Maitland-Smith

Shell Collector

Growing up in Piedmont North Carolina, summer vacations were either spent in the Appalachian mountains or at the NC or SC beaches.  Living just 4 hours from the coast, it made for a favorite escape (and still does). 

Who hasn't taken aimless walks along the shore with no concept of time passing?   Shells are picked up, examined and discarded, while noting that the variety and shapes of shells seemed endless. The color, too, varied from shell to shell. 

Having shells a part of home decor brings back those memories of warm breezes and days spent relaxing at the shore. 

These La Barge mirrors are framed in shells.  The first is encircled with iridescent abalone shells, found in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean, gathered from the shore and affixed to the mirror frame one at a time. There are 683 shells on this 39" diameter mirror.   

The second rectangular mirror frame is inlaid with natural, pink barnacles, also from the Pacific. Last week was the summer solstice -- the first day of summer and the longest day of the year.  Since then, the daylight has slowly started to decrease as we head towards fall.  To keep summer alive in your home, no matter what the season, consider adding a mirror or accessory covered in shells. 

La Barge...a reflection of all that you are.  www.labargeinc.com
 

Maitland-Smith Opens New Showroom in Chicago

Maitland-Smith is pleased to announce the opening June 14 of our new showroom in the Merchandise Mart, Chicago. 

Open to the trade, our space is #1865, adjacent to the Henredon Interior Design Showroom. 

"We are happy to establish a presence here in the Chicago Merchandise Mart," says Maitland-Smith president, Dan Bradley.  "If you look at our entire collection, you will see that we have something for everyone -- with custom options for designers and their clients."  

Here are photos showing a few of the furniture, lighting and accessories pieces featured. 



If you are a designer in the Chicago area or in town for Neocon, stop by and see the new Maitland-Smith showroom.  You may find just the piece you are looking for. 

www.maitland-smith.com.

Classy Classics

We hear the word, classic, a lot.  It can be applied to almost anything, but what exactly does it mean? 

When we think of a classic lady's hairdo, bangs and a bob come to mind.  The spring issue of InStyle Hair magazine confirms this with a spread, "Still Going Strong -- the Bob." 

When we think of a classic automobile, actually, it is supposed to be one between the years of 1925 and 1942.  Still, many would consider this 1967 Mercedes to be a "classic."

 

An example of classic children's literature is "Oliver Twist," by Charles Dickens.

So then, what make something classic?  The dictionary defines it as a standard that has been set or a model of its kind.  With this in mind, what defines a classic in home furnishings?  An example of a Maitland-Smith classic piece is something as simple as this reproduction of a Chippendale dining chair. With its beautiful hand carved detail and mahogany finish, this chair is timeless and never goes out of style.  

  Thomas Chippendale was considered the greatest cabinetmaker in the mid to late 1700's.  He published a book, The Gentleman and Cabinet Maker's Director, in England in 1754 containing a collection of his furniture designs which showcased his new and fresh ideas.  Mahogany was his favorite wood and his main decorative element was his deep, sharp carving.  Many of his pieces have cabriole legs, shell motifs, and claw and ball foot.  Some designs had pagoda motifs, in the Chinese style, called chinoiserie. 

Truly Chippendale reproductions are classics that were appreciated in the 18th century and are still at home in dining rooms in the 21st century.

Other 18th century classics that are timeless include Hepplewhite and Queen Anne styles.  Here is one of the classics in my home -- purchased 35 years ago from Henredon's 18th Century Portfolio Collection.  I love this Queen Anne group as much today as I did when I bought it as a young homemaker.  A classic purchased today, becomes an heirloom for tomorrow. 

 Maitland-Smith offers many classic Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Queen Anne-style dining chairs as well as more contemporary styles.  To see our selection of dining chairs and other classic pieces, visit our website, www.maitland-smith.com, and your local authorized Maitland-Smith dealer today.

Hairstyle photo from http://www.hair-styles.net/classic-hair-styles.htm

Design Contest Winner - Maitland-Smith Dealer/Designer Category

So far you have met two of our design contest winners, so today we want to introduce Sandy Hankins, SH Designs, Inc., Greenville, SC, also a contest winner.  Sandy is an authorized Maitland-Smith designer and her winning design is a chest of drawers with penshell and matching tortoise finish with black lacquer.  The original shown below, orignally has a dark tone wood finish with multi-shell inlay.  Sandy impressed the judges as she transformed the chest of drawers using our ONE, Singularly Crafted for You online program. 

As a child growing up in Dothan, AL, Sandy was always moving her mom's furniture around or repainting walls.  Her mom was a great seamstress and taught her how to sew making tiny Barbie clothes, saying, "if you get that fine detail, then you can sew anything."  Her mom was a great artist and she gave Sandy appreciation of art.    As you can imagine, Sandy's interest in interior design was the result of her mother's influence growing up -- plus she obviously had inherited her mother's talent. 

After she decorated her first home, the word spread and several years later, SH Designs, Inc. was born (and that was over 30 years ago.) 

Sandy's design philosophy is all about artistry and creativity -- interiors that are not carbon copies of what other designers create over and over.  She wants to turn living spaces into warm, comfortable areas with special elements that are not seen everywhere.  Here is an example of her work, which is definitely warm and inviting.   A cup of cocoa and a good book are all that are needed for a perfect afternoon.  

Careful to listen to her clients and give attention to detail,  Sandy wants to ensure that her clients are completely satisfied with the home of their dreams and will recommend her work to their friends. 

Working with clients all over the US Sandy's full service design firm specializes in residential and commercial interiors. 

"Creating a beautiful home or commerical space is to me like painting a picture," Sandy says.  "You start with a blank canvas and little by little, the picture or room starts to take life...you stand there, then turn, and walk away with a smile." 

Sandy and some of her staff joined us at our cocktail gala in April where she received recognition of her win.  A gifted and talented designer, she represents one of our many loyal Maitland-Smith authorized dealers/designers who know they can come to Maitland-Smith/La Barge to find just the perfect, unique pieces for their clients in creating the homes of their dreams.   

To see our  complete line, visit our website, www.maitland-smith.com today. 

  

Play Your Cards Right

If you play your cards right, you have a better chance to win the pot in the Texas holdem poker game with your buddies on Thursday night. 

Rather than play on any old card table, your game has to improve if you are sitting around the Maitland-Smith Texas Holdem Table, 3130-123.    The finish is Dark Antique Lido and the padded sides and chip wells are covered in brown leather.   Brass cup holders keep your favorite beverage handy.

You need a good game chair, too, so take a look at the one below, 4330-810, which swivels.  The legs are finished in Napoleon Brown with  Hemingway Black leather upholstery and brass tack accents. 

If you play your cards right, the lady of the house will be happy with this table, too.  A top can be purchased separately which can turn this card table into a dining table.  The tabletop, 1330-420, consists of six reversible pieces that attach with magnets.  One side is European walnut burl veneer, and the reverse side is leather. This table has to be considered a win-win.   This photo shows first the walnut burl side and the lower photo shows the tooled leather side.

Quality, style and functionality -- all that and more from Maitland-Smith.

To see our assortment of game tables, game chairs and accessories, visit our website, www.maitland-smith.com.