Bunny Williams with me in her new "Bee Line Home" showroom in High Point

One of the highlights of this market was meeting design legend Bunny Williams in the new showroom for her new product line, Bee Line Home.  I am now carrying Bee Line home here in Knoxville thanks to my sales representative Roe Pitts.  Bunny is truly an interesting person who has a unique perspective on design, and who has lived a life full of doing what she loves, and creating beautiful interiors along the way.  Her classic book, “Affair with a House” is one of my favorites, and chronicles the evolution of her country estate.  Her partnership with John Roselli in Treillage is also an incredible story of interesting travel and places…..again coupled with beautiful objects from around the world.  Bee Line Home gives fans and consumers the opportunity to purchase some of her all time favorite pieces which she has beautifully reproduced. 

Another highlight was meeting Alexa Hampton.  I had met her a few years ago when she introduced her first collection for Hickory Chair.  This time, she was autographing copies of her new book, “The Language of Interior Design” at the Visual Comfort lighting showroom.  She has designed a collection for them that is beautifully chic…and of course, since it is from Visual Comfort, it is affordable.  She is so gracious, and an inspiration to me knowing her history and the fact that her father, Mark Hampton, was one of the greatest designers of all time.  The book is beautiful, and richly showcases many of her projects.  The book is interesting because she speaks to so many different styles and can’t be categorized to one look.  This is something I strive to do in my own work, and is the result of listening to what your clients have to say and to what they want.

The final highlight was meeting legendary designer Michael S. Smith and Elle Decor editor Margaret Russell at the Press Party in the Baker showroom.  The showroom is of course unbelievably large and even more beautiful.  They have created an entire Michael S. Smith home in the showroom to showcase his new product line for Baker.  I have enjoyed watching his career develop….even before his most recent honor to design the private living quarters in the White House.  It was an incredible experience to walk through his brilliantly laid out spaces and soak up inspiration.  His look for Baker is classic but fresh at the same time.  It walks a fine line between the 18th century and today.  This is a tricky place to be because there has to be enough fresh elements to keep the look current….but at the same time has to referrence history enough to make the look classic.  He is a master at this mix.

Angela with me in her fantastic shop

On our first day in Venice, we visited the studio of Angela R. Greco on the Ponte Delle Ostreghe, near San Marco.  Angela and her sister have been in this same location for years, and make the most beautiful Venetian style lamp shades I have found anywhere on the planet.  Each shade is made by hand, and you can see their love for their craft in every piece.  Angela’s typical shade is made from Fortuny fabric, and stretched over a wire frame.  I love these shades because they have an exuberance of style not found in most American lighting.  They have the fantastic shape of the Venetian shield style shade, plus color and pattern brought by the fantastic fabric.  A stunning combination.  We chose this trip a small pair of shades in blue and silver for a pair of lamps in a bedroom. 

Angela hand sewing the lining of a shade while her sister looks on

Besides being a fantastic place to find the fabulous, Angela’s shop is warm and friendly.  She loves to see people enjoy her work, and welcomes photography.  It is fun to see Angela and her sister again on this trip….in their matching smocks and pearls.

Lamps in the shop of Angela Greco

Bobby and I outside the shop

A carved wooden lamp base with a fantastic Fortuny shade

A beautiful room in the Palazzo

Another view of the main salon

The beautiful studio of Bruno Vianello

A favorite stop in Venice is the studio of Bruno Vianello on Calle De Pistor in Castello.  Bruno is a painting restoration specialist whose work appears in the Accademia, the Hotel Danielli, and in many private Venetian collections.  Currently, he is working on a group of Biblical paintings from the 16th century in which he has beautifully restored the canvases; erasing years of soot and dirt; water damage; and bad patches by previous restoration.  Bruno typically deals exclusively in restoration for museums and private collections, but always has a few “treasures” available for purchase in his studio.  It is a treat to see such a talented craftsman.

A work in restoration for a private collection

Through the years, Bobby and I have been fortunate enough to have purchased a number of paintings from Bruno that are still in our private collection.  We are always inspired by the beauty of the art here, and it is easy to find pieces to love.

