2.15.2012: Update: After months and months and months of waiting..the Congo Bed is Back! They just arrived yesterday… Available in King & Queen. This bed is one of our long time favorites…Below is a post regarding the bed’s cameo in Elle Decor (aka the Holy Grail of Home Design that arrives once a month) from last year.
Original Post: 1.06.2011
I was just thumbing through magazines from this past Spring/Summer to shed some sunshine on this rainy (muggy…yuck!) day. Somehow I missed the May Elle Decor in the Spring and what an issue!! I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked Ellen Pompeo’s home, but this month’s showstopper for me was by far “Modern History” by David Coleman. It featured a barn in upstate New York repurposed as a well-styled, comfortable weekend getaway! ( Umm…You’ve had me since hello!…)
The eclectic mixture of leather and florals, lights and darks, traditional pieces as well as relics from the other side of the globe give the home that push and pull that we LOVE here at Celadon. The way they left the original exposed beams all rugged made the space seem so authentic, all renovations and fancy furniture aside. I was immediately drawn to the large photo of the horses’ heads as we just got in a fantastic (and affordable!!) black & white portrait of a beautiful stallion. I turned the page to see that the couple’s bed is a piece we have carried here at Celadon for years!
Dubbed, “The Congo Bed,” it has been one of the objects of my desire since I started working here (it’s very hard to work in a place filled with beautiful things). It is rich, sturdy, solid wood and has a sort of British Imperial feel to it. All the weight a room needs! I think India Hicks would love it. We recently learned the story behind this anchor of a bed.
The owner of the company that makes it was traveling the world in search of adventure and unique furnishings (sounds good to me!!) when his girlfriend purchased a pair of earrings at an outdoor market in South Africa. The earring’s unusual shape and weighty feel soon became the inspiration for the bed we see today.
We couldn’t love it more, and we are glad to see Elle Decor does too!…..R
February 15 2012 | Leave a Comment
Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at Celadon…
Gentlemen…should you still need to do some shopping we have a great selection of jewelry, candles, soaps, lotions & potions,etc….Gift Certificates are always a sure thing as well…
As always, cards are 50% off and we have everything from sappy (but sweet) to sincere to soooo dang funny!
Stop in and pick something up for your honey! xo, R
February 14 2012 | Leave a Comment
We wanted to wrap up this week by giving some major props to Charleston Magazine for a simply fantastic February Issue!!! Kudos!
“Porch Done 3 Ways” got me longing for dewy summer nights…..I could certainly spend an evening with a glass of wine and some good company and be a happy lady in all 3 spaces, each individually curated by designers, Angie Hranowsky, Biggs Powell, and Julie Rogers, but “Past Forward” was an absolute standout for us here at Celadon!
It is a profile of the home and studio of Susan and Trenholm Walker. Aside the fact that she has taken her historic Logan Street home with its traditional piazzas and rod iron accents and transformed it to a well-lived space rich in color, pattern & texture that celebrates artistic traditions both past and present from around the world, each room seems to tell a story…a story of the places Susan has been, and of the people who have made this eclectic collection come to fruition.
We here at Celadon have a complete affinity for exotic travel, objects that tell a story and all that is handmade…(not to mention that I am a self-pronounced textile junkie!!!!) so this article hit me at the core as soon as I saw the cover. Elizabeth, our Head Buyer, was so excited to see this article and that it in fact made the cover of the magazine as she recently had the pleasure of meeting Susan Walker this Fall, and could not sing her praises more.
Aside having an amazing home where local history builds the bones and unique curiousities from inlaid tables to old saris to Morrocan lanterns bring the place to life, she is the owner of illoominata, and you must go to the website and read more about this as it simply cannot be put into words…illoominata celebrates artistic talent, beautiful things, and above all empowering women.
Susan is an artist, a humanitarian, and an inspiration. Her words in the article as well as on her website are simply so eloquent and genuine that each sentence seems like it could be on one of those calendars where you rip off a page to start each day on a positive note of appreciating others and their gifts. Do not read this if you do not like to feel uplifted and inspired because you are sure to do so 
. We are so lucky to have people like this in our “mini-city”.
Enjoy the weekend…….R
** We contacted Susan who is currently travelling Southern India for illoominata. To follow her check out : http://www.illoominata.com/blog/
*** Images from Charleston Magazine, Photographed by J. Savage Gibson
February 11 2012 | Leave a Comment
ar•ti•san
— n.
1. one that produces something in limited quantities often using traditional methods
** 02.11.2012 : Update….BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND…We have a fresh shipment of Kantha Throws straight from India…Last time they sold out in 2 weeks…Huge slection…Beautiful, vibrant colors…get them while they’re hot!!!
We have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of all of the goods we bought during our February buying trip in India. The first shipment came this week and OOH-LA-LA….I almost had a cardiac arrest when we opened the boxes!!!
From heavy wrapping and bulky boxes the most gorgeous, Kanthas, emerged. Kanthas are handmade quilts/blankets/throws created using a traditional running decorative embroidery stitch (the word “kantha” actually refers to this stitch), piecing together old saris and other vintage textiles to make a repurposed product from something that is no longer wearable. You can read more on the history of this tradition that originated in West Bengal, India.
As seems to be the case with “crafts” in general industry-wide right now (scroll down to 5th artcle under “design trends”), kantha embroidery was once a regional, functional, rural “folk” tradition if you will, that has now come full circle to be embraced worldwide as a true art (as it should be!! I cannot even imagine the workmanship that went into each and every one of these!!!).
We hand-selected each one you will see in the store….they are true one-of-a-kinds, no two will ever be alike, are 100% cotton, and will vary slightly in size. These are considered “singles,” so they will fit a twin bed nicely as a coverlet, but also look fantastic simply folded at the end of any sized bed for a bohemian ka-bam of color..
