Rumor has it....

For everything that I love about our little town of Blue Ridge there is one thing that is kind of crazy and that is the rumor mill….I guess for some rumors are just more exciting than the truth.

Let me start at the beginning.  I felt I had weathered the storm with the separation of Shawn and I last year…wow… did the rumors fly then, but we intentionally decided not to address it publicly because quite frankly it wasn’t anything interesting.  For the record Shawn is doing great.  He works with one of my vendors so we chat often and while I miss him dearly we are in a very good place.  Even though he has no ownership in Gatewood Hall Gracious Home he is very supportive. He is after all the other original creator of this business and I believe he sincerely wants to see it thrive.

So now this most recent issue…It started out so innocently.  A small space came available on Main Street, some people I know mentioned it to me, I inquired as a secondary or satellite location to help drive business to the big store...it was already leased basically the end of the story.  Let me say this, I love the West Side.  I have the most wonderful landlord, I love our space.  Great neighbors (Pat and Polina of Blue Ridge Brewery, Cindy at Design Re-Find and Linda at L&L Beanery are amazing for this town!) but in retail it is location, and one can’t help but wonder “how would I do in that other location?  Is it better?” 

All of a sudden I am bombarded with questions and comments.  “When are you moving?”, “I hate you are closing”, “I heard the business is for sale”, “I know exactly where you are moving” and my favorite “when is the big going out of business sale?”  Sad thing is being perpetuated. There are indeed a few businesses for sale on Main Street and in Blue Ridge however GATEWOOD HALL IS NOT ONE OF THEM. Furthermore… I HAVE NO INTENTION OF MOVING OR CLOSING MY BUSINESS AT THIS TIME.  (Whew!)

So here is the deal.  I’m in it!  I have never been more excited yet content (if that makes sense?).  I realize that several of you have said you never get to see me…I hate that the most.  I promise I am here, especially behind the scenes, doing all the buying, marketing, and planning.  I am in the store most weekends “holding court” as I call it because I love visiting with you…I’m usually worthless on Saturdays to the rest of the team but, I sure have a good time!  Apparently many of you are early birds and beat me in the morning so we miss each other.

Most of you know that I have a corporate position that I LOVE! (My real job, as I call it) I still maintain homes in Blue Ridge and in Atlanta.  It is busy but I enjoy both so much I’m not willing to give either up just yet… However, that is why I am so thankful for my GH team Chrissy, Val, Bonnie and Brenda for keeping it all together in my absence.  I couldn’t have better or more loyal people looking out for me, and who care about my beloved store the way that I do. 

As I continue to try and “squelch” rumors let me share this…We will be closing for a few days just to do very minor “fluffing”, paint, restaging etc.  I have a ton of new merchandise, several new lines and I am revamping a few things.  Originally my goal was to have very different things…  I am going back to the original GH model, I will cherry pick lines, buy small amounts, market samples, “one of a kind” finds, etc.  When they are gone- they are gone and we will move on to new things (I know how you all are, and you are like me- we love new stuff!) Don't worry we will still keep our favorite staples but I am buying from all over the place and searching for lines that offer protection or exclusivity. I also want to get back to the blog I promise…it means so much to me that several of you tell me you miss it!!  (Actually you have no idea! I love sharing and inspiring!) 

Finally, this was probably way too much info…but heck, I consider you family… I feel like if you took the time to read this verbose post you truly care. I want to say this... I mean, YELL this from the rooftops- THANK YOU-THANK YOU- THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for supporting me and Gatewood Hall.  Your loyalty is not taken lightly.  I know that oftentimes you can go online or even somewhere else to purchase things that you choose to buy from me and I appreciate it more than you know.  I always enjoy hearing from you so I welcome your comments and suggestions.  See a line that you love? As long as it is not already in Blue Ridge let me know.  I'll check it out.  Let’s just continue to have fun while being so blessed to be enjoying our little part of heaven in the North Georgia Mountains!

Our Field Trip To The Cashiers Designer Showhouse

Yesterday Shawn and I took our annual field trip to check out the 14th Annual Cashiers Designer Showhouse sponsored by the Historical Society in Cashiers, North Carolina. We love to visit the Highlands and Cashiers area, visit some of our favorite shops and we usually grab a delicious southern family style feast at the Dillard House.

