Chairs and mirrors from Bobby McAlpine

Water Reed Pier mirror

The Water Reed Pier mirror is from the McAlpine Home collection of case goods and home accents from MacRae Designs. It takes its inspiration from the lines and textures of water reeds. Shown in weathered oak with an antiqued mirror, the design is also available in ebony, limestone or branch finishes. It measures 31.5 inches wide and 71.5 inches tall.
Known for high-quality, handcrafted antique reproductions that blend classic design elements with modern twists, Atlanta-based MacRae Designs launched the McAlpine Home Collection in 2009. The collaboration between McAlpine and MacRae Designs has resulted in a versatile furniture collection that redefines traditional English antique design. This partnership also represents the next growth phase for the architect’s McAlpine Home Collection, which made its debut in 2002 with the series of upholstered pieces he designed for Lee Industries.

Directoire dog bed console

Blount Chapel arm chair (a side chair is available)

Among the other introductions at the High Point Market were a Duck Club wing chair, a Fern Knuckle chair, the Blount Chapel arm and side chairs and the Directoire dog bed console.

Casual dining furniture in classic styles

John Thomas Furniture, a division of Whitewood Industries, specializes in casual dining furniture. Its "not-so-new" Dining Essentials collection, according to Bryan Sprinkles, sales and marketing manager, has consistently gained momentum among retailers over the past three years. At the High Point Furniture Market this month, the company added several new tables.
The 75-plus piece collection, made up of solid wood tables, chairs, stools and workcenters, in a variety of finishes, ranges from a 30-inch by 30-inch table top to a 36-inch by 54-inch table.
Retailers can choose sizes and finishes (Rich Mocha, Linen, Black, Black and Cherry, or Cinnamon and Espresso). A table top POP demonstrating the variety of options available will support the collection’s extensive offerings.

Baby and youth furniture seen in High Point

Samuel Lawrence Furniture’s newest youth introduction, named “Tiara,” is bejeweled with multifaceted finials and hardware. It was introduced under the Sammy brand at the High Point International Furniture Market in April. The collection will be available for shipment early this summer.

The company calls this a complete collection. In addition to standard bedroom furniture, it includes a make-up table with a little tuffet chair. The drop-down front drawer is ideal for a laptop. Each collection includes several bed options, including bunk-beds which can be configured in a number of ways. Media chest, nightstands and a tall chest are also standard with each collection.

SLF is a strategic marketing unit of Home Meridian International. Collections are available container direct or may be special ordered individually from bicoastal warehouses.

Espresso machine and milk frother

The Concerto

At the Housewares Show in Chicago in March, Espressione introduced a range of coffee appliances. Among them are:

• The Rapid Touch Coffee Grinder with stainless steel blades and chromated push button control
• The Squissita Plus 18 bar pressure espresso machine with unique electroplate chrome finish, and the
• “Concerto” capsule espresso machine with a cool-to-the-touch plastic housing, built-in thermostat and automatic shut-off system.

The espresso machine uses Meseta biodegradable capsules, which are available in four blends.

The Cremaccino milk frother

Contempo plates based on 19th century Brooklyn prints

Click to enlarge

Last week, Think Fabricate launched a new line of transferware plates at 7 W New York Tabletop Week in Gallery on Six (Suite 604). Jason Gorsline, co-founder of Think Fabricate, said “Since our first collection of furniture included a wall-mounted display cabinet, it seemed fitting that we design a special group of plates to adorn the shelves and show our connection to Brooklyn, where we live and work.”
Each of the three transferware plates features a portion of a lithographic print by Currier and Ives dating back to 1879, showing a “balloon view” of Brooklyn with its south and west waterfront in the foreground. The three details from the map used on the plates illustrate the Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Heights and the Navy Yard with Wallabout Bay in the foreground. The reverse side of the each coupe-style plate depicts the Think Fabricate logo – a composition of two overlapping heads forming a light bulb.

The color of the plates is the same blue that is featured in the Think Fabricate logo. Susan Doban, co-founder of Think Fabricate, explains, “It’s a bit more intense and rich than a traditional Wedgewood blue, giving the historical imagery on the plates a more modern appearance. In our interior design and architectural projects, we often find that the right color can make an important impact and breathe new life into a historical space.” See Think Fabricate on Facebook.

While you were out: a recap of recent home decor news

NY Gift Fair welcomes the Gourmet Housewares Show in August
The New York International Gift Fair said this week the implementation of Phase Two of  a three-year strategic reorganization begins in August with the integration of the Gourmet Housewares Show into NYIGF, the addition of new product-focused “neighborhoods” in several divisions and continued refinement of existing categories.  Seminars, special events, displays and promotions are among other highlights of the summer market, which runs Aug. 13-18 at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94.
“Through ‘Focus Forward 2013,’ NYIGF continues to transform and strategically reorganize to become the defining marketplace for fashion-forward, design-driven home, gift and lifestyle resources,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president. “The first time integration of The Gourmet Housewares Show will exponentially increase and complement the breadth and depth of resources for buyers, and a series of enhancements to other divisions will dramatically facilitate sourcing and shopping for buyers.”

