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Robert Currey Biography: Childhood Inspiration Behind Currey & Company Luxury Brand, Part 2 of 2

TheHome.com — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:27:00 +0000

From Neighborhood Antiques to Global Home Furnishings: The Early Experiences Behind an Industry Icon

Before Currey & Company became a leading name in luxury lighting and home décor, Robert Currey was a curious child growing up in the South in the 1950s. He wandered through neighbors’ homes viewing beautiful artwork, antiques, and historic artifacts, drawn to objects he didn’t yet understand, but instinctively appreciated.

Origins of Currey & Company’s Luxury Lighting Designs

As a young boy, Robert recalls knowing not just the people in his neighborhood, but what they collected. Paintings, antique rugs, Murano glass, and silver walking canes all left an impression. He found himself studying these pieces up close, long before he had the language to describe why they mattered. Those early exposures to fine craftsmanship and collected treasures quietly shaped his design sensibility.

How Childhood Curiosity Shaped the Brand’s Design Vision

Robert credits these early experiences along with the people who surrounded him as foundational to his creative path. His Quaker godfather’s art collection, a neighbor’s heirloom rugs, and the layered interiors he explored became an informal education in design, one rooted in curiosity and observation rather than formal training.

The Garden Roots Behind Currey & Company’s Natural Aesthetic

Nature definitely played a defining role. Raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Robert spent time with his mother in their gardens and in greenhouses filled with pansies and marigolds, drawn to their color, texture, and scent. Gardening wasn’t just a pastime; it was an immersive sensory experience.

From victory gardens in the 1940s to cultivating his own landscapes later in life, this connection to nature would later influence the organic materials and nature-inspired designs seen throughout Currey & Company’s lighting and home furnishings collections.

The Man, Mindset, and Partner Behind a Design Industry Icon

Equally defining is Robert’s personality: direct, intuitive, and unapologetically himself. He speaks his mind. He doesn’t dwell on what could have been. Instead, he embraces what is.

Robert is quick to credit his success not to his own vision, but to the people who stood beside him, especially his best supporter, his “loud and quiet” wife and business partner, Suzy. She passed away from cancer in 2025, but her passion and her partnership shaped both the company and the life they built together.

Currey & Company Today: A Global Leader in Luxury Lighting and Home Furnishings

Today, his son Brownlee Currey leads the company, while Robert continues as Chairman of the Board. With more than 120 employees across the southeastern U.S. and facilities in the Philippines, China, and India, the brand has grown into a global presence.

Through it all, Robert remains grounded in gratitude, never forgetting the people, partnerships, and experiences, both good and challenging, that shaped his journey.

Currey & Company is highly respected among designers and homeowners for its artisan craftsmanship, globally inspired lighting, and beautiful home furnishings.

But at the heart of it all is a simple truth: great design doesn’t begin in a showroom. It begins with an open mind that is curious, shaped by time spent around nature, beauty, and materials that inspire us to see what’s possible.

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How Robert Currey of Currey & Company Became a Design Industry Icon, Part 1 of 2

TheHome.com — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 23:00:54 +0000

An Unexpected Moment and the Right People Shaped One of the Most Legendary Names in Home Furnishings

What do you do when you show up to your first major market… and have nothing to sell? For Robert Currey, that moment could have ended everything before it began. Instead, it revealed the instinct and adaptability that would define his entire career, and ultimately shape Currey & Company into an industry leader.

How Robert Currey Started at High Point With No Products to Sell

With missing samples and an empty showroom, Robert filled the space with antiques and garden pieces from his Atlanta stores. No pricing strategy and no plan, just instinct. When buyers asked for prices, he adjusted on the spot, learning in real time what people valued.

That early experience didn’t just launch a business. It taught him how to listen and how to adapt instead of forcing a vision onto it.

Crate & Barrel Helped Shape Currey & Company’s Lighting Designs

Before Currey & Company became a globally respected name in lighting and home furnishings, Robert’s path was shaped by a series of unexpected collaborations. A buyer from Crate & Barrel saw more than a candlestick; he saw a lamp. Another opportunity with Pottery Barn led to a massive order that pushed Robert into scaling faster than he planned.

Each turning point came from someone else’s perspective, someone willing to challenge his thinking and expand his vision. And Robert listened, and said yes.

The First Chandelier That Launched a Luxury Lighting Brand

Even the company’s first chandelier wasn’t part of a grand strategy. It came from a simple suggestion: take something traditional and electrify it. He had to be willing to rewire his own design and make it new.

