Tag: Circa Interiors

Living Well

Catbird Collection– The Best Seat In The House

As I mentioned in an Instagram post a few weeks ago, I am thrilled to add a new upholstery line option to my library.   Cindy Smith, of Circa Interiors, has pulled together a talented team of architects and designers to create the Catbird Collection.  The pieces were created with the notion that a piece of furniture can inspire a room, and I completely agree.

 

I have often said every room needs something to catch your eye, and why can’t it be an upholstered piece?  The line is sophisticated, well made and most importantly, comfortable.

 

Cindy Smith has said that developing the Catbird Collection presented a welcome challenge and a privilege.

 

“As a lover of antiques, I treasure the one-of-a-kind piece and hope to translate this individuality into a range of upholstery. My aim was to create a collection of pieces that has a life of its own, holds your attention, gives spirit to a space, and perhaps even inspires a room’s design.”

 

Are you excited yet?!  I certainly am.

 

While all of the pieces are unique and beautiful, there are a few that I am particularly drawn towards.

 

Look at Cindy’s sofa, “Whitlow”.   I love how it deep it is, making it feel more like a daybed.  I can picture myself curled up on it with a blanket and a good book (or maybe even taking a nap).

 

Whitlow
Image from Catbird Collection

 

Because of its versatility, one of my favorite pieces from the collection is Jeremy Corkern’s, Rebecca sofa. It’s classic enough to stand the test of time, but has enough edge to draw you in.

 

Rebecca
Image from Catbird Collection

 

Paul Bates, another Birmingham talent, designed a beautiful sofa that perfectly bridges modern and traditional styles. I love the weight and the clean lines of his Sullivan sofa.

 

Sullivan
Image from Catbird Collection

 

Emily Bourgeois designed several beautiful counter/bar stools. The lines in each stool are unique, yet they complement each other in a wonderful way.

 

catbird stools
Aren’t they gorgeous?!

 

I also love the Charlie chair that Bobby McAlpine designed. Bobby designed his pieces based off “a source for mature, quiet furnishings who accept their presence alongside antiquity”.  A great piece to mix in with antiques for sure.

 

Charlie
Image from Catbird Collection

 

The nice touch about this line is that you can customize the length and the fabric to truly make it your own.

 

If you live in Birmingham or Charlotte, make sure to stop by Circa and take a look at the collection.  Or better yet, schedule a road trip to look at these pieces if you live out of town.  I promise they will not disappoint.   The entire line is gorgeous and you are sure to find the best seat in the house.

 

Have a great day,

dana

 

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Living Well

My New Favorite Read

 

Do you ever walk into a room, or look at a picture of a room, and become invigorated by what you see?   That’s exactly how I feel when I look at the work of Cindy Smith and Jane Schwab.   Jane and Cindy are the talent behind Circa Design Firm based in Charlotte, NC, and the renowned retail collaboration – Circa Interiors (the retail store has locations in Charlotte and Birmingham).  Something in their interiors or in their store always catches my eye.   Every time.

Imagine my excitement when I learned this talented design duo had written a book, The Welcoming House.   I couldn’t make it to Circa fast enough for their book signing.

Cindy, Jane, and myself at Circa in Mountain Brook Village. Note: Notice all of the pretty things in the background? See I told you; Something always catches my eye.

While I have met Cindy several times and think so much of she and her daughter, Whitney, who lives and runs the store here in Birmingham, I was thrilled to finally meet Jane.  Jane was just as warm and gracious as I pictured her to be.  Warm and gracious.  Two good words….  Not only to describe these two ladies, but their work as well.  I also discovered Jane was staying the night with my next door neighbor, a dear friend of hers from college (small world).

Why do their interiors resonate with me and make me want to study every little detail that never seems to be forgotten?

There are a lot of reasons.  I love how they mix old and new, formal and informal, and while a room may have been installed in one day, their homes always look like they have evolved over time.  I also think this quote in their book sums it up just fine:

“In design and decoration, pretty is wonderful, but it’s far from everything.  Practicality and function always come first, because if a room doesn’t work, who will use it?”

 Not only are their interiors gorgeous and inviting, but their rooms are useful.   Yes, they are pretty AND functional.  You want to sit down and stay awhile.   Real Homes For Real Life.   Remember?   My new mantra that I think every homeowner should be able to claim.

This homeowner for sure claims it.

 

Don't you want to curl up in the chair and read a book?

 

What a beautiful patio!

 

The perfect master suite!

Be sure to visit Circa Interiors or Amazon.com to buy your copy of The Welcoming House, as it is filled with great advice for all.  In the meantime, I will leave you with a few pictures of my favorite things in their Birmingham store right now.    Have a great day, everyone!

Dana

 

 

This little man needs a new home in my house.

 

Photo Credits: (1) The Welcoming House (2) Dana Wolter Interiors (3,4,5,) The Welcoming House (6,7,8) Dana Wolter Interiors