Brilliant Britt

Hey, look what Tom Britt and his associate Valentino Samsonadze did with this house.

They decorated it.  Sure, there is the influence of Brighton, references to Duquette and Groussay, but the result is a simply beautiful home.

Paint.  Fabric.  Interesting things.  (Ok, and a whole lot of talent.)  Find it in the May/June issue of Veranda (including the nine images I didn’t share.)  You can find Britt’s decorating tips on Veranda’s site here.

All images Veranda, May/June 2012; photography Max Kim-Bee, Produced by Carolyn Englefield and Victoria Jones.

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Cut and Color

If there was ever a question,

there is no doubt

how much you can change any environment

with color and fabric.

All images from the Hickory Chair showroom in High Point.  Top, Suzanne Kasler’s collection enhanced by her fabric from Kravet; Tobi Farley’s bold fabrics add dash to this space designed by Rod Fiore, HC Creative Director; this handy little sofa doubles as a pull out bed – while it is practically a twin bed once the back cushions are removed, it actually folds out with a built-in inflatable mattress; the most-photographed chairs at market, these are a perfect example of how you can create something really terrific with a basic piece and a great fabric, this one by Hable Construction as is the charming hand-painted book cover.

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Shopping Buddy

Scot Meacham Wood (you may know him as Tartanscot) came to my rescue outside the main market building.  “Patricia!” he called from across the street and after a hug hello I begged off from going around with him as I had forgotten my phone charger and was almost out of juice.

“I have a charger, let’s go catch up.”  So after being in the building for the entire day he went back to sit with me in the press room and recharge.

Lynette Harrison, El Dorado, Kansas 316-371-5087

The good thing about me and Scot is no uneasy silence.  Chat or quiet, it’s all good, though we spent the better part of two days together and there was very little quiet.  Once I was back in business we wandered down to the Suites at Market Square and after the back-and-forth back-and-forth of the vendors we skipped up three steps to see the antique dealers.

And we were right at home.  It was a remarkably good antiques show.
Tiffany, Mid-Century, Sterling, Dell Ray and Associates, Atlanta, 678-592-0340

It’s always nice to see new dealers’ old things.

Did I buy?  I did.  Because the impracticality of taking a piece of celadon from High Point to Atlanta to Kansas City with no room in my overstuffed bag was not enough to stop me.  It was love at first sight.  I fell for every color, every bird, every flower, every butterfly.  As is often the case, her delicate appearance masked an inner strength; she rode home quietly, wrapped in a scarf, with Edie to protect her.

And, I could not resist the silver spoons.  “Iced tea spoons?” supposed the dealer, though we both agreed that they did not seem long enough.  They are cocktail spoons now, standing ready to swish and swirl any summertime drink we care to cook up.  I’m so smitten I might have to have a party so I can introduce them to my friends.

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Spotting Style in High Point

Barclay Butera cowhide rug for Nourison.

High Point Market is fun!  Well, it was fun for me as my only responsibility was to walk around and look for good stuff.  No overhead to worry about, no need to fret about stocking fees or delivery times. Nope, just good friends, good stuff and lots of free cocktails (offered if not consumed.)

Resin tables by Makayla; photo Mat Saunders

High Point Market invited eight folks to scour the show for things that caught their fancies and pin them on Pinterest.

Mantis Stool by Chelsea House

I hadn’t been to Market before and was intimidated by the scope of product.  (This, coupled by the fact that anytime I mentioned High Point to someone he or she would say, “You have to go…” and then proceed to tell me some grueling story, made me a little apprehensive.)  But what I found were a lot of lovely people who were happy to talk about their own stuff, but were also happy to help me find something else be it a showroom or a shuttle or something to nosh.

Lillian August Sofa; photo Jamie Meares

You can see what I spotted at market – and the other Style Spotters’ picks, too – on Pinterest here.

Dominos by Barbara Cosgrove; photo Jennifer Mehditash

See how I made it look like graphic black and white is trending?  It’s not.  Graphic black and white is always good, but I wouldn’t start jumping up and down and screaming “trend alert.”  There was a lot – a lot – of the Belgian look still out there.  Who’s buying it?  Heck if I know; no one I talked to gets it, but it looks like it’s going to be around a little longer.

Thanks to High Point Market for sponsoring my trip; I had no agreement or requirement to post about what I saw here, but I will.  Because I saw good stuff.

All photos mine unless otherwise noted.  All images taken with phones, so don’t judge.  

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Bracelets I Cannot Afford, an on-going and (I think) entertaining series.

If I cannot commit to a pair of shoes (and I cannot) then I don’t think you should have to look at them for a week (not that you would, but you know what I mean.)  As life often/sometimes/occasionally delivers what one needs, this really terrific mid-century bracelet landed in my in-box on Friday.  18k, bi-colored (I love a girl who can’t make up her mind) curblink bracelet.  Could she co-exist with my double-wrap clinky link?  We will likely never know, but you can visit her and her cousins at dk farnum.  Don’t be deterred by their construction sign – there’s lots of good stuff under “collection.”

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