What Interior Designers Look for in High-End Lighting Brands

Today, Currey & Company is known for its craftsmanship, artisan techniques, and globally-inspired designs using materials like wrought iron, glass, and shell. Their products are highly regarded by interior designers and loved by customers worldwide.

Robert’s induction into the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame in 2016 was epic, but he would be the first to say his success isn’t his alone. It belongs to the people who helped him see what was possible before he could see it himself.

And that’s exactly what makes him an industry icon.

Design Industry Icon Turns Lighting Into Artwork

Robert Currey didn’t just build a successful company; he helped shape the home furnishings industry by blending traditional craftsmanship with modern design thinking and collaboration. Lighting was reimagined from purely functional to beautiful pieces of artwork.

What truly defines his legacy is how he built it. He understood early on that great design and great businesses are never created in isolation. They’re built with people who help you see what’s possible before you can see it yourself.

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A Tour of Corey Damen Jenkins’ New Furniture Collections for Hancock & Moore and Maitland-Smith

TheHome.com — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 02:13:50 +0000

See a Fully Realized Home, Designed the Corey Damen Jenkins Way

Walking into Corey Damen Jenkins’ expanded presentation at Fall 2025 High Point Market feels less like entering a showroom and more like stepping into a fully imagined home, one layered with history, adventures, and Corey’s unique maximalist style. This season marks a major evolution of his collections with Hancock & Moore and Maitland-Smith, now expanded enough to win their own unique room-by-room experience.

A Grand Entrance: Where Designer Dreams and Storytelling Begin

Corey has the gift of pulling from ancient cultures and blending them with other eras of history to create stunning spaces. He began our tour in the foyer, where returning favorites mingle with fresh introductions and a brand-new category: bespoke accessories for Maitland-Smith. It’s here that Corey’s expertise with details shines, from the raffia-wrapped Beth table with its scalloped edge to familiar silhouettes reimagined with new texture and tone. The beloved Doxon chair returns in buttery caramel leather, while lacquer, eglomisé, and brass details bring personality into a home.

Dining With Drama: Old-World Influence Meets Modern Living

In the dining room, antiquity meets modern living. The Serenity table, shown in a cerused finish, expands from intimate dinner to full celebration sizes, and is flanked by his gorgeous green Brielle chairs. Nearby, the Morghan credenza, finished inside and out, feels like a designer secret you’re delighted to discover.

Modern Furniture for Living and Family Rooms in Maximalist Style

Throughout the space, Corey’s love of storytelling through interior design is on display. The Wellington chair nods to equestrian styling with its sculptural horse-head finial and rich hide. The family room introduces the Charlie sofa (named for his dog), relaxed yet refined, paired with new Erica side tables and the sleek Sofia swivel chairs.

Bespoke Statement Pieces and Office Moments

There’s drama too: a Chesterfield-inspired Adams sofa upholstered in a decadent, gator-embossed leather, and a new desk chair that reinterprets the beloved Doxon and Claiborne silhouettes with polished brass details.

In the parlor and bedroom, you’ll find the Flossie sofa, named for Corey’s grandmother, in pearly blue leather, and the Josephine dining table. The Winchester bed anchors the bedroom, an empire-inspired design born from a private client project and reimagined in creamy antique white with glowing brass accents.

Sneak Peek at Corey Damen Jenkin’s Wallpaper Collection with Kravet

And just as you think you’ve seen it all, there’s a quiet teaser tucked into the foyer: a preview of Corey Damen Jenkins’ upcoming wallpaper collection with Kravet, launching January 2026. It’s a hint of what’s next, and a reminder that this world he’s designing continues to grow richer, more layered, and unmistakably his.

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Lost William Morris Artwork Revived as Arts & Crafts Wallpaper and Textiles for Today’s Interiors

TheHome.com — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:33:13 +0000

Discovered in California archives only 3 years ago, and now designed and made in England, the exciting Morris & Co. x The Huntington wallpaper and textile collection, titled The Unfinished Works, completes what history left unfinished.

From sketch to surface, these long-lost Arts & Crafts designs by William Morris and John Henry Dearle have been meticulously transformed by Morris & Co. into wallpapers, borders, printed cottons, embroidered fabrics, and woven textiles. Each pattern is woven, printed, and painted using the same craft techniques Morris himself championed 164 years ago.

