Tag Archives: Fabric

The Furniture Connector – Charlotte, NC (UHM Feb/March 2013)

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It’s all about expansion for North Carolina native Rodney Hines. In addition to their original store, The Furniture Connector, Rodney and his business partner have added two more stores in Charlotte.

High Cotton Home Co. and Southend Trading Company showcase different design styles and merchandise, providing a complete selection of home goods and interior design services covering all customer tastes.

Looking for the opinion of an interior designer on how to complete the look of your bedroom? Need one special piece of furniture as a focal point in the room? Does the family room need a complete overhaul? Visit one of the three stores to complete the specific look that suits your home and consult an onsite designer for advice. Check out the unique offerings at all three stores:

The Furniture Connector – Still incredibly popular, The Furniture Connector is the first store Rodney and his business partner opened and carries an array of eclectic pieces in a fun and flirty environment. You can discover how to mix styles – a rustic chair combined with a crystal chandelier, for example – and the power of decorating with “opposite” materials to complete a room’s design. 2905 Griffith Street, Charlotte.

High Cotton Home Co. – This store showcases tailored, high style furniture collections with a refined, modern look. The 8,000-squarefoot warehouse is classically decorated thanks to overhead crystal chandeliers hanging from metal piping and rafters. Modern furniture completes the high-end aesthetic. TFC’s excellence in customer service spills over into this store – designers are on site to help you choose the right furnishings for the look you want and will even come to your house to offer advice. Customers say they love the quality furnishings and the hospitality. 2137 South Boulevard, Charlotte.

Southend Trading Company – The fun continues at the newest addition to this family of stores with Southend Trading Company. “This store is a diamond in the rough,” says Hines. “You can find one-of-a-kind pieces, repurposed furniture, antiques with new upholsteryand gifts for others.” Hines says it resembles a Paris flea market with yesterday’s antiques mingle with handmade items, dressed up for modern use. Wondering how to incorporate Pantone’s 2013 Color of the Year, emerald, into your décor? An in-store interior designer can lead you to the answer. 2935 Griffith Street, Charlotte.

Visit all three stores often to see the wide range of merchandise, which is sold off the floor as one-of-a-kind finds. The room vignettes change weekly as pieces are sold and new shipments arrive at the warehouse door. If you’re in the market for new furnishings and accessories, sign up for the stores’ catchy e-newsletter, which lists upcoming sales and provides sneak peek photos of new arrivals each week.

Text “ilovefurniture” to 22828 to join the email list for all three stores and receive early sales and event information, along with photo previews. Visit all three stores in the Southend Furniture District to find the furniture, artwork, rugs and accessories that are right for you. Call 704-523-3163 to reach the stores.

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Roughing It- Beth Keim with Lucy & Company (Best of Guide, Charlotte, NC)

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Images courtesy of Mekenzie France

There is nothing I love more than a clean slate, an empty room – a room that doesn’t even exist, actually. When I work with a client in the beginning stages of a remodel or an addition, we don’t have any obstacles to deal with. We can really think about the function of the room and, with the help of an amazing contractor and carpenter, we can have everything on our wish list.

I recently worked with the Freemans on a new project, transforming their garage into a new family room and pool house bath. Pulling in The Salin’s Group for expertise, we sought out to create a functional, stylish space for a family of five. Style was very important. Something beautiful, chic and fun that echoed the feel of the wooded lot their secluded home occupied, yet more artistic and modern than the typical “cabin” look.

I chose bright birch tree wallpaper, with an almost hand-drawn feel, to cover the room. The clean and modern look of this paper set the tone of the room and became the focal point. It’s very eye catching and bright, and with the large retractable doors the trees seemed to drift into the wooded backyard in such a beautiful way.

T he next step was to filter in large and simple pieces of furniture in warmer tones. Since I was working with such a sharp, clean and modern paper, I chose natural wood accent furniture to warm it up. These amazing pieces, while rustic in material, all have the modern clean lines I needed to compliment the overall look. I believe they’re works of art on their own.

I then chose a large dark leather sectional couch. I love sectionals, especially tight back sectionals. The look is cleaner and over time, you aren’t dealing with the back cushions losing shape. This piece is large enough to be the main furniture in the room and accommodates their growing family.

