Our new Tourism building.
The area's new Tourism building is coming right along. I've enjoyed working with Libby Watts Jordan with Tourism, and Architect Bob Whitten on several pieces including the two exterior doors that will be made from solid local walnut.
Florence/Lauderdale County Tourism building in progress.
Alabama Chanin The Factory Store + Café
Catching up with the entire Fox gang at the new, super wonderful The Factory Store + Café.
The Factory Store + Café
Monday - the last hour of sunlight
I've been taking lots more non furniture pics lately, and don't want to bore friends only interested in our furniture. Will begin placing these on a new second blog soon. But wanted to post these from yesterday late afternoon.
High Point Market
For many, navigating the High Point Market can be daunting. Over 200 buildings scattered all over town is probably the biggest hurdle. I'm quite sure it's impossible to see it all, possibly even in a lifetime of "markets". And most seasoned designers don't even attempt it.
They have an impressive transportation system, and it all centers at the bus terminal right in front of the IHFC building. Constant bus traffic delivering designers and store owner/buyers from hotels in High Point, Greensboro, Winston-Salem and other neighboring communities.
One thing i've noticed is that if it's raining or bad weather, most buyers seem to congregate here in the IHFC and Showplace buildings. During good weather, they're everywhere, but no question - these two buildings (of the 200+ full of showrooms) get the vast majority of the traffic.
Except for my first year at market, I've always shown in IHFC. Although I'm quite interested in adding a showing in the beautiful Showplace building as well.
We are showing in on the 3rd floor (green wing) of IHFC with ShawLiving, and new to this market on the 8th floor (D-820) with Ekornes/Stressless.
Ekornes Showroom - Small walnut table
This is the only piece that might not have been a perfect fit. It's one of my very fav's, but is kinda dwarfed by the super comfy Stressless Sofas.
RWF well received in High Point
There's no question that rwf design isn't for everyone. For some it's too modern. Other's it might be too rustic. For some it's too expensive. For some stores and designers, it's too custom (they want/need to order via sku numbers, standard products that they can count on every one being exactly alike.
But, it was great to see the response from one of the best high end brands in our industry. We have already begun a few more custom pieces for the upcoming Las Vegas market as well as next Spring's High Point show.
Here are a few pics of one of the pieces showcased in the beautiful Ekornes Showroom yesterday.
New beautiful Ekornes showroom in High Point
RWF now showing in the Ekornes Showroom at High Point Market.
It was really exciting to see our work in the beautiful Ekornes showroom in High Point yesterday for the first time. If you don't recognize the name Ekornes, you probably know them by Stressless. Linda's been a huge fan of Ekornes for years (absolutely her favorite piece of furniture (after RWF i hope!)
We've been showing in the ShawLiving showroom in High Point (as well as Atlanta and Las Vegas) for years. And now, in High Point you can find us (or at least our work) in the Ekornes Showroom as well.
I'll only be here in High Point today thru Monday noon. If you'd like to make an appointment, just call my cell 256.394.9868, and I will be happy to meet you in either location.
Red October Alabama Sky
6:50 this morning Oct 15, Wilson Lake, Florence Alabama
This mornings red river sunrise.
Race and Music in Muscle Shoals discussion Friday
UNA sponsored an interesting panel discussion Friday; “Color-Blind Harmony: Race and Music in Muscle Shoals".
Panelists included legendary soul singer Jimmy Hughes (“Steal Away,” “Neighbor, Neighbor,” “Why Not Tonight?”), guitarist Jimmy Johnson and bassist David Hood of the famed Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section (the group immortalized as “The Swampers” in the Lynyrd Skynyrd anthem “Sweet Home Alabama”).
Really interesting to hear just why so much of the problems and conflict that surrounded the country and the South somehow, for the most part past us by. I had always attributed UNA (then Florence State Teachers College) for this. Wonderful to see just how big our local music history joined in as well.
Saturday's Tennessee River Log Ride
Riding downed logs down Alabama river(s) is a tradition that has been perfected thru the years. Cherokee Indians rode logs before they learned to hollow them out, and eventually perfected the canoe. On each of our tenth birthday's my Dad introduced the sport - although it was on the very tame Cypress Creek.
Now that our Tennessee River has been dammed/controlled/slowed down it's a much more leisurely enterprise. Sunday we found/recovered this nice walnut log. This was Sassafras' (the two year old golden) third log ride so far. I think she's kinda getting the hang of it.
Boat traffic on the river this weekend
One of the busiest weekends of the year for boat traffic.
Looks like everyone was after what might be one of the last summer-like days of the year this past weekend. Much more traffic than usual. I have a feeling many of the biguns are headed south for the winter.
