Our local Charlotte Better Business Bureau sent out a request to some of their high-scoring businesses to submit profiles for their home page.   I was surprised and delighted when they posted my picture with our business name.  Actually, we have been members longer than 3 years, but that is how long their online verification program has been in place.  We have an A+ rating, which you can find by clicking here.

From "Internet Retailer: The Dollars Are In The Details"

Here is an excerpt from one of our industry's primary sources of information, Internet Retailer.  I have been honored to speak at their last conference in June 2009, and every once in awhile we appear in print as well.  Its the go-to source of information for all things internet + retail.

Here is an excerpt:
To fix a design flaw on its key merchandising pages, CarolinaRustica.com, an online retailer of upscale home furnishings, first compiled a strengths and weakness usability report and then reviewed competing web sites. Its conclusion: Make the site search button bigger and more prominent.


CarolinaRustica.com, which generates about $3.5 million in annual web sales, serves an older and affluent consumer. A typical customer is 50, may own multiple homes and has annual household income of well above $100,000.

Read More Here.......

A Sneak Peek at the St Tropez Collection by Lexington

It hasn't hit our showroom floor yet, but we are so excited about this new collection by Lexington Home Brands, we had to share!  Just as a classic residence is reborn through renovation, St. Tropez incorporates traditional inspiration into the polished lines of elegant transitional styling, and then emboldens the look with accents of gold-burnished silver leaf, exquisite decorative veneering, and champagne gold hardware. The result is a contemporary view of classic styling, with a hint of glamour that speaks to the name.  Click here to begin shopping for St. Tropez, or watch the great video on this collection below:

Distinguishing characteristics of St Tropez:
MATERIALS: Quartered and Cathedral Walnut veneers on select hardwood solids, decorative metal in burnished gold, Lucce Travertine tops,
and gold-burnished silver leaf accents.

DRAWER CONSTRUCTION: English dovetails, wood runner & guides, drawer stop, Lexington plaque

HARDWARE: custom designed in a champagne gold finish

WOOD FINISH

338 CALAIS – rich Walnut brown finish with a medium luster

339 CORSICA – gold with warm sienna burnishing

340 MONACO – blending of Calais and Corsica finishes on select items

NEW Standard Upholstery Finish: CALAIS NEW optional upholstery finishes: CORSICA and PEARL

STANDARD: LEATHER: 950841 CARLETON – Stardust gold leather (Standard - Avalon Bed and Saverne Chairs)

FABRIC: 475971 MARINO – Amber colored woven with a glimmer of gold thread running through it (Standard - Chateau Chairs)

UPHOLSTERY

Grouping 1: Gold tone solids pair with lustrous velvets and patterns for a more chic and less formal combination. Metallic  threads appear subtly throughout the collection, this time adding an unexpected detail to a textural woven body cloth. A large scale houndstooth offers a modern take on traditional; while an elegant iron gate design commands attention, also in a large scale.

Grouping 2: Alluring textures in neutral tones engage the senses with a pop of color in mimosa and sky. The silk stripe introduces all the colors and is grounded with a metallic shimmer chenille and lustrous rayon velvet. A woven silk with whimsical dahlia pattern in mimosa is complemented by the soft mattelasse with quatrefoil pattern.

Grouping 3: The iron gate pattern takes center stage for this soft blue color story. Lurex adds shimmer to the textural woven body cloth and strie chenille. A fun constellation pattern of double cloth construction incorporates another touch of lurex generating a magnetic attraction to this grouping.

Please call us at 800-205-7819 for a quote on Lexington Home Brands' St Tropez Collection...be the first one in your city to own this fantastic looking furniture!

ELK Lighting Spring 2010 Lighting Trends

Elk Lighting is one of those lighting companies that always surprises you with their mix of classical lighting and fresh, innovative designs. ELK is well-known with designers as a producer of quality products with a stylistic appeal and a conscientious value. From their regal Biltmore Estate Collection to the young appeal of Mary-Kate and Ashley, Elk has a design that satisfies every style demand in the house! Most recently, Elk Lighting has introduced their Trump Home Lighting Collection, which has been a smash hit and coincides with the success of Lexington's Trump Furniture Collection.

Elk Lighting Brands
Trump Home	Biltmore Estate	Mary-Kate and Ashley

We enjoy selling ELK Lighting, part of the same group that includes Landmark Lighting and Dimond Lighting.  They have a very diverse, eclectic and upscale look...a little "something for everyone" for the higher end home. In this article, ELK Lighting Group’s in– house designer, Charles Kelton, offers his insight into the new lighting trends for 2010.