Heirloom Embroidered Fabrics with Timeless Vintage Character

“This isn’t just a collection, it’s the finishing of art history,” exclaims Paul Morrison, National Sales Manager with Sanderson Design Group. He proudly pulls out a design, Lent Lily, which showcases Dearle’s signature vine motif with printed grounds and two-tone embroidery. He points out that this effect creates soft movement and romantic depth. The metallic threads add a subtle glow across both fabric and wallpaper.

Paul excitedly pulls out another pattern called Chamomile, originally conceived as a rug, which remains intentionally sketch-like, allowing the hand-drawn beauty to breathe. Persian Tulip, with its dramatic diagonal geometry, signals a bolder moment, supported by newly created embroidered stripes layered with florals, houndstooth, chevrons, and rich colorways.

Heirloom effects are achieved through dissolvable and non-dissolvable embroidery threads that intentionally pucker during dyeing, creating texture, depth, and the feeling of something beautifully timeworn.

A 164-Year William Morris and J. H. Dearle Design Legacy Introduced to a New Generation

The Unfinished Works is more than another fabric and wallpaper collection; it’s a joyful rediscovery of William Morris’ lost Arts & Crafts brilliance, now fully realized. This Arts and Crafts legacy is ready to be introduced to a new generation of designers and homeowners.

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Erin and Ben Napier Reveal New Pure Maple Bedroom Collection with Vaughan-Bassett

TheHome.com — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 20:08:22 +0000

A Warm, Heirloom-Inspired Launch at Fall 2025 High Point Market

HGTV stars Erin and Ben Napier unveiled their newest bedroom collection with Vaughan-Bassett Furniture during Fall 2025 High Point Market. We were delighted to see this new line, appropriately named Pure Maple, which celebrates American craftsmanship, cozy tradition, and heirloom-quality home furnishings. Ben describes the collection as a tribute to the timeless pieces passed down for generations.

Solid American Maple Crafted by Skilled Virginia Artisans

Built by artisans in Vaughan-Bassett’s Virginia factory, the Pure Maple collection is handcrafted from sustainable, solid American maple. Standing beside her favorite bed, Erin shared that the pieces feel like “something you’d find in your grandmother’s house, an heirloom you wish you could keep, but still stylish today.” With mid-century silhouettes, Scandinavian undertones, and cottage-inspired lines, the collection blends nostalgia with modern livability.

New Finishes Designed for Today’s Cozy Cottage Aesthetic

One of the standout design elements is the new Sage finish. Some call it green, others see blue, but everyone agrees it brings a calming, cottage-cozy feel. Additional finishes include Natural Maple, Cottage White, and Maple Syrup, a richer tone reminiscent of walnut. Each finish was chosen to spotlight the wood’s natural grain, something Ben, ever the woodworker, considers absolutely essential.

Innovative Hardware Details That Refine Every Piece

This year, Vaughan-Bassett pushed into new territory with hardware, using contrasting ash dowels on drawer pulls for dimension and visual interest. “It makes every piece stand out,” Erin shared, noting this experimental hardware direction is a refreshing twist for the brand.

A Designer-Favorite Upholstered Bed Made for Real Family Life

A highlight of the new line is the upholstered bed, offered in six soft, neutral, highly cleanable fabrics. Erin and Ben emphasize their strong desire for having a family-friendly design approach, with materials durable enough to withstand peanut-butter-covered fingers. The bed reportedly moved an HGTV Home Town homeowner to tears and is already resonating with designers.

Mix-and-Match Bedroom Style for Today’s Homes

Designed for effortless coordination, all Pure Maple finishes work together, encouraging a layered, collected look rather than the match-heavy sets of decades past. With influences drawn from Scandinavian simplicity and softened mid-century style, the Napiers and Vaughan-Bassett have created a versatile collection perfect for homes of every style.

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Jessica Simpson Debuts Beautiful Home Collection with Steve Silver Furniture

TheHome.com — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 19:56:03 +0000

Vibrant New Home Furniture Collection Blends Jessica Simpson’s Signature Style, Color, and Comfort

Singer, actress, and fashion designer Jessica Simpson has officially stepped into the world of home furnishings, and she’s doing it with her whole heart. Debuting at the Fall 2025 High Point Market, the Jessica Simpson Home Collection marks her first furniture partnership, created with Texas-based Steve Silver Furniture. The line spans bedroom, dining, upholstery, case goods, and accents, offering more than 70 SKUs, 35 fabrics, and eight finishes, all designed to bring what Simpson calls “everyday glamour for real homes.”

How Jessica Simpson Brings Eclectic Design, Bold Color, and Vintage Influence to Her First Home Collection

A self-proclaimed homebody and avid redecorator, Simpson says the collection reflects years of inspiration gathered from Pinterest boards, textiles, and her lifestyle traveling between her homes in both Nashville and Los Angeles.

