Form and Function at its Peak!

I have been a SWAIM enthusiast for some time now and recently our firm has had the pleasure of getting reacquainted with this incredible manufacturer of high quality furnishings.  Swaim furniture is one of those "proud to be made in America" lines that truly has the eye of the design community.  Great form combined with superb function, attention to quality and attention to detail makes SWAIM an excellent choice for furnishing your home.

SWAIM offers a variety of furnishings including sofas, sectionals, chairs and also a large variety of casegoods.  In addition to this diverse line of furniture SWAIM also offers a large variety of incredible finishes and will often custom tailor the finish of any piece to truly make it a one of a kind! 

Check out some of the line ..

 

Schelfe and Associates is proud to represent this line to our customers and clients.  The best way to truly touch and feel the furnishings offered at SWAIM is to visit the SWAIM Design Center located in High Point.  The Design Center is open to the Trade Only and appointments can be scheduled with Schelfe and Associates for your one on one visit to the Design Center.  Give us a call at 919.832.8013 to set up your personal tour!

An evening for Jerry!

Last night I had the pleasure of attending a truly special event.  The event was designed as a fundraiser to benefit a longtime CNN professional video photojournalist and his family.  Jerry Thompson a veteran of CNN, had blazed countless trails covering many of our nations past news stories and news events.  Jerry, recently diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer, has an array of incredible friends who worked hard to make this fundraiser happen.   

Titled "Our Friend Jerry Thompson Fundraiser" was held at the way cool Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar near Chinatown in Washington DC.  Over 475 people crowded the floor including many top CNN and FOX news anchor men, women and staff.  Cuba Libre provided incredible treats and lots of Mojitos!  A live band performed throughout the evening and both a silent and live auction also helped bring in the funds!

 




Schelfe and Associates donated a block of time to the Silent Auction to be auctioned off with all the other items including several week long stays at incredible beach houses, a former STYX guitar signed by the band and many other cool items.  The evening was a huge success and as of the count this morning over $75,000 had been raised for Jerry and his family.

If you get  a chance please click on the link, there is always time to still help Jerry and his fmaily!

Tim

The Jerry Thompson Event at Cuba Libre!

OK, it did get a little crowded!

Tim yucking it up with veteran CNN anchorman Wolf Blitzer.

Tim shaking hands over a drink with anchor John King of CNN.

If you can please reach out and help support Jerry and his family during their time of need.  During this Holiday Season, don't we all have so much to be thankful for?

Our Friend Jerry Thompson Fundraiser
Jerry and his Family.

Exoti-Q #3.

Yep, we hosted our third Exoti-Q last week and the event was a huge success!  OK you ask, "What's an Exoti-Q"?  Good question! Well, it's kind of like an upscale Barbeque with a twist.  The twist is the foods being grilled are usually items you cannot easily pick up at the local Harris Teeter.  Tasty treats like Ostrich, Bison, Alligator, Pheasant, Antelope and many others are marinated and grilled to perfection and then served with tangy sauces.  Yes, we had chicken too!  Our hats are off again to Chef Dave Bowers for engaging us in all the delights! 

This event also marked a newcomer, Wines for Humanity.  They provided the wine for the evening and smartly paired all the courses of the evening with terrific wines from their select vendors.  Also wine was available for purchase and a percentage of the proceeds is donated by Wines for Humanity to prevent homelessness of families with children.

We typically have 30 to 45 people attend the "by invitation only" event which is hosted by Schelfe and Associates, Palczuk and Scarbrough and Cresa Partners.  The evening turned out to be a great night of eating great food, drinking good wine and meeting and mingling with terrific guests.

Be on the lookout for our next Exoti-Q event scheduled for early 2011!

Tim..

  











Having Fun at the Event!

Michael, Lou, Tim, Marlene and Ruth Anne!

Designer Vicente Wolf

A few weeks ago I had the fortune of attending a seminar hosted by Vicente Wolf.  Vicente is one of those rare designers who throughout his career has taken his work into many facets of design.  His love for photography and his enthusiasm for travel are often visual clues to the interiors he designs.  I still remember the first time I heard him speak at a Design Conference in Washington DC over 20 years ago!

For this most recent seminar Vicente talked about his current work and some of the challenges his firm also faces in light of the recent and still recovering economy.  He was refreshingly open and honest with his comments and his dialog with the attendees.  At the end of his seminar I had a few moments of time to talk one on one with him as we discussed the future of design and what makes a "professional Interior Designer".

Vicente thank you for your views, your love of design and of course the work you shower us with!

Tim...

