Highpoint Fall 2012: Hooker Furniture

Once back from Highpoint the question everyone has is "Whats new this season?". I find this hard to answer for 2 reasons. 1: nothing is ever really 'new' and 2: there is SO much to see and it's all over the map!

That said, one finds certain general trends and my sponsor, Hooker Furniture, was right on point. 

One of the biggest trends was nailhead trim on everything: upholstery, casegoods, and even on walls as seen at Hickory Chair by Alexa Hampton (follow the link to a post by Habitually Chic on that space). The new Alicante collection at Hooker incorporates nailhead trim with a Spanish flair, as seen in the pictures above. 

Most uphostered pieces featured the trim also as evidenced by the stylish Beckley swivel chair. Loved the lines of this chair and the fabric too.

And the attention-grabbing Red Croc Console from the Melange collection was also studded! It really reminded me of the 'costumes' on the cartoon characters from Mary Poppins -remember that?

As has been said all over, the color of the year is blue and it was seen everywhere at Highpoint both in fabrics,

And even in painted wood furniture.

I loved this chaise lounge with blue fabric and nailhead trim.

And this blue leather couch had classic lines but a fun color.

This updated mid-century influenced wingchair had a fun bright blue fabric as well.

Blue cased goods were also to be had such as this turquoise chest.

 
Smaller scaled furniture was another trend as the market shifts towards moderate scale again (thankfully).  I loved the B-Y settee.

And these small Lyric sidechairs in a graphic patterned fabric were great.

Smaller scaled furniture was also shown in the new Chic Coterie collection based on Pinterest.

Designers at Hooker studied "what women really want" based on their Pinterest profiles and likes. Do you follow me on Pinterest?

I loved seeing this mood board put together by their team for the Chic Coterie collection.

The look is vintage, charming, eclectic and casual.

Metallics were also big and fashion forward. The silver/gold finish on this estate nightstand was really fun.

I loved the clover shaped accent table from the Melange line.

This metallic finish is just one of many available for the bombe chest.

I loved the chinoiserie detailing on the Rhapsody bombe chest.

And what better metallic is there than mirror. This Sanctuary bed was such a huge hit last market an entire mirrored collection was based on it.

How about this mirrored nightstand?

Or the Sanctuary fretwork chest.

I loved the detailing on these pieces.

The estate bed is also convertible in that the posts are removeable.

Desk chairs have had a makeover too.  The lines on this chair would not be out of place in an open home office or even a kitchen breakfast table.

Of course, I was shopping for myself too.  I'm in the market for a sofa for my new place. I loved the Eaton sofa -either as a sectional

or just a sofa.  It sits so comfortably.

But I really loved the similar Davlin sofa, particularly with this mixed leather and velvet upholstery.  What do you think, should I get this?

And did you see the Rhapsody Urn Console as one of the 'picks' in the November 2012 House Beautiful magazine?  I noticed it at Market too! Congratulations are in order for Hooker furniture!

Cleveland Park house tour tomorrow

Better late than never! Those of you in the DC area, be sure to check out the Cleveland Park house tour tomorrow afternoon. This is the neighborhood I'm happy to now call home and the area of the tour has some of the most interesting houses. The tour is tomorrow, Sunday, October 21, 2012 from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Information HERE.  Hope to see you there!

ArchitectDesign picks at Fall Market 2012

Last weekend at Market was a whirlwind of seeing the best of what was new and now that I've discovered the antique dealers at Market Square, the best of what is old too! For the first Market I actually was doing a bit of shopping for myself for my new place.

Market is always such a fun opportunity to catch up with friends and network, all thrown in with lectures, presentations, and thousands of visits to furniture showrooms.

Much of Market is simply separating the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. Much like personal furniture shopping, most of what you find is dreadful (it has to be said, I'm sorry!) but there are some really inspiring companies out there that I am happy to champion.

I thought I would first do an overview of my favorite finds at market (right click on any picture to read the title which is a description of what and where I found it).

Next week I'll follow up with an overview of the new trends, using my Market sponsor, Hooker Furniture, as a reference (although some of their pieces are included in my picks as well).

The talk of Market seemed to be my friend Barry Dixon's collection for Arteriors. I especially loved these glass barley twist candlesticks.