An outstanding Louis XVI style tall post bed, the latest introduction from Alfonso Marina

Up until this week, when I thought of Mexico, the beautiful white sand beaches of Cancun came to mind.  Say what you want about the Mayan Riviera; the beaches are among the most beautiful in the world…..even if they are man made.  It never dawned on me that Mexico was really a foreign country.  My view was totally suntanned.  It has been years since I basked in the sun on those beaches, but my memory of it was very Americanized.  The truth about the “real” Mexico is completely different. 

 There are photos sprinkled throughout this post, so please keep reading to see the story unfold.

A few weeks back, I was extended an invitation from Alfonso Marina Ebanista in Mexico City to tour their factory and see their showroom.  I’ve done business with them for years, and knew all about their quality, design, and generally fabulous product; so, I was intrigued.  It wasn’t exactly a place that was high up on my to-see list, but the fact that it was an all expenses paid trip sweetened the deal.  Given the current social climate in Mexico, elective travel is not advised; but I felt safe in the fact that Alfonso Marina is a first rate company and that they would escort me wherever I went.  The Camino Real Polanco Hotel was rated as super safe, so against the better judgement of Bobby, my friends, and family, I went…..and I am ever so glad I did.

The ride from the airport to the hotel confirmed that I was in a third world country, but once behind the gate of the hotel, a beautiful side of Mexico emerged.  Brightly colored and spacious, with typical Mexican stucco finishes and marble floors; the hotel was beautiful. 

I was met by my sales rep and the owners of Alfonso Marina and we proceeded to the factory….about an hour away from the hotel.  Did I mention that Mexico City is the largest city in the world?  It is an hour to everything. 

The factory is in an industrial part of town, tucked behind guarded gates in old buildings.  It forms a compound around their offices.  We started our tour in the engineering department.  All of the pieces start here.  Detailed drawings are done entirely by hand.  Models are made from those drawings, and the drawings are tweaked again after the prototype is perfected.   Once perfected, the drawings are recorded on their computer system, but they maintain those beautiful hand drawn ones and those are the ones they use to build each piece.  We met their engineering staff, as well as the person who carves all of the original carved details.  It was readily apparent that all of those pieces I have changed just a little bit….adding an inch or two here….or an inlay line there….had to be COMPLETELY re-engineered. 

Drawings are done full scale and entirely by hand

A door panel model, fully to scale

Chair frames are carved in styrofoam first to perfect the lines

Racks of templates

A room of router bits

The next stop on the tour was the prototype room where all of the first pieces are produced.  Here, they make templates and jigs from which the production pieces are made.  Templates and jigs are painted bright yellow so they don’t get mixed up with the actual wood pieces to be used in the finished products.  The next area was where the templates were stored.  A huge room with rack after rack of intricate pieces.  Chair parts are kept in neatly organized boxes.  We then saw the room where all the router knives are kept that make the beautiful moldings on their pieces.  They have an artist on staff full time creating these knives, and repairing the existing ones.   We moved from there to their raw wood storage and receiving area where the real process begins.  A production list follows each piece through the factory, from the time the wood is pulled from storage, then cut into the rough blocks it takes to make each piece.  The rough blocks are put on a trolley which stays with the piece throughout its creation.

Drawer fronts for an Italian chest being cut on a band saw

A woodcarver turning a chair leg

End grain banding being glued together by hand

Hand cut and inlaid veneer for a table top

There are no CNC machines.  Old fashioned bandsaws and lathes are where the magic happens.  Their workers are extremely skilled artisans.  The factory was like stepping back in time….years before the modern technology most companies utilize.  When I asked Carlos Marina how the wood turner knew he had a particular leg made correctly the response was “It is in his heart.  He has made this leg many times, and knows exactly when it is perfect.”  That quality is characteristic of every employee…..and the owners recognize that, and treat their employees with the utmost respect.  We walked on through the production line seeing drawer fronts being glued together and sawed out on the band saw.  We saw legs being applied, and pieces being assembled. 

Hand matching veneer

That beautiful striped veneering

Inlaid detail

Faith is at the core of the workers. Shrines to St. Joseph abound throughout the factory.

