We all have visions of our ideal bedroom….one that provides the most relaxing environment in which to rest our tired bodies.   For some, that vision is one of stark simplicity, with clean lines and minimal embellishments.  Others prefer a more traditional look, with cherry wood nightstands, a triple dresser, high chest and matching bed (either a panel bed or a poster bed). 

For many, the romantic inspiration of the bedroom is the only way to go, and for those homeowners and designers, there is no greater example of that inspiration than the Aico bedroom.  Michael Amini, the founder, owner, and lead designer for Aico, comes from a background of traditional continental furniture design.  His vision is one based on heritage, upbringing, and his travels around the globe, and his sense of romance and adventure is reflected in each and every bedroom collection.

The top AICO bedroom collections sold by Carolina Rustica consist of the Monte Carlo, Lavelle Blanc, Cortina, and Tuscano.   Thinking about just the names themselves just conjures up images of elaborately carved beds, stately dressers, and massive armoires to hold your entire wardrobe.   If there is one thing that AICO is known for, it is the ornamentation, carvings, and old-world European feel of its gorgeous collections.

The Monte Carlo bedroom collection draws its inspiration from its namesake city that sits on the majestic Mediterranean Sea.  Over the centuries, the city has been built by some of the greatest architects of our world, and with the consistent climate, has drawn people from all over the world to be a part of its style, splendor, and brilliance. This collection from the Michael Amini Signature Series carries on the legend of the Monte Carlo name with its extensive list of features. Finished in Cafe Noir, Monte Carlo can elegantly fit into any home and lifestyle.  The appeal of this collection is that it can make anyone feel as though they are on vacation in Southern Europe.

Another great group is the Cortina bedroom collection.   This Amini inspiration draws its inspirations from the Italian city of Cortina d'Ampezzo, the breathtaking beauty of the mountain ranges, and the wide rivers of the Italian Dolomites.  This AICO bedroom group resembles the beauty of the region, and the striking details of each piece can bring a piece of Northern Italy to any home. Carefully crafted using Birch Solids, and Cherry and Mapa Burl Veneers, this is completed by a Honey Walnut Finish that whispers of calm and serenity.

We love their other grand bedroom group, Tuscano, a long-standing collection that continues to stand out as a best-seller. Tuscany is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance movement, this collection follows tradition, and is highly artistic and unique. It has taken the mediums of marble, leather, wood, metal, and glass, and has woven them all together to create pieces that will stand out in any home, and could easily feel at home in the country, or in a castle. Featuring Pine solids and veneers wrapped in a warm, rustic "Biscotti" finish with clipped corner bombe styling on the case goods, Tuscano brings forth a vision of Italian grandeur. 

There are other Amini Bedroom groups of note, such as the Trevi Collection, Palais Royale, and Vizcaya Collections, each with its own, distinct romantic European overtones.

All of these groups reflect the elaborate and decorative sense of style embodied by Mr. Amini,  who provides so much inspiration to those who purchase and enjoy his products for many years.  He is a man of taste and integrity, and this is reflected in his furniture.    Please call us for more information, or visit this section of our site for AICO bedroom information.

Lets Talk About Mirrored Furniture!

We are seeing more and more of it...antique (or sometimes called "Venetian") mirrored glass inlay on all sorts of furniture pieces, in all types of applications.

Being an old-timer in the business, I've seen quite a few trends come and go (remember all that wormy antique Mexican pine furniture of the 90's?   I do!).   Some trends are just in a natural cycle, and some are making a permanent statement.   I think the judicious use of mirrored accenting is one of the latter, since it really adds a specific design element to furniture, and can be used in everything from dining tables to nightstands.

Lets start with Currey and Company, one of our favorite manufacturers of high end lighting.  Currey incorporates mirrors into chandeliers and their accent furniture.  The Antiqued Mirrored Console shown at left is one of their best-selling pieces, because it is both subtle (i.e. not too flashy) and practical...it can be used ad a console, hall table, or powder room accent piece.  The time-worn details lend a true antique feel to the piece, and it also has a drawer for further practical use.

