Tuesday, November 9, 2010

The Thankful Season

I love Thanksgiving.  I like the traditions, like the whole family dozing together in front of the football game after lunch, the food, especially grandma's recipe for stuffing, and the time spent with those that I love the most.  I enjoy the days of preparation, the laughter and fun around the table, and the opportunity to acknowledge all of the blessings of life.  It seems like today's retailers have decided that Thanksgiving is nothing more than the kick off to the Holiday shopping season!  It is because I am seeing stockings and tinsel in the stores, that I am more determined than ever to celebrate this great holiday with some festive decor in my home.  I have also had a couple of clients ask for my help in preparing their holiday table.  It has been fun to find inspiration on the web and I thought I would share some of my favorite, easy-to-do ideas with you.  Don't let the Christmas push deny you the opportunity to celebrate the decor of Autumn when these simple projects can add so much to your own Thanksgiving table.
Simple, right?  A small baking pumpkin with leaves, berries and a candled added.  Do a group of these in a row down the center of the table and you have a lovely centerpiece.  No muss.  No fuss!

This entry is so welcoming.  I love the topiaries, particularly, and they aren't that hard to create.  Hammer a long dowel down through the three pumpkins to hold them together.  Hot glue, or wire, leaves, nuts, pine cones and berries between the pumpkins - and you're done!


Raffia wrapped Indian corn looks gorgeous around this large hurricane globe and candle.

Talk about simple...  corn husks and a pumpkin!  Watch that you choose a really great vase for maximum impact.

This one takes a little bit of pre-planning... but so pretty.  Slice a variety of fruits very thin and allow time for them to dry.  Hot glue the slices to the base of your candle and tuck bittersweet berries in and around them for extra color.
  

Monday, November 1, 2010

Back from the High Point Market... Trends in Textiles

Much of what we do at Maxwell House of Design involves textiles.  We do window treatments, bedding, upholstery, slipcovers, pillows, throws, rugs, you name a textile and we have probably used it or come close!  At the recent High Point Market, I noticed that the trends reported to us in March by Jackie Von Tobel, were showing up all over the fall market.  Jackie shared that embellished linens, sheers, and pillows were a big trend in Paris at the Maison de Objet show held in January.  Sure enough Emdee International, Lili Allesandra and others had some wonderful items in their showrooms!

This lovely orchid embellishment was on a linen window panel.


Even plain chairs can become spectacular in this slipcover!
 
Delicate petals add a romantic touch

 In the world of upholstery, we are seeing quite a spectrum.  From bold color and whimsical patters, to tartan plaids and hounds tooth, the options in upholstery have never been better.  In my humble opinion, it seems like the world of home furnishing is answering the public response to the economic crisis in one of two main ways.  On the one hand you have a return to very traditional rooms, think British hunt club with worn leather chairs, wool plaids, antlers and animal skins.  This style evokes comfort, stability and a restful cocoon that provides a safe haven from the harsh realities of the world outside the home.

Vintage Ralph Lauren



C. R. Laine's take on traditional


  On the flip side, bold clear color, riotous mixes of pattern and whimsy address the doldrums of daily life. This attitude is much like those folks that hole up in the Caribbean to have Hurricane parties, refusing to stop having fun, when Mother Nature is threatening.  Bright, happy and optimistic these rooms allow the homeowner to retreat to their "happy place".  
C.R. Laine does Moroccan

Century Furniture

Most of us fall into one of these two categories.  Which one appeals to you?  Traditionalist comfort?  Bold Optimistic Bubble?  Whichever category that appeals to you, the High Point Market served up plenty of both!

Calgon Take Me Away...

Calgon Take Me Away...
soak your troubles away in this stone beauty

Bathtub becomes fountain... fabulous!

cottage charm!

perfect for your mountain retreat!

Where I belong...

The AIDP Charlotte Chapter Board Members

The AIDP Charlotte Chapter Board Members
Seated from left, Davetta Moore, National Board Member, Wanda Horton, Vice President of Communication, Jane Ann Maxwell, President, standing from left to right, Nancy Martin, Vice President of Membership, Mary Santini, Secretary/Treasurer, and Marianne Parker, National Board Member

Emily's New Room

Emily's New Room

This desk was the inspiration for the room

Decorating for Christmas in Adult and Kid Zones...

Decorating for Christmas in Adult and Kid Zones...
Adults will love the beauty of the luxe mantle

This bright, bold mantle is kid friendly

This lovely arrangement is sophisicated and elegant

Kids tables need centerpieces too and these serve as favors to take home afterwards!

The Holiday Table...

The Holiday Table...
This table setting would make a beautiful Thanksgiving breakfast table

Greenery - simple and elegant

These pictures illustrate the idea of using what you love...

These pictures illustrate the idea of using what you love...
One home owner loves classic traditional decore, the other mid century modern. Look at what they created using the things they both loved!!!

Grouping beloved collections create impact

Two collections united by color

Pictures from the Coastal Vibe Project

Pictures from the Coastal Vibe Project
The chair fabric was designed just for this client and then made into yardage just for these chairs!

