A Bonus Idea!

Aside from the chill in the fall air, I get an extra little shiver when I calculate the fast approach of the holidays!  Thanksgiving is merely a few weeks away, and I know the dining room, often a room no one even walks into until Halloween has passed, becomes the emergency phone call many interior designers receive. 

At this date, while I may not be able to offer “major surgery” options, I can share six ways to “resuscitate” your dining room, depending on the availability of your resources.  I hope the Question and Answer format will address some of the more frequently sought solutions.

Question:  Do you always need to use a rug under a dining room table? 

Answer: There are no iron-clad rules for needing to use one.  I do; however, consider several factors before guiding a client in one direction or the other.  If, in the case of this room, there were no window panels or fully upholstered chairs, (and the entire room consisted mostly of wood), it would be my recommendation to add a rug for color, texture, and to soften the edges.  (Photo courtesy of House Beautiful.)

Question:  I have found some chairs, I really love, but I’m still searching for the perfect table and I have guests coming for the holidays.  Help!  Should I cancel?!

Answer:  Keep those guests on your list!  There are many online sources, with fast shipping, for inexpensive folding, round tables.  Some even go up to 66” or more.  You may also find some plywood table rounds to convert an existing table top.  Oversized table cloths can be ordered, online, and you can customize your look with a topper square or other layered linens.  I like the burlap/linen textures, as they can be dressed up or down.  (Photo courtesy of House Beautiful.)

Question:  I bought a new table and it has a heavier base.  Now my old chairs look too delicate.  They were antiques, given to me by my grandmother, so I can’t get rid of them.  What can I do?

Answer:  Slipcovering is a wonderful solution to help visually enlarge and “fill-in” the backs of chairs, without affecting their integrity or design structure. In the oval back chairs, above, the added “skirt” makes the seat seem fuller, thus creating a better balance with the table base.  (Photo courtesy of House Beautiful.)

Question:  I have a collection of mismatched chairs, an antique chest, and a table that is not really so pretty.  I’m limited with what I can do, right now, because other rooms need more attention.  Should I just ignore my dining room and leave it empty?

Answer:  Often, the dining room is one of the first rooms we see, when we enter a house.  If it’s left empty, it can give the impression that no one is “home”.  Some chairs styles are compatible and are made even more so by using the same fabric.  Eclectic mixes are often very interesting and can be quite nice, if some rules are observed.  Keep the color palette simple, so the eye will have a place to land and not be overly distracted.  Notice how the walls and trim, in the photo above, match the chair fabric.  The table is covered in a simple linen and the antique door chest acts as a server.  A natural fiber rug can be easily found and it adds a soft layer to the mix.  (Photo courtesy of House Beautiful.)

Question:  I have a larger, open dining room and it really is a rare occasion that I use it.  What are my options as this feels like a waste of space?

Answer:  As a designer, I think this is one of those rooms that can be missed, during family gatherings or special events/holidays, if it doesn’t exist in some fashion in your home.  I do like to see if I can figure out creative ways to multi-purpose rooms so their square footage has been captured and not lost.  One of the easiest solutions is a “dining/library”.  A library cabinet has similar lines to a china cabinet, and a combination of books and china can offer a nice balance.  The room above, has a console table tucked to the back wall, which can be utilized as a desk.  With today’s wireless connections, a laptop can be easily hidden when folks come over to dine.  (Photo courtesy of Traditional Homes.)

Question: I made a wise decision in selecting very durable fabric.  My chairs almost look like new.  I say, “almost”, because the legs have gotten a bit dinged up. I know if I have them refinished, the fabric will have to be changed.  Is there anything else I can do?

Answer:  Often, great furniture technicians can do some touch-up, if the damage is minor.  If that’s not the case, you might want to consider carefully painting the base frames.  To help with the natural wear, a light touch of steel wool, in areas where feet might brush against the chair’s base, will give a beautifully aged look.  I love how the bases of the chairs, above, really pop the fabric color.  This room needed that extra “oomph”. (Photo courtesy of Traditional Homes.)

