LJ Edwards

High Point Market Furniture & Fabric Trends

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:44:01 -0400

We just returned from the Spring 2013 High Point Market and are so impressed with everything we saw this season! We visited our existing companies as well as shopped some new ones and at each place found ourselves more taken back by the beautiful displays and products introduced. Much like the fashion industry, this market was full of inspiration with new color palettes and finishes.

One trend we spotted in almost every showroom was Shagreen! This is a skin from sting rays, so most companies have a faux version, like this “Sea Mist Writing Desk” from Lexington. I love the beautiful green shagreen texture with the crisp ivory fretwork on this piece. If that wasn’t enough, the Lucite and Chrome drawer pulls polish and freshen the look of this piece.

Another trend we saw was the incorporation of decorative floor mirrors into almost every living space. They aren’t just for the bedroom or closet areas! They can really add drama to living rooms and this market they introduced really fun fabric covered ones, fun geometrics, and bold painted ones. This beautiful neutral burl finished one from Vanguard can add such a nice organic texture to any room!

Speaking of fabric covered pieces, this fun “Durston Sideboard” from Thom Filicia’s line also at Vanguard, is available in any fabric and Benjamin Moore paint! Seems like more and more companies are offering this custom option with paint. This sideboard uses BM color 2004-10 Deep Rose. This shade of coral which is very fresh and current today is a rich pop of color!

Turquoise, Aqua and all shades of this bright blue is back, well maybe it never went away! At market it was everywhere in fabrics, lighting, rugs, and wall coverings. I love this new fabric, which is a linen which is still very hot right now. More Geometrics were also spotted in everyone’s fabric introductions.

Another print I spotted that was very much in line with a hot color palette we saw in many places is grey with a bright splash of coral and salmon. This made up beautifully in a pair of chairs we saw.

This cotton print I saw on a very cool fabric covered console with vintage brass nail trim.

Also spotted, the use of classic navy with brights. I saw it paired with bright pinks and oranges. I love this chevron cotton print! This would look amazing with gold accents.

Also really strong this market was marble, stone, and various shells. This cocktail table from Vanguard is scaled so great for narrow rooms.

Lighting was a huge category highlighted this market. More and more designers are integrating chandeliers in almost every room of the house. So many unique styles that you can have fun with. This stunning one from Currey and Company is a mix of hand blown glass and a warm silver metal.

Our last trend we saw a ton of at market was mirrored pieces. This trend started last season and is stll going strong! The latest spin on this one is the antiquing techniques used and also use of paint to change the tone of the mirror. This “Birkhall Chest” is a mosaic of mirrored tiles in a fun geometric motif.

So all in all it was a very exciting market and I can’t wait for everything we purchased to come into the showroom!

Where do designers and people in the furniture industry shop?? ...

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:49:08 -0400

Where do designers and people in the furniture industry shop?? The High Point Market is the largest furnishings industry trade show in the world. Buyers, manufacturers and exhibitors of furniture and accessories from 110 countries come together to conduct business. We will be attending this Spring Market on Friday through next week to shop the endless array of trends, unique designs, and see the latest introductions from our vendors we feature at LJ Edwards.

Fun Facts:

180 Buildings
11.5 Million Square Feet of Showspace
75,000 Attendees Each Market
More Than 2000 Exhibitors
100+ Countries Represented
Tens of Thousands of New Product Introductions
Approximately 10% of Attendees Are International

Stay tuned for pictures and the latest from our trip!

Seashell Candle Votives Summer has nearly arrived, and to...

Tue, 29 May 2012 21:24:00 -0400

Seashell Candle Votives

Summer has nearly arrived, and to celebrate, I wanted to share this cute and simple craft to bring a beachy, summer vacation vibe to your home! On Pinterest one day, I found a picture of seashell candle votives that I absolutely loved. They’re simple and chic, yet homey. Check out the directions below from MarthaStewart.com on how to make these yourselves!

Tools and Materials:
Seashells
Bleach
Water
Wax
Wicks
Double boiler

Candles in Seashells How-To:
1. Clean seashells in a weak solution of bleach and water. Let shells dry.

2. Melt wax in top of a double boiler.

3. After wax has melted, pour into shells until they are almost full.

4. Carefully place wicks with holders into bottom of shells.

5. Trim wicks if they don’t stand upright.

6. Allow approximately 30 minutes for wax to cool completely and harden throughout.

Resources:
Order seashells online at shellhorizons.com — the largest wholesaler of seashells and ocean products in the United States.

OR you can take a stroll along the beach on a family vacation or outing and pick out the shells you like right there!

What’s My Style? It seems like a silly question, but many people...

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 17:41:00 -0400

What’s My Style?

It seems like a silly question, but many people actually struggle with this when faced with a space to decorate. Many of us have more than one style, and it can be difficult to figure out which style to choose, or how to merge the styles we love into one cohesive space.