Another great little piece is the Pulaski Accent table.  Measuring 18 in diam by 26 in high, this cute little table is absolutely the most go-anywhere upscale accent piece we have seen in awhile.  With its use of tiling design, Pulaski shows exactly what a piece of mirrored furniture can do to add zest and interest to a room.  Finding tables this small can be a challenge, since it is difficult to manufacture with mirrors, so this is a particularly interesting find.  Imagine this being used as a small lamp table, a reading table for your favorite spot, or even as a night table in a guest room.  Round tables are handy too, because they can go in tight corners without having to face a particular direction

Hooker Furniture also has an interesting take on mirrored furniture.   Their Mirrored Chairside Table has a much more antiqued appearance, with a softer look that suggests reclaimed mirrors from a bygone era.  This softness is contrasted with the purely functional design of the table, which features a wood-on-wood pullout drawer and a spacious one-shelf interior space.   Again, this could be used as a nightstand, accent table, or powder room accent piece.   Hooker Furniture also has a great portfolio of mirrored furniture in its Sanctuary Collection, which features a soft finish, antique influences, and a gentle, time-worn approach to furniture design.  The idea behind Sanctuary was to create a sense of relaxation and refuge away from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives.

Mirrored accenting has been used in lighting for years, in fact for over a century.  From candle lights to gas lights, mirrored backs have been used to augment the light source...a practical means of doubling the lumens for little extra cost.  This tradition has carried down to modern electric sconces and chandliers, where mirrored accent tiles are used as a decorative element in varying degrees.  Most of Carolina Rustica's lighting manufacturers use mirrored accenting to some degree.

British Colonial Furniture: Inspirations and Possibilities

One of the most timeless designs found in homes across America is also the most difficult to define.  British Colonial furniture harkens back to the exotic outposts of the British Empire, at its zenith during the Victorian era.  Popularly known at the British Raj, this huge swath  of territory covered Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.  British Colonial Furniture also includes territories included in British East India, including islands that are now part of Indonesia and Malaysia.

The furniture takes its utilitarian influence from the tropical environments in which it was found.  Using generous proportions of local wood such as Teak, Mahogany, and Mango Wood, this furniture was designed to absorb much of the humidity found in those areas.  Since the wood expands and contracts, much of the construction also used natural grasses and reeds to allow for this movement, such as rattan.   Consequently, most British Colonial furniture is defined by heavy use of dark woods with contrasting light weave, and use of other organic materials such as natural stone or marble.  

No other manufacturer we represent embodies the vision of British Colonial more than Bauer International.   With their hand-carved designs, originating straight from their factory on the island of Java (Indonesia), Bauer truly epitomizes the elegance and practicality of this time-tested style.   Here is what their website says:

With a basis of inspiration in authentic 19th century British, Dutch and French colonial designs from the West Indies, Ken Bauer launched Bauer International by bringing together his  passion for travel and culture and a love of fine craftsmanship.  Ken and his wife Dee Ann set out on a personal journey to develop a line of hand crafted furnishings and travel accessories, resulting in the founding of Bauer International in 1992.

In fact, one of our single most popular items on Carolina Rustica is the Bauer Java Plantation Lounger, which is a relaxing, comfortable way to channel the best of the old English colonies.

Palecek Furniture is also another supplier which really captures the essence of British Colonial design.  They are particularly known for their use of all types of organic materials, which blends seamlessly into a whole product.  For example, the Mandalay Six Drawer Dresser is constructed with pounded wood and rattan, with tightly woven rattan peel matting.  It’s a stunning piece.  

Of course, no discussion of British Colonial Furniture would be complete without mentioning Tommy Bahama’s Kingstown Collection, a unique collection with a sense of far-away adventure.  It is a relaxed traditional look inspired by British Colonial style, with a hint of campaign and a whisper of safari. The evocative designs provide the sense of a well-traveled life, of items hand-selected during journeys around the British Empire.  We think it’s a great representation of the darker finishes used in much of this style furniture (the Malabar finish in the Kingstown Collection must be seen to be believed!)

Whatever manufacturer you choose, Carolina Rustica has one of the broadest representations of British Colonial furniture available anywhere.  This style is evocative, of lasting duration, and heirloom quality to be enjoyed for many years.

Coastal Style Furniture

With summer approaching (and it approaches real fast here in the south!), its time to start thinking of vacations at the beach, and the design it inspires.  This design motif is more popular then ever, if recent product introductions at High Point are any indication.  The inspiration for a coastal chair or table are various, from traditional white wash finishing to use of natural materials found in beach environments.    One of our favorite new intros is the Summer Home Collection from Fine Furniture Design.   This lovely little group features simple, homey designs with farmhouse legs, gentle scrolls.  Crafted of hardwood solids with maple veneers, the Summer Home group is actually available in several finishes, so its simple attractive design will fit into your vacation spot, or the home where you spend your time (which does become a summer home in June, July and August, right?)


