Tiff's Charlotte Discoveries: The Green

Recently I had discovered this magical little park in the heart of uptown, and on today, the 10th anniversary of 9-11, I thought it was appropriate to spotlight a place that illustrates city life, family, diversity and culture, all wrapped into one.

A quick train ride to uptown with the kids and soon we were surrounded by beautiful concrete, glass and  brick buildings, all displaying innovative designs. Across the street from The Green is the location of the Bechtler Contemporary Museum, The Mint Museum Uptown and The Duke Energy Building. It appeared that the fire and police departments were having a memorial ceremony for 9-11 and a fire engine was parked right across from the park. Just a breathtaking combination of patriotism and artistic freedom combined, on this day, it was very moving.

In the right hand corner is beautiful sculpture from the artist Niki de Saint Phalle, which I talk about more below.

The park itself is nestled between buildings and busy streets, a little oasis for those escaping the day's hustle and bustle. At the Tryon entrance into the park, is a sculpture of a book, all in brick with three dimensional children hanging and climbing from it. It's wonderful. The sculptor, Brad Spencer, named it "Life Is An Open Book".

Street Signs with cities and miles point this way and that way...it's whimsical and fun. The pathways are detailed with inlaid tiles, stamped graphics and sounds coming from hidden speakers, like bees buzzing and water trickling down. Larger scaled chairs and chaise lounges are placed under blankets of trees for park-goers to sit and ponder. There are also poems engraved on large brass sheets, made to look like manuscript, just lying precariously on the grass or wrapped around a post.

Which way did he go????

I want this in my backyard!!

Translates to "I see you are two eyes for me"

Hopscotch with sight words!!!

A poem wrapped around the base of a lamppost.

With the sounds bees buzzing from camouflaged speakers, these stamped iron tiles are inlaid throughout the brick walkways.

Off to one side of the park is a beautiful fountain, three Koi fish in a triangular arrangement with carved quotes and a beautiful inlaid floor detail. In the backdrop is a red clay building. I love the mixture of this gray sculptural installation as the red is set behind, the sky is blue, a skyscraper yet further in the background. Add the sounds of children screaming and splashing...pure magic!

Inlaid fish detail in the ground spout water.

Hand prints captured on the fish.

Thoughtful quotes inscribed in a circular pattern.

At the opposite end of the park flank two bronze towers of books, with such titles as Wuthering Heights, Roots, and Leaves of Grass. Again, the reference to reading and books, with an emphasis on tolerance in an urban setting, is a great example for our children.

Another special feature of this park is the collaboration with the Bechtler Museum across the street to house some of it's sculptural pieces that are on display right on the parks' greens. The current exhibition, which sadly comes to an end on October 2nd is of famous artist and sculptor Niki De Saint Phalle. What an inspiration in color, scale and medium. I think all ages can appreciate and be affected in some manner by these spectacular (that's putting it lightly) sculptures.

The pictures I took does not do this marvelous sculpture justice. Every stone placed  were made of glass and metallics so beautiful and colorful. The inside is as beautiful as the outside too.

This is Miles Davis!!! (One of my all time favorites)

The sign was ripped off but I can only guess this is Tiger Woods...looks like it from the signature winning  fist pump.

The children were able to climb into and onto the skull and the cat. You can read more about this fascinating artist at: http://www.bechtler.org/Collection/Niki-de-saint-phalle and http://www.nikidesaintphalle.com/ . She had a very interesting life and is worth reading about.

If you have not embarked on this enchanting spot,  mark your calendar for the next two weekends and pack yourself a picnic, bring a towel or save room for pizza or a Chicago dog (Fuel Pizza and Chicago Dogs right there). You do not want to miss seeing these beautiful pieces of work.

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: Adore Magazine

A couple of weeks ago I discovered a wonderful online magazine that really inspired me and I wanted to share it with anyone who hasn't seen it yet. Internet magazines in general are a new concept for me. I like to look at interior design publications in my hands and go back and forth through the pages. I sometimes  put my eyes right up to the paper like a person who needs glasses (hmmmm.....). I do a lot of magazine reading while I'm eating, while I'm waiting in the carpool lane, at the hair salon, in bed, etc. I love tearing out pages and keeping them in inspiration folders and I don't have an iPad.  Basically, I'm old school.

However, I am doing better at entering this modern world of technology. The great thing about online magazines is that you can click on a resource and go directly to the site (I know...I am just getting around to learning this concept but it really is helpful).  I already read Lonny magazine, which many of you I'm sure have read. If not, check that publication out as well.

My "Find of the Week" is a magazine called Adore Magazine, which is actually an Australian based magazine, and is in its second issue. This month was the "British Edition" and it was wonderful from front to back (I guess you can still say that right?).  Anyway, I got so much inspiration from it and found a lot of new resources I hadn't heard of.

Tiff's Charlotte Discoveries: Max and Company

Since our last week was spent mostly indoors avoiding the ice and snow, I was unable to find anything worthy to print. So....I'd love to share a place that I discovered early on that is so noteworthy, I should have called it "find of the year".  The showroom is called Max and Company, located in the Dilworth area of Charlotte at 1001 East Morehead Street. The store is owned and the interior was designed by renowned Jacksonville designer, Phoebe Howard and her husband Jim.

The building itself is a historical landmark of sorts, an old "ladies club" with beautiful bones to work with. Mrs. Howard and her design team really out did themselves with the interior design of this building. Separated by two floors, they created a more casual living space on the first floor, called Max and Co. and a touch more formal living on the second, named Mrs. Howard. The attention to detail could be found on every surface, and masterfully executed, from the space planning and architectural materials to the furniture and fabric selections. Even all of the accessories and artwork have been carefully selected and placed just right.

The flooring detail in this entry is amazing.

I love this dining room. The picture molding has insets of a texturized wallpaper,  very subtle, very elegant.

This hallway has an application of stone on the wall.

The color scheme is really soft and liveable.

The contemporary art work, the high ceilings and the parquet flooring work really well here.
Look at those gorgeous skylights.

I am not one who would use this saturated color blue on the walls, it would seem too sweet for me....but this room is so elegant and bright. It works well here with her mix of transitional and traditional style furnishings.

I love how the bed has been placed in the center of the room. It is floating unexpectedly like a cloud, yet it feels grounded. Most people would never think to put a bed in the middle. (The room is also enormous, most people don't have enough room for this to be possible.)

This bedroom has the most spectacular hand painted wallpaper, and the bedding is equally stunning.

In entering the building, one could be intimidated by its size and feeling, but the staff are extremely down to earth and the pricing is not out of line for the quality of the merchandise. There are plenty of other stores and showrooms in the area that have much more expensive merchandise. The most surprising thing I have found is that not that many people know about it. Maybe because it's not located on one of the main streets in the neighborhood, but don't let that deter you from coming to see this lovely and enchanting place. Even if you are not in the market to buy a single thing, please go and take a look. You will come out inspired and ready to take on at least one project in your home and make it a little better.

You can also visit their website and blog at www.phoebehoward.net or www.mrshowardpersonalshopper.com