November 23, 2009

Santa's List

Circa invites you to bring your child or dog to our store to have a portrait made with an old-fashioned Santa! We'll have activities & treats for the kids as well!
Tuesday, December 1
3:00 to 6:00
2321 Crescent Avenue (Charlotte)
For every portrait taken, Circa will donate $25 to the Humane Society of Charlotte!

Reservations aren't necessary but please call 704-332-1668 to let us know you're coming so we can make sure Santa has plenty of time to see everyone!

(click image to enlarge)

Operation Christmas Child

Circa participated in Operation Christmas Child's shoebox drive this year! We had a blast shopping for toiletries & toys for them. Last Friday we wrapped the boxes and listened to Motown Christmas on Pandora! That will get anyone in the spirit!



Catherine's trunk filled with boxes!

Thanksgiving Recipes

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is here?!?
For those of you who haven't planned your meal completely, I thought I'd share a couple of delicious Thanksgiving-appropriate recipes that I tried recently!


Apple Cake
Ingredients: 3 cups of chopped apples, 2 cups of sugar, 1-1/2 cups cooking oil, 3 well beaten eggs, 1 teaspoon of soda, 1 teaspoon of salt, 3 cups of sifted plain flour, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla.
Directions: Mix or fold together the apples, sugar, and cooking oil. Then add eggs, soda, salt, flour and vanilla. Put in a rather large greased rectangular cake pan. Put in a COLD oven and turn to 325 degrees. Bake 1 hour.
Icing: 1 cup of light brown sugar, 1 stick of stick, ¼ cup of cream. Mix together in a pot and add one teaspoon of vanilla. Bring to boil. Pour the icing over the top of the cake. Take a two prong kitchen fork and create multiple piercings in the top of the cake so the icing can seep down.


Macaroni and Cheese with Cauliflower
Ingredients: 12 ounces multigrain elbow macaroni, 1 head cauliflower (roughly chopped), 4 slices multigrain bread (torn), 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley (chopped), 3 tablespoons olive oil, kosher salt and black pepper, 1 onion (finely chopped), 1 1/2 cups grated extra-sharp Cheddar (6 ounces), 1 1/2 cups reduced-fat sour cream, 1/2 cup 1 percent milk, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Directions: Heat oven to 400° F. Cook the pasta according to the package directions, adding the cauliflower during the last 3 minutes of cooking time; drain. Meanwhile, pulse the bread in a food processor until coarse crumbs form. Add the parsley, 2 tablespoons of the oil, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper and pulse to combine; set aside.
 Return the pasta pot to medium heat and add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add the onion, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, just until soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Mix in the pasta, cauliflower, cheese, sour cream, milk, and mustard. Transfer to a shallow 3-quart baking dish, sprinkle with the bread crumbs, and bake until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes.

November 19, 2009

Elle Decor - December 2009

The latest Elle Decor highlights a few great pieces that Circa carries & loves!



Circa designers often use this Lee Industries McAlpine Home Webbed Back Chair in a solid linen or velvet and it looks great!


As seen in Elle Decor December 2009 page 28

Circa Charlotte has this ice bucket in our shop as seen in Elle Decor's "101 Inspired Gifts."
bone rod ice bucket $130

As seen in Elle Decor December 2009 page 104

Elle Decor's "The Top 10 Bedside Tables" highlights a couple of Circa's favorite lines that we carry in the shop, Chelsea Textiles & Oly Studio!
Check with the Circa shop for pricing. 


As seen in Elle Decor December 2009 page 54



As seen in Elle Decor December 2009 page 54

Place Settings


Round tables generate wonderful conversation as does this beautiful tableware!
Add color with your napkins and placemats leaving your china white. This allows variation for the season & occassion! Tobacco & gold are great colors for fall, especially Thanksgiving!
bowls $128 set of 4
salad plate $128 set of 4
dinner plate $168 set of 4
tobacco placemats $84 set of 6
gold napkins $108 set of 6
silver plated candlesticks $185 each
silver plated mint julep cups $88 set of 4
wine cooler $795

Add some glass!


large aqua and olive bottles $85
slim olive bottles $80

Glass ornaments $12-$18
These would make wonderful Christmas gifts!

November 18, 2009

Antique of the Week


This antique French painted armoire is beautiful! Its soft color palette would be beautiful in a bedroom or any living space. Its shelves offer great storage and its wired top doors allow you to show off your favorite accessories.
$6560

Add these books to your wishlist...

These are great new books that we love at Circa! They're perfect additions to any cocktail table or collection!



