Allow Me to Introduce….

One of the main reasons for going to market is to see the new introductions for the coming season of your favorite designers or the companies you do business with.  Much like fashion, we crave newness, trends or needs change, as do our buying habits.

Aerin Lauder is VERY busy building her lifestyle brand.  She and her talented team continue to churn out really beautiful objects.  Her lighting for Visual Comfort was simply the chicest I have seen in a long time.  I loved every piece. The materials, the design, the sculptural nature: she has all the bases covered.

EJ Victor debuted AERIN's new introductions to her furniture line that will sit beautifully side by side with her existing collection.   Each piece strong enough to stand sublimely on its own.  

The only problem with new introductions is they won't be on the showroom floor for 6 months to a year.  It's like you can see but you can't touch ~ it's such a tease!

Alexa Hampton for Hickory Chair ~ don't confuse her girl next store, I want to be your best friend persona for someone who is anything less than serious about classic, traditional design that is sophisticated, functional and timeless.

Mary McDonald for Chaddock ~ continues to make magic.  Her gift for mixing Neo- Greco Roman and classicism, layered with French Regency is a recipe for success.

David Easton's collection, also for Chaddock is refined, elegant and a little quirky (in a good way) just like the man himself.  I sat next to him at lunch.  He's a pip!  His interiors are inspired by global travel and change.  He believes a space should make you feel a sense of comfort.

Charlotte Moss for Century ~   The scope of her new collection was the most comprehensive that I saw at market.  Her Southern upbringing, attention to detail, travel and being continually inspired by the great lady decorators always informs Charlotte.

  

 Celerie Kimble for Henredon ~ 20th century styling; curvaceous and scaled down, tradition with  a twist infused with a modern warmth seem to create a WOW factor.

Two of my favorite pieces that stopped me in my tracks from Emporium Home ~

shagreen, leather + hip design = LOVE IT

I kept muttering under my breath,"why did it take me so long?" I was reminded of a valuable lesson; designers work hard and play harder. It took me days to recover. I can't wait to go back : )

I'm Agape for Agate

Alex Turco

I have been in love with agates and all things of the mineral variety since I was a kid.  There's magic in those stones.  The luminosity, the cloudiness, the striations always fascinated me.  While seeing these beautiful rock formations in interiors is not new, we are certainly seeing more of them.  They are proliferating into all forms of home decor, which, as Martha Stewart would say, is a good thing because the Feng Shui principles tell us, "Agate combines the strength and solidity of stone with the fluidity of water and translucency of air," thus incorporating several of the five elements at once.

Agate is technically quartz, a semi precious chalcedony, a crystalline form of silica, that is found in the crevices of volcanic rock or in geodes.  Whether adoring, co existing with other materials, or standing alone, it is one of the great visually stimulating undulating patterns.  It is protective and grounding, healing and balancing.  This little geode has super powers!

Brass and agate desk accessories from Rablabs

Don't think painting the look is any less fabulous.   My friend Susan Jamison of Bridget Beari Designs painted a show house hall in a neutral agate pattern.  It is seriously swoon worthy, and I may have to copy it.

Printed on paper or fabric is a much more cost effective way to bring the energy into your room.  There seriously is nothing you cannot do with this pattern.

I LOVE Kimberly McDonald's jewelry and now she has a home collection to covet.

Kimberly's collection can be seen at Bergdorf's and Forty Five Ten in Dallas

 It looks good adorning anything!

Agate wallpaper from Spoon flower

wallpaper from Brenda Houston Design

Anything!

Hickory Craft

Book matching stone always leaves a lasting impression.  The stone is cut (or painted) where by the graining continues in it's natural pattern and it appears to create a mirror image = to die for

Agate makes a great material for lighting.  It makes the perfect choice for a rough luxe interior with it's organic and elegant properties.

Emporium Home

Downtown

It makes a great table too!

Taylor Llorente

One of the most beautiful ways to highlight agate's natural beauty is to back light it.  The stones take on an "other worldly" quality with luminosity, and the smallest details and colors are brought out

Applegate Tran Interiors

There is nothing an agate can't accentuate ~

via Martha Stewart Living

or decorate ~

It just always looks great!  Could you use a little agate to light up your life?  Dare I say, if not in your home, how about a small personal accoutrement??  Remember, it's HEALING!

Paige Gamble clutch