Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 04:45PM We're in full swing here at the Antique and Design Center in High Point. A few shots of our booth:
Target practice starts in 4 minutes....
MORE TO COME!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at 10:19AM It's been a long time coming but "that thing" I've been working towards is finally an honest to god, in-the-flesh reality...
Joel & I have finally gotten it together, and now Estate Design & Trade is born!
For years we have been trying to define our place in the world of interiors, Joel working as an award winning mega-stylist for showrooms all over the country, and me for the fabulous and Lonny friendly Lisa Sherry Interieurs. But we've always been collectors, hoarding the best of the best from dusty, bizarre, off the beaten path storefronts and road-side flea markets. Our finds number in the thousands, and the custom upholstery is starting to bust the seams in our homes (and my woodshop).
I'm not talking junk here. Can I tell you about the time I found a Chanel dress for 50 cents?
Living in Greensboro, NC, has afforded us the opportunity to attend High Point Furniture Market for years now, and this is the year we go from buyers pass to exhibitor pass status:
There it is 18' x 15' of very expensive & temporary real estate in the Antique & Design Marketplace at Market Square. Starting this weekend, we fill it with magic. It doesn't look like much now, but trust me when I say that it will be amazing. Market is Oct 22- Oct27th. So we're on a deadline!
We're working on our website (photoshoot is Monday, with Joel's tortoise Gertie as the mascot/model) with our photogs & friends Joey & Jessica. The space at market is temporary, but Estate is a total online ecommerce concept- we are selling "looks"- vignettes that tell a story about a person or place, with each Estate having it's own personality. You can shop the whole inventory or shop by look. It's a massive undertaking but we think it will be unique. We can't wait to share it with you!
So for now it's a lot of words, but starting Sunday I will be posting pics here of the process on my blog, as the Estate blog is in progress... but the Twitter acct is UP, so if you want to keep up with our progress and see more High Point Market Pics (including what other vendors are up to), follow us here.
Monday, September 12, 2011 at 07:27PM Wow. I feel like a stranger on my own turf. I haven't logged into this blog in weeks and weeks. I was surprised to see today that it's been 2 months, exactly! I've been busier than ever, which is simultaneously amazing/late night cry inducing. I know I keep saying this, have said it for years, but there are great things on the horizon including a possible new blog to end all blogs. But until then...
Hey here's something. My bosses home in the latest Lonny. We were all there the morning of the shoot and it was fun to watch Patrick & Michelle at work.
This is my favorite room in her house, the den, from the feature:
This room is so cozy, and I don't know why but I loved this bookcase the minute I saw it. I don't think the photo really shows how thick and woody and textural it is. Love it.
And here's another room, that I actually had no idea existed! It's off the kitchen and for some reason I never noticed it before- not until she was showing Michelle around the house.
Have you all seen Lonny yet? What other homes, besides this one obs, did you like? Here are 2 little known facts about the Lonny folks: Patrick told me a really great story about a toilet bowl and a freshly pressed shirt sleeve. Made him late for a meeting with a millionaire media mogul. It happens.
Michelle is a terrifying (and I mean this in a good way) mix of youthful & determined.
I dare say she will own us all in 10 years.
So it's been awhile- how about a freebie? A good one, from who knows where,if you know, please advise:
So thank you to those of you who stick around and the subscribers who still check in. I plan to write and share more fun & random info this fall.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 08:33AM 
via The Coveteur article on Meredith German. I've always loved weird figurines & cement statues (dogs, dolphins, flamingos- whatever I can spot on someone's back-country NC porch) and this image gives them a new reason for being. Everyone loves a good vignette.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 08:21AM I've seen the words "Hammocks & High Tea" on a number of blog rolls but it never occurred to me to see what that was all about, or WHO that was all about. And I had NO idea that, along with a blog, there was a product line attached. Seriously. Under a freakin' rock. I'm happy to say that H & H is providing a product that was sorely needed in the marketplace:
A dopp kit for the ladies! There aren't any attractive makeup & toiletry travel bags out there, right? EXCEPT for these! The price reflects the fact that they're prettier than most, and handmade...so in my mind, totally worth a little splurge.
Hammocks & High Tea also makes pillows, drawer liners, and these graphic tea towels. The designs are just the perfect amount of feminine/graphic/ethnic print inspired. In other words, they'll look fresh for a long time.
Figured I'd share, in case you were unaware, like me!
Hammocks & High Tea in Shoppin' Monday, June 20, 2011 at 11:22AM I found something(s) this weekend.
A couple of Bertoia's at an antique mall for a very nice price. They will reside on the screened porch, with the old pine daybed I also snapped off the Craigslist. Comfort AND Joy.
Monday, April 18, 2011 at 03:36PM Australia's online mag Ivy & Piper and Stuart Membery's woven walls. I want to know all about these but didn't see them explained in the article.
Guess I'll have to go to Bali and ask him myself?
Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 12:08PM Sometimes I will glance through Garden & Gun magazine but I don't often take it home with me from the Harris Teeter. What a fool am I. Because I missed this piece in the Feb/March issue... a beautiful garden wall in the courtyard of Capitol, the Charlotte NC boutique owned by Laura Vinroot Poole.
Photo by Stacey HainesI actually found these images via the blog of local photographer Stacey Haines. And then I went digging some more. And found a video. And now I'm just enthralled by the work of Patrick Blanc, who designed this piece of botanical magic. The wall as seen on the Capitol website:
Here's the video via Duchess Fare. For whatever reason I am particularly fond of the little sketch of the wall seen in the video.
The wall has it's own irrigation system and is supported by fiberglass & felt tied to a metal framework that runs up the wall. All of the foliage is local. More of Blanc's work:
And for those who recall the name but can't place it, Laura Vinroot Poole's home was featured in Domino. Designed by Barrie Benson, it has always been one of my favorite Domino features (along with Benson's own home). Here is the cover to spark your memory:
Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 09:04AM I've been so absent from the blogging world, has everyone already discussed this? West Elm has some great stuff right now...This is what I'm looking at:
I know everyone is all about some Stray Dog Designs. I've seen pics of how they make this stuff in Haiti. Lots of cardboard. I'm a paper mache freak and hope it doesn't go out of fashion now that it's becoming so accessible. Stray Dog stool for West Elm:
These pebble side tables remind me of a cross between a Billy Lee sculpture and a Maya Lin stone:
And this outdoor dining set makes me think of Conant Ball...
...or of the furniture designs of John Black:
Are you getting the jist here? There's a real move to the handmade/artisan that looks less mass produced. I love this terracotta lamp:
Speaking of lighting, everyone loves a red cord. But I do hope it's not a knock off of Jeff Jones' lighting:
Jeff in the Verellen Showroom in High Point, via Apt Therapy:
Ok, here's where we stray towards the practical. This is a great basic barstool shape. And a little visit to the upholsterer could make a huge difference. Cover it in any China Seas fabric & you're golden.
Ok, last but not least, let's go back outside to these Nest chairs. You might need one of these tossed casually under a tree in the backyard.
There are a few more goodies at CB2. More on that later!
Monday, April 11, 2011 at 08:42PM New & improved vision of love from the kitchen:
They look great and they're a million times more comfortable than the bentwood chairs that were replaced.
I feel like a proud parent. The faux alligator is so good.
Note, my dining table is now my desk, and my office is now a hoarder-zone. I like working by the big picture window, anyway. Now I need to replace the old dresser that was being used as a buffet under the mirror. Custom built I think is they way I'm gonna go. Think chunky and minimal. Chinimal.
Friday, April 1, 2011 at 03:59PM This picture was not set up or posed. It just happened in every day life. I can't even, it's too awesome. From here.
How's that for a weekend send off?
Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 09:46PM Furniture Market starts...NOW. I've been a busy little beaver. LSI was tapped to do 2 showrooms this year, so I've been running around with all manner of accessories, paint, rope, tape, doo-dads, & flowers. Want to see some pics? First up, the Red Egg showroom- which is one of the best showrooms I have ever been to because it's not a showroom at all. It's a victorian house just outside of "market madness".
