What are we doing when we're not doing Market?

A whole bunch of stuff. If it's design related, we're doing it. Straight after High Point we were on set with Joey and Jessica the girls from Ink, and Brett Mullen styling up a fantastic shoot we have deemed "The Travelers". I wanted to include all the shots we took with the full set including talent (i.e. hottie models) ... but you'll have to wait, as J & J get to choose what the World will see. BUT. I have a few behind the scenes pics I can show you. 

Joey and Jessica tweek the lighting on the "pile". Joel and I stacked it pretty high, and the final shots have one of our lovely models perched about 9' up on top of it all:

Second set was all about setting up camp, which our travelers did in style...

Speaking of our travelers, here is Whitney, the one and only pic of our "subjects" that I will show, with the blur that is Cheri helping with last minute wardrobe touches:

 

There was a plan to wear our Canadian Tuxedos on shoot day, which some of us forgot. I'm always game for denim on denim:

Joey is a fantastic director, super communicator. It's really interesting to watch this couple work together. Their talent is boundless, and we're so sure they'll be passing those skills on to the little bambino Jess is working on at the moment. 

I really can't wait to see the final shots, and when I do, I will be linking you all to them, pronto!

Wow, that was quick- Estate Pillows get L.O.V.E.

Major thanks to pretty-girl super designer Jenny Keenan for giving us top billing on her post of High Point Market Highlights. We saw the vintage dhurries she scored for her Charleston client's beach house, so we know she has mad taste! Thank You so much to Charleston Grit and Jenny for the attention. 

Lord a'mighty, Market is almost over!

So here it is/was. We're starting to break up the showroom tomorrow to ship out items to our fantastic clients (some of whom are actually reading this blog, to our surprise- thank you!). But for those of you who can't be here to see us each Market, this is what you missed: 

We scored a lot of Thayer Coggin for this show, including the sofa above and the beautiful chrome and cane console you can see in the white/black/neutral pics below.

You'll notice that as things sold and we brought in new merch, we shifted things around slightly. You can make it a game if you like... What's Changed in the Estate Showroom...Ready Set GO!

 

We also debuted a small line of pillows this spring; here are a few of them... next week is the actual photoshoot where our fab friends Joey & Jessica will take real honest-to-god pretty pics, which will make it much easier to take orders for those unable to do so at the show. 

Printed on 100% linen with zipper closures... we're excited about this expansion to the Estate biz! And should you want to place an order, email customer service (ha ha- that's me, Steph) at: steph(@)estatedesignandtrade.com

Estate in Lonny, via Haiti, via ATA

The latest issue of Lonny is out and there's a nice little feature on West Elm & Aid to Artisans. We've all seen the paper mache heads that have been all the rage in the last year or so... ever wonder how they are made? 

Joel has the inside scoop. Joel's been traveling to Haiti on behalf of ATA & West Elm over the last couple of years and has been instrumental in sculpting the original molds that these paper beasts are then cast from.

Here's a pic of J in Haiti last year, working with one of the artists on a patchwork paper mache piece using vintage fabrics he stumbled upon in a nearby warehouse:

A sea of zebra heads before being shipped to Anthropologie:

After the earthquake, the factory took quite a hit. Caribbean Craft (the company that creates the paper mache pieces for ATA) felt it so important to carry on, giving these artisans a place to work every day. This picture was taken before the rebuilding was completed. Since then the roof has been rebuilt in this location.

A water buffalo drying in the sun. And Haiti's very own Get Fresh Crew:

In the face of adversity, the Haitian people have been nothing but resilient- this pic was taken of everyone in the factory huddled around watching the Clinton Initiative on a laptop, waiting to hear news of the help they would soon receive to keep them working and facilitate the rebuilding efforts.

Couldn't post about Haiti without a pic of the ubiquitous Tap-Taps, Haiti's brightly colored transporation of choice. 

We're happy that the paper mache craze hasn't died down yet- as long as you keep buying these pieces, the people who work with Caribbean Craft & ATA will continue to have a place to work.

In the Works- feeling that spring thing!

Well we're gearing up for High Point Furniture Market yet again! Seems like ages ago that we schlepped our hotness over HP... and now it's time... lord protect my triceps from all the lifting, hanging, and arranging in the near future. Market is end of April so we have just a little more time to eek out more pillows & more upholstery.

Couple of projects in the works this week. The first image is via Circa Who, but ours is on the same path. It's half covered at the moment, but when the waterfall console is done it will be grassclothed to death, a la:

We're feeling all things raffia & woven at the moment. Must be Spring on the brain. Also of note, I managed to grab some Thibaut ikat for a song, and paired with the chair in the trunk... well, some sunshiney goodness is on tap! Bright and cheery, this will be in the window at Design Archives in a week!

Last but not least, total obsession with this image from House Beautiful. Can't recall the designer, so please forgive. Could a more subtle and sophisticated color palette exist? How smart is it to upholster the cushions in camel? How amazing is that rug? How much do I need that lantern?