This years showhouse called "Reflections" is an older log home built in 1967 from logs reclaimed from Tennessee Valley Authority construction sites, a second wing was added later in 1971. (I love it when they choose to decorate an older home, that is always a little more of a challenge and often requires a lot of creativity.) The forty-two acres that the property sits on is absolutely beautiful!! This years designers did a wonderful job and we would encourage you to treat yourself and make a road trip to check it out.

The stone terrace entrance was designed by James Farmer, it was lovely. In the photo above I love the color story cleverly tied together with the large bowl of heirloom tomatoes. (We also love James' beautiful new book "A Time To Plant" check it out next time you are in the store)

This was one of my favorite rooms, the Writers Retreat designed by Barbara Heath of The Mercantile in Atlanta it was such wonderful, calm room. (If you've never been to The Mercantile you should go, Barbara is the owner and her store is really fabulous!)

This is a view of the Shawn's favorite room the Lounging Porch designed by Francie Hargrove. It was so inviting, you actually felt like lounging here. The tall, stone fireplace and long drapery panels were so dramatic!

The dining table on the lounging porch was stunning, Hargove used beautiful, horn handled cutlery, and some gorgeous Jan Barboligio candelabras.

The library designed by Lynn Monday was such a cozy space, I love that she used such beautiful contemporary pieces to incorporate in a very rustic setting to create such a beautiful design. I also love the symmetry of this room.

Notice the unusual bookshelves, everyone can use some of these techniques like hanging art or even stag horns, and groups of books along with special objects to create visual interest on their own built-ins.

Of course Shawn enjoyed the many gardens and sitting areas. We thought the Adirondack wood furniture here was wonderful!

You really should go and check out this beautiful showhouse! For more info visit their website at www.cashiershistoricalsociety.org/about/cashiers-designer-showhouse/hile We so enjoy visiting the beautiful North Carolina Highlands area...But when we arrived home last night we took some friends out on our boat on Lake Blue Ridge and there is something really special about a Blue Ridge, Georgia sunset!!

Summer Entertaining is Simple With a Well-Stocked Summer Pantry

It seems like during the summer unexpected guests can drop in at anytime, but that doesn't have to catch you unprepared. The key to successful entertaining on the fly is the idea behind the Gatewood Hall properly stocked “Summer Pantry”. Below is an extensive list of items a gracious host or hostess could keep on hand. Please don’t be overwhelmed. Rather than store them all just select a few that suit your tastes. Pick items that you love and that are versatile (for your needs) and then keep them in supply. Convenience products are not all the same. I have a few of my favorites to keep in the pantry and freezer during the summer for last-minute appetizers, snacks, quick meals or to dress up leftovers. I will share those with you over the next few weeks.

As I have mentioned, I believe the key to the successful Summer Pantry is to stock up on versatile, shelf-stable ingredients so you can knock out a tray of hors d'oeuvres at a moment's notice.

Must-have options for the cupboard:
o A good quality mild cracker or crisp bread
o Cheese straws- (A true southern expectation. There are so many great store-bought versions there is no need to make them, most are foil sealed which gives them a long shelf life, or you can even freeze them.)
o Pickled veggies— For serving as antipasto or garnishing a Bloody Mary or Martini
o Canned dolmades- (stuffed grape leaves), a Greek treat stuffed with rice.
o Jarred roasted red peppers or sun-dried tomatoes— Items like these plus a little fresh garlic dress up a jarred pasta sauce, or can be used atop crackers in hors d'oeuvres
o Jarred pesto- Spread it on crackers or slices of crusty bread. (Pesto just tastes like summer to me and while I love to make it from scratch there are so many great jarred versions you can’t go wrong.)
o Nuts- Pistachios, smoked, mixed- (My favorite is Marcona almonds from Spain. They are sold at many specialty stores, but the best buy is from Costco. Marcona almonds are flat and crunchy, and have a more delicate flavor than American almonds. They're simple, classic, satisfying and healthy too.)
o Stuffed olives— keep a few jarred or canned varieties on hand, preferably good quality ones with a twist such as stuffed with garlic, jalapeno, or even almonds. (Sometimes I’ll buy a mixed jar of olives, drain and refill with a hearty red wine, but be sure to refrigerate if you do this)
o Unique or special salsa- (I usually keep a regional peach or fruit version and a great traditional flavor)
o Olive tapenade
o Jarred eggplant appetizer
o Wonderful fruit jam or chutney

o Good local honey
o Really great mustard
o Your favorite mayo (you can add things to it to make it a great spread)
o Dry salami, pepperoni or other cured meat
o A can of quality Italian tuna in oil for sauces or topping salads and crackers- (Truthfully I never keep this on hand this but I have a friend who swears by it!)

Beverages

o Champagne or Prosecco— Serve alone in the evening or mix with juice and garnish with a strawberry for mimosas at brunch
o Sparkling water
o Soda
o Beer
o Red wine
o White wine

Seasonings, Stocks & Spices

o Extra virgin olive oil
o Balsamic vinegar and a flavored dipping oil- (like garlic, basil, or lemon)
o Sea salts ( I love the flavored versions like lavender or citrus)
o Chicken, Beef & Vegetable stock
o Garlic powder- (I prefer the jarred crushed garlic)
o Canned Italian tomatoes and paste (I love good canned tomatoes!)
o A good pre-made canned sauce (You can add some spices to give them a bit of flare. Without question an unusual pasta and a jar of sauce + added fresh garlic and herbs to brighten the flavors create a no-fuss dinner.)

Rice & Pastas
Boil, drain and pour your favorite sauce and you are good to go.

o Arborio ( aka: Risotto)
o A couple varieties of pastas (I like the idea of Penne, Linguini and Tri-colored Fusili)
o Jasmine or Brown Rice

Crusts, Bread & Shells in the Freezer
These are great to have in the freezer. Just thaw and fill with just about anything for a last minute appetizer or dessert.

o Frozen puff pastry
o French Baguette
o Ready-made pizza dough
o Pie crusts

Cheese in the Fridge
Most cheeses last for a really long time in the fridge, and can be a valuable addition to your Summer Pantry

o Cream cheese
o Goat cheese
o Wedge of Cheddar
o Chunk of Parmigiano- Reggiano
o Brie

Desserts

o Vanilla ice cream (a really good one, I prefer good ole Hagen Daz)
o Cookies (I have a friend who makes a big batch of their favorite cookie dough and freezes them for an easy quick sweet end of a meal sometimes they make ice cream sandwiches. Take your favorite cookie, put a spoonful of ice cream and top with another cookie. Keep in the freezer until you are ready to serve. A simple & fun treat!)
o Pound cake
o Frozen fruit
o Chocolate or Caramel (I love a really great jarred chocolate or caramel sauce, in the summer there is something about a really great sundae or ripe fresh fruit dipped in chocolate or caramel simple yet decadent!)

Miscellaneous Items
o Beautiful or fun paper napkins & plates
o Easy melamine plates, trays and service ware
o Nice looking tooth picks & bamboo skewers

You don't want to be caught with nothing to serve when people drop by and your well-stocked Summer Pantry (and freezer) will ensure that you always have fun, party food available without much prep required. I will spotlight some of my favorite products, where to get them and what to do with them over the next few weeks. I know we have some really great entertaining friends out there…Have I missed something that you love to keep in your Summer Pantry? Please share your ideas! I love hearing from you!

Happy & Gracious Summer Entertaining!

Corky

Cookin Chicks Comes to Blue Ridge!

We have a new business here Blue Ridge that has a concept that we just love! Let us introduce you to "Cookin' Chicks", they offer wonderful homemade meals without the hassle. Two self-described "Soccer Moms" said to themselves...just how many times can you go to the drive thru? They recognized that nearly everyone wants to be able to offer their family a nice homecooked meal, but the reality for many is that our busy, hectic and real world lives makes that goal nearly impossible.

The Cookin Chicks (pictured above) Nicole Hamilton Honeycutt and Kathryn Learn Harris have opened at 2460 East First Street Space C-6 Blue Ridge, (behind Taste of Amish).

Let Kathryn and Nicole do the shopping, chopping and cooking for you. Their meals make great gifts for a new neighbor, a friend with a new baby, or even a pot luck supper. They make a homemade meal ready to pop in the oven. The dinners include a main dish, a side dish and dessert that comes packaged (see above...how cute is that) and ready for you to pick up!

An example of one of their delicious meals above, creamy chicken and wild rice, fresh salad with poppy seed dressing, and classic chocolate brownies...YUM! Currently their hours are Tuesday and Thursday 3:3o to 6:00PM, you can check out their FaceBook page for upcoming menus http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cookin-Chicks/188819031145143 , you can call (706-455-0235) or email (cookinchicks@yahoo.com) them to pre-order your supper!! Dinners are available for two, four or six people with prices from $15 to $35. We can't wait to try their meals out and hope you will also, tell them Corky & Shawn sent you!

Are You Ready for Valentines Day?

O.k. Cupid, It might seem early but Valentines Day is just around the corner are you ready? Don't worry, at Gatewood Hall we can help, we have some great gift ideas and inspiration for your special someone!

Just in from the winter market is Votivo's newest fragrance, the Rush Of Rose candle. Perfect for Valentines Day this candle is an explosion of fresh, green Damascus Rose buds, surrounded by light, watery notes and soft woods that bring a youthful revitalization to the Classical Rose of yesterday. We love it because it is so fresh and not too sweet because of the wood undertones!

We have great napkin box with frivolous heart weight sets by Mariposa. The Jan Barboligo rustic heart-shaped collector wine cork is a perfect gift for him!

How about a romantic table set for two with Juliska dinnerware? For inspiration check out our display table in the store. Shown above we used the the King and Queen of hearts tied with a lovely red ribbon as our napkin ring & place card. We filled vases with conversation heart candies and tea light candles. A red organza runner, old fashioned, heart-shaped paper doilies, and red glitter hearts finish our look!

The special little cornerstone tray by Juliska was such a hit last year that we brought it back. Beautifully gift boxed, it is inscribed on the back with "Love Conquers All" making it a really special memento. We can just imagine it on a bedside table as a place to put your rings for a daily reminder of a special love.

We also have vintage-look valentine cards, "Be Mine" hand towel sets, beautiful Caspari napkins, music cd's with romantic standards, heart-shaped frames, great gift books and some really fun valentine serving plates and bowls.

More traditional and romantic? How about a piece of jewelry from Waxing Poetic, Belouise, Lenny & Eva or Silver Seasons? Let us help you put a wonderful gift basket with French and Italian shaving products for him. How about a "pamper yourself" luxurious bath and body basket for her. None of those ideas strike a chord? A beautifully gift wrapped Gatewood Hall Gracious Home Gift certificate is always a hit!! Come in and let us help you with the perfect surprise for your special Valentine or heck a little something for yourself...Indulge a little! See you soon!

Happy New Year from Gatewood Hall Gracious Home!

I always love the start of a new year! While I am not big on "resolutions" I feel it is important to reflect back on the previous year, make plans and set goals for the new year. What a year this has been!! This time last year we were planning and organizing our move, so it's hard to believe that we have already been in our new location for nearly nine months.

Shawn and I want to take this time to give some thanks for what has been a very great year for our beloved little store.

First, we want to thank our families! Especially our parents who have been some of our biggest believers, they saw the Gatewood Hall Gracious Home that we dreamed of and they helped us with physical, and loving, emotional support to get us open in our new location. Another part of our family that we are extremely thankful for is our GH Team, Becky, Brenda and our honorary team member Layne Prather who have worked so hard in making GH2.0 successful.

We also have had great support from some vendors and vendors representatives. While we have a few great reps there are two that have been with us since the very beginning, who have protected us, and helped us so much along the way that we have come to think of them as dear friends...Jill Collson and Anne Jarboe thank you for being AWESOME Reps and wonderful friends too! We appreciate you more than you know!

Finally, we owe thanks to you, our loyal customers. Thank you for following us to our new location, thank you for telling your families and friends about us, and thank you for buying from us. We never forget that you always have the opportunity to shop at other stores, or even online yet, you choose to visit us and buy from us and for that we are very, very grateful. Because of you not only are we able to follow our passion and have our store but we have won awards, been recognized by our peers and been able to make local charitable contributions to Paws in the Park/Blue Ridge Humane Society, Light Up Blue Ridge, Project Open Arms, the Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association, and The Sunny D Children's theater.

We look forward to what 2011 brings. We are excited and committed to be the first to bring you new and unique product lines that you will not find anywhere else in our market. We promise to continue to look at trends and for new ways to inspire you in your decor and gracious lifestyle. We will continue to look for great quality and well priced items for you and your home. And we will make sure to have more fun events like block parties, trunk shows and celebrations...really just any reason for us to gather together and enjoy ourselves in beautiful Blue Ridge, Georgia!

HAPPY NEW YEAR & THANK YOU!

Sincerely,

Corky & Shawn

Bienvenue à la maison Shawn! All Is Forgiven.

Shawn is home from Europe! In light of today's heightened security threat level seems like timing couldn't be better. He told me that he had a great time and while he thoroughly enjoyed the trip he is happy to be back home. He loved the "Shawn's Away Sale" because he is inspired from his travels and ready to go to the International Home Furnishings Market in a couple of weeks and find more new and wonderful things for Gatewood Hall Gracious Home!

Of course I have enjoyed playing the martyr but truth be known I was all for Shawn taking this trip, it just wasn't a good time for me to go. But let me add this...when he returned with several of my favorite French shelter magazines, gorgeous, fresh macaroons from Ladurée- Paris (that he had picked up on his way to the airport) along with my favorite tea and a tin of shortbread from Harrods in London all was definitely forgiven.

If you have never had a French macaroon you are missing out. Not to be confused by our American coconut version the French version is actually small, round cakes, crisp on the outside, smooth and soft in the middle, and they are made every morning in Ladurée’s "laboratory". With each new season, Ladurée pays tribute to this its most famous creation by creating a new flavor. We are talking flavors like Chocolate, Vanilla, Coffee, Rose, Pistachio (one of my favorites), Raspberry (Shawn's favorite), Blackcurrant Violet, Caramel with salted butter, Red Fruits, Orange Blossom, Liquorice, Lemon and Ginger. They are sooooo delicious and I think Ladurée’s are the best. www.laduree.fr/

Today I enjoyed the beautiful Autumn weather, had tea and cookies while I read (well looked at the pictures) in my new French Magazines (HEAVEN!!). Thank you Shawn and bienvenue à la maison (Welcome Home!). I will share some inspiration from these mags in a future posting. Have a great week!

The Cashiers Showhouse

This past weekend Shawn and I took off to Highlands and Cashiers, North Carolina. We were invited by our friends at Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Magazine to visit the Thirteenth Annual Cashiers Historical Society Showhouse. The 3+ Million dollar showhome is located in the Wade Hampton golf community and boasts some wonderful area designers.

I wish I had a better photo of this room (below) it was one of my favorites by Suzanne Kasler. Through this window is a picture perfect view of Whiteside mountain...the builder absolutely "nailed" the home's location selecting the perfect site on the lot. When you walk into the foyer you can only say WOW to see this amazing view framed by Suzanne's clean, yet inviting design. The showhouse ends soon if you can make the trip it is worth it, and the proceeds help support this wonderful organization. (Tickets are $25)

We were very fortunate because the weather was perfect. We visited some great shops in both Cashiers and Highlands. Sadly one of our favorite places Dovetail Antiques was closed but we were able to check out another favorite, Summer House and it was as fabulous as ever!

If you have never been to the Old Edwards Inn you are really missing out. The Inn is beautiful, the courtyard is so cozy and the food is delicious. We didn't have time to enjoy any Spa services but we hear that they are wonderful.

We love the wine garden patio! We had some wonderful gastro-treats like their housemade pimento cheese with spicy flatbread crackers, and a very unusual, yet delicious charcuterie plate that included a duck prosciutto and smoked salmon! My favorite sandwich is their grilled chicken with melted brie, applewood smoked bacon on this fantastic roll...YUM! Shawn is crazy about their burgers! Really...we love everything about the Old Edwards Inn, they know how to do it right! And you know us we absolutely love the details and boy do they watch the details from the complementary truffle-seasoned popcorn in the garden to the Frette linen napkins right down to the meticulous landscaping and grounds you won't want to leave!

While we did have a wonderful time as always it was great to get back home to our beloved and laid back Blue Ridge!

Mother's Day Is Almost Here!!

Mother's day is nearly here and we have some great gifts for her at Gatewood Hall Gracious Home!

How about a great pink bag designed in Paris? We have some very well-priced bags that she will love!

Jewelry??? A silhouette charm from Waxing Poetic makes a personal and special gift. We also have some wonderful sterling silver key charms by Pure Sanctuary. We have lots and lots of great things for that special lady in your life! Come in and see us!

It's Market Time Again!

It's that time again! Shawn and I are in High Point, North Carolina for the Spring International Furniture Market. Market actually starts tomorrow however a couple of our vendors invited us to come in early for a preview of some of their items. WOW, we have already found some cool stuff. I love the finds that one vendor in particular has and what I love the most is that we get to take them with us (I love immediate gratification!!) So we loaded up the GH Van and will have them on the floor very soon.

We are so very fortunate, as both of our families live in the area we get to enjoy a nice visit with loved ones also. I was able to spend some time with my very special grandmother, and had dinner with my parents, brother, sister-in-law and my fabulous niece and nephew (who was awarded today with A/B honor roll and perfect attendance for the second quarter in a row...I'm so proud of him! GO HUNTER!!) Shawn went to visit his parents and had dinner with them. We are already worn out!!

Tomorrow we will start early with appointments. We will find some more wonderful, new things for you. While we are away Brenda and our newest team member Becky will be holding the store down. We are thrilled that Becky has joined our team, she has some wonderful experience that be a great addition to Gatewood Hall. Please come in and introduce yourself to Becky this weekend.

The photos are from today at one of our stops...cool vintage and reproduction pieces. Have a great weekend!

PS- No, I haven't forgotten about the exciting new announcement, we can't announce it just yet, we will soon I promise.

Have a great weekend!

What An Exciting Week!! THANK YOU!

What a great and exciting week! We have been so overwhelmed by everyone's gracious and kind response to our new store. The support that our families, clients, friends and team have shown to us over the last few months has been appreciated more than you know. The old saying that "it takes a village" has never been more true. Both Shawn and I want to say thanks to some people who helped us to get through the ups and downs of this move.

First to our families, as many of you know Shawn's mom and dad came down a few times and helped us for days. My dad came from North Carolina with one of his good friends and brought a crew of nine that helped get a ton of things done. All along my mom was there to listen and encourage us to push on through some of the drama and obstacles that we faced with the move and build out. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, Bunky, Virgina, Larry, and Patti! We love you and appreciate your support

Thanks to our clients, it never ceased to amaze us that just when we had nearly reached our wits end we'd run into one of you who would say something kind, you'd be excited for us, and as they say enthusiasm is contagious and we'd push on!

Thanks to our friends yes "we got by with a little help from our friends!" Especially Layne Prather... YOU ROCK! You were like a guardian angel, from packing, moving, directing, and cleaning you helped us so much that we just can't thank you enough.

To our GH team- Frank (our newest buddy), Carlos, Brenda and Kelli- THANK YOU! We really appreciate your hard work, your patience for putting up with us and helping us with the creative design vision that Shawn and I had for Gatewood Hall.

We have some bittersweet news. You may have heard that Kelli Luaces is no longer with us. We guess it is sort of like being proud parents to be able to say that after 2 1/2 years of our training and working with Kelli she's grown...she has been offered and accepted an exciting position as the creative director of Petaluma Collective, an intresting new concept that will be opening soon here in Blue Ridge. We wish her well and the best of luck in her new role. With that said we are happy to say that we have nearly finalized the hiring of our two new team members that we will tell you more about a little later!

Finally, we are about to go crazy to let you know about the most exciting, happy news that we received this week. But we can't just yet...Stay tuned for our big proud announcement!

Come see us this weekend we have received some great new items...Be sure to check out Lenny and Eva! It's an awesome new jewelry line exclusive to Gatewood Hall. You'll just love it!

See you soon!

Corky & Shawn

What's Happening With The New Space?

So many folks have been requesting an update on our new space...So let's start here...Have you ever had those times when you wake up so excited that you can't sleep, like it is Christmas morning or your Birthday (when your were a kid)? and then you jump up to get going and it seems like, things don't turn out exactly as you planned and in disappointment you ask yourself..."What was I thinking?" And then just when you are ready to throw your hands in the air and give up, something wonderful happens and you are back to being thrilled and excited again? Well...welcome to our world. As with any renovation or build-out it has been a series of ups and downs. Fortunately there have been no biggies, it's more of a situation of a lack of patience for both of us. Most of the time (at least 99%) we are that excited kid, we are ready to get in and start decorating and putting our new merchandise out so we can have you over. Then there is the other 1% when we are tired, overwhelmed and ready to kill each other, when it feels like one of those days when nothing happens and we ask ourselves "what were we thinking?".

Truthfully one of our biggest drives comes from you! We can't thank you enough for your enthusiasm. A day hasn't passed when one of you hasn't said something like "oh I am so excited to see what you do with that space" or "I think your new location is going to be great, it will be so convenient" or our favorite "When are you going to open in that new space?...I can't wait!".

I am happy to report that we are making progress! We feel that as of today we are on schedule (uh oh...I said it out loud so knock wood, say prayers, etc.) Most importantly we can't wait to be finished so we can have you over! As always thank you, thank you, thank you for your support. We have included some "before" interior shots for those of you who have never been in the old post office.

In the meantime we are making way for our new stuff. We are continuing our sale, we've been calling the sales by many different names but we really should just tell the truth it's the "We don't want to move it sale". This weekend we have savings from 15% to 50% so come in and grab some really good deals!

