January 28, 2014

Southern Hospitality

With each decorating challenge I try to think, “what traits does my client exemplify, and how can their home display their personality?”

When my client and long-time friend asked me to spruce up her home, her reputation for overflowing hospitality immediately came to mind.

October 30, 2013

A Cast Iron Affair

What’s the recipe for a fabulous kitchen renovation that is unique?

The ingredients: An an out-dated tiny kitchen space, a collection of cast iron skillets, and a little design help.

The inspiration: Displaying cooking utensils has been done for a long time!  At the palace kitchen at Chenonceaux in France, which I just visited, copper ladles and pots were displayed on the walls.  Today the display is still relevant as a useful and decorative collection.

My client is not alone in her love of cast iron cookware. The professional golfer, Davis Love, also enjoys collecting them.  The story of his passion with vintage cookware was featured in the summer issue of Garden and Gun!

October 23, 2013

High Point Fall Market

Twice a year we head up the road to the High Point Furniture Market in North Carolina. People from all over the world come in to shop and buy goods for clients and retail stores. We are fortunate that it’s only a three hour drive from Columbia.

At the market we see new trends, new products, old friends and a few famous faces.  Famous designers like Tom Filicia, Alexia Hampton and Thomas O’Brian often lend their names to many products including furniture, fabrics, accessories, and rugs.

It’s always nice to catch up with Jay Reardon, president of Hickory Chair Furniture Company.

Tom Filicia was at the Vanguard Furniture showroom.