WCAA Charlotte Road Trips to Blowing Rock

Last Friday, 18 members of the Charlotte Chapter boarded a bus and took a road trip to the Blowing Rock Tour of Homes. We had a blast! We enjoyed yummy snacks, loads of conversation, some wine and cheese on the way home and a fabulous tour and lunch sandwiched in between.

For the past 52 years, St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Parish, in Blowing Rock, NC has hosted a tour of homes. This event has progressed from a local fund raiser to one that draws visitors from as far away as Florida. There were over 1700 folks that enjoyed the tour this past Friday, July 23, and I was one of them. There were four amazing homes on the tour and each one was either recently renovated or brand new.

The first home, Stonehenge, was a study in using reclaimed materials. Wormy Chestnut, Mushroom Cypress and reclaimed Hemlock were incorporated into the interior, while old stone steps and other stones found on the property were used in the landscaping.

The 2nd home, Golden Hill, was the home, of Charlotte interior designers, Ed Springs and Bo Henderson. This home has the charm and warmth of an old English Manor House. The couple’s amazing and various collections took the main stage in this home, while the butterfly gardens commanded the attention outside. When we walked out onto the deck, the entire garden looked like it fluttered from all the butterflies. Each area was planted in different plants and each plant attracted a unique type of butterfly. It was just gorgeous.

The 3rd home, Green Gates, was warm and inviting with a sense of history, yet all of the modern conveniences. This home had a lovely guest cottage and the most amazing floral arrangements incorporating local wildflowers like Queen Anne’s lace and hydrangeas.

The home was a study in exquisite materials. There wasn’t a polyester thread in the entire home. Each room was lovely, understated, but luxurious, just the kind of interior that I love to do. Wool carpets, Brunschwig and Fil fabrics, imported hardware, exquisite antiques and art, custom appliqué on the bedding, all done in with a sense of homey comfort. The cottage style home and interior was perched on the side of a mountain that overlooked a spectacular mountain vista with two lovely decks to enjoy the view.

This trip was the Charlotte Chapter's reward for all the effort given toward making our March event a success. Fun was had by everyone that joined in and we are all excited about doing it again next year.

Join us in July as Loyd Dillan Presents How to Increase Your Creativity

Join us on July 1st, at 9:30am, at United Supply to hear our friend Loyd Dillon share How to Increase Your Creativity. We are in for a treat! Loyd is a true Renaissance man. He is charming, and fun and he has quite a resume to boot. Loyd is a member of FIDS, holds the highest appellation, Mentor, in the AIDP and has been a professional interior designer for more than 40 years. Loyd is CQRID certified at their highest level, is an elected Fellow of The Interior Design Society (IDS) -- one of only nine people to EVER receive Fellowship, IDS's highest honor. Loyd was co-founder and two-time President of the Carolina's Chapter of IDS, was co-founder and two-time President of the Charlotte Chapter of IDS, and is a past NATIONAL President of IDS. Loyd teaches three semester-long courses in the CPCC Interior Design Department and a 27-week series of continuing ed courses in interior design at York Tech. He is also a freelance writer (mostly magazine articles, humor and limericks), a freelance illustrator (of 14 books so far), a lay minister (officiating at weddings, giving guest speaker sermons), a rare book collector (he says the books are rare but he's not) and public speaker (seminars, talks). Loyd was chosen a while back by Charlotte Magazine in their one-time-only list as being one of the 50 most interesting people in Charlotte. He says it must have been a slow news year or that the magazine had lazy researchers. Loyd is married, has three sons and four grandchildren (two of each "flavor").

The Charlotte Chapter of the WCAA encourages prospective members to visit up to two times before committing to membership. This would be a great meeting to check us out. For folks that have visited twice, but not made a commitment, we are inviting you to come as well. We are charging $25.00, which is a great value for a teaching session with Loyd. A light breakfast and coffee will be provided by United Supply.

Date: Thursday, July 1, 2010
Time: 9:30am - 6:00pm
Location: United Supply Company
Street: 10701 Texland Blvd
City/Town: Charlotte, NC

Join us in June as Lurene Ulrich presents "Designing with Magnets"

A cornice board before treatment!

