Circa's Renaissance Man!

Patrick Lewis is a man of many talents... none of which you would know about without me informing you, because he is also one of the most modest people I know. So, let me share with you some of Patrick's secrets...

 

Not only is he one of our very talented designers, Patrick just competed in his first triathlon, the Lake Norman YMCA Triathlon, where he came in SECOND in his division and finished faster than his goal time! We couldn't be more proud!  

 

WAY TO GO PATRICK!!!!

 

He is also a baker for Common Grounds Farm Stand, a neighborhood farmers market of sorts, selling local organic and homemade treats, in which proceeds go towards Charlotte's Urban Ministry Center. Patrick's Chocolate Bread has become a sensation there, drawing people in to arrive early in order to get their hand's on some before it's all completely gone. For years it has been a favorite delicacy for all of us at Circa and now he's sharing it with the world (or Charlotte, at least)! It is well worth a trip to Common Grounds to taste, so swing by this Thursday, August 30th from 8:30-1 to TRY and get your loaf before the market is closed for the school year!!!

 

See the article below that Common Grounds printed in their e-news letter:

Hats Off To Our Special Baker!

 

By day, Patrick Lewis is a sought after designer at Circa Interiors, but at night he is a dedicated Common Grounds baker. Every year, Patrick makes over 226 loaves of his decadent chocolate bread for our farm stand! This is his third consecutive summer, so his bread alone has helped raise $5,424! Thank you, Patrick, for sharing your talent and secret recipe with us and our friends!

New in Birmingham

Our last few items from Spring Market are trickling in! We have some fabulous new pieces of upholstery, and the coolest hand forged custom candlesticks! Great for entertaining, and I bet they'd be gorgeous dripping with greenery for the holidays! 

 LEE 3701-03 Sofa

90" length (also available in 102" length)

Morgan Moss with Patton Khaki skirt blocks 

contrast jumbo topstitch in Basil thread

$3290

Hand painted throw pillows $325 each

LEE 3701-01SW Chairs

Glyn Linen Driftwood

$1573 

LEE 9219-00 ottoman 

Serengeti Natural hide with antique nails

$999 each

Custom Hand forged iron candlesticks

$200 each (tall)

 Custom Hand forged iron candlesticks

$175 each (short)

LEE 3201-01 Chair

Wesley Flax with double banding in Gregory Mushroom & Winthrop Dune

$1487 each 

Verellen Vince Felt Slipcovered Dining Chair

$1556 each

Bacalle Round Ottoman with nailheads $765

Verellen Slipcovered Justine Club Chairs $3606 each

 Check out this gorgeous contrast leather arm patch detail!

LEE 3106-03 Sofa

Luxe Norwich Driftwood with Sheer Putty flange 

$5254

Custom linen throw pillows $225 each

Affordable Tables and Stools: Get the look (and quality) while keeping your wallet happy

We just received in a few small tables, end tables and stools that are so perfect (and inexpensive) that I couldn't help but share! The photos have been enhanced by a wonderful little app called INSTAGRAM! Oh how I love this app! But I digress... these tables and stools and the few ottomans I have slipped in are all something that will fit perfectly in any room while remaining budget friendly! Contrary to what's believed, Circa doesn't have to break the bank- come in and see for yourself!!! If you need a little enticing.... scroll away my fellow bloggers!

How wonderful are these? The nailhead design around the top and the round upholstered legs are so minimal, yet SO dead-on, why-haven't-you-already-been-created, where-have-you-been-all-my-life.

AND it gets better.... $525 EACH!

These "X-Ottomans" are great! The scale makes them so easy... set them anywhere are voila! Instant extra seating/footrest/table for cheese and crackers!

Here goes........ $580 EACH!

I included this beauty, because you can see a similar style to the above "X-Ottomans," but these are antique leather ottomans c. 1880. The pair of these are $2900 each, so see how incredibly priced the "X-Ottomans" are?!?!?!

Isn't this just great? The sleek nailhead pattern jazzes this round ottoman up, but the linen keeps them casual as well. It can therefore be placed in a formal or more casual setting and blend very well.

AND...... $760!

"Please excuse my packing label," says the Teddy Side Table. This round side table is big enough to hold a lamp, but small enough to fit just about anywhere!

"Brace yourself for my low price," says the Teddy Side Table...... $550 EACH!!!!!!

This breaks the mold of the $760 or less price tag, but still, at $1,265 these rustic side tables will add a punch to any room! I can see them in a bedroom, kitchen, den...

and I can keep going!

Another simple, yet interesting and perfect piece! These tiered side tables are, again, large enough for lamps and small enough to fit in tight spots.

Uh-hmm...... $530 each!!!!

These weren't on my list to put on this posting, but I just couldn't help myself! Aren't they great?!?! So cool and chic.

Drum roll please...... $595 EACH!

And here is a view of the top only- without the great qualities of instagram, so you can see the beautiful color of this stone top.

So come on by and see all that we can accomplish for you in your budget!

Walking In A Circa Wonderland

Goodness Gracious! Circa sure does look beautiful!! We all survived the heat yesterday and my-oh-my was it worth it! Goodies galore! If you have time today, you must drop by before things start walking out the door! Or come see us tomorrow, we are open on Saturday's from 10-3. We hope to see you soon!!

Here are a few shots to wet your whistle:

A New Container Has Arrived!!

We are melting in this heat, while unpacking treasure after treasure that Patrick and Cindy found on their recent trip to France! Beautiful chairs, chests, secretaries, lanterns, accessories.... I can go on and on! It is going to be a hot one today, but Circa will be a wonderland by the end of the day. Be sure to stop by tomorrow to be some of the first to see the gorgeous items we are unpacking!!

