Tammy Connor Interior Design

Trade Secrets

Posted on May 25, 2012 by tammy

I had the absolute pleasure of attending Trade Secrets in Connecticut while I was up north over the weekend. A few other women from Birmingham joined me for this weekend adventure and we had a lovely time perusing the many fantastic antique dealers and oooh-ing and ahhh-ing over all the spectacular flowers. Trade Secrets is an annual garden show that was started by Bunny Williams and has received a reputation for being the Northeast’s most celebrated garden event. The event had a humble start in Bunny’s backyard but has now grown into an event that attracts garden enthusiasts from all over the country!

The day began with breakfast and an 8:00 entrance to see all the vendors. I’d had a good nights sleep, my Diet Coke, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, the birds were serenading us (literally) and I was shopping… What more could I ask for? It was the perfect way to spend a Saturday morning!

Trade Secrets is the place to find those rare garden plants and antiques for your home. Since it began 12 years ago, Trade Secrets has brought garden-lovers from around the world to the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut to discover new plants, topiary, and antiques for their gardens. This year the show featured nearly 60 vendors and garden antiques dealers from around the northeast region. One of my favorite vendors that I stumbled upon was Pergola Home because their selection of one-of-a-kind garden accessories. I also loved the recycled glass beaded necklaces that Michael Trapp was selling. And I can’t forget to mention the collection of vintage Steuben glass that was at Privet House!

While all of the plant and flower vendors were spectacular, I have to say that my favorite was Broken Arrow Nursery. Their plants were incredible and they had so many unusual varieties!

Of course I didn’t make it out of there without buying something! I can’t wait to use this antique butterfly collection for an upcoming project. And the old French animal sketches are heading straight to my son’s room.

To make the morning even more special, I unexpectedly ran into several industry friends including Stacy Kunstel who writes the blog, StacyStyle and is the Homes Editor at New England Home magazine. Stacy and I met over the phone last year, but it was such a treat getting to see her again for a second time in a few short months!

And best of all, for the past twelve years, the funds from Trade Secrets have gone directly to support the Women’s Support Services, a regional non-profit organization that offers free and confidential services to victims of domestic violence. The proceeds from Trade Secrets 2012 will help Women’s Support Services fund programs that teach children about healthy relationships and conflict resolution, and will help fund operation of a 24-hour hotline.

The next post will feature pictures from our private tour of Bunny Williams’ garden so stay tuned!

Posted in Out & About, Travels | Leave a comment

The Scout Guide

Posted on May 23, 2012 by tammy

I love the recent movement to shop local. There are so many local artisans and craftsmen that deserve to be celebrated in our communities but often times get overlooked. I’ve been thinking for years that it would be nice to have some sort of publication that features all these hidden gems. Well, my wishes have recently been granted! And now there is a fabulous book devoted to some of the best small businesses across the country.

It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you The Scout Guide. I’m hoping it will become your travel companion! It’s a uniquely crafted city-guide that began as a high quality print publication in Charlottesville, Virginia. Now, The Scout Guide has made its way to Charlotte, North Carolina and Charleston, South Carolina and is making its debut here in Birmingham (among several other cities) this summer, and we are excited to be included!

Each city guide features a curated collection of some of the community’s most passionate small businesses and local artisans. From yoga studios to restaurants, and art galleries to florists- you have the best of everything right at your fingertips! Not to mention, the photography and graphic design of these little books are beautiful!

Here’s a sneak peak of the TSG Birmingham cover which will debut in September:

So if you’re lucky enough to be in a city with The Scout Guide, pick one up and see what you think. And, please be sure to share your review with us here on The Journal!

Posted in Inspiration | 1 Comment

Out & About: New Trad Party, Christopher Spitzmiller & Frieze

Posted on May 14, 2012 by tammy

Like I mentioned in the previous post, I attended the Traditional Home party honoring this year’s New Trads while I was in NYC. I had such a great time visiting with the other honorees and catching up with friends! A big thank you to Traditional Home for hosting a day of terrific events!