An escutcheon plate being cut by hand

Near the end of the construction process, we saw the room where the inlay work is done.  All of the veneers and inlay are hand matched and hand cut, specifically for each piece.  Truly amazing.  Their supply room for veneers was incredible.  So many different types of wood, in such thin pieces.  After the miracle of the inlay and veneer department, we went to a part of the factory where end grain banding was being cut and applied, as well as where their signature tiny “stripe” banding was being glued together and cut into the stripes.  It was a beautiful process. 

A cabinet being fitted with doors

The final part of building one was the final assembly and sanding area.  All the pieces come together in this area and the finished product begins to emerge.  After final assembly, the pieces are transported across the parking lot to building two for distressing, finishing, and packing. 

Piles of hand forged locks and hinges

An unfinished masterpiece

Hand applying ink to bone details

Beautiful completed bed in a custom navy blue finish

Between the two main buildings is a small room where hardware is milled.  Brass barrel hinges are cut by hand from long tubes.  Escutcheons for locks are hand cut out, and engraved entirely by hand.  Iron locks and straps are finished and distressed.  Hinges are cast and drilled.

The distressing is done completely by hand.  They don’t miss a detail with this, and the worker moved swiftly and with great skill.  He had no fear of scraping a corner off a beautiful drawer front, or putting a gash 5″ long on its face.  Even the insides, backs, and bottoms of the pieces that are distressed get that treatment.  It really adds to the overall authentic look.  After distressing, pieces receive a final sanding, and then move on to the finish department.  Varnish is applied to the wood first, and then stains are hand applied and rubbed to achieve depth and patina.  Waxes or sealers are the final layer. 

Also in the finish department is the area where artists hand paint pieces.  Bone details on some of the pieces are “inked” with a tiny pen by hand, creating intricate designs.  Pieces getting gold leaf trim are finished here as well.  The artisans have a vision to create finishes that look as though they have survived for hundreds of years.  Hand painted designs are done here as well. 

Finally, pieces are carefully packed and shipped. 

The showroom entrance

A beautiful Italian style console table

A beautiful newly designed primitive chest

Imagine this bench at the foot of a bed

After a full morning at the factory, we paused for a decadent lunch at a restaurant near the showroom.  The showroom was beautiful.  Over 14000 square feet, and every room was full of the fabulous products we saw being created in the morning.  Alfonso Marina is keeping alive a lost art.  Their products are truly bench made, and hand crafted in every way.  I am thankful for the experience, and have a new found appreciation for their furniture which really is “art.”

Beautifully tailored bedside or end table

Primitive console table

Chic upholstered pieces and dining chairs

A beautiful Louis XVI transitional style commode with marble top

The "Essen", another chic bed

Beautiful newly designed accent table

Sophisticated cocktail table

Even their accessories are hand made and hand finished

Alfonso Marina welcomes anyone who would like to come to Mexico City and visit their showroom.  It is a trip not to be missed, and you can be assured of two things:  You will be treated like royalty; and you will fall in love with a people, a place, and a product.

Besame Mucho on Petronia Street

Ten years ago when we started to vacation in Key West, we never suspected it would become a favorite spot.  It has, and as we have come here more for both pleasure and work, we have discovered many secrets of the island.  One is that there is really great shopping. 

When installing our project here, we pre-planned very well, but there were still a few items missing that had to be purchased locally.  This was a great thing in my opinion because it gave us an opportunity to work things into the house that were really authentic to Key West.  The antique shopping in Key West is pretty limited, but we always manage to find trreasures to take home, as well as for our shop, Bobby Todd. 

Besame Mucho pictured above is one of the most beautifully displayed shops we have visited anywhere.  The owner is an artist with her vignettes, loves what she does, and it shows.  Her products are top quality, and the setting is totally charming.  She has an excellent assortment of home fragrance, even including the ever-so-hard-to-find Santa Maria Novella line from Florence.  She carries Kiehl’s cosmetics, beautiful candles, books, religious icons, jewelry, and is starting to carry some clothing.  There are always unique one of a kind pieces as well.  This time, a collection of vintage Chinese lanterns.  A few photos of the shop interior follow.

