To our friends and associates -
At this season of the year we often reflect on events past and count our blessings, as we look forward to events of the future with hope. May 2014 be a year of prosperity, good health and wonders for us all.
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 holidays are upon us all of a sudden, it seems to me. My favorite radio station is playing holiday music, and the stores are loaded with holiday gifts and decorations. Once we get to this point, we find that the days are flying by and we have too much to accomplish in too little time. How do we get it all done to make the holidays fun and exciting? It is so easy to get caught up in the things we have to do, that we don't stop to enjoy the sights and smells and tastes that are so special this time of year. I know I am guilty.
If you are in NYC and want to slow down and get into the holiday spirit by indulging all the senses, a visit to the Holiday shop of two extraordinary people -- Celerie Kemble, interior designer, and her good friend, Bronson Van Wyck, event planner, is sure to do the trick. They teamed up this season with The Holiday Workshop at 19 East 75th Street.
It is the quintessential holiday space with tartan plaids and garlands, colors of red and green and white and metallics and gifts and beverages and home furnishings. As you know, Celerie Kemble has her own line of lighting and accessories by Maitland-Smith. Her furniture and upholstery is by our sister company, Henredon. Sure to inspire, there are treats to be found and gifts that can be purchased. Here is a photo to pique your interest.
To see more photos and read all about it, click here for the Stylebeat blog by Marissa Marcantonio, who saw it first hand.
Sometimes in the hustle and bustle, we need take the time to do what is fun and look and listen to all that the holidays bring.
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
Most of the Maitland-Smith artisan-crafted home furnishings are made in our own facility in Cebu, Philippines. As you know, the Philippines recently suffered tremendous devastation from the Typhoon Yolanda. Thankfully, the Typhoon did not cause much damage to the plant and the city of Cebu, so the people and the plant are, for the most part, safe and secure. Sadly, there are thousands who have lost loved ones, homes have been destroyed, and there is no food or clean water.
Although there may be others, we know of one of our Maitland-Smith employees in Cebu who worked with a local group to distribute water and food to those affected in other parts of the island.
Here is what she had to say:
Last Sunday, we were able to distribute food and water in Bogo, Cebu and Medellin, Cebu, concentrating on the remote barangays which are kilometers away from the highway.
Our group was able to distribute food and water to 1,150 households. At the same time, we also held a feeding program for the children.
We actually took a look at Dayhagon. It is wonderful to see the people there receiving relief goods already from other private groups. They’re much easier to reach being nearer the highway, so we just moved on.
Here are photos taken as they arrived and handed out supplies:
These smiling children greeted them.
A makeshift home.
It is amazing that so often tragedies bring out the best in people, who join hands to reach out to those affected. That has been the case in the Philippines.
Tremendous thanks go out to all those who are helping to meet the needs, and who encourage the people in the aftermath of this terrible storm.
Our parent company, Furniture Brands, will be donating funds to help in the Philippines, as well as our licensee, Celerie Kemble, who will donate royalties from sales of her products for Henredon and Maitland-Smith. The human spirit is indomitable. It is wonderful to see the smiling faces.
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
Nothing says cozy and warm like wool plaid. Perhaps it is because we grew up with wool plaid throws which came to the rescue when there was a chill in the air - at the football games to cover the knees, or to the holiday parades as we waited for Santa Claus.
Here is a wool throw from L.L.Bean.
Wool plaid in fashion comes and goes, but I am sure most of us ladies at one time in our lives, wore a wool plaid kilt with a kilt pin.
Now, according to In Style, it's back! Plaid is a 2013 fall fashion trend.
Photo by Imaxtree
Translating high fashion to home fashions, would mean wool plaid upholstery on a cozy wing chair. Maitland-Smith has two comfy chairs resplendent in wool plaid.
This handsome, classic chair has carved legs with claw and ball feet and is upholstered with colorful wool plaid as well as coordinating cognac leather.
Another cozy wing chair has a softer, muted color plaid with a taupe-colored leather and wood trim.
