Simon has excellent taste, in socks as well as sofa’s.

By the way, some of the shag rugs out there right now are really cool, and there are countless choices in color and texture.  Adapt and improvise, they say.

The manufacturers put the same amount of effort in both the spring and fall markets, displaying new product to impress their accounts.  The difference is that the warm weather gracing a North Carolina May makes that market feel like an invitation only outdoor party while October is the time the buyers get serious about placing orders in anticipation for the following spring decorating frenzy.

I arrived in High Point with the temperature reading 57 degrees with light rain and a stiff breeze.  It was chilly.  I had to chuckle as I strolled past an outdoor furniture showroom that was set up for a warm weather soiree on the patio.  The one man band was doing his best Jimmy Buffet as a few hearty patrons sat bundled up in their comfy outdoor chairs, trying to have fun.

The decline in the housing market over the past couple of years has certainly been felt in the furnishing and décor business and it has been interesting to watch the evolution of an industry as manufacturers try to make adjustments to maintain market share.  Because of the downward price pressure from Chinese imports, the US companies either had to become more custom or more efficient in an attempt to buck the trend or keep pace, respectively.  Last market the green movement was in full force as every showroom, it seemed, touted the real or perceived earth friendliness of its product in hopes of opening wallets. 

This past week I noticed a couple of things in particular as I spoke to reps and executives.  One, there was a little teensy skip in the step of the merchants.  A ray of hope.  The bartender at the Embassy Suites told me, and you can always count on getting the real scoop from the bartender, this was the first time in a long time they had sold out their rooms for market.  Orders across the board were up slightly over last fall, but as one rep told me “that might be more indicative of how bad last fall was”.  Party killer.  What I did see was that rather than a collective movement towards a similar style and color direction, this year many manufacturers started doing their own thing again.  Some who presented color like a Barnum and Bailey circus in spring went all neutral for fall.  Others who were trying to cut corners to keep up with negatively trending prices decided to get back to doing what they did best and returned to crafting top quality products.  However, as I mentioned before, the transitional look with its clean lines was consistently a winner wherever it was presented, and classic retro was a show stopper. 

Check out these chairs.  Don’t they look like they came from the set of The Jetsons?  Fun, huh?  There was a whole room full of these chairs and a lot of them spin around! 

How about these office chairs?  These are from a classically traditional manufacturer that decided to try something for shock value. 

Swivel chairs were everywhere.    Wives don’t like recliners, but they must be ok with swivels.  This one was my favorite.

When people ask me what color trends I saw, the answer was it really depended on the showroom I was visiting.  I would say that in the mainstream upholstery lines, the word “spice” comes to mind.  Paprika’s and cinnamons accented the neutral and natural settings, but before you go change all your pillows, I saw a lot of apple green fabric and leather, too.  Classic bright yellows, tomato soup reds, and rich sky blues were prevalent.  The one color consistently shown, but due to it’s very nature didnt catch the eye right away, was gray.  Gray fabric or leather in the right application is sophisticated and elegant.  A common accent color to gray was yellow. 

Vignettes were not necessarily organized by product lines, but rather by color.  What this said to me was, “we are not going to try to predict a trend, putting all our eggs in one basket this year, nor steer you towards one.  So, what’s your favorite color?  Great!  Mine, too!”

So, why are we re-branding?  Great question.

The non-nutshell answer requires a little time to explain.  Over the past four years we have done a lot of exciting things in our client’s homes, but I noticed four recurring themes that we’ve had to overcome in order to do business with someone walking through the front door for the first time.  People cannot easily figure out what we do, they do not believe we have as much choice as we actually have, the assumption is that we are expensive, and many people want to sit on something before they buy it. 

