High Point 2017 Highlights

We had a whirlwind trip to spring market in High Point, NC.  It is always a whirlwind, because no matter the number of days we stay, one cannot see it all.  It is both exhilarating and exhausting.  The inspiration is plentiful, and we have so much fun meeting up with our design friends from around the country.  

The highlights of this years market are almost too numerous to summarize.  One of the most pronounced occurrences was the used of mixed metals in everything from accessories to furniture. This doesn't evoke an industrial vibe like it has in years past, but a focus on a marriage of old and new materials.  I loved the mix of metals and raw woods, and natural stones like quartz and even semi precious minerals.

• Mixed metals, in all finishes, less shiny, more antiqued
• Clean sleek furniture lines: simplicity and elegance
• Mixed wood tones, in many raw and natural finishes
• Geometric shapes in wall paper patterns and textiles
• Oversized 'statement' hardware on furnishings
• Bold color, grays are warmer, neutrals have hints of warm color in them
• Earthy tones, tawny browns- not your 70's earth tones
• Lucite and glass 

• Texture in everything including artwork, lighting, rugs-all across the board
• Natural fibers; raffia, wicker, rattan, leather
• Mid century modern style
• 1970's shapes and forms- a bit retro
• Global influences from India, Africa, Spain, Morocco, Cuba, etc.- gathering cultural vibes
• Hand block printed textiles and small authentically crafted prints
• Artisanal creations in all lines
• Large art and textiles framed as art
• Found objects and antique finds for accessorizing

This is just a small hint of all that was going on at market. 

                                                                                                                                  

We came back with tons of inspiration and fuel for client projects!

Check out #highpointmarket and #hpmarket2107 on Instagram for more fun snapshots. 

Next post I'll describe the process of the art by the amazing Tracy Hiner of Black Crow Studios. 

Happy Spring!

Guest posting the Tray of the Day

This week we are featured over at Price Style and Design's " Tray of the Day" with some tray styling ideas. 

Come check us out and support our friend Leslie's wonderful blog!  Leslie is a designer and real estate stager in the San Francisco Bay area.  I have had the pleasure of many conversations about art, her dear mother who had Alzheimer's like my mother, and am proud to have Leslie as a blog friend.  Do you use tray styling in your decor? It is such a contemporary updated way  to style your accessories!

Blanc de Chine

While I have been a long time lover of blue and white porcelain, I have loved the white cutout china called "blanc de chine" ever since seeing the matching lamps of my best friend's mother when I was a young girl. I never have forgotten those lamps, which were very popular in the 1950's, when many of our fathers brought them back from the far east while serving in the war.

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A new Etsy recreation:

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Blanc de Chine also applies to white china of this period - like this exquisite vintage dragon:

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West Elm has introduced a metal cutout lantern that vaguely reminded me of the look.

A bit more versatile than blue and white, Blanc de China porcelain can add a 'collected' layer to any decor.  Do you have any?  I want more (like that little girl on the State Farm commercial).

scarfin' up some pillows

One of my dear friends pointed out the other day that I am always sportin' a scarf.  While part of me feels like they make me feel more secure about myself (actually, it's really just full-on hiding, if I'm being truthful), scarves can enhance just about anything.

We've seen them framed.  And patchworked.  And tied around lamp necks. And who doesn't love a good vintage Hermes or Vera find!

My mom had a scarf from her teen years that I loved to steal.  When she finally gifted it to me, I had to make it a permanent fixture in my house.  So what better way than to have your workroom turn it into a bolster.  And there it sits on my bed every day, reminding me that the sentimental things in decor always look the best!

I got so jazzed about it, that I had to do the same with an old silk J.Crew scarf that I never ever wore but always liked to look at.  I was afraid to get neck sweat on it.  Alot of good it did me refraining from wearing it because now it can just collect head sweat!

Photos by Dancer Burns

I may need to cool it with the scarf pillows for a while now.  

Do you have any 'scarf decor'?

Friday Finds

Remember our post about Nate Berkus designing for Target with the launch date of October 21st?  I feel sorely let down. I have been to Target 3x this week to see if anything was there (I know, Im sick) and not one Nate item was on the shelf.  Today I went to another T across town and this is their entire display...ONE END CAP- that's it.  Target, I'm disappointed.

 Oh well, I did have a great day otherwise with a few finds around town.

I found this chair at the Habitat Restore for $15.00!!! yikes, that is a steal. I thought he said $50 bucks and I still would have bought it. It came with a white cushion which I will reupholster.  I want to paint the chair in a faux tortoise shell look.  Has anyone ever done that technique? I'm game!

