Pearson Inspiration: Luxury Furnishings & Textiles

Hello there, Bergere

2012-02-27T14:26:14-05:00

I stumbled upon this great little story about a High Point home owned by Wanda and Chuck Link. Having lived in their home for eight years, Wanda still felt it was missing that certain "zing" to make it truly feel like home.

That all changed three years ago when she attended the Chateau de Noel, a holiday show house for charity in Greensboro, and discovered the work of Clemmons interior designer June DeLugas. Wanda pursued the designer's help in transforming her High Point home into a special environment like that of Chateau de Noel.

Some changes were minor, like altering the finish on an existing piece of furniture. But the greatest transformation occurred in the master bedroom. Here deLugas used a special pearlized finish Benjamin Moore paint to give the room an ethereal glow. She also added a Hickory Chair bed and Pearson's pitch perfect Bergere chair, a reproduction of one she spotted in the Chateau de Noel that originally inspired her to call DeLugas.

To add warmth to the space, Wanda and June covered the Bergere chair and ottoman in a salmon-hued plush fabric with textural lattice pattern.

My favorite quote from the story? Wanda stating "I had always wanted a chair like this." What a great feeling to achieve not only the "wow" factor she'd been seeking in her home but also the specific chair that inspired her to leverage the talents of June DeLugas.

On both counts, we'd say this was a rousing success.

Turkish Delight

2012-02-26T20:21:22-05:00

It's always a thrill to see beautiful stars shining brightly. One of ours (quite literally) is the ever-popular Star of India Ottoman. This time it was the Minneapolis St. Paul Home magazine featuring this unique ottoman in a centerfold spread on design inspirations from Morocco, India and beyond.

We know they adored the updated ikat printed fabric, but it seems the kicky fringe was a real selling point as well. I've seen this piece done dozens of different ways... it never ceases to amaze me how creative a great designer can be. The potential is truly only limited by imagination. It's a marvelous piece guaranteed to strike up many a wild conversation!

Highs & Lows

2012-02-26T20:12:34-05:00

It's fun seeing Pearson step into new product categories. Last Spring Market they introduced upholstered headboards, but last fall they ushered in a terrific selection of bar stools. Smartly, they offer each style in both counter height and bar height. I love the variety offered by the three different styles.

Looking for versatility? The transitional 1921/1922 bar stools (counter height and bar height, respectively). What I find most appealing about this style is the curvaceousness. A circular base supports a perfectly proportioned round seat set off by a curved back that tops with a scrolled top. It's just a beautiful design from start to finish. Keeping it sexy is the low back and the easy swivel motion. Love these stools and can see them being perfectly at home in almost any setting.

My personal favorites are the 1409/1410's as they mirror the styling of the 1408 & 1409 dining chairs - which I feel are perfection. The Louis XVI frames are carved from European Beech before being accented with heavy duty return swivels forged from high strength steel with smooth motion ball bearings. Even more thoughtful? The footrest is protected with an antique brass plate clear coated to decrease wear. Love that feature!

For those who love a bit more geometry in their furnishings, the exposed picture frame backs of the 1917 and 1918 stools are just what the good designer ordered. Although these beautiful creations don't swivel, I assure you their handsome good looks will turn heads.

Classically Beautiful

2012-02-15T13:00:13-05:00

Trends may come and go, but for a lifetime of enjoyment I love investing in classics. Now, it's important to note here that classic is not a nice way to say boring or bland. On the contrary. I feel that timeless forms are often some of the best looking pieces in a room. There's a familiarity to their appearance that makes them even more beautiful.

A few pieces from the fall introductions really stand out to me as enduring beauties. The first is the tufted lounge chair that almost begs for a Golden Age Hollywood starlet to rest her weary legs. It's positively gorgeous. I desperately want a pair of these for my bedroom. There's an instant glamour they serve up with their welted borders and curved backs. Love, love, love this chair!

Next up is the Shagreen table that was all the rage at the NYDC even several months back. These were literally being carried out of the showroom one after another by designers who attended the What's New, What's Next event. The buzz on these little shagreen-topped tables still hasn't died down. The color of the top is difficult to describe yet impossible to resist. And that silver leaf Regency inspired base? To die for. Grab a pair of these bunching tables (or their best selling ivory topped sibling) and your room will sing.

And finally... classic continental style with decidedly modern materials. The travertine top of this side table sits upon bronzed iron legs in serpentine shapes, bound together by a ring shaped stretcher for undeniably good looks. There's something about those tied legs that I find endlessly desirable. This is a table I have drooled over since it arrived last Market, and no amount of admiring from afar seems to be curbing my cravings. Seems it's a given I'll eventually cave to my wishes to add it to my living room. A welcome addition indeed.

For more new introductions with enduring appeal, visit our gallery.

The Look of Love

2012-02-15T08:34:10-05:00

In honor of Valentine's Day, I couldn't help but be drawn back to last fall's Spring/Summer runway show by Jason Wu... specifically, his dramatic pink and white silk look.

Let's face it, when we hear of a combination of pink and white it is easy to default to thoughts of Barbie^® in her Dreamhouse. And yet, the simple addition of black as an accent or a counterpoint make the resulting look anything but saccharine.