Besame Mucho Interior

Besame Mucho interior

Another favorite spot is Duck and Dolphin Antiques at the corner of Fleming and Simonton.  The owners have been in the spot for years, and we continue to be amazed by the quality and rarity of their merchandise.  Priceless in Paradise could well be the name of their shop.  They carry beautiful French furniture and accessories from the 18th and 19th centuries, Continental accessories, incredible old silver and crystal, and are beginning to feature more and more antique items from Asia.  It was a surprise for us to find a shop with the quality of products they have on the island, but they continue to be one of our favorite stops.  You can’t judge the content of the shop from the exterior, so be sure you get close enough to peek in the windows. 

Duck and Dolphin Antiques

Window display at Duck and Dolphin

A few other favorites are Island Antiques on Fleming, and In One Era on White Street.  There is also an amazing men’s store which provides a great diversion from antiquing.  Located on Fleming, it is called Assortment, and should not be missed.  The owners hand select every item, and can tell you all about the designer, fit, and quality.

All that shopping tends to make us hungry, and there is no better spot to fix that problem than at Sarabeth’s.  You will find David, the owner, in front of the restaurant six days a week on the corner of Southard and Simonton waiting to escort you to a sunny or shady table of your choice.  The food is fresh, and among the best on the island.  Bobby loves the tuna salad and marinated tomatoes.  I love the crab and shrimp cakes.  All good. 

Sarabeth's

We are always charmed by the beautiful cottages, piercing blue sky, and sway of the palms.  That is reason enough to visit Key West; but, when you are ready to venture out, there is lots to be discovered.

Franklin's charming shopping district

We found ourselves in Nashville, Tennessee this weekend for a friend’s 40th birthday party.  A trip out of Knoxville would not be complete without some antique shopping on the way.  As you will soon determine, antique shopping to us means lots of things….exploring the town and any interesting shops, good food, and of course, antiques.  We ventured to the charming town of Franklin, Tennessee, and were delighted with what we found.  We see lots of different towns when on the “hunt” for treasure for the shop, but it is refreshing to see a town that has done such a fabulous job of re-inventing itself as Franklin has.  The downtown is small, everything is within walking distance.   There are shops for all walks of life and all budgets.  Clothing for men, women, and children; bridal registry; antiques; gardening; and other gifts.  There are many restaurants as well.  We chose Merridee’s Breadbasket at 110 4th Ave. South.  It is a great place for a sandwich on homemade bread, good ice tea, and delicious desserts. 

A great men’s clothing store is F.M. Allen at 347 Main Street.  It is very well done, and feels like an English men’s club inside, complete with fireplace and billiards.  If you want a martini, you can have it at F.M. Allen.  The clothes are beautiful, handmade, and all imported from England and Italy.  Everything is private labeled with the F.M. Allen label.  Thanks to their incredibly beautifully setting that drew us in, I have a new shirt.

Now, to the meat of the post…..antiques.  There is a cluster of antique shops at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Margin Street.  All of these shops are in old houses or warehouses.  New and old mix in most of the shops, so don’t think everything you see is an antique because I can assure, it is not.  For the most part, the shops are charming in this area.  A bargain can be found if you look hard, and don’t be afraid to negotiate. 

There are a couple of antique shops on Main Street as well, and behind Main, on Bridge Street, is the Winchester Antique Mall.  It is in an old house as well, and their merchandise is interesting.  Most everything here is in good condition, and ready to be taken home and loved.  Again, don’t be afraid to negotiate.  At the entrance to town is Alexander Plaza, and there you will find Harpeth Antique Mall.  This is also a good place, although it doesn’t have the charm of the historic downtown.  You may or may not find a treasure.  We actually did find a fantastic Italian secretary here, that is on its way to Bobby Todd.

Below are a few more photos of Franklin.

Historic Downtown Franklin

The cutest Welcome Center ever

Beautiful new townhouses on 2nd Avenue

More beautiful townhouses. I love this lifestyle!