A course in simplicity and sophistication

This guest post is by Amanda Shell, who works with us at Moxley Carmichael. She attended this wonderful event last night at G&G Interiors, an elegant new client of ours. Thanks, Amanda! – Cynthia Moxley

G&G Interiors owner Merri Lee Fox, furniture designer Tom Verellen and a member of his design team Louise Grape discuss his designs.

G&G Interiors owner Merri Lee Fox, furniture designer Tom Verellen and a member of his design team, Louise Grape, on the showroom floor.

Simplicity is the ultimate in sophistication. That’s internationally-renowned Belgian-American furniture designer Tom Verellen’s motto, and it’s clearly reflected in each one of his fabulous designs.  Last night at G&G Interiors, I learned a little more about his design philosophy.

G&G Interiors hosted a seminar with Verellen last night on the showroom floor as the kick-off to the store’s second annual Romance of Art and Design series. G&G Interiors is hosting events throughout the week to celebrate creativity in design and inspire guests to create beauty in their own homes. With every inch of the showroom inspired by elegance and creativity, I know I left inspired!
As guests arrived, they roamed the beautiful showroom and munched on hors d’oeuvres catered by Jeannie Anderson and sipped delicious wine and champagne cocktails. Before the program started, G&G Interiors designer Sarah Bohleber showed me her favorite pieces by Tom Verellen displayed around the store. There are between 15-20 pieces of his work on display.
Susan said this suit by Verellen located in their art gallery was her favorite because it was the most comfortable.

Designer Sarah Bohleber said this suite by Verellen located in their art gallery section was her favorite because it was the most comfortable.

Here’s another set by Verellen. He specializes in eco-friendly, Belgian linen furniture designs.

Here’s another set by Verellen. He specializes in eco-friendly, Belgian linen furniture designs.

This orange chair by Verellen was Moxley Carmichael graphic designer Erica Beck’s favorite. You can barely tell that this is actually a slip cover by Verellen designer Louise Grape, who perfected the slip cover for the studio. Verellen says her slip covers are the “little black dress” to spice up a room for any occasion. “They fit like a glove, sit like a dream and are domestically made,” he said.

This orange chair by Verellen was Moxley Carmichael graphic designer Erica Beck’s favorite. You can barely tell that this is actually a slip cover by Verellen designer Louise Grape, who perfected the slip cover for the studio. Verellen says her slip covers are the “little black dress” to spice up a room for any occasion. “They fit like a glove, sit like a dream and are domestically made,” he said.

We ran into a few friends. Summit Medical CEO Tim Young and Jeff Cupp were admiring the Potomak lamps. Everything in the G&G Interiors showroom is sophisticated and beautiful.

We ran into a few friends. Summit Medical CEO Tim Young and Jeff Cupp were admiring the Potomak lamps. Everything in the G&G Interiors showroom is sophisticated and beautiful.

Patricia and Lisa Jobe also enjoyed the event. And yes, that’s a FIAT on the showroom floor! It’s part of G&G Interiors Luxury Him & Her event held this Thursday at 6 p.m. in partnership with Harper FIAT. More details to come!

Patricia and Lisa Jobe also enjoyed the event. And yes, that’s a FIAT on the showroom floor! It’s part of G&G Interiors Luxury Him & Her event that will be held this Thursday at 6 p.m. in partnership with Harper FIAT. More details to come!

Verellen is an internationally-renowned designer with work that has been featured in publications like the New York Times, Southern Living, House Beautiful and Country Living. When Verellen spoke, it was clear he was passionate about his work emphasizing comfort, simplicity and sophistication in all of his designs. Verellen has an interesting background. He began his work in textiles overseas, but he bored of making fabrics quickly. He wanted to take it a step further and create something beautiful with the fabric.

In 1999, he began traveling across the globe dealing in antiques, but his work was exhausting and took him away from his family. He designed his first two sofa frames in 2002, had them made and shipped from Belgium. Verellen now makes all of his designs here in the United States at his studio and factory based out of High Point, N.C, and in the last decade, the business has taken off.

G&G Interiors own Merri Lee Fox introduces Tom Verellen to speak about his passion and inspiration in interior design.

G&G Interiors owner Merri Lee Fox introduces Tom Verellen to speak about his passion and inspiration in interior design.

