In keeping with my crazed obsession love of all things Barbara Barry, I thought this quote was spot on.

"Contemporary design and architecture reflect the way we think and live.  As a country, we are developing a more fluent vocabulary and dialogue within the modern vernacular, making design more mature and grounded."

—  Barbara Barry (quoted in Veranda, July/August 2010)

Paintings by Kimberly Applegate.  Visit her blog here.  Top painting is inspired by a Barbara Barry chair and Richard Serra etchings.  Bottom painting is inspired by a Barbara Barry chair and Edward Hoppen painting.

Wondering how to make your home elegant and functional?  Call me at 704.953.6096 or send me an email at traci@tracizeller.com to discuss how I can help!

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Boy was it a busy (and HOT) weekend!  I’ve got so much to share, so let’s get started …

Please tell me you made it to the Hickory Chair sale!!  When I arrived on Friday and entered the warehouse, I practically started hyperventilating at all of the gorgeous pieces at unbelievable prices.  I seriously had to talk myself down.  It was crazy!!   Of course, the amazing Hickory Chair team ran an incredible sale.  The tagging and check-out process was seamless … and the super-nice employees helped me (and everyone else) load up our finds.  I joked with another buyer that we couldn’t get enough.  You know the saying, “my eyes are bigger than my stomach?”  Well, in this case, my eyes were totally bigger than my car!

I scored that fantastic Warner wing chair in espresso mohair velvet – yum!

If you didn’t make it to the Hickory Chair sale, don’t fret.  Lots was sold, but there is still lots more to be had!  The sale takes place again this Friday and Saturday and … I hope you are sitting down … prices will be slashed by 50% off last weekend’s prices.  Seriously, that is practically giving it away.  I’m not even kidding when I say that you can’t buy IKEA furniture for less than that.  Go.  I mean it.

After the Hickory Chair sale, I went straight to Metrolina Expo where I spent the next day and a half at the Charlotte Mothers of Multiples (CMOMs) consignment sale.  It was my last sale as President of the club, and I’m proud to say it was a huge success – thanks to our sale chair, committee and everyone who sold and/or shopped at the sale.  After several long days, I was exhausted …

… but not too exhausted to stop at the Northlake Super Target and score the same top that MoS Charlotte recommended.  Sooooo cute!!   MoS Charlotte is clearly taller and thinner than I am, however, because I could totally not sport the cheetah top with denim leggings and gladiator sandals.  But I’m rocking it with dark Joe’s Jeans, black linen and cork wedge sandals, and my black Tory Burch cuff bracelet.  xoxo to you, Matters of Style girls!

Random digression:  Is it just me or is Target the new status symbol?  I swear that in the “old days” you’d be embarrassed to sport an outfit from everybody’s local discounter.  These days, however, it’s totally brag-worthy to find the latest designer look at a steal of a price … and no one is embarrassed to say that their outfit came from Tar-jay.  I’m totally planning to stalk my local Targets once the Mulberry collection launches in October … unless I score one of the select pieces at Gilt Groupe.  Did you hear about the sneak preview on August 20? Let me know if you need a Gilt invite!

Oh, like everyone else in the blogosphere, I'm thrilled that Jamie has launched her online shop … and it’s fabulous (of course)!  Raleigh’s not that far for me, but now all of you can get your Furbish on.  I love her zig zag settee!

Finally, I am still struggling to find good blogging software for my Mac.  Blogo was a disaster.  I actually really like Mars Edit, but for some reason, the formatting is off once it actually posts.  Unfortunately, I think it’s because my blog is powered by BlogEngine.net instead of Wordpress, Typepad or Blogger.  So now I’m thinking about Qumana.  What say you??

Photos from Hickory Chair, Matters of Style, Charlotte Mothers of Multiples, Guidespot, Mama’s a Rolling Stone and Furbish.

Wondering how to make your home elegant and functional?  Call me at 704.953.6096 or send me an email at traci@tracizeller.com to discuss how I can help!

