2011 Holiday Doors -- Is One Yours?

One of my favorite things to do at Christmas time is to ride around and get inspired by holiday decorations. For the last two years, I have photographed and written about my favorite doors. The response has been so overwhelming, I am making it an Inspire Me Christmas tradition.  So once again, I invite you to scroll through my favorite doors.  Is one yours?

The simple red ribbon speaks volumes.

I love these wreaths with the gold crosses hanging in the middle. 'Tis the reason for the season.

Natural simplicity- magnolia wreath with burlap tie.

Love the silver!  Love the pink!  Love the perfect alignment of the round wreaths on the round door panels.  So chic!

The pink berries add the perfect punch.

Double wreaths, double bows. The more the merrier.

What a swag!  And love that solo star.

You can never go wrong with a white sophisticated bow.

Elegance, plain and simple.

Gold magnolia!  Va-va-voom!

Tailored, balanced and altogether terrific.

WOW.  White wreath, red door...need I say more?

My Christmas List

We have been receiving packages daily here at the store. It is like Christmas morning, as I open up the boxes of items I ordered months before. At this fall's furniture market, I was a bit preoccupied with lighting, primarily due to the fact that my own home needed a lighting updo, but also because our clients had expressed a variety of lighting needs. I tend to purchase things for the store that I would like in my own home or I can envision in the homes of my friends. That said, with every delivery to the showroom floor, I am giddier than before.  These delights may just be better than what I remembered.  Perhaps, I should make a new Christmas list of my own.

Dear Santa, 
Should any of the following treats end up under my tree or in any needy corner of my home, I promise to be a very good girl all next year...

Mary Mcdonald's red lamp with glossy red shade

Apparently someone else had these on their list too, as they were out the door within hours of being put on the showroom floor. But never fear, I can order more and in other colors as well.  (They come in black, navy and blush.  I will let you know when they arrive, or contact me if you would like to place a special order.)

Also on my wish list is this Jonathan Adler Meurice Sconce, which just arrived.   It is shown below as a sconce.  However, if Santa comes through for me, I will use it as a ceiling flush mount in my guest room.

Another Jonathan Adler creation that I'd like to call my own are the Parker sconces. These would work beautifully in a hallway, bath, or even above fireplace.  I am thinking about using these in one of my client's master closets.

This art deco flush mount looks like it is already wrapped up for Christmas.  What a sophisticated piece!  And it also provides excellent light for any room.  A wonderful price point, as well -- $385.

I must confess, I could not wait.  This Lawrence flush mount by Visual Comfort is already hanging in my home, but I did get one for the store too.  It comes in two sizes, so it can work in any size room.

I love this Saarinean side table with marble top we just received.  At 20" wide, it is small enough to be placed beside a club chair and large enough to sit beside a sofa.

The tulip chair below is standard with a round black cushion, but I would cover it in either a hide or a bright colored fabric - as I have shown roughly below. Santa should know that I bought this one for the store and one for myself.  (Positive thinking never hurt any girl inspired.) This will make the perfect desk chair in my daughter's new room.

This floor lamp below is one of my best finds, and you may just need to add it to your own wish list. It is a simple, yet stylish and hits the perfect price point of only $250.

 

But I saved the best for last.  The Alder Bond Desk below with burl top and lucite legs is by far my favorite thing in the store at the moment. I love a writing desk that looks sleek and sophisticated, yet is still functional with self closing front drawers.  In one powerful, bold and sleek stroke, it adds a punch of modern to a traditional setting.  And, it affords the perfectly stylish (and functional) place to sit with pen and paper to list your resolutions for 2012.

 

"You have not, because you ask not."  So, my dear friends and cohorts in all things inspired, please feel free to contact me with your dream list and I will see to it that your very own Santa is aware of your heart's desire.

Merry!  Merry!

Big-Boy Rooms

Aside from my recent detour to all the new finds of Market, my focus lately has been on children's rooms. I am currently working with several moms to transition their nurseries to big boy and girl rooms. There are so many directions to take in making this change that it can be overwhelming.  I always like to have photos of inspiration at my finger tips to show clients what can be done in an effort to define their goals. Luckily, I have files and files on hand in anticipation of such projects.

Here are some of my favorites for big-boy rooms.

Alessandra Branca's book, New Classic Interiors.

Twin beds are always my preference in children's rooms. There are so many things you can do with them. This photo is from Alessandra Branca's book, New Classic Interiors. I love the canopies, toile wall paper, and striped fabric. A wonderful throwback to Mary Poppins.

Another inspiration from Alessandra Branca's book New Classic Interiors. This English look is timeless. Notice the shades on the floor lamps are made to look like drums. And the sconces are tin Napoleonic hats!

 From Margaret Russell's book Style and Substance (one of my favorites!)

Every child seems to love bunk beds. And for those lucky kids that get to share a room, they are perfect space savers. The design team of Nathan Egan Interiors helped a New York City family save a bit of space all while adding entertainment with the bunk bed puppet theater!

From Style and Substance

This little boy's room is decorated with a extra large size world map by Hammacher Schlemmer. This is also a great way to disguise boring closet doors, as well as learn geography! I wish I had one of these when I was growing up.

From Style and Substance

This nursery can definitely grow with the little boy. The wall paper is a photograph taken by the little boys father, photographer Pieter Estersohn, while in India. I love the antique rug and light.

Domino, the book of decorating

This urban cowboy themed room by decorator, Vesta Fort, is a fun mix of vintage items. The cowboy curtains set the stage for the old west decor. I like the unexpected zebra headboards, the dark wood floors, and vintage twin beds.

At the end of the day, there are lots of possibilities for your little man.  Make it a fun project -- use your imagination, factor in his interests and let be inspired!