Our own Lurene Ulrich will be presenting "Designing with Magnets". Lurene owns New Outlook Interiors and most recently led a workshop in Atlanta at the ICWE Visions event. Her presentation will be a mini trunk show to spark your imagination and creativity. As our economy has changed more and more clients desire to reuse, refurbish or embellish their existing window treatments. The techniques shared will show unique ways this can be accomplished. We will meet at the Custom Home Furnishings Academy on June 3rd, at 6:30pm. The CHF is located in the South Lakes Business Park off of Carowinds Road. You don't want to miss it!

After - all done using magnets!

More News and Thank You's from our Spring Event

Our March 26th event was just to spectacular not to do a second posting. We want to thank our vendors for putting on such a great show. Rowley Company, WCAA National's Diamond sponsor,http://www.rowleycompany.com/ brought a great table full of goodies and shared information on the all important Roman Shade issue. They also shared the lovely line of Finestra Hardware. In May, our chapter meeting is going to be held at the Rowley Company and we are going to learn more about this product.

United Supply was our Platinum Sponsor. Lori Woodall shared lots of drapery hardware, grommets, linings and provided wonderful goodie bags for all of the attendees. United Supply is a founding vendor partner of the WCAA Window Events.

We truly thank all of our sponsors for making the event so fabulous. Again they are as follows:

A. Hoke Ltd. - GOLD SPONSOR
http://ahokelimited.com/
To The Trade, our locations in Charlotte and Raleigh bring the world directly to the design community with the most notable names in furniture, fabrics, hardware, wallcoverings, flooring, lighting, and accessories. A Hoke also had Robert Allen Fabrics and Duralee Fabric and Fine Furniture representatives at the event.

B&G Lieberman - GOLD SPONSOR
http://www.bglieberman.com/
Established 1949, Charlotte NCHeavy duty and industrial sewing machines, sewing supplies, buttons, irons and vacuum ironing tables, tailoring supplies.

Connexion for Design - SILVER SPONSORhttp://www.connexionfordesign.com/Katy Garrett, Asheville NC'Project management software for the Design Industry' Designware - SILVER SPONSORhttp://www.designwareonline.com/Window covering products and supplies: Pillows, trims, lining & sheers, blinds & shades, fabrics, shower liners, workroom supplies, drapery hardware.

FUA Window Coverings - SILVER SPONSORhttp://www.fuawindowcoverings.com/'Naturally superior shades since 1956'Weaving and manufacturing natural woven wood shades since 1956. Fifty-four years and three generations later, still family owned and operated!

Kasmir Fabrics - SILVER SPONSORhttp://www.kasmirfabrics.com/Wholesale distributor of decorative fabrics and trim aswell as a wholesale workroom for soft window treatments and bedding. M'Fay Patterns - SILVER SPONSORhttp://www.mfay.com/Matthews NCDesigns, manufactures and markets window treatment patterns.

Sloan machinery - SILVER SPONSORhttp://www.sloanmachinery.com/
Amesbury MAHeavy duty and industrial cutting and sewing machines, parts and accessories.

Somfy - SILVER SPONSORhttp://www.somfysystems.com/'Motor and automatic control solutions for window coverings within the home'.

Stark Carpet & Fabrics - SILVER SPONSORhttp://www.starkcarpet.com/fabric/index.cfmFor over 60 years, Stark® Carpet has provided custom service for the interior design professional. The company specializes in custom designed carpet, fabric, furniture and wallcovering for both the residential and contract markets.

The Spring Event was a Success!

The hard work of our dedicated members paid off last Friday, March 26th, in a big way. We held the 2010 Spring Window Fashion and Interior Design Event featuring Jackie Von Tobel. The event was also a table top vendor exhibit with 18 vendors taking part. The event was well attended by workroom owners and interior designers from the Charlotte metro area, as well as, from far away as Pennsylvania! Our marketing partners the AIDP Charlotte Chapter helped bring in new vendors and a number of designers that our chapter had not yet hosted. The day began bright and early at 7:30 am with breakfast and coffee. Attendees were able to browse many of the vendor tables before the workshops began. Our chapter president, Pam Dawes welcomed everyone and thanked the team of people that had worked to put the event together. The day went flawlessly as we awarded door prizes throughout the day and heard from our dynamic speaker.

