Styling Magic

I love installations and styling but I'm sure that preparing for High Point Market twice a year might make me change my tune.  Hickory Chair creative director Ron Fiore and his team take on the monumental task of styling the entire showroom each spring and fall and always do an amazing job.  Hickory Chair was lucky enough to move into a new showroom with windows that let in natural light and help create even more real life scenarios.  This little room was off to the side but the touches of blue definitely caught my eye.  It really does make me want to paint the inside of every cabinet blue and restyle my own space.  That seems a bit ambitious so I might just settle for buying some tulips.  Wonder if Ron makes house calls?!

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Suzanne Kasler for Hickory Chair

One of the most fun aspects of High Point Market is that many of the designers are on hand to chat with buyers and the press.  I always look forward to catching up with those who don't live in New York like Atlanta based designer Suzanne Kasler.  Her collection for Hickory Chair was originally based on the antiques in her own home and I love watching it evolve and grow.  At this market, she was allowed to upholster many pieces of furniture and the wall in her new fabric for Lee Jofa that will debut this fall. I also think much of Suzanne's success is due to the fact that she is just as nice as she is talented and such a joy to speak with at High Point.

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

High Point 2011: Century Furniture

One of the best parts of High Point Market is seeing how each showroom interprets the season.  Century Furniture also embraced spring in the their main lobby.  It was inspired by the botanical fern print on the sofa above and grew into "a full blown garden" complete with a fountain.  I absolutely fell in love with the covered outdoor chaise below and can't wait to have a terrace so I can order it.  Keep in mind that this is only one part of their huge showroom and it's amazing how much work goes into putting everything together for High Point.  

I always worry about posting too much about one topic or trip but I think there is so much to take away from High Point that I think you will enjoy it.  Even if you think you have no interest in High Point or aren't in the market for new furniture, you can always be inspired by the showrooms.  The room vignettes rival the best I've seen in magazines and I'm always seeing styling ideas to use in my own projects.  There are always great colors too like the blue inside the Hickory Chair cabinet (you could do that yourself) and the green chair at Bunny Williams.  I saw a lot of stripes at Century Furniture and it made me want to come home and paint my walls in stripes or upholster my sofa in stripes.  I hope you will find lots to be inspired by too!

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

High Point Spring 2011: BeeLine Home

I took over 700 photos at High Point Market and wasn't quite sure where to begin.  So I decided to start with the smallest but chicest showroom, BeeLine Home by Bunny Williams.  Unlike many furniture shows, most of the exhibitors at High Point have permanent showrooms.  That means they have real walls in which to create a gorgeous backdrop to their fabulous furniture and accessories.  In Bunny's case, she decided to bring the outdoors in by blowing up a photograph of a hedgerow and having it made into wallpaper.  The green was so so refreshing and of course, a compliment to the spring temperatures in High Point.  Actually, it felt a little more like summer at 80 degrees but I certainly wasn't complaining!  All of the mirrors in the first room brought in even more light and the comfy upholstery and drinks cabinet in the second room made you want to stay there all day. I am especially excited that Bunny is carrying a reproduction of Albert Hadley's famous etegere and I completely feel in love with the green leather upholstered Star Chair.  Just another example of green is good!

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic