FALL 2012 HIGH POINT MARKET ROUND UP: 15 SMALL OTTOMANS WITH BIG APPEAL

Whether it has an x-base or is fully upholstered, small benches and ottomans are a great addition to the end of a bed or in seating arrangements. Providing an extra perch or a place for a bag or throw, they serve a smart dual function role. Small pieces were aplenty at High Point Market, and here is a round up of some favorite pairs for bunching  and to use stand-alone pieces.

A pair of white Consulate x-base benches in turquoise upholstery at Century Furniture.

Slatted x-base Rockwell benches at Century that feel very Spanish in derivation.

Century's upholstered Canter Ottoman with nail head trim and tapered leg.

A diminutive low footstool at Hickory Chair.

Mr. and Mrs. Howard from Sherrill has these cut corner upholstered benches with cushioned tops and storage inside. All I could think of is that they would make the best dog beds for a pair of dogs.

Wesley Hall had an upholstered pair of curved ottomans, version 75, with skirted base.

Bernhardt's wooden base bench with leather top is very French 40s.

 Resembling highly coveted vintage finds, Drexel Heritage had the Eve Ottomans. Tufted, upholstered stunners with an arched leg merge the best of old and new. 

Thibault Furniture's Preston Ottoman with a cushion top and bamboo ridged white leg are perfect for country and coastal settings.

Ralph Lauren Home's classic x-benches with tight seat and nailheads in a blue fabric.

A pair of 69W Parsons-style upholstered and tufted x-benches from Wesley Hall have got it going on with contrast trim.

Upholstered in a graphic geometric fabric with orange trim.

Mr. Brown debuted a quatrefoil tufted ottoman with contrast trim on bobbin legs and casters that sits next to an upholstered clean-lined one with button tufting, both in natural linen.

Studio A had a metal bench with an x-base and dog head finials called The Bow Wow Bench.

 In a zippy red, Arteriors x-base upholstered Tennyson Bench with nail head border is a plush option.

THAT 70's VIBE

If you've had your eyes open lately, you have been seeing touches of brass everywhere. From accent pieces to all-out shiny metal tables, the warm touch and look of brass is a 70's throwback that is seriously back.  Around the globe, designers in the 70's embraced the warm metal--  in America Karl Springer was using it, Italian Gabriella Crespi and France's Maria Pergay designed with it, and England's Willy Rizzo gave it a transformational quality. To learn about these and others, visit Jen Renzi's article on the subject that ran in The WSJ Magazine in August. It provides the back story on the great designers of the past and highlights why their pieces are making a comeback. If you are feeling a bit of brass would give your home some sparkle, there are some terrific pieces both old and new that you will surely take a shine to.

Photo by Simon Upton/Elle Decor

The image that set the blogosphere all atwitter of Aerin Lauder's New York dressing room, with hand painted Gracie wallpaper and  brass covered Gabriella Crespi-designed Z Desk. It was shot by Simon Upton and ran in Elle Decor years ago, but it made such a strong impression for its mix of pretty and strong pieces. The desk, Aerin found at Liz O'Brien, the incredible vintage furniture gallery, run by one of the best eye's the business.

Photo courtesy of The Wall Street Journal Magazine

Clean lines and sharp angles make the smooth brass veneered desk by Crespi an iconic marvel. It seems so ahead of its time, since it looks very now, yet was designed in 1974.

A Karl Springer Ram's head lucite and brass lamp with original shade from Marc Joseph on Etsy is beyond fabulous. Someone needs to start making this lamp pronto!

 Photo courtesy of 1st Dibs

Flair French 1970's lucite etagere with brass corners through 1st Dibs incorporates two materials I adore, lucite and brass.

 Photo courtesy of One Kings Lane

Joannes Lucas Velvet and Brass vintage armchairs in pale pink velvet on One Kings Lane 

Photo courtesy of Vintage Studio Design

A brass and glass Karl Springer Table from Vintage Studio Design is a score and the tubular legs have a strong presence.