This room was screaming for a Lucite bubble chair. It’s modern lines worked well with the
overall feel, but more importantly it doesn’t visually block the great wallpaper paper – plus, honestly – it was just fun!

Speaking of ways to avoid taking away from your key element, hidden built-in storage was a decision we all made early on. The entire wall opens up for ample storage, yet is designed and built in a way that doesn’t call attention.

T he finished product is clean, functional, and artistic, and a new room everyone wants to spend time in together just enjoying the “outdoors.”

Beth Keim is the owner of Lucy and Company, a full-service interior design firm located at 1009 East Boulevard. For more information visit www.lucyandcompany.com or call
704-342-6655.

To view more articles from Lucy & Company click here, or visit www.urbanhomemagazine.com

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Why This Room Works- San Antonio/Austin, TX Summer 2012 Issue

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By Mauri Elbel Photography by Tom Harrell Photography

Designer Spotlight:
Dawn Hearn of Dawn Hearn Interior Design This elegant room oozes feminine charm.

We sat down with Austin-based designer Dawn Hearn to talk about the elements she pulled together to transform an ordinary guest bedroom into a peaceful retreat perfect for her client’s visiting friends.

What were the design goals for this room? This was a new home in Spicewood,
and I was brought on to design the guest bedroom. The walls were painted and the shutters were already installed, but all that was sitting in the room was an iron bed. My client wanted a retreat for her girlfriends when they came and stayed. She likes a very tailored look so I wanted it to be rich but relaxing at the same time. The idea behind this room was to make it into a retreat. It is a little softer than the rest of the home. The
givens were the wall color – a soft taupe – so we wanted to infuse this room with some character based on this very neutral palette. The inspiration piece was the icy blue
background on the floral duvet and pillows. My client saw that fabric and fell in love with it, and we built the rest of the room around that fabric.

What are your favorite elements of this room? I like the contrasts of this room. There is the contrast of the rich chocolates and cool blues. There is the contrast of the refined mirror finishes on the chests next to the rusty iron bed.

There are vintage washed fabrics combined with more defined modern animal prints. There is a contrast of very simple, neutral walls with the dense pattern of the rug. I think all these contrasts are what make it interesting. If you did everything shiny or everything rustic, the look would be flat. So when you run the gamut of everything in between, it creates a very layered effect.

How has this room served the owner thus far? We call this room the girlfriends’ guest suite. I think it really has a restful, calming feel to it. It is a warm and welcoming room. It is not so busy that it is overwhelming; instead, it remains serene and inviting. This is exactly what she wanted. Since the client previously lived in Houston, this room really comes in handy when they have visiting guests. They utilize this room quite often, and the owner has told me that her guests love this room. Some comments she has received from her guests are that the room is spa-like, peaceful and soothing.

What are some of your favorite “finds” you integrated into the room? One really neat thing in this room is the floor lamp. That lamp was actually in the attic – it was from my client’s previous home in Houston and it was in pretty good condition so we resurrected it and added a new lamp shade. Another fun thing during this project is that we got the chance to make use of a lot of to-the-trade showrooms. We found several resources here in Austin, but the client also met me at Dallas Market to shop for art. This is where we found the grouping of travel prints.

The fossil fragments and the lamps are from a line called Aidan Gray. The mirrored nightstands, from Neiman Marcus, add a touch of glamour.

What sort of feel does this room exude? It is an elegant room but it is casual enough so everyone can feel comfortable in the space. The color palette helps create that serene feel. Oranges and reds and vibrant colors wouldn’t be nearly as restful. The layers of bedding create a soft, inviting look.

Dawn Hearn Interior Design
512.930.0250 www.Dawnhearn.com

To view more articles from San Antonio/Austin, TX please visit www.urbanhomemagazine.com or click here.

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Feature Home- (Charlotte June/July 2012 Issue)

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The New Bold South
Written by Anne Marie Ashley

There is a certain charm to older homes that can only be truly appreciated by someone with an eye for seeing character in wood paneling, narrow doorways and pronounced rooms. And further, for seeing the potential these character-laden elements can bring to a well designed home, making it equally stylish and relaxed.