Jackie Von Tobel is a superstar in the design industry. She is a 20 year veteran of the interior design world and has recently given up her design practice to write 4 books, design beautiful fabrics, and have over 1000 of her designs featured in Minutes Matters Studio. The first part of her time with us was spent sharing design trends that she gathered at the Maison de Objet show that she recently attended in Paris. Her slide show was fabulous and the trends she spotted were very interesting and helpful. The one theme that came out repeatedly in her forecast was the embellishment of fabrics. From embroidery to beads, ruffles to banding, it seems as though every fabric treatment showed some form of this application.

Lunch was a delicious buffet, and once again, attendees were given time to really chat with the different vendors and really take the time needed to see what was new. A number of guests reported really getting a lot out of just that, let alone the inspiration that Jackie shared. Following our midday break, Jackie began sharing how to achieve a high end look for less. Again, a fabulous lecture with stunning photos captured our imaginations and pushed us to be our most creative selves. The reoccurring theme in this half of the presentation was offering something unique to clients. She touched on this from both a workroom perspective in working with designers, to the designer paradigm working with a client. The day concluded with a wonderful bonanza of door prizes from the generous vendors that attended. Everyone that attended walked out with a smile on their face.

Jackie Von Tobel recently commented on a Facebook post from Jane Ann Maxwell, co chair of the event. She said, “I had such a great time and all of you did a fantastic job producing such a slick and professional event! Kudos to all of you.” That, my friends, says it all!

Look At Who Will Exhibit at the Spring Window Fashions and Interior Design Event!

CURRENT LISTING OF THE VENDORS WHO WILL BE EXHIBITING AT THE SPRING WINDOW FASHION AND INTERIOR DESIGN EVENT featuring Jackie Von Tobel:

Rowley Company - PLATINUM SPONSOR http://www.rowleycompany.com Established in 1962, Gastonia, NC. Wholesale decorating supplies and more: installation, workroom, sewing, upholster, drapery supplies and drapery hardware.

United Supply Company - PLATINUM SPONSOR http://www.unitedsupplyco.com/ Wholesale fabricator and distributo of name brand window treatment products.Established 1962. Corporate office in Charlotte NC plus 5 branches in Chicago, Atlanta, Nashville, Raleigh, Pittsburgh.


A. Hoke Ltd. - SILVER SPONSOR
http://ahokelimited.com/
To The Trade, our locations in Charlotte and Raleigh bring the world directly to the design community with the most notable names in furniture, fabrics, hardware, wallcoverings, flooring, lighting, and accessories.

B&G Lieberman - GOLD SPONSOR
http://www.bglieberman.com/
Established 1949, Charlotte NCHeavy duty and industrial sewing machines, sewing supplies, buttons, irons and vacuum ironing tables, tailoring supplies.

Connexion for Design - SILVER SPONSOR http://www.connexionfordesign.com/ Katy Garrett, Asheville NC, Project management software for the Design Industry

Designware - SILVER SPONSOR http://www.designwareonline.com/ Window covering products and supplies: Pillows, trims, lining & sheers, blinds & shades, fabrics, shower liners, workroom supplies, drapery hardware.

FUA Window Coverings - SILVER SPONSOR http://www.fuawindowcoverings.com%20naturally/Naturally superior shades since 1956. Weaving and manufacturing natural woven wood shades since 1956. Fifty-four years and three generations later, still family owned and operated!

Kasmir Fabrics - SILVER SPONSOR http://www.kasmirfabrics.com/ Wholesale distributor of decorative fabrics and trim aswell as a wholesale workroom for soft window treatments and bedding.

M'Fay Patterns - SILVER SPONSOR http://www.mfay.com/ Matthews NC, Designs, manufactures and markets window treatment patterns.