Blog Reader Special: Print this post and bring it in today (01/23/2010) and take 20% off any regular priced, in-stock item of your choice!!

Pantone Unveils Color of The Year 2010

As part of our passion for for what we do we love to follow design and color trends, especially this time of year. This press release is very recent and names Turquoise as the 2010 color of the year. Typically after these type of announcements we in turn see tons of merchandise in this colorway...We just returned from the Atlanta Market and we saw some wonderful fabrics and great accessories utilizing the beautiful blue green tone but it really didn't seem overwhelming. Remember this unveiling also applies to fashion as well as home decorating. As with all trends you will always hear Shawn and I say "stay away from trendy"...that is unless Turquoise happens to be your favorite color then we say go for it! Our suggestion is that if you decide to tag onto a "trend" like this color, then use it as an accent. Believe us when we say a little Turquoise goes a long way when used appropriately. Start watching around to see how much of this color you start noticing. The other color to watch is Purple (in all different shades). We saw alot of purple at this last market. Happy decorating & enjoy the article!

Pantone Unveils Color of the Year for 2010:
PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise

Turquoise Transports Us to an Exciting, Tropical Paradise While Offering a Sense of Protection and Healing in Stressful Times

CARLSTADT, N.J -Pantone LLC, an X-Rite company (NASDAQ: XRIT), and the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, today announced PANTONE® 15-5519 Turquoise, an inviting, luminous hue, as the color of the year for 2010. Combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, Turquoise evokes thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a languorous, effective escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of well being.

“In many cultures, Turquoise occupies a very special position in the world of color,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “It is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that Turquoise represents an escape to many – taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting, even if only a fantasy.”

Whether envisioned as a tranquil ocean surrounding a tropical island or a protective stone warding off evil spirits, Turquoise is a color that most people respond to positively. It is universally flattering, has appeal for men and women, and translates easily to fashion and interiors. With both warm and cool undertones, Turquoise pairs nicely with any other color in the spectrum. Turquoise adds a splash of excitement to neutrals and browns, complements reds and pinks, creates a classic maritime look with deep blues, livens up all other greens, and is especially trend-setting with yellow-greens.

In fashion, Turquoise makes a statement that can look elegant and dressy in fine silk and gemstones, or casual and fun in cotton and athletic apparel. Because of its versatility, Turquoise is a great accent color in jewelry, purses, shoes, hair accessories and even nail polish for women, and ties, shirts and sportswear for men.

For brides wanting a flattering choice for attendant apparel and accessories on their big day, Turquoise is now one of the nearly 200 PANTONE WEDDING Colors available from Dessy, a leading manufacturer of bridesmaid, social occasion and flower girl dresses, as well as destination wedding gowns under the labels Dessy Collection, After Six, Alfred Sung, Lela Rose Bridesmaid and Sandals Destination Wedding Dresses. PANTONE WEDDING exclusively from Dessy provides a collection of color tools to make it easy for brides to achieve perfectly color-coordinated weddings – from inspiration to “I do.”

Additionally, Turquoise is one of 3,000 colors available in Pantone’s line of superior-quality, eco-friendly paint. PANTONE Paints combine the accuracy of PANTONE Colors with the beauty of high-performance Dutch paints. Perfect for a powder room or bedroom, Turquoise is an evocative, spa-like hue that adds an undertone of warmth and excitement to any cool space. In the kitchen, Turquoise adds a unique flare to tabletop and appliances.

We Appreciate You! Thank You for Supporting Us!

The 3/50 Project is one that we have supported for awhile now. Many of you have heard about it and discussed it with Shawn and I. For those of you who haven't please take a few minutes to read the press release below about the project's founder Cinda Baxter. One of my best friends Stan, in North Carolina sent this to me and suggested that I share it with you (by the way he is is not a retailer just a supporter of small businesses.)

We thought it was an appropriate time to say THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR SUPPORTING US! If we don't say it enough we really appreciate your business. We know that you could make your purchases at some large chain store or "back home" where some of you maintain a primary residence but instead, you wait and shop with us in downtown Blue Ridge and for that we THANK YOU! We are so passionate about what we do and we realize that without you we wouldn't have the opportunity to do it. We are excited about our future and our goal is to continue to bring you wonderful and unusual new merchandise while providing the best service possible...All while having great fun with you- our customers, our friends! Thanks for helping us to live our dream.