As you might have seen on our Facebook earlier this week, we’ve found a short, fun quiz to take that will reveal your inner decorating style. The quiz is simple, pick the image that appeals to you the most and then keep a tally of how many A, B, C and Ds you get. At the end, you will find not only a description of your design style, but suggestions of brands that might appeal to you!

I am “Sophisticated Classic”, what’s your style?

Think Pink!

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:22:00 -0500

This time of year everything is about Valentine’s Day. It’s nearly impossible to escape! From advertisements on TV, to decorations in store front wondows, Valentine’s Day is everywhere - at least until Tuesday! So in honor of the holiday, I decided I would get in the spirt by featuring one of Valentines Day’s signature colors: pink!

In my opinion, pink is a very misunderstood and underutilized color in interior decorating and I think there are a couple key reasons why.

The obvious stereotype: “Pink is a girl color”. Even among women this view of pink can work against it.
It make a big, bright impact and that makes some people nervous.

The trick to using a bold color like pink is to use it carefully and within your comfort zone. First off, pick a hue of pink that you like and that you’re comfortable with. HGTV made “Honeysuckle Pink” the 2011 Color of the Year and for obvious reasons. It is everything pink should be: bright, happiness-inducing and playful, but it also isn’t an overwhelming Barbie or neon pink. It is a modest yet bold pink that is perfect for any home and for the “pink beginner”.

This color pink can be great for a whole room or a feature wall but it also really pops as an accent color for individual pieces of furniture and/or decorations. For me personally, I love to use bright colors as accents to bring life to a room, but feel out your own comfort level!

Take a look at some of the images on HGTV’s site for various ways to utilize the widely underestimated pink. Use these as inspiration to give your bedroom, kitchen, office or home a pink facelift!

Tis the Season to be... Crafty!

Sun, 18 Dec 2011 18:38:00 -0500

Christmas and the holiday season are right around the corner! To help you decorate your home, and have a little fun while doing it, I have some fun and festive crafts for you to try! Below, I’ve collected some ideas to suit almost anyone!

For the young family, painted pail stockings, a perfect activity to for the whole family to do together to get in the holiday spirit! Each child gets their own pail to decorate and personalize however they want! Check out HGTV.com for instructions to complete this project!

For the holiday host, personalized wine charms, a unique and personal touch to any party or holiday get together! You can find the materials for this craft at any local craft store. For detailed instructions and ideas, check out Holiday & Hearth’s website. There are even more great holiday craft ideas there to make your holiday party perfect!

For anyone, homemade snow globes! From Lauren Conrad’s blog, I loved the idea of making your own snow globes. Using mason jars creates a very chic, yet personal and rustic holiday decoration. You can use almost anything to fill the jars. This idea is a great way to try and re-purpose and bring new life to old knick-knacks you have collected over the years. You could also use Martha Stewart’s glitter reindeer as the inset. Whatever you choose, have fun with it!

Finally, the card display wreath. I love this idea! It’s festive, charming and utilitarian! I found this idea on Miss Lovie Creations’ blog, which I just recently came across. Her site has lots of great craft ideas, and carefully walks you through each step, including mistakes to avoid and helpful hints about which materials work best.

To see complete, step by step instructions, go to Miss Lovie’s blog!

Happy Holidays and happy crafting everyone!

New Norwalk Color Trend! An unexpected mix of blues ranging...

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 11:48:23 -0500

New Norwalk Color Trend!

An unexpected mix of blues ranging from royal to sapphire and accented with the crispness of snow, positions this look squarely between the comfortably classic and the cutting edge contemporary. Silver metals, pearlized leathers, an energetic mix of patterns, and white wood finishes all contribute to this timeless aesthetic.

New Norwalk Color Trend! With roots in menswear styling and...

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:28:07 -0500

New Norwalk Color Trend!

With roots in menswear styling and pattern inspiration, this sophisticated combination of geometrics and techno inspired designs is elegant in its restraint. While retaining a decidedly urban edge with its gunmetal, graphite and slate grey color base gets its energy from a liberal punch of citron and anjou.

Norwalk Furniture Color Trend! A happy poetic and zany modern...

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:57:32 -0500

Norwalk Furniture Color Trend!

A happy poetic and zany modern mix! A dash of peony pink and spring green peppered with a healthy dose of romance, femininity and fantasy.

Not too serious and clearly a bit bohemian, this lively patterned blend with a slightly vintage charm is sure to engender a smile.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:37:00 -0500

Now that the first holiday of the holiday season is almost upon us, I thought it might be helpful to share some tips for pulling off a stress-free Thanksgiving and some fun ideas for decorating!

I scoured my favorite interior design and lifestyle blogs and websites and found some really brilliant ideas. I hope you find them helpful!

