Sunburst Mirror hits Wall Street!

Very interesting article in last week's Wall Street Journal regarding the history of the starburst mirror. Some suggest that the style was first popularized by King Louis XIV of France.

Louis XIV of France. The Henry Ford of Mirrors?

Others say that the mirrors are the result of antique dealers and collectors repurposing the many religious icons that flooded the market after the 1789-1799 French Revolution. The merchants and decorators purged the round portraits and images of the Holy Family and saints from their metal frames and replaced them with mirror. Now, over 200 years later, these mirrors can still add an unexpected pop to almost any room. Among our collection of mirrors, we've offered several varieties of sunburst or starburst mirrors and at times, we've even had trouble keeping them in stock!

Add sparkle to your space with a piece of beauty . . . and history!

Clayton Gray Home Art and Mirrors

Sunburst Mirror hits Wall Street!

The Barbara Cosgrove Story

This week, Clayton Gray Home introduced a handful of new items from Barbara Cosgrove Lamps. But the story behind the artist and designer Barbara Cosgrove is as compelling as her pieces.

At age 47, Barbara found herself in a mid-career crisis. A sculptor by trade, when Barbara wasn’t working alone in an artist’s studio, she was at home raising a family. With her children grown though, the thrill was gone of heading into the studio and working alone all day. “I’ve been an artist all my life and I don’t think people realize that being an artist is really lonely. You go into the studio, work by yourself and go home in the evening. I had my family, but being a studio artist I didn’t have a lot of people around me at work. In addition, she felt that at almost 50, she was more marketable than an employer would perceive her to be.

A trip to the Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market changed everything. Barbara saw first-hand where the artist and designer connects with the buyer and her creative energy started flowing. With her background in ceramics, Barbara designed and built a small collection of clay lamps, among a few other pieces. Well, none of the clay lamps sold, but the other pieces did! You say, ‘Well, that didn’t work. I have to have another idea.’ Or, ‘That did work. Let’s build on that.’ You back up and you move forward. You back up and you move forward. You just keep trying.” Working out of her garage (do all success stories start in a garage?) Barbara began with 3 to 5 local accounts. Today, her company has about 5000 accounts.

“I was 47 when I started my business. Though I hadn’t started a business before, I had sat at the dinner table with other people who had. had all these great professionals that came with my age, not my experience… the experience of all the people around me – friends, neighbors, dinner partners. You learn a lot of stuff just by listening.

What's New!

Check out Clayton Gray Home’s newest items to see some of our great new pieces from Barbara Cosgrove Lamps.

Our article was based on an interview with Barbara Cosgrove that was featured on the women’s entrepreneurial website, www.ladieswholaunch.com.

Barbara Cosgrove Photo Credits: Brook Slezak for Country Living Magazine

The Barbara Cosgrove Story

"Be Wise" in Boho Magazine

See our "Be Wise" pillow in Boho Magazine's Fall issue out on stands now. The two-year old quarterly publication scouts the globe for products and companies that are "going green" and making a difference.

Handprinted cotton with burlap and grosgrain trim, the wise owl pillow features repurposed materials creating a proud woodsy image. Each eco-friendly pillow is made to order.

"Be Wise" in Boho Magazine

Top picks from Design Savvy of New Jersey

Thank you to Design Savvy of New Jersey blog for the recent mention! Author Denise Briant's blog takes readers through the careful restoration of her 1800's colonial home in New Jersey. Like many of us with older homes, she's paying special attention to the homes original footprint, while adding a modern twist to personalize the home. See her favorite picks from Clayton Gray Home shown below.

(top to bottom, left to right)

1. Pastis Shell Pendant from Worlds Away

2. Barrel Wood and Burlap Seat/Side Table

3. Oval Wash Wood Mirror

4. Pasha Tuffet & Coffee Table from Roost

5. Marlow Hexagon Side Table

6. Wine Barrel Lantern

Check out Denise's blog for design advice and tips!

Top picks from Design Savvy of New Jersey

Top picks from Beauty by Veda: Morning Cravings

Thank you to Beauty by Veda blog for the recent mention!

See their top picks for "fabulous accessories" from Clayton Gray Home.

1. Guardian Lions on Base

2. Daymon Table Lamp by Arteriors Home

3. Orange Zebra Pillow

4. Duck Leg Mirror

5. Bamboo Metal Mirror

6. Gold Davis Side Table by Worlds Away

Check out Beauty by Veda blog to see 'more beautiful things'.