Charlotte is dripping with these homes and for those that can see the possibilities, it’s a paradise. The homeowners of this feature home have a soft spot for early 1900s architecture and when they discovered this home in one of the most historic parts of Charlotte, they knew they’d make it their own.  The resulting home was bold – and completely comfortable.

We spoke about this project with interior designer Lindsey Coral Harper and the renovation team to find out how it all came together.  Andrew Roby General Contractor and Sam Greeson of Meyer Greeson Paullin Benson Architecture were called in to oversee and execute the renovations.

“Most of the changes were stylistic,” explains Greeson, “to meet the new owner’s desire for a younger, more modern look.”  That’s where New York-based interior designer Lindsey Coral Harper came in. “It just needed a little bit of freshening up,” says Harper. “We took out every bit of carpet and repainted every square inch!”

The kitchen was the largest of the renovations, making the originally tiny space much larger and marrying it nicely with the recent family room addition. An artist was flown in from New York to hand paint the interesting kitchen floor.

“The banquette was added at the pass thru to the family room, where the sink had previously been located,” explains Greeson. “We discussed opening the wall up, but it would have disturbed the flow and arrangement of both spaces. With the final solution, you feel that the kitchen is huge, but we actually didn’t add any square footage.”

The whole project, renovation and interior design included, took just four months to complete. “The process was faster than it normally would have been thanks to the homeowner knowing exactly what she wanted and Andrew Roby’s well organized schedule,” says Greeson.

“Communication is everything when it comes to construction schedule and overall quality,” says Chris Maynard of Andrew Roby. “Projects don’t go this well or turn out this beautifully if you don’t have the team of home owners, designer, architect and contractor all working for the same goal – which is outstanding quality and a wonderful experience.”

Harper knew what her client was looking for from the get-go. “I knew my client was moving from a one-bedroom apartment in New York City to a four-bedroom house in Charlotte,” says Harper. “ I had a sense of her overall taste, so shopping for her and finding things she liked was the easy part. It helps when your client has great taste!”

Harper called on the help of local custom window treatment and sewing experts Elaine Mitchell and Pam Dawes of Interior Couture of the Carolinas. “Lindsey’s eye for design is unparalleled,” says Pam. “The fabrics she chooses, the textures and layering of design, really creates some unique elements in a home.” Elaine adds, “her designs are simple, but with the bold fabrics and rich textures, the result is extraordinary.”

Harper says incorporating this client’s personality into the home was easy. “I am creating a ‘home’ and space for them, it’s not about me. I know they are a very friendly, young, stylish couple that loves to have friends and family over. So that is what I tried to translate.”

Harper suggests a fresh coat of paint in any room to liven it up and change the look or mood. Pam and Elaine suggest freshening up a room with window treatments, adding that great window treatments can truly make or break the look of a home. “In this case,” says Harper, “we stripped away everything and painted and/or papered every room. We changed everything about it and basically started from scratch.”

There are several ways to use bold design in any home, but according to Harper, it will always change depending on the client. “In this home, each room has at least one bold element. In the entry it’s the wallpaper; the dining room – the glass chandelier; in the kitchen it’s the bold use of color and pattern; the living room has those beautiful curtains and all the powder rooms have really great wallpapers.”

“I think there are a lot of bold elements throughout this house,” says Harper, “but they all blend together to make one cohesive story.”

Resources
www.andrewroby.com
www.iccarolinas.com
www.lchinteriors.com
www.mgpb.com

To view this article click here or for more articles in Urban Home Magazine visit www.urbanhomemagazine.com or click here.

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Finder Keeper’s- (Charlotte June/July 2012 Issue)

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Written By Nancy Atkinson

Interior designers know that decorating with a mix of old and new, casual and
formal makes rooms more interesting. They repurpose things, using an old ladder as a blanket holder or a metal workbench for a kitchen island, to lift rooms from ordinary to extraordinary. The search for these items could become a time-consuming treasure hunt – combing boutiques, antique malls and flea markets looking for the perfect item.

What To Look For
When heading out to these creative venues, the experts advise you to be
open to finding items you love, even if you’re not sure where you will use it in
your home.

Charlotte residents are fortunate to have an abundance of wonderful markets at our feet. It makes it easy and enjoyable to satisfy our inner ‘hunter-gatherer’and find treasure in just one afternoon.

