Life Lessons From My Mother’s Garden

My mother has been a gardener from my first memory of her.  It’s her sanctuary.  The place she goes to when she needs to solve a problem or to allow her creative juices to flow.  At the first sign of spring, I can hear a rejuvenation in her voice, as she speaks of addressing the flower beds and revitalizing the array of containers she has sprinkled around the yard and house.

Of course, I’m always concerned about her overdoing things and she always promises to “cut back”, not get overheated or get entangled in a web of poison ivy, of which no amount of calamine lotion will allay the itch.  (I’ve inherited that allergic reaction so my cautioning comes from a “been there, done that” place of knowledge.)

The garden reflects who my mother is.  A combination of order and arrangement and a “whatever” approach to some of the more natural areas.  As in life, there are some things over which we do have some control and then others of which nature has taught us to let go and let live.  An important lesson, indeed.

My mother has been slowing down as Parkinson’s is taking her down a path with a few more obstacles placed beneath her footing.  With a walker and a few other props, she’s figured out how to remain in her beloved flower beds.  A great lesson on adapting to the circumstances presented to us.

It brings to mind one of my favorite quotes: 

“In search of my mother's garden, I found my own.” ~ Alice Walker

I hope you have a lovely Mother’s Day, both today and always.

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Spotting Trends at the High Point Market and for Hooker Furniture Collections

I’m sure many of my fellow interior designers will agree that the High Point Furniture Market was truly amazing!  For some of us who’ve been at this a while, it may take a little more wooing and wowing to capture our attention.  Let me just say, the showrooms absolutely hit the mark, this spring!

As some of you may know, I’m a contributing blogger for Hooker Furniture Corporation – also the parent company for Sam Moore Upholstery, Bradington Young, and Opus Designs.  Needless to say, their showrooms cover a lot of territory and interior options, so my most recent post couldn’t begin to include it all without asking readers to take a few hours to peruse all of my photos.

Instead, I did a synopsis of their latest introductions, as well as I shared how I might pair their pieces with other lines.  You know designers, we love to mix it up!

So, I hope you’ll hop over to the blog, and if you like what you see, be sure to share and/or like it on Facebook, pin it to your Pinterest pages, plus it on Google+, or any other method in which you’d like to give your friends a head’s up on what’s happening in the world of interiors!

Thanks for stopping by!

If you’re daunted by the task of creating personalized, interior spaces, I’d love to hear from you!  You’ll have great options available.

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Drop me a line to find out more about my design services. Will you be ready for your project to be completed by late summer/early fall?  Time to book that first meeting!

Market Musings–A New Set of Eyes

As I’ve settled back down, unloading tons of photos from the High Point Market, a point hit me between the eyes and I had to jot it down before I forgot it.  (That’s what happens when your mind becomes filled with inspiration!)

I’ve been to market for more years than I care to admit.  I’ve seen a lot of trends – so much so that it’s easy to say, “been there, done that”.  Not to be smug, just factual. 

What made this market so different?  It wasn’t so much the product but perhaps it was because I intentionally took a fresh set of eyes.  I looked at different ways to combine what might be considered a “standard” or a reimagined classic.

You see, while I bring so much to the table for my projects, in terms of project management and all of the years of education, experience and so on, the one thing I hope to always keep active is an open mind – like the enthusiasm of a new design student, visiting their very first High Point Furniture Market. 

Awe and wonderment.  May they never become passé. 

If you’re daunted by the task of creating personalized, interior spaces, I’d love to hear from you!  You’ll have great options available.

To subscribe to my blog updates via email click here.

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Drop me a line to find out more about my design services. Will you be ready for your project to be completed by late summer/early fall?  Time to book that first meeting!

Pillow Fight!

I’m taking a brief break from touring the High Point Market to look over 400+ images to see where I need to fill in the blanks.  Since I drive back and forth, (the jury being out on that decision), I can take some time to regroup for another full day of pounding the pavement.  Plus, it’s a little worrisome when the illuminated “service engine” thingy comes on.  Some sort of nonsense about “fuel level sending unit”.  Sigh . . . a different kind of “shop” time.

There is so much to see and share but I always have to stop by Elaine Smith’s fabulous display of her outdoor/indoor pillow line.  And let me say, I wouldn’t just tuck these into chaises by the poolside.  They deserve to be front and center, indoors, too!

Bar none, this is a company that totally gets how function can meet fashion.  I’ve only posted a portion of their offerings!  The dressmaker details are top shelf – no pun intended.  Some really amazing, printed vinyl covers present cork and leather looks.