“Color is a huge part of my personality,” she shared at the launch, noting the rusts, teals, mauves, and greens, inviting warmth woven throughout the line. “You can use color in safe ways, but those splashes make your home feel like you.”

Simpson’s style leans eclectic: part vintage, part boho, part fashion-forward. She loves antiquing and designing around pieces that tell stories, which is why many items in the collection carry deeply personal names. The Drew honors her great-grandmother, who owned a furniture store. Other pieces are named after her children, Maxwell and Bertie, and there’s a plush green Nashville sofa inspired by her time in Tennessee.

Explore Jessica Simpson’s Nashville- and L.A.-Inspired Home Furnishings for Real, Modern Homes

But it’s the Jessica Sofa, a rust-colored velvet beauty, that she instantly claimed as her favorite. “Rust is warm, romantic, and timeless. It mixes modern comfort with vintage touches: no rules!”

With jewelry-inspired hardware, plush textures, and approachable price points, the Jessica Simpson Home Collection brings fashion-infused personality to the middle-market consumer. And for designers watching, it opens the opportunity for storytelling in color to take center stage.

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Feeney X Kerrie Kelly LaserCut Collection: Design Meets Architectural Railings

TheHome.com — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 20:29:53 +0000

Feeney and Kerrie Kelly Reimagine Railing and Fencing System

At High Point Market, we caught up with Kerrie Kelly, CEO and Creative Director of Kerrie Kelly Studio and Vice Chair of the NKBA, to talk about her new collaboration with Feeney, Inc., a California-based brand known for its innovative cable railing systems.

Together, they’ve created the Feeney X Kerrie Kelly LaserCut Collection, a line that marries form, function, and artistry. The collection brings a designer’s eye to an often overlooked element: railings and privacy panels. Each design is laser-cut aluminum, engineered for durability but crafted to filter light in patterns that balance privacy and light.

Nine Styles, Endless Personality: From “Perfectly Preppy” to “Right This Way”

Kelly drew inspiration from her travels, using geometric motifs found in historic architecture and textile patterns she’s loved. The result is nine distinct styles with names that reveal their personality: Pump Up the Volume offers rhythmic repetition, Right This Way adds a sense of direction, and Perfectly Preppy nods to Kelly’s signature crisp aesthetic and signature blues.

Privacy, Light, and Versatility: Panels That Define Space Without Closing It In

What stands out is the versatility. The panels work both indoors and outdoors, functioning as subtle privacy screens or bold statement pieces that define a space without enclosing it. These are also perfect for any deck or patio projects, and are built to last a lifetime.

Over-Engineered Railings for Longevity: Built for Designers Who Think Ahead

True to Feeney’s reputation, the engineering details are solid. Kelly describes the panels as “over-engineered,” which in this case translates to long-term performance and low maintenance, an appealing trait for both residential and commercial projects.

For designers and homeowners seeking alternatives to traditional railing systems, the LaserCut Collection is a beautiful option. Plus, the Feeney team provides full project support for both residential and commercial installations, making the design, bidding, and installation process easy.

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Patti Carpenter on Artisan Connections, Color Trends, and Why Markets Still Matter

TheHome.com — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 22:14:02 +0000

Why Markets Matter in the World of Design

Patti Carpenter of Carpenter & Company has built her career around connection: between artisans and buyers, products and people, and global markets and consumers. Patti is the Global Trend Ambassador for Maison & Objet, but she attends design Markets all over the world, from Asia to Europe to High Point and more. She sees international ideas converge from all over the world!

We met up with Patti at the Spring 2025 High Point Market, and talked about her mission of connecting artisans to the global design industry through markets. “I love attending so many different Markets because you get to see what’s happening everywhere,” Patti shared. “And what makes High Point Market so special is that people come together here for furniture, textiles, decorative accessories, and artisan-made pieces side by side.”

Connecting Artisans, Designers, and Buyers

For Patti, Markets are essential because they connect makers with the marketplace. Artisans share their craft, designers discover fresh materials, and retailers find products that resonate with clients. “Handmade pieces bring warmth and personality to our homes,” she explained. “They ground us in a way that mass production alone can’t.”

Experiencing Design Beyond the Screen

High Point and other Markets allow designers to experience design beyond the screen. Colors, textures, and finishes reveal themselves in ways that photos can’t capture. “You can make anything look beautiful in a picture,” Patti said. “But in person, you feel the quality, the detail, the craftsmanship. That’s where real inspiration happens.”