Like this post?  Be sure to subscribe to my RSS Feeds!  Or, to view this blog through Facebook, click "Follow this Blog" in the NetworkedBlogs box.  You can also find me on Twitter, @tracizeller, and on Facebook, where my fan page is www.facebook.com/TraciZellerDesigns.  Thanks for reading!

Stop the presses, folks.  This is unbelievably fabulous news.

For the first time in TEN YEARS, Hickory Chair is having a “tag sale.”  Be still my beating heart.  And exactly how will I pry the Mastercard out of my husband’s hands????   Details, details.  I’ll figure that out later.  But for now, here’s what you need to know.

The sale is this weekend, August 13th and 14th, and next weekend, August 20th and 21st.  Friday hours are from 12 pm to 6 pm, and Saturday hours are from 8 am to 2 pm.  The location is the LaneVenture warehouse at the corner of Workman Street and St. Timothy Road.  It’s just off Tate Boulevard that connects Hickory, NC and Conover, NC.  The physical address is 114 Workman Street SW, Conover NC 28613.

What’s at the sale?  The better question is “what isn’t!”  I have it on very good authority (that is, Hickory Chair’s president) that there will be lots of showroom samples, including sofas, chairs, dining tables and chairs, beds and hutches.  Hickory Chair is moving into a new showroom up at High Point this fall – I can’t wait to see it! – so they are giving it an entirely new look and turning over everything that was in their (fabulous) old showroom.  There will also be some discontinued products, some dinged and dented pieces from shipping damage, some unfinished pieces and some miscellaneous fabrics and pillows.  I am dying!!!!!!

So who’s going?  Anyone want to come with?  What are you looking for??

Photos from Hickory Chair.

Wondering how to make your home elegant and functional?  Call me at 704.953.6096 or send me an email at traci@tracizeller.com to discuss how I can help!

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I’m sponsoring (or, I should say, Traci Zeller Designs is sponsoring) the Race for Fetal Hope again this year, in honor of my little buddy Henry and the amazing doctors, nurses and ultrasound technicians who ensured that Henry and his twin brother Charlie made it safely into this world.  I will be forever grateful for their dedication to excellent care.  You can read Henry's story here.  

There are so many causes worthy of your contributions, especially in these tough economic times.  I ask you to consider Fetal Hope Foundation as one of those you support.  You can be assured that the Fetal Hope Foundation uses every cent wisely – so that it can provide the greatest support to families struggling with the diagnosis of a fetal distress syndrome.  

Oh, and as the title sponsor, I’ll have some free registrations to give out.  Give me a shout if you are interested!  

Wondering how to make your home elegant and functional?  Call me at 704.953.6096 or send me an email at traci@tracizeller.com to discuss how I can help! 

Like this post?  Be sure to subscribe to my RSS Feeds!  Or, to view this blog through Facebook, click "Follow this Blog" in the NetworkedBlogs box.  You can also find me on Twitter, @tracizeller, and on Facebook, where my fan page is www.facebook.com/TraciZellerDesigns.  Thanks for reading!

I am beyond excited to be over at High-Heeled Foot in the Door as part of Camila’s In Her Shoes series!  I’ve been reading Camila’s blog for a while, and it is a thrill to be guest posting over there.  I’m so glad we met over Twitter!

I had decided to document this past Monday – and what a crazy day it turned out to be.  I’m usually not that much of a klutz, but clearly I had way too much going on.  I actually left for Toledo, Ohio on Wednesday – for a National Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs convention – and I was suffering from the “too much to do, and too little time in which to do it” syndrome.  In fact, I’m still in Toledo … blogging from my hotel room and late for a luncheon!  The good news is that my head wound seems to be healing nicely (fingers crossed I don’t need some plastic surgery).  Even better, my beyond fabulous hair stylist (David Simpson at Tease) squeezed me in on Tuesday and gave me some bangs going in the opposite direction as usual … which manage to cover the head wound far better than any concealer. 

