I just went by the shop at 5813 Grove Ave., and here are a few things that I nearly flipped over: First off, there’s a pair of fabulous sling-back nickel chairs ($740 each). Bordered with distinctive rivets and featuring a sleek, sloped seat, these chairs are highly unusual and really chic.
If modern industrial styles aren't your thing, check out The Rue’s upholstered antique Gustavian settee ($4,420, pictured). Dressed in a neutral navy fabric that’s brightened by high-gloss white wood trim, the delicately curved sofa would wow in a sitting room with great aplomb.
The accent pillows atop this settee are also worth noting. The dark-gray Puffy Dahlia design ($128) is made of felt, providing a pleasing tactile contrast. The printed script on the “Life is Beauty Full” pillow ($140) adds old-fashioned charm, and its lighthearted wording amuses.
The Rue is full of items — lamps, furniture, accessories, Flat Earth Garden designs and more — and nearly all of it is 25 percent off. (Here are the only exceptions to the sale: Sunny Goode’s stencils are 15 percent off, while consigned artworks, Dana Gibson’s hand-painted accessories and Fine Paints of Europe will not be discounted. To learn more about Fine Paints of Europe at The Rue, click here to read a recent post on the subject.)
Shop The Rue Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
This year, the event’s third, “A Taste of Grace” will offer a new and flavorful treat: Neighborhood celebrity chefs will prepare their signature dishes at stops along the way. Head chefs from Kuba Kuba, The Empress, Emilio’s, Gus’ Bar and Grill, The Republic and The Camel will each be stationed in a different home.
Grosses' kitchen.
Luminaries and votive candles will mark the way and illuminate interiors in homes along the tour. Pam Embrey, who is chairing “A Taste of Grace” this year along with Kelly Griffin, is excited about her revitalized neighborhood and the tour’s out-of-the-ordinary homes. “It's a great way to spend a date in a nontraditional way or to invite friends to do something special.” she notes.
The six homes being showcased offer a smorgasbord of varied decorating tastes and renovation approaches. Here are just a few highlights
- Be on the lookout for an intriguing ceiling in the dining room at 1603 W. Grace. Owner John Mahoney painted it and then installed one of his own acrylic-on-canvas paintings on top. Mahoney and his wife, Chen, purchased their home in 2006 and completely renovated what was once a rooming house.
- Jessica and Mike Dyer’s house at 1819 W. Grace was transformed from a similar past. Thirty years ago, the home was converted into a six-unit-plus rental. It’s the story of many of the large and gracious homes built at the beginning of the 20th century on this street, which sits just one block north of Monument Avenue. Today, after a lengthy “to the studs” renovation, the Dyers' home maintains its original floors, mantels and wainscoting but boasts completely updated redos of its living spaces. Their stunning staircase and kitchen with custom fiddle black-maple cabinets are not to be missed.
- Leslie and Bob Lytle’s home at 2203 W. Grace had been a rooming house, too. In fact, each individual room had been a separate apartment. Bob Lytle has lived in the house for 30 years, and the couple started substantial renovations nine years ago. Salvaged and repurposed items hold interest throughout, and their interiors also intrigue. See how thrift-store finds mingle with family heirlooms and how Asian antiques, Middle Eastern rugs and an assorted mix of artwork conspire to inspire.
- With its charming, wrap-around, 13-columned front porch (truly one of the most elegant in the Fan), Sarah and Kevin Gross’ place at 2501 W. Grace, is also a must-see. Inside, spot the home’s 16-panel pocket doors and check out all the mahogany-inlaid floors. Their modern kitchen contrasts contextually with concrete countertops and eye-catching swooping, curved soffits.
Tickets to “A Taste of Grace” are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the tour, if available. (Note: ticket sales are cash or check only.) Tickets are available for purchase at Strawberry Street Vineyard (407 Strawberry St.), Lift Coffee (218 W. Broad St.), Strawberry Fields Flowers & Gifts (432 Strawberry St.), and Lucille’s Bakery (719 N. Meadow St.). For more information, contact Pam Embrey at 804-337-9486 or via email.
IFDA has 16 chapters across the country and one in Japan, and the organization includes professionals from all kinds of jobs in the furnishing and design fields: interior designers and manufacturers, public relations pros and showroom managers — and students, too.
In addition to her work with the IFDA, Fairburn is a local artist and businesswoman. In 1979, she founded her own stained-glass design and manufacturing company in Richmond. Now called Decorative Glass Solutions, the Ashland-based business produces stained-glass pieces and decorative home accessories. Its work can be seen in homes and businesses here and in places as far away as Alaska and Florida. One of their biggest — and latest — projects is the luminous stained-glass windows that now adorn the VCU Medical Center’s recently renovated chapel. Look for a Decorative Glass Solutions shop in town soon. They’ll have space in the-soon-to open DéCOR in Carytown that we wrote about just a few weeks back.
Spending a long weekend in one of this country’s horse capitals has left me thinking of things equestrian. Of course, living in Virginia does that, too. That’s why I was tickled to find this tote, and more, at YOU! Boutiques in Short Pump Town Center.
The bag’s bold color certainly offers a modern take on red, green and black horsey palettes. The fabric’s oversized scale is punchy and vivid, and I think the look is really head-turning.
Priced at $204 and designed by Rebecca Ray, the tote — which is large enough to stow a laptop, magazines and books — is carried by YOU! Boutiques in a variety of colors. Hermes orange, for instance, is also a winner.
The shop stocks a variety of equestrian-themed home accessories. A few really caught my eye, including a rectangular porcelain platter entitled “The Chase” ($72). It’s hand-painted, with a whimsical, full-of-zip fox hunt. A beige crackle-finish ginger jar by HomArt also intrigues. Its fresh lattice pattern, featuring encircled horse emblems — horseshoes, whips, saddles, tall boots, pony heads and gloves — would add a horsey exclamation point to a mantel or hall table. Black faux-croc napkin rings by Pomegranate ($10) each sport a giant metal horseshoe and shine with neo-traditional equestrian chic.
See even more of the store’s equestrian inventory at its website.
Theresa Capps, YOU! Boutiques’ owner and buyer, is an active interior designer. She works in a variety of decorative styles (equestrian themes being just one), and she’s currently running a special offer. Spend $500 on any accessories in the store, and you'll receive one free hour of in-home interior-design services. (The visit must be within a 30-mile radius.)
Shop the store Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m, and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Tally ho!
Closeout sales bring lots of savings, and Tish’s store is no exception. All furniture remaining on the floor is now 50 percent off.
Living on Grove is closing its doors, too. Feb. 1 will be their last day. Featuring handmade items by local and Virginia artists and artisans, the 5714 Grove Ave. shop is also having a big closing sale. Non-consigned items, including linens, furniture, glassware, baby accessories and more, are now 50 percent off. Last time I checked, a select assortment of hotel-style Sferra sheets and duvets remained, as did smart-looking four-pack sets of navy-blue linen Sferra cocktail napkins. Another great find is a handmade hickory table by Edward (pictured) that at half off is now $448.
Additional items, such as colorful and striking oil paintings by Kiki Slaughter, Wilson Flor, Sarah Gayle Carter and Margaret Cogar, are still available at regular price. Don’t miss your chance to check out these works while they’re still at Living on Grove.
Living on Grove’s owner, Martee Stephens Johnson, has new plans in the works once her store has closed. She plans to rent warehouse spaces for art shows that will likely be held three times a year.
Art shows are also on the mind of Betty Lewis Smith. Her North Side store, Embellish, at 5105 Lakeside Ave., closed nearly two months ago. “Although Embellish has closed, the space is still there, and I have invited my artist friends to hold an art show and sale,” she shared.
The sale will be held on two days — Friday, Jan. 27, from 5 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Jan. 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The show will feature work by 21 artists, including Jane Joyner, Karen Cantor, Nancy Cecere-LeBlanc, Dick Fowlkes and Smith herself. Refreshments will be served.
