Great Shopping - The Galleries at Southside

As part of my tireless commitment to bringing you all the best that Chattanooga has to offer, I found myself over at The Galleries at Southside earlier this week.  Have you been?  Probably so - and if you have shopped there once, you certainly made a return trip!  The Galleries is a conglomeration of small shops housed in a old brick warehouse on the re-emerging Southside of Chattanooga. Each one of these booths is its own destination.  You can find everything here from gifts, candles and artwork to fine antiques and furniture!  The entire lower level of the building hosts a consignment shop that sells gently used household furnishings mixed with some antiques and garden accessories. Also on the lower level is Virginia's Cafe, a great place to get some (freshly prepared) sustanance after a full day of power shopping!

The Galleries at Southside
1404 Cowart St.
Chattanooga, TN 
423.267.8101
Open Mon. - Sat., 10a - 5p

The Clay Pot has great garden inspired accessories

                                                     

Brick Path Studio has a showroom at the Galleries.  They make custom window treatments, slipcovers and all sorts of fabric fabulousness!

I'm a pushover for a sunburst mirror

These are samples of rugs you can get from Lola's.  Did I mention that I love stripes?

I love these spring colored pillows from the Clay Pot. So fresh!

Eat your popcorn in style from this blue & white porcelain bowl.

Caneback french bergere, complete with a great toile fabric!

This enormous linen press in a bleached wood finish would be the focal point of your Belgian inspired decor.  It would be right at home in any of the spaces below.

from Habitually Chic

House Beautiful

Happy shopping (keep it local!)

Shedding Some Light on Antique Fixtures

"I think of accents, especially chandeliers, as jewelry for the home." -                                                 Solange  Azuzury Partridge

It seems that lighting is often overlooked when rooms are planned and designed, but for me lighting is one of the most important elements to consider when designing a room!  Lighting is not only a utilitarian element in the room, it is also great opportunity to make a statement and create some drama! 

I love vintage lighting and I know first hand how a beautiful old light fixture can transform an entire room! I first became introduced to period light fixtures when I began restoring historic homes about ten years ago.  Yes, in an old bungalow or a turn of the century victorian these antique lighting fixtures are right at home, but they are beautiful (and unexpected) in a newer home as well. Imagine the contrast of a crusty old light fixture in a modern, airy loft space - wow!

Love the idea of using vintage lighting fixtures but not sure where to find them?  Luckily, there are some great local shops that can help!  My picks for vintage lighting are:

1.  High Point Antiques - 3524 Broad St. 756-9566
2.  Estate of Confusion 301 E. Main St. 266-7846
3.  Architectural Exchange - 1300 McCallie Ave. 697-1243
4.  Ebay (Look in Antiques, Architectural & Garden and Collectibles, Lighting)
5.  Chattanooga Auction House 2423 Broad St. 266-6603
6.  Let Us Light Your World,  5110 Hixson Pike  877-8535 (they don't sell antique fixtures, but they can rewire your flea market and ebay finds for you )

Beautiful old pendant lights with milk glass shades illuminate my kitchen island. (Sorry the photo isn't "styled", this photo was taken as construction was nearing completion )

 Old pagoda chandelier adds a touch of chinoiserie style to the guest bedroom!

Beautiful gold leaf candle sconces

Love this empire crystal chandelier in a previous project

Antique brass sconces and chandelier in the master bath

New fixtures in a vintage style from Rejuvenation.  Looks like jadite.

Beautiful Rejuvenation lanterns illuminate a sparse, collected dining room

Rejuvenation

Love these simple vintage fixtures in Kathryn Ireland's kitchen (House Beautiful)

Old Empire style crystal chandelier, antique brass wall sconces and crystal candelabras make a set a formal tone in this dining room

Image from Baker, old French chandelier is a standout in this modern setting

Won't find this fixture at Home Depot!

Yes, you can paint an old chandelier in fresh, modern color.  Love this!

Seeing the light?

Personal Shopper: C. Martin Collection Antiques

"I love mixing the old with the new.  I love things that tell a story and have history." - Paula Deen

French design is alive and well in Chattanooga at C.Martin Collection in the 2 Northshore enclave on Manufacturers Rd. Owner Catherine Martin, who lived in New Orleans for a time, hand selects fine french furniture, mirrors, accessories and gifts for her store.  Thanks to Ms. Martin's discerning eye, merchandise is artfully displayed in charming vignettes that are set up throughout the shop.