Top picks from Beauty by Veda: Morning Cravings

Free Shipping.org

We are pleased to join Free Shipping.org as a company that ships to our customers for FREE all the time. Hard to believe, but yes, we do ship anywhere in the U.S. for absolutely free. You don't have to meet a certain minimum or purchase items that you don't want or need. We do this because we like to keep shopping fun and easy. Isn't that what it's all about! Enjoy!

Free Shipping.org

Introducing . . . The Laura Kirar Collection

Arteriors Home has just launched the beautiful Laura Kirar Collection!

from her website: "A designer with the soul of an artist, Laura completed her degree in sculpture and interior architecture at the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her passion for artistic exploration in numerous mediums has continued to infuse her work with originality and thoughtful attention to detail."

One of the new pieces we love is Laura's Leaves and Seeds Pendant Light.

Laura says that her design inspiration for the fixture was a French 1930's necklace that she owns. The brass, bronze, and resin piece is 27" long and BEAUTIFUL!

Another beautiful light is the Caviar Cluster Pendant. Laura designed a truly unique piece that blends a modern, industrial feel with luxurious elegance.

It's a special collection - we hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Introducing . . . The Laura Kirar Collection

Luxxury Livving-Trina Turk Pillows

Thanks for the mention Luxxury Livving blog!!

We appreciate the mention of our Trina Turk Avenida Maze Pillows - great way to add color and geometric shape to any room. Add the pink, mango and chocolate color combo to liven and change things up!

Luxxury Livving-Trina Turk Pillows

Elle Decor Magazine - Trend Alert - Animal Prints

Trend alert from Elle Decor magazine highlights the "animal print" fascination we have going into fall. Whether it's on the fashion runway or chic home accessories, we love zebra, giraffe, and tiger -- really any "animal" print that gives us that exotic feel to let loose and go wild. Featured in the Elle Decor article is the Hugo Iron Leather Bench from Arteriors Home.

The Hugo Iron Leather Bench from Arteriors Home is a designer favorite that everyone should know about. We've rounded up a few more animal prints in pillows, seating, and rugs to give you additional options to consider.

1. Zebra Print Pillow with Green Trim

2. Zebra Print Pillow with Orange Trim

3. Hugo Iron Leather Bench

4. Hugo Leather Patchwork Ottoman

5. Giraffe Print Hide Rug

6. Zebra Print Hide Rug

Tory Burch, a leading fashion diva, is obviously a huge fan of this craze with her latest focus on leopard prints. She offers a great style tip: "update your look with the season's most versatile print." It's a basic favorite that is chic and of-the-moment!

Elle Decor Magazine - Trend Alert - Animal Prints

Canadian House & Home - Isabella Chest from Bungalow 5

Canadian House & Home magazine rounded up their favorite group of dressers, and making the list is the Isabella Chest from Bungalow 5.

The versatile design featured below in Navy Blue is a chic with it's lacquered grasscloth finish making it substantial for bedroom wear and tear.

The Isabella Chest in Toast Brown shown below is neutral favorite that can make the transition to living and dining rooms areas. Notice the curve of the drawers making this piece of furniture stand out easily.

Three drawer storage makes the Isabella functional as well as good looking. We like the white version below for bedroom decor. The texture of the grasscloth drawers draws you closer as you try and figure out what exactly it's all about!

Take your pick of color, they are all fabulous. Bungalow 5 continues to deliver exceptional style and well made products that are always a favorite!

Canadian House & Home - Isabella Chest from Bungalow 5

Organic Salvage Candles - a Maura Peters Project

Our new favorite candle line (from Maura Peters) is Organic Salvage Candles - soon to be your favorite too!

Organic Salvage Candles emit beautifully textured layers of scents, inspired by nature. They are simple, fresh and so wonderful! Made of 100% natural wax, they are also certified organic, which means their ingredients are grown, processed and handled according to strict guidelines, keeping them free of chemicals and pesticides.

Each candle is contained in salvaged glass bottles as you see above. Water, juice, beer bottles are all fair game to house the various fresh scents. Each bottle has been evenly cut and polished on a grinding wheel, so is not sharp to the touch. Enjoy the different colors of each bottle when lit. Scents include Grass, For the Dogs, Blossom and Meadow - available in 2 sizes. All labels are hand stamped, then hand applied.

Bonus for these candles, is that once it's done, you can give the bottle a THIRD life. Continue being environmentally responsible and create beauty once again, by turning the container into a vase for your favorite flowers or a container for your desk. "You can make a difference with every action and cumulative action makes for a lasting impact." - Maura Peters

Organic Salvage Candles - a Maura Peters Project

Mercury Canisters are elegant and easy

Time to share our little secret for quick decor when time is short. Having people over and need to come up with table display? The Antique Mercury Glass Canisters (below) are perfect!