Lighting Trends as Seen By ELK Lighting

How many times have you heard the quote “that works together” or “this goes well with that” on a decorating show? Today’s décor is far more eclectic than 10 years ago and emphasizes the combinations of different styles of furniture, accessories, and personal taste. As we enter a new decade, arranging contrasting colors and styles to make a space pleasing to the eye will become increasingly more popular than trying to match items from the same collection or time period.

The same trend of combining traditional with modern is occurring in lighting design. Drum pendants have become very popular because of their simplicity and attractive geometric form. Combining elements of a chandelier with a drum pendant, the Abington “pendelier” from ELK Lighting has all of the classic elements of a chandelier, with scrolled arms, decorative filigree work, and an antique brass finish, but integrated into a modern drum shape. This makes it flexible for either a traditional or more contemporary space and allows a clean look while retaining classic detailing. The Montpelier “pendelier” is another good example of blending the traditional with modern. One unique feature on this item is the use of classic shield styled shades that hug its perimeter, changing its overall form to a unique wavy pattern.

Another style that is gaining in popularity is the restoration and schoolhouse looks being expanded by Landmark Lighting. In the early part of the 20th century, these designs became prevalent due to their ease of cleaning and their refined, industrial look. Today, the restoration style can be easily adapted to many decors because it combines timeless motifs, such as reeded glass and turned hardware, with smoother shapes and updated finishes including polished nickel, chrome, and antique copper. These items pay homage to the past while introducing a fresh aesthetic to today’s interiors

A Classic Palecek Furniture Article

I found this on Palecek's website, which you can also find by clicking here

I think the amazing thing about this article is that it is several years ahead of its time, having been written in the early part of 2006.  We are proud to represent Palecek and sell their products, and their environmental stance makes them even more attractive:

Palecek Is “Eco-Chic”Focus On Sustainable Organic DesignEco-chic” is a buzzword being applied to almost every industry, ranging from fashion to food. While the “eco-chic” label is relatively new, the design trend has been around for many years, even before it was cool to be green. Long before dolphin-safe tuna and hemp clothing, before canvas shopping bags and bio-diesel engines, people recognized the need to conserve. One company on the leading edge of furniture design and conservation is Palecek, which has used eco-friendly design elements throughout its 30 years in business.



Renowned for natural, hand-woven home furnishings, Palecek has always relied on quickly renewable resources like rattan, abaca, and bamboo in its designs. “Organic, sustainable natural materials are very strong style elements right now, but Palecek has always recognized the importance of conservation,” says owner and president, Allan Palecek. “And now, buyers as well as end consumers are looking for products from companies committed to preserving the earth’s resources.”


As trends in fashion and home décor lean toward an organic aesthetic, Palecek is perfectly positioned to meet the trend with a vast offering of eco-friendly and eco-fashionable products. For the High Point market, Palecek will continue to enrich its line with natural, hand-crafted organic elements that embody both the artistry of the human touch, and the imperfect beauty inherent in pure, authentic natural materials.


Palecek’s newest introductions this High Point focus on furniture pieces with the signature, hand-crafted natural elements that have made Palecek a mainstay in American furniture design. The result is a modern, architectural aesthetic with clean lines and an organic sensibility. New home accessory offerings showcase weathered wood and similar organic “found” pieces, symbolizing the earth’s natural abundance, without depleting the environment.


In order to offset its consumption, Palecek utilizes quickly renewable natural fibers, as well as plantation-grown woods that do not deplete forests. And while conservation is vital, giving back to the source is just as important. That’s why Palecek is a major contributor to the reforestation project in the Philippines, which is in the process of planting more than a million trees. In addition to environmental conservation, Palecek strives to preserve the cultural heritage of craftspeople that help make their products by investing in schools and local arts programs in the Philippines, Indonesia, and other countries.


Palecek acknowledges that home furnishings is a resource-intensive industry, but understands that there is no room to compromise on quality. Inherent in all of Palecek’s collections is a careful balance of beautiful and durable products that are thoughtfully designed and eco-conscious.


The culture of environmental responsibility hasn’t changed much at Palecek throughout the company’s history, but it has grown in resolve and encouraged more companies and consumers to follow suit. Being eco-friendly may have become “eco-chic,” but the choice to be responsible is as simple as ever. “I think most people today have some level of concern for the environment,” says Palecek. “If you give them the knowledge and the choice, they’ll make a more informed and eco-conscious decision.”