Tim, Vicente and Marlene at Vicente's book signing!

It is great to share in the success of others especially those who give so much of their creative talents to help shape, transform and mold the spaces in which we live and play!

Check out Vicente's newest book; Vicente Wolf "Lifting the Curtain on Design", available at:
http://www.amazon.com/Lifting-Curtain-Design-Vicente-Wolf/dp/1580932673/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1289360465&sr=1-1

Classic Elegance

Did you catch this article in this month’s issue of Cary Magazine?  This is Schelfe and Associates' newest kitchen design project! 

This newly renovated kitchen is a favorite place for the homeowners to unwind and relax in this Raleigh home. It provides a comfortable yet elegant background for cooking, entertaining and sharing family memories.

Prior to the kitchen transformation, the kitchen in this older colonial style home had outdated finishes, appliances and a poor traffic circulation. Interior designer, Marlene Heymer, ASID of Schelfe and Associates, Inc., along with Sigmon Construction helped transform the kitchen into a large functional room with dramatic style. Marlene worked closely with the couple to understand their wishes of the overall style, feeling colors and budget. Making the kitchen truly spectacular and one-of-a-kind custom kitchen was the attention to detail to every component of the design. From the classical elements in the decorative hood above the cooktop, the fluted pilasters which pullout to store spices, to the large detailed island that seats six. The kitchen is designed to be functional as well as beautiful.

This timeless kitchen will serve the young family well for years to come. It was a great success and well planned design with a coordinated team of the client, builder and interior designer. Everything was well planned and exactly met the lifestyle and needs of the family. This kitchen is everything the homeowners wished - a spacious functional kitchen with timeless elegance!

Builder: Sigmon Construction

Cabinets: Cardinal Cabinetworks

Photographer: Jerry Blow Architectural Photography

The Jefferson Hotel

A few weeks ago I was in Washington, DC to attend a weekend meeting.  Without question the highlight of the weekend was the incredible Hotel I had the fortune of staying at.  The Jefferson Hotel takes refined elegance and quiet sophistication to a whole new level; to a work of art!

The Hotel recently underwent an exhaustive restoration into what is now the incredible Jefferson Hotel.  We, as designers, often talk about how design and the interiors we live in and play in can elevate our spirit and provide a sense of beauty and awe.  The Jefferson Hotel performs magnificently.

Forrest Perkins lead this transformation and provided the vision and design for this transformation.  I cannot say enough of how excellent they executed their task.  Design can make us wonder, awaken our spirit and provide a haven in which to enjoy the life we are living.  I thank the Jefferson Hotel for providing such wonder...

Tim

If you have a chance to visit the Jefferson Hotel please do so, you will not be dissapointed!

S&A @ Market with Suzanne Kassler!

Last week we traveled to High Point, North Carolina for our bi-yearly visit to the High Point Furniture Market. This Fall market was a terrific market and an exciting time, not to mention the fact that the temperature was in the 80's. Not bad at all for fall in North Carolina!

We toured many terrific showrooms and viewed the latest and greatest in furniture, fabrics and finishes. Hickory Chair was hot on our list especially since they have moved locations at market and were unveiling their brand new showroom. Our hats are off to Jay and his team at Hickory Chair for creating a new and exciting showroom.

One of our favorite "celebrity designers" Suzanne Kassler was on hand at the Hickory Chair showroom debuting her latest pieces manufactured by Hickory Chair. Marlene and I caught up with her and shared a few stories.

Please check out her line at Hickory Chair and all the other incredible pieces from this manufacturer.  And of course it is all available through Schelfe and Associates.

Happy Trails,

Tim....

Tim, Suzanne and Marlene

The Washington Design Center

OK so it's been awhile but I am back! Earlier this week I spent two days at the Washington Design Center in Washington DC. The DC Design Center is an incredible 7 story building full of fabrics, furniture and furnishings for the interiors world. The Center is open to Trade Professionals, is easily accessible on the DC Metro-line and is a easy 35 minute drive from our DC Design Studio.

The DC Design Center is like an old friend that I haven't visited in a few years. It's where I "got pinned" when I received my Professional Certification from ASID and where as a design student at the University of Maryland I won a design competition back in 1986!

The DC Design Center will allow our firm to offer more selections of fine furnishings and fabrics to all our clients including those in the DC market, the Raleigh Durham area and beyond.

I look forward to using this "new" resource for our clients and our design projects.

Tim...

The Washington Design Center, 300 D St. SW

Lines like, Donghia, Highland House, Baker, Scalamandre, Schumacher, Kravet, J. Lambeth and many others fill the halls of this building.

