June 29th, 2009
Last Thursday, we hosted an art and design event in Lake City, SC. Keeping to our PeeDee roots, we asked Karen Hagan, an artist we admire and fellow Pee Dee native to display her beautiful original oils at Lake City’s premiere gift boutique, The Pink Fish. Here’s some event pictures for your perusal. Thanks to those of you who joined us!
What a dazzling trio.
Chatting wallpaper.
Karen [in black] visits with guests.
Our lovely bartender [who happens to be Adrian' sister].
Deep painting discussions going on here.
With over 50 guests throughout the evening, we had a magnificent turnout, mingled with old friends and met many new ones and managed to sell some beautiful artwork, gifts and decor. Stay tuned for future events this fall.
If you missed Karen’s artwork – visit her website. Those of you living in Lake City, The Pink Fish is located at 119 W. Main St.
June 11th, 2009
As most of you know, Adrian and I both grew up in the Pee Dee area of South Carolina. With our families still living there and being a short drive from Charleston, we visit regularly and maintain a welcomed client base there also. It’s a great excuse to get back to visit the fam!
We’re extremely excited about the revitalization of downtown Lake City and the Bean Market there. In hopes of continuing the efforts of bringing new events and cultural opportunities downtown, we’re co-hosting an upcoming event with Lake City’s premiere gift boutique, The Pink Fish.
Pee Dee Panache celebrates art and design with original oils from Karen Hagan, a dear friend of our’s also originally from the Pee Dee [Florence to be exact], complemented by an assortment of select fine fabrics and wallpapers from yours truly.
Last week we finally finished the invitations. In full Pee Dee spirit, we wrapped the invitations in corn husks and sealed them in place with strips of wallpaper. Take a peek!
Our favorite version with wallpaper matching our office ottoman and pillow fabric [Schumacher Chiang Mai Dragon].
The other invitation versions prior to stuffing.
For those of you living in the Pee Dee…we’d love for you to join us.
Thursday, June 25th /6:00 – 9:00 pm
The Pink Fish/119 W. Main St./ Lake City
RSVP or for more details… info@parkersimsinteriors.com
June 11th, 2009
Wednesday we, along with three other studios in 10SHR, opened our doors for a 10SHR Stroll during the Navy Yard’s last Midday Cafe. Here’s a few snaps of the studio prior to the stroll. Keep posted for future events and happenings at 10!
Notecards on display from Sideshow Press.
Strolling outside the studio.
An assortment of some recent additions to the fabric library.
Bold and beautiful! A basket of our favorite outdoor fabrics.
Inside the studio
Concept board featuring a favorite Brunschwig & Fils lead fabric.
Lovely lavender board. We can’t decide which we like the most, the S. Harris striking floral, the handsomely contrasting stripe from Manuel Canovas or the Schumacher geometric grasscloth wallpaper.
Last but not least, Kelly Wearstler’s Bengal Bazaar inspired compilation. Love her signature gray and mustard contrast…matches the colors on her website.
June 3rd, 2009
Mark your calendars for a not-so-typical lunch next Wednesday. Join fellow 10SHR’ers as we open our doors during the Navy Yard’s last Midday Cafe. Bring your lunch and stroll through the artist studios at 10 while enjoying live music from Mark Schuler, an acoustic vocalist guitarist who plays music we all know and love to sing along with. [His repertoire includes songs from John Denver to the Grateful Dead and James Taylor to the Beatles.]
Swing by PSI [studio 125] to see what’s new over a champagne cocktail and light bites. Added perk…the ladies of Side Show Press will be with us displaying their wonderful letterpress creations. [you may remember seeing our previous post on their papers.]
Wednesday, June 10/10 Storehouse Row/11-45 – 1:00
How do I get there again?
Glance at a few other studios on the stroll…
Kelly Wenner Designs – Leigh Webber Photography – Artist Tina Hirsig
May 22nd, 2009
Last Friday we co-hosted an art reception for Karen Hagan with Wild Dunes Real Estate at one of their amazing village penthouses with breathtaking views. This one happened to look out onto the Intracoastal waterway right at sunset, which was the most welcomed way to end a Friday [in good company, surrounded by fantastic art with a glass of wine in hand].
[Left to right: Adrian Sims Truluck, Karen Hagan, Dick Casey (BIC, Wild Dunes Real Estate) & Ivie Parker]
Over 70 guests joined us during the event, and we were fortunate enough to sell several of Karen’s beautiful original oils while meeting some great new people.
We created design boards to showcase the interiors we would design for these spaces…hope you enjoy!
Living Room design boards [We loved these fabrics and especially the green-hued grasscloth wallpaper shown behind the built in shelving in the illustration]
Living room illustration
Sitting/Media room board
Sitting room illustration
Last but not least…the bedroom board [We could certainly get accustomed to waking up to the lull of the waves in this bedroom.]
May 14th, 2009
Last week, we traveled to Atlanta for Design ADAC’s annual designer series. This year’s theme was The Timeless VALUE of Luxury. We had the privilege of listening (and meeting!) some awe-inspiring industry celebrities including Celerie Kemble, Barry Dixon, Trina Turk, Peter Dunham, Lloyd Princeton and Deborah Sanders (Managing Editor of Veranda). Here’s a few highlights and exerpts from our trip…
Presentation and book signing with Celerie Kemble
It was truly a delight to hear Celerie chat about her design philosophies, experiences, and insights. Her quirky and vivacious disposition [not to mention the slide show of her beautiful, bold interiors] captivated the audience. Her passion for design and keen ability to mix vernaculars of styles, periods and ethnicities dazzle us.