The vanCollier Debut Collection

Katie Koon, myself, and Beth Collier of Van Collier.

 It was two years ago that my dear friend Katie Koon introduced me to her childhood friend, Beth Collier. The three of us sat in my conference room discussing the direction of my family business and vanCollier's development as a wholesale furniture design business. I had been itching to move Eatman's into a more designer-centric showroom, where designers would showcase their work.  My vision was that Eatman's would be a destination where designers and homeowners alike would come to be inspired.   About this time, Beth, a seasoned interior designer and art major, and Chris, her husband, himself an antique and furniture aficionado, had decided to start designing furniture to the trade. She needed a platform - a store to display her new designs and ideas. I needed something unique, exclusive and exciting to display in my store.  It was a perfect fit.

We sanctioned off an area for vanCollier to display all their beauties in my family's store. With the help of this blog and your loyal following, we began to get the word out of the new furniture/accessory designer. While Beth and Chris painstakingly went through the process of finding manufacturers for their designs, I welcomed any and all prototypes to our store.

After two years, vanCollier made its official debut last week at the High Point Furniture Market as a wholesale design business. I am so proud of them and excited for their future that I can hardly contain myself.  What a testimony to hard work, perseverance, friendship and being inspired!

Feast your eyes on these creations and enjoy.  All pieces are available in Raleigh exclusively through Eatman's Carpets & Interiors.

All of Van Collier's designs are made in the U.S.A.

One of the original designs from the Ginkgo Collection.

My all-time favorite vanCollier item, the Ginkie Martini Table. This collection was inspired by a magnificent Ginkgo Tree on the lawn of the Collier's home.  I have ordered one for my new sitting room, and I can't wait to get my hands on it. The prototype still sits in our store, but the finished product is on its way.

Jeannie Ottoman from the Kontouris Collection

The Malcolm Collection is made up of tobacco sticks from North Carolina tobacco fields.  I love the coffee table, chandeliers, and chair & ottoman.  I am ordering a coffee table in gilded gold finish for my showroom. Any finish and any size available.

                           

Candy Colored "Silver" Tray

 I love the above candy colored "silver" tray. Available in red, blue, black and clear. An original and exclusive design from vanCollier.  I predict it is destined to become one of the next "IT" items, following the over dyed rugs and piece tables.

Longchampe from the Cy Collection.

For the equestrian lover, a leather side table/stool complete with horse stirrups. This can open up for storage too.

Ginkgo Lisabet console and Hawes sconces, Evan mirror and the Mary French Chair with triangle pillows.  Tres chic! 

Original Paintings by Marcus Reichert.

Ginkgo Bren wall brackets flank original work by famed artist Marcus Reichert. Beth met the artist when she was working at a North Carolina museum where his art was on display. They became great friends, and she has a collection of his amazing artwork.

Chris Collier chats with new buyers at the market.

A sampling of the vanCollier's upholstered  Cy Collection. Shown here, the Mere Sofa and Beck Arm Chair.

High Point's Top Ten

I am just now catching my breath after returning from High Point's Furniture Market this past week. Each year I wonder if I will find anything new and exciting. And without fail, I come back inspired and eager for our new products to arrive.  This year, I was specifically thrilled to find several new sources for lighting, rugs, and home accessories. Although most of my photo's are still in the editing stage,  I managed to choose my top ten favorites.  Enjoy.

1. Van Collier's Greek Key Ottoman shown here covered in cow hide. Base available in black, white or custom colors. 

  2. Marble Top Extension Table. What a great conversation piece! You can push it together to compact it into a coffee table or extend it out such that stands as a linear bench.  So functional, so unique, and so sophisticated.  (Each piece spins, as well. Perfectly playful!)

3. Beeline's new Piece Table. Each piece can stand alone or together. We saw a variety of piece tables in different show rooms. I love the classic clean lines of this one.  (This concept is great for homes that need to shift from functional to fancy, depending on if the kids are in bed.)

4. New "Murano-like" Chandelier at an amazing price point of $999. Normally these run around $2500 or higher. I ordered one for our floor, and it should be arriving any day.  Can't wait!

5. Chevron Over Dyed Rugs & Ikat Rugs. Last year the patchwork and solid over dyed rugs made their debut. This year, it is the chevron over dyed. Available in any color. See swatches below.

  

Following the Ikat fabrics from last year, the Ikat rugs debuted this year. I love the multiple blue shades and cream in the rug above.

6. Unusual Art Pieces. I am always looking for art work that can make a room. I love this contemporary piece. I bought it as well as its mate and will hang it in our store above an antique dresser. Or...just maybe... it will end up in my home. 

7. Johnathan Adler made its first appearance at High Point this year. I was thrilled to see the collection, as I have always loved his style. The products and price points are reasonable, and I decided to pick up the line for Eatman's as a dealer. This means we will have the line for you to see in person and purchase at the same price as online or in an Adler store.

8. Gilded Mirror. I am always looking for good mirrors. This seems like a basic mirror that would be easy to find, but it is not. The finish is perfection, and it can go either traditional or contemporary. Very versatile, I see it in a bathroom, a bedroom or a foyer.  Very elegant.

9. Mary MacDonald Table Lamps.   This was one of my favorite finds this year. Available in peach, cream, and soft pale pink. I love the pink and, of course, purchased it for the showroom. It will be a few months before it arrives, but I will be sure to let you know when it gets here. 

10. John Rosselli's New Chandelier. Absolutely love it, and it will be heading our way sometime early next year.

Stay tuned for more photos to come. As merchandise arrives, we will post on Facebook and Twitter.  

My next blog will be on the debut of the Van Collier Collection at High Point this year. I am so proud and excited for my dear friends, Beth and Chris Collier. Their talent is amazing and I can't wait to see the growth of their business over the next several years.