Spectacular Showhouse: High Design in High Point
Whew – we just had whirlwind trip to High Point and had a ball. Sadly we missed all the hubbub of market week (Spring Break, why do you always clash with HPMKT?!), but in a way, our quiet trip was a lovely time and we felt we could take our time and breathe it all in.
The centerpiece of our trip was a visit to the Junior League of High Point’s fantastic showhouse where incredible talent combined forces in this beautiful historic home.
The darling foyer designed by Tracy Zeller featuring a blue and white gingham wood tiled floor by Mirth Studio sets the tone for the colorful delights that await you. And then – WOW, Warhol! You can never go wrong with blue and white and this definiitely holds true in the living room designed by Jack Fhillips and Sally Altizer. This room is cool and cozy all at the same time and features two fabulous Warhols from Fhillips own collection.
We are huge fans of the Madcap Cottage gents – Jason Oliver Nixon and John Loecke – and their dining room for the showhouse does not disappoint. The Fromental wallpaper made us swoon and, as it is with these two, it’s the hidden touches that are the key to their immersive style. Look up and you will see butterflies on the ceiling. Look on the wall and find foo dogs seated on bamboo brackets. Dotted on the windowsills and sideboard are potted geraniums. Horse show ribbons adorn many design elements for a touch of whimsy. These guys honor great old design, but also are not hung up on rules. Case in point is the scale of the table and the use of an upholstered bench mixed with chairs around it. Free from pretension, it makes you want to pull up a chair and stay awhile.
Sophisticated southern charm meets city chic in Lisa Mendes‘ bold and sumptuous kitchen. Brass accents abound with lamps and fixtures in the dining area, and are echoed in the kitchen with the cabinet hardware and lighting. Black and white speaks chic and sleek as the main color tones in the kitchen, contrasted beautifully with the glamorous dining area that seemed inspired by a New York City pied a terre. The navy grasscloth walls, fabulous chartreuse leather chairs, deep green accents and black and white upholstery make for a rich tableau. All of this sophisticated style is offset with a whimsical mudroom featuring black and white custom wallpaper and Cotton+Quill’s Elsie fabric used with a wink and a smile on the mudroom bench. The mudroom is a lovely nod to Randall B. Terry, Jr., the beloved previous owner of this house, who was a noted dog lover and veterinary philanthropist with six (!) golden retrievers – he
left a trust fund upon his death to care for them. Love it!
And how about this for a powder room?! Margaret Fisher makes a splash with her Christian Lacroix (Lacroix sweetie!) for Designers Guild Wallpaper with butterflies on a silver background. The moldings and ceiling are a va va va voom fuchsia which is just divine!
As we went upstairs, we couldn’t wait to see the Daughter’s Bedroom styled by dear friend (and Liza’s college sorority sister) Cathy Austin. She did NOT disappoint! As her design touchpoint, Cathy chose a large abstract artwork that provided the color palette of her room. The bespoke bedding from Leontyne Linens is to die for – the bed and window treatments are rooted in classic style, but feel very of the moment. The room is sophisticated with touches of whimsy. The eye travels and finds Cathy’s style in the brass animals and books styled in color coordinated blocks that populate the crazy cool brass etagere. Topped off with Addison Weeks brass boxes and even a painted cow’s skull on the vanity – brava!
Traveling from the main house of the estate, the tour moves on to the carriage house where more delights abound. Holly Hollingsworth Phillips of The English Room brings the color, the pattern and the fun in her upstairs art haven. The girl knows how to mix it up! We spy accessories from Dunes and Duchess and Addison Weeks – some of our faves – plus wonderful mexican textiles on the pillows, a pearl inlay coffee table and bright and cheery ceramics. All of this plus a zebra rug and a fab mix of contemporary art – you feel like you have toured the world with one spin around the room!
Ahhhh, Parker Kennedy Living you continue to inspire and delight! Who knew emerald green and grey were our new favorite color combination? Their home office/guest room is a study in making a small room feel like it has everything without being cluttered. The Thibaut wallpaper that covers the wall and ceiling is oh so chic. We spied a “You’re Riveting” pendant from Taylor Burke Home which picks up on the rich grey velvet of the daybed. Touches of chinoiserie (a weakness of ours) contrasted with cool contemporary art and lacquered white furniture – divoooon!!!!
And as we bid the JLHP Showhouse adieu, the one thing we learned from all of these designers is it’s all about the details. Sooooo….. DON’T FORGET THE CEILING!