[Notice her outfit is a perfect shade of celery?]
We are enjoying our autographed copy of To Your Taste.
Interesting tidbit from her presentation: The two chairs on her cover were junkyard vintage finds used for the photoshoot, and she dubbed the fabric “The Vomit Fabric.” Now…these made the cover of her book! Another nod at how charming vintage pieces can be and how they can be relished for years on end.
She also humorously admits her book looks like multiple personalities created it, but that her taste has evolved with each new client. She credits learning from each client and project has molded and cultivated her design style today. [and what amazing style it is!]
Everything New is Old Again with Barry Dixon
If we had to describe Barry Dixon’s work in two words, they would be “timeless beauty.” A master of mingling, he creates tastefully classic interiors that are truly timeless. Point in case, the cover of his new book, Barry Dixon Interiors, is an image of an installation completed 13 years ago. He adopts a “neither, nor” mentality of neither a museum or period interior, nor a room comprised of current, trendy elements but an interior that incorporates both antique elements and current, quality pieces.
“The mix is what makes it modern…interesting.” — Barry Dixon
Very well said.
Luxury Panel Discussion with Peter Dunham, Lloyd Princeton & Trina Turk
Deborah Sanders, Managing Editor for Veranda, leads a panel on timeless luxury and if the concept of luxury has or is changing in our current economy. A few of our favorite takeaways…
[Peter Dunham]
“Quality, convenience, comfort is what, as a designer, you have to offer to clients right now and consider what has lasting value.”
“Stick with a high quality product, just buy less of it.”
Great point he makes…consider your purchases and invest in the ones you know you’ll have for a long time. You will want these to be quality products that you can enjoy for years to come rather than buying more of of inferior products. Even if you have to wait and save for these pieces, it will be worth it in the long run and well worth the wait!
[Trina Turk]
“Do the best you can do and just keep moving forward. ”
“We are about optimism. I’m moving forward.”
Great attitude, Trina. We agree wholeheartedly.
[Lloyd Princeton]
“Let’s be optimistic. What can we do in the confines of your budget?”
He stresses the bang for your buck mentality, which is very important right now, but note to self, always be sure you know the quality of what you’re buying to determine its value.
Cocktails & hors d’oeuvres with Trina Turk at Schumacher
Schumacher showroom window display with Trina Turk textiles.
We had the opportunity to meet and chat with Trina Turk over cocktails at Schumacher. She has such a pleasant and down to earth demeanor which made talking with her a joy. Her optimistic, forward-thinking attitude was extremely inspiring and infectious…much like her bold, cheerful textiles and clothing collections. We cannot wait to see what’s to come next with her product development.
Optimistic, positive attitudes never go out of style either. As mom always says, “When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade.”
Last but not least, a couple of showroom images we wanted to share.
We love this Brunschwig & Fils print and loved seeing it on these two occassional chairs in their showroom.
Creative showroom display at Kravet.
May 4th, 2009
Sunset at an Isle of Palms penthouse overlooking the intercoastal waterway on Friday afternoon with a glass of vino in hand. All while admiring a special Spoleto preview of Karen Hagan’s exquisite original oils on canvas…life is good.
This is what our Friday, May 15th entails if you would like to drop by and join us from 5 – 8 pm at The Village at Wild Dunes (5804 Palmetto Drive – enter at Wild Dunes main gate).
We do ask that you kindly RSVP by Monday, May 10th to Karen Hagan at karenhewitthagan@gmail.com.
April 20th, 2009
This past Friday, we had the pleasure of attending a very special event hosted by Fine Rugs of Charleston, the non-profit organization Arzu, and the Center for Women. Arzu (which means “hope” in Dari), is an organization committed to providing Afghan women rug weavers and their families and communities with a sustainable income and further access to education and health care. The event featured the beautiful 100% handmade rugs crafted by Afghan women in a variety of styles, with proceeds benefiting women in Afghanistan. From the bold geometric shapes of the Modern Collection to the intricate floral patterns of the Couture Collection, there seems to be a rug to satisfy anyone’s eye.
Interesting tidbit…each rug incorporates the Arzu “h” in its design, which is delicately woven to signify the “hope” and mission of the Arzu collection. It reminded us of the camouflaged ”lilly” usage in Lilly Pulitzer’s signature creations.
We encourage everyone to take a moment visit Arzu’s site to learn more about their mission and gander at their rug collections. Here are a few at a glance…
Photos via www.arzurugs.org
April 16th, 2009
Though most of our work is in the Charleston area, we do have clients in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina, which is where we’re both from originally. We always enjoy a chance to get back for work and to visit our families. Last week after meetings in Lake City and Florence, we joined the Young Professionals of Florence for their golf outing at The Country Club of South Carolina.
I think it’s safe to say, we’re both golf newbies but definitely enjoyed our lessons and time on the driving range. Here are a few action shots.
Adrian perfecting her stance.
My instructor tied my elbow in with his belt. It actually helped a lot!
Whew, finished golfing for the day and looking forward to happy hour with Florence’s finest.
April 7th, 2009
We were delighted when asked to design a purse for the Center for Women’s annual silent purse auction. Beginning from an orange clutch form, we dressed the exterior with a striking pink and metallic floral pattern from Designers Guild.
Then, we found the perfect vintage golden brooch to complete the look for our design, etre en fleur, meaning “in blossom” in french.
Join us during the event April 30th at 6 at City Gallery. $25 at door.
