2020 has turned out to be a year like no other, in many unprecedented ways. What started out as a great intro to the New Year, turned into a lockdown and a rather difficult time of life, for many, due to Covid-19 and other devastating events that have occurred throughout the year. Our hearts continue to be with those affected by this year’s happenings.
To recap the year and share some of the good that still came from it, here are our highlights of 2020.
To start off the year, we were featured on American Dream TV’s “Hidden Gems” Los Angeles edition with host Rima Shideler. We took the crew inside our 40,000-square-foot Los Angeles showroom and factory and discussed our production process and gave a little history behind our company. We were thrilled to be featured! You can watch the episode here.
With the international pandemic hitting an all time high this past March, we were forced to put a stop on production and lockdown for almost two months. We saw that in those first few months, there was a shortage of PPE. Looking at our shelves full of fabric, we decided we could help others by designing and making masks. First, we had to outfit our work areas to be safe for our employees. We built stations six-feet apart with protected shields. We pivoted our business to making masks. We donated masks to food banks, hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and more. After a while, we added some masks for sale to our website. The proceeds were donated to Global Giving’s Corona Virus Relief Fund.
In April, Spring’s High Point Market, an event we spend six months preparing for, was cancelled. This was a major upset for us, as we love meeting you and debuting our newest designs . Thankfully, for technology, we could turn to webinars and lots of video production to keep the connection with you .
Our EMBRACE sofa introduced for April High Point Market was an immediate hit. Embrace was then nominated for the 2020 Product Design Award! The award voting dates have been rescheduled to February 2021. Stay tuned for links and information on how you can vote!
The Embrace Sofa The Embrace Cuddle Chair The Embrace Cuddle Chair and Sweetheart Ottoman
Design et al London named our Tina Nicole to the WORLD’S LEADING DESIGN NAMES LIST 2021!! Wow! Tina Nicole is our co-founder, creative director and principal designer here at Nathan Anthony. Her incredible vision, fearless approach to design, dedication and devotion to her craft makes it only fitting that she was selected for this prestigious recognition. Read here a full article including her background, philosophy, predictions for 2021 and to find out some of her favorite things! We are pinching ourselves and are so proud of her!!
Fall’s High Point Market was given a green light and we were able to continue the show, but at 70% less attendance. We still had a huge success with the introduction of our EMBRACE Collection extensions – Cuddle chair, Swivel Chair and Sweetheart ottoman and a sweet designer taught us a new way of relaxing on a sofa… and begins with “the slide.”
On December 3rd, we enjoyed the highlight of the year, the World’s First Luxury Digital Designer Showhouse, Created Entirely And Only In The Virtual World! With products highlighted in augmented reality! See here!
Seasonal Living Magazine’s Virtual Living Designer Showhouse Living Room by Carla Aston Seasonal Living Magazine’s Virtual Living Designer Showhouse Bedroom Room by Jeanne Khoe Chung
15 amazing sponsoring brands + 11 nationally known A-List designers have come together to make this a fun, beautiful, safe and inspiring experience (((can we refer to the prior blog post for more info here))). You’ll be able to go on a 360 walk-around inside each room, peer in corners, look at ceilings, floors, zoom in, zoom out!⠀
Seasonal Living Magazine’s Virtual Living Designer Showhouse Office by Gloribell Lebron
The Showhouse has product discovery built in as well as some shoppable links – so you will be able to click open every product featured by our 11 participating designers to get the stories, additional images and details you need, fast!⠀⠀⠀
EMBRACE SOFA in the Zoom Room by Robin Baron Design
In addition, some of the products will be highlighted in augmented reality, so you can scan the QR code and project these products in your home to see how they look!
To close, 2020 has taught us to cherish health, family and friends. To be appreciative for all that we have, not matter how small. Life may not always go as planned, but the strength to adapt, grow, listen and overcome will get us through.
Co-Founders: Khai, Tina and son (namesake too) Nathan Anthony 🙂
From our family to yours. Thank you to our customers and fans for your continued support. Our hearts are with those of you who are struggling during this time.
Thank you to everyone for reading our blog. We hope you all stay safe and enjoy the new year. We look forward to seeing you next High Point Market in June 2021! To keep up with the latest happenings here at Nathan Anthony, please follow the hashtags #nathananthony, #nathananthonyfurniture and #uphlstryart or connect with us directly on Facebook,Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Also, you can always check out our latest videos on Youtube.
This year’s High Point Market was like no other. Attendance was optional, even for exhibitors. And, with a projected 50% to 70% drop in visitors this time, it was a difficult decision. On top of that, corona virus cases have been rising sharply day by day as the weather cools. The thought of traveling to North Carolina for us Californians caused great anxiety.
But, we did it. We went to High Point and gave it our best. It turned out to be so worth it. Visitors who came were serious about shopping. And, we met so many first-time-to-market visitors, and people who were just walking by with smiling faces, their excitement was palpable. With daily health screenings, masks and hand sanitizer in abundance, everyone seemed to feel safe and at ease.
