Thursday, October 28, 2010

Century Furniture: "Boston Style"


I always love going to our Boston showroom! Its such a beautiful city. I find it to be very vibrant; celebrating both its historical roots as well as modern culture. We find this dichotomy exists in Boston Style, as we sell both traditional and contemporary designs equally well. Actually Boston design as a whole I believe is a great blend of traditional and contemporary - cultivating a fresh, modern take on classic styles. I think you will agree this look is very evident in our Boston showroom.

Located in the Boston Design Center, our showroom is on the 4th floor (suite 447).

(The view of the showroom coming down the 4th floor corridor.)

(I just love this room - so sophisticated and I love the cream & cocoa color palette.)

(A mix of contemporary pieces, featuring the new Tribeca collection.)

(A chest from Tribeca - my favorite piece from the collection!)

(Another piece from Tribeca filled with an assortment of mercury glass.)

(Every room needs a little bit of sparkle - an elegant bedside table.)

(The view across our outdoor area .... yes, all of this furniture is outdoor suitable!)

(The view from our windows - I love these great, old windows. They allow for such light in the showroom!)

(An Oscar de la Renta dining room setting.)

(A fun chaise sits in front of our upholstered headboard samples.)

(A classic setting featuring a traditional bookcase and robin's egg lamps. Love the lamps!)

(A setting of traditional upholstery - meadow-green fabrics and the white display cabinet take it more fresh.)

(I loved this grouping of prints with the sapphire blue urns.)

(The design center of the showroom.)

(Classic poster bed with bedding from Ankasa.)

(A cocktail ottoman from our new Profiles collection.)

(One of my all-time favorite sofas ... love the beige and white combination. Casual but so chic!)

For more information on "all things Boston" please contact Andrea Gourousis, showroom manager, at either (617) 737 0501 or agourousis@centuryfurniture.com.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Dispatches from High Point - My Favorite Rooms

Its always amazing to me how our design team completely redesigns our High Point showroom (all 60,000 square feet) every six months! I image they must have so much fun picking up on new trends, designing for imaginary clients and exhibiting some theatrical license.

Every year, there's always a handful of rooms that tempt me into the dream of redecoration.

Enjoy!








Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Dispatches from High Point - Flowers

Anyone who's been to High Point can tell you its like Disneyland for home design. In addition to seeing the latest products, it is a trove of inspiration for decoration. One of my favorite things to see is the floral arrangements - ranging from lavish to simple. Gives me great ideas to bring to my home and upcoming projects.


Here are just a few from the Century showroom - enjoy!

(Isn't this magnificent?)

(A grand arrangement: red roses, calla lilies, tall grass and thistle)



(When you look closely that you realize the flowers are set around a mirrored finial which gives a bit of shimmer and reflective qualities make the bouquet more lush.)

(Simple but the repetition of the 3 arrangements makes this so pleasing to the eye.)

(A classic setting with an unexpected and so simple arrangement.)

(Whispers of color in a grand arrangement set the tone for our foyer.)

(What a modern feeling arrangement.)

(A classic I never tire of - white phalaenopsis orchids in a pretty container. And so easy to do!)

(.... whether 1 or multiples!)




Dispatches from High Point - Fabrics

Greetings from High Point! Its been an amazing market - great to see everyone and even more importantly there's a true feeling that the business has taken a turn for the better!! With that said, I thought I would share some of the exciting new product, designs and trends in a series of "Dispatches from High Point". First, my favorite fabrics and trends:

1. Grey continues to be a strong color direction since the Spring. For Fall, I loved seeing grey infused with caramel. Just like we are seeing in fashion (think Michael Kors newest collection): such a sophisticated and new (for home) combination of neutrals.

(F. Schumacher "Hollyhock" in tobacco)

(A Century Furniture outdoor fabric "Trellis" in gunmetal.)

2. A second color trend is bottle, kelly or malachite green: a rich vibrant emerald. Looks amazing when paired with black - so dramatic!

(F. Schumacher "Nanjing" in kelly green.)

3. Peacocks remain to be a strong motif in product design. I just loved this Robert Allen print that featured peacocks in a really fresh light-blue colorway. So soft, pretty but still elegant.

(Robert Allen "Vintage Plumes" in nile.)

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Birds of a Feather

Have you ever found once inspiration strikes, you begin seeing reflections of the idea or image everywhere you look? Ever since seeing Jeffrey Bilhuber's living room, with its regal peacock, I have always thought what an extravagant and beautiful touch for a room's decor! (Photo Credit: Jeffrey Bhilhuber)

So when we discovered an peacock for sale at an Atlanta market we couldn't resist! Here's an image of our feathered friend perched in our New York showroom.


Too much? Definitely not and I am not alone in my love - I have been seeing peacocks and inspired by motifs throughout high end design.

(A table setting in the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas, NV)

(D. Porthault's window display features a metallic peacock.)

(Punjab Peacock - A fabric from Iman Home. )


(A hand-painted peacock on silk from Jardin du Jour, available through Century Furniture Showrooms.)



Monday, October 4, 2010

"Design Embellishments"-CEU in Dania Beach

One of the things we enjoy most is having the opportunity to travel and talk to and teach people about furniture. Recently we hosted a number of designers and friends in our corporate showroom in Dania Beach for a CEU presentation titled "Design Embellishments". This presentation by Eric Graham, our Senior Manager of Casegoods and Century Leisure, introduces the participants to the various techniques that can be applied to high-end wood furniture. Eric walked through construction, physical and finish distressing procedures and ended with a hands on demonstration of gold & silver leafing, dry brushing and hand applied wax. It was a wonderful afternoon.
A big thank you to all who came and spent time learning about some of the unique aspects that make furniture fun! Please check our Calendar of Events to find out what is happening next with Century.


John Welker, Eastern Regional Territory Manager and Dania Beach Showroom Manager with
Eric Graham, Senior Manager for Century Casegoods and Century Leisure

Eric Graham presents high-end casegoods techniques


Gold leafing and dry brushing demonstration