A Bite of the Big Apple

Posted on September 28, 2011 by jbutler in Color Forecasting, Fashion and Design, Trendy Tips

We love London, Paris and Milan. Truly, we do. But NYC is a mere 90-minute flight from our North Carolina headquarters. One of Denise and Carl’s job requirements (we should all be so lucky) is frequent NYC field trips to soak up the city and go-mingle sights, sounds, colors and textures with Drexel Heritage designs on the drawing board. Let’s get started with two fashion-into-furniture emergent (and evolving) trends:

Still Mad about Geometry: While Denise admits geometry was not her favorite subject in school, she’s a devotee today. “It’s wide open,” she notes, “the geometrics are morphing with new forms – sometimes bold, other times faint, oversized and diminutive.” It’s everywhere from chunky jewelry (think Wilma Flintstone circa 2011) to highly patterned hosiery to home décor. Drexel Heritage fabrics are right on trend this season, as well as our new collection, Synchronicity (which celebrates symmetry, Carl points out), coming later this fall. (P.S. Carl aced geometry in high school.)

In the Wild:  Animal prints (Denise says faux is fine – in fact, even better) are a perennial classic abounding on the streets of NYC and in shop windows.  “What’s new and so exciting,” Denise observes, “is that the menagerie and color palette is getting really diverse. Animal prints are always present, but this season they’re breaking free, so to speak!” This means a wider cast of characters — zebras, cheetahs, pythons, leopards and the traditional black-brown coloration is giving way to metallics, magentas and a range of other strong, saturated colors. “A little goes a long way,” Denise observes, “It’s a rich potion.”

Starting to see a pattern? Join the discussion. Let us know what patterns, shapes and textures you see – new and emerging. Let’s trendspot together!

Blogger Spotlight: Erin Loechner

Posted on September 21, 2011 by jbutler in Blogger Spotlight

If you don’t already know Erin Loechner, the charming writer/stylist/designer behind DesignForMankind.com, recently named one of the top 50 design blogs in the world by The Times of London, then it’s time you got to know her.

This talented fashionista, DIYer and admirer of all things fabulous, hosts a renovation column on HGTV.com where she catalogs her experiences as an impromptu interior designer. Her work has been featured in Glamour, Lucky, Dwell, Apartment Therapy and The Huffington Post, to name a few.

Erin is one of our favorite design bloggers so we were excited to catch up with her this week as part of our Blogger Spotlight series.

Here’s what she had to say:

How did you become interested in interior design?

I grew up in a very tiny Indiana town, so to be honest, I didn’t know interior design existed until college. My roommate was an art major and enrolled in a design class for fun. I used to beg to borrow her books and peruse all of the beautiful images!

When you aren’t blogging, what do you do?

My husband and I are renovating a ranch-style home, so I’m either decorating/renovating or writing about decorating/renovating! I joke that if I don’t have a hammer in my hand, I’ve got a laptop.

What’s your favorite post that you’ve written on your blog and why?

I love my Color of the Week series — it’s hard to choose a fave!

Thanks for inspiring us, Erin! Be sure to check out her blog at, DesignForMankind.com.

Upholstery, Rediscovered

Posted on September 15, 2011 by jbutler in Fashion and Design, Furniture Market

Last High Point Market season, we introduced a new line of upholstered furniture – and it was a big hit! From beds to desks to mirrors, we’ve received lots of love from our friends at shelter magazines, including Lonny Magazine. Check out the feature below, showcasing our upholstered side table in a (faux) snakeskin print, in the October issue.

Also, don’t miss our new upholstered bed and mirror combo in this month’s issue of Architectural Digest.

Hoping to learn more about our new upholstered products? Check out this video, straight from our showroom!

Think that an upholstered desk isn’t practical? Well, think again, and watch this video about our very fun (and super durable) Sunbrella fabrics!

Like what you see? We’d love to hear from you. Share your thoughts on our rediscovered upholstered pieces in our comment section below!

Design Dictionary: Nesting Table and Ottoman

Posted on September 9, 2011 by jbutler in Design Dictionary

In this next edition of our Design Dictionary series, we’re kicking back and relaxing. Nothing says relaxation like a hot cup of coffee and a cushy place to prop up your feet. And thanks to our friends, the ottoman and nesting tables, relaxation has never been easier!

Urban Contemporary Nesting Table

Nesting tables are a stacking set of accent tables graduating in height and designed to neatly fit (or nest) beneath one another. A great solution for small spaces, they typically come in groups of two or three. These versatile space savers are there when you need them and can be tucked away when you don’t.  They’re perfect for entertaining and impromptu dining (or just a hot cup of coffee), and with their varying heights, they add visual interest to any room.

Eve Ottoman

Believed to have emerged out of the Ottoman Empire sometime during the 16^th and 17^th centuries, ottomans were first used in their most traditional form as footstools. Today, these ever flexible, multifunctional workhorses serve double duty and are a home decorator’s best friend. They provide additional seating, function as a cocktail table, and many offer hidden storage for blankets, magazines and the like. In our case? They’re just what we need to prop up our feet and relax!

Blogger Spotlight: Lisa Sherry

Posted on September 2, 2011 by jbutler in Blogger Spotlight

Our creative team, led by Denise Alala and Carl Bundy, finds inspiration from many different sources, including the work of interior designers and design bloggers. Lisa Sherry just so happens to be both, and it’s icing on the cake that she is a North Carolina designer located near our headquarters. Earlier this week, we had a chance to catch up with Lisa. Here’s what she had to say:

When you aren’t blogging, what do you do?

A better question might be, what should I be doing when I’m blogging! It’s like an “extra credit” assignment in school, as I’m a full-time-plus professional interior designer with two offices and great clients. Blogging has been so fun and rewarding. It’s introduced me to new people and ideas. And, because I’m fundamentally more of a visual person (surprise),  the blog is a platform to marry words and images which makes everything richer.

How did you become interested in interior design?

My mother has a fabulous sense of style. So as a child, I saw an interior design aesthetic played out in our home.  Home was not posh, mind you,  but mom cherished simple, elegant pieces and took pleasure in making things last. She still does.  I actually came to design as a profession in a circuitous way. I was a fashion/photography stylist. My first clients saw “camera ready” interiors in magazines and wanted the look for real. And, here I am today. I love every minute of it.

What is your favorite post that you’ve written on your blog and why?

The next one is my favorite one. Write on!

Thank you for sharing, Lisa. If you haven’t had a chance to check out her site, visit it here: www.lisasherryinterieurs.com. We guarantee you’ll find it just as inspirational as we do!