Not to be missed are the lighting fixtures above the counter fashioned from textural old baskets and suspended from chunky, bronze colored chains.  There are also collections of beautifully framed botanical prints, unique lamps made from pottery jugs and deliciously scented home fragrances and candles. 

Whether you are a dedicated follower of french design or just looking for a one-of-a-kind piece to bring some character to your space, you will be delighted by the selection found at C. Martin Collection. 

C. Martin Collection
313 Manufacturers Rd., Suite 117
Chattanooga, TN 37405
423.468.1099
email catherine@cmartincollection.com
Hours: Tues - Sat. 11-6

These basket lighting fixtures are amazing and would really add an element of warmth and contrast to a slick modern kitchen.

Classic sunburst mirror never goes out of style and this one's exquisite!

French settee dressed in avian print fabric. 

This is one of a great assortment of pottery lamps

I love this charming vignette created around a french sette covered in burlap and accented with those colorful throws.

An antique chair reinvented with avian themed fabric

Collection of mirrors and beautiful colored glass bottles.

A beautiful variety of hand-selected pieces await you at C.Martin Collection

Tres' Magnifique!

Stray Dog Found in Chattanooga

"Cookie cutters are for cookies, not furniture." - Stray Dog Designs

If you are not familiar with Stray Dog Designs, you will be absolutely captivated by their artisan made home furnishings and accesssories.  The company was started by native Chattanoogans Jane Gray and her husband Bill Pritchard.  While on a honeymoon trip to Mexico, they discovered hand-made home accessories crafted by local artists that they imported to the U.S. to launch their now nationally renowned business. Working closely with local artists, designer Jane Gray creates her own designs and has these same artists produce them for Stray Dog Designs.  The hand-made accessories are produced in both Mexico and Haiti. 

Stray Dog merchandise is not only beautiful but it is also environmentally responsible.  These hand-crafted accessories and furnishings are made from and shipped in recycleable materials and are finished with low VOC paints.

Are you feeling the love now?  You will feel even more love when you learn that they named their company after LaPrincessa, a stray dog they rescued while on that fateful honeymoon trip in Mexico. And, they have set up a Haitian relief fund to help their friends and colleagues in Haiti.

Want to learn more?  Go to http://www.straydogdesigns.com/ and support your local artists!

I have lamp lust for a pair of these Doug Buffet Lamps. Also available in green!

Tweet! How fun is this lamp finial?

Meet Ferdinand.  All accessories are available in white and an assortment of vibrant colors selected by designer Jane Gray.

Yes, this is a deer head embellished with flowers.  Bet you won't see this hanging on your neighbor's wall!

This piece is exceptionally versatile.  Use it for occasional seating, a side table or display pedestal.

I would love these in fun color on a dining room table or perched on a bookcase.

(Images above with permission from Stray Dog Designs website.)

Here are some Stray Dog accessories in action:

 

 

Here is Stay Dog's iconic artichoke lamp in the lounge of HGTV's Green Home.

 

Another great Stray Dog lamp. 

 

Bedside pendant lamps are from Stray Dog.

This is my stray dog Pepper.  She usually looks happier than this but she is riding out a scary thunderstorm in her "safe place."

Chattanooga Auction House

At least once monthly, there is an opportunity to buy priceless antiques and estate sale treasures at the Chattanooga Auction House.  They have regular auctions on the last Saturday of each month and additional auctions as exceptional merchandise becomes available. Not only can you score one-of-a-kind antiques, jewelry and rugs at exceptional bargains, but it has also become a social event in the area for good times and complimentary wine and hors d'ouerves for bidders.  Here is a sampling of what's going on the block at this month's auction.

I love the classic lines of these brass wall sconces. A perfect place to display something like this

Francophiles rejoice!!

This adorable old settee could go so many places and comes with that cute granny pillow.

Some bling for your bathroom...

Looking for some Oriental flair?

Mid-century stew

Liberace called . . .

Happy Bidding!