Maitland-Smith

Designer Showhouse of New Jersey

The preview party held April 28 for the opening of the Designer Showhouse of New Jersey was full of excitement, interesting people, and of course, fabulous designs in the stately home at 27 Denison Drive in Saddle River. 

Photo:  Bob Skinner Photography

 The great room is a family oasis as envisioned by Angela Kumble, of AMG Interior Designs of New York, Palm Beach and Newport, RI. 

Pairing Maitland-Smith case pieces with Pearson upholstery, the room is simply stunning. 

The transitional cocktail table has Antique Aubergine and Parisian Walnut finishes with an inset beveled glass top. 

 Adding a nice pop of color are the beautiful pink orchids.

A good book, candlelight and flowers - what could be better?

 I supposed adding a glass of fine wine would be the finishing touch. 

 Maitland-Smith barstools have been pulled up to the bar and fabulous Pearson upholstered pillows add some pizzazz.

Seen below is one of a pair of iron geometric tables that flank the sofa. A leather occasional chair pulled up next to the table creates an intimate seating area. 

The table top is black waxstone and inlaid penshell, and the base is created from circles of iron.

Hand carving sets the chair apart as well as the button-tufting of the leather, and brass finished nail trim.  Additionally, casters enable the chair to easily move from place to place.  

This is a small sampling of all that awaits you at the Designer Showhouse of New Jersey.  The  Showhouse will be open daily except for Mondays through June 10. 

If you are in the Saddlebrook, NJ area, be sure to visit this grand home that benefits a good cause, and see more amazing spaces created by some of America's best-known and most talented designers. 

Traditional Home is the national media sponsor of the showhouse and will feature more photos in an upcoming issue.  All proceeds benefit the Heart & Vascular Hospital and the Emergency Trauma Department at Hackensack University Medical Center. Other Furniture Brands companies participating besides Maitland-Smith, La Barge, and Pearson are Henredon, Hickory, and Lane Venture.  Each is known for fine quality, style and craftsmanship. Photos are from Traditional Home.

Elegant and distinctive pieces for your home today, with quality and style to last a lifetime... Do you have a Maitland-Smith treasure?    www.maitland-smith.com

Designer Showhouse of New Jersey

Maitland-Smith and La Barge are pleased to be participating with Traditional Home Magazine in the Designer Showhouse of New Jersey, April 29-June 10 in Saddle River.   

Photo:  Bob Skinner Photography

Proceeds benefit the Heart and Vascular Hospital and the Emergency Trauma Department at Hackensack University Medical Center.  Truly this is a worthy cause and will benefit many families as a result of the generosity of all the people involved in this event. 

Some of America's finest designers have added their personal touches to create fabulous interiors for an extraordinary home. 

With 11,000 square feet and located on 9.8 acres, it boasts a formal living and dining room, paneled library with adjoining sitting room, spacious family room, sunny conservatory, and a fully outfitted kitchen that's flanked by a breakfast and a morning room, and seven bedrooms and baths.  Outside amenities include a 600 foot winding drive, slate roof with copper enhancements, a four-car garage, pool house, guest house and putting green. 

The designer who is featuring Maitland-Smith and La Barge products is Angela Kumble of AMG Interior Design, New York, Palm Beach and Newport, RI. Noted for her architectural design and impeccable taste in home furnishings, Angela designs highly creative interiors for a wide range of individual tastes and styles. 

Our pieces join and complement those of our sister company, Pearson, in the family room.  Other Furniture Brands companies participating are Henredon, Hickory, and Lane Venture, giving you a taste of the variety, quality and craftsmanship found in these Furniture Brands lines. 

Here is a sneak peek of a couple of the Maitland-Smith items selected. 

Hopefully this sampling will make you eager to see more and visit the showhome if you live in the NJ area. 

The opening preview gala is April 28, and we will have more photos to share from that event. 

Elegant and distinctive pieces for your home today, with quality and style to last a lifetime...Do you have a Maitland-Smith treasure? 

 

The Seasons Of Our Lives

I moved last weekend.  Downsized.  It was time. 

As a young bride, I remember the first apartment and the excitement to buy the first furnishings to make it home - to make the personal statement.  Lots of time was spent looking at magazines and going to flea markets and of course, some hand-me-downs were always passed on from various relatives. 

Next the thoughts turn to the first home and saving begins as a young couple considers starting a family.

The first home purchase is a Big Deal.   Now we have a yard and grass and flowers and bird feeders and more furniture is purchased for the additional space. 

Growing up in the Furniture Capital of the World, everyone was familiar with names such as Henredon, Drexel Heritage and Hickory Chair.  We knew these names stood for quality as so many of the townspeople worked in the furniture industry and took pride in their brands.  Naturally, when it came time to shop, these are the brands we turned to. 

