Tag Archives: Out and About

Cut and Color

May 6, 2012UncategorizedOut and AboutMrs. Blandings

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.

Shopping Buddy

May 2, 2012UncategorizedDesigners, Out and AboutMrs. Blandings

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.

Spotting Style in High Point

April 29, 2012UncategorizedOut and AboutMrs. Blandings

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.

High Point

April 20, 2012UncategorizedOut and AboutMrs. Blandings

I am heading to High Point on Sunday and went shopping for shoes today. This is what I came home with. “Do you think these are too high for me?” I asked my eldest. I’m a little over 5’8″ and the heels are six inches. “They’re not that high and they’re wedges, so they should be o.k.” “How do you know they’re ‘wedges’?” “I do know girls.” “And you talk about shoes?” “No, they talk about shoes around me.” “Oh. Well, since they have a platform, they’re really comfortable.” “Yeah. I know.” “You’re kidding right?” And he ducked his head, shaking it from side to side and looked up from under raised his eyebrows, “Not kidding.” He seems as mystified as I about his baptism into the world of women.

It’s my first trip to High Point and even I know these are not the shoes for working, but might be good shoes for playing. I plan on doing plenty of both. If I’m posting next week it will be a miracle. If I’m not on crutches next week, that might be a miracle as well. If you think you see me at Market, please say, “hi.”

Out of Office Reply

March 23, 2012UncategorizedMusings from the Dream House, Out and AboutMrs. Blandings

We arrived in Florida late on undesirable flights due to a mix-up I had made with dates. Because of the mix-up and its late discovery, we stayed the first night in a hotel in Sarasota that resembled a Quentin Tarantino movie set less the contrived lighting.

It’s a short drive to Boca Grande from Sarasota. Driving on Florida highways always makes me wonder where people live. Real people. The people who are accountants and bankers and not fishing guides and small shop owners. I have a skewed perception of coastal highways that open up to beach towns with nothing in between.

The last few years we have arrived around the same time and driven straight to a favorite haunt for lunch. This year, as the waitress began to hand us our menus Bill said, “I think we pretty much know what we want.” “How many years in Boca?” We both turned to look at our oldest and said, “Fifteen. Give or take a few in the middle.” And I wondered, “Don’t you know us? Don’t we look familiar to you? We belong here.”

We spent the day at the beach. When the boys grew hungry and headed back to eat I stayed to finish Middlemarch, George Eliot treating me better than Austen ever has. At the house I showered with different soap and towels that smelled wrong and blew my hair with a dryer without enough heat. All of these things would be unforgivable at home, vexing and bothersome. At home these details are reminders of shortcomings, of things undone, errands not run. They are reminders of an imperfect life. On vacation they are negligible. Nuance. Insignificant compared to the sun and the release.

I have learned small things about myself on vacation. I like to walk to town for the paper and coffee and bread. That fresh blueberries are delicious. That having music on during the day is delightful. Being away is wonderful in its own right, but the best of it is coming back better.

Heavens, I did not mean to be away so long. A couple of projects kept me before we left and then I tried to unplug as much as possible while we were gone. My apologies to Iris and anyone who noticed my absence and was concerned. All is well, if somewhat messy and unorganized. I should be back on track next week.