High Point Furniture Market - Fall 2011

I just returned from the Fall High Point Furniture Market this past Monday, inspired and excited to share all of the unique and beautiful things that I found!  My spring visit to market was somewhat disappointing, since I felt that the vendors and designers were still holding back - clinging to the neutral, understated, and restrained aesthetic that has dominated interiors since we have moved into this period of 'un-conspicuous consumption'.

Thankfully, color has returned to the marketplace, and with it a sense of optimism!  There was notably more vendors in the smaller temporary showroom spaces, including some very talented artists like Owen Mortensen, an artist out of Utah with an interesting collection of organic artwork and botanicals:

and Jeff Jones Home out of Atlanta, with a very electic mix of furniture, artwork, and lighting:

There was also a 'Made in America' Pavilion, with such talented artists as Lauren LaChance, with her stunning botanicals and prints:

We stumbled upon an entire floor of antique dealers, many from the southeast.  Timeframe was exhibiting some wonderfully unique artwork and this interesting wall art that is actually antique street sweeper brushes:

I was so interested in these framed circa 1940's (?) vintage swimsuits.  They looked so great framed as a series.  There was even a teeny little girl's bathing suit (unfortunately I didn't snap a photo of that one):

There were a few specific pieces that I was searching for during this visit, in particular, rugs.  I saw some beautiful Tibetan rugs from Tamarian:

And some great hooked rugs from The New England Collection:

 And more from Mastour:

We spotted a few design celebrities while we were there.  Coincidentally, we saw Thom Filicia in the Arteriors showroom (I can't understand why he didn't recognize us!), and Phoebe Howard of Mrs. Howard / Max & Company in the Currey & Company showroom.

But I would have to say that the most impressive showroom was the Verellen Home Collection, a furniture company based in High Point with a Belgian-influenced (read: simple, clean-lined, elegant, luxurious, relaxed) sense of style.  I have to say that the design of the showroom itself impressed me even more than the gorgeous furniture (which is saying a lot!).

We got there late in the day, just as the sun was setting, pulled into the white pea gravel lot, walked through a beautiful enfilade of small trees in planters, and into the most interesting loft showroom space.  I wanted to move right in.  The lighting was perfect, the music was hip but soothing, the concrete floors had a great patina, the windows were covered in the most interesting large, rustic shutters, and there was a great bar area surrounded by their barstools:

The textures, colors, and overall feel of the room was right up my alley.  I loved the counterpoint of the minimalist modern combined with the warm rustic and soft colors.  I just wanted to sink into one of those linen slipcovered sofas with a glass of red wine and invite a few friends over.  Tom Verellen has done an amazing job showcasing his line of furniture in a space that is so perfectly suited to the product.

Sadly, my camera's and my cell phone's batteries had died by that time, but luckily my companion's phone was hanging on.  Hopefully you can get some sense of the amazing space from our photos:

Finishing the day in the Verellen showroom was a wonderful denouement.   Just like finishing a great novel, you wish it wasn't over yet.  

Have a great week and thanks for reading,

Bronwyn

Pursley Architecture

Last week I went to hear Architect Ken Pursley speak at Stark Carpet.  I have long admired the thoughtful, classically-inspired, yet modern aesthetic in his residential work and it was a treat to be able to see what and who has inspired his designs.

He recalled an esoteric assignment from one of his studio courses at Auburn:  In an effort to better understand the world around him (and presumably interpret that 'world' in his work) he and his classmates were asked to go outside, close thier eyes, and observe what they heard.  He remembered that the first sound he noticed was the drone of cars, which rose from silence into a distant hum, gradually increased in intensity, peaked, then faded away again into silence.  As he continued to listen, he also realized there was a perpetual, ever-present, and soothing sound which was underlying all other sounds around him: the sound of crickets.

He pointed out that that in his work, there is both the traffic and the crickets.....the 'traffic' being the influence of those movements or historical styles that in their time emerged, grew, and gave way to new ideas and movements, thus shaping our history and the landscape:  Renaissance, Neoclassical, Arts & Crafts, Modernism.....each period unique and significant in what it has to offer.

But as important to his work are those 'crickets', the ever-present, timeless elements that are remain relevant, and meaningful, no matter the period.  Designs that represent both today, tomorrow, and yesterday.  

I wondered whether the work he chose to share during this talk were his favorites, since while I found them beautiful, I felt that there is so much work in his portfolio that is remarkable.

I am lucky enough to have had the opportunity to see in person some of his recently completed projects and in-process work, which continues to awe and impress in their simplicity and beauty.   I have also had the privilege to work with Ken and his team.  It is not surprising that his office is filled with a group of individuals who are as warm and friendly as they are innovative and talented.  Perhaps that is part of what makes their work so memorable.

Photo by Bronwyn Ford

We all succumb to the latest styles and trends, and this is not a bad thing.  However rooting ourselves - our personal style and our beliefs - in very basic, real, fundamental ideas and thoughts is what gives our lives and work stability and permanence.

I look forward to seeing more work by Pursley Architecture, as they continue to re-invent the old and push the boundaries of the new.  And I will always try to pay special attention to the soothing sound of the crickets.

Check out their website at www.pursleyarchitecture.com.

All photos by Pursley Architecture, unless otherwise noted.