The last one is a biggie.  Of course, a designer knows that when dealing with quality product, there’s almost never an issue with comfort.  Besides, a good designer will know your cush preference and body type and make selections accordingly, and it will be perfect.  It’s like me walking into the Nordstrom’s men’s department and the guy says “46 long?”  Experts are experts for a reason.  They know what they are doing.  That being said, it required too much trust from a walk-in customer which we had not yet earned, and too much explaining on our part.  The new showroom will have many more sofas and chairs that will have been selected specifically to show the difference between good, better, and best, as well as all the various cushion, arm, and leg options.  Now, just like Goldilocks, people can use their own judgment to find a sofa that’s just right.  It would take a blimp hangar to show every option we have access to, but our goal is to have enough choice on the floor for our clients to feel good about their decisions.  It will be very obvious that we have product in any style and fitting most budgets.

I have heard a bazillion compliments on our beautiful store, but when it came right down to it, people didn’t understand all we could do.  I saw people look up at the sign and then have a bewildered look on their face.  I am sure we had plenty of potential business roll down the street and into the mall.  I just couldn’t figure out why someone would want to chase around a high school kid to see the nine choices of fabric on a sofa of questionable quality when they could pay similar money and get much more selection, better quality, and expert service with us.  But, honestly, we looked like an overpriced boutique that happened to have a few pieces of furniture tucked here and there, and the name of our store was confusing. 

Some people knew we did interior design but didn’t know we’d be just as happy to sell a rug or a chair.  Others were afraid or intimidated by the thought of using a designer.  Some people love our “look” but don’t want to work with a designer.  Our new showroom will be bigger, brighter, and much less cluttered.  The store will operate in a more user friendly fashion where someone can come in and pick a fabric and get a price quickly and be done with it, or they can take advantage of our expert design service at no additional charge.

We have introduced a lower priced line of upholstery that is made in the USA and is of good quality.  The customization options are not as broad, but we are seeing a really positive reaction from our clients who want a solid sofa or chair without spending a ton.  The same company offers dining and bedroom furniture, too, at very attractive prices.

So, thanks for listening and now you know we have been listening too.  Come visit and take advantage of our grand opening sale!

Over the past four years we have been trying to educate the neighborhood that to have new custom window treatments in time for the holidays requires some advance planning.  Most workrooms see a significant increase in business during the fall and eventually overload, forcing an early cutoff date for new projects.  Telling a prospective client that they are past the holiday deadline is not a pleasant thing.  As a matter of fact, it prompts a startlingly visceral reaction in some people.  I try to warn the husbands, “remember how upset she got when you forgot about Valentines Day or your anniversary?  Well, hell hath no fury like a woman who doesn’t get her window treatments in time for holiday guests.”

Fortunately there’s still time.  Fully custom treatments typically have a Thanksgiving cutoff date in mid October, but over the years we have found a few loopholes that can accommodate the procrastinators.  Some panels and toppers can be turned around in 2-3 weeks and we even have one source that has promised a 48 hour turnaround on drapery panels, including choice of pleat, length, and lining, as long as we use one of their top five selling fabrics.  Wow!

So, what’s hot right now you ask?  If you have been reading my blog this past year you will have noticed a trend towards simplicity.  Whether it’s the economy, not wanting to be ostentatious, the green movement, or just that contemporary casual is cool, we have clearly noticed our clients less frequently asking for voluminous bejeweled kitty tempting treatments that puddle all over the floor.

Since simple is chic, the challenge is to keep the look sophisticated or elegant rather than, um, cheap.   Unlined panels are like an unlined suit jacket in that they will not hold their shape, therefore looking and feeling flimsy.  Make sure drapery width is proportional to the space.  Single width panels can look like giant pencils if used in the wrong setting, and may not achieve the goal of softening the room. 

Fabrics and colors are trending towards the naturals.  Linens, cottons, and solids are becoming more common.  Having said that, most of our clients call themselves ‘transitional’ and the traditional side of transitional calls for a little pattern in the fabric but it will be more muted and subtle.   

Drapery hardware is to a set of panels as earrings are to a beautiful outfit, my designers would say.  We are installing a lot more metal finishes (wrought iron, brushed bronze, dark pewter) these days, which in many cases nicely coordinate with nearby light fixtures.  Metal finials allow for a little more flair or whimsy than wood, and there are some cool things being done with cast resin and glass.