A new designer to High Point, Olivia Shae, enjoying our EMBRACE SOFA
When you have a hit, it’s important to go with it. So, this October, we added on to our wildly popular EMBRACE. We added an Embrace Cuddle chair and a half and an Embrace swivel chair. We also designed a new SWEETHEART ottoman to go with the EMBRACE collection.
Embrace, unlike any other seating collection, is the type of sofa that one “slides” into and does not just “sit” on. We created some fun moments capturing designers showing us how to do “the slide.”
Here are some more favorite captures from High Point Market 2020!
EMBRACE CUDDLE CHAIR & SWEETHEART OTTOMAN
Our showroom colors were inspired by the blues, greens and peachy pinks found in peacock feathers and tropical prints. There was a rich layering effect of color as we expanded the spectrum within these hues to burnt sienna, berries and emerald. It was gorgeous!
The award winning DALI CHAIRThe RELAX sectionalForeground: EMBRACE SWIVEL CHAIR, Background: LAURENT BEDHUGO sectional, Monetti triangle table
As the nation’s economy struggles to put itself back together, the furniture and home furnishings industry is having an outstanding year. Americans, working from home and no longer traveling for business or pleasure, are shifting huge amounts of their disposable dollars to fixing up and decorating their personal and rental homes. This trend—combined with product stock shortages created by panic-induced order cancellations earlier in the year and factory shutdowns—created a seller’s market – excerpt from Business of home
Nathan Anthony has seen an uptick in the demand for its products and custom furniture as more people are wanting to renovate their spaces, our designer/customers are busier than ever! Because we are a domestic manufacturer, we are able to create beautiful custom furnishings and meet deadlines.
EVOK SECTIONAL, TETRA tableRelax sectional, new designer, first time to hpmkt!Creative Director and Principal Designer Tina Nicole on the EMBRACE CUDDLE CHAIR, Style Spotter Rachel Moriarty’s market pick!KORZ chairLaurent Sofa, Gobi arm chair, Sabine sofa (background)
With the thanksgiving holiday upon us, we want to express our deep gratitude to our amazing team of artisans, managers, customer service team and reps for their devotion to our company. “Every day in the factory, I witness a commitment to service through the hands and hearts of our amazing craftspeople. Khai and I are incredibly grateful for their devotion.” – Tina Nicole, Co-founder, Creative Director & Principal Designer.
Thank you to our fans and customers for reading our blog, we look forward to seeing you next spring at High Point Market 2021! To keep up with the latest happenings here at Nathan Anthony, please follow the hashtags #nathananthony, #nathananthonyfurniture and #uphlstryart or connect with us directly on Facebook,Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Also, you can always check out our latest videos on Youtube.
The secret is finally out! The first ever fully immersive 20,000 square-foot luxury designer showhouse, built entirely in the virtual world from the ground up, will launch on December 3, 2020 and we are an inaugural sponsor!!
Being brought to you in the pages of Seasonal Living Magazine, this modern luxury designer Showhouse house will never be built in the real world, but lives atop a real 20 acre hilltop estate in Malibu, CA, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Utilizing state of the art 4K rendering, you will be able to enjoy an immersive 3D walk-around experience, via your computer mouse, from the safety and comfort of your home. You will be able to zoom in and out and see every detail of the Showhouse, just as if you were experiencing a real world luxury designer showhouse!
This stunning 20,000 square foot virtual modern home will have rooms designed by 11 of America’s premier luxury interior designers: Carla Aston, Robin Baron, Arianne Bellizaire, Jeanne Khoe Chung, Gloribell LeBron, Ariana Afshar Lovato, Rachel Moriarty, Laura Muller, Veronica Solomon, Erika Hollinshead Ward and Michelle Jennings-Wiebe.
Because this is a completely virtual home, the designers have free reign to show you their most luxurious and creative ideas, unhindered by budget or product availability.
In addition, several of the rooms have multi-functionality built in. Explore the family room, and with a click, see it transformed into a schoolroom for homeschooling and virtual learning! Click to see the home office turned into a guest bedroom! And click to see the laundry room turned into a decontamination zone.
Don’t miss the zoom room, the principal suite upstairs (and its gorgeous closet!), the sanctuary retreat on the bottom floor, the live food farm in the 3 story solarium attached to the kitchen, and all of the other beautiful rooms in this virtual luxury designer showhouse.
Each room included product discovery details as well. Simply click on the dots to find out more about each of our products the designers used in their rooms.
ABOUT THE PARTICIPATING DESIGNERS:
Ariana Lovato
Instagram bio: Honeycomb Home Design, AKBD. Award-Winning Interior Design Studio | NKBA 30 under 30 | New Construction + Remodels | Certified Kitchen + Bath Designer | Central Coast, CA + Beyond
Arianne Bellizaire
Instagram bio: Arianne Bellizaire. Build, renovate or decorate with confidence—even during a pandemic. Let us help you eliminate the overwhelm and enjoy the design process.
Instagram bio: Erika Ward Interiors. Relax, recharge, and be rewarded. Using our concierge-level interior design services, we help busy professionals make their homes their sanctuaries.