It's lines are straighter than the chair above, but either would look great in a library alone or a pair flanking a fireplace to add to the warmth.
As winter will soon be here - already they are predicting snow flurries here in the Piedmont of NC - grab your wool throw and pull your chair up to the fireplace - best choice, a wool plaid wing chair. A cup of hot chocolate, a crackling fire, a great novel and you are all set to enjoy being cozy and warm.
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
Ever since Pantone declared Emerald Green to be the color of the year for 2013, we have been seeing lots of green in home furnishings. With it, the bright, green opague pattern of malachite has been popping up in unexpected places.
True malachite is a copper carbonate hydroxide mineral that is found in veins and in association with copper deposits. Large quantities have been mined in Russia, and it is found worldwide -- in Africa, France, Israel, Mexico, and even the US, most notably in Arizona. Malachite has been used as a pigment in paints but now it is used primarily for jewelry and decorative purposes. To learn interesting facts about malachite, from Enchanted Gems, click here.
Generally what we see in home furnishings is not the mineral, but rather faux malachite where the patterns of malachite are painted to resemble the real thing.
At Maitland-Smith, we are no exception. We introduced a new decorative box last month at the October market with a beautiful painted malachite pattern. A custom cast brass accent adds the finishing touch.
Also new this past market are an obelisk and clock, also with a painted malachite pattern and brass accents.
The green of malachite is is eye-catching and certainly dramatic. To add a pop of green to your decor, you may wish to consider a fabulous, faux malachite accessory piece or two.
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
Fall is underway, the days are a little shorter, temperatures are cooler, and our minds move from thoughts of warm summer breezes to fall and football.
Guys particularly like to get together to cheer their teams, so friends often gather around the TV in the family room or "man cave," whatever the room may be.
A fabulous man cave is not complete without the big-screen TV for those games.
The glass on this TV cabinet is a two-way mirror. When the TV is not playing, it is a decorative mirror with black inlaid leather in the frame.
After the shouts of victory, a perfect man cave has a pool table so that the fun can continue. For an outstanding evening, there should also be a rousing foosball or table shuffleboard competition.
Maitland-Smith recently introduced two groups of leisure furnishings that complement the magnificent pool tables in the line. We have game tables and chairs, bistro tables and barstools, and bars and bar backs so that the game room can be completely furnished in great style as well as function. Be sure to look on our website for our unique foosball table (3130-160) with lion and bear players and our amazing shuffleboard table (3130-218).
This pool table is a beautiful piece of furniture with hand carving, leather pockets and inlaid mother-of-pearl and brass accents. The playing surface is the finest Simonis cloth, and can be purchased in a variety of colors.
Part of the enjoyment of a beautiful home is sharing it. When ready to outfit your perfect game room, check out all the leisure furnishings that Maitland-Smith has to offer.
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
Interior Designers in NYC - please join us today, September 19 at the What's New, What's Next event at the New York Design Center, Henredon showroom, Suite 616. The event is from 2:00 - 9:00 pm.
At 5:45, Celerie Kemble, noted interior designer and author, will be in the Henredon showroom, Suite 616, for a casual meeting and Q & A session discussing her inspiration for her beautiful new furniture and upholstery for Henredon and accessories, lighting and accent pieces for Maitland-Smith.
Here is a sampling of some of her Maitland-Smith collection:
Blue Hammer Shell Ice Bucket and Tray with Mirror Glass, Brass Accents.
White Hammer Shell Inlaid Table Lamp, Brass Accents, Hand-Sewn Silk Shade
Satina Finished Brass Bar Cart, Burnt Sugar Leather with Stitching, Inset Glass
There are lots of wonderful events scheduled throughout the day. Earlier in the day, at 3:30 Ann Maine, Editor in Chief of Traditional Home magazine will be chatting with Alexa Hampton at our sister companies' showroom, Hickory Chair - Pearson, Suite 102.
