Tiff's Charlotte Discoveries: B.D. Jeffries

Okay...maybe I should call it "Find of the Month" since I have been a little out of the blogging scene lately. I took a little hiatus but I am slowly getting back to design. The latest store that I have felt is post-worthy is a shop in Southpark called B.D. Jeffries. I love this store, and can't wait to get back there and look again.

This store is a second location for B.D.Jeffries. The first being in Atlanta, Georgia. The merchandise is a mix of high end casegoods and upholstered pieces, tons of tableware and accessories, a great selection of design books and even some women's and men's fashion accessories. The style is a nice mix of antique pieces from all over Europe in addition to some more streamlined pieces and transitional design. I think anyone could walk in and find something to furnish their home in here. (Maybe not ultra ultra modern, yet a hurricane could be placed anywhere right?)

I really love how the store was designed and merchandised. As one walks through the doors, the first room is like a cozy sun-room or portico, beautifully painted and serene. I love the detailed niches on the walls. You don't feel  like you are in a shopping center, even a high end one. I really felt like I was back in Malibu. The next few steps in, one reaches the body of the store. High ceilings painted a dark black or brown give real height to the space, and architecturally placed trusses, with an old world feel,  move throughout the showroom separating each set up.

One side of the room has primarily tableware displays, gorgeous plates for reasonable prices (in my opinion). There are a lot of extra accessories for entertaining.

I also love how they interspersed design books within the space as well. It really makes you want to pick each one up and read them on the spot. If you are looking for table set up ideas or at least finding the right napkins or holder, there is a special vestibule just for this.

While moving into the back portion of the space, the design morphs into a English Hunting Lodge of sorts, packed with gorgeous artwork, masculline accessories and a beautiful fireplace (not working, but gives you the effect).

A clever storage space in the wall reveals men's belts. I thought this was a genius idea.

There was even a section set aside for your favorite pooch. And, if you are a collector of cuff links, they had a whole case of them.

Circling my way back around to the front of the store, I found another set up, to me resembling the beachy showrooms I mentioned that reminded me of Malibu. Warm and creamy, relaxed but chic with another beautiful fireplace setting. There were cubbies with additional decor items, pillows and frames.

Of course, I always find something I can't leave without.  I fell in love with these Karakusa dishware. Karakusa means winding vine or grass in Japanese. I love the color, their organic shape and the brown rim of these ceramic bowls and plates. Best of all, they are really quite affordable. I am sorry to say I did refrain myself from purchasing these beauties, but they have been put on the wish list!

Overall, this design boutique is a winner in my point of view. They also can provide interior design services, so this is a one stop shop for the busy consumer who wants it all done in one place. The manager mentioned they will provide tear sheets as well for many of their case goods and upholstered pieces. They also said that the store will be on Facebook soon, so all the updates on the store will be at your fingertips. Located in the Morrison shopping center, this showroom should be on your next "to do" list.

Tiff's Charlotte Discoveries: Sleepy Poet Antique Mall

It has been my goal since we moved to Charlotte to check out different design spots to familiarize myself with what this city has to offer. This week was filled with lots of exploration. It was pretty hard to narrow my ultimate pick, so I am sharing 3 great finds with all of you. Each place was different and delightful with a mix of high and low end goods.

My first stop was at the Sleepy Poet, which is located in the South End. Tucked away off a busy industrial like street, this antique emporium is a gold mine. There is a lot to look at, so devote a good chunk of time for roaming around. The people working there are extremely friendly. Even if you are not looking for anything in particular, this a great place to enjoy an afternoon. Very therapeutic. A friend of mine (Shout out to Kristen) who is having a baby, was looking for a dresser to put in a guest room which could be used in a nursery at some point, so we were keeping our eyes open for the perfect size, style, and price of course. I was easily distracted by all the Asian antiques, and have put a few things on my wish list (a long Asian style bench for the foot of my bed, two black end tables for my guest room, and a beautiful buffet for the dining room). Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures of these items. (what was I thinking???) However, I did take some pics of some other great finds that I got a kick out of .

I love this ceramic lamp. The shade is great with the black rubbing.

I thought these candlesticks were great. If I had bought them I may have painted them another color, but I loved the chinese cutout design. This vendor is called Bamboo, a young woman from Palm Beach owns this booth. Great stuff.

These vintage prints were a little crazy, but I really like them. The pair of them were $34.00. Wish I got them now.

These side tables had an amazing shape, the finish was nice and I could see mixing them with a lot of different styles. If you look closely, you can see that they have planters in them, that could be really fun!