New Washington DC Studio Office!

I call it "returning to my roots"!
After an 18 year hiatus from the Washington area I have returned to the Capital City to open a satellite office of Schelfe and Associates! In addition to our current office location in Raleigh, North Carolina this new studio office will allow Schelfe and Associates to foster new clients and develop new design work for a larger metropolitan area.

The firms focus will remain on securing custom residential projects as well as high-end hospitality projects including Clubs, Hotels and Resort properties. Keep checking back as we will update you on our work and design projects in the Washington area!

Help spread the word!

Tim

Our new Washington address is:
9310 Elmhirst Drive
Bethesda, MD 20814

Bethesda Maryland from the sky.


Night time in Bethesda!


In the Center of it all.

What makes a great Fabric?

Ok, what makes a really great fabric?
Is is the colors, the texture or the way the fabric drapes and reflects the light? Yes and yes! Ok there may be no single reason as to what makes a great fabric great but one our favorites is the Couture line from Kravet.

Kravet Couture fabrics are inspired by the designs and styles of the haute couture fashion houses. Translating the world's most luxurious fabrics and textures into upholstery, drapery, pillows and more, Kravet Couture is an upscale collection sure to bring timeless elegance to any interior.

The line is available in upholstery and drapery weight fabrics and also has incredible decorative trims and is fashioned from the designs of many nationally and internationally known Interior Designers such as; Alexa Hampton, Barbara Barry, Joseph Abboud and Barclay Butera just to name a few. The line is available to the trade or of course through Schelfe and Associates. Check out the line at Kravet.http://www.kravet.com/fabrics/couture.htm
and let us know how we can make it work for you!

Today's Style Is.....

Aged Distressed Wood- In any application!

Painted aged wood is the hottest style of the year!
Antiques inspired it, designers love it and people want it!

It's on FURNITURE!

Original Antiques - Designer Suzanne Kasler made it her own

Hickory Chair makes it to-order!

It's on LIGHTING!

It's on the FLOOR!

Patterned painted floor; image via Design Sponge

It's inspiration for the ENTIRE ROOM!

Luciano Grugni

Murdock Young Architects

Tell us what you think! Is it your style, we want to know?

- Mary-Grace

www.hickorychair.com

www.currycodealers.com

Design Sponge

Michael Moran for Murdock Young Architects

http://www.suzannekasler.com/

http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/colors/

HD EXPO Finds Volume I

3 Form

One of the really amazing products that we have used over the past few years is from a company called 3 Form. 3 Form is the leading manufacturer of award-winning, sustainable building materials and architectural hardware solutions for the Architecture + Design industry. This includes a variety of products including their innovative translucent panels which can be used as walls, dividers, sliding doors and other creative architectural solutions for both Residential and Commercial interiors. They have now expanded the line to include a variety of lighting fixtures and other components than can be easily manipulated by the end user to create a "one of a kind" design.
Check it out!


a undulating wall partition


A sculptural ceiling design


A remarkable wall treatment


or a remarkable wall that becomes a work of art!

If you get a chance check out 3 Form or come by our office and we'll see how we can put 3 Form into your life!

City Center, Las Vegas!

This week Tim traveled back to visit the always changing and never dull city of Las Vegas, Nevada. Tim was in Vegas to attend the largest annual design conference held for the Hospitality Design market called, HD EXPO 2010 (Hospitality Design, Expo). This three day event is the benchmark for all industry professionals involved in design, products and technology for the Hospitaltiy sector, whether for a Hotel, Restaurant, Clubhouse or other public or private resort type facilities. Tim spent two days on the floor meeting with manufacturers, fellow designers, industry leaders and of course finding the newest, coolest and best products available to bring to our Clients.

Over the next month Tim will provide a weekly showcase of his best finds of the show. Lookout for a Blog Post called;
HD EXPO finds...


Tim on the floor of the HD Expo.

While on this trip, Tim took sometime to explore, study and photograph some of this fantasy city. The newest digs to hit the Vegas strip is the monumental City Center project. CityCenter is a 16,797,000 square feet mixed-use, massive urban complex on 76 acres located on the Las Vegas Strip. The project was started by MGM Mirage; Dubai World became a joint partner during the project's construction phase. It is the largest privately funded construction project in the history of the United States! Wow, truly a magnificent undertaking by a cast of thousands.


Rendering of City Center


View of the Hotel and Casino "Aria"





Check out City Center to learn more of this magnificent mixed-used planned community. Where living, playing and shopping all come together....