Instagram bio: Jeanne K Chung, CSC. Interior Designer | Storyteller | Design Trends | Multi-Tasker | Boss of @shopcozystylishchic | Occasional Blogger | A view from my iPhone
Laura Muller
Instagram bio: Four Point Design Build Inc. Cliff+Laura Muller | #CleanFreshModern Interior Design/Architecture/Construction/Project Mgmt | Concept2Turnkey | Res/Com | Los Angeles #4ptdbMoments
Instagram bio: Residential Interior Design. So CalInterior Designer rockin’ color from my multicultural roots to your design project! HGTV HPMKT Style Spotter Kimono Obsession
Robin Baron
Instagram bio: NY Interior Designer. Providing a glimpse into my luxury interior design & furniture world. Designer, spokesperson, blogger. AKA: The Baroness HGTV & NBC
Veronica Solomon | Casa Vilora
Instagram bio: Believer | Mother | Award Winning Designer | HGTV Award Nominee | Featured In AD + Modern Luxury + Elle Decor | Design Mentor | Blogger
Be the first to see it! Join all the sponsors and all the designers and the industry at large for the complimentary LIVE online VIP launch party on Thursday, Dec. 3rd at 6 pm ET!
Covid 19 has come into our lives and has taken over what seems like, everything. Schools, workplaces, hospitals, cafes, you name it. We are continually being faced with more and new challenges every day and homeschooling has now reached the top of the list!
With the new school year quickly approaching, and some states with mandatory school closures for grade 6 and up (like California,) families are faced with the difficult reality of needing to homeschool their children. But how?! They have never homeschooled before!
Home-schooling can be a challenge. It takes discipline, organization and a plan. We are sharing some of our top tips to preparing your home for comfortable and effective homeschooling.
CLEAR THE ROOM
It’s no secret, as adults, we perform more efficiently when our environment is clean and tidy and it’s no different for our little ones. They need a cleared and open environment in order to focus and succeed. No TV, no tablets, just a cleared, open area and workspace, to help retain their focus on their studies, instead of paying attention to what Nickelodeon show is coming on next.
SPACE SAVING FURNITURE
We’re furniture designers, of course we need to mention the importance of furniture! Comfortable, yet space saving furniture really can help with preparing your space. Having furniture that has space underneath, to the sides, etc. can help in storage space for books, pens, colored pencils, crayons, etc. Our GOBI sectional (shown above) is perfect for that!
Furniture with comfortable seating and backing is also important. This is a perk to being able to learn from home! We all know the chairs in school are anything but comfortable!
STICK TO A DAILY SCHEDULE
While this tip may not be specific to how you can prepare your home, it is still a golden tip for schooling at home. It’s easy to get off track while learning in the environment you typically relax in. You or your child may see a chore or activity that may be more enticing and it’s easy to drift off into that other activity, so, knowing when break time, quitting time, lunch time, etc is, really helps in keeping your mind off the chore or activity and focused on the learning task at hand.
NUTRITION IS IMPORTANT
Nutrition is important every day, especially when homeschooling your children. Having nutritious foods will not only keep the mind focused, but it will keep the sugar hypes away! Keep some healthy snacks, such as an apple or banana nearby the work area and allow little ones to enjoy when they start to feel a little sluggish.
TIME FOR PLAY
Remember when recess was the best time of day as kids?! Well, you can still allow it when homeschooling. Make a schedule and stick to it just like schools do – going outside and getting fresh air is extremely important. We are now in our homes more than ever before, so walking away from the same environment you spend so much time in, is very beneficial.
DON’T STRESS IT
Whether homeschooling was by choice or it was mandated, DO NOT STRESS it. This is YOUR school now. You get to decide timing, curriculum, space, etc. Stressing about backsliding or falling off the learning curve will not benefit you or your child, so be sure to stay focused and relaxed for both you and your children. Chances are you will learn a thing or two alongside with them.
We hope you enjoyed reading. To keep up with us here at Nathan Anthony during this isolating time, follow us on Facebook,Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
In times of crisis, look for the helpers is how the saying goes. But how are designers making a difference in the corona virus crisis?
We are currently living through times of unprecedented change and disruption to our daily lives. Stay home is the message to live by right now. Whilst many see this as a chore I feel we should take a moment to consider what a privilege it is to have to simply stay at home whilst frontline workers care for the sick and keep our daily lives as normal as possible under lockdown.
So how exactly are designers making a difference right now. Well there’s the bigger picture in that design is all about solving problems so we see some of the UK’s most innovative designers and engineering firms such as Dyson and The Ventilator Challenge UK Consortium coming together to make urgently needed ventilators.
Meanwhile on a smaller scale there are designers making a difference by using their skills and materials at their disposal to help however they can. Charity begins at home so they say so I’m starting by highlighting some of the projects I’ve been able to connect with in my local area and through the Decorcafe network which I host in Brighton.
DECORCAFE MEMBERS DOING GOOD
Designer and Decorcafe member Anna Hayman has produced this beautiful signed print to order. The profits from each print go to the The Lewes Food Co-operative. A collective of local food businesses who are providing free meals to NHS workers at a local hospital. At the time this blog was written within just a week of launch this project has raised over £2,000.