Honors for designer Michael Aram
Gift for Life will honor Michael Aram with the Gift For Life Industry Achievement Award during Gifts & Decorative Accessories' 60th Annual Retailer Excellence Awards, taking place Sunday, Aug. 14, at the Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers in New York City.


ADEX award for maker of massage chairs, recliners
Human Touch, a maker of massage chairs and Perfect Chair recliners received three 2011 ADEX Awards for design excellence in the massage chair category. Conducted each year by the Design Journal, the annual Awards for Design Excellence (ADEX) competition recognizes superior product design of furnishings marketed and sold throughout the international architecture and design industry.


Dallas Market names 3 'Next Big Thing' finalists
Dallas Market Center announced the finalists of The Next Big Thing, a national product search contest – IV Pole Pals ( www.ivpolepals.com ), The Feeling Bag (www.thefeelingbag.com) and The Pillow Bag (www.thepillowbag.com). The finalists will exhibit at the FINDS Dallas Temp Show, June 23-26, which coincides with the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, June 22-28.

Affordable Art Fair New York City begins May 5
7 W New York is the venue for the spring edition of the Affordable Art Fair New York City (AAF NYC).  It will take place on the 11th floor of 7 W 34th Street from May 5-8, 2011.  The AAF, a popular consumer art show started by Will Ramsay 12 years ago, was created to make contemporary art accessible to all and is now held in nine premier locations worldwide attracting a wide cross-section of art enthusiasts.

TrafficBuilder hits 2 million emails
SnapRetail said the sum of emails sent from hundreds of independent retailers using its TrafficBuilder marketing platform hit the 2-millionth mark this week. The platorm makes it easy for retailers to use email, Facebook and Twitter to market products and drive increased sales.   TrafficBuilder is said to be a quick and easy online marketing system that gives retailers the ability to create high-impact emails, Facebook, or Twitter posts in minutes. The unique solution includes tens of thousands of product images and branded content from leading manufacturers such as Vera Bradley, Mud Pie, Yankee Candle, Midwest-CBK, Evergreen and more.

Beautiful new bed linens

Amanda

Stefan

Tristan

Wildcat Territory showed new top-of-bed designs at this month's High Point furniture market. The "vast majority" of its products are made in the USA, the company says.

According to a company press release: “We are seeing a growing interest and awareness among consumers now in where the products they buy are made,” says Nancy Reib, Wildcat Territory president. “For companies like ours, this is a very positive trend. Wildcat Territory has been committed to manufacturing in America since launching our company some 15 years ago, and it’s one of the core values that I believe has set us apart in the marketplace.”

While Reib admits that it’s nearly impossible to create textiles from start to finish with 100 percent American-made materials today, she makes a point of working with domestic mills to develop exclusive fabrics and color-ways whenever possible. This Market, Tristan, a fabric woven in a pattern developed by Wildcat Territory in a pale silvery gray and cream, is a prime example of this approach.

Wildcat Territory also showed 40 new, high-quality rug designs that coordinate with its bedding collection, produced in partnership with Delos.

Selected works of Mexican artist Karla d’Lara

Phillips Collection showed 350 works of Mexican artist Karla d’Lara at the High Point market earlier this month. The company featured her sculptures, tables and accessories for 2011.

The Phillips Collection provided this statement about the artist:

Making use of her memory, Karla d’Lara recreates a universe of atmospheres touched by the mystery of that which is poetic. Her work is an expression of genuine character which reveals itself as a powerful wave of technique, color and vivid movement.
Memories…to create atmospheres, defines Karla’s intuitive sense of art. Memory is the storehouse for abstractness which may materialize during a walk on a summer’s evening, like a voyeur in a faraway place. Its unstated goal is to discover the essential aroma of emotions resulting from a process of seduction. Expressed through the hands of an artist, its immense power is revealed for all to see.

She began to study photography as a teenager during summer trips abroad, and it became her first great passion. After taking advanced courses and accumulating plenty of experience, she traveled through Europe, Asia, and the Americas capturing the images of different cultures.

Karla is able to amalgamate her ideas with the help of skilled and exacting craftsmen, who have shared their homegrown techniques from workshops in Tonala, Jalisco, a hotbed of artists and great authors. A case in point is artist Salvador Rabelero, an expert in ceramics, glass, pigment combinations, acrylic paintings and mixed techniques. Today he is Karla’s inseparable partner in artistic creation.

2 new air purifiers for home or office

The stylish cylindrically shaped silver and black mesh Blueair Model 103 air purifier is designed for small rooms (150 square feet; 14 square meters; or smaller), such as bedrooms, playrooms and home offices. The new model use HEPAQuiet air purifying technology that is said to deliver more clean air at a faster rate with less noise than any other comparably rated air purifier on the market.

The company's new ZON personal air purifier stands less than 8 in (20 cm) tall and weighs just 1.5 lbs (6.8 kg). with the filter included.

Contemporary buffet, cocktail tables

The Palito buffet

The Moderna collection from Roberta Schilling uses smooth metal, exotic woods and delicate fibers cut into clean lines and striking shapes.