“Listen to your gut,” says David Newcombe, owner of Alexander Scott in Charlotte. “If you think you have found a great, unique item at the right price, buy it. Don’t waste precious time pondering or it will be someone else’s great find.”

Of course many homeowners and designers are on the hunt for that something special, with a specific need in mind. Janna Baker, General Manager of The Depot, explains that many interior designers celebrate Charlotte’s rich manufacturing history by seeking industrial pieces they can repurpose in unique ways.

“Designers come in looking for metal objects from old mills and machine shops,” she says. “Metal pulleys, farm hooks; we recently sold an old gurney that someone was going to make into a bathroom countertop!” Janna explains that these old items make a newly decorated space more exciting.

One of her favorite re-purposing tricks is using old metal fryer baskets as a towel holder in the bathroom or creating an old light fixture from a metal trashcan. “Old canvas mill carts that were used to tote cotton from room to room in old mills make a perfect laundry basket for modern laundry rooms.”

David loves to see homeowners reinvent treasures from the past. “Breathe life into stale silhouettes,” says David. “Take a Louise XVI arm chair and cover it with a wild animal print.

A minimal investment in paint will always revive great pieces of furniture. Consider Chippendale dining chairs painted orange with faux embossed leather seats. Or incorporate contemporary lighting into a vintage inspired room and watch the room’s personality evolve.”

Reinvent your rooms with the inspiration that is all around you. Plan a day or a weekend at Charlotte’s unique markets to find unexpected treasures that add an element of surprise to your home’s décor.

Alexander Scott, housed in the former McColl Center for the Fine Arts, features more than 70 hand-selected vendors offering a wide array of home furnishings, gifts and accessories, each with their own unique style. The brainchild of native Charlotteans David Newcombe and Rusty Griffith, Alexander Scott is the fulfillment of their lifelong dream to have their own retail interiors store.

With more than 7,500-square feet of furniture, art, linens, gifts and accessories, you’re sure to find the piece that adds inspiration to your home. “Time and convenience are essential for today’s customers and designers,” says David Newcombe. “Multi-merchant venues offer one-stop shopping. In our venue you will find a mix of the old and new, allowing you to choose and create a unique environment with layers of styles, textures and colors representing your personal taste. These layers create a warm environment that appears to have evolved over time.”

Slate Interiors on Central Avenue in historic Plaza Midwood in Charlotte, is a
collection of more than 50 artists, merchants and designers offering everything from
ultra-modern to traditional. Original art, custom pillows, Mid-Century modern,
quality vintage and repurposed items can be found, designed to take your home from
boring and predictable to chic and interesting. The eclectic mix found at Slate is best
described as “Paris flea market meets SoHo.”

Classic Attic houses treasures from more than 8,000 consignors with hundreds of
styles and colors, all in one huge showroom so you never get the feeling that everything
looks the same. Another thing that won’t look the same? The price! Consignment is
THE way to get high-end quality at below wholesale prices.

“It’s hard to believe we’ve been in Park Road Shopping Center for more than ten years,” says Ede Graves, Classic Attic Owner. Featuring quality American-made vintage and antique furniture, Classic Attic also has antique prints from England, Italian pottery and French furniture and porcelains.

Most items are lightly used but you’ll see new draperies, pillows, lighting, furniture and accessories consigned by designers and decorator shops. Classic Attic is sure to have
something you love and there’s a WISH LIST to register your “desires”.

Post & Gray, located in Charlotte’s historic South End, houses over 35 merchants in 7,000-square feet of warehouse space. Owners John and Kelley Vieregg saw a need for a retail outlet where individuals could sell their personal collections or collected inventories. “We have customers that became merchants and then opened their own stores,” explains Kelley Vieregg.

“Some of these merchants were so successful they launched product lines and sell nationwide. We saw a void in the market to develop a more relaxed, welcoming environment for the DIY generation and created Post & Gray, where we offer a mix of private label products, designer fabrics, rugs, and pillows all at outlet prices.”

Resources:
www.alexanderscottinteriors.com
www.classicattic.biz
www.depotgibsonmill.com
www.interiorsmarketplace.com
www.shopslateinteriors.com
www.sleepypoetstuff.com
www.southendexchange.com

To view more articles from Urban Home Magazine, visit www.urbanhomemagazine.com or click here.

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