IFDA has 16 chapters across the country and one in Japan, and the organization includes professionals from all kinds of jobs in the furnishing and design fields: interior designers and manufacturers, public relations pros and showroom managers — and students, too.
In addition to her work with the IFDA, Fairburn is a local artist and businesswoman. In 1979, she founded her own stained-glass design and manufacturing company in Richmond. Now called Decorative Glass Solutions, the Ashland-based business produces stained-glass pieces and decorative home accessories. Its work can be seen in homes and businesses here and in places as far away as Alaska and Florida. One of their biggest — and latest — projects is the luminous stained-glass windows that now adorn the VCU Medical Center’s recently renovated chapel. Look for a Decorative Glass Solutions shop in town soon. They’ll have space in the-soon-to open DéCOR in Carytown that we wrote about just a few weeks back.
Spending a long weekend in one of this country’s horse capitals has left me thinking of things equestrian. Of course, living in Virginia does that, too. That’s why I was tickled to find this tote, and more, at YOU! Boutiques in Short Pump Town Center.
The bag’s bold color certainly offers a modern take on red, green and black horsey palettes. The fabric’s oversized scale is punchy and vivid, and I think the look is really head-turning.
Priced at $204 and designed by Rebecca Ray, the tote — which is large enough to stow a laptop, magazines and books — is carried by YOU! Boutiques in a variety of colors. Hermes orange, for instance, is also a winner.
The shop stocks a variety of equestrian-themed home accessories. A few really caught my eye, including a rectangular porcelain platter entitled “The Chase” ($72). It’s hand-painted, with a whimsical, full-of-zip fox hunt. A beige crackle-finish ginger jar by HomArt also intrigues. Its fresh lattice pattern, featuring encircled horse emblems — horseshoes, whips, saddles, tall boots, pony heads and gloves — would add a horsey exclamation point to a mantel or hall table. Black faux-croc napkin rings by Pomegranate ($10) each sport a giant metal horseshoe and shine with neo-traditional equestrian chic.
See even more of the store’s equestrian inventory at its website.
Theresa Capps, YOU! Boutiques’ owner and buyer, is an active interior designer. She works in a variety of decorative styles (equestrian themes being just one), and she’s currently running a special offer. Spend $500 on any accessories in the store, and you'll receive one free hour of in-home interior-design services. (The visit must be within a 30-mile radius.)
Shop the store Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m, and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Tally ho!
Closeout sales bring lots of savings, and Tish’s store is no exception. All furniture remaining on the floor is now 50 percent off.
Living on Grove is closing its doors, too. Feb. 1 will be their last day. Featuring handmade items by local and Virginia artists and artisans, the 5714 Grove Ave. shop is also having a big closing sale. Non-consigned items, including linens, furniture, glassware, baby accessories and more, are now 50 percent off. Last time I checked, a select assortment of hotel-style Sferra sheets and duvets remained, as did smart-looking four-pack sets of navy-blue linen Sferra cocktail napkins. Another great find is a handmade hickory table by Edward (pictured) that at half off is now $448.
Additional items, such as colorful and striking oil paintings by Kiki Slaughter, Wilson Flor, Sarah Gayle Carter and Margaret Cogar, are still available at regular price. Don’t miss your chance to check out these works while they’re still at Living on Grove.
Living on Grove’s owner, Martee Stephens Johnson, has new plans in the works once her store has closed. She plans to rent warehouse spaces for art shows that will likely be held three times a year.
Art shows are also on the mind of Betty Lewis Smith. Her North Side store, Embellish, at 5105 Lakeside Ave., closed nearly two months ago. “Although Embellish has closed, the space is still there, and I have invited my artist friends to hold an art show and sale,” she shared.
The sale will be held on two days — Friday, Jan. 27, from 5 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Jan. 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The show will feature work by 21 artists, including Jane Joyner, Karen Cantor, Nancy Cecere-LeBlanc, Dick Fowlkes and Smith herself. Refreshments will be served.
Marc Cates, Andrew Chasen (of Chasen Galleries) and Arlyn Gleason are the creative forces behind the venture.
“The goal,” explains Cates, DéCOR’s director, “is to bring the design community to the client for one-stop shopping.”
One-stop shopping and access, too. DéCOR will be open to the public and not only to designers in the trade.
Local interior designer Kathy Corbet (of Kathy Corbet Interiors) is excited about opening a shop in DéCOR. She’s calling her store “at Market."
“I travel to markets all over the country and beyond, and I often find exciting items that are too good to pass up. I’m usually looking for clients,” she acknowledges. “With DéCOR, now everyone will have the opportunity to see and have these items."
Like others in the design center, Corbet plans to have hours to meet and greet, making the whole experience personable for customers and allowing them direct access to talented local design professionals.
With so many businesses, DéCOR’s scope will be broad, showcasing products and resources for people contemplating a whole-house redo or those just on the lookout for perfect accent pillows. "It's a place to look for fresh, new and innovative ideas in design and home rejuvenation," Cates says.
He also says they'll highlight what’s hot and trendy. So get ready.
For now, here’s a list of businesses that have joined DéCOR: Artisan Concrete Décor, Barden's Decorating, Bennette Sebastian, Commonwealth Curb Appeal, David Allan Ballas, Decorative Glass Solutions, Design Line Remodeling, Innovative Interiors, Jennifer Stoner, Jenny Andrews, John Magor, Kathy Corbet, Kitchens, Etc., Lighting by Design, Melanie Palma, Method Org, Moxie Interiors, Solar Film, Verve and Wendy Umanoff.
The list is growing daily, as even more vendors snap up remaining spaces.
Printed with the phrase “Use my beehive to dry your dishes," its lighthearted design and quirky wording certainly up the fun factor in the kitchen.
Quirk sells another towel by Wilson that's representative of her humorous aesthetic. It’s printed with the sentence “Use my beard to wash your dishes," and the curlicue beard is whimsically drawn and pretty darn amusing.
Also at Quirk, First Friday, Jan. 6, brings art openings to the gallery. First up, Quirk’s main gallery will feature the invitational exhibit "Grab It." Showcasing the work of seven artists, it explores notions about the end of the world (2012 theorists have been vocal for years now). As the gallery points out, this is a topic that brings worry for many, especially children. To address and explore those emotions, the artists have created whimsical plush survival kits, demonstrating their answers to the question, “What soft and cuddly would you need at the end of the world?” "Grab It" will be on view through Feb. 24.
Two additional shows will run through Jan. 27. Quirk’s Vault space will present works by Chris Milk Hulburt, and Matt Lively’s work will be the focus of the Shop Show.
Speaking of Lively, be sure to drive by and enjoy his painting now hanging on the side of Main Art Supply & Framing at 1537 W. Main St. It’s titled Cul de Sac, and it’ll be up, facing Lombardy Street, through Jan. 20.
Quirk is at 311 W. Broad St. Hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. First Friday hours are 5 to 9 p.m.