An added bonus question:  I never have time to get to the florist to put together a centerpiece and I always feel like I’m missing that key element.  Do you have suggestions?

Bonus Answer:  If you have scheduled a party, weeks in advance, it is a good thing to make a checklist.  Let’s just assume; however, you are one of those generous souls who offers to host a dinner at the drop-of-a-hat.  I would always try to keep some unscented candles and open vessels or cachepots on hand.  They can be mixed in for that much desired ambiance.  From there, it’s amazing what you can achieve with things from the garden and the fridge.  If you look at the contents of the tablescape, above - clippings of foliage, architectural garden accents, as well as fruits and nuts bring the harvest home.

I hope this has given you the inspiration to send out the invitations, whether engraved, emailed or by phone, as the most important ingredient is the sharing of your time!

Cheers to everyone!  Wanda

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A Matter of Time

As much as I love being able to have a longer amount of daylight, I have to admit I do enjoy the one day, each year, an extra hour is gained!  I know it’s a manipulation of the hands on the clock, (or a digital update), but it still feels like a wonderful luxury, to me.

I’ll also share, I have a weakness for clocks – and not so much for the digital kind.  I think it’s a combination of the form and function as I enjoy the craftsmanship of each case and dial set.  For me, the tick-tock rhythm is like enjoying the presence of a comforting guest. 

I do love Swedish antiques and this clock and cabinet combination is no exception. A clever craftsman must have decided their customer needed to conserve space. What a great bedroom piece!  (You can find this at A.Tyner Antiques in Atlanta.)

Mora clocks from Sweden.  No, this isn’t a typo . . . it’s the name of just one of the styles of tall case clocks, which can be found in the town of Mora, near the border of Norway.  Production on the clocks began in the late 18th century.  What a smörgåsbord! 

These French Louis XV clocks have similarities in the use of ormolu, or a method of heating and pounding metal to various shapes and forms, and it is often gilded, as well.  The clock, on the left, is referred to as a boulle design, as it contains inlay or marquetry to its wood case.  The clock, on the right, has been hand-painted with figures, often considered very fashionable, for the time. (King Louis XV of France, 1710-1774)

 This English Folk Art Dove Cote with Clock conjures up visions of fairy tales and cottages.  Just look at the detailed carvings.  Don’t let the term “Folk Art” fool you.  This piece stands at 74” high and commands a price tag of $28,000.00!  Should this be your heart’s desire, it can be found at Antiques on Old Plank Road.  Circa, early 20th century.

These Art Deco Clocks, (circa 1825 – 1940), showcase the use of Vinylite, (Plaskon) and celluloid materials.  This period occurred during a height of an international art and design movement.  Designs were considered to be modern, elegant and functional.  The clock, in the upper left corner, is commonly referred to as a “skyscraper” clock, as it exhibited a popular architectural design, such at that found in the Chrysler Building in NYC. 

A few years ago, I spied this beauty being advertised at a South Carolina auction.  It’s an English Tall Case Clock, (circa mid 1800’s), with a hand-painted face and simple inlaid details. I loved that the base was shallow so that it wouldn’t take up too much space in my foyer.  Well, a few flips of my auction number and you can see where it landed!  Does it keep the best of time?  Probably not.  Does the chime make me a little crazy at times?  That’s why I sometimes stop it.  Does it make me feel like I’m home, when I walk through the door?  Absolutely!

One extra hour of time? . . . What a gift and a treasure!

Wishing you cheerful moments!  Wanda

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Happy Halloween Wishes!

 

 

 

 

High Point, Here I Come!

Twice a year, a smaller city, in North Carolina, resembles a much larger one as the High Point Furniture Market comes to town.  (Well, the showroom buildings are there, in between shows, but the transformation occurs when the downtown area becomes the epicenter to the home furnishings and fashion industry.)  Fast-paced industry executives, furniture and design icons, vendors, manufacturers, mom and pop operations, and interior designers all converge for a week’s worth of unveilings of new introductions and to revisit tried and true best sellers.

