Inspiration in the Studio

Last week we joined together in the Studio with some of our invaluable vendor representatives for a “Gratitude Gathering.”  These are the people that represent some of our favorite brands across the industry.

It was wonderful to sit down and share meaningful conversation with this team of people over great food.  We didn’t quite know what to expect when we planned the evening, but we knew that bringing together this group could only create positive energy.

The Southern Studio team took turns drawing the reps’ names out of a jar and sharing the qualities we value about each person.  We shared memories of times they came to our rescue and went the extra mile to help us “make it happen” when things didn’t go according to plan on a project.  It sparked terrific conversation about the industry of interiors and everyone walked away with a new perspective for why they do what they do.

These reps have worked incredibly hard behind the scenes to make our projects come together flawlessly on install day.  It takes a village, and we’re so grateful that this group of people is on our team!

We’ve had a few months of long days and exciting projects! It also means a very random collection of highlights to share.

We installed some beautiful spaces, including this amazing dining room from Hickory Chair. Before the beautiful furnishings, we spent many, many months working on the construction of this home which resulted in a Diamond Award in the Brunswick County Parade of Homes (another amazing project by Whitney Blair Custom Homes). All of the hard work certainly paid off!

There were a few nervous moments trying to figure out wine barrels on a wall, but it was worth the end result (so glad Martha decided to push the creative limits)!  A tongue-and-groove wall made of reclaimed wine barrels….reds and whites and even the strap marks from the barrels. Unique and fabulous!

We had some special little visitors too. Our Company C rugs are the perfect size for mini-movie viewers (and provided a few quiet moments for project review with mom)!

We won’t mention that there was absolutely no room for a child in the stroller!

We never really know where our projects and travels will take us! On one chilly day recently, Martha and I ended up on Cow Pasture Lane. Seriously. We took a wrong turn but eventually found our way to another potentially fun lake house project.

It’s been busy in our little corner of the world. During this season of Thanksgiving, we’re thankful each and every day for the surprises and challenges….and the clients who allow us to explore the possibilities!

Photo credits to one bad photographer (me) and an iPhone!

We’re just getting back after a long market week! We spent hours touring showrooms and finding inspiration in the new trends. For the next couple of days, we’ll try to capture a bit of what we found and how it helps the creative process.

Everyone always asks, “What are the new colors?”  It’s a tough question, because we try our best not to design for trends. We try to provide timeless designs that our clients will love for years. But, of course, we are always paying attention to the splashes of color and how they impact a design. In High Point, we found lots of color this spring and we definitely saw some trends:

CLASSIC NAVY BLUE

Navy and yellow at Pearson.

Rich navy at Hickory Chair.

Navy and red at Century Furniture.

SPLASHES OF BOLD ORANGE

Always bright colors at Company C.

Orange used sparingly (but effectively) by Lorts.

Bold orange accessories from Global Views.

PINKS WITH PUNCH

Raspberry pink accents at Pearson.

Preppy pink and green at Company C.

There’s always so much furniture to see at market, but sometimes it’s the accessories that add the personality and finishing touches to a space. The displays are so creative and let the imagination run wild!

Global Views did an outstanding job with beautiful color….

…and beautiful neutrals.

Love the color and texture of pillows by Tourmaline Home.

And of course, I’m never disappointed by the new introductions of linens and pillows by Company C!

Classic and beautiful lamps by Arteriors.

When searching for the perfect accessories, I’m always reminded of one of my favorite quotes by Charles Eames…

The details are not the details. They make the design.

We spend so much time designing and preparing our interiors, but the trend recently has been to focus on outdoor living as well! Outdoor living spaces can be just as luxurious and comfortable as any space inside your home. In High Point, we had a great time exploring some new outdoor ideas…

Always a favorite, Company C introduced a fabulous line of outdoor rugs!

Vibrant colors perfect for any outdoor space….

These pillows by Elaine Smith are gorgeous!  It’s hard to believe that they can withstand the elements of the outdoors.

Guess what else made me happy?  The Original Charleston Bed Swing!  I recently saw this swing in a magazine piled with children. It makes me want to grab a book and take an afternoon nap…I keep dreaming! This photo is not the best, but you get the idea.

These last few days have been warm here in North Carolina!  It’s the perfect weather to be enjoying the outdoors.