Spring is a time to celebrate new beginnings: graduations, weddings or a spring home refresh. I absolutely love helping friends with their home design needs, incorporating new and old and creating a home that blends comfort, style, form and function. One of my favorite markets to visit is the High Point, NC market where we log over 10,000 steps each day visiting with our amazing design partners and exploring our favorite antique importers.
This year was no different! Some of my favorite pieces from market are two amazing green vintage side tables, a whimsical donkey print from Four Hands, a new Tulu runner, two Verellen chairs, two Made Goods green upholstery chairs (are you seeing a color theme here?)and two Made Goods stools not to mention the Zebra wood table and leather chairs from Codarus.
A comfortable home to me is one whose style is simple, modern and classic , involving lots of texture and layering. It is not stuffy or stiff, but one that combines form and function to accommodate even five dogs! You must have confidence that your furniture, rugs, and flooring will survive lots of little feet (grandchildren for me now) and multiple muddy paws along the way (we have four dogs so I can speak from experience here). I prefer a neutral base that is enhanced with pops of color…This brown and cream vintage rug is one of my favorites. Artwork, pillows and rugs can be instrumental in balancing the neutrals with the energy and vibrancy of color.
While we do source new pieces of art from our vendors at markets (like these from our recent High Point visit we LOVE partnering with local artists in each store to highlight the amazing talent. I am truly so impressed with the talent in our communities using a variety of mediums and techniques. While I wish I could highlight them all here, I want to mention the dramatic work of Florida artist Paul Tamanian who uses mixed mediums on aluminum to create dramatic indoor/outdoor pieces of art and the photography of Erich Martin in Tallahassee, Florida whose photography of North Florida brings the pages of Here is Tallahassee to life.
In St Louis, Faith Berger creates dramatic neutrals and patterns in paint that can be applied to rugs, combining form and function at its best. Let’s not forget the vibrant work of Jessica Hitchcock Art , our store-opening artist in St Louis whose art is now featured on our French Graffiti tea towels.
Re-purposing and re-imagining pieces extends beyond antiques. I have been very, very lucky to have received a number of Hermes scarves over the years as gifts from my Dad. Given that I don’t have the opportunity to wear them all of the time I have chosen to frame a few as art. The color saturation and the stories embedded in these scarves make them some of my favorite pieces. Check out the orange and blue in this framed Hermes piece that becomes the focal point of color and energy in our family room. Whenever we discover Hermes scarves at antiques markets, Hearth and Soul frames them to offer a great option to traditional art.
Don’t let interior projects overwhelm you. Have fun with it. We can help you narrow down your vision and make your dream become reality. It’s one of my favorite things to do.
Cheers!
Susie
