One of the wonderful aspects of High Point Maket is that you never know who you are going to meet. As if it wasn't wonderful enough to finally get to spend time with some of my favorite blogging friends...
Lauren Liess from Pure Style, me, my new blogging friend Traci Zeller, Maria from Colour Me Happy, and Liz Morten from Dovecote Decor.
In the bar of our hotel, we also bumped into one of our most admired architects, Bobby McAlpine! Steve and I have been inspired by his work for years. I couldn't believe that we were actually chatting with him!
During his travels to promote his new book, The Home Within Us (which is fabulous. It's one of the only design books that Steve and I have read from cover to cover. Check it out here.) and his furniture lines for Lee Industries and McRae, Bobby can often be found working on sketches for new design projects.
Bobby McAlpine's projects start with little sketches like this one.
Bobby was gracious enough to join us for dinner. We were all hanging on his every word! A few of Bobby's words of wisdom:
Every room in your home should be filled with life. Too often we build the home we think we should build rather than designing a home for the way we actually live.
Bobby will often build smaller service kitchens off of the main kitchen so that all of the appliances aren't in the main space. This creates a kitchen that feels more like a room that people live in rather than a room filled with appliances.
This dinner was an event that I will always remember!
Lauren, Traci, our Giannetti Home Design Online Project Manager Angela Williams, Liz's business partner Benjamin, Liz, Bobby, me, Maria, and Lauren's husband Dave.
The whole day was filled with wonderful surprises! One of our first stops was Tara Shaw's booth at the Salon at Market Square.
Angela and I were thrilled to get to spend some time with Tara herself.
We bought several amazing antiques from Tara. She and I share the same passion for beautiful French and Italian antiques.
Angela and I are still fighting over the wooden pedestals in the picture!
I have a soft spot for simple antique lighting. Apparently, so does Tara!
I bought these little lights. I plan to electrify them. Their worn shades and simple iron bases made them irresistible!
I bought a couple pair of sconces (here's one) and a gorgeous chandelier.
Sorry for the blurry picture, but I had to share these gorgeous pieces, which are coming to the shop as well.
Tara had several sets of beautiful antique chairs!
I adore the rushed seats on this chair as well as the ebony accents.
Tara also has a wonderful line of reproduction furnishings.
We ordered one of the buffets that Tara is leaning against in this picture. The finish is beautiful.
I have so much more to share with you from our trip to High Point.
Stay tuned!
xo
Brooke
If you would like help creating the home of your dreams, email me about our design services. You can also purchase many items found here on Velvet and Linen as well as "to the trade" furnishings through Giannetti Home. Email Kelly about the details.
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