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

Gabrielle Jewelry Show at Circa

Maggie, one of our Circa employees, is excited to announce her sister's jewelry line, Gabrielle Jewelry, is coming to Circa Interiors next week! Please join us this Wednesday, December 11th, as Gabrielle Bratton is presenting her line on her sister’s stomping grounds. The show will be from 10am-5pm in the shop. She will have a variety of items such as earrings, necklaces, cuffs and bangles, etc. ranging in price from $75-$700. As her website states, "One of her specialties is the lost wax casting process, where she integrates traditional clothing adornments into modern pieces of jewelry, preserving the original design by replacing it with metal." For example, she takes fabrics such as lace, rope, burlap, etc. and casts them through the lost wax casting process, turning the fabrics into sterling silver, bronze and gold plate. Each piece is not only unique from everything else in her collection, but is completely different from anything you will find in stores. Any of the items could be special gifts or stocking stuffers for the Holidays!

 

 Also...10% of the proceeds will go to the Humane Society of Charlotte!

Check out her website to get an idea before you come, and please spread the word to friends who you think would be interested!

Baby Bundles

It is crazy to think it is already time for our annual holiday party!  Please join us this Thursday, from 3-6 PM at the retail store for some light holiday treats, drinks, crafts for the kids, and one free picture with an old-fashioned Saint Nick.  Additional pictures will be for sale.  There will also be a book signing with Jane and Cindy if purchasing a book or two is still on your to-do list!

 

This year, we are also excited to announce a new nonprofit partnership with Baby Bundles, an organization whose mission helps mothers and babies living in poverty. 

When friends Emily Harry, Heather Leavitt and Cat Long met each other as a group for the first time in the beginning of 2010, they had one thing in common: they each suffered the loss of an infant.  These tragedies helped their friendships with one another grow, as they found hope in one another.  This trauma helped them recognize a need to provide a better start for mothers and babies living in poverty in Charlotte, which initiated passion in starting Baby Bundles. 

Through partnerships with Presbyterian Women’s Center and Nurse Family Partnership, Baby Bundles identifies mothers in need, and gives them a “bundle” full of the essentials for the first six months of their baby’s life.  The mothers receive newborn clothes, warm blankets, books and interactive newborn toys.  In the words of the Baby Bundles’ founders, “We see this as a gift from our children to theirs.”

As our nonprofit partner for this year’s holiday party, Circa would like to invite all of our guests to bring gently used or new baby blankets and books, or monetary donations to support their mission.

Thank you, in advance, for supporting this wonderful nonprofit and the meaningful work they do in our community.  See you Thursday!

House Beautiful Book

The House Beautiful book discusses how acclaimed interior designers use color to create beautiful homes.  “Everyone has a color that makes them smile,” it states on the first page. It is organized and grouped by color, capturing many different styles of interior design.

In the “brown” section, Cindy Smith’s work is featured. “A beautifully age 18^th-century Alsatian hutch is the focal point in a kitchen by designer Cindy Smith. It holds a collection of French dinner plates, textured salad plates, and antique French hand-blown bottles.” (p.48)

An older project from Kathy Smith is featured in the Orange section of the book- “Sunlight filters through curtains in Rogers & Goffigon’s Henley in a breakfast room by designer Kathy Smith, creating a peachy glow.” (p.177) A lot of people are scared of orange, the color of the sun, but just a little touch used in the right way can be a stunner.  You don’t need a lot of it to make a statement, as it can change the entire character of a room.  Kathy is known to love using the colors orange and gold. 

This is an old picture House Beautiful used in their magazine a while ago, and Kathy was flattered when she found out they decided to also put it in the book!

It is a gorgeous coffee table book, a fun read, and a great Christmas gift!

http://www.amazon.com/House-Beautiful-Color-Perfect-Shade/dp/1588169790

Paris Shipment

If you were wondering what we were all doing in our workout clothes this past Friday hard at work inside and out, unwrapping packages, it was because our shipment from Europe had just arrived! It was shocking to hear the container actually arrived on time!  It was an all day project, as we had to take everything out of the store, and restock and reconfigure everything so our new antiques could be beautifully displayed! We are working on putting everything on the Circa Catalog, so check it out this week to get an idea of all the new (old) antiques in stock in Charlotte, especially if you don't have the time to come in!

 

We had the boys hard at work!

Organized chaos!?

Lindsay unwrapping some goodies.  It was worth the hard work in the cold weather to see what treasures were beneath all the cardboard!