Wooden drapery hardware is still popular, however, and the good news is that there have been some downward pricing trends.  Finally!  The good stuff has always been so expensive!  Given the height of the average suburban Atlanta great room ceiling, consider using 3” wooden rods for your tall panels.  The standard pole size has been 2” which can get lost way up there.  Manufacturers have been slow to recognize this, and only in the last year or so has the more substantial sized wooden hardware been readily available.

Years ago I invested in some software which allows us to take a photo of your window and use the computer to design your treatment.  This accomplishes a few things that you will appreciate.  First, it’s great to have a strong visual to help decision making.  Importantly, the computer program will not allow us to defy physics in our design, which can happen with a hand rendering.  Darn gravity.  Lastly, men seem to respect and value computer drawings and are less inclined to try to veto the project.

Speaking of men, please resist the temptation to have your husband install a nice window treatment just to save a few bucks.  A professional knows all the tricks, especially when working around extensive moulding, and will properly dress the treatment.  Besides, whatever you save will most likely be spent on therapy, hospital bills, or with your attorney by the time he’s done.  Just sayin’.

Most people I know buy their outdoor furniture sets during one of two times, either right after the weather gets warm or the weekend before a party.  Impulse shopping for the patio limits your choice to the grocery store starter set or jumping in the pickup truck for a trip to the big orange hardware giant to purchase the same stuff as tens of thousands of other people.  While I would pass at the umbrella table and chairs you see next to the deli department, the furniture sold at the big lumber box works just fine.  The metal is a little thin, the glass is a little thin, and the choice?  Well, you get to choose what they chose for you.

Call me crazy, but I like a nicely designed back yard more than a thoughtfully furnished home interior.  My dream would be to have a New Orleans style courtyard complete with vine covered brick walls and a babbling fountain to drown out the neighborhood noises.  I love yards that are constantly in bloom and if you show me a patio with the full outdoor kitchen and fireplace, as my NY friends would say, fuggeddiboudit.  My sister married into a family that has a place in Mexico with a courtyard that I would never leave if given the choice.

Who needs a vacation if you have the perfect back yard?  That’s called a ’staycation’.

You probably have no idea how much choice there is in outdoor furniture and how well made it can be.  Some lines come with a fifteen year warranty!  See if you get that from the produce or power tool manager.  I’ve seen sofas that I honestly couldn’t believe were intended for the out of doors.  Stunning.  Nicer than most living room furniture. 

The good stuff doesn’t have to break the bank, either…well, some of it can.  Yes, it costs more than the generics, but it is substantially better made and you get exactly what you want.  It’s your own.  Nobody else may have it.  Choose your finish or metal color, choose your fabrics, choose contrasting pillows.  Complete the look with one of the sharp new outdoor rugs and a couple of outdoor accessories.

Outdoor fabrics have come a long way from their rough and ugly ancestors.  Now the fade resistant pattern choices are amazing and they feel almost like indoor fabrics.  Cleaning is easy, and the well made outdoor cushions dry quickly.  Just remove them from the frame and stand them on their sides in the sun to drain.

There are a lot of little details to know about things like powder coating metal, blah blah blah.  I wont bore you with the details even though the details are the things that prevent rust spots on your pool deck.  Just know that you can talk to one of our designers who will put as much effort in your outdoor space as they would in your living room…and you wont care if you see your living room until winter.

One of our favorite clients had this mostly empty sunroom that was adjacent to the breakfast area and kitchen.  She wanted to furnish it in a way that allowed the room to be used on its own but also be able to accommodate an overflow crowd when entertaining.  She found a magazine photo that she liked which we used as a reference.  The photo had antique style occasional pieces surrounded by fresh and bright upholstery that kept the room from looking dated.  The client likes greens and golds with pops of red and these colors flow throughout the house.  Given the open nature of the floor plan, we had to select fabrics that would blend nicely with the nearby living spaces.

