New This Week

We have some new great items in the store. A new shipment of books! Have you ever eaten at Frank Stitt's Bottega in Birmingham? It is WONDERFUL and now you can try some of his most requested dishes at home with his latest cookbook called Bottega Favorita. We love these new Tuscan look ceramics. The large persimmon colored wine bowl pictured in the center is so great for plants or for chilling bottles of wine or soft drinks. The geometric round table is distressed mango wood and features a great "X" in the center (unfortunately the photo doesn't show it, so you'll just have to come in!!)

We are so proud to feature the beautiful art work of Marilyn Sparks. She is an Atlanta artist who shows her art in some great galleries in Atlanta, Highlands and here at GH. Her barns are becoming very collectible. I love her sunflowers which I believe she often paints at her friends farm in Ellijay. She brought in some new paintings for Arts in the Park, come in and check them out.

We love these rustic and simple distressed quotation signs. There is also one that says "In the Mountains We Forget to Count the Days" Love that!!

Kelli has created another beautiful display bed! This one features Pine Cone Hill's Charlotte quilt with Madeline Gold and Ecru sheeting. Our PCH Rep was in and thought is was so pretty that she took photos to show her other stores! Way to go Kelli!

Shawn and I will be working in the store this weekend so come in and see us!

Arts In The Park!

It is a beautiful day in Blue Ridge, Georgia! Arts in the Park is going strong and really one of the best festivals ever!

There were some wonderful vendors this year. We found a couple of artists that we will be showcasing in our store soon! Watch for details.

Some of our wonderful customers ( the Mullers) enjoying beautiful downtown Blue Ridge! Come downtown, enjoy the festival and stop in and see us!! Shawn, Rebecca and I look forward to seeing you! Hope you have a relaxing and enjoyable holiday weekend. Please take time to remember and thank all of those Veterans and their families that have sacrificed for our wonderful country.

Arts In The Park Festival This Weekend

Don't forget that the 33rd Annual Arts in the Park Festival in the beautiful, historic downtown Blue Ridge City Park is this weekend. This festival has grown over the years and boasts some of the finest arts and crafts in the southeast. As in the past, all applicants for the festival will be juried in order to maintain the tradition as a premier show. The quality and diversity of the arts and crafts presented improve each year. Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24, 2009 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $ 3.00 admission under 12 Free. For More Arts in the Park Festival information, contact: Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association 706-632-2144 or email brmaa@etcmail.com . This is a wonderful festival and a great weekend to come downtown. Stop by and see us too! We will be having some great Memorial day specials.

New Chairs & Artwork Have Arrived!

Some more of our new chairs have arrived so please come in and check them out. Pictured above are some great leather club chairs with antique prayer rug seats (the seats are reversible with coordinating leather on the opposite side). We fell for these chairs for a couple of reasons...We love the combination of the textures the smooth leather with the wool rug make this chair really special. We also loved the scale, these are smaller chairs (so many leather lounge type chairs take up so much room) so they would work great in a smaller space, or I think they would look great at the foot of a bed.

You have got to come sit in these swivel chairs. The leather is unbelievable and they are so comfortable. We like that while you have the convenience of the swivel feature they don't look like a typical, old-fashioned swivel chair. Perfect for a gathering area, once you sit down you won't want to get up.

We have also received an new shipment of artwork from our recent trip to High Point so be sure to check that out as well.

Finally, thank you to everyone who made it in this weekend for our three year birthday celebration!! It was a great weekend and so good to see everyone. Thank you for the past three great years and here's to many more!!

Our Birthday Celebration Sale Starts May 15, 2009

Believe it or not we are already celebrating our third year in business! We can not begin to thank each of our loyal friends and customers enough for the last three wonderful years! But let us try...Starting May 15 through May 17, 2009 we will be having a great sale. We are talking specials on Jan Barboligo, Pine Cone Hill, Peacock Alley, Mariposa and more!!! Heck, if you come in on Saturday you may even get some birthday cake!!! Shawn, Kelli and I will be working this weekend and we can't wait to see you so please do stop in.