Bedroom Furnishings	Lounge Furnishings	Dining & Lounge Chairs
Tables	Sculpture & Whimsy

Some Great Wood Definitions by Vanguard Furniture

Vanguard Furniture, one of our finest manufacturers of wood and upholstered furniture, has some great documentation on the types of woods used in their diverse collections. Click here for more information on Vanguard Furniture's collection on our website. We are introducing Vanguard Furniture collection-by-collection, starting with the popular Michael Weiss Collection. Featuring styles under the Modernism and Classics collections, furniture by Juilliard-trained designer Michael Weiss is a study in the seamless blending of contrasts. Clean, sleek lines and classic geometric forms are presented in refreshing and dramatic modern designs. Click here to view Michael Weiss on our website. We also feature complimentary upholstery collections made by Vanguard that will blend with Michael Weiss or Annie Selke, another great collection recently introduced by Vanguard Furniture (Thom Felicia is the most recent, from last market)

Here are some great definitions on wood types used by Vanguard:

Alder Solids:
Hard, strong wood that can be stained to imitate walnut
and mahogany. Also has a maple-like figure. Is cherry-like
in appearance.
Ash:
Very hard wood that takes finishes well. It has a distinctive,
open grain with occasional brown streaks. Usually creamy
white to light brown, sometimes used as an oak substitute.
Birch Solids:
One of the strongest American woods, it is heavy, fairly stiff
and hard, and rather tough. The grain is fine and close and
it takes fine finishes well.
Cherry:
A hard and sturdy wood with a reddish-brown tone and tight,
straight grain. Cherry resists warping and checking and is
easily worked. It is used in 18th century American and
French styles, both as a solid and veneer.
Hickory:
Extremely tough and strong wood, yet has a flexible
characteristic that enables the wood to be worked in
manufacturing. It will take a finish well. The color ranges
from pale yellow to yellowish brown.
Macassar:
A very dense hardwood that is durable and takes finishes well,
but can be difficult to work with. It has a dark grain
that ranges from dark brown to dark black.
Mahogany Solids :
Grade for grade, mahogany is superior to any other cabinet
wood in freedom from defect. It is relatively hard, works
well, highly lustrous, durable, and carves and finishes well.
It ranges in color from salmon to dark red.
Maple:
Hard and strong wood, resistant to shock, takes finishes well.
Fine, closed grain, bird’s eye grain possible as well. Creamy
white to off white, sometimes with reddish or greenish
brown tints.
Oak Solids:
Very strong, hard and durable wood that holds screws and
nails well. Its color ranges from pale grayish-brown to ochre
with a coarse grain structure featuring vertical rays or lines.
Pine Solids:
A soft wood with a fine, uniform texture and straight grain.
Creamy white, pale yellow or light brown heartwood that
yellows with age.
Rosewood:
Often used as an accent veneer, it comes in various shades
of dark brown with conspicuous dark streaks. It takes a fine
finish and has a slight milky rose aroma.
Rubberwood Solids:
Moderately heavy wood that is uniform in structure. Results
in a mostly straight grain with clear, attractive patterns. The
color ranges from pale cream to yellowish brown.
Satinwood:
Known for its pale gold color, and rippled and mottled
pattern — the “bee’s wing” pattern. Used primarily as
a veneer.
Walnut Solids:
Walnut has remarkable fidelity and is well-suited to carving.
It has a pleasing grain and a characteristic wavy pattern.
Three main varieties are used:
• African Walnut: Bronze, yellow-brown wood with
irregular dark lines.
• Asian Walnut: Softer, coarser and paler in color than
the American variety
• American Walnut: a dark, hard wood varying from
a purplish black to a rich red brown
White Oak:
A strong, hard-wearing wood with a pronounced texture and
grain patterns. Sound knots and pin knots are common,
adding character and enhancing grain movement. It is used
in a broad range of styles, both as a solid and veneer.

Specialty Materials:
Abacus Rope
Derived from the fiber of the leaf-stem of a plant native to
the Philippines. It is closely related to and resembles the
common, cultivated, banana plant and is sometimes called
“Manilla hemp”. When new and untreated it is deep goldenbrown
in color. The rope is flexible, durable, strong, and
stands up well to wear and weather.
Bamboo
Technically not a wood species-- it is classified as a grass
that is much denser, and therefore stronger than hardwoods.
It also grows much faster than hardwoods, making it an easily
replenishable resource. The thin outside green layer is highdensity
silicon that yields hardness equivalent to hardwoods
and a smooth surface of wax like material. The thicker inside
yellow layer is loose and fragile.
Coco Twig
Short, knobby sticks taken from the coconut plant which are
then laminated to plywood substrates and sanded down to
smooth surface.
Coconut Bark
Bark taken from coconuts and cut into square tiles, then
laminated onto plywood substrates.
Palm Wood
Timber taken from coconut palm trees that are felled once
their fruit-bearing age is passed. The outer layer is very dense
and hard, and the wood does not have age lines, knots or
other imperfections. Non-porous and impervious to woodboring
insects. Color ranges from golden to near ebony, with
dark brown flecks.
Onion Skin
Dried onion skin that is laminated to plywood substrates.
Raffia
Fibers from tropical palm trees that have good strength
and stretch.
Rattan
A vine-like plant that grows abundantly in a long slender stem
with a uniform diameter along its length. It is not hollow or
brittle like bamboo, and becomes quite pliable when heated,
but retains the shape when it cools. It does not take color, but
can be varnished or lacquered.
Water Hyacinth:
An aquatic plant which lives and reproduces rapidly while
floating freely on the surface of fresh waters. Native to
tropical South America, but has since proliferated extensively
throughout the world, especially in South East Asia. The
stalks, when dried completely, can be woven into ropes
for added strength.
Wicker:
The term Wicker is used to describe the weaving of
materials such as Cane, Sea Grass, Willow, Bamboo or
other natural products.