As I am packing up my bags and checking off client wish lists, I thought I would give you a peek into some of the many showrooms I’ll be visiting, during my trip.  I could fill the entire blog with entries, so this will be just a sampling.  As I return, I hope to have photos of great finds!

Global Views – This grouping hints at a transitional to modern approach.  Notice the backs of the chairs and the mirror top.  A Chinese influence is a great way to make the transition, without going to the “ultra” category.  Love the mix of poppy and stone!

Bungalow 5 – Is it a table or is it sculpture?  Casegoods, which are chosen to share both attributes, are a lovely way to keep spaces clear of clutter.  This could work well in a smaller scale apartment, as well as in a larger urban loft.

Bungalow 5 – This is a popular shape in table lamps.  I’ll see this in many versions, as I travel the showrooms.  Bungalow 5 added their own twist of color and pattern.  Elegant and fun!  (I think I have a thing for orange!)

Soicher Marin – I have been a big fan for several years. (I’ve also enjoyed sharing Tweets with Ed Marin, the owner, as well as Jennifer and Tracey!)  Art is such a personal choice and I am sometime hesitant to speculate for clients.  With all of the custom services they offer, if we can’t find it at Soicher Marin, we haven’t looked hard enough!

 Taylor King – An NC based upholstery manufacturer offers a complete line of custom product and they are embracing the eco-friendly approach to their products.  Consumers are much more interested in not only watching out for their exterior environment, they want that way of life to translate to healthy interior spaces, too.

Pearson Furniture – I can’t say enough about their fine upholstery, the attention to detail, the customer service – and they are another NC manufacturer.  They are so accomodating in allowing me to create special options, in order to meet my client’s needs.  Aside from the way they handle their manufacturing process, what makes them more eco-friendly is that the distance of shipping from their door to yours, is much shorter than by boat!  Pearson furniture proudly “lives” in the White House and the Vatican.

Regina Andrew - This lamp is a lovely mix of rustic and refinement.  The shape of the hammered zinc base is finely repeated in the fabric shade.  Couture is not only for apparel!

Regina Andrew – Gold and brass finishes are peaking back into the scene.  If you shudder to think of some of the fixtures of yesteryear, this hanging lamp, with it’s delicate design and fabric lining, should allay any concerns.  Notice how it has been paired with a scrubbed furniture finish?  That’s what I love about market – great design is never predictable.

Company C – I love a showroom with a cause!  Because I have so many friends and acquaintances who are breast cancer survivors, and October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I’ll have to stop by to give them kudos for this display.  (And I have to confess, this combination makes me think of berries and chocolate – truly yummy!)

Scott Thomas – This showroom is lovely, not only because of their fabulous furnishings, Shannon Hamed, the manager, has done so much to support interior designers, both during market and in between.  I can pop by, most days, with a client, and she is there to help make their wishes come true.  I think this nest of tables could even find a home in the Horton household!

Well, there you have it!  Just a quick peak of what I’ll be seeing, this week.  Wish I could take you with me!  Oh, did you know I really can?!  Several of the showrooms, I’ve featured, are open to interior designers, by appointment, after the market has passed.  I have taken several clients on special product sourcing day trips.  We’ve had a great time finding the perfect pieces, they get to see the “inner sanctum”, we have a great lunch, secure the items, and head back home to wait for delivery and installation day to arrive. It’s one of the perks of working with a designer who has market privileges!  It also saves valuable time.

Before I go, I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who makes the market happen . . . manufacturers, vendors, the Market Authority, showroom managers, delivery staffs, design teams, maintenance staffs, caterers, shuttle drivers, you name them!  It’s all about team work, and you, the consumer, are also a big part of what keeps us going!  Thank you!

MarketCheers! - Wanda