The living room seating area. The client wanted it elegant and yet relaxed, with the idea of being at a house on the beach.

We added the built-ins and had the paint changed before the homeowner moved in. A cozy seating arrangement and momentos from world travels warm the space.

another view

These pictures illustrate "staging" principles

These pictures illustrate "staging" principles
This beautiful room was designed to be cozy and full. This room is an example of NOT staging to maximize the square footage. Thanks to House Beautiful for the image

This serene room is designed for maximum spaciousness! Notice that you see lots of floor through the legs of the coffee table. Lots of breathing room in this space. Thanks to House Beautiful for the image.

This is an example of Benjamin Moore Aura paints to go with the About Paint post

This is an example of Benjamin Moore Aura paints to go with the About Paint post
One of the many beautiful colors in the Aura collection

Aura paints have low VOC's which means it's healthier for everybody!

To illustrate the post "Art For Your Walls"

The following pictures are artwork from some of my favorite local artists. The fabulous thing about these folks is that they will do commissioned pieces especially for you! Enjoy...

Local Artists...

Local Artists...
Richard Anderson

Celia Flock

Sany Seipert, an older work, her newer stuff is better, this was the only image I had...

The following pictures are from the October High Point Furniture Market.

These are some of the showrooms and displays that I thought were terrific.

Bella Luna was one of my favorite showrooms!

Bella Luna was one of my favorite showrooms!
everything on display was quirky and elegant

One of my favorite finds, this mirror is a piece of art!

These sassy stools help tell the Bella Luna story

Cyan design always has unusual and neat things

Hot Color Trend shown at the Spring Market in Highpoint!

Hot Color Trend shown at the Spring Market in Highpoint!
black and white and malachite!

Luxury Lighting!

Luxury Lighting!


Favorite New Accessoires...

Favorite New Accessoires...
Contact us for more information or to place an order...

love this!

simply elegant!

fabulous silver platters that are even better in person

These make such a great centerpiece for a dining room table

FALL MARKET 2008 - GORGEOUS COLOR, FOCUS ON "GREEN" DESIGN, FUN WITH LAQUER...

FALL MARKET 2008 - GORGEOUS COLOR, FOCUS ON "GREEN" DESIGN, FUN WITH LAQUER...
New color combo that was everywhere, butter and pewter, so pretty, soft and fresh!

Gorgeous Global Views - always my favorite venue

Gorgeous Global Views - always my favorite venue
soft butter and pewter

"GREEN" in both color and sustainablity is a beautiful choice...

"GREEN" in both color and sustainablity is a beautiful choice...
These pillows made from abaca leaves and coconut beads are eco-friendly and good for the workers of the developing country in which they are made.

Old favorites are still in play...

Old favorites are still in play...
aqua, teal, peacock are still popular-- note the laquered mirror!

Before and After pictures are always fun!

Before and After pictures are always fun!
This is a "before" picture of a recent project.

After #2!

After #2!

Before #2

Before #2
same room, different view

AFTER!

AFTER!
new carpet, upholstery, paint, window treatments...

More from the High Point Spring Market My Favorite Overall Venue - Global Views

More from the High Point Spring Market My Favorite Overall Venue - Global Views
terrific accessories, uniquely displayed

black, white, red, silver punch!

note the male figures at the bottom of the ropes climbing out of the vases!

Favorite Find at the High Point Spring Market

Favorite Find at the High Point Spring Market
Pablo Mekis Artisan Pillows

the hand stiching is fabulous!

more Pablo Mekis

A designer is as good as her team...

Every designer relies on a team of people to help execute her design vision. I have worked very hard to assemble a top notch team of craftsmen and professionals to rely on for excellence in execution and customer service. I have nick named them "The "A" Team". This name is so appropriate because this group brings their best effort to each task. There are many folks out there that will give you adequate, we strive for exceptional.

The following pictures will introduce you to some of the work done by these guys...

Introducing...

Introducing...
Marilyn Croteau - the BEST window treatment workroom on the East Coast

Introducing...

Introducing...
Heavin Woodworks - beautiful trims and built-ins

Introducing...

Introducing...
G.Richard Anderson Faux Finisher. He does fabulous work!

Oeco Textiles

Oeco Textiles
all natural and all green

A staged breakfast room

A staged breakfast room
We recovered the chairs to co-ordinate with the area rug and added a fresh bunch of flower from the grocery store!

This week...

This week, I am working on two interiors that are either on or are near Lake Wylie, SC. Both homeowners are interested in incorporating a coastal "vibe" into the design for their homes. Working on two homes with the same design direction has never happened in my business before. It will be fun to see just how differently we approach each home. They will be as different and unique as their homeowners and we will be sure to include some after pictures in about 3 or 4 months!

Something's Gotta Give

Something's Gotta Give
from the movie "Something's Gotta Give" the set design for the Nantucket living room is inspiration for a coastal interior that I'm working on right now...

Coastal Inspiration

Coastal Inspiration
another coastal inspiration

this rug from Aspen Carpet Designs is very close to the one in the movie!


BVI's Virgin Gorda - beautiful!

great garden bench