Sloan Machinery - SILVER SPONSOR http://www.sloanmachinery.com/
Amesbury MA, Heavy duty and industrial cutting and sewing machines, parts and accessories.

Somfy - SILVER SPONSOR http://www.somfysystems.com/ Motor and automatic control solutions for window coverings within the home.

Stark Carpet & Fabrics - SILVER SPONSOR http://www.starkcarpet.com/fabric/index.cfm For over 60 years, Stark® Carpet has provided custom service for the interior design professional. The company specializes in custom designed carpet, fabric, furniture and wallcovering for both the residential and contract markets.

Robert Allen -Silver Sponsor http://www.robertallendesign.com/ For over 70 years, The Robert Allen Group has been the source for the world’s finest fabrics, trims, and hardware. Fabrics include Robert Allen, Beacon Hill, Robert Allen Contract, and Robert Allen@home.

Duralee - Silver Sponsor http://www.duralee.com/ Duralee is a family owned and operated company that was founded in 1952 and has consistently offered the interior design market quality products, designed for today's lifestyles. Their line includes fabrics, trims and furniture. Their fabric lines include Duralee, Suburban Home, Highland Court, and Duralee Contract.

To register go to https://events.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e2ov0dh02e903fd3
.

Getting to Know Our Spring Event Speaker, Jackie Von Tobel

Jackie Von Tobel is a seasoned interior designer, author, artist, illustrator, blogger and product designer with almost twenty years of experience

Jackie is one of the country’s top experts in the field of interior design and soft treatment construction. She is the author and illustrator of the definitive series of illustrated encyclopedias and comprehensive design manuals for the trade, students, and consumers. She is currently working on a third book in the series, The Design Directory of Soft Furnishings.

Over 1000 of Jackie’s original designs from her books are featured in a first of it’s kind strategic partnership with Minutes Matter and Studio, the design industry’s leading provider of graphic design, space planning, and time management software. She has written a groundbreaking new book and graphic software support marketing system in collaboration with Minutes Matter.

Jackie has a new signature line of fabrics and pillow covers, The Jackie Von Tobel Collection. These eco-friendly fabrics are made in the USA and have a classic design.

Web site: http://www.jackievontobel.com/
Blog: jackiebluehome.blogspot.com

BOOKS AUTHORED BY JACKIE VON TOBEL

The Design Directory of Window Treatments
This is Jackie's first bestselling book. It is the most complete collection of standard and unique window treatment components and designs ever assembled. This is a must have resource for designers and workroom professionals. This directory has concise, straight-to-the-point lists, definitions, and descriptions of design fundamentals and components to provide a complete education on window treatments. Over 1300 full-color illustrations of more than 350 individual window treatment components are included. A companion CD ROM of black line illustrations and industry worksheets is included for creating your own design.

The Design Directory of Bedding
This is the second volume in the series. It is the most complete directory of bedding and bedroom design ideas and instructions ever assembled. Concise and straight-to-the point lists, definitions, and descriptions of design fundamentals and components provide a comprehensive education on bedding design. The book includes hundreds of inspirational ideas and patterns, current and classic bedding styles, more than 1000 expert illustrations, and a glossary of standard terms. A companion CD ROM of black and white line drawings and detailed workroom work-sheets is included.

The Power of I
Coming soon from Jackie Von Tobel and Debbie and Casey Green of Minutes Matter & Studio. This is the ultimate marketing system for the interior design industry. Proven marketing techniques are supported for the first time with customized digital templates for many common marketing documents and promotional materials. Scheduled to be released in January 2010.

"Be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves"... Matthew 10:16

This scripture reference is beautifully hand stenciled on the wall above the windows in the turreted breakfast nook of the DOVE HOUSE in Statesville, NC.

To appreciate its meaning you will need a little history. The DOVE HOUSE is a children's advocacy center that provides a centralized, safe and child friendly facility that supports the investigation and successful prosecution of child abuse cases. Its mission is to enhance the legal process towards achieving criminal prosecution, while minimizing further trauma to the child victim and non-offending family members.

