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

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.