One of my favorite companies to visit at Highpoint Market is Theodore Alexander. Their commitment to high quality wood furniture, both new and reproduction, is always astounding.
While their reproductions are what the company is most well known for, such as Althorp, they also produce a line designed by the Keno Brothers, of Antiques Roadshow fame. The brothers' line is inspired by the lines of mid-century modern but incorporates the high quality wood detailing that the company is so well known for. I think my favorite pieces of all though are these miniature chairs and reproductions which measure in at a mere 11" high. How great would these look lined up on a bookshelf? I suppose they bring out the child in us all!
As I said yesterday, the building was designed by noted architect Andrea Palladio in 1565 after he had worked on the adjacent monastery for the Benedictine Monks who run the church.
The original bell tower from 1467 fell down in 1774 and was rebuilt 20 years later in Neoclassical style to better suit Palladio's efforts.
At the crux of the center nave, where the tower is located, is a strange smoke machine installed for the 
Now that explains the strange piping we saw on the roof 
The interior is crisp, white and clean -the type of classicism I love best. 
Located behind the apse alter screen, seen above, is a beautiful choir stall.
Designed by Palladio, the stalls were built between 1580 and 1589.
And I couldn't let you go without a close up of the gorgeous marble floors!
A great book of basic ways to make a house your home, it is charmingly illustrated with watercolor sketches by Virginia Johnson. As most of the images are well known to us savvy to design media, showcasing drawings rather than photographs really enlivens the book and gives it a great casual personality.
Of course, I knew I was reading the right book when an illustration of Kate and Andy Spade's New York apartment graces the chapter called 'A Proper Welcome', probably my favorite apartment ever published (by World of Interiors Magazine).
With chapters endearingly named and on numerous practical topics such as Places for Chatting, Cozifications, A Bit of Quirk and Delicious Scent, the book should be #1 on everyone's Christmas wish list. It's also a perfect house-warming present, especially at the low price!
Other bloggers I read who have fallen in love with the book and wrote reviews are 
I was fortunate enough to be invited back to attend Fall market this year by the 
A new bed frame, the Marquette bed, also continues the round theme with an Art Nouveau inspired pattern.
Following further trends towards tradition with a twist, Hooker released a new line called Primrose Hill, named after the famed neighborhood in London.
The furniture in this line is inspired by 19th century European antiques but with an urban edge ( much like the neighborhood).
I loved the Lattice Bed from the collection seen in the photos above.
The woodwork details throughout the collection were really inspiring.
Also new in the collection is the Braddington-Young (Hooker's leather division) tufted brown leather chair in a great small scale, perfect for apartments and smaller rooms (like my own apartment!).
Not everything was traditional though; minimalism may be considered dead now in the design world but good modern design will always have a place in the field. 
Mixing upholstery in pieces was also popular such as in this chair with a plaid seat and leather surround.
Loved this mid-century inspired chair from Hooker's Sam-Moore (the upholstery division).
Another of the big trends was COLOR, particularly shades of red.
In this economic climate where people are not investing as often in whole suites of rooms, accent pieces are more important than ever.
RED is the perfect accent color as it's bold without being too crazy and goes with everything and any style.
These magenta leather wingchairs will certainly make a statement! Love the shape of the shelter back and those elegant little legs.
This tufted leather corner chair looked straight out of a country manor house like 
The new Keltie chair comes in a variety of finishes and colors -again a great accent! 
Texture on furniture is something Hooker has always excelled at in my opinion. Maybe you remember my post on Hooker from last market 
Similarly, the Donovan bed from the lower-priced Envision collection contains beautiful woodwork with either a fabric or wood backing.
Katie knows color and texture. In my mind, these are things that make a house a home and the book is filled with luscious examples. I love the blue and red combination seen above.
Probably the best part, for me as an architect, were the numerous examples of kitchens and baths. We're always looking for inspiration in these departments!
Something as simple as a patterned backsplash in this vintage looking kitchen makes a world of difference.
In this bath, a morrocan inspired tile is used to create a beautiful line at the top of the wainscot: so easy to replicate at home. Again we see a lot of blue which is surely Katie's favorite color (and mine as well!).
What I love most about Katie's work is that it is unabashedly pretty and comfortable; nothing overly precious. They're simply delightful spaces which I'm sure thrill the occupants day in and day out. Isn't that what design should be all about?