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The day began with a breakfast at the Museum of Arts and Design. From there, we had a private showing of the Swept Away exhibit. Led by Traditional Home Senior Arts and Antiques Editor, Doris Athineos, the tour gave us an overview of the exhibit that utilizes unusual materials such as dust, ashes, dirt and sand. After seeing the exhibit, we had a delicious lunch at Robert, the museum’s restaurant that overlooks Columbus Circle and Central Park.

That evening, I attended the TRADhome launch party celebration with the other New Trad honorees. And what a fun night it was! Here are a few snapshots from the party:

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With Beth Brenner, Publisher of Traditional Home & Ann Maine, Editor in Chief of Traditional Home

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With fellow New Trad designer, Allison Hennessey

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With Becky Birdwell, Megan Houston & James Carter

And I can’t help but tell you about my visit to Christopher Spitzmiller‘s studio in Midtown. I have always admired Christopher’s talent and enjoy using his lamps for clients whenever I can. Seeing his workshop was truly an inspiration! With help from 12 craftsmen and women, Christopher hand makes the original lamp forms himself which then become the moulds. Once that process is completed, the glaze is applied, some of the pieces are hand-painted, and they are fired overnight in a kilns. The colors of Christopher’s lamps are so incredibly rich and the depth that is created by the glaze makes for a stunning end result. Here are some lamps that are currently in his studio…waiting for a good home!

And to cap off the whirlwind trip, I made a stop at the Frieze Art Fair on Friday. Before I found out Frieze New York was happening, I was well-acquainted with Frieze London, and its world-class reputation. When a friend called to tell me that Frieze NY was taking place while I was in town, I was thrilled to get to see the show. The exceptional thing about this contemporary art fair is the international focus. With galleries from around the world presenting countless pieces of art in a one-of-a-kind temporary tent structure, (designed by a local architectural firm especially for the event) it was pretty incredible. Many of pieces had a real, let’s say “shock value” associated with them, so they would not easily fit in my inteiors! Nevertheless, it was a great way to spend a beautiful afternoon in NYC!

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Goodbye New York!

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Out & About: Spring Show NYC

Posted on May 11, 2012 by tammy

I just got back from a marathon trip to NYC- project meetings, shopping, a great meal here, another there, repeat. Throw in a fabulous Traditional Home party (more to come on that), NYC’s first Frieze Art Show and I think that covers all the bases! One of the highlights of my trip was the Opening Night Preview of the Spring Show NYC.

I was lucky enough to recieve a VIP invite to the Opening Night Preview Party of the Spring Show NYC and I thoroughly enjoyed the night! Hosted by the Art and Antique Dealers League of America, which is the longest running and most significant antique and fine arts organization in America, the 4-day show featured more than 50 tastemakers from around the world. It was fascinating to see the curated collections and to take time to appreciate the craftsmanship of the individual pieces.

Unfortunately, in today’s go-go-go society, it’s easy to lose sight of great art and artisanship. What I appreciated most about the Spring Show was the way that the fine objects that were on display were celebrated for their craftmenship and design integrity. The fine detailing I saw on snuff boxes and silver tea sets was truly inspiring! My appreciation for antique detailing has been enhanced by studying so many beautiful objects in one place!

While I was at the show, I got a chance to see Mary Helen McCoy, a Charleston-based antique dealer whom I greatly admire. Originally from Birmingham, Mary Helen has been in the antiques business for years and specializes in fine French furniture and art. There was one particular piece at her exhibit that that caught my eye- an exceptional late-18th century French fruitwood armoire. The piece is from the Lorraine province of France and features exquisite decorative wood inlays.

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With Megan Houston, James Carter & Mary Helen McCoy

For more pictures (and to see all the party-goers), check out the New York Social Diary.