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Another one of our favorite new groups features a softer distressed look inspired by French antiques but fused with a coastal, down-home sensibility. Lexington Home Brands' Twilight Bay features elements like washed linen fabric coupled with Antique Linen finish, a generously-distressed crackle finish with a rub-through light grey tone.  It is such a pretty collection, and just makes one think of a relaxed but upscale living style.   You can imagine Twilight Bay as either an entire collection, or maybe a select occasional chair or end table to inspire that coastal design.  We know this has been one of Lexington's best-selling new introductions in a long time, and its easy to see why.

Of course, for coastal-inspired dining chairs and tables, our most popular group here at Carolina Rustica is Paula Deen Furniture by Universal.   She is one of the most beloved TV personalities to break into furniture in recent memory, and her design style has the southern influence that comes naturally here to us in Concord, NC.  Paula's Savannah home by the sea is designed with a homey, comfortable feel that inspires gatherings around the dining table.  The relaxed style draws from both deep Southern elements and coastal elements as well, making it a great option for many different styles of homes (in many different locations...the black finish is great for more rustic mountain homes too!)

We have over 75 name-brand manufacturers of fine furniture, with hundreds of collections available in seashore-inspired designs.   Visit our site or call us at 800-205-7819 and one of our design experts will be happy to help with your coastal decorating.

At Long Last..Bernhardt Furniture!

There are some furniture names that are synonymous with quality...names that engender an instant recognition of a certain level of quality and distinction. It is our distinct privilege to announce that we are now carrying Bernhardt Furniture.   The Bernhardt family has been crafting fine furniture since 1889, one of the oldest names out there in the business. Located in our home state of North Carolina, the company produces a broad line of upholstered furniture in both contemporary and traditional styles, and all transitional styles in between.  It is truly an astounding variety of styles, as well as quality wood furniture for the dining room, bedroom, living room and home office.  Bernhardt is also an unmatched value in the marketplace.


There are a few new collections in Bernhardt that have met with outstanding success, such as Artisan Estate.  This collection makes a rather bold statement, even with its understated spirit. Inspired by the enduring Tuscan country style, the collection exhibits insight into what makes people comfortable. First, simplicity – absolutely nothing fussy. Then, calmness and tactile appeal, communicated here through broad expanses of soft-touch woods that show the mark of the craftsman and appear worn by time and life. Finally, some zeal and enthusiasm for life, by incorporating one bold, curved, glamorous statement piece into every living area. Furniture surfaces display a soft natural sheen as a result of hand-finishing waxes. The artisanal aesthetic is enhanced by handmade, heavy bellpulls and knobs with a naturalized iron patina – this unique hardware comes directly from the blacksmith shop. Select designs feature earthy cast stone in an aged limestone finish.  All in all, its the perfect look for your upscale casual home.

Bernhardt has also introduced an entirely new collection called Bernhardt Interiors. The collection features upholstery with classic modern flair and livability. Options in the upholstered beds, seating, and dining chairs include a fantastic collection of fabrics, nailheads, and finishes – all upholstered and customized in Lenoir, North Carolina. Several new occasional styles are fully wrapped in shagreen, parchment, linen or antiqued mirror.  Others feature hammered, cast iron, or blackened aged steel frames. Every piece in the collection is designed to either stand alone or complement the additional pieces in the group.  

Another incredible collection from Bernhardt is Bon Maison, French for "The good home". Designed to provide comfort, beauty, and a human touch to families, Bon Maison by Bernhardt is a lesson in style.  With quiet understated forms, simple softly rounded lines, and minimal ornamentation, this is a gentle look with worn, weathered, natural looking woods. This is certainly going to be one of the most popular new introductions from Bernhardt this season.

Click here to visit Carolina Rustica for more information about Bernhardt Furniture

The Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte

This month (April 2011), the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte will be opening!  This is such an important community endeavor, sponsored by some outstanding companies in addition to McDonalds.   


This information is from the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte website (found here):

The Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte will be one of the more than 280 Houses operating worldwide today. Since 1974, Ronald McDonald Houses have united in a common purpose – to offer hope, support and love to families struggling with children’s illness. The goal of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is to improve the health and well-being of nearly 3.7 million children worldwide every year – and it has indeed made a global impact. And while its approach is to think globally, RMHC acts locally by tailoring programs and services that address the most urgent needs of each community it serves. With a network of local chapters, like the one here in Charlotte, its core programs can be found in 52 countries and regions around the globe. 