I’ve ordered one and I feel in the future when it’s on my wall at home it will remind me of the good people who helped us get through these strange times. Order your print at annahaymandesigns.com
I’ve also donated to a collection for NHS Charities by Decorcafe member Emer Gillespie from Spark and Bell.
Every person who donates will be entered into a raffle to win a very generous £500 voucher to spend on beautiful lights at Spark and Bell. The raffle is open until Sunday 3rd May and you can enter here
Caron McQueen from McQueen Bespoke is another member of our Brighton Decorcafe hub using her skills to help the cause. She’s been busy sewing these beautiful scrubs from patterns available from a local neighbourhood watch scheme.
Meanwhile in London Decorcafe member Mel Porter has listed these beautiful rainbow fairy lights on her website. The profits will go to South London Scrubbers – a charity organisation financing and sewing scrubs for the NHS.
THE INSTAGRAM COMMUNITY IS HELPING
Next I’m looking to my instagram community which I have to say has been an inspiring place to be lately.
Poodle and Blonde is an instagram account I love to follow because 1. They have beautiful fabrics and wallpapers and 2. Dogs are a major part of their marketing strategy. If you’re wondering why I like the dogs take a look at my Sunday instagram posts on Dogs and Interiors!
Poodle and Blonde offered sample packs of fabric offcuts in exchange for donations to help NHS charities. The fabrics were hugely popular and sold out very quickly.
Luks Linen sell beautiful hand loomed Turkish cotton towels and blankets.Ethically made and hand loomed by master weavers in family ateliers. Every Wednesday they’re sending a free blanket to an NHS worker. You can nominate someone you know to win a blanket by tagging the #blankethugs post on @lukslinen on instagram from Saturdays.
One of the things I love about instagram is it connects you with like minded folk across the world. Based in California, Nathan Anthony is an account I follow which makes beautiful bespoke furniture for interior designers. They were able to transform their facility to temporarily make PPE masks to supply to local health care workers.
Last week they donated 150 masks to the LA Food Bank. However when friends, family and instagram followers asked to buy the masks they also put them on sale and now donate a share of the profits to the Global Giving Corona Virus Charity.
Back in the UK Homesense, one of our favourite places to find discount designer homewares closes it’s doors temporarily. But did you know that on closing all products from the food departments from each store were taken to local foodbanks in the community. The brand also donated vouchers for the Red Cross to buy clothing and essential items for those in isolation who are in need.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
Well I’m delighted to tell you that I have offered to help with the Design Havens for Heroes project. Quickly mobilized via instagram by interior designer Francesca Rowan-Plowden the project will offer free room makeovers to our NHS Heroes. So far she has pulled together dozens of interior designers to help. As well as this home decor brands and design bloggers across the UK have also pitched in to help. All committed to making over a room for an NHS hero in their region. I’ll be writing more about this soon but in the meantime head over to the instagram account @designhavensforheroes to nominate someone you know who deserves a haven for a home. If you are home decor brand or tradesman that would like to donate products, skills or time to the cause – especially here in Sussex where I’m based – please contact me so I can put you in touch with designers making a difference through this wonderful project.
We hope you enjoyed reading. We felt this was such an uplifting blog and gave some great ideas on how designers are helping others, thank you Fiona! To keep up with us here at Nathan Anthony during this isolating time, follow us on Facebook,Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
From all of us here at Nathan Anthony, we first want to express our deepest love to all. We are all being affected by the COVID19 pandemic, in one way or another, and because of it, we wanted to do something.
News channels during the first ten days of quarantine in Los Angeles carried numerous stories about the lack of hospital beds and staff to treat people with the virus.
Last week, we received news that a local health clinic, Androgenix Health, was asked by LA County to open their clinic to take in and treat COVID19 patients. Juan Riojas, PA-C, MPAP, the clinic’s owner & director said yes. While preparing his clinic for this next phase, he was deeply concerned for the safety of his staff because he did not have, and could not find any available, PPE (personal protective equipment) for the expected onslaught of patients.
When we heard about Juan’s story, we gathered as many N95 masks as we could and gave them to him. Juan (pictured below) was grateful and expressed sincere gratitude in his letter to Khai and Tina:
“Your generosity cannot be more appreciated nor ever repaid. It is at this time that the real heroes step up – you guys are that. With N95 masks we can continue to treat patients and feel safe!”
It’s times like these when we all need to step up and do whatever we can to make sure our caregivers are safe and protected. For those who are not in a position to donate, the best thing we can all do as a nation is #STAYHOME.
Thank you to all healthcare and front-line personnel for taking care of our great nation. We know you are exhausted, overwhelmed and concerned for your own safety and the safety of your families.
Thank you for your sacrifice and bravery.
Thank you for reading our blog. If you can do anything to help healthcare workers in your area, please do so. For more information about helping Los Angeles, visit https://www.lamayor.org or email: 90033instructionsdonateyourppe@gmail.com to donate to LAC USC Medical Center.
