By Haskell Harris | September 7, 2010 | Design

A New Southern Designer to Watch

It's no secret that there's a giant talent pool of Southern-born designers winning the attention of the fashion world. Folks like Natalie Chanin, Billy Reid, Sid Mashburn, Lela Rose, and Amy Smilovic paved the way—and more bright young things are joining in each season.

One of newest is Wes Gordon, who showed his debut collection at fashion week in New York last February.

Gordon grew up in Georgia, graduated from Central Saint Martins University of Art and Design in London (Stella McCartney and the late Alexander McQueen are alums) and spent time under the tutelage of both Oscar de la Renta and Tom Ford.

Take a look at my favorite pieces from his fall 2010 line. The attention to detail is amazing, as is his use of texture. Rumor has it that Saks has parts of it on sale now, so be on the lookout at a store near you. And stay tuned for the buzz surrounding his second visit to fashion week September 13th.

Which look do you love the most?

Photos courtesy of wesgordon.com

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All Checked Out

By Haskell Harris | September 3, 2010 | Design

If I've had a particularly long day at the office, one of my favorite things to do once I'm home is curl up on the couch and flip through old decorating and design books. 

Last night was one of those nights.

Most of the time I end up reading the same book over and over. It's called Colefax and Fowler's Interior Inspirations, written by British decorating phenom Roger Banks-Pye. It's about thirteen years old, a relic my sweet Mom let me "borrow" from her interior design library at her office. Most of the rooms in it are elegant in a very British way but casual at the same time, which I love. 

Every time I pick it up, I end up on one particular page right in the middle of the book. It's a close-up of the overscale wall checks that appear on the cover. The idea feels Southern because checks remind me of quilt patchwork. 

Look closely. The motif isn't wallpaper. It's simply squares of rice paper tacked to the wall. How inventive is that?

If you have the patience, it's an inexpensive way to add a whollop of graphic pattern anywhere in the house.

However, if you're not in the mood for a project, this indigo-checked chair from Terrain is a great way to get the patchwork look in a smaller dose. 

I also love Kathryn Ireland's blurry, bohemian take on the classic check fabric. Photo Below.

I would love to upholster an entryway or small hallway in it.

Like stripes, checks are as easy to use in a masculine interior as a feminine one—making the motif one of decorating's most versatile. 

Does anyone else love checks as much as I do?

The Charm of Old-School Lighting

By Haskell Harris | August 27, 2010 | Design

I've always admired the charm of gas lanterns. There is something mesmerizing about lighting that hints at history and contains a moving flame inside its glass and metal shell. And they sure beat the typical finds at the big box chain stores, that's for sure.

And  two of the best sources for gas lanterns are Southern.

I discovered Eloise Pickard's work by way of Georgia architect Jim Strickland and his team at Historical Concepts (stay tuned for an exciting piece on a farm they designed in the next issue). Historical Concepts is known for creating new construction that looks a hundred years old, thanks to the use of charming vernacular details. And those details include lighting.  Since the early nineties, Historical Concepts has worked with Eloise Pickard, an artisan who refurbishes simple American gaslights—which date to a period between 1870 and 1916—for many of their projects. Though her designs are electrified, I love the way that they add instant patina to the architecture in question.

I also love the hand-crafted copper lighting from Bevolo in New Orleans. (And no, it's not just because they advertise on this Web site.) Legendary Louisiana architect A. Hays Town discovered the lighting shop decades ago and the company is now a mainstay for architects and designers.  I'm a fan of their clean-lined Williamsburg light below. 

For now, gorgeous gas lighting is a bit out of my range, so I've started collecting lanterns of every shape and size and putting white pilaster candles inside. Atlanta interior designer Suzanne Kasler created fabulous petite carriage lanterns for her new collection for Ballard that I have my eye on (photo below). Bringing pieces that are normally reserved for the outdoors inside and lighting them during a dinner party is an easy way to add that flickering ambience for next to nothing.  

Does anybody else love gaslights and lanterns as much as I do?