Veneer Characteristics:
Technically, a veneer is simply a thin surface layer glued to a core, such as Formica. However, in quality furniture construction, and featured on many antiques, decorative wood veneers are used to create inlaid patterns. Exotic and expensive woods, such as rosewood and satinwood are incorporated to add grain interest. Veneered construction adds value to the case piece by enhancing both the aesthetic appeal and the dimensional stability. Veneering also provides for the freedom of design for curved areas such as bombay fronts or doors which require extra strength and stability.

Wesley Allen Beds

Since 1976, Wesley Allen iron beds have graced some of the world's most elegant showcases and bedrooms. Classic craftsmanship and innovative manufacturing come together to deliver the perfect balance of form and function. Each Wesley Allen iron bed offers its own distinctive look, feel, color and texture making them highly desirable to collectors, decorators and customers alike. You can find all of Wesley Allens beds here on our site at Carolina Rustica.

With over 100 original designs available in over 45 finishes, Wesley Allen iron beds are available in a variety of configurations to blend beautifully into your living environment and lifestyle. With a flawless reputation for quality and style, this collection of fine beds offers a distinctive originality that has earned Wesley Allen its place as one of the finest iron bed manufacturers in the world.

UniBody Construction
Handcrafted quality. Without compromise. A Wesley Allen trademark. Starting with heavy gauge iron, our skilled craftsmen meticulously weld each piece together paying close attention to detail. Then, each decorative casting is hand-poured directly over the welded iron to create an exceptionally solid one-piece bed. Our process produces a bed that is the perfect balance of strength and beauty. And it's just another example of our dedication to producing what we consider to be the world's finest iron bed.

Wesley Allen's Exclusive PowerBond™ Finish
Without a doubt, the most durable finish available on any bed. Powder paint specifically prepared for your order is electro statically applied by expert colorists to meet or exceed our highest standards. The bed is then baked in specialty ovens where extremely high temperatures produce a PowerBond finish of superior durability and richness.

Over 45 Finishes
The character of your Wesley Allen bed comes to life as our talented artisans create the finish you've selected for your bed. Each finish is hand-applied, layer upon layer, to create a distinctive look that is yours, and yours alone. From start to finish, the Wesley Allen iron bed you purchase is truly one-of-a-kind.

Wesley Allen's Patented Millennium™ Frames
Considered the strongest bed frames in the industry, each Wesley Allen Millennium frame is engineered using high gauge steel. Carefully designed to ensure durability and strength, each frame supplies different points of stress support for maximum stability and mattress support.

A Limited Lifetime Warranty
All Wesley Allen iron beds and iron furniture come with a limited lifetime warranty

Testimonials for Wesley Allen Beds:

"We LOVE our Wesley Allen bed. The compliments are numerous and the quality is exquisite."

"The bed came in as promised and was just as seen in the catalog. We are extremely happy with it. It is a beautiful work of art."

"I have shown this bed to many people and have highly recommended it. I especially like the bonnet top."

"I recently remodeled virtually every room in my home. I was thrilled to find the exact bed online - I knew immediately that was THE one for the guest room! It is by far my favorite room. The powder coating is excellent and I get compliments all the time on how stunning it looks."

"We absolutely love our bed. The quality of work is excellent. We will stick to Wesley Allen for future purchases."

"I love our bed and consider it an item we would pass down one day to our children."

"The reason I purchased a Wesley Allen Bed (actually 2 beds) was because of their design and quality...I wanted something simple and elegant and very sturdy and found that in the Wesley Allen selection. I am very happy with my purchases...wonderful quality!!!!"

