Lee Academy

Julia and Caroline have spent the last couple of days expanding their knowledge at Lee Academy, a trip designed to help dealers learn about the Lee Industries products we are selling.  We knew they were a great company before we went, but now we realize exactly what went in to making them a special, eco-friendly company, separating them from other industries.  Planting about 10,000 trees a year is just one of their many sustainability initiatives. They also recycle all of their leftover materials to be used for insulation in cars.

Lee Industries runs a first-in, first-out business, meaning that they produce products in the order that they were placed.  Today, their lead time stands at just under 4 weeks!   It's hard to believe they produce 15,000 finished products per week.

 Lee consistently has about 400,000 yards of fabric in stock.

 In the leather plant, we learned how their fabrics are aniline dyed, which is a non-toxic form of coloring the leather.  We also learned the difference between leathers coming from different countries, and why leathers vary in color, even within the same hide.  They use only the top 5% of hides in the world.

 Tuesday, we took a trip to Valdese Weavers, where we learned how fabrics are woven.  It's amazing to see the process of a design on a computer being translated onto bolts of fabric. 

 We even got a sneak peak into what the April Market is going to look like for Lee! We were the first group to admire the new Spring fabric lines coming out soon, and the new pieces of upholstery currently being designed in product development.

 Julia enjoying herself the first day of the trip in one of the Lee showrooms.

 They demonstrated the 8-way hand tying technique to us.  As stated on their website, "This keeps your springs from shifting and creating uncomfortable lumps and bumps."  (Each sofa requires 300 ties)

 This is just a small portion of the sewing section in one of their 5 plants.  Their head quarters are in Conover, NC, so we had the easiest trip out of everyone there. 

One of the experienced workers at Lee Industries. Most of the employees there have been there for 20+ years! That really says something about the company, and how they treat each of their employees.  They try to create a family environment as much as possible, which was evident walking through there.

Hickory Chair University

One of our retail girls, Julia Caplan, spent a few days at Hickory Chair University last week to learn about all the details that go behind a single piece of furniture. While there, she was able to see both furniture and upholstery created from start to finish! “It was incredible to see how many hands touched one single piece of furniture/upholstery.” Julia said. “I have always known that Hickory Chair creates sleek, quality furniture, but I found so much more to appreciate about this company being at their University. They have a culture of continuous adaptation and collaboration, and while walking around the workshop you feel like you are walking among a large family. Each employee is joyful and excited to talk about their role in the creative process… Not to mention, the products are absolutely beautiful.” Take a look at some of the pictures Julia snapped while touring the facilities:

Look familiar? Hickory Chair workers were photographed in the middle of creating the frame for the Sutton Sofa that we have on our retail floor, pictured below!

Lucky to have you, Arevat

We are so grateful for Arevat Manucharova, our expert seamstress who has been making our design dreams come true for the past 17 years.  If you do not know of her, here is a quick intro. Arevat, a native from Armenia, has a workroom upstairs at our shop. She crafts all of our custom pillows for clients as well as for our shop. However, her talents don't stop at pillows! She is also a seamstress for bed skirts, table skirts, coverlets/duvets, shams, seat cushions, and more!  We can count on her for just about anything, including some personal alterations.  We appreciate her patience through everything that is thrown on her every day.  Come by the store to take a look at her expertise displayed throughout, as she is consistently keeping us stocked.  We have many more stock pillows that are on the way, from some of the prettiest fabrics Cindy has chosen.  Here are a few we have available today...

 Arevat hard at work upstairs

This Nancy Corzine silk fabric makes a gorgeous pillow backed with velvet

A Long Awaited Installation

One of our designers, Heather Smith, has been working extremely hard designing the Homesley house to be ready for them to move in at the first of the year.  Heather has developed a long standing relationship with the client, as she also helped do her home a few years ago, which was featured in the Charlotte Living Magazine in 2010.  Needless to say, her new home, right around the corner from her old one in Eastover, is an absolutely breathtaking and inviting home.  We all take any excuse we can to get the chance to go over there and admire the progress being made.  I have learned throughout this project that Heather does not skimp on details, which has clearly paid off. Below are several pictures of some of my favorite rooms to inspire us all.

Front Living Room.

Front Living Room.  How cool is that stool?!

The dark, yet inviting family room.  The TV drops down into the brick. Behind that are curtains that drape down two floors!

Another view of the family room connected to the kitchen.

 The Kitchen.  I am in love with the wooden panels!

 The Breakfast Room.  The sheer curtain trend is displayed throughout a few other rooms in the house.

The "Dungeon" with a custom made sectional.

 The Dungeon/ Man-cave with a pool table.  How fun!

The master bedroom.  Curtains automatically cover all windows with the touch of a button.

Italian Lamp Bases

Currently, we are stocked with many beautiful, unique pairs of Italian lamp bases, some of which are made into lamps already, while some are not. Below are some pictures to show how pleated silk shades can transform an old base into gorgeous, one of a kind, lamps.  If you are not in the market for new lamps, the carved wooden bases also work as candle bases.  Place two on a mantle place, dining table, or console.  The neutral colors would be a perfect antique- looking touch to any of your rooms.  You can be sure no one else will have the same ones in their house!