Posted in Out & About | 3 Comments

Charleston: Spoleto Festival USA

Posted on May 2, 2012 by tammy

Can you believe it’s already May? Are you looking for a mini-vacation? Charleston’s world-renowned Spoleto Festival USA is kicking off later this month and I am hoping to catch the last weekend of performances. Spoleto is one of those special Charleston events that I grew to love and anxiously anticipate the years I lived in Charleston! The artists and musicians that are a part of Spoleto are some of the best in the world- and a festival of this caliber is certainly unique to a city the size of Charleston.

Spoleto Festival USA began as the American counterpart to the Festival dei Due Mondi held annually in Spoleto, Italy. Gian Carlo Menotti, a Pulitzer Prize-winning composer began the Italian festival in 1958 as a forum for young American artists in Europe. Before long, the festival became an artistic home for many artists, dancers, musicians and actors. As Menotti planned the American festival, he found Charleston to be the perfect city to mimic the charm of the Italian city of Spoleto. Charleston’s abundance of theaters, churches and historic venues made it an ideal location for an arts festival such as Spoleto. Many people don’t know, but Charleston was home to the first theater in America, the first ballet company in America and is still home to the oldest musical organization in the country, so Spoleto is a natural fit! Those of you who have been know that Charleston is small enough to be taken over by the 17-day festival but large enough to attract sophisticated audiences.

In keeping with Menotti’s original inspiration for the festival, Spoleto USA continues the traditions that were put in place decades ago. With a dedication to young artists, and to providing unusual performance opportunities, Spoleto is committed to bringing the best of the arts to Charleston. Each year audience members experience a range of artistry including classical ballet, opera, symphonic music, theatre, literary arts and everything in between. Artists from around the world offer more than 120 performances each season with as many as ten performances on any given day. In addition, there is also Piccolo Spoleto which includes children’s activities in addition to a wide range of events and performances. Focusing primarily on artists from the Southeast, Piccolo Spoleto offers a more “homegrown” taste of the arts today.

I’ve already been flipping through this year’s program to pinpoint the performances and events that pique my interest. The Opening Night Fête is always at the top of my list and this year the night is going to begin with a performance by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. Following what I’m sure is to be an extraordinary show, is a evening of cocktails, dinner and dancing at the Middleton-Pinckney Mansion.

The Animals and Children Took to the Streets is a quirky tale presented by Theatre Company 1927 that is running from May 25 – June 3. Incorporating live action and projected animation into the show, Animals and Children is a visually stunning story of intrigue.

And I also want to share my favorite Spoleto venue- the College of Charleston Cistern Yard. Sitting underneath a canopy of moss-covered oaks, on a warm southern night with a picnic basket and blanket, enjoying the music of a bluegrass band…..my idea of the perfect night! I’d love to hear Joy Kills Sorrow- a modern American string band whose music blends jazz, bluegrass and indie-rock. Or, see Ketch & Critter of Old Crow Medicine Show croon some rock & roll. Not to mention, I’m sure the Rebirth Brass Band will bring healthy dose of New Orleans jazz to the Low Country.

Spoleto concludes on June 10th with a Festival Finale at Middleton Place. One of the brightest young talents to recently emerge on the Creole music scene, Cedric Watson is a fiddler, vocalist, accordionist, and four-time Grammy nominee. He, and his band, Bijou Creole will be providing blues-influenced entertainment for the evening. I suggest arriving early for an afternoon picnic and a stroll through Middleton Place’s stunning landscaped gardens. And of course, no Finale would be complete without a spectacular post-concert fireworks display to bring the 2012 Festival to a celebratory close!

Have you been to Spoleto? I’d love to hear your stories and experiences!

Posted in Charleston | 2 Comments

Trade Secrets

The Scout Guide

Out & About: New Trad Party, Christopher Spitzmiller & Frieze

Out & About: Spring Show NYC

Charleston: Spoleto Festival USA

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