Final HPMK Round Up - Affordable Designs and Embracing the Market Experience

White and brass accessories from Harp and Finial.

One of the misconceptions about great design, is that it has to cost a fortune to be fabulous. While it's true that hiring an interior designer for your home or business is a luxury expense, it's been proven that the expense of hiring a professional is usually well worth it.
So on my virgin trip to High Point Market, where I joined nine other design bloggers for Design Bloggers Spring Tour 2016 and toured 17 showrooms in three days, I was thrilled to tour a few showrooms with budget friendly price points.

 This sofa table/wine storage console from Hillsdale Furniture is designed just for a wine lover like me. And the price will prove gentle on your wallet. Hats   off to Barry Wooley who led an amazingly informative tour of this showroom.  

Ditto the genius wine storage options from the folks at Hobbs Design, who've designed a unique and imaginative collection of freestanding sliding drawer storage cabinets, coffee and lamp tables, with original wooden wine boxes from the famous Bordeaux Chateaux, among the most prestigious vineyards in France. I especially loved that the carts can be wheeled around to any spot in your home. Anything that wheels wine to ya is a genius idea in my book.

There were more budget-friendly furniture options from the folks at Vaughan Bassett, including this genius roll-up drawer facing to store media equipment in a bedroom chest . 

And they offered proof that there are custom options available even when furniture is affordable including multiple finish options for the wood and hardware in their various collections,

And while our touring experience over three days was a whirlwind, I was able to sneak in time for some fun times with other designers I'd only known via social media, some must-do selfies and all around shenanigans.

I followed everyone's advice and wore comfy shoes to navigate so many showroom tours, my feet were throbbing at the end of day one. Seriously. I looked up at the end of a long day and thankfully this wonderful gent came to my rescue.

 

One of the highlights of this trip was to finally meet designers I'd been besties with only via social media, including Saudah Saleem, Malene B and Ariene of Dress my Room Interiors.

Such a pleasure to meet Corey Damen Jenkins at the launch party for his collection with Leather Craft Furniture.

 Major cheesing with my design crush, Michel Boyd. 

And more cheesing with Thom Felicia

 

 My bun attracted loads of attention and kinda wanted its own hashtag, so of course it needed a selfie.

Best gift ever! This spot on caricature by the talented Breakfast Jones was a treat from the folks at Crypton Fabric.

And that's it folks. My highlights from my first trip to High Point Market, an experience of a lifetime. Huge thanks again to Adam, Luba and Bob of Esteem Media for selecting me for the Design Bloggers Tour, and the folks at High Point Market who truly made this a life altering trip.

HPMK Round Up: Color and Texture Explosion

 
If you've followed me and our design projects over the years, you know we are all about color and texture. 
And there was no shortage of both during the Design Bloggers Spring Tour 2016, where myself and nine other bloggers toured 17 showrooms in three days. Earlier this month I dished about the abundance of mixed metals I saw at market. But now let's talk about the color explosion, and layers and layers of texture that we saw at every turn.

The folks at AmbellaHome had my color-loving heart swooning at every turn. This pop of fuchsia chair greeted us as we entered the showroom.

The chairs colors and patterns were repeated here on a bold, white and black sofa. FYI: nailhead details will never die. They were also ubiquitous at market.

More fuchsia goodness at Huntington House

Sweet Jesus, if this orange velvet tufted "Piece of Cake" ottoman didn't reaffirm my love of orange.  Not only is it a bad ass in all its orange splendor, but the design allows for multiple formations to fit your home. 

Definitely a win. 

More orange love at the Bernhardt showroom, as the bold color perfectly frames their Soho Luxe bed and nightstand.

                                             And these ottomans. 

Floral abounded in most showrooms like this showstopper at the Theodore Alexander showroom. And green and blue are fast becoming my second/third color faves.

Color inspiration via the VanguardFurniture showroom

 

More blues via this denim and cowhide beauty from the rug purveyors Nourison. 

Green, black and white for the win at the Vanguard Furniture showroom. I'll take the boots as well, please and thank you.

The vast array of colors and patterned Crypton performance fabrics also available at Vanguard Furniture. Love that almost any upholstered piece from headboard to sofa can be personalized and made virtually indestructible with the Crypton stain resistant technology.

The folks at Kenian didn't skimp on color either, offering varied color options for their Chinese Chippendale chairs.

Any well designed space will need some texture to balance color repetitions, and there were some great options throughout market.

I may or may not have circled this wood and acrylic table a few times at the VanguardFurniture showroom. Seriously? What a conversation piece.


                       Ditto this piece from Huntington House

Woven goodness from Sauder exemplified their promise of livable luxury.

And since we use buffet/console pieces often in our design projects, I was especially smitten with the wood details I saw on several pieces at market including this beauty from Hurtado whose owner lives right here in South Florida.

Loved the pattern play detail on this buffet from Vanguard Furniture.

And this, oh so functional console from Universal Furniture

was styled to perfection with a cobalt blue lamp, against a green wall. 

 It was a genius vignette, and I think I stood there for quite a few minutes wanted to slap someone on the back for doing color and texture so damn well. Tune in later this week for my final High Point round up. It'll include some selfies. #dontjudgeme

Relaxing Room Retreats for Mom.

Happy post Mother's Day lovelies.
I spent the day at home nursing the little man, who got terribly ill with the Croup, an affliction I'd never heard of but one that's been around for an eternity. 
Of course, it would have been nice to have been at a spa being pampered all day, but being home to take care of him just reminded me that Mother's Day is a special day every day, and it's meaningful to be there for the good days and the sick days.
It also reminded me that we should all carve out a space at home where we can rest/recharge at the drop of a hat. If you don't have such a space, well here is some eye candy to get us all motivated to create that mini sanctuary in our very own homes.

 

via

via

The book lover in me wants nothing more than to curl up in a chair on a Sunday afternoon to read something utterly addictive.

via

via

But before all that reading, I'm also okay with being served some breakfast in bed. 

via

via

via

via

I'm a tad impatient, so often choose a shower over a bath but these tubs would have me changing those ways in a heartbeat.

via

via

via

via

via

Since summer is a just a few weeks away, why not create that special space outdoors?

via

via

via

via

via

And finally, some inspiring spaces for all the new and expecting moms.

via

via

via

via

Cheers to a great week ahead ladies, and to taking a moment every day to carve out a space in our very own homes for a little R&R.

Shop the Inspirations:

Chaise Lounge: Here, here or here

Accent Chairs: Here, here or here

Ottomans: Here or here

Beds: Here, here or here

Night Stands: Here or here

Chandelier: Here, here or here

Soaking Tubs: Here or here

Vanities: Here or here 

Patio Seating: Here, here or here 

Patio Tables: Here or here

Cribs: Here, here or here

Rocking Chairs: Here or here

Nursery Chandeliers: Here, here or here