Carol's furniture is asian inspired, but made in the USA. All of the cane product is made in the Phillipines. And the finishes are in fun new colors this year! So we worked around the finishes, letting them dictate the feel of each room. The pink & orange room...
the green & citron sunroom:
the blue room/ den. I love this room. These rugs look so great with Red Egg furniture:
Kathryn masterminded the awesome art collage in the dining room:
the office is neutral & chic. iphoto keeps wanting me to "tag" the Queen. This painting is by our friend, Jesse:
And this photo is by Lisa's husband, Ron Royals:
See more pics over on the LSI blog tomorrow. The outdoor furniture is really cute, too, and comes in all the fun colors.
As for the other showroom we worked on (Selamat), I'll try and snap some pics tomorrow before the throngs of buyers descend. More market updates into next week, so check back!
Friday, March 25, 2011 at 09:09AM These:
want to pretend that they live here:
Maybe because I saw this:
in the latest issue of Rue Magazine. So. Bailey of Peppermint Bliss has painted woodwork like Matthew Williamson. My chairs want to be jewel toned velvet with bright contrasting color legs. As soon as I get to the magic amazing fabric store where everything is $3 a yard, I'll let you know what colors I find. I hope to find some great stuff, in the meantime I'll be digging this Domino out of my piles for a little refresher on crazy color theory...
Monday, March 14, 2011 at 09:22AM Hey everybody. I know I've been neglecting this ol' blog but girl's got sh*t to do. I have a lot of irons in the fire as usual...one of them being the other blog I write for. And so, I keep directing you to it, because I don't want you to miss stuff like this:
This picture is for everyone who's ever said "those pillows are too big". NO THEY AREN'T.
So get on over there. And while you're at it, just add LSI to your blogrolls so I can stop "double blogging" myself. I love you.
Lisa Sherry, Nikki Tibbles in Inspired by... Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 10:14PM What do these three rooms have in common?
Go here and see. It's what I'll be working on next week in preparation for High Point.
Also of note: as I am typing this there is a pug ear tickling my hand. Someone is a close-sitter.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 12:55PM I just found a hair in my Chobani. Luckily I was listening to this at the time. I felt better instantly.
Sunday, March 6, 2011 at 04:40PM I'm thinking about re-doing the Mr.'s bedroom (and living room, and dining room, and spare room...on and on) so I was looking at a little John Robshaw action. I think one of his quilts or coverlets will go a long way on the all white bed. While perusing John's site, I caught some pics of his installation at Hollywood at Home in LA. Here's what Peter (I love Peter, though I don't know him, I imagine he's rad) did with John's prints and fabrics, in case you missed it:
Peter wanted to upholster the walls and John gave him scraps. So they patchworked it. Looks great, doesn't it?
These prints are what really caught my eye. They are one-of-a-kinds that John makes while he is India at the factory where they make his bedding. I love this arrangement. I have some old block prints, I wonder if I could come up with something fun like this?
So you want to see what I am thinking? His walls are gray blue. I like the following:
Leaning most towards "thistle" on the far left, which has green and yellow stripes on the back. Would be a great way to add in a little more color. On a random note, I've spoken to the folks at JR for work a time or two and they are BEYOND nice. Which, I am finding as I deal with Lisa's orders, is far too uncommon in the world of vendors. So I won't name the nasty ones, but I'll give props to the friendly. Makes me want to buy more Robshaw bedding, obvies.
John Robshaw, peter dunham Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 05:50PM 
Still like it. Suzanne Sharp's home in Vogue
Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 04:38PM 
I've been thinkin about it, now your thoughts, please. I want to recover these recently acquired vintage Steelcase chairs and use them in the dining/kitchen. I want vinyl or something very kid friendly (for, like, 5 years from now maybe). I can always use a plain vinyl but a faux hide might be fun? A little croc? Of course there's always white denim as an option. But vinyl, it's so... wipeable. So. Hot or not?
chairs, faux animal hide, white vinyl in Around the House 