Very intriguing words when it comes to the creative process of design. But what’s behind these words is even more intriguing. How does loss inspire a life in design? Read on to learn pieces of the inspiring story of Tina Nicole, co-founder of Nathan Anthony Furniture, in her brand new book Dream Design Disrupt: A Life in Design. Original: http://deborahmaindesigns.com/
Tina launched her book at the fall 2019 High Point Market. It was so popular that their showroom ran out. Here are a couple lucky recipients with Tina on the left.
Without revealing all of Tina’s book, because I really want you to experience it for yourself, let’s dive into the structure of the book a bit and why it’s such a fantastic read.
WHEN NO ORDINARY DESIGN BOOK WILL DO
Dream Design Disrupt: A Life in Design is the perfect book to give as a holiday gift to yourself or a friend or family member who needs some inspiration or even a challenge. It’s a great book to read over the holidays to inspire you to go forth and conquer the world in 2020. At least that’s how I felt after reading it. But not before it stopped me in my tracks to do some serious contemplation of my life, what I want out of it, what my dreams are, and what my plans are going forward. As we all know, life is always a work in progress.
Tina’s book really makes you think. It’s a book you don’t read just once, but one you ponder and read again and again. It makes you stop for a little while, get uplugged, let go of your “to-do’s” and think about your life and what you want to do with it. No matter where you are in your life and career, pick up a copy of Tina’s book because I can guarantee it will impact you.
As Tina states –
This book isn’t like anyone else’s book, or any other design book or any other art book. Dream Design Disrupt is about acknowledging what makes us different, embracing it, and creating a life that is true to who we really are and what we CAN be.
And she is right about that. So let me break it down for you a bit so you know what to expect when you purchase the book. (You also can try to win a signed copy through midnight Wednesday, Dec 18th, over on my instagram @ThePillowGoddess).
LIFE IN FULL COLOR
To say the book is colorful is an understatement. The graphic design of the book, the layout, the format, and the neon colors are quintessential Tina. It’s a beautiful book visually which sets you in the right frame of mind from the get-go. You know from the cover that this is going to be a fantastic book, that some sparks are going to fly and you will be wiser for it. We can all thank Tina right now for having the courage to write this incredible book! Thank you Tina!
The book is broken into two major parts, with several chapters in each part.
PART 1 – DREAM DREAMER
This first part of the book is Tina’s life story. Her dream. Her losses and the life decisions she made that got her to where she is now. I have never met Tina in real life, but I feel I’ve known her for years because I fell in love with Nathan Anthony Furniture the first minute I saw them win an award for one of their chairs, the Dali. I’ve been hooked with Tina’s designs ever since!
PART 2 – DESIGN DISRUPT
This section of the book features stories and details behind many of Tina’s award-winning designs. Some of my favorite pieces of Tina’s are featured in this book. The company, Nathan Anthony Furniture, based in California where Tina grew up, manufacturers all of its furniture in the U.S. and produces some of the most provocative pieces.
The book is also chock full of sound advice from someone who has been through it all and built her dream. Each chapter weaves in Tina’s life lessons highlighted in colorful graphics:
Write stuff down
Live deliberately
Trust yourself
Go for it
Do you
Go the distance
Find 3 people to help get you there
Frustration = fierce growth
Love your work, work on love
Express yourself
HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEARTS
Tina married the love of her life, Khai Mai, a high school sweetheart and together they’ve built the luxury brand Nathan Anthony Furniture. Here they are in Los Angeles in 2014 in front of the black and white mural, painted by artist Thierry Noir, which, as described in the book, “celebrates the launch of an exhibition of the 30th anniversary of the first breakthrough of the Berlin wall.”
Later, Tina would turn her view of this artist’s work into the abstract graphic-patterned fabric for the award-winning Aerie chair below. This is just one example of how Tina is inspired by everything she sees and experiences. And then how she translates that into her unique designs.
HOW LOSS GIVES US STRENGTH
Not one, but several losses influenced Tina’s life. However, as she outlines so eloquently in her book, those losses never defined her or kept her back. In fact, they kept propelling her forward to take more risks in her life and career.
The first half of the book chronicles Tina’s life from an accident as a child, through the loss of her mother when she was in 5th grade, up to where she is now, mother of her only son, Nathan, and co-owner of Nathan Anthony furniture. Yes, the company is named after her son. You will see why when you read the book.
There is a deeply personal story here, one that will surely affect you as it did me. Dream Design Disrupt is not only a beautifully designed book of art and design, but it is also a moving and inspiring memoir that leads us to the founding of Nathan Anthony Furniture, one of the most prestigious furniture design brands in the United States.
Throughout the book, Tina writes from the depths of her soul, from her own life’s journey. As master life coach Filippo Voltaggio, states in the forward of the book –
Her work, like that of so many creative movers and shakers, is built upon a personal story that touches on tragedy, loss, and struggle but is ruled by commitment, courage, and love.
In some way or another, I believe all of us are shaped and formed by our life experiences and the decisions we make, for better or worse, come from that foundation of loss. Because in some ways, doesn’t part of creating something new come from the loss of something old?
Not to get too philosophical here, but think about it.
Think about your own life and the choices you’ve made.
Don’t some of those choices stem from past loss?