Suzanne, our design consultant on the project, suggested the bench seat in order to accomplish the goal of seating in the room that also allowed seating facing the kitchen during parties.  The paprika bench with barley twist legs is fun, functional, and does not block the view of the open room.  You can’t see the doors on either side, but the bench can be moved against the wall on the right, between the drapery and the door, if the client wants to open up the room.  Click here for a full size photo.

The rug is a banded grass cloth, which keeps the room casual and is consistent with a sunroom theme.  The lamps on the rich walnut console table are shabby chic, with distressed bases and contemporary brown shades.  The side tables are available for drinks or books and complete the desired eclectic look.  The client didn’t want the room to look “matchy matchy” (a designer term!).  The nonfunctional drapery panels are intended to add color and frame the windows without heaviness or blocking the view of the outdoors.  They are hung on wrought iron poles that bring in a touch of black but do not draw the eye up or conflict with the molding.  The chairs are covered with a large scale apple green contemporary botanical which also reinforces the sunroom theme.  Notice the little leaves?

The client is thrilled with the fun and casual yet elegant results, and come to think of it, the room really reflects her personality.

To learn more about Suzanne, click here.

So, what’s the difference between a wool rug and a synthetic rug and why do the prices vary so much?  

A nylon rug is obviously made with man made materials and put together by a computer and a machine.  Zip zip, done.  The advantages of nylon rugs are they are cheaper, shouldn’t shed, are good for people with certain allergies, are recyclable, provide a greater range of colors, and allow a lot of creativity in pattern and texture which is why most contemporary rugs are made this way.  They can be considered disposable, as they are less expensive and don’t last as long, so your rugs can easily be changed with your taste.  You can get a lot of look for the money with a synthetic rug.

If green design is your mission, the fact that synthetic rugs are recyclable is cool, but the process of making them is not.  Chemicals, and toxins, and petroleum, oh my!

Traditional wool rugs can be broken down in three categories:  power-loomed, hand tufted, and hand knotted.  Power-loomed rugs are made by machine, just like the nylon rugs.  Hand tufted rugs have the little pieces of wool yarn shot with a hand held device through a fabric template, kind of like paint by numbers…with a gun, and then have a canvas backing glued on.  Hand knotted rugs are just like you would imagine; some guy with gnarled fingers, in a village on the other side of the world, knotting each piece of yarn one at a time.  Some of those rugs take up to six months to complete and each will have its own unique characteristics.  You can tell a hand knotted rug by flipping it over where you should see the individual knots.  Also, the fringe will be an extension of the rug and not sewn on as an addition. These rugs hold their value, last forever because of the springiness of the natural fibers (your grandkids will be thrilled), provide a certain prestige, can be professionally repaired, and tend to feel luxurious underfoot.

A ‘very fine’ wool rug will have over 167 knots per square inch.  Think about that for a second!

Why are some wool rugs much more expensive than others?  Lots of reasons, but certainly the complexity of the pattern, the number of colors, and the quality of the wool will have a lot to do with price.  Some dye processes are crazy.  Weeks in a series of vats out in the sun, etc.  New Zealand wool is generally accepted to be preferred.  The wool is the purest white, which accepts dye and represents colors best, and is shaved from the chests of live sheep which is where the soft wool comes from.  Wool from live sheep also has more oils which provide a natural stain resistance to your rug.  The super cheap wool rugs you see sold from the back of a pickup on the street corner, well, if you consider the good rugs are made from the chest wool of live sheep, then just think the opposite.

These photos show just two of the new sofa frames that we now have on our floor.  We’re really happy to have them because not only do they look great but the price points are very attractive, AND they are made in the USA with laminated hardwood frames-not plywood or pressboard.  We have the sharp skirtless sofa on the floor in a sage faux suede with four fun pillows priced under a thousand bucks.  The leather sofa is priced at $1299 and the same frame can come with a lot of leather choices under 2K.  We consider ourselves leather snobs and it’s hard to have a custom sofa with quality leather made for under four grand.  This one has no frills, but it provides a lot of look and is very comfortable at an amazing price point.   We have it as shown in a softy chocolate leather.  Nice!