Anyway, head on over there … and let me know what you think!

Wondering how to make your home elegant and functional?  Call me at 704.953.6096 or send me an email at traci@tracizeller.com to discuss how I can help! 

Like this post?  Be sure to subscribe to my RSS Feeds!  Or, to view this blog through Facebook, click "Follow this Blog" in the NetworkedBlogs box.  You can also find me on Twitter, @tracizeller, and on Facebook, where my fan page is www.facebook.com/TraciZellerDesigns.  Thanks for reading!

"A window is such a gay, animate thing.  By day, it should be full of sunshine, and if it frames a view worth seeing, the view should be a part of it.  By night the window should be hidden by soft curtains that have been drawn to the side during the sunshiny hours."

— Elsie de Wolfe (from A House in Good Taste)

Interior design by Barbara Barry.  Photos from Architectural Digest, November 2005 (via Verdigris Vie).  When I found these images, I knew that they needed to be shared again!  Thanks to Verdigris Vie for putting this amazing house online! 

Wondering how to make your home elegant and practical?  Call me at 704.953.6096 or send me an email at traci@tracizeller.com to discuss how I can help! 

Like this post?  Be sure to subscribe to my RSS Feeds!  Or, to view this blog through Facebook, click “Follow this Blog” in the NetworkedBlogs box.  You can also find me on Twitter, @tracizeller, and on Facebook, where my fan page is www.facebook.com/TraciZellerDesigns.  Thanks for reading!

Calico Corners is one of my favorite sources for fabric.  Because they have numerous retail locations (including one in Charlotte) as well as an online store, their selection is well edited, in stock and on trend.  For those reasons, it's a great place to go when a client needs fabric right this minute.

For the next ten days, however, it's an even better spot to shop -- because all fabrics are 25% off.  SCORE!

My clients, the Newlyweds, recently used this amazing fabric - Unlinxed - for a cornice board in their bedroom.  Can you tell that the pattern is created by embroidered, interlinked quatrefoils?  LOVE!  Seriously, the fabric is even better in person, and the cornice board is gorgeous!   The Newlyweds already had their bedding - and a beautiful upholstered bed - but hopefully we'll be able to bring the fabric back in somewhere else in the room.  With the other glam elements we've brought in, including crystal lamps and mirrored nightstands, their master bedroom is looking fantastic.  With any luck, I'll be able to share photos soon.

Until then, happy shopping at Calico Corners!  The sale ends August 14th, so time's a-ticking.  What fabric would you choose?

Wondering how to make your home elegant and practical?  Call me at 704.953.6096 or send me an email at traci@tracizeller.com to discuss how I can help!

Like this post?  Be sure to subscribe to my RSS Feeds!  Or, to view this blog through Facebook, click "Follow this Blog" in the NetworkedBlogs box.  You can also find me on Twitter, @tracizeller, and on Facebook, where my fan page iswww.facebook.com/TraciZellerDesigns.  Thanks for reading!

We all know that I loooooove Thom Filicia, so I was beyond thrilled to hear that he is collaborating with one of my other faves, Soicher-Marin, on a new art collection. 

Have you “liked” Soicher-Marin on Facebook yet?  If not, you missed the sneak peek of Thom’s collection … and it looks fantastic!  His collection will focus on images of people, American industry , the world from above, everyday objects and, best of all, Thom’s iPhone pictures.  How fun will it be to see what captures Thom’s eye as he goes about his everyday life??? 

Here are my two favorites of the “leaked” images. 

Mmmmmm … my iPhone pictures never look that amazing!

I’m so inspired by the Machine Age, so I think Thom’s “American Bootstraps” series, which will focus on industry, is going to be incredible.  

Stay tuned, because I’ll be sure to bring you full coverage of Thom’s collection when it debuts at High Point Market in October!

Photos from Soicher-Marin, located here and here.