I know for me personally, I married the love of my life who helped me work through and heal some of my childhood wounds. Oh, don’t think you don’t have them, because we ALL have them. Some are minor but many are life-altering. And I bet if you’re honest with yourself, you will let this book touch that part of you.
Helen Keller once wrote –
Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.
We all have childhood dreams. But, like Tina, and all of us, our dreams and our lives take circuitous paths and we always don’t end up where we want to be OR we do end up where we want to be, but never thought it possible.
Tina says so herself in the introduction:
If you had told me back in my MTV years….that I would someday become a furniture designer and work in a family-owned factory situated just a few miles from my childhood home in Southern California- and love it with all my heart – I probably would have giggled, shaken my partially shaved head, and thought, You’re Crazy.
THE ELEMENT OF SURPRISE
The 2nd half of the book is all about the award-winning designs that Tina has created and what she believes forms the foundation for her life of design. These chapters are broken up with bright hot pink pages with the language of design.
You’ll learn by reading the book that Tina has a degree in fashion merchandising from FIDM, has been a lifelong “maker”, and on top of that a law degree. Quite the combination for an award-winning designer. But it all shows in each furniture piece she creates, as she designs “furniture art” as if each piece will one day make a its own fashion statement on the runway.
And indeed they do. Nathan Anthony is known for meticulous attention to dress-making details in all their furnishings, and Tina gets that from her grandmother and experience in fashion.
Of course, the very things that Tina talks about are the very details I love about Tina’s design work. Like Color and Texture.
How many furniture companies do you know of, go out and design a chair with 18″ leather straps cascading down a chair into dramatic fringe puddling on the floor? None. But Nathan Anthony Furniture does. Tina creates these designs.
Tina designs the unexpected and that’s what sets her work apart from other furniture designers. And each piece is customizable from this family-owned company. They recently debuted this chair in blush pink! Can you imagine?
THE ELAN/S FRINGE CHAIR
FROM DREAMING A LIFE OF DESIGN TO LIVING ONE
I asked Tina, what she thinks artists and designers can gain from reading her book. She said –
Dream Design Disrupt is about encouragement to every designer, artist, or storyteller who put out a collection of personal work that bombed…and had the guts to go back to the drawing board, having learned from that experience, and try to connect again. And succeeded.
Please enjoy some of the newest designs by Nathan Anthony furniture with some of my favorite iconic pieces that Tina designed.
To conclude, here’s another inspiring statement that Tina highlights in her book –
Be fierce. Seize your power to change the narrative and turn things around.
If there is anyone that has proven this possible, it is furniture designer extraordinaire, Tina Nicole.
Please view her incredible designs and innovative, fashion-forward work on their website Nathan Anthony Furniture. Take inspiration from her words and go live your dream. A perfect gift for the holidays, you can purchase her new book HERE.
And please PIN this image to share this post and inspiring book with others. Thank you!
On that note, this is my final post of 2019. I’m taking time off, unplugging, to, in Tina’s words,
Leave an opening for the imagination to enter and it will surely find its way in.
I’m looking forward to some unscheduled time so that my imagination can find its way in again. The Pillow Goddess Studio and blog will be closed until Monday, January 6th, 2020. Thank you for all your support for an incredible 2019. I feel so blessed!
Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas and Happy New Year. See you in 2020, XO PG
Note: All photography in this post is courtesy of Nathan Anthony Furniture. Opinions are my own.
Wanna Snuggle? Good Vibes! Suite Life! Happy Pills! It seems our messaging at High Point Market resonated majorly with visitors. Pair that with eye-catching showroom design, product introductions, speaker event, and book launch and we were the talk of the town. The most fun though was our speaker panel event, co-hosted with LUXE Interior & Design Magazine called: Art of Risk-Taking: Bold Moves in Design, Business + Life. We had a packed showroom and had the pleasure of meeting so many design enthusiasts, new buyers and designers.
High Point Market is the largest home furnishings industry trade show in North America, bringing 2,000 exhibitors and more than 75,000 people to High Point, North Carolina. Serious retail home furnishings buyers, interior designers, architects, and others in the home furnishings industry are drawn to this quaint south eastern town twice a year.
Here are some of the highlights from our showroom for those of you who may have missed it. If you did come by, please enjoy some of the best shots from our photo gallery!
Art by: byRobynBlair. Bed “Z-3V2” designed in collaboration with Cara Woodhouse Interiors + Tina Nicole. “Niagara” bench design by Tina Nicole
Relax sectional and POW! ottoman
The Radly
The Evok sectional
Aerie, Elan fringe, Buttercup
So many High Point Market visitors came to our panel discussion on the Art of Risk-Taking: Bold Moves in Design, Business + Life panel event on Saturday, co-hosted with LUXE Interior & Design Magazine. Nathan Anthony co-founder, CEO and Creative Director, Tina Nicole, spoke about her new book DREAM DESIGN DISRUPT andgave insights into her success and empowering others to get out there and take on their dreams.