So the babies come and the family is well underway, and we have purchased a base of home furnishings.  Next our thoughts move on to the Dream Home.  This one is big.  It has more square feet with teenagers and a pool table and acreage.  Life is good.  We shop for more accent pieces.  We have reached the top of the mountain, and the view is pretty good from up here. 

And then.. before we know it...the teenagers go off to school and grow up and the nest is empty.  Do we still need such a big house, we ask ourselves? 

For a few years we continue on.  We have the yard and lots of stuff and the house to maintain. 

And then... we start to consider that the view is nice from this mountain top, but it wasn't so bad halfway up.  Perhaps we could have more time for ourselves if we didn't have that big yard to mow. So now we start to consider a smaller home.  In fact, the one we like has the same amount of square footage as the first home we bought when the boys were young.

Going into a smaller home, of course, requires reducing the amount of furnishings we have.  What do we keep and what do we pass on?

In the last few weeks as I had to consider this question, I realized that I just can't part with my Henredon dining group, 18th Century Portfolio, which I have had for 35 years.  I can't part with my Drexel Heritage Chippendale bedroom group which I have had for 30 years, or my Hickory Chair small secretary.  My Drexel Heritage sectional has been reupholstered, but it is still with me, as is my Hickory Chair wing chair.  It too, has been reupholstered a time or two. 

It is true that as we purchase quality home furnishings that are classic and timeless, they do become heirlooms that are passed down from one generation to the next.  Maitland-Smith was not a name I knew growing up as the company is only 30 years old.  Working for Maitland-Smith for 10 years now, I have acquired a few pieces.  Each of these made the move with me as I cannot part with any Maitland-Smith piece that I have.   The quality and craftsmanship are exceptional. 

We all go through seasons, and wherever we find ourselves in this process - whether starting out or downsizing - fine home furnishings are part of making a house a home and creating memories. 

Elegant and Distinctive pieces for your home today, with quality and style to last a lifetime.... Do you have a Maitland-Smith treasure?  www.maitland-smith.com

English Appointments

Are you addicted to Downton Abbey ?  In case you don't know Downton Abbey, it is the PBS series on Masterpiece -- the story of an English family led by the Earl of Grantham before, during and after the First World War.   

 What is it that brings us back with anticipation every Sunday night?  I can't wait to get immersed once again with the Crawley family at Downton.  Will Mary end up with Matthew?  Will Mr. Bates be cleared of his murder charge?  These questions bring us back in the fashion of a soap opera, but no soap operas were ever as grand as this series. 

Part of the the draw to the series must be the house, the fashion, the relationship between the aristocracy and their servants, as well as the history we see unfold.  Perhaps we fantasize about living at that time and in that way.

Beyond the interesting characters and their stories we notice the furnishings of this grand estate.  Though the period is the early 1900's, we see fine examples of 18th century English furniture of the highest quality and craftsmanship. 

Maitland-Smith has English roots going back over 30 years to a London antiques dealer who began the company primarily to reproduce 18th century dining chairs.  These classic designs of Chippendale and Hepplewhite continue to be produced by our artisans today.

This dining chair is one of the older ones in our line. Notice the handcarved details of the Chippendale-inspired side chair and the cabriole legs with ball and claw feet. It would certainly fit in at Downton. 

Inspiration for the drop-leaf end table is Hepplewhite. With hand-inlaid marquetry, it is also a beautiful example of fine English furniture. 

Few of us live as the Crawley's do, but we can furnish our homes with antique reproductions of exceptional English pieces. 

Elegant and distinctive pieces for your home today, with quality and style to last a lifetime.... Do you have a Maitland-Smith treasure?  www.maitland-smith.com

Hearts and Flowers

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and the gifts most often given are heart-shaped boxes of chocolates and flowers.

Besides candy and flowers, Valentines cards are sent to express love to those near and dear.  Starting young, even in kindergarten, cards are exchanged that often say, "Be mine," and the little heart-shaped sugar candies often have that inscription as well.  February is the month of love and red is the color.

I suppose the heart is the symbol because love is of the heart.  Of course, we know that St. Valentine gets credit for Valentine's Day but the history of Valentine's Day is murky at best.  Suffice it to say, it is nice to have a day set apart to express love with gifts and cards.

An extra special gift for the lady that will last is a heart-shaped occasional table in a distressed walnut finish.  

Small, only 14" wide, it is the perfect side table tucked next to a comfy chair in a small space. It has a petrified stone top with brass gallery and feet. 

If flowers are needed to accompany this heart, take a look at the occasional chair that has been hand painted with flowers and birds on the outside, with a soft leather upholstery on the cushion and inside.  With rope carving and gilding, much attention has been given to detail.  A gift such as this is sure to result in lots of hugs and kisses.