Wondering how to make your home elegant and functional?  Call me at 704.953.6096 or send me an email at traci@tracizeller.com to discuss how I can help! 

Like this post?  Be sure to subscribe to my RSS Feeds!  Or, to view this blog through Facebook, click "Follow this Blog" in the NetworkedBlogs box.  You can also find me on Twitter, @tracizeller, and on Facebook, where my fan page is www.facebook.com/TraciZellerDesigns.  Thanks for reading!

Another lesson learned:  I should never promise a post on Thursdays.  Charlie has occupational therapy and physical therapy on the other side of town, so it is always a hectic day.  For that reason, it's the one day of the week that I try to never take client appointments.

But ... it's only 10 pm EST so technically I'm still posting on Thursday.  Whew! So, without further adieu, here's the new and improved playroom.

To my great chagrin (at the effort required, that is), I repainted the IKEA Trofast frames using Valspar Spray Paint in flat Velvet Brown ... and followed that with the Miniwax Polyurethane Spray in Gloss (which was WAY easier than the Wipe-On Poly). I also had cushions made for the top -- out of Spirodots from Premier Prints -- so that the frames function as (comfortable) extra seating ... or a nice spot for an impromptu nap!

Can you tell that there's a train table between the two "banks" of IKEA Trofast frames?  When the boys outgrow Thomas, I'll replace the train table with bean bags or something to make that space a fun area to just hang out and play.  The cable outlet is also behind these Trofast frames -- so, if I ever break down and decide to let them have a TV or video games in their playroom (don't hold your breath, boys), I should be able to use the frames to hold the components.

My favorite part of the playroom, however, is the Polaroid on the outside of each storage box.  I simply photographed a sampling of the box's contents and wrote a description of the contents on the bottom of the Polaroid.  I know it's not pretty -- but my twin boys can't read yet.  Now, however, they can visually see exactly what belongs in each storage box.  In other words, there are no excuses for not picking up after themselves!  Now, they know exactly where everything belongs.

I also wrote the description in hopes of encouraging their association of written words with objects.  Once my twins learn to read, I will replace the Polaroids with vinyl lettering.

Books live in these bins, which you can also see in the original photos.

Here's the bulletin board in action -- keep in mind that it's not "styled" at all, but just how it looks every day.  Right now, I'm using it for their responsibility charts (at the bottom), their Monster Truck flags (awesome, right?) and photos of  family and friends.  Once school starts in the fall, I'm sure the top will start to fill up with artwork.

So what do you think?  You know I love the saying, "a place for everything and everything in its place."  I think that totally worked in the playroom!

PS - This is my first post using MarsEdit.  It's not Windows Live Writer, but I think I like it!  It is soooo much better than Blogo.  Please forgive any funky formatting while I get used to it.

Wondering how to make your home elegant and practical?  Call me at 704.953.6096 or send me an email at traci@tracizeller.com to discuss how I can help!

Like this post?  Be sure to subscribe to my RSS Feeds!  Or, to view this blog through Facebook, click "Follow this Blog" in the NetworkedBlogs box.  You can also find me on Twitter, @tracizeller, and on Facebook, where my fan page is www.facebook.com/TraciZellerDesigns.  Thanks for reading!

“A room is complete when you are called to it for respite.  If, while still stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on your drive home from a long workday, you see relief ahead in the form of a chair in a particular room, perhaps with a good book or a glass of wine, you have finished.”

— Darryl Carter (from his book, The New Traditional)

Photos from Elle Decor and Southern Living (via real homes. real life.), respectively

Wondering how to make your home elegant and practical?  Call me at 704.953.6096 or send me an email at traci@tracizeller.com to discuss how I can help! 

Like this post?  Be sure to subscribe to my RSS Feeds!  Or, to view this blog through Facebook, click "Follow this Blog" in the NetworkedBlogs box.  You can also find me on Twitter, @tracizeller, and on Facebook, where my fan page is www.facebook.com/TraciZellerDesigns.  Thanks for reading!