Photo courtesy of DwellStudio

Slanted Votive Holders of brass from DwellStudio have a similar look.

 Photo courtesy of V and M

A brass and chrome console with tubular legs and smoky glass top from Trebor Nevits on V and M has brooding appeal.

 Photo courtesy of V and M

Willy Rizzo's Flaminia Side Table of chrome and brass from Quintessentia on V and M mixes metals for a high bling factor.

 Photo courtesy of V and M

A parchment wrapped set of nesting tables with brass corners from the Rizzo-era also from Quintessentia on V and M.

Photo courtesy of V and M

Slim curved chrome linear detailing on orange upholstered Milo Baughman armchairs from V and M.

Photo courtesy of Kelly Wearstler

As one who has long embraced the material and used in almost all of her work to some degree, Kelly Wearstler is indeed an early adapter.  Her Dip Dish with 22 karat gold glaze from Kelly Wearstler's Melrose Avenue flagship boutique looks antique a patina of age makes this new piece mellow.

Photo courtesy of Dwell Studio

Like A Brancusi sculpture or Italian dynamist piece, this brass and marble Tubular Burst sculpture from Dwell Studio captures movement.

Photo courtesy of Dwell Studio

Dwell Studio's Oval brass sculpture on a marble base inspired by iconic mid-century designs is a nice way to incoprorate a sculptural element without breaking the bank.

Photo courtesy of Flair

Octagonal brass and cognac ostrich mirror a Flair Home exclusive, has a hint of brass.

Photo courtesy of Arteriors

The Apollo Wall Hanging from Arteriors, like large wheels, add a textural warm focal point on a wall.

WHERE DO I PUT MY DRINK DOWN? WHY A DRINKS TABLE OF COURSE!

You often hear interior designers talk about drinks tables. These are easy to access at the ready chair - side spots that serve as the perfect place to plant a drink, book or reading glasses. Here is a round up of diverse drinks tables that serve a purpose and look great while doing it.

Photo courtesy of Century
The influence of horns, be it antlers hung from the wall or horn inlay, seems to be sticking around. Warm antique brass and creative use of the antlers in the Chairside Table from Century makes the popular motif seem fresh again.

Rich complex glazes and unique garden stool forms keep Emissary ahead of the curve. This new ovoid silhouette with a raised top is a nice new addition.

Photo courtesy of Arteriors
A brass tabouret table that resembles a drum with x-detailing looks incredibly chic, like an antique find.

Photo courtesy of Arteriors
The three legged Sanibel table with a slim gold leaf base and beveled black marble top has sleek French 1940 lines. From Arteriors.

Based on an 18th century naturalized rocaille style table with a tree base, Beeline Home's Albero Drinks Table is the perfect perch for a cold one. Williams is known for her drinks tables and has an appreciation for their functional qualities.

Available in a zingy green lacquer or (fire engine red), this ribbed Column Drinks Table is a diminutive darling from Beeline Home.

I always love anything wrapped in lacquered linen, so no wonder this coral Festoni zig zag table grabbed my attention!

Currey and Company debuted their highly anticipated Marjorie Skouras collection at market with these sexy shell inlay Bix side tables in a blue green mother of pearl with silverleaf legs. Ooh lala.

Global Views introduced a round marble side table called the Arabesque with Moorish cut out details.

Artesia was feeling the same thing, with their hand carved sandstone version called Soraya. It seems this is the sincerest form of flattery, since both these pieces were influenced by Stephanie Odegard's marble classic in the same vein.

Like a slick of shiny red lipstick, this red laquer Flip side table from Currey and Company is all dressed up, ready for any occasion.

Taking it's cue from 1950's bamboo outdoor furniture, this small cerused side table with a glass top from Gabby has an interesting circular composition.

Photo courtesy of Made Goods
The Enzo side table is a solid companion from Made Goods that is available in a chic tortoise looking Penn shell or lighter Kabibe shell finish.

Photo courtesy of Made Goods
With a lot of shimmer, the Bea ceramic side table in a glazed gold finish from Made Goods adds quiet glamour.