LEE Loves Local

One of our favorite upholstery dealers, LEE Industries and REstyle SOURCE are partnering with local stores for their newest campaign on local love, called LEE Loves Local.  As it states on their website, "we have built our business through our relationships and partnerships and our belief in supporting local.  We are passionate about our retail partners and believe in the mission of supporting local communities."  Being both a brick and mortar shop and a local store, we are doing all we can to make this a successful campaign for LEE and all who is associated. For those who are less familiar, LEE Industries is an environmentally friendly company based out of Hickory, NC.

 You will have to swing by the store the week of February 10th for many reasons! First, all LEE items in the store will be an additional 10% off.  On Friday, February 14th, we will be having a Valentine's Day party with some Holiday treats and drawings for 15 different prizes! Put your name in for a chance to win:

1 basket of Circa goodies

2 additional 10% off LEE Industries coupons to be used at any time

3 signed books of The Welcoming House

4 free 1-hour design consultations with different Circa designers

5 20% off a lamp shade purchase coupons

The gift basket (an $850 value) for some lucky winner!

Don't miss out on this opportunity! Spread the word to your friends to increase your chance of winning something! We can't wait!

New Year, New Design Studio

The Design Studio is starting fresh this new year!  Not only have we done a lot of reconstruction throughout the offices, you may have caught wind of some of the other changes happening around here. First, we are so incredibly excited to have Brigid back on board with us in the studio working as Kathy, Catherine, and Heather's design assistant.  She has been at Design School in New York for the past six months, cramming in as many hours as quickly as she could.  We are happy she passed her classes so quickly and can't wait for her to share what she has learned.  Welcome back to the South, Brigid!

Secondly, Eleanor couldn't be more excited that all of her hard work as many designers assistant has paid off, as she is now a designer herself! She is already creating quite the clientele, so grab her while you can!

We have knocked down walls, installed new cabinets and uniform counter tops, painted, and most importantly: CLEANED!  It feels good. (Let's see how long it stays this clean).

 Jane and Cindy's new and improved way to stay organized!

Cindy hard at work at her new, spacious desk.

Last Minute Gift Recommendations from Circa Designers

I feel like I have been hearing for a while now that "Christmas is just around the corner," and "Christmas will be here before we know it!"  Today, being Christmas Eve Eve, this is definitely true.  If you are like me, and haven't finished your Christmas shopping, or just keep adding people to your gift giving list, do not fret, and especially do not try and attempt the mall.

Right now, Circa is carrying a wide arrangement of hurricanes and candle holders, from many different sizes and prices.  Our designers think this is the kind of gift people are excited to open, because everyone could use them, but normally wouldn't think about buying for themselves.  These mercury glasses look beautiful on a mantel place, or as the centerpiece to your dining table.  Make them really stand out for the Holidays and surround a few candles with greenery.  Today is your last day to stop in, as we are closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping!!

Circa Christmas Party

Last night we had our annual Circa Christmas party with all the employees plus significant others.  The night started off at Jane's house where we were treated to drinks and appetizers.  We then all migrated down the street to Cindy's house, where we sat at beautifully set, assigned tables. Our catered dinner was one of the best meals I have ever had.  After we finished our salads, fish, and brownies topped with mint ice cream, we started a friendly competition between tables of Christmas trivia.  The winners were given a pair of light up gloves and a light up necklace.  We thought that would end the night, until Jane told us the winners had to make up a dance and present it to the group.  Fortunately, the wine calmed any stage fright that might have been in the group, as their moves to Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You", got uncontrollable laughter from the audience. 

 

 

It was so fun seeing everyone all dressed up, everyone looked beautiful. Unfortunately, we were all so caught up in the atmosphere, we neglected to get enough pictures.  Needless to say, none of us wanted to go home.

 

Merry Christmas to all!

Santa! I know Him!

If you unfortunately couldn’t make it to our Santa party last week, here is a quick recap! We managed to not let the dreary weather dampen our Christmas spirit as each of the employees dressed elf-like in all black with green aprons. It was fun watching the extreme differences in the children’s reactions to Santa.  Some couldn’t contain their excitement, and didn’t want to leave his cozy lap, while others kicked and screamed and didn’t want to get close! While waiting for their turn with Santa, the children all enjoyed the crafts table, creating Christmas cards and pictures for Santa. 

 Lindsay's kids Fran and Henry were not too thrilled... ha!

 The candy cane flavored Oreo’s (Joe Joe’s) were the biggest hit amongst the kids as usual.

 Cindy and Jane took a break from their book signing to sit on Santa's lap.

Julia and Caroline

 

A many thanks to Stephanie for her adorable pictures, and especially for her patience with the chaos. To see all of the smiles and frowns that day, go to

http://stephaniechessonphotography.zenfolio.com/?q=circa

and use password: santadec5