His name is Benjamin Rollins Caldwell and he’s getting a lot of press from all over, including right here in the Upstate. Our own TOWN magazine did a wonderful editorial about him in their September issue. (Check it out!) I started following his work a couple of years ago… and yes, I know he’s very photogenic, but that’s not what caught my eye. It was his unusual handcrafted furniture pieces. They’re really intriguing.

Benjamin is the creative mind behind BRC Designs. He refers to himself as the “re-inventor”, and rightly so. He creates the most unusual, modern pieces in imaginative ways using raw materials and components that you wouldn’t think could ever be used to make furniture. His magic is in reinventing things like zippers, silk ties and playing cards, shaping a new story for each one. And I love that these one-of-a-kind creations are made out of recycled and reclaimed materials. With artistic vision, he handpicks and turns commonly found thingamajigs into functional works of art… like a chair out of more than 350 decks of retired playing cards… and a cocktail table base from PVC pipes. He even repurposed old leather jean labels by hand-nailing them, creating a cool table structure. Fabulousness! My personal fave, pictured above, is a chair with an acrylic shell completely filled with single-serving bottles of Southern Comfort. The bottles are full (in case you were wondering)… woohoo!

One might think this young, hip artist might reside somewhere glamorous like New York or LA, but he’s actually from right here in South Carolina! Sparkle City, no less! He did leave to study in California, but came back to stay, bringing with him dual degrees in fine art and business. He became brand manager at his family’s candle and home-fragrance business, but has since re-invented his career through BRC Designs. I can’t wait to see how the rest of his story unfolds and what new furnishings he brings to life.

If you were to reinvent yourself, who would you be? What would you make?

Your Guide to Design,
Cynthia

A few years after coining the name Panageries, I was privileged to meet Sandy Edwards, a woman who just oozed style. Everything about her was an ode to fabulousness. Three other people had referred Sandy to me as she was looking for an expert opinion about a mudroom floor. I was fortunate to be able to help her with that and a whole lot more. Sandy “got” the Panageries aesthetic at a time when others just didn’t. Understated… tonal… textural… and layering with global inspiration was foreign to some. But Sandy was up for the adventure – and we had a great time along the way! She sought inspiration through her travels all over, but had a particular fondness for Africa and the African people. “Let’s make this room look like my cabin in Africa,” she’d say, “and do something awesome with it!” She pushed the creative envelope with me… and I just loved that about her! Some fourteen years later, knowing each other both professionally and personally, we had designed interiors full of yumminess and traded much inspiration.

Sandy Edwards lived seventeen years with a rare blood disease without complaint as we worked on both her residences. She loved the whole process and lived to see both of them come to fruition. I was privileged to be with her in her last minutes on this earth and was able to tell her what an inspiration she had been to me. I’m so thankful to have known Sandy. I will miss her greatly.

In memory of Sandy,

Cynthia

When was the last time you heard some one say it? I’m talking about the word “seriously”… as a drawn out question that emphasizes the unbelievable. “Seriously?” Say it out loud and you’ll see what I’m talking about. It’s right up there with “I know, right?” As far back as memory allows, I recall liking things until they became trendy. Not just with styles of clothing or furniture, but also with spoken phrases. I guess it’s just my drive toward uniqueness that keeps me from overendulging in popularity.

What else was I going to say when my sweet hubby suggested purchasing a fake plant (yes, plastic, like the flowers pictured) to replace the potted camellia on the front porch? “Seriously?” It rolled right off my tongue… I said it! I can’t stand that I said it… again! The next time he offers a hideous suggestion like using fake plants as a practical solution to our uninvited, flower-eating squirrels, I will have to say something different. I don’t know what. (I could really use a Cynthiaism here.)

For now let’s simply say “no” to plastic plants on the front porch and a big “NO” to speaking like or following the crowd. We’re all unique. Let’s speak creatively!

What’s your questionable word or phrase? Do you have a substitute word for… you know. Let me hear it… and then let’s not tell anybody.

Your Guide to Design,
Cynthia

This chair is speaking to me. Deep from within its polycarbonate heart it shares my love for nature and style. Made by man, this unusual chair secretly wishes it were a naturally thriving tree.

Really, if this chair could talk, it would boast about its size – small enough to tuck just about anywhere. Its practicality – stackable, which makes for great seating at parties, indoors or out. Its style – artwork meets function. And its affordability –  just picture a sign held by its branches stating “At around $350, I’m a baaagain!”

It can boast about its cute little self all day, but WHAT I LOVE is the juxtaposition of man-made polycarbonate material and the organic nature of the shape. I love the transparency… and that it comes in amber, white, black and clear to blend with almost any color scheme.

Okay, will you ever look at a chair the same way? I hope not. The next time a gorgeous accent piece speaks to you, listen. Will you end up making the purchase? Well, that’s up to you.

What’s been speaking to you lately?

Your Guide to Design,
Cynthia

Did you catch the royal wedding? Whether or not you watched the whole event, you probably came across photos of Fergie’s daughters, Eugenie and Beatrice. Bless their royal hearts. Their hats were a bit of a distraction, don’t you think? Had they actually paid a stylist to select those tactless toppers? If so, I believe a refund is in order. Don’t get me wrong… they’re pretty girls. I just couldn’t get past the unattractive hats they were wearing.

This is often the case with lamps and shades. A hideous or outdated shade can detract from the beauty of a great lamp. Some of the best looking and finest quality lamps available today are from the 60s and 70s. They can be found in antique shops or even at flea markets and garage sales. They just need a little shade update. Lampshades are an easy, inexpensive fix compared to purchasing a new lamp, and they come in a plethora of colors, styles, shapes, and patterns. (Yes, I said plethora. It’s my fun-to-say word right now.)

Switch out that old, worn out, dated shade for a trendy new topper to update the lamp and freshen your room. Just make sure to choose one that compliments the rest of the space. Select carefully as you don’t want your faux pas pasted all over the Internet.

Your Guide to Design,
Cynthia