I love the easy clean-up in that it prevents folks from feeling as if a decorative pillow is too precious for everyday use.  Little kids, pets, big kids, (husbands), and all in Sunbrella fabrics so a sunny corner won’t damage or fade the materials.  We can even order yardage to coordinate for recovering that chair or sofa!

Time to get my self together for another road trip.  I’ll keep you posted and don’t fight over who gets which pillow collection.  There’s something for everyone.  :)

If you’re daunted by the task of creating personalized, interior spaces, I’d love to hear from you!  You’ll have great options available.

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Drop me a line to find out more about my design services. Will you be ready for your project to be completed by late summer/early fall?  Time to book that first meeting!

High Point Market - Sneak Peek from C.R. Laine

Oh, the glimpses into the showrooms of High Point Market . . . I’m not sure if we should request a spoiler alert – kind of like what we request when we’ve missed an episode of “Mad Men” or “Downton Abbey” – but I say, keep them coming!  I know they’re really more like trailers for a great movie.  They’re meant to be sure I put them on my “must-see” list!

CR Laine's Copley Swivel Chair slipcovered in fabric Gateway Shamrock

I do love visiting the C.R. Laine showroom and with the recent sneak peeks, it’s for certain to be on my list of drop-in’s.  Holly McLay Blalock, their VP of Merchandising and Marketing, is one of the sunniest people you’ll ever see at market.  Not to mention, she’s a major talent when it comes to pulling off a fabulous showroom!

So, without making you wait any longer, here are some of their new introductions:

Bradstreet chair in fabric Zig Zag Onyx – Black and White – Watch for it!

Mad for modern?  Here is the Trey ottoman!

I die for an ‘X’ base ottoman!  Dasha is her name and she’s made in the USA.

 

CR Laine's Cullen chair in pattern Chenonceau Coral, a signature print by Schumacher, makes my heart flutter for being wrapped in cottage style. 

Some patterns and design are just full of happy!  Happy jars, that is. I can’t wait to see the Micah chair in Cachepot Hyacinth!

As time permits, I’ll try to share more previews as I know many of you are in the midst of planning for those spring interior updates.  I love being able to show lines with so many styles and options.  It’s time to create a home just for you!

If you’re daunted by the task of creating personalized, interior spaces, I’d love to hear from you!  You’ll have great options available.

To subscribe to my blog updates via email click here.

To follow Wanda S. Horton Interior Design on Facebook click here.

To follow me on Pinterest click here. 

Drop me a line to find out more about my design services. Will you be ready for your project to be completed by late summer/early fall?  Time to book that first meeting!

The Art of Design

For the last few years, in my humble opinion, design has been a bit stuck.  Oh, there have certainly been stars amongst the mass-produced patterns and the pieces that have been “Pinterested” to death.  (I’m probably guilty of some of that, too.)  It’s kind of like being a part of a school of thought where it’s easier to go with the crowd and share formulaic themes.

I’m feeling very hopeful that we’re beginning to get past that!  The upcoming High Point Market has me excited about what I’m referring to as the “Art of Design”.  They’ve been “leaking” some pretty fabulous images, via social media, and I know a few of the talented ladies with whom they’ve given an inner peek.

As I’m wrapping up projects, developing a new website, freshening my logo, and making my market lists, I’ll spare you the editorial and you can soak in the images from a few of my boards!

Lots of major manufacturers are represented, here.  Have fun thinking of ways you might bring in some of these influences and pieces into your own spaces!  I’ll be checking back with you, after market, with lots of my own photos and further thoughts.

I predict there will be shopping in my future for a great pair of walking shoes!

If you’re daunted by the task of creating personalized, interior spaces, I’d love to hear from you!  You’ll have great options available.

To subscribe to my blog updates via email click here.

To follow Wanda S. Horton Interior Design on Facebook click here.

To follow me on Pinterest click here. 

Drop me a line to find out more about my design services. Will you be ready for your project to be completed by late summer/early fall?  Time to book that first meeting!

Renewal–Beginning Again

We often think that January 1st is the time for “starting over”.  If that would be the case, then we wouldn’t need to do spring cleaning or the spring remodeling bug wouldn’t have us taking a bite out of our “to-do” lists.  The lawns wouldn’t get seeded and sprout that lovely shade of green and flowers would stay dormant. 

I’m pretty happy we can look forward to these seasons of renewal.  In fact, I put a lot of faith in it.  :)

Happy Easter to you!