2010 Color and Trend Forecast

According to trend forecasters the down economy touches everything, and all agree that in these particular times it will provide some key influences on the color palettes for 2010. "Color trends are not conjured up using a crystal ball. They are the result of much observation of our surrounding natural world as well as the influences that will impact our world in the future," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. "These factors include socioeconomic issues, technology, lifestyles and playstyles, diversions, entertainment, and most
importantly, the needs, moods, fantasies and aspirations of consumers.”

While Shawn and I were in High Point for the International Home Furnishings show we found that there are four most-watched home and interior palettes for the 2010 color forecast that are said to be directly tied to how people will be weathering the tough economy. In a recent article by Lindsey Strader of Home Accents today Magazine she discusses the four palettes. The first (probably my current favorite) “Safe Haven”, focuses on playing it safe, which translates into a palette dominated mostly by neutrals. The second, “Great Escape!” delves into the idea of a total escape, glancing to the far-off exoticism of Africa, Russia and Dubai. Lustrous metallics and spicy tones populate the spectrum of this palette. The third, “Radical Rules” represents a complete backlash to the norm. This palette encourages experimentation and innovation, yielding a daring array of unexpected brights. Finally the fourth, (and Shawn’s favorite) “Natural Embrace” is an assembly of vegetable colors and earthy tones that represents the times by the turning to nature and our immediate surroundings to get by.

Palette I- Safe Haven

Leatrice Eisman, Pantone Color Institute’s executive director states “Historically, when money is tight and there is a concern for the longevity of a given color, people have a tendency to play it safe with neutrals,” that usually applies to bigger ticket items like large furnishings and carpeting, she said, but “nevertheless, neutrals will continue to be an important part of the decision-making process for items within the home.” Pantone's take on this palette is titled Tinged Neutral. The tones are considered the most directional neutrals for 2010 and include Olive Gray, Taupe Gray, Silver Gray, Charcoal Gray, Tea, Bog, Champagne Beige and Angora. “Some are tinged with green or blue, and there is, as always, a classic off-white,” Eiseman said. Neutrals also begin to venture in a new direction with touches of luster as seen with Champagne Beige, she added.

The Color Association predicts that grays will gain importance and become the neutral of the season. “There is a noticeable shift towards browns becoming more taupe with several variations appearing in the group, each containing subtle differences,” Harrington said.

The photos of the Lee chairs below are some that we just ordered at the Market in High Point. They are wonderful! Slip covered in a new neutral stonewashed linen called Belize Camel. Definitely a safe but, extremely beautiful colorway...and very comfortable!

Palette II- Great Escape!

According to her article Strader says, “The visible effects of the uncertainty of the times are also playing out in palettes that reveal the need to take a mental or physical break from the here and now. This translates into hues that breathe exoticism and luxury”.

Pantone's Gatherings palette, inspired primarily by the continent of Africa with its vastness and complexities, brings together a compilation of colors that demonstrate the uniqueness of the region, said Eiseman. The colors in the palette are reflective of the creative boldness of artifacts and handicrafts. Spicy hues such as Lemon Curry and Copper Coin mix with Cypress Green, Smoke Blue, Sand, Oasis, Lion and Twilight Mauve.

Palette III- Radical Rules


“In today's challenging economic climate you need colors and designs that are fresh and exciting to get the consumer's attention and to get them to buy,” said The Trend Curve's Michelle Lamb.”

“Innovation advances common materials with an element of fun and alternative thinking Pantone Color Institute's palette titled Pastiche is reflective of the “continuation of the irreverent direction that has been and continues to be influenced by Japanese anime — a movement that has made major inroads into the world of design and color,” said Leatrice Eiseman. Pastiche is marked by an incongruous combination of materials and colors. “This palette illustrates not only a collection of unexpected styles, but colors as well.”