Jason's look - much like Pearson's pink and charcoal ikat fabric - offer strength and power instead of sweetness. Yes, the joy and optimism of brilliant pink is evident. But there's nothing cloyingly sweet in either look. The effect is bold, beautiful and powerful.

What I love most about comparing Wu's runway look to this fabulous ikat textile is the interesting similarity of form. By sheer coincidence, the shape of the ikat pattern mimics the silhouette of the voluminous layers of silk of Wu's pink skirt. Stunning!

Whether you're looking to add feisty toss pillows to your project or want to fully upholster a piece in this fabulous print, rest assured visitors will gasp and gawk at the dramatic visual moment you've created. It's a look you (and your client) will be sure to love for years to come.

Featured photo: Jason Wu, Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear Runway photo by Alessandro Farogolo via Style.com, Pearson Brilliant Pink & Black Ikat Fabric

Enjoy: Virtual Walking Tour of Paris Showrooms

2012-02-09T14:02:36-05:00

I credit Jennifer for finding these fabulous videos on Editor at Large. In them, you'll enjoy a walking tour of Paris' Design District with Jessica Romm, Crans Baldwin of Donghia and Ludovic Darricau of Elitis. prepare to be wowed as you preview new fabric collections and home accessories for Paris Déco Off.

Of particular interest was that the trends and qualities mentioned are all part of our current fabric selection. Lively patterns, watercolored textiles, dip dyed and batik looks... . These are global movements in the textile industry, and we're proud to be just a skip ahead of the curve.

View the two videos in sequence: Part One and Part Two to get the full experience. We may not be at Café de Flore ourselves but we can pretend, no? Oui oui!

Elle Decor: Bloggers' Choice Awards

2012-02-09T08:15:09-05:00

The article is a must read - not only to spy great designers but also to see who Elle Decor finds influential online. Guilty pleasure: Seeing design duo Suysel dePedro Cunningham and Anne Maxwell Foster of Tilton Fenwick featured!

Photographers: Carol Dronsfield and Michael Rodenbush

One of my favorite online personas is the inimitable James of What is James Wearing. I love that he shamelessly nominated himself. If you are unaware of his blog, offer yourself some addictive pleasure and start immediately. As both interior designer and sartorial inspiration you are sure to glean plenty of ideas about glamour, pomp and circumstance from his incredible posts and photography.

{like his nomination, photos of James were taken by James Andrew himself}

Save the Date

2012-02-08T09:10:23-05:00

One thing that's always on the minds of Marketgoers... when and where is cocktail hour?!? For the upcoming April Market we have the answer... right here!

Sunday April 22nd Pearson is hosting a cocktail party at inside the showroom. Show up between 4 and 7pm and enjoy mixing and mingling with fellow designers and buyers as you sip wine and sample hors d'oeuvres. We are located in the posh Hamilton Wrenn district at 200 N. Hamilton Street, Suite 107. We look forward to seeing you there!

One Kings Lane Picks

2012-02-06T11:21:40-05:00

The One Kings Lane sale is live! Here are a few choice picks from the available goodies. As always, if you see it, snag it... as there are typically not multiples of any item in the sale. Items also go quite quickly. While I was there, several of my picks were pulled into a nother member's cart. Go forth and shop!

The Golden Rule

2012-02-06T09:48:18-05:00

This next look was inspired by Madonna's grand entrance at last night's Super Bowl halftime show. If anyone can be considered pop royalty, it's the blonde megastar we witnessed last night. She arrived on the stage in a glamorous black and gold Givenchy topped with a gold Egyptian warrior style Philip Treacy headpiece. Cleopatra style, she was was literally carried onto the stage on her golden throne by what has now been commonly referred to as a "phalanx of Greco-Roman soldiers."

While the exact historical references become quite muddied here, what was clear was that we were witnessing a mega-performance by a megastar. It was a sight to behold. The performance was inspiring in so many ways. But it led me to ponder the idea of a more grand chair in my own home. After all, a queen isn't the queen of her castle without a proper perch. The obvious choice was the 1480 chair. This is one of those marvelous pieces that can either be designed to play well with others or take center stage... depending upon how you dress it up.

For the more spectacular appearance I'm going for - directly influenced by Madge's gorgeous Givenchy costume - I've selected Pearson's new cut velvet with Greek Key pattern. Stunning in appearance and seemingly made for moments such as these. It comes in four color options, but here only glamorous black will suffice.

Next, I'd finish the chair in either Vintage Black or Piano finish, depending upon the level of formality desired. The finishing touch of course is the presence of the nail heads. After all, the Givenchy Couture dress was jewel encrusted and glistening under those stage lights. These glimmering antique brass nail heads do just the trick necessary to cement this design firmly in the glamour camp.

Fit for a queen? Absolutely. Timelessly beautiful. I feel the Greek Key and the silhouette of the chair are eternally beautiful. The black finish and antiqued nail heads ground the design and keep the finished look from becoming too theatrical. Although... no one would be the wiser if you did start belting out "Vogue" in the privacy of your own castle. After all, we all deserve our moment on the stage.

{Madonna image via Billboard}