Market Watch - Thom Felicia

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Seeing Thom Felicia is always a pleasure. he is the LIFE of the party. Any room he's in becomes instantly brighter.

He introduced a lot of new pieces this market to his furniture line. It is inspiring to see how Thom pulls it all together - His use of color - a dance between all the perfect neutrals and shots of vivid colors. This market, the color was fushia! RASPBERRY! See how Thom does it. (And we saw it in other great designer showrooms too... Stay tuned!)

Thom's rooms are sophisticated, but they're casual enough to be comfortable in. His use of color is almost playful! Every detail is dialed in and well thought out. Thom designs the rugs, the art, and the furniture. We carry all three of his lines - If you're going to do it... Do it right!

- Jessica

Market Watch - Rugs

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I love me a great rug!

It was love at first sight - We saw each other from across the room! And I ran to her... stared at her hand-knotted construction and proclaimed, "This is IT!" This is our new rug line!

I set out to find another new rug line this market to add to our offerings. I needed something well-made, casual, but loaded with style. That seems to be what most of our customers and clients want.

Half of what I bought was flat-weave construction - wearable on both sides. (Yep, you can flip it over and it's woven design is the same on both sides.) Or sumak construction which resembles a small tight braid. Also reversible!

- Jessica

Market Watch - Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams

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This was a highlight for me this year. Their showroom is so meticulous and well-styled. Not overly decorated - so you can put your own ideas to work. New this market was the Black Label Collection (available for Spring 2012). It boasts larger scaled, super comfortable diverse collection of silhouettes. You'll have to wait until February for the first shipment arrives here to see them. They won't let me share photos until then... They're worth the wait! I can tell you this - most of the frames we bought are slipcovered! The look is relaxed and loungey.

Our favorite market moment was being invited to eat dinner at Mitchell and Bob's home!

They have a rad mid-century modern home in a neighborhood near High Point. They employ a full-time chef to cook for them at their factory. During market he cooks lunch for everyone who happens to be stopping by. And he prepared our food Saturday evening as well. Everything was delicious! The atmosphere. The people. The conversations.

Because I can't share any of the pieces from the new collection, here are a few goodies we love from the current line!

- Jessica

Market Watch - Oly Studio

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Welcome to Oly World - It's been with us from the beginning of the beginning for Alice Lane - Oly Studio.

You open the door to their space, and you've opened the doorway to heaven. I hear the Ahh Ahhhhhhhh (angels singing). It's so pure and inspiring. Every time I visit Oly it's like my compass gets pointed back to true north.

We use the line to pepper in their occasional pieces here and there throughout the homes we design and the showroom. It adds that unique, inspired styling. The sparkle, shine and designer quality to any space. It's incomparable.

Enjoy the new introductions available Early Spring 2012.

Inspiration in Unusual Places - Fall Wardrobe

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Fall is in full swing bringing cooler temperatures and crisp air. Let fall fashion colors, patterns and textures inspire your interiors! Peaches and salmons mixed with greens makes for a lovely outfit or powder room wallpaper.

Mix patterns - make sure the colors compliment each other and that the scales vary.

A rich raspberry mixed with some lighter and more subtle coral shades give your outfit or room some drama and flair.

This season, Aztec and Native American patterns are huge. Add them as accents with pillows or small rugs.

[photos from Anthropologie, Rue, Lonny, and The Marion House Book]

Market Watch: Cisco Brothers

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Adam and I are in High Point, North Carolina at the famed Furniture Market. We love this time of year! It is Christmas for us. We are here scouting out the latest and greatest to bring home to you all - First stop, Cisco Brothers! It's known for it's high end casual. I melt. I had to get there first thing - first day! Because I love their one-of-a-kind pillows.  I can only buy them 2 times a year when I'm at Market. I usually have to pick from whatever is left. Not this year! I gobbled up all my favorites. The pillows are made from vintage saris and scarfs - down inserts, unusual sizes. They give any sofa, chair, or bed that Cisco flavor, which is traveled, collected and inspiring.

I bought a boat load! They should ship next week. We'll give you a holler when they get in! Or you'll just feel it in the air.

Here are a few more things to look forward to in the coming months.

- Jessica

How-To: Style a Tray Table

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Let me introduce you to the simple beauty of the versatile tray table. The tray table is no longer used just as the cocktail lover's best friend - but as a resting place for your favorite food and beverages, your most special serving dishes, your prettiest cake plates, or even your mother's linens.

In one of my most recent projects we had an empty, awkward corner in the kitchen. Rather than filling the corner with art or useless accessories, we decided to fill the space with a functional and stylish tray table.

We loaded the tray table with all of her favorite things from ice cream dishes to serving trays to cake domes. The portable tray makes it so simple to serve your party guests - it's an effortless entertainer's dream!

"Entertaining is not about making an impression", says this internationally known event and party planner, Colin Cowie. "Instead, it's about being welcoming and calm and making your guests feel comfortable. Your presentation can still be chic and stylish and elegant, even in the relaxed environment of your own kitchen."

So what better piece than the versatile tray table to lift your style to a new level!

- Christy

St. George Here We Come!

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Jessica and Suzanne will be in the St. George area the first week in November. We are scheduling appointments for any of you design-lovers that are interested in our services! What do our design services entail?

The process typically begins with a First Time Consultation - The designers will visit your home, talk to you about your hopes for the space and your personal style... just get to know you, measure and take photos of the space.

After gathering this information, they will come back and start to fulfill all of your dreams! They will then give you a presentation, either in-store or via email, that contains a floorplan, a rendering, a packet of the selections and a spreadsheet with a breakdown of the pricing. Here is just a sprinkling of what the presentation will look like:

Here is a breakdown of how it works:

To schedule an appointment or for any questions give our project manager, Alisa, a call at (801) 222-9028.

How-to: Choose a Fall Scent

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With the cooler and crisper weather that is quickly approaching, also brings with it, cozy nights tucked inside the house, holiday parties and entertaining. A fall scent for the home is a must to start off the season right. Last month for our birthday, we introduced our newest line - Voluspa, known for their creamy coconut wax blend and the ultra clean burn. We are delighted with all of the rich scents and the pretty packaging.

Warm but fruity, these scents start us off right in the transition from summer to fall:

Pink Citron - Ripe citron grapefruit with a juicy pink center is layered with a tart cassis and a heart of subtle rose. Saijo Persimmon - Japanese saijo persimmon, considered to be the finest gourmet variety, is layered with peach and red currant.

And an Alice Lane favorite - Goji & Tarocco Orange.

Perfect for the kitchen, the James Boyce collection was designed for the kitchen specifically, taking scents that mix well with the smell of many cuisines.

Sommelier is a unique but warm scent with a combination of ruby port, mission fig and star anise. This is one of my favorites! Spice Market is the perfect traditional fall scent with a mix of cassia, ginger and ground clove. If you are looking for something clean and citrus scented, California Citrus is perfect with satsuma tangerine and meyer lemons.

A comforting scent that takes us into the winter months are Snow Flakes and Frost Pinecone.

Which is your fall scent?

Giveaway Winner!

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Congratulations Kate! We will email you to let you know that you are our winner!

Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate our 3rd birthday. We appreciate all of your support! Keep reading for more design tips, inspiration and fresh ideas!

Don't forget about our sale! Today is the last day for the Vanguard Special Order Sale but there is still a WEEK left for the Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams sale. Make sure to stop by!

A Few Words from: Suzanne

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I'm pretty sure I've quoted this verbatim to client's as I am an avid believer that everything in your home should have reason. There's something to entering a home and reading spines of the books, seeing picture frames filled with candid moments, and discovering traveled collections! I feel fortunate to have learned so much just by associating with so many great people and getting a sneak peek of who they are, what they believe in and all things that inspire. Thank you, thank you to those that have allowed us in their homes!

- Suzanne

[photos from Sibella Court's Etcetera]