Here's a glimpse of our (not so glamorous) morning so far:

The truck arrived at 9- we were hoping for 8:30, but nothing ever seems to run as scheduled around here when it comes to shipment!

A glimpse into the beginning stages of unloading

Starting to unwrap/uncrate/label/take dimensions

The pile is growing!

And growing!!!

ATTENTION BLOG READERS: NOW INTRODUCING ONLINE CIRCA SHOPPING!!!

Yes, FINALLY, all of Circa's beautiful antiques in Birmingham and Charlotte have been combined into one convenient website! We will be updating as items sell, to remove them from the website; as well as when shipments come in, to add Cindy's gorgeous finds on! If something is in one of our stores and you need it elsewhere, we will be able to ship to you or have our guys pick up and drop off to most locations. We are so excited about this new leap of accessibility and hope you see something to strike some inspiration on what is needed in your home. Any piece is sure to make an impact and we are happy to pass along the piece's provenance if any information is known.

Click the image below to be directed to the Circa Online Catalog:

Please call us with any questions and enjoying searching!

The Dog Days of Summer!

For those of you who have not met Sister and Livy- you are missing out! They are our mascots, biggest fans and closest confidants around here. Both are labradoodles and hold a special place in our hearts. This is where we found them resting today.... they, of course, have FABULOUS taste! Come on in to see us- you will be greeted by two sweet four legged girls, for sure (as well as two sweet two-legged ones). We hope to see you soon!

(Above: Sister on the left and Olivia "Livy" on the right)

Merida Meridian- Behind the Scenes!

We recently hosted a Merida trade event in the Circa Charlotte shop and learned about some very interesting (and exciting) endeavors they have taken on over the years. Merida has traveled the world, high and low, in search of the highest quality goods available to produce their products. Some of these items are located in extremely remote areas of the world, such as their jute products from the state of Kerala in Southern India and their abaca products from the Philippines. In both of these cases, Merida has worked hard to create strong relationships with small, family-owned businesses trying to make not just a living, but a way of life. They are also importing their sisal products from Belgium (which is the main reason for why Merida was able to enter the floor-covering market, when they were primarily a wall-covering dealer with goods out of Mexico), a partnership that began in the late 1980’s, and their hand-woven sisal products from Brazil, where they employ 900 people (dramatically raising the living standards) on a farming community in the rural northeast region.

All 4 of these overseas partners are monitored regularly by Merida’s Sustainability director to ensure that working conditions are safe and legal: no child labor, fair compensation for workers, hour restrictions in place and sustainability standards- set by Merida- are being met. Which brings me to my next point… all of Merida’s natural products are Green Label Plus Certified for low emitting VOC’s- the chemicals used are free of carcinogens and other harmful chemicals.

On top of all of this, one of the most important things that these partnerships are creating is jobs. Merida is allowing populations to grow and thrive, to be self-sustaining, while eliminating harmful waste that could contaminate everything from the water to the farmland these small populations depend on to survive. Because of Merida’s support, they have boosted the economic fortunes of a developing country (India), built houses for their weavers (Philippines) and given jobs back to many Americans in Fall River, MA- which lost so much as a textile town with much of the industry moving to China for lower production costs.

Here is a clip that Nicola, our Merida rep, shared with me. It’s a neat video that shows how their jute rugs are made.

We would love to show you some of their incredible products- made even more beautiful by knowing how and where they are produced. These rugs are giving others in great need a home, while making yours even more fabulous. Here are a few pictures I took from our event:

(Above: A peak at some of the many, many products produced by the partnerships and mills mentioned earlier)

(Above: New products from Celerie Kemble's line for Merida)

(Above: Customization is not an issue!)

Come see us at Circa to see and feel these products. Anyone in the design studio would be happy to assist you!

Market Orders are IN!

Spring Market orders are IN, and they are BEAUTIFUL!  Here is what we have received so far, and we are expecting more in July. Be sure to stop by the shop to check them out! 

Lee #3076-01 Chair

$1275 each
Fabric: Willard pewter
31" w x 36" d x 36" h

 

Lee Sofa #3421-03
88 x 42 x 39" h
$2,700
Fabric: Hamilton Hemp
Braid: Tybee Ochre

 

Lee Ottoman #9203-90

$480

Fabric: Banks Chocolate

 

Hickory CHair Marit Cocktail Ottoman
40" w x 40" d x 21" h
$1,630

Lee #3907-41 Swivel Chair
$1,290 each
29"w x 39"d x 35" h
Fabric: Tote Teak
Band: Banks Peat

Lee #1673-01 Chair

$1,610 each
35"w x 40"d x 35" h
Fabric: Riva Teak

Hickory Chair Marit Counter Stool

$1,130 each

Fabric: Flannel Ultrasuede

Lee Dining Bench #C7758-56

61"w x 27"d x 45"h

$1,075

Slipcover in Crawford Bark with Crawford Natural Band

Both are Sunbrella

 

Hickory Chair Bexley Cocktail Ottoman

60 1/4"w x 30 1/4"d x 20" h

$2,420

Glove Stone Leather

Hickory Chair Morris Cocktail Table

44"w x 34"d x 19 1/4"h

$1,525

Weathered Gray Finish

Jess Brown Rag Dolls!!!

Circa loves the exquisite Jess Brown rag dolls! Every doll is hand sewn, and cut to order, using mostly antique and vintage textiles! Check out this segment from The Today Show on Jess Brown...

http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/47857936#47857936

Shop Circa Birmingham for these intricate dolls and the charming new children's book, KiKi and CoCo in Paris. The book features whimsical photography of a young girl and her coveted Jess Brown doll and their excursions in Paris! 

Dolls $180

KiKi and Coco in Paris $18.95