2026 Global Trends Coming Together at High Point

The color trends Patti currently forecasts are: herbal greens, terracotta, coral, and blush. These warm, earthy tones offer comfort and calm, reflecting the atmosphere people globally are seeking in their homes today.

For Patti though, great design isn’t just about what’s trending. It’s about that human connection, the bond between artisans and their cultures and buyers, colors and emotions, and most importantly, people and the homes they create.

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Thompson Traders Unveils Japanese Art Inspired Kintsugi Fireclay Sinks

TheHome.com — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 21:17:52 +0000

At the Spring 2025 High Point Market, Thompson Traders introduced something truly stunning for the kitchen: the Kintsugi Collection of fireclay apron sinks. Alejandra Thompson de Jordan, VP of Marketing & Sales, shared the inspiration behind this exciting new launch.

The Japanese Art of Kintsugi as Kitchen Inspiration

The collection takes its name from Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold. Instead of hiding cracks, Kintsugi celebrates them, turning them into something more valuable and beautiful than before they were broken.

Handcrafted Fireclay Sinks with Gold, Silver, or Copper Inlay

Thompson Traders embraced this idea by collaborating with local artist Trevor Waring. Instead of pottery, he works with their handcrafted fireclay sinks. Using a Dremel tool, he carves graceful patterns across the apron fronts. These designs are then carefully inlaid with 23-karat gold, fine silver, or copper, creating a striking visual statement.

Customizable Designs for Interior Designers and Homeowners

Designers and homeowners can choose from three styles: bold, medium, or light. But because Thompson Traders is known for custom work, the options don’t stop there. You can pair your favorite design with your choice of metal, or even send in a design of your own to be carved and filled. The result is a sink that feels both heirloom quality and completely personal.

Blending Fireclay and Metal for A Unique Kitchen Style

This launch also represents a bold step for Thompson Traders. Known for their luxury kitchen and bath products, specifically range hoods, sinks and tubs, and hand-hammered metals, the company is now blending their signature craft with fireclay, opening the door to exciting possibilities in kitchen design.

A Statement Piece for the Kitchen

The Kintsugi Collection sinks are more than functional; they’re conversation pieces that bring art, culture, and craftsmanship right into the heart of the home. For interior designers and homeowners looking for a showstopping focal point, this introduction is one to use for a personal touch in the kitchen.

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Studio 1902 by Norwalk Furniture: Healthy, Stylish, and Made in the USA

TheHome.com — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 17:32:56 +0000

At the Spring 2025 High Point Market, we sat down with Tim Newlin, President and CEO of Norwalk Furniture, to talk about their exciting new collection, Studio 1902. The branded name is a tribute to the year Norwalk was founded, and the concept behind it is simplicity and flexibility with modern styling.

A Nod to Norwalk Furniture’s Heritage with Studio 1902

“Studio 1902 is really about going back to our roots,” Newlin shared. “It’s designed to make it easy to enter the Norwalk brand.” The collection includes just five groups, 35 SKUs, and 55 fabric options, streamlined and designed for endless customization.

Studio 1902 is Created to Mix, Match, and Play with Custom Upholstery

One highlight is a clever two-piece design that transforms into a sofa, loveseat, slipper chair, or even a dramatic U-shaped sectional. The collection also brings playful energy with floor pillows, poufs, and swivel chairs, perfect for mixing and matching. “This consumer loves variety and doesn’t want everything to be the same,” Newlin explained. “Our design team carefully coordinated the styles and fabrics so designers and consumers can create curated, custom looks.”

Sustainable Furniture Made without Harmful Chemicals for Healthier Homes

Beyond style, Norwalk Furniture is committed to sustainability and craftsmanship. Every piece is hand-built in Norwalk, Ohio by an employee-owned team of skilled artisans. Over half of the fabrics are domestically produced, and 70% of construction materials are sourced within eight hours of the factory. As members of the Sustainable Furniture Council, Norwalk follows strict environmental standards, ensuring products are free from harmful chemicals.

American-Made Quality Furniture That Lasts a Lifetime

“Our focus is on heirloom quality, not landfill quality,” Newlin emphasized. With artisan upholstery work and timeless designs, Norwalk’s furniture is built to last a lifetime.

For designers and homeowners alike, Norwalk Furniture’s Studio 1902 offers approachable luxury, thoughtful details, and American-made quality you can trust. This new collection is a celebration of both Norwalk’s tradition and its future.

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