Suzanne Kasler: Inspired Interiors $50
You've seen Suzanne's work in her designs for Hickory Chair...this book is the essence of her style. I love it!
Suzanne Kasler's Collection for Hickory Chair


Axel Vervoordt's Timeless Interiors $75



Axel Vervoordt: The Story of a Style $95
Axel Vervoordt's Timeless Interiors has been a wonderful inspiration for many of Circa's designers. His new book Axel Vervoordt: The Story of a Style tells the story of where he finds his own inspiration.

Amore dei Cani

One of our great clients told us today about Amore dei Cani, a CT based company offering a line of shoes & purses. A percentage of all profits are donated to the AKC Humane Fund.
For more information, visit http://www.amoredeicani.com/.



November 11, 2009

Nurseries & Children's Rooms

A general consensus at Circa is that nurseries and children's rooms should be fun and whimsical! One common mistake when decorating such rooms is to create a space that's juvenille & "in the moment." Why spend a lot on fabrics, furniture, and lighting that you know you won't use in 5 years?

Our top 10 suggestions for kids' rooms:
1. Go ahead and have 2 twin headboards made.
How smart of Circa's Lindsay Boner to use the other twin headboard at the foot of the bed until her son outgrows his crib! She didn't want to worry with twin headboards not matching later on so in the meantime she's created a fun daybed for him.
2. A grouping of prints always looks nice over a crib.
These prints are versitile and can later be used somewhere else in the home.
3. Add a rocker element to a club chair.
This Verellen Clemintine chair will be of use for years even after it isn't needed for rocking a baby. Don't limit yourself to an expensive rocking chair that seems only fit for a baby's nursery. It's also more comfortable for you!
4. Put all lamps and overhead lighting on dimmers.
It creates a more soothing room for the baby and saves you from squinting when you're waking up at 3:00 in the morning!
5. Keep your child's day to day needs in mind; Function is of course most important!
Designer Catherine Walters designed this headboard with reading light attached. It creates a fun atmosphere for nighttime reading.
6. Incorporate old & new.
Designer Heather Smith created abundant charm in her daughter's nursery with this antique stroller & chandelier.
7. We like how Designer Heather Smith added a Dutch door to her son's bedroom.
This allows you to always hear your child playing. (Look to left of photo.)

8. Save space where you can!
This built-in bed with trundle beneath sits under the roof's eave. On either side are closets which draperies conseal rather than doors. Genius!
9. Divide the space with a piece of furniture and drapery to create a separate play area.
 If space allows, this concept is aweseome in creating a separate play space from sleep space. Bedtime can become easier without a lot of fun toys to distract!
10. Bookcases are great storage for toys, books, & supplies.

November 10, 2009

November 9, 2009

11 Bonita

Treat yourself to some homework! I'm not kidding...It's totally worth it!

11 Bonita is an AMAZING Spanish Colonial Revival house in the Hollywood District of Homewood, Alabama. Home to a former designer and now food blogger (The Foodimentary Guy), 11 Bonita Drive has been the source of much amazement by various magazines, bloggers, etc. I am seriously in awe of the home's design, furnishings, and simple organization. 

Take some time to look for yourself!




Um...I could cook ALL day in this kitchen!



You can see what I mean by simple organization! Wow.

Baskets Galore

Baskets and woven trays are a great addition to any room. They fill space with texture as well as serve as useful storage! Circa constantly stocks a wide selection of styles and sizes. Just a preview...







We've transformed these 2 pieces into a great looking dog bed!
large handled tote: $400
floor cushion: $245

November 6, 2009

Driftwood

Driftwood seems to be a common theme in accessories this fall. We love it because it's casual and natural yet sophisticated.


driftwood reindeer $125


driftwood basket (small) $105
driftwood vase planter (large) $125


driftwood hurricane (pair available) $275

November 5, 2009

Great Finds



bedside tables (pair available) $525 each
silver nailheads, raffia, & sturdy drawers: 22"W x 18"D x 25"H



elm bar stools $225 each
18"W x 10"D x 30"H



large Italian confit pots $625
medium Italian confit pots $250
handmade Asian pottery $175


woven raffia pillows $375 each


hatchair $585

Aubergine & Nectarine!

Aubergine & Nectarine: FUN colors for fall




set of 6 purple glasses $150
lavender linen table runner $52
orange linen napkins set of 6: $108
lavender linen napkins set of 4 $72


votive with candles $75 each
large aubergine vase: $385
aubergine & silver ornaments $8 each
large clear glass hurricane $175

November 4, 2009

More Accessories


ceramic oil lamp $195

horn fruit tray $55

horn bowl $25

green oil lamps $250/ pair

brugge planter $1060 each (pair available)