It promises to be an exciting day and evening with lots to see and hear. If you are a designer in the NYC area, you definitely don't want to miss it.
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/
If asked, most people would say when given a choice, they would prefer to purchase items of quality. This brings us to the question, "What defines quality?"
First, an item of quality would be made of the finest materials. For home furnishings, it would mean beautifully grained and exotic woods, colorful natural shells and stones, fine fabrics and leathers, and detailed brass mounts.
Seen here are the beautiful grain patterns and coloration found in mahogany wood.
This is highly figured snakeskin stone with variety of colors and visual interest.
Tiger penshell above is aptly named because of the tiger-like coloration of these mollusk shells found in the Pacific in abundance. The light and dark penshells used together create a beautiful, natural surface. Often used in lamp shades, the light diffuses through giving a warm glow.
Secondly, an item of quality would be made to exacting standards by artisan craftsman. Hand carving, hand painting, hand-inlay of leather or wood veneers and reverse painted glass are examples of time-consuming attention to detail.
Hand inlaid marquetry.
Reverse painted glass, known as eglomise.
Meticulous hand carving.
Thirdly, an item of quality is made to last, and can be handed down from one generation to the next and will stand the test of time. A classic, quality piece is timeless.
Our best-selling center table was introduced in 1999. One of our early pieces, it continues in our line because of its styling, hand carving, inlaid marquetry and gilding, and custom made brass accents.
In the throwaway mentality of the 21st century, it is important to continue to search for quality items -- Items that express your taste and style and items that will endure -- not become merely a fad to be discarded.
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
Growing up in the south, I heard them called "coffee tables." Here at Maitland-Smith they are called "cocktail tables." No matter what name we use, we mean the same item of furniture -- that must-have piece placed in front of the sofa.
Somehow a cocktail table anchors the room, providing at least one surface for books, magazines or candles in a decorative arrangement, while being functional at the same time -- living up to its name for holding a coffee cup or drink.
It is important to find just the right one based on the style and decor in the room and the needs of the family.
Seen here is a handsome rectangular tray table with a gold tooled inlaid leather top with stitched leather on iron legs and brass accents. Flowers, magazines and two decorative rhytons add the final touches that make this room come alive.
This one is square and hand carved with a dark antique lido finish and marquetry planked top.
Square or round tables work well with a sectional sofa. The shape and size of the perfect table for the room is determined by the space surrounding it.
If additional storage is needed, a trunk makes a wonderful cocktail table. This one has a leopard motif with leather and brass accents.
These present a variety of styles and materials used in creating the perfect cocktail table. So, if you are a coffee drinker and perhaps enjoy that evening cocktail, a table such as one of these placed in front of your sofa, stands ready to hold your beverage while adding beauty and style to the room.
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 Gershwin song from Porgy and Bess starts, "Summertime and the living is easy...Fish are jumping and the cotton is high..."
There is something about summer that draws us to water and, of course, the water is home to all kinds of interesting creatures, including fish.
Some of us like to wile away the hours sitting in a boat on a calm lake with a pole in hand, while others wade thigh deep into the churning surf, dodging the waves. Two opposite methods, but with the same goal - to catch a fish. Some of us prefer to catch our fish via the purchase of a gorgeous home decor accessory. (Great segue, don't you think?)
Here, a school of cast brass fish with colorful, iridescent paua shell inlay are swimming through the sea bottom kelp. The shells beautifully catch and reflect the incoming light from a nearby window.
Seen here is a new piece introduced in April - a sounding swordfish rising from the waves which rest on an optical quality glass base with brass accents. Some fishermen prefer to cast from a boat, far from shore, where they might actually see this sight. This would be the perfect gift for a deep sea fisherman.
Last is a functional piece, a cast brass tray with loads of detail. The finish is polished brass with bamboo motif handles and the fish are inlaid with paua shell and died green penshell.
A fun way to bring summer into your home all year long is with a fish motif decorative accessory. Check our website to find more water creature inspired items: whimsical turtles, crabs and other fish accessories.
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