Verellen gave a few basic principles of his studio’s philosophy:

  1. Don’t try to be everything to everybody. Verellen is designed for a select group of people. The studio has no advertising representative and a limited website. Verellen furniture is only displayed in 75-100 specially chosen stores. Of G&G Interiors, he said “I don’t know whether they courted us or we courted them,” said Verellen. “Merri Lee and her crew bend over backwards to make people happy. And that’s what we try to do too.”
  2. Combine elements from different industries. He thinks outside the box and can find inspiration anywhere. Verellen said he gets inspiration for his line from anything from handbags to clothes.
  3. Make it comfortable. According to Verellen, it’s easy to make something aesthetically pleasing. The challenge comes in making it comfortable as well.
  4. Go green. All Verellen products are eco-friendly and sustainable. The designs are all made with down feather with organic hand webbing.
  5. Verellen a la carte. Verellen said customer service is important above all else. “Get your bells and frills your way,” he said. The studio is all about longevity, honesty and building lasting relationships with customers. Verellen said customer service is a trait they share with G&G Interiors, and from the great experience we had last night, I can attest to that!

As a parting gift, Verellen passed out hand-stitched designer leather bags, a retail value of $300, for free to all guests of the event! He makes the bags from the remnants of the material from the sofas and chairs, and they come in a wide variety of colors and materials.

As you can see here, the bags were very popular and disappeared fast!

As you can see here, the bags were very popular and disappeared fast!

Paul and Tina Hatcher proudly show off their bag.

Paul and Tina Hatcher proudly show off their bag.

Jeff Cupp, Tim Young and Susan Brown display their selections.

Jeff Cupp, Tim Young and Susan Brown display their selections.

After the program, guests continued to mingle and take in the ambiance of the G&G Interiors store. The layout of the store is constantly changing and there are always new designs to see.

Campbell Dillon, Virginia Moon and Beth McCabe enjoy the champagne cocktails and the exquisite showroom.

Campbell Dillon, Virginia Moon and Beth McCabe enjoy the champagne cocktails and the exquisite showroom.

Eileen Fuller, Jamie Yeager and Judy Yeager pose in front of the gorgeous Tablescape with Italian table linens and Potomak porcelain.

Eileen Fuller, Jamie Yeager and Judy Yeager pose in front of the gorgeous Tablescape with Italian table linens and Potomak porcelain.

And now for a little preview of what’s to come during this week’s Romance of Art and Design series:

This morning, I attended a tea party with Tea at the Gallery. G&G Interiors showed off their stunning Potomak porcelain china. The French pastries and Pumpkin Chai tea were to die for!

Tea at the Gallery owner Wendi Prescott and G&G Interiors owner Merri Lee Fox welcome tea party guests. The Tea at the Gallery gave an informative presentation about how to brew and serve tea, and G&G Interiors spoke about the perfect special occasion table setting.

Tea at the Gallery owner Wendi Prescott and G&G Interiors owner Merri Lee Fox welcome tea party guests. The Tea at the Gallery gave an informative presentation about how to brew and serve tea, and G&G Interiors spoke about the perfect special occasion table setting.

The table was all set for tea with Potomak and Anichini porcelain. So elegant!

The table was all set for tea with Potomak and Anichini porcelain. So elegant!

On Thursday night at 6 p.m., G&G Interiors is hosting a Luxury Him & Her event in partnership with Harper FIAT. The event will feature a champagne tasting from Admiral Wine & Spirits and Chez Liberty hors d’oeuvres. Artist Harold Kraus will exhibit at the event. Here’s an example of his work:

This beautiful Kraus painting is hanging in the entry way. It’s very calming as you enter the store.

This beautiful Kraus painting is hanging in the entry way. It’s very calming as you enter the store.

In honor of Cynthia, here’s poor Alan posing in front of the Gucci FIAT. He’s such a good sport.

In honor of Cynthia, here’s poor Alan posing in front of the Gucci FIAT. He’s such a good sport.

On Saturday at noon, G&G Interiors will host a French-themed children’s event with fall treats and face painting. The décor will be based on the popular children’s book series Madeline.

The children’s area Tablescape at G&G Interiors. Saturday is going to be so much fun!

The children’s area Tablescape at G&G Interiors. Saturday is going to be so much fun!

All the events are free with a reservation to G&G Interiors at 865-212-5639.

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One Response to A course in simplicity and sophistication

  1. Cynthia Moxley, on October 25th, 2012 at 10:03 am said:

    Thanks, Amanda! Great job on guest post! I hated to miss the beautiful, elegant event, but had a speaking engagement, as you know. Everybody: I think tonight’s champagne tasting with hors d’oeuvres from Chez Liberty will be to die for! I’ve seen the art, too, and think it’s great!

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