Although it isn't obvious why this is the perfect Valentine's Day gift for the man, the barstool is heart shaped and upholstered in red leather.  Purchased alone, this might seem a rather odd gift.  But -- it can also be purchased as one of a set, which are the four card suits in the Friday night poker game -- much more masculine and quite comfortable, too. 

It doesn't really matter what gift is given for Valentine's Day, if it is given with love and from the heart, it is sure to be appreciated.  

Elegant and Distinctive pieces for your home today, with quality and style to last a lifetime.... Do you have a Maitland-Smith treasure?   www.maitland-smith.com

Maitland-Smith at Greystone - Alissa Sutton

The last, (but certainly not least), designer I will showcase who selected Maitland-Smith furnishings for the Maison de Luxe at Greystone is Alissa Sutton.  Alissa is a well-known designer based in California who does residential and commercial design.  You may remember that she was a semi-finalist in the HGTV Design Star design competition in 2009. 

 
 (Photo of Alissa from Cantoni blog)

The bedroom she created at Greystone is striking using a black and gold color scheme.  For symmetry, she placed midnight black painted Maitland-Smith chests on both sides of the bed with antique Venetian mirrors and hanging chandeliers.   

The whimsical wall on the left holds a collection of brass hands shown in various positions with a hat hanging on one. These fun pieces can be used singly anywhere in the home -- One at the back door would be perfect for holding the dog's leash at the ready for a long walk.   

The oversized tufted headboard provides the perfect spot to lean back with coffee and read the Sunday morning paper without feeling guilty, and slowly begin the day.  Perhaps her headboard inspiration comes from the headboard in her room at home which is her personal favorite.    

Concerning her own headboard, she says,  "It's just like the one they had on Green Acres, and I loved that show as a kid."

Here is a closeup of the chest.  The top is gilded and the pulls are coral-shaped brass.  Using a chest of drawers as a night table is functional as well as beautiful as the drawers provide additional storage space for the room.   

The luxe interiors + design Maison de Luxe at Greystone Estate, will be open for another week, so don't miss the opportunity to see this room as well as rooms designed by Bravo's Million Dollar Decorators, Barclay Butera, Lori Dennis,  and many more incredible designers.

Elegant and distinctive pieces for your home today, with quality and style to last a lifetime....Do you have a Maitland-Smith treasure?  www.maitland-smith.com

More Maitland-Smith at Greystone

Maison de Luxe , the show home of Luxe interiors + design, is the place to be in Beverly Hills these days as the Greystone Estate is open through December 22 for tours of rooms created by some of America's finest interior designers. 

Lori Dennis is one of these designers whom you may know from  HGTV's The Real Designing Women. 

Lori is a "green" designer, LEED certified, and the meditation room at Maison de Luxe reflects her design aesthetic and point of view.

Her meditation room is inspired by nature with jewels, sounds, crystals and butterflies. She created a space within a space with the 22 carat gold gilded exterior of the meditation chamber, whose interior is covered with tufted, non-toxic velvet.  The feeling is almost like a return to the womb - a place to relax and recharge. 

 Here you can see the gilded exterior and the velvet-covered interior of the meditation chamber.  The butterfly wall sconce is by Maitland-Smith and is made of inlaid yellow and white mother of pearl, penshell and brass. 

That's Lori with our President, Dan Bradley, and Mary Garvin, the Director of Design for Maitland-Smith. 

Covering one wall of the meditation room are eight Maitland-Smith mirrors.  These have an aubergine finish with inlaid penshell and lipshell.  Who would have thought to invert four of them, but it makes quite a statement on this wall.  In the reflection you can see a Maitland-Smith chair in a light, Renaissance finish, at the secretary. On the wall is a brass wall sconce with leaf pattern and faux shagreen shade. 

 To get more great decorating ideas, visit the Maison de Luxe before the 22nd.  This is a great opportunity to see the work of well-known designers up close, but also to see the scale and architecture of the historic Greystone Estate. 

Elegant and distinctive pieces for your home today, with quality and style to last a lifetime....Do you have a Maitland-Smith treasure?  www.maitland-smith.com

Maitland at Maison de Luxe at Greystone

Maitland-Smith is happy to participate in the Maison de Luxe at Greystone in conjunction with Luxe interiors + design.  This stately mansion will be open through Dec. 22 where 26 of America's top designers added their unique vision and touch.  These photos were taken at the opening gala and are from the family room, done by Barclay Butera.  

 As you may remember,  Barclay was a judge in the Maitland-Smith 30th anniversary design competition a couple of years ago. 

Barclay gave the room a sort of  "ranch" feel with antlers over the mantelpiece.  The room contains contrast and texture with use of velvets, embroideries, leathers, silks, animal print, and stripes.  Layering gives cohesiveness. The accessories and twin game tables have a decidedly masculine feel.   
Flanking this gorgeous tufted sofa are Maitland-smith end tables of burnished gold finished iron and black waxstone.