 One of the completed back rooms

 I love those French doors!

Stunning new Hickory Chair nail head club chairs.

 Accessories, accessories, accessores!

 

I cannot believe we got it all done in one day!  Of course I wasn't able to capture it all... but I guess I have to leave something a surprise for yall, right?!  Even if you can't treat yourself to any of these pieces, you must steal away some time to stop in.

Chicago Book Signing

Jane and Cindy had an amazing trip to Winnetka Illinois last week, a town just outside Chicago, where they were welcomed into Maze Home to have an all day book signing, followed by a cocktail party. Maze Home is a fun home design and gift shop.  They have a great online shopping site where they display most of their collections.  They offer items from a wide variety of price ranges.  If you are looking for that perfect wedding gift, graduation gift, or birthday present and don't live in Illinois, we suggest you check out their website!  They carry inventory from furniture, to accessories for him or her.

 Cindy Smith, Cindy Galvin (the owner of Maze Home), Kristin Koepfgen (Jane's college roommate), Jane Schwab.

  Lisa Cotten showed her fabulous jewelry.

The event had a nice turn out- they had to cut off the Chardonnay to clear the place out!

 They are now selling The Welcoming House!

The beautifully set up front desk.

Atlanta Book Signing

Yesterday, Jane and Cindy had another successful book signing in Atlanta, Georgia.  It took place in The Gables, a beautiful antique store in the city.  They specialize in 18th and 19th century Country French furniture and accessories.  There is no better way to get inspiration for your interior design flare than by flipping through The Welcoming House, and strolling through an antique shop such as The Gables or Circa Interiors. We are so thankful for everyone's dedication to helping The Welcoming House become a country-wide hit. 

 They were busy signing away from 4:30-8:00!

 Gorgeous as ever!

Jane and Cindy posing with Suzanne Cox, the owner of The Gables since 1978.

Christmas Decor

It is crazy to think it is almost that time to bring out all the Christmas decorations! The time is now to start shopping and outsmart the hectic Holiday shopping crowd at the mall!  We have everything from Christmas ornaments, to gorgeous antique ribbons, to gifts for friends, children, and of course your home.  We have had our decorations out for a few days now, and have already sold out of our fun, unique Christmas lights.  Don't worry though, we have ordered lots more! They are not your typical Christmas lights, for the bulbs are more dull, and the wire is less obvious, so they look beautiful mixed in with some garland or ornaments on your mantel, like we have on display below.

 

 

 It's all about the silver and sparkle!

 These Christmas trees are a fun way to make your coffee table or dinner table more festive for your Holiday parties!

 These adorable children's slippers have been one of our best sellers.  If you don't have kids this age, I'm sure you know of someone who could use a pair in their stocking!

Some fun animal ornaments.

Appearance on Charlotte Today

In case you missed it, Jane and Cindy were guests on Charlotte Today this morning!  They were naturals behind the camera, as they discussed their book, specifically southern entertaining.  They are both experts on entertaining, and were gracious enough to share with Charlotte some of their tips. "Always have that open door spirit and be ready to welcome one more to your table," Cindy explained. In order to do this, preparation and presentaion will be extremely helpful.  Be prepared before you entertain so you are not stressed in front of your guests.  Do as much ahead of time as you can.  If you are relaxed, your guests will be relaxed.  Monogrammed items and some kind of personal touch are a key to southern presentation.  Also, choose a color and stick with it.  Have flowers not only on your table, but on a chest on your entrance hall or bedside table to show you anticipated your guests arrival.  Because we all are so fortunate to live in the south, you can find something to use in your backyard all year around!  Finally, elevate the evening with a gift or party favor. 



Market Arrivals

Yesterday we unloaded lots of goodies that we brought back from market in High Point!  The rest of the items that we custom ordered will be in in a couple weeks.  From a Verellen sofa, to Verellen lamps, to accessories from all over, we are swimming in new arrivals! Take a look at some of the unique items we have on display here in the Charlotte retail store! Birmingham has some other great new arrivals!

 Our large new pot we have sitting outside.  This can really spice up the front of your house! You can even put a Christmas tree in it!  Birmingham has three other shapes of these.  Cindy could not pass these up after she saw them window shopping in High Point.

 How gorgeous is this slip cover!?

 Hello Beautiful!

 Perfect new side table for any room!

 Verellen's new fabric- covered lamps.  This one is leather!

One of Verellen's new wooden lamps.  We have this with an ivory shade as well.