So versatile and beautiful, these containers are ideal for dining, coffee or entry way table. Keep them on hand for many uses.

Fill with flowers - fresh or dried - and you have instant sparkle.

Above we've used dried flowers, but fill with water and run to the backyard for your favorite blooms. Maybe shells from the beach that are stacked to the top.

Nighttime get together? How about filling with candles? Turn down the lights, line them up and watch your room glow. Now that's easy, elegant style!

as seen recently in Better Homes & Garden magazine

Mercury Canisters are elegant and easy

Work Table Roundup

Just reading through the current issue of House Beautiful magazine and was particularly interested in the "Is Small the New Big" section. The concept of making furniture work for you is key to cutting down the clutter, which ultimately makes everyone happy!

Multi-functional furniture is always something that we look for when selecting pieces here at Clayton Gray Home.

Just in are these fabulous Nursery Work Tables. Shown above with a galvanized steel surface and below with wooden surface, they can serve in various places of a home or office. Kitchen island is the first thought that comes to mind with pendant lighting, like the Steel Pendant Light (above). Place metal bins below for storage. Pull up bar stools and you have a kitchen table. Keeping with happy, how about a Zebra Sculpture right in the middle.

Leaving the kitchen, these Nursery Work Tables can work as an entertainment center, crafting table, gift wrapping table, the options are open to your needs. Taking down the metal look a bit, why not pair with the Cordiff Rope Chandelier? Use seagrass baskets and bins to conceal items that don't need to be seen. Tuck in stools that can be pulled out for extra seating when needed. Anchor it all with a brown Giraffe Print Hide Rug. It's clean and simple and the look we crave right now!!

Work Table Roundup

see us in Real Simple July magazine

Catch Clayton Gray Home mentioned in the July issue of Real Simple magazine. Page 144 includes our Worlds Away Zebra Wastebasket shown above in Orange. We are so excited to be part of this issue and thankful to all the ladies we worked with at Real Simple who were delightful! The article of mention is "Decorating with Stripes" in the "off-kilter stripes" section.

For those drawn to the "renegade" pattern, as they call it, you must know that it is available is quite a few other colors to fit your needs. Continuing on with the "renegade stripes" or "zebra pattern", here are a few other zebra favorites you might like to see.

1. New for us is the Zebra Sculpture Tabletop piece - just dying to be the center of your coffee table/dining table! Tone down the seriousness of any room with this accessory.

2. Zebra Rug - always a classic, bringing instant modern to any room. Use this rug EVERYWHERE! It's durable - practically indestructible.

3. Zebra Cushion Covered Athena Stool from Worlds Away - greek key design of the stool looks playful with its zebra patterned cover, don't you think?

4. Finally the Ceramic Zebra Garden Stool - indoors or outdoors, this stool has it all and brings energy to a room.

Thanks again Real Simple magazine !!!

see us in Real Simple July magazine

Jacqui Cocktail Table in Elle Decor magazine

Elle Decor's guide to....The Top 10 Cocktail Tables

Designers Laura Kirar and Ernest de la Torre pick their favorite coffee tables and include the Jacqui Cocktail Table from Bungalow 5.

"A terrific shape made famous by Jean-Michael Frank," de la Torre says. "The chinoiserie legs and apron are well made and the brilliant-green finish lends a great pop of color."

In addition, the painted lacquer is durable and finger-print resistant. He envisions the piece as the star of a family room decked out in a vivid palette. (courtesy Elle Decor magazine)

The modern table is also available in more neutral colors like black and white for those who want the fantastic design, less the bold color.

Ernest de la Torre notes, "Some clients want a simple style in a neutral color that will disappear into the decor. Others go for a standout that will get noticed and make everything around it seem more special."

Finally the lacquered red version is all-out fun. Pick your color, enjoy the style and start building your room. All colors available at Clayton Gray Home.

Jacqui Cocktail Table in Elle Decor magazine

One More Top Pick - Jarrod Pendant light

Adding to that Top List of Picks from Arteriors Home is the Jarrod Pendant Light shown above. We just couldn't leave it out, since it's one of the most unique fixtures we've seen from them in a while. The varied coloring of the carved wood exterior caught our eye right away.

Upon further inspection, we were captivated by the round circles in the drum shade which allows the most beautiful display of light to shine through. Taking every detail into account, the inside top of the light fixture is mirrored, adding that bit of surprise for those catching the extra feature.

The High Point Market photo above gives a better view of the Jarrod, which is quite large at 30" in diameter, making a statement for any room. Also notice in the photo above, the Hayes Quatrefoil Mirror (top favorite from previous article) grouped in such a way that makes us want to duplicate this very look.

One More Top Pick - Jarrod Pendant light