Biondina cocktail table

Bioanda cocktail table

6 new photo frames

Whitman

Prinz has designed new sophisticated and elegant photo frames. The Metal Radiance, Luxe and Boutique series, each known for featuring artistic treatments and classic stylings, debut 36 new frames to the Prinz line.

The Metal Radiance collection, featuring sweeping curves and elegant angles, premieres over 20 new additions for 2011, including Metro, a four-opening frame featuring classic metal with chrome accents. The contemporary-style frame is available in black or brushed silver and holds 4x6 photos.

Whitman is an antique-copper frame with a rustic intertwined twig design. Sizes include 4x6, 5x7 and 8x10. The Luxe series has classic moldings and contemporary profiles. Among the new additions is Annabelle, a beveled-style frame featuring an intricate floral pattern in antique gold or silver. Other collections are Luxe and Boutique.

Victoria

Eliza

Annabella

Serengeti

Metro

Sunday special: Designing a comfortable guest room

Gift & Home Today invited Design Shuffle to write about creating a hospitable guest room.

If you entertain overnight guests often, you may have wondered what it really takes to make them truly comfortable and feeling at home in your domain. New York interior designer, Tom Scheerer knows. His design philosophy is based on “fresh, civilized, beautiful and unpretentious spaces.” He recently shared his checklist of “guest room” essentials with House Beautiful. With his suggestions in mind, we put together a visual representation of eight items he deems must-haves. From shampoo to a fresh nosegay, your guests won’t be running out of their room every five minutes in search of additional necessities.

1. Luxurious bath towels

These Coyuchi Organic Cotton Willow Bath Towels truly know the meaning of being “green.” They’re as eco-friendly as they are luxurious.

2. Fresh Soap

Oprah once conveyed it was not a pleasant experience to be a guest in someone’s home and be faced with a used bar of soap. The makers of the self-described “pure decadence” Chocolate Luxury Bar know how to treat a guest right. Creamy and conditioning, this handmade soap offers the fragrance of dark and milk chocolate oils and is naturally colored by cocoa powder.

3. Shampoo

Dubbed as the “special occasion” shampoo by Redbook and the “best of the best” by Vogue, Philip B. Botanicals Russian Amber Imperial Shampoo is “rich, thick and honeylike” and even multiple-award winning. We think your guests will approve.

4. Bath oil or foam

This Penhaligon Artemisia Bath Oil brings back memories of days gone by in the early ‘90s when everything was coming up Victorian. Their scented book collections of love poems smelled of lavender, gardenia and roses. Their Artemisia oil has base notes of sandalwood, violet, vanilla, green apple and lily of the valley.

5. Terry robe

Make your guests feel as if they have just stepped into a guest room at the Savoy in London with a comfy pure fiber kimono-style white robe made from 100% organic combed cotton from Baskets of Inspiration.

6 Refillable water vessel and a glass

The Bedside Water Carafe Set from My Wedding Favorites can be personalized with your or maybe your guest’s initials for a gift they can take home with them. It is hand blown and holds a little over 16 ounces of liquid.

7. Alarm clock

Pottery Barn’s interpretation of a vintage classic is timeless. Did we just say that? The Charleston clock will be sure to wake your guests from their comfort-induced slumber.

8. Bedside nosegay

We provided sources for seven of Tom’s recommendations, but this one you’ll have to run to the florist for or get DYI home décor ideas from Focal Point’s Sneak Peak at Sherbert Nosegays. They look good enough to eat.

The remainder of Tom’s list of guest room essentials, which are no less important, includes a range of magazines, a range of hangers, a pad and pencil, a luggage rack, an orange or an apple. With all of the luxurious items you provide them, your guests may never leave their room!

---

This content is provided by Design Shuffle, where you can find top tier interior designs from around the world – from New York Interior Designers, Los Angeles Interior Designers, and more, check out the latest at Design Shuffle.

2012 color forecast offered by Home Accents Today

As the marketplace shifts back into a period of growth, the fallout from the dramatic recession is still influencing consumer tastes and driving the color palettes that will be most influential in home furnishings for 2012. From comforting vintage and sea-inspired colors, to soothing earth tones with hints of global influence, to vivid palettes that inspire energy and hope, the color forecast is all about learning lessons from the past and looking ahead. Download the free report here.

American-made bedroom furniture in cherry

With the introduction of 20 new pieces at the High Point furniture market, Harden redefines one of its strongest-selling case good categories. The company’s popular Classic Cherry collection has been updated with  more transitional variations.

The new product line features clean lines, elegant details and dramatic shapes. One of the signature pieces of the new collection is the 780 Door Chest. With solid cherry drawer fronts and figured cherry veneer top and door panels, this highly-styled piece is also accented with a dentil string maple inlay.

The 705 Panel Bed is classically transitional and features a dramatic cluster maple veneer in a burl pattern. Supporting bedroom cases have bow fronts, multiple foot choices, and new satin nickel hardware to complete this new, updated look for the Classic Cherry group.


Fifth generation, family-owned Harden Furniture is said to be the oldest furniture manufacturer in the Northeast. The company uses sustainable practices in its 10,000 acres of forested lands in New York State, where native black cherry hardwood is harvested.