Kathryn Given, Erinn Valencich, Cara Woodhouse, Tina Nicole (speaking), Robyn Blair
We had the distinct pleasure of hosting instagram influencers Cara Woodhouse and by RobynBlair on our panel. Their insights into the importance of Instagram and social media, and how powerful engagement and connecting with others through social media has been for them and their growing brands was very helpful. We all walked away feeling empowered.
Kathryn Given, Erinn Valencich, Cara Woodhouse (speaking), Tina Nicole, Robyn Blair
Tina Nicole & Robyn Blair
Nathan Anthony’s Gobi chair selected by Cara Woodhouse Interiors for By Robyn Blair’s Tribeca apartment project
Author Tina Nicole signing her new book DREAM DESIGN DISRUPT for visitor
Author Tina Nicole signing her new book DREAM DESIGN DISRUPT for visitor
Author Tina Nicole signing her new book DREAM DESIGN DISRUPT for visitor
Author Tina Nicole signing her new book DREAM DESIGN DISRUPT for visitor
Author Tina Nicole signing her new book DREAM DESIGN DISRUPT for visitor
Hugo sectional
Trixie
Michel-T
Buttercup
Michel backside view
Laurent sofa
Aerial chair display by Tina Nicole
Thank you for reading our blog today, we look forward to seeing you next spring at High Point Market 2020! To keep up with the latest happenings here at Nathan Anthony, please follow the hashtags #nathananthony, #lovenathananthony and #uphlstryart or connect with us directly on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
We have a big announcement! Just around the corner is fall High Point Market and we have lots of exciting things happening, we cannot wait to share it all with you!
@tinanicoledesign
@carawoodhouseinteriors
@byrobynblair
This year we are collaborating with leading interior designer and influencer Cara Woodhouse Interiors. The collaboration was conceived when Woodhouse was tapped by niche pop artist and media darling Robyn Davidson – who markets her colorful candy-inspired art under the name byrobynblair – to design Davidson’s Tribeca loft apartment in bold candy-colored tones reflective of the artist’s brand. Working in tandem with our designer, Tina Nicole, Woodhouse chose a collection of Nathan Anthony signature upholstered items, customized by Woodhouse, for the Tribeca loft living areas and bedroom.
These new pieces, will debut in a special presentation in our new High Point Market showroom, InterHall space IH-602! #Yayus
Fall 2019 High Point Market will run October 19-23rd, 2019, with a soft opening day for us on Friday 10/18.
Following the show, Cara Woodhouse will exclusively offer NA-produced items through her new shoppable content platform at www.woodhousedecor.com.
On SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19 @ 3p.m., in conjunction with LUXE. Magazine, we are hosting a panel discussion called: THE ART OF RISK TAKING: Bold Moves in Design, Business & Life, with our very own Tina Nicole, Cara Woodhouse of Cara Woodhouse Interiors, Robyn Davidson pop artist byRobynBlair and Erinn Valencich of Style Row. Location: Nathan Anthony showroom, IHFC IH602.
Please join us! Book signing by Tina Nicole to follow!
Thank you for reading our blog today, we look forward to seeing you at Fall High Point Market 2019! To keep up with the latest happenings here at Nathan Anthony, please follow the hashtags #nathananthony, #lovenathananthony and #uphlstryart or connect with us directly on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
It is one of our favorite and most humbling times of year… the International Architecture & Design Awards! Design et al Magazine, is a global design publication based in the UK, which organizes what has become the premier design awards event in the industry. They are now celebrating their 10th year! The event is held annually inviting its subscribers and millions of design enthusiasts to vote on the best in interior design, product design, architecture, yacht, super yacht, aviation and design innovation around the globe. The pinnacle gala event announcing the winners is held at a private club in London every September.
The aim of The International Design & Architecture Awards is to create an opportunity firstly for designers, architects and developers to showcase their work, but more than that to enable design et al readers and the global design community to see and to celebrate some of the best design schemes, product launches and innovation from throughout the world.
This year, our SISTINE sofa is nominated in SEATING category and we are pumped! Have you seen this beauty?! She’s divine!
Ever seen a sofa with a rhythmic Arabesque “dancing” welt embellishment… with equally eye-catching decorative buttons on the front panels that move in concert with the welt’s flowing lines? Well, now you have! An original design by award winning designer Tina Nicole, the Sistine daybed sets the decor-tone for the well-appointed home. Sistine features a tall, scalloped wood plinth that matches the exists of every welt, available in nine stylish wood finishes.
We have won best seating category consecutively for the past four years… we thank you for making that possible.
Thank you for hanging out with us in the blog today, we hope you enjoyed hearing a little bit about our sofa. We hope we have your vote! If you need a little tutorial on how to vote, swing by our Instagram and check out our VOTE highlight! To keep up with the latest happenings here at Nathan Anthony, please follow the hashtags #nathananthony, #lovenathananthony and #uphlstryart or connect with us directly on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
Beautiful weather, kids home from school, a nice cold lemonade in hand, while catching some rays by the pool… we love Summer days, especially with good company!
At Nathan Anthony, we love entertaining at home and it’s important that our guests feel comfortable and the environment is fun and inviting. Although, here in California we enjoy indoor / outdoor living almost all year round, Summer provides everything for a fun get together in the comfort of your home. To celebrate the season, we’d like to share our top tips for transforming your home into the perfect space for a fun Summer shindig (hint: read to the end for the best tip!).
