PILLOW TALK & COCKTAILS WITH AMERICASMART ATLANTA

Last Saturday, I along with four of Atlanta's hottest design bloggers, spoke at a AmericasMart's panel discussion, Pillow Talk and Cocktails. Prior to the seminar, we were each given a pillow form and asked to design a cover based on our inspiration and current design trends. Other discussion included blogging and its benefits for interior designers and retailers.

l-r: Sherry Hart (Design Indulgence), Kari Fisher (Buy Well, Buy Once), me, Dayka Robinson (Meditations on Life and Style), and Capella Kincheloe (A Curated Lifestyle)

The brown pillow (floor right) with the contrasting rosettes was designed and fabricated by yours truly. For this design I drew inspiration from the beautiful reclaimed wood furniture and lighting we are seeing everywhere from showrooms to showhouses.

1st photo: l-r: Amanda Cheek and Tess Tuberville (AmericasMart Atlanta)

2nd photo: Dayka Robinson and I

1st photo: Carla Schwartz (Decorativity) 2nd photo: Capella Kincheloe

l-r: Kari Fisher and Sherry Hart

l-r: Darcy Harris (The VIP Room), Kathy Beveal (AmericasMart Atlanta),

Melanie Woodroffe (Capitol de Beaute)

Our one of a kind pillows were given away as door prizes for the guest!

A huge thank you to the folks at AmericasMart for the invitation! We all had an amazing time!

JOIN US FOR PILLOW TALK AND COCKTAILS!

Let me know if you plan to come! Would love to meet you! For additional information, please visit www.americasmart.com

TRENDSPOTTING AT THE AMERICASMART ATLANTA

January ushers in a new year as well as new trends in home and fashion. Along with the excitement of something fresh comes the dilemma of making these styles approachable and livable. Doing what I love best, I spent the day at the AmericasMart Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market and The Atlanta International Area Rug Market. What a mouthful — and the multi-building complex told the same story. You would have to possess super-human powers to complete the tour in one day, but I saw enough to say that you are already on the right track and on-trend. Here's what's happening now:

Dillard Design Group, LLC

Gray paint is still a consumer favorite for walls, and now it is finding a home on ceilings. This neutral base allows for any color combination you can dream of while maintaining a look of easy sophistication.

 Barbara Chambers

Fill your home with investment pieces. Consider purchasing one or two items each year at the best quality you can afford. Furniture like this timeless Louis XV style has maintained its popularity for eons and will only vary in color and/or finish.

Garrison Hullinger Interior Design Inc.

Textured wallpaper was also a big hit in showrooms. Seagrass is still all the rage, but I do believe creamier tones are on the rise. Remember, you heard it here first!

Zuniga Interiors 

Fiery red-orange invigorated displays in the form of paint backdrops and small-scale accessories. Notice how this hue plays well with all finishes, from the studded mirror to the warm wood tones.

To read this article in its entirety, head over to houzz to see 4 more popular trends for 2011.

What decor trends have you spotted in your city?

THE SHOW MUST GO ON!

AmericasMart Atlanta January Market Opens on Schedule

AmericasMart opened its doors Wednesday for the January Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market together with the Atlanta International Area Rug Market. The nation's largest running market is celebrating the landmark 50th anniversary with a host of seminars and events for attendees and press. Here are a few highlights:

Accents: Versatility & Vitality Retailer Ethan Allen discusses in detail rising trends in the design and manufacture of accents as well as the importance of accents to the design plan.

HD HOME Preview Party
Allows you to be the first to preview the most anticipated and exciting addition to AmericasMart representing the crème de la crème of home furnishings. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, drinks and live music at this exclusive preview party, sponsored by Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles. You will get the first-look at the nation's greatest design-driven home furnishings and décor manufacturers. 

All About HOME: Walk and Talk with Stan Topol
Celebrated interior designer, Stan Topol takes us on a guided tour of some of the best designer showrooms Atlanta has to offer and shares his method of sourcing furniture and accessories to create the best design solutions for his clients.

Blogging, Business and Bites
Learn how blogging can build your business in a panel discussion followed by a meet & greet cocktail party. Panelists include Jennifer Boles of The Peak of Chic, Niki Papadopoulous of Yummy Scrumptious, Claire Watkins of High Gloss Blue and Brian Patrick Flynn of Décor Demon. Moderated by Barry Leach of The Blue Remembered Hills. 

If this is your first time attending the Market and want to know "What's the Big Deal?", be sure to read the "5 Things You Should Know About the Atlanta Furniture/Gift Market," written by Dayka of Meditations of Life and Style. Hope to see you there!