Combinations such as soft lavender and Absinthe Green partner with Chipmunk Brown, or that same shade of brown can be mixed with Mimosa Yellow, Strawberry Ice and docile Little Boy Blue. The pairings are idiosyncratic with Bright Cobalt, Tangerine and Duffel Bag Gray being another option.

Some of our new Dash & Albert rugs pictured below fit this fun and exciting palette! (We now have samples of Every Dash Rug in our store! Come check them out!!)

Palette IV- Natural Embrace

“As we enter a new decade, the importance of sustainability is still at the forefront,” said The Color Association's Leslie Harrington. “The concept of eco-friendly as a trend is replaced with the belief that it is a responsibility.” Gardening has emerged as America's No.1 hobby and farmers markets and shopping at whole foods stores are gaining in popularity, Harrington said. “Organic living is critical for many and not a luxury but a must,” she said, which is having a visible impact on colors for 2010.

The Color Association forecasts vegetable colors, plant colors and soil colors to showcase Mother Nature in her full glory. “Earthy colors do not always have to directly translate into earth tones or a dull palette of color,” Harrington said. “They can in fact be colors full of life and vitality."

“The need for healthier and more artisanal foods has grown from traditional farmers markets to greenmarkets,” said Pantone's Leatrice Eiseman. “Found on country roads or urban lots, these visually appealing and taste-tempting sites invite us to stop and sample a broader and more diverse selection of goods and goodies.” Pantone's Greenmarket palette includes colors such as Tomato Puree, Vanilla Ice, Chutney, Paprika, Dijon, Apple Green, Super Lemon, Peach Blossom and Beaujolais. The colors entice and appeal to both the eyes and taste buds” Eiseman said.

I know that this is a lot of information! But I hope it provides some good food for thought to help you with your "Gracious Home"!



Links & More Info:

Pantone Home View- http://www.pantone.com/pages/products/product.aspx?pid=875&ca=4

Home Accents Today- http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/article/CA6652973.html?q=Color+forecast+2010

Happy Mother's Day!

Everyone who knows us knows how much we love our Mothers and Grandmothers! We are so fortunate to have a close relationship with our Moms and we feel extremely lucky to have been raised by such wonderful & special women! At Gatewood Hall we believe Mother's day is a pretty important holiday. So, we have some suggestions for everyone out there looking for a special surprise for their Mother!

Elizabeth W is a favorite of both of our Mothers. All of the fragrances are wonderful however, Vetiver is probably our most popular scent among everyone (men and women alike). We even had one of our regular customers (and you know who you are!) talk us into selling her a half used tester bottle of the perfume because we were expecting a shipment and she didn't want to wait for it to come in. Elizabeth W also offers bath fizzies, candles, diffusers, body lotion, hand wash, and the very popular microfiber bath pouches, all in their beautiful signature packaging.

This very special frame would make a wonderful gift for Mom! We have a few different quotes that are sure to touch Mom's heart.

Pine Cone Hill's Classic Ruffle pj's are made from indulgent, soft, 100% machine washable cotton. These classic pajamas feature fitted 3/4 sleeve top with a fancy 5/8" ruffle on sleeves and pants. Pants have elastic waist with drawstring. Available in x-small, small, medium, large and x-large. They are machine washable and we have several patterns and styles to choose from. Each of them comes with a matching fabric bag for travel...Mom will love that!

Mom will feel glorious and ultra feminine in the La Femme Stripe Chaise dress in 100% washable cotton voile, shown above. These dressing gowns from Pine Cone Hill tie in the front for easy wear and have an attached wrap-around self-belt. Three-quarter length sleeves give this dress a romantic and luxurious style. We also have some new styles of the popular and comfortable Willow Knit items that so many of our customer's rave about!

Finally, as our gift to you (and your Mom) we have a coupon above. Just print it off and bring it with you and we will take 15% off any regular priced item!! See you this weekend & Happy Mother's Day! And to our Mothers & Grandmothers, Patti, Melba, Virginia, and Margie we love you & thanks for being so special!