The other lovely find was a solid crystal lamp at Marshalls for under $40.00. I bought one a few years ago for 3 times that, and it is on loan at Bethany's house. Now we will both have this beauty. I'm continuing to tweak my office decor where I put my overDIY'd rug, and Im just about there.

I love looking at Horchow online since they do have lovely things, but I feel they are overpriced. I did get this mirror for my foyer that I have been coveting on a 30% off the sale price a week ago.  They do have good sales and special days where additional discounts are given on top of that.
Here is the Wilshire mirror that I got for $100 off!!!! and free shipping (it's huge).

Here it is a similar mirror in a bathroom I love:

and here it is in my foyer:

I hope you're having a good week.  Have fun with the process of designing your home, and if you need any help, let us know!

Nancy

P.S. Dont' forget to vote for my room on Apartment Therapy if you'd like. Voting is open til Oct. 29th!

Thanks for your support!

Think hiring a designer is too expensive? Think again! There are so many different ways to work with a designer. We offer room consultations, paint suggestions, shopping and sourcing, complete room and house redo's, staging and reworking your current furniture, spot-checks in areas that aren't quite gelling and many other services. eBoards are a quick and easy way to get a design look and feel in your home. While hiring a designer may cost you a bit extra, we aim to save you money by preventing costly mistakes in your design plan.

How to frequently redecorate

I know most of you are addicted to re-doing rooms over and over like we are, but in case you have had your furniture in the same spot for a long while, or yearn for a new look to go along with a new season, here are some things we do at Powell Brower.

1. CHANGE YOUR ART AROUND

I  often take all art down off a wall in a room or two and create new wall groupings.  Sometimes just moving pictures around will give the room just a fresh new look!

2. REARRANGE YOUR FURNITURE

Did you know that lining the walls with furniture (and hanging rugs on the wall) was actually a medieval practice of keeping out the drafts between the stones on the castle walls?  I remember my grandfathers house in Oregon had furniture lining the walls with barely room for one more thing. Even when I was little I thought that was so odd.  Maybe that's where my love for rearranging began!

Look at all how Robert Passal "floats" all the furniture in the room:

3. PAINT

This is the least expensive remodel you can do that yields the largest reward.  So you spend $20-60.00 on a can of paint to give your room a whole new look...just do it!

                                          (Bethany's bold brown ceiling for  her ORC)

                                                        (my kitchen)

I see people labor over paint decisions and I just want them to jump in. " It's just PAINT" I always say, not a major investment.

4. CHANGE YOUR ACCESSORIES

Often you have all you need for a new look around your  own home.  Don't know where to start or you need to unblock your 'decorator's block'? Take everything out of a room, put it all on the kitchen counter and reassign things to different rooms.  Better yet, if you have a friend ( or daughter) whose 'eye' you value, have them work with you, since two heads are literally better than one....

5. GET NEW PILLOWS

You can really change out your pillow covers for a minimal outlay of funds. Shops on Etsy offer tons of pillow choices as do your local or online home stores.  Or trying sewing some; there are plenty of DIY's out there.

The most important thing is to make your house your own with personal items and things you love; experiment and have fun in the process and get help if you get stuck or need a new plan. Decorators can help you formulate a plan and save you from making costly mistakes! 

Nancy


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If you are looking for help with your home, we'd love to work with you! Contact us for a listing of our services and prices. Nancy and Bethany

Of all the horny things....

I am loving all the HORN accessories we're seeing in high-end looks, online at OKL and other accessory stores. It adds to the layered global look we talked about as an integral piece in a design scheme. Bethany and I spent the day sourcing items to stage a client project and found some terrific finds at World Market. They have a new line in right now, which means the best things will be sold out shortly.  We even scooped up some horny items for ourselves.
Given the variety of shapes and sizes they come in, they are perfect for staging and creating eye movement in a "moment" or vignette like Sue did so thoughtfully here.

World Market currently has a great selection of horn vases and bowls for under $30. It appears that they are available in pairs only online, but you can buy them individually in the store.  The Zhush and Jayson Home and Garden have some stylish horny options but we've seen a few at Home Goods too.  

We also found a large selection of cowhides in neutral and browns for $329 - a GREAT price.

Among some other finds were this throwback camel leather butterfly chair:

And very cool campaign desk to boot.  Bethany and I really always admire campaign furniture everywhere we go.  For her, I think it stirs fond memories of my parents' bedroom suite that was all campaign furniture.  As for me, I appreciate the history and the portability intended in the original design.

What's your favorite accessory right now?

-Nancy

If you are looking for help with your home, we'd love to work with you! Contact us for a listing of our services and prices. Nancy and Bethany