The possibilities with these are truly endless given your level of creativity…at $75 each you could have them made into throw pillows or interesting euro shams, or even be used to recover a small chair, stool, bench or ottoman style coffee table. I found this photo via Rickshaw Designs (a blog and company that I was turned on to this summer, and simply LOVE) during my search for more information on the art of the kantha….this photo shows how they were used to re-upholster a headboard…I love this…this idea would be fantastic on a pair of twin beds..it would make for such an interesting space as they would not “match” but instead “complement” one another. Cutting them and wrapping them on 2 or 3 canvases to create innovative wall décor would be so fun as well…use the left over trimmings to make yourself a wrap or scarf.
Between my complete affinity for textiles, handmade things, and the country of India.. I want them all! I found a few other really inspiring blogs during my exploration on the subject: Harabu House and An Indian Summer Design. Have a look and please do pop-in to see these in person. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.
Have a nice weekend….Rebecca
February 10 2012 | Leave a Comment
Happy Very Belated New Year!
2012 sort of snuck-up on us, but it is our resolution to update this blog as often as possible as we have many, many exciting new things in the works here at Celadon for the New Year…..you must stay tuned as mums the word right now….but I will be sure to keep you all in the loop as all the excitement comes to fruition….:)
January tends to be a roller coaster month around here…A bit of calm after the storm that is the Holiday Season, but it is also Market Season for us so everything that is new begins to roll-out, and we hit the ground running at domestic shows nationwide to see it all and bring the best back to you!
All of the above aside….let’s face it…January can feel like the absolute doldrums of winter!!!!…uggghhh…. chilly (windy!!) weather, grey skies, shorter days …sometimes you just want to hide in your closet and re-emerge when it’s time to go to the beach again!! Well, this burst of unseasonably warm & happy sunshine we have been experiencing has inspired us to beat the wintertime blues! And with what better shade (of BLUE might I add….) Turquoise!
There is something about a blue/green palette that can feel both clean & soothing as well as bright & uplifting at the same time. If you know us, you are most likely aware of our marriage to white and light neutrals, but we have an absolute love of all that is aqua/blue-green/turquoise that simply cannot be denied!
Have a look at one of my favorite vignettes that is currently staged at the front of the store. A crisp white Cindy Sofa is the canvas, as an electric pair of Ikat Blue/Green throw pillows (made in the USA!!!) sets off a pair of “Finger Paint Pillows” in the intense color. These pillows were the design of the artist’s little boy that he then screen-printed and made into an amazing (and affordable) line of unique pillows. Another showstopper in this setting is the Round Lucite Coffee Table…this nod to the modern life was handmade in Los Angeles, CA and could look just as hot on a rugged white-washed floor as on a Vintage Oushak Rug. Add the fun coffee table books (I could live in a Slim Aarons book and be one happy woman) and these uber cozy, patterned, slipcovered chairs and you have a masterpiece in blue, white & green I tell you!
I’ve added some snaps of some other blue/green items in our treasure trove….have a look…
We are headed to Atlanta this weekend for a show and adding some spice to this trip…we will be checking out some very funky European antiques-will report back (!!!!!)…..Cheers!- R
January 13 2012 | Leave a Comment
Tis the season to be jolly…And if you have procrastinated on getting your home all festive for company’s upcoming arrival, then my friend, you are in luck. All Holiday Merchandise is NOW 75% OFF!!! (Sometimes procrastination does pay).
We still have a wonderful selection. From natural, rustic driftwood accents, to elegant silver and gold decore, to fun, kitschy nostalgic felt ornaments & stockings…there is plenty to choose from.
I took a few quick photos…we also have pretty wreaths and garlands. Happy shopping…fa-la-la-la-la..la.la.la.laaaaaaaa!!!!!
-R
December 13 2011 | Leave a Comment
“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.”
— Martin Buber
Greetings…
With the holidays upon us, we thought we would share some great gift ideas with you….best of all…these are all under $50!!!
Have a great weekend! -R
December 9 2011 | Leave a Comment
The seasons are a changin’ (farewell beach weather…you will be missed…and I surely hope you won’t be gone too long…), but as the leaves turn, and cooler days call for cozier, more intimate gatherings indoors, I am often inspired to spruce-up the home and add something fresh for Fall…
There is simply no easier fix than swapping out your throw pillows AND we have just gotten in several HUGE shipments from all sorts of different places…here, there …..everywhere!!!
Have a look at some of the photos I just took during a quick spin around the store…Pillows galore I tell you…and best of all…They are all 20% off until Weds, November 9th!!! In fact, ALL IN-STOCK ACCESSORIES are 20% OFF. Bedding…Rugs…Lamps…Art…Mirrors & More….Thanksgiving is around the corner…company’s coming….be ready!
Happy November….Rebecca
November 4 2011 | Leave a Comment
en•cy•clo•pe•dic
— adj.
1. covering a wide range of knowledge
buf· fet - noun
a counter height piece of furniture intended to stand at the side of a room, with drawers, cupboards, and shelves to hold silver, china, linen, etc.
Boo-fay?..Buff-fey?..Buff-eht?
To-may-toe..To-mah-toe…However you would like to pronounce it, we are having a HUGE SALE on all of our In-Stock Buffets!!! Take 30%-50% OFF of ALL buffets at both the Store & Outlet locations. The guys just unloaded a brand new container yesterday that was chock full of clean-lined, solid-wood beauties from Indonesia…multiple sizes and finishes, so the in selection is pretty dynamic right now!
The holidays will be here before you know it…perfect time to get a jump start on sprucing up the dining room!
see some pics..lots more in the store!!!…..Rebecca
October 6 2011 | Leave a Comment