Where there is a sick child who needs specific treatment at a children's medical facility, a Ronald McDonald House is open to welcome and comfort families in need. Families are stronger when they are together, which helps in the healing process. By staying at a Ronald McDonald House, parents can also better communicate with their child’s medical team, and keep up with complicated treatment plans as needed.


Carolina Rustica has worked with designer Kamonda Phillips to furnish Suite 209 in the RMH of Charlotte. The facility looks absolutely beautiful and Kamonda's Suite looks wonderful as well, she did a fantastic job! We feel so privileged to be a small part of this important community facility. 

 Click here to read more about our community outreach efforts

BarcaLounger is Back!

One of the most-recognized names among all furniture brands, Barcalounger has renewed operations in 2011, and we could not be happier.   BarcaLounger has a storied history in the world of leisure furniture, and was our best-selling leather recliner line up until they got caught in the financial meltdown of recent years, which was a pity for this decades-old name.  The good news is that BarcaLounger is back, providing some of the best-loved designs in top-grain leather, with multiple reclining options such as wall huggers, swivel recliners and rocker recliners.

BarcaLounger Quality is All About Using The Finest Construction Available

• Heavy duty sinuous springs
• Heavy gauge steel mechanism by Legget &  Platt
• Kiln dried frames
• Carved legs are doweled and glued
• Deeply padded back
• High resiliency foam seat
• Heavy duty nylon thread
• Locking T-nuts prevent screw backout

Here are some BarcaLounger favorites:

BAR-7-4721

Barcalounger Spectra II

Free Shipping. Stargo Black Leather Splits (5451-13).

$868.00

Lead Time: Approx. 42-56 days

BAR-8-5246

Barcalounger Platinum II

Free Shipping. Stargo Cream Leather Splits (5451-19).

$868.00

Lead Time: Approx. 42-56 days

BAR-7-4483

Barcalounger Ashton II

Free Shipping. Chaps Havana Brown (5401-17) Leather with Espresso...

$1088.00

Lead Time: Approx. 42-56 days

BAR-7-4440

Barcalounger Churchill II

Free Shipping. Double Fudge (5404-41) or Art Burl (5406-42) Top G...

$1088.00

Lead Time: Approx. 42-56 days

BAR-7-4411

Barcalounger Craftsman II

Free Shipping. Chaps Saddle Top Grain Leather (5401-16). Dark Oak...

$1088.00

Lead Time: Approx. 42-56 days

BAR-7-4727

Barcalounger Longhorn II

Free Shipping. Chaps Saddle Top Grain (5401-16). Espresso Leg Fin...

$1088.00

Lead Time: Approx. 42-56 days

Shop all BarcaLounger Recliners Here

Henry Link Furniture Collection by Lexington Home Brands

The 2011 Spring High Point International Furniture Market ends today, and my legs are saying "thank you!".  After six days of visiting current and future suppliers, I am both excited and exhausted at the same time.   Our partnerships with our key manufacturers is only going to grow stronger, with brands such as Hickory White, Century Furniture, Hooker Furniture, and Wesley Allen, just to name a very few.   There is so much innovation out there in terms of producing unique looks at fantastic price points, its amazing.   The key dynamic is creating innovative, quality products at price levels that reflect the value of the item.    We support the middle-high market, so we find value in even more expensive groups like Bob Timberlake by Century, or Sanctuary by Hooker Furniture.

All of this is leading up to announcing the wonderful new Henry Link Trading Company furniture introduction by Lexington Home Brands.  Its a stunning collection utilizing natural motifs and unique organic materials, and it blends perfectly with some of Lexington's best-selling Tommy Bahama Furniture Brands.

Click here to view the debut video of the Henry Link Trading Company furniture introduction by Lexington.

Here is the official press release from Lexington Home Brands:
We often dream of travel to romantic destinations and places unknown, but we find our lives get too busy to pursue those aspirations. Henry Link Trading Company displays a passion lies in the discovery of unique and exotic furniture designs from every part of the globe, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of pieces that were hand-selected by a group of well-traveled collectors and designers for the timeless style.

Items in the group are classic in styling, but fresh and contemporary in their interpretation. Natural materials are used -- exotic woods, travertine and marble, shell inlay, aged brass and metal, leather-wrapped rattan, and woven cane.  These materials enhance the beauty of hand crafted designs from around the world. Unique finishes impart a one-of-a-kind look to distinctive silhouettes that are destined to capture your imagination.   

Shop all Lexington Home Brands by clicking here