Current Inspiration: Mark Cunningham

Over the past year, we've been working hard on an exciting design project here in the Philadelphia area (and if you follow along on Snapchat, you've seen some of the progress! Find us at highstreetHome). It's an old stone Colonial house that is getting a head-to-toe makeover, including an addition and a newly configured floorplan.  A lot of exciting installations will be happening this summer, so stay tuned for loads of awesome before & after pictures.

Our clients have great taste.  So, when they showed us images from Brett Heyman's Connecticut home (featured in Architectural Digest and most recently on One King's Lane), we got really excited.  Designed by super talented interior designer, Mark Cunningham, this awesome house has it all.  Layers of texture and saturated color, modern art mixed with classic antiques-- these rooms are speaking our love language.  Take a look...

 This English-arm sofa + braided jute rug + modern art.  Such a fantastic combo.  Plus, the green walls are perfection. 

 

 This bedroom is so great.

 

 Another one of my favorite images-- again, that saturated green comes out of nowhere and adds so much depth to the room.  

 

Let's not stop there, because Mark Cunningham's portfolio is loaded with fabulously executed design and we cannot stop PINNING (and then, literally pinning... these print outs are all over our pin boards in the office).  Here are a few favorites...

Tailored and formal and perfectly done.  We love the enormous greenery in the blue & white pot (and that rug!).

 Classically simple...  but, check out the ceiling and open shelving.

 Love the paint color on the cabinetry, and that oversized lantern.

 Great built-in desks.

 (plaid carpet)

 Classically elegant and relaxed.

 Interesting art arrangement

So much green.  We love this.

For more from Mark Cunningham, look here.

Shop Edie Parker here.

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Buying Trip

This past week/weekend, Dave and I both left town and went on a buying trip for High Street Market.  It was the first time I had EVER left my children, which was a crazy feeling.  However, they were in good hands with my parents and, truthfully, it was soooo nice to get away (hello, SLEEP).  Before kids (BK), we loved taking road trips.  Living on the East Coast allows you to do fun things like that-- every couple of hours you’re in a new amazing city. But, after kids (AK), traveling is an obvious challenge.  So, getting on the road was really invigorating and it brought back fun memories for both us.  

It’s hard to believe but Dave and I have been in this business TOGETHER for almost eight years now.  Over those years, we’ve made some really good relationships with antique dealers and craftsmen all across the country.  A lot of these folks specialize in "house clean outs" where they buy the contents of an estate and sell it off to people like us.  So, we never know what kind of treasures they'll have available.  Dave's been doing most of the buying (AK), so I was thrilled to tag along and shop.  Also, we coordinated our trip to overlap with High Point Market and we were able to schedule a lot of awesome meetings down there.  And, we SHOPPED.  

Here are a few pictures...

 These louvered shutters and pendants.

If we had a larger car, I would have purchased a couple of these gorgeous green dressers.  The worn finishes were perfection.  Honestly, I was a little surprised how interested I was in "distressed" pieces on this trip.  Not my usual thing.  But, for some reason, I was digging the worn out, farmy, countrified, rustic finds.  Now, I just need a farmhouse to furnish... :)

  And, I will always love an equestrian/hunting theme. Vintage riding boots and European mounts mixed with Whitetail deer horns.  Love it all.

Again, such a rustic mix of green and worn wood finishes.

Beautiful display-- love this frosted finish on vintage green bottles.

 I have no place for this guy.  But, yes. :)

Stay tuned as our finds from this road trip make their way to High Street Market.  Lots of chic things came home with us!

Also, Snapchat.  I joined Snapchat.  We posted a ton of behind the scenes pics and videos during our trip.  If you want to follow along, find us at highstreetHome.  Yay!

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Before & After: Vintage Chairs

 Today, I thought I would share a little "before & after" action.  We bought these vintage chairs a long time ago and only recently pulled them out of storage. 

Even in the "before" pics, you can see the fabulous lines and classic silhouette.  The solid wood frames were painted black at some point in their lifetime.  But, I have to say, the way the finish has worn and weathered over the years has created the most PERFECT look.  I don't think we could have replicated this worn matte finish if we tried.   Both chairs needed new filling, and the old yellow chenille left much to be desired.  So, off to the upholsterer they went. 

In regards to upholstery, we chose a Parlor Textiles floral print that we've used before.  It's a hardy cotton blend that upholsters beautifully.  Plus, it has a chic border that we knew would look tremendous on the arm.

So, here's what they look like now..

Pretty, right?  These beauties will look excellent in our client's home.  Furniture makeovers are my favorite kind of makeovers. 


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Shop our Floor Sample Sale!

Attention, chic Philadelphia shoppers!!  We are hosting a huge Floor Sample Sale in the studio next week.  As we make way for awesome new pieces, we are selling our fabulous floor models at 50% OFF.  Shop by appointment only.  We are booking a few customers per hour, so if you want to grab some great deals, make sure to sign up for your time slot.  Email us at hello@highstreetmarket.com or call at 1-888-669-1189. 

See you at the sale, ladies & gents. :)

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