"The daybed is very classy, upscale and beautifully made. I love the old fashioned look it has and am proud to own it."

Find Wesley Allen Beds Here!

Comfort Design Furniture

In an era of booming creativity and choice...Shoppers today are customizing purchases towards their individual expression like never before. From iPods to cars to home furnishings, we know you expect detailed options. How else could you find that special piece of furniture that perfectly suits your lifestyle? Browse the outstanding choices of Comfort Design Furniture and chances are we have what you're looking for.We know you expect quality...We're confident that that their motion and stationary home furnishings will meet your expectations with a variety of options in superior design and high-caliber construction. At Comfort Design, quality is the most important component they build into every piece of furniture they make...here at home. They are extremely proud to say that all of their motion and stationary furniture is hand crafted in North Carolina by the finest American artisans.

Here at Carolina Rustica, we are experts at motion furniture, being one of the largest Barcalounger retailers in the country. Although Comfort Designs is a relatively new company, we are sure they are going to be equally successful. Give us a call at 800-205-7819 for more information on Comfort Design Furniture Today!

One Of America's Finest Furniture Manufacturers: Hickory White

Over the last six months, we have been growing at a rate that has surprised even us, given all the bad news in consumer spending. By adding high-end home furnishings manufacturers as great prices, we have overcome the economic slowdown and made lots of new customers happy with product introductions.

We are therefore particularly proud to introduce Hickory White Furniture to our customers. With over 100 years experience in crafting the finest home furnishings, Hickory White offers what every discerning furniture buyer is interested in… today’s style statement, hand-tailored and hand-crafted by skilled artisans. All Hickory White furniture is made of carefully chosen wood veneers and solids that will stand the test of time. Each piece is crafted by cabinet makers skilled in the art of joinery, and customized with multi-step hand-rubbed, distressed, padded or striped finishes.

Hickory White offers four unique "folios" of collections, from Gramercy in Folio One, blending traditional charm with contemporary panache to create a stunning transitional collection, to King's Row of Folio Four, bringing the time honored mystique of European aristocracy to your home. We are sure you will be as impressed as we are with the amazing variety and quality of American-made Hickory White Furniture. We anticipate having their collections on our site by January 2010. www.carolinarustica.com

How Excited Are We About Vanguard Furniture?

Answer...VERY Excited! At the last High Point market, which ended only two weeks ago, we were delighted to finally open with Vanguard Furniture. We love their approach to design...simple, livable, accessible, but outstanding quality. They provide unlimited choices for upholstery with their American Bungalow Collection, which lets you build your sofa or loveseat from the ground up. Vanguard has four outstanding designer collections, described below. Although we do not have any of these products live on our website, please call us at 800-205-7819 for pricing on any Vanguard Furniture item

Thom Felicia:

Thom Filicia Home Collection is a multifaceted collection that includes a mix of living, dining and bedroom pieces, occasional chairs, cocktail and occasional tables, upholstered pieces and textiles. The new home collection captures Thom Filicia's classic simplicity and injects an unexpected, modern flair. With a fresh yet timeless approach to design, the collection balances elements in unique and beautiful ways. Refined details mix with raw edges, industrial plays against organic, and materials, textures and palettes are used in unexpected ways.

Michael Wiess:

Featuring styles under the Modernism and Classics collections, furniture by Juilliard-trained designer Michael Weiss is a study in the seamless blending of contrasts. Clean, sleek lines and classic geometric forms are presented in refreshing and dramatic modern designs. Modernism is a collection of contemporary styles with energy and fluidity, while Classics is a free form, artistic mix of historical influences, inspired by classic taste and style.

Annie Selke:
A celebrated pioneer of color and comfort, Annie Selke offers an approach to design that reminds us our homes are meant to be lived in comfortably and enjoyed. With Annie Selke Home, she fully executes her longtime vision of creating a total finished environment. A vision begun with bedding, rugs, tabletop and accessories now branches to include 80 new pieces of furniture for living room, dining room and bedroom, along with bold, richly patterned fabric and trim. Fabulous, functional and designed with real life living in mind, Annie Selke Home encourages the playful mixing and matching that makes homes unique.

Bloomsbury by Blake Tovin:
The Bloomsbury Group explored alternative ways of living and fresh ideas in the arts and social sciences. Their collective spirit of collaboration, community, and inquiry spawned the creation of diverse works including literature, economics, and art.
Drawing upon the creative influences of the Bloomsbury Group, Blake Tovin has designed a home furnishings collection exclusively for Vanguard Furniture. This collection embodies the spirit of the Bloomsbury Group executed in a modern day sensibility.

Please call us at 800-205-7819 for pricing on any Vanguard Furniture item