The morning light pouring in from the door and windows makes this room inviting.  I love the contrast in the dark leather and the lighter fabrics.  That round tri-pod table is by Maitland-Smith as well. 

In front of the window are a pair of Maitland-Smith game tables, ready for a rousing holiday game. These have a barley twist pedestal and inlaid leather on the top surrounding the reversible game board. I am drawn to the window seat - what a great spot to curl up and read. 
This photo isn't the best, but here is our president, Dan Bradley, chatting with Barclay. 

 If you live in Southern California, you must visit the Greystone.  This historic home, built in 1928 for the Doheny family, has 46,000 square feet and sits on 18.5 manicured acres.  Next will be the meditation room done by Lori Dennis.

Elegant and distinctive pieces for your home today, with quality and style to last a lifetime...Do you have a Maitland-Smith treasure?    www.maitland-smith.com

The Right Desk for Holiday Writing

One of the many things enjoyable about the holidays is receiving holiday cards.   Christmas cards were first sent in the 1800's so this tradition has continued for over 200 years.  Today cards can be religious, traditional, comical, or contemporary, but the sentiment is the same - a personal greeting sent at holiday time when we pause to remember friends and relatives we don't often see.  
 

In the last few years, less cards are mailed as e-cards have become more popular,  but I still enjoy receiving a real piece of mail that I can hold in my hand.   I eagerly check the mailbox during the holiday season, because it is exciting to get a newsy card from a friend instead of the usual junk mail or bills.  But... I have learned that if I want to receive cards, I have to send cards.  So, after the cards are purchased with some special holiday stamps, I pull out the address book and get ready to tell my friends all about my family's activities during the last year.

The kitchen table works, of course, but how much better it is to have a gorgeous desk and comfortable chair available to settle in. Depending on how many cards are sent out, it can take awhile. 

A lady's writing desk is just the thing.  This one is mahogany Georgian style with black leather and brass accents. 

Love this oval desk with rubbed walnut finish and black leather inlay with gold tooling and brass accents. 

Or this one with walnut veneer with antique brown leather and satina finished accents. 

If your style is more contemporary, this black crackle finished black leather inlaid desk may be more to your liking. 

The perfect chair is this comfy looking leather and fabric combination with black vendome finished legs. 

 It doesn't really matter where you sit to address your cards -- the important thing is that you are remembering special people with a personal message.  Don't forget that after the holidays, there are generally notes of thanks to be sent out for parties and gifts as well. A beautiful desk is a great investment that complements the decor and is functional at the same time.

Elegant and distinctive pieces for your home today, with quality and style to last a lifetime...Do you have a Maitland-Smith treasure?  http://www.maitland-smith.com/

 

The Celebration Continues At Maitland-Smith

Monday night during the furniture market we celebrated the launch of our new collection by Henrietta Spencer-Churchill.  This is the first designer collection for Maitland-Smith, so there was plenty to celebrate. 

  Lady Henrietta with our president, Dan Bradley at the party. 

Dan gave a champagne toast to welcome Henrietta into the Maitland-Smith family, and then she shared a few words.   

Celebrating with us were our friends from Traditional Home, Beth Brenner and Blaire Rzempoluch.

It was great to see our friends from Luxe interiors + design, Jennifer Matthews and Lori Sheldon. 

As an aside, Maitland-Smith is excited to be participating in the Maison de Luxe in Beverly Hills sponsored by Luxe design + interiors. the historic Greystone Mansion is the setting, and it will be open December 2-22, with rooms designed by over 20 of America's finest designers. 

Back to the party -- Our wonderful dealers and designers joined us in celebrating including Richard Condanti with Bella Casa, Portland, Oregon. 

Lady Henrietta is a renowned interior designer and has written several books on classic English interiors.  Her pieces in the collection are her own designs - from sketches all the way to the completed piece.   She visited our factory in the Philippines where she  selected her custom finishes and custom hardware.   It was "hands on" all the way from her vision to the placing of the pieces and presentation in the showroom.  Her inspiration comes from the 18th century classics, but with her modern twist. 

 Adding a collection by Henrietta Spencer-Churchill to the Maitland-Smith line is the perfect marriage of designer and manufacturer.  Our roots go back 30 years to London, where we were founded by an antiques dealer. From the beginning our artisans have held to high standards of craftsmanship, and this craftsmanship continues today.   They do exquisite work with marquetry and parquetry, lost wax cast brass and hand-rubbed finishing. 

This festive party mood has carried us through to the last day of market and now as it has ended, we reflect.  Today our showroom is quiet, and before long we will start to anticipate the beautiful furnishings to come in April.

Elegant and distinctive pieces for your home today, with quality and style to last a lifetime.....Do you have a Maitland-Smith treasure?  www.maitland-smith.com