HGTV.com is a clear favorite of mine and a go-to for design tips and holiday hosting ideas. While looking around the site, I found an article that shows a great way to ensure that the adults have a peaceful meal, and the children stay entertained right through to dessert: a kid’s craft table! Take a look!

Another blog that I really love and is always full of fun ideas is Lauren Conrad’s. You may recognize the name from her days as a reality star on MTV’s “The Hills”, but she really has an eye for beautiful things and great design. I particularly love the 3^rd place setting image. It perfectly blends rustic and chic for a gorgeous table setting. In addition, here are some helpful tips from her blog for preparing to host a Thanksgiving feast!

Confirm your guest list before you go shopping.
Figure out what size turkey you need for your group. Figure 2 pounds per person. For instance, 10 people = 20 pound turkey.
Pick your recipes and prepare your shopping lists ASAP.
Go shopping for all non-perishable goods this weekend, as well as the turkey!
Start defrosting the turkey three to four days ahead of time depending on the weight.
The day before Thanksgiving: Go shopping for all perishable goods. Prepare all sauces, soups and vegetable plates too. If you have time, prep dessert as well.
On the day of Thanksgiving: Cook the turkey, make the stuffing and finish preparing all plates. Things may (and most likely will) go wrong so be prepared for slip-ups and take it all with a grain of salt. Mistakes will happen and it’s up to you to make the best of them.

Finally, I just wanted to share some pictures I found online of place settings and Thanksgiving decorations that I just love! I’m particularly fond of the deep purple place settings. Plum is such a great fall color and, in my opinion, underused since it is often overshadowed by the more obvious choices of red and orange. I am also a big fan of the simple elegance and warmth that each of these evoke.

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving everyone!

*Note: I do not own any of these photos.

In With The Old! One of the most fun and trends in interior...

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 12:59:00 -0500

In With The Old!

One of the most fun and trends in interior design is reusing, re-purposing or redesigning outdated pieces of furniture, or other house wares. I personally love this trend for a couple reasons; it’s inexpensive, so everyone can afford to do it, it’s simple, something as small as a coat of paint can totally change a piece, and its fun! Do it yourself projects are a great way for you to let your personality and creativity shine. This trend is all about you and what you love.

Now, how to accomplish it? First step is to find a piece of furniture or décor that inspires you. To help illustrate this, I went out and found something myself. I discovered this mirror in a local thrift shop. As you can see, it’s extremely dusty, the paint is chipping, and I’m not thrilled about this particular color for my apartment. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Clean!

Now you may have found your hidden gem at a yard sale, in your attic, or at a thrift store, regardless of where you got it, it’s most likely dusty, dirty or otherwise not in the best condition. Take 15 minutes, sit down and carefully clean your new treasure. This is especially important if you plan to paint or adhere anything to your object. Lingering dust WILL be visible beneath a coat of paint.

Step 2: Plan Ahead

Try to have a clear vision in your head of what you want to accomplish before you dive in. Projects get much trickier when you change plans in the midst of them. Search some ideas on Google, HDTV’s website, or any other interior design blogs you might follow. The clearer your vision going in, the more beautiful the end result will be.

Step 3: Dive In!

Now that you’ve completely cleaned your object and have a clear vision in your head of what you want the end result to be, get started! Make an afternoon project of it and have fun! I suggest inviting a friend or family member to join you as a “design assistant”!

Above I have included before and after images of my project; a mirror. I wanted a unique mirror for my bedroom, and for less than $20, now I have it! I chose to paint it black to give it a sleek, simple look, but don’t be afraid to explore with colors as well.

I hope this helps to inspire the “do-it-yourselfer” in you!

Click Here to follow us on Pinterest!

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:16:59 -0400

Click Here to follow us on Pinterest!:

Share in our passion for living well with beauty and style…

Pinterest is an online virtual pinboard. We want to share things we love and get inspired from with you. Create your own pinboard for your next decorating project and save eye catching furniture, accessories, color and patterns that you find on the web or on pinboards you follow! Share your pinboard with us so we can make reference to your personal style for your next project.

Welcome

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 18:49:00 -0400

A home is many things. For some, it is a place to gather with family and friends, for others, a place to relax and unwind, for others still, it is some combination of both. No matter the definition or emotion that “home” brings to your mind, we all want our home to be a beautiful place. But sometimes inspiration can be tough to find. That is where I hope to help.

So who am I? I’m the “L” of LJ Edwards. My “passion for living well” began at a young age. My father has been in the furniture business my whole life, and as a child, I spent a lot of time around furniture and home decor. My favorite activity was to go through the stores and pick out my favorite pieces or displays. My interest in and love for interior design has only grown over the years.

This blog is a place for me and the rest of the LJ Edwards team to share this love with all who are interested. This isn’t simply about furniture; it’s about a lifestyle and having fun with interior design! Here I hope to share fun trends, unique design ideas, and more. And we hope that you will share with me too!

What does living well mean to you?