Ultimately my friend did not find the dresser, but will be back again to see if she'll get lucky and find the perfect piece. I think it's definitely possible here. As for me....of all the things that caught my eye, the item I ended up purchasing was a little black stand for 12 bucks for my one "happy" Buddha in the house. Now, he's really happy.                                                                                 

My second stop this week was in Cotswold. I hadn't even been to this part of Charlotte, so I was glad that my first experience in this part of town was so wonderful. I had noticed in the paper that Cotswold Marketplace had expanded their store, and I really wanted to check out what they had. This is a space I would take a client to, if they were looking for interesting, one of a kind pieces. It's definitely on the high end, pillows were in the $200.00 and up range. It depended on which section you were looking at. I found some interesting pieces of art with nests and eggs, which seem to be a reoccurring theme wherever I go (me thinks I need to design a nursery based on this theme)

These photos don't do the artwork justice. There is a lot of textures and they are framed beautifully

There were these fantastic shutters with a cut-out of the moon, also could be used in a nursery or even in a shabby chic setting. The finish was so pretty.

                                                                                
I also found two fantastic chairs. They were a pair of antique Asian lounge chairs in black lacquer. I liked the fabric, but I would probably reupholster them in something a little more "dirt-proof" if there is such a thing. I also thought the cost was reasonable as well, $600.00 for the pair.

                                                                                 

                                                                                
I would highly recommend this store if you were looking for something special.

My last stop this week was at a place called City Art Works, which is located on the corner at Woodlawn and Park. My friend Sandy had been telling me all about it and I had to see what all the hoopla was all about. My experience was not only mesmerizing, it was magical.  As you came upon the store, there was an easel out front, whimsically decorated with beads and jewels, with an inset chalk board which said something like "Your husband called and said you can buy anything." I can't remember it verbatim, but it set the tone for me. I love anything with a sense of humor, they had me there.

Upon entering the store, my eyes were filled with so much to see. The store consists of custom jewelry from a vast array of vendors, some customizable pieces where you can pick different pendants and stones and then add the chain. They even have antique ribbons, which I love. They also have some artists featured on the walls, pottery and decorative art pieces, some candles and oils and special things for children. There was a great chandelier hanging which was so pretty. It has beads embellished on it. The artist takes salvaged lighting fixtures and embellishes them with beaded garland and other things. The picture does not show all the detail.

                                                                                 
I don't think I can do this store justice by describing it, you'll just have to come in. All I can say is that I did not want to leave. Everything was displayed so beautifully, with so much love and care. I had the pleasure of meeting one of the owners, Susan Sloan-Lieb, and you could tell just speaking with her how much of her blood, sweat and tears went into making this store the treasure it is. Unfortunately I was so busy looking at all the "booty", I didn't take too many pictures. I managed to photograph a salvaged piece of art that I had become taken with.

When I read the quote on this salvaged piece of wood, I got goose bumps up my arm. I immediately thought of my husband. It's amazing how something so simple, almost childlike in execution, can have such an impact.

Well, I can say it was a successful week of discovery here in Charlotte. It definitely reassures me that art and design is alive and kicking in this unique city. Until next time.....

Tiff's Charlotte Discoveries: Cottage Chic

Each week I've made it my goal, as I embark on a new city, to visit at least one new design shop/boutique. Today, since I had one hour to get into uptown from the Providence area and back, I decided to step into a great shop on East Blvd. in the Dilworth area, called Cottage Chic. The store lived up to all the hype I kept hearing from my friends. If you don't know much about the Dilworth area,  you must see for yourself.

Dilworth was Charlotte's first street car neighborhood, rich in architecture. However, by the 1960's it became run down and most of the architecture was in danger of being lost. Fortunately it has slowly come back with preservationists pushing for its survival. I love this area, and this store is an example of how an architectural gem can be restored and utilized in an intelligent and creative way.

As I walked up to the property I felt as if I was visiting an old friend. It was extremely inviting. And when I opened the door......(sniff sniff) Ahhhh..the aromatic blend of daffodils, tuberose, currant and about 5 more smells filled my senses (in a good way, not in a over-doing the perfume kind of way).  The customer service was open and friendly and the merchandise was displayed well too. Very clever products, lots of candles and lotions and potions.  There was a section for children's decor and gifts, womens' clothing and in the back they have a design studio. Very girly, not for the dudes for sure!!!

So, what's the Find of the Week? These adorable mercury votives with yummy smelling candles.

Every color had character. They were a great scale too. Not too small and not too big.

If you collected them, they would make fabulous individual floral arrangements for each place setting for your next sit -down dinner party.

There are about 8 colors to choose from and what's great about them is that once the candle is finished you can use the mercury votive for lots of different uses. Flowers, jewelry, paint brushes, pencils, sugar packets....you name it! And, not only that, the price was reasonable at $18.00 a candle (not bad considering the going rate for a high end candle, and you get to keep the holder). My only disappointment???? That I didn't come home with one of these candles!!!!