Former Retailer Provides Her Own Economic Stimulus Plan for Main Street

The 3/50 Project unites small business and consumers in stabilizing their local economy Minneapolis, MN, March 19, 2009 — Having been an independent stationery store owner for fourteen years, Cinda Baxter understood the pain felt by retailers when the economy sank and consumers held back. What began as an economic downturn in the autumn had become a psychological tsunami by March 1st.

What the country needed, in her opinion, was a meeting of the minds between two groups that held valuable stakes in the game—small business owners and members of their communities. Enter The 3/50 Project. With a tag line “Save your local economy three stores at a time,” the Project’s goal is to promote shopping in locally owned businesses while thanking customers for the positive impact that decision has on a local economy.

“We’re constantly inundated with doom and gloom,” says Baxter, now a retail consultant and professional speaker. “The system is broken, the banks are frozen, the economy is bleeding. That’s all we hear. The images painted by the media are ghastly and devoid of hope. What we need—what we crave—as a nation is to pinpoint areas where positive change can occur, then feel good about having promoted them.”

By early March, she’d decided enough was enough, and that it was time to give retailers ammunition to fight back with. Rather than get tangled in complex messaging and deployment, Baxter combined a straightforward theme, a free flyer, and her blog as the mechanism to launch The 3/50 Project.

“We ask consumers to think about which three stores they’d miss if they disappeared, then remind them to return there,” explains Baxter. “Shoppers have become so rooted in thinking about the essentials that they’ve forgotten about the little gift store on the corner whose owner remembers their name.”

“Fifty comes from the idea that if even half the employed population spent a mere $50 per month in locally owned retail stores, those purchases would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue,” she continues. “That’s a huge impact for a relatively small investment.” Which leads to a third number on the flyer, sixty-eight—the dollar amount that remains in a community’s economy for every $100 spent in locally owned stores. By contrast, only $43 per one hundred remains local when spent in national chains; little or no revenue results from online purchases.

“In essence, the whole thing boils down to Pick 3, spend 50, save the economy. It’s really that simple.”

Since ease of use was key to store owners jumping on board, Baxter designed a free flyer for participants to download, print on any color printer, then hand to consumers with their purchases. “The idea is to look customers in the eye, put this right in their hands, and say ʻthank you for shopping in a locally owned storeʼ rather than just pop these in the bottom of a bag and hope someone sees them.”

Within 24 hours of providing the link on her blog, things began to light up. Retailers were sharing the flyer with other businesses. Property managers were spreading the news to tenants. Thank you notes were arriving via email every hour. Trade publications and blogs were asking about guest posts and columns promoting the plan, and a movie theater requested a copy large enough to display on their screens for waiting audiences to view. “The best part about 3/50 is that it’s so down to earth, so straightforward, so accessible,” reflects the enthusiastic champion of independent retailers. “This is a labor of love that store owners and customers can share.”

Given the level of interest, a dedicated website has been established to promote the movement, link to the free flyer, and list participating retailers and other supporters. It can be found at http://the350project.net/.

High Point Furniture Market

We are back from the International Home Furnishings show in High Point, North Carolina. The building above is only one of many, many buildings that houses furniture, lamps, art work and accessories to be sold to the trade. Being North Carolina natives Shawn and I have gone to "Market" several times but everytime is different, it is always so exciting, overwhelming and exhausting. I took a couple days vacation from my corporate job and we took advantage of the time to be able to squeeze in some family time while we were in NC. At this market the turnout was noticeably lower than those of previous years but our vendors reported that the folks that were there were buying...And hello that includes us! We found some great new items. We went early because one of our vendors invited us to his 10,000+ square foot warehouse. He had some great vintage items, some wonderful European antiques as well as some newer "industrial" looking furniture pieces. We ordered some great items and even bought some things right off the floor, loaded them into the van and brought them back with us. You will be able to check them out this weekend.
We love these vintage wine bottles. Recently we had one wired as a lamp for a client and it was stunning!

We have had other industrial coffee tables but this is a new version. We felt that the metal mesh drawers were not just great looking but practical as well. This table would look wonderful in a cabin!

These vintage glove forms are great conversation pieces. We thought it might be interesting to mount one to a wall in the bathroom and drape towels over it!

This metal and copper lamp would look great in a urban loft or rustic cabin. We brought in the table size but it also comes in a great tall floor lamp.

I will share some color trend information from the show as well as some more items that we purchased in future posts so be sure to check back every so often. Shawn and I will be working this weekend so please stop in and see us.