There are Children's Advocacy Centers across the nation and the time had come for one to be established in NC. The Dove House originally opened their doors in 2002 in a 3,000 square foot 1891 two story victorian style home in the historic district of downtown Statesville. In 2007 plans were unveiled for a a new facility which was built by Spivey Construction with over $1.5 million donated in labor and materials. The new Dove House opened their doors in December of 2009. This momentous event was marked with a reception in January, 2010 for all the volunteers and companies that had donated their time, labor and materials. WCAA-Charlotte Chapter Fabricators were among the guests graciously received by Brenda Deal, Executive Director, that afternoon.

When asked how did the "Dove House " come about, Brenda shared a moving account of the events that led to its founding, leaving us in no doubt about the power of divine providence playing out in her life and those who work closely with her. And how does the scripture verse fit into the picture? "Be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves"; In Brenda words: "This verse is actually the origin of the name of Dove House. A women's bible study group from my church discussed helping our steering committee come up with a name for the Children's Advocacy Center, and came up with "Dove House" from this verse. The first part of the verse is Christ telling his disciples that He is sending them out as "sheep among wolves" (to spread the gospel) - child victims are definitely "sheep among wolves". Those of us who intervene when children are harmed must "be as wise as serpents" in protecting children who are "as innocent as doves".... Thus, DOVE HOUSE!

The Charlotte Chapter was more than proud to have been able to participate in creating custom window treatments for the Dove House, we were graced with the honor of being invited to participate.

Visit the Dove House: http://www.dovehouse.us/

Charlotte Chapter Businesses that participated:

Sharon Coppede Custom Window Treatments, Inc.
Marilyn Croteau Croteau Window Coverings, Inc.
Pam Dawes Interior Couture of the Carolinas, Inc.
Elaine Mitchell Interior Couture of the Carolinas, Inc.
Margaret Fergusson House of Andrachelle
Sam Grande Four Directions Installation
Kathleen Hynoski Studio 138
Brenda Lewis Workroom Innovations
Rita Morrison Morrison's Classic Windows
Carolyn Rushing Fineline Designs
Carolyn & Martin Todd Sew Elegant Interiors
Lurene Ulrich New Outlook Interiors, Inc.

Lori Woodall United Supply Co

Join Us for the Charlotte WCAA and AIDP Spring Window and Interior Design Fashion Event

Join us on March 26, 2010 for an all day vendor exhibit and two fabulous workshops with nationally known speaker Jackie Von Tobel. Jackie is one of the country's top experts in the field of interior design and soft treatment construction. She is the author and illustrator of the definitive series of illustrated encyclopedias and comprehensive design manuals for the trade, students and consumers. Her books include The Design Directory of Window Treatments, The Design Directory of Bedding, and the soon-to-be released, The Directory of Soft Furnishings. Jackie has a new line of eco friendly fabrics and pillow covers, the Jackie Von Tobel Collection.

The day will begin with breakfast and vendor exhibits, we will have a morning workshop with Jackie entitled The Latest and Greatest in Window Fashion, then we will spend some time with our exhibitors and enjoy a catered lunch. In the afternoon, we will have another session with Jackie entitled Achieving a High End Look for Less. We will wrap up the day with our vendor and the awarding of our door prizes.

The price at the door is $85.00 for WCAA and AIDP members and $100.00 for non members and guests.

The January WCAA Chapter Meeting

The WCAA Charlotte Chapter held its first meeting of the new year on Tues, January 7th at United Supply. Cheryl Short of Profit Management Services, LLC was the speaker. She held a great session on Quick Books and shared tips and tricks that will make the software much easier to navigate. The Charlotte Chapter offers informative meetings designed to help members develope their business savvy, find out the latest information on our industry, and get a broad picture of the marketplace. Cheryl Short's teaching was timely as we prepare for tax returns and gearing our businesses back up after the holidays. She covered what we need to do with regard to Federal and State taxes, and answered questions about contract labor and 1099 forms. She shared ways to customize the Quick Book programs for our individual needs and gave short cuts to navigate the program. There were lots of questions and everyone received an answer. It was a great start to the new year!