To-Do List #2 & #3

Did I mention that I have weekends back again?  And when one is motivated, how much one can actually get done over a weekend?  

#2

I have had this bolt of turquoise fabric I won as a final contestant in the Norwalk Sofa Design Contest two years ago!  Wow yes, that was two years ago when I met Candice Olson.  So I finally made something of the 8 yards a fabric; a beautiful slipcover (shown here un-hemmed and missing a couple of little zips), for Buddy's chair in the kitchen.  The throw on it's arm is from last year's Threshold Collection of home decor at Target, and my inspiration point of colors to pull together for the porch and kitchen colors, the wall color - a coral rose - while looks OK needs repainting and will become more of a cantaloupe color, the two back pillows are my OLD Festive Fibers products, KNIT pillows, which frame a beautiful pillow I have had on my Etsy shop.  That felt piece for the pillow front was actually a demo felt I did during a class at NEFS.

#3
Studio chairs:  I have owned these funky wooden dinette chairs since I was in college.  I bought the set at a HUGE Salvation Army in Queens NY.  The furniture part was like a 3 floor warehouse - amazing.  They have been my kitchen chairs in many lives - 93rd St., Edison, and now Alstead.  Whenever the mood struck I changed the fabric slip seats, and about 15 years ago they were relegated to being my studio chairs.  I have never painted them, until now.   I have a great color scheme in mind for my studio redo (another # on the To-Do List), and I had this pile of samples which I cut and sewed into patchwork.

 

Here are the chairs, either trash or re-cycle?...

Very cool, as this is the first time I ever noticed the inventory dates on the bottoms, all starting at 1958-1960, and believe me they had at lease 6 layers of slipseat covers, one stapled right over the last.  Not any more, that old stuff removed completely and then a coat of fresh coral paint and some spray polyeurethane, can you say...

 Fabulous!

 

What do you think?

My Time at Norwalk Furniture

Well, I can't believe it was two weeks ago exactly I was touring the Norwalk Furniture factory.  We were five finalists and their guests, I brought Tom, Alex brought his mom and the other three, Laura, Troy and Kate came solo.  After a lovely (and long) day, (of anticipating) Candice Olson announced the winner, Kate Keough of Burlington Vermont.  We other four are runners up.  WHAT A GREAT ADVENTURE!  Each of our sofa design entries were on display for all to see at the Norwalk Pre-Market.  Their Pre-market is when they invite all their dealers to come to the factory to see the line before the High Point Markets, They also present a trend forecast which explains the whys and method of selection dozens of new fabrics each season.  The fabulous marketing and merchandising team of HB2 made a presentation of the likes I did when I was in textiles in NYC.  It was like a peek at my past (except they went to many more countries than ever I had!)

We arrived at Norwalk on Wed, late afternoon, in time for a dinner buffet and the opportunity to meet the great folks there, our competitors, see all the entries and also peruse the open floor of this season's newest furniture styles and fabrics and colors. 

Runner up Alex (rt) with his mom, enjoying the day's events

Thursday AM began at 9:00 we were promptly ushered to a full factory tour, and I stepped away with even more happy feelings of a company I really admire.  Lunch, and then a trend presentation by HB2, followed by a great presentation by Candice Olson on how she works with clients and an hour and half of seeing so many of her before and after projects.  I would love for Candice to do my bedroom! (OK Living room, kitchen and bathrooms!  I wonder what she can do in an 1830 cape?)

The announcement was made after all five of us were introduced and while I was not the winner I was so glad to be part of the whole experience.  I wonder what will come of my design anyway?

my badge

sitting in the circle of leather chairs so my colors!



all five of us await the WORD! (Kate at the far right is the winner)

awaiting the announcement, Alex, another runner up, is to my left

l-r me, Candice Olson and Tom

me and my board

one of the new Norwalk design for October Market - wow!

Troy - one of the runners up, like Candice too!



Candice Olson gave a lush presentation - we were right there!

Norwalk Sofa Contest: My Entry

Some of you may know, but for those who don't, I also work at a furniture store in Keene, NH called Syd's Carpet and Snooze Room a few days a week.  I have been designing rooms, selling furniture, flooring and bedding there for 4 years!  One of my favorite furniture lines we sell there is Norwalk Furniture.  I love this line, the company, and the recent influx of the coolest printed fabrics in the world!  As a textile designer I have pattern envy!

Norwalk is running a very interesting contest open to all sales/designers who sell their furniture in all the Norwalk Galleries across the country.  There are many national stores and galleries like the one at our store in Keene.  I thought it sounded fun and right up my alley as a designer, SO I ENTERED!!  If you were chosen as a finalist you go to Norwalk, Ohio to attend their pre-market showing for their reps and dealers letting folks know what will be presented at the upcoming furniture market in High Point.  The five finalists attend this October's pre-market, October 6th, and enjoy a full day of events which include a tour of the factory the Parade of Chairs, and where our sofa style Inspiration Boards will be on display for all in attendance to look at, including Candice Olson.  Candice - also of HGTV's Devine Design (one of my favorite design shows) - also designs a line of furniture for Norwalk, will be be presenting the winner! 

OK how much cooler can this contest get?  WAY!  So the prize?  The winner has their entry in the running line of styles for the next year, and over the next 5 months or so, work hand-in-hand with Norwalk's product development and marketing teams to bring the new style to April 2012's market.  The winner goes to HighPoint 2012 to present their style.

Can this get more exciting? YES! I AM ONE OF THE FIVE FINALISTS!!! 

Wish me luck! - Nicole