It is September. And for design watchers, that means that Celerie Kemble's new furniture collection for Henredon with accessories for Maitland-Smith is now available. After garnering much well-deserved fanfare at High Point Market, the line is making its way into showrooms around the country. Following fabric and wallpaper with Schumacher and rugs with Merida, this furniture launch is noteworthy not only for its stylistic influences, but for its scope. It has been quite some time since a line of this depth has launched at market.
With style by the mile, the collection was based on a wide range of stylistic influences, from vintage to 1940's French iconic pieces. The New York-based, Palm Beach-raised designer has a singular vision that combines even 1970's flair into what feels like a timely and modern sensibility. These pieces, many of which are shown below, are livable and usable, taking flexibility into account, many of the pieces can be used in pairs to accommodate groups. Seeing the extensive level of detail, intricate construction and mix of materials, it is apparent she worked closely with Henredon to capture the quality and craftsmanship she is used to creating with custom workrooms. Providing a wider audience with vintage-inspired designs, Kemble's individualized take on history has a uniqueness all its own. Used en masse or in moments, this collection shines.
Ta da! This showroom was my first stop when I arrived at High Point. A red velvet sofa welcomed visitors in her first vignette.
A nailhead trim gives the Caroline Console a dressy appeal. The gorgeous peacock and curvy brass lamps are out of this world.
The dining room area shows the killer parchment colored lacquer Francis Display Cabinet flanking the doorway, and the cool Brutalist orb pendant brass light fixture is suspended over the mahogany dining table.
A soft and serene white and lavender bedroom is feminine but not too too.
Another seating area shows how upholstery can take on a completely different look when upholstered in color.
The neutral moment. I love the color palette above, and I think people are becoming more advantageous with color use.
The back of the Cassandra chair looks like stylized butterfly wings, with a Deco nod. The One Forty Five Desk in dark ebony finish has pull out shelves for ease of use. I am in the market for a new desk. This elegant cabriolet-legged beauty could be a contender.
Bunching bookcases with graphic geometric cut-outs adds pattern to the wall.
A sweet little slipper chair and a topiary in a faceted shell planter. Chic.
Drinks are served, off a leather-wrapped mobile bar cart with brass legs. Isn't it 5 o'clock somewhere?
Faced in mirror, makes Backgammon glamorous and a design element.
Card games are back in a major way. The Lacoste Rosewood Folding Game Table has a faux shagreen top. Hello gorgeous.
MAITLAND-SMITH ACCESSORIES:
Faceted bone obelisks with brass cutting through them.
A brass ribbon lamp with lucite base is wonderfully well proportioned.
For a dark area that needs mood lighting, how about a small brass lamp with a shell for a shade?
Matchstrikers, like the hard-to-find vintage variety, in colorful shell veneers with brass.
Cube details on what is sure to be a bestseller among vintage aficionados, a linear brass and lucite magazine rack.
Big game rooms were de riqeur in homes of the well-traveled and well-heeled jet set. Capture the beauty of Safari in Africa with tusks faced in shimmering clam stone on shell bases.
A glamorous octagonal pen shell-inlaid brass-bordered mirror.
THE FURNITURE:
Photos courtesy of Henredon
Vintage inspired with a drop down side, the Ellsworth Console is a little bit waterfall, a little bit Parsons. An entryway large or small would benefit from its clean look.
Even if you scoured vintage stores and flea markets, you would still have to get a piece like this refinished, and it still wouldn't look as great as this does. Thick, rounded lucite legs and chunky brass accents on the Karl Cocktail table had me swooning from the moment I laid eyes on it. Vintage redux genius.
A brass bamboo coffee table, what's not to love? The Zinnia Cocktail Table, add it to the must list.
Some pieces work well in multiples, and can be used together to form one table or to flank upholstery pieces. The Jennie Bunching Table is one such piece.
An end table of brass, bamboo and glass, The Ramsay.
Mixing brass and mahogany, the William End Table with brass corners has a more masculine feel.
The Anna Nightstand with brass ferrules and gilt accents can work with many different styles of headboards.
If you need a sleek and low piece, the Lela Low Credenza is it. Behind a sofa, you now have hidden storage.
The undulating front of the Serpentine Chest can match up and pair together if you choose to bunch them to have "his" and "hers" dressers.
Sheathed in leather, the two door cabinet channels French 40's classics. Notice the dainty inverted triangle leg. The details!
With a nod to Chinoiserie Pagodas and Hollywood Regency, I give you the Heidi Etagere in creme lacquer and brass. For those that want a showpiece, voila.
This bookcase, The Ravanel, allows for endless styling of books and objets. If you have a lot of stuff, as I do, this might make life better in the living room, or in multiples, along an entire wall.
The tailored bed hangings on the Maddock Bed have a regal feel, and an upholstered headboard adds a bit of cozy.
With a nice curved outline and metal accents, the Ferrus Upholstered Bed has a regal air to it. I mean, just check out the decorative finials.
The Cassandra Occasional Chair, with feminine lines and thin gilded frame. It is just vanity-perfect. This stunner will make a beauty regimen an event in itself.
Slipper chairs always capture my heart. The Millie Chair, with a curved leg and tight back is perfection.
A tailored curvy base and tight arm when you need something clean and serene-- The Palm Beach Sofa.
The Serpentine Sofa, for when you need a lot of extra seating--
A classic three-seater, the Napoleon Sofa.
How charming is the undulating back on the Billy Sofa? It adds some extra special femme flounce.