One of the trends was mid-sized furiture rather than the over-sized things we have seen the past few years. I loved this B-Y settee from Bradington Young / Hooker furniture.

The Capiz shell console with Moorish influences from Hooker Furniture was spectacular.

Charlotte Moss seemed to be everywhere at Market (as well as Candice Olsen, but none of her collections made MY picks) and her art collection with Soicher-Marin was lovely. I especially loved these hand water colored landscape drawings from French palaces.

One of my perennial favorites, Century furniture, impressed with much of their new offerings. I loved these Chateau Lyon console tables; check out those casters!

Pinterest is everywhere (do you follow me on pinterest?) and Hooker furniture has based an entire new collection on what women want on Pinterest, Chic Coterie.  I loved their writing desk which would make a beautiful hall or console table.

The Crillion side table at Julian Chichester would fit well into any living room. I loved the details such as the pull-out drink try and brass casters.

A piece that will make its way into my own apartment is the Davlin sofa above from Hooker Furniture. I especially love this mix of velvet and leather! I love the practicality and look of leather, but hate sliding around on it and its cold touch; the soft and cozy velvet is the perfect cushion cover.

The lines of the Emma chair at Julian Chichester were positively sexy.

I loved the faux tortoise shell accessories at Karen Robertson.

Not new but something I've loved for the past few markets, is this bombe drawer chest from the Grand Tour collection at Century. I love the traditional lines with the rough wood bark texture.

Also from the Grand Tour collection but new was this cocktail table. Now this is something I need to save my pennies up for beccause I MUST HAVE THIS. I love the gilded metal legs and that beautiful stone top. Just say yes please!

Attractive bar stools are always so hard to find and I loved some of the offerings at Bungalow 5 such as this one based on the Wishbone chair.

Hickory Chair is always inspiring. I adore their designer collections and could easily furnish my entire apartment from their offerings. I especially love that nearly everything is American made and they're working towards 100%! The Gregory Chair designed by the charming Alexa Hampton would look great at my new Cocktail table; 2 please!

Jeffrey Alan Marks of Million Dollar Decorators fame has a new collection at Palacek and I loved these Gunn stools.

I loved this Helena console table at NOIR.

The Thomas O'Brien collection at Hickory Chair included this Keith Desk that I'm in love with.

Doesn't everyone love a Klismos chair? Four of these Layton Chairs from NOIR would be fantastic in my dining room.

Speaking of chairs, I loved this new malachite fabric available at Century, seen here on a chair from the Oscar de la Renta collection which the talented Miles Redd heads.

And speaking of fabrics, I loved these new marbleized pillows at Design Legacy!

And I can't forget these Greek key ribbon pillows at Dransfield & Ross.

I could look at lighting all day long. Maybe it's the architect in me? These new Motif Mirrored Sconces at Regina Andrew were amazing and so reasonably priced!

Also in lighting that I loved were these new Olivia sconces at the predictably wonderful Visual Comfort.

Starburst mirrors seem to be everywhere and I love them (I own one myself!). This riff on the classic shape was made out of pencils at Tozai Home.

While I'm not always a fan of painted furniture, I did love this chest in ivory and grey with orange and green accents from Acquisitions Limited.

This etagere bookcase from NOIR was oddly named Roosevelt. I envision 2 of these chicly flanking a doorway.

I love shagreen (faux or genuine) so this dresser from Regina Andrew was a no brainer! The combination of red, grey, and gold is stunning.

This Shagreen drinks table by Mariette Himes Gomez for Hickory Chair was also lovely.

I also loved the Southworth Sofa by the always friendly Suzanne Kasler at Hickory Chair.

While many of the Halo wares leave me cold, I loved this swagged pedestal.

Thomas O'Brien has a collection at Visual Comfort as well as Hickory Chair and I loved his new Fiona Lamp available in 2 sizes.

One trend that seemed to be everywhere and originated with my friend DC-based designer Raji Radhakrishnan are large scaled wall murals, seen here at the always stylish Oly. I'm not making this up, her name was constantly named in connection with these!

And one of my favorite products that I have to admit to are the Krispy Kreme donuts which were being given away EVERYWHERE. I won't even tell you how many I ate for endurance in this season's Highpoint adventure!