WELCOME!
A welcoming foyer / entryway, is the first step. Set the tone in this area by adding color, plants for warmth and life and don’t forget family photos & fun accessories. A nice settee by the door, where your guests can sit and take off their shoes or other outerwear, can also add a great touch. It is important to keep this space in your home inviting and alive! Providing a feeling of hospitality will help your guests relax, enjoy themselves and stay awhile.
Elan sofa (black) interior design & photo courtesy @MichelleWenitskyInteriorDesign
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Dali Chair – Showroom 58 Entry
A dark, dimly lit entrance may make your guests want to turn right around. With all the beautiful chandeliers available now, this is a great way to both properly light the area, but also a beautiful chandelier can be the first WOW factor of your home.
Sectionals are GREAT for entertaining. They provide a lot of seating for small or large spaces, come in many different options and allow you to show off your personal interior style.
NAVIGATION
Humphrey collection, at Alice Lane
Keep furniture arranged in an easy to navigate style. No one likes to shuffle through knees when having to use the restroom in the movie theater, the same goes for your home. Don’t place over-sized furniture so closely that it’s difficult to squeeze through, and try to corral all loose toys, plants, etc. to keep guests from tripping over them.
DECLUTTER
We know, we know, this one is tough! It’s so easy to grab the mail, walk into the house and leave it on the kitchen counter or drop your day clothes on the ground and plop into the closest chair – GUILTY! but tackle the clutter before guests arrive. This allows for more space when entertaining and keeps your home looking clean, tidy and fresh feeling.
Muse bed & Z-3 ottoman- interior design & photo courtesy Mint Interiors
SEATING ARRANGEMENTS
Evok modular sectional
Evok modular sectional
Evok modular sectional
Evok modular sectional
For those who have a larger area to work with, using modular sectionals make for great and flexible seating arrangements. This helps keep groups together who would like to stay close and provides options to your guests. Not all guests will care to sit around the tv, so using parts of sectionals for relocating seating areas where your guests can gather for intimate conversation or games is a great way to help all feel welcomed and keep the party going. You can also consider using armless chairs, ottomans, poufs, overstuffed pillows, and stacked chairs for this purpose.
Think circular areas. Place sofas in a way that it creates a circular style where guests can easily hold a comfortable and intimate conversation.
OUTDOOR OPTIONS
For those fortunate enough to have beautiful outdoor weather in the Summer, having seating arrangements outdoors will take your party from zero to everything! This allows guests to spread out and enjoy all the different aspects of your home. When choosing the perfect table and chairs for outdoor entertaining, focus on seating and tables with legs that are long and allow for air flow under furniture. This trick also gives visitors the illusion of a more open environment.
WHEN IN DOUBT…
Tina Nicole’s favorite! @Tina_nicolesig
Make cupcakes!
Thank you for reading our blog, we hope you enjoyed these tips. To keep up with the latest happenings here at Nathan Anthony, please follow the hashtags #nathananthony, #lovenathananthony and #uphlstryart or connect with us directly on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
We are suckers for a good love story and Prince Harry and American actress, Meghan Markle’s Royal Wedding at the Windsor Castle, this Saturday, has us with hearts in our eyes! Just imagine how incredible Meghan’s wedding dress will be (rumored to wear designer Ralph & Russo or will it be Givenchy?!) The dress and all the pomp and circumstance are sure to have a huge influence on fashion and furniture.
Now, we are big in traditions, but we love seeing these two push the envelope and go against some of the long time royal traditions, such as the cake! The two chose a more modern cake flavor, than other royals in the past, and also have chosen to be married on a weekend, which breaks the tradition of marrying on a weekday. Being furniture designers, we love the decision of being unique and different!
Fun Fact!: Did you know the tradition of wearing a white wedding dress began with the wedding of Queen Victoria and her cousin Albert, in 1840, where she wore a white satin wedding dress?
To celebrate the royal nuptials theme, we thought it would be fun to share some of our custom design and design tips, that will help YOU feel like a ROYAL in your bedroom!
The Main Event: The Bed
Walk into a bedroom and the bed steals the show! For royals, we can imagine, the bed is grand and we have custom designs that are sure to bring the same grand royal feeling to your room:
Design tip!: This one is simple, yet very effective. To make your bed even more luxurious, use a handful of precisely layered accent pillows. The pillows you sleep on at night should sit propped against the bedhead, overlaid with decorative pillows in height order. Talk about cozy, royalty vibes!
Accent Chairs & Ottomans
A beautiful accent chair and ottoman should not be overlooked when designing your luxurious bedroom – think of the accent chair & ottoman as pieces of art that complete the room. (We know the royals love a good piece of centuries-old art!) It provides a flare to the common bedroom and with a beautiful accent table placed beside, it doubles as a great reading or lounge area.
Design Tip!: Drape a fur throw over the back of the chair for that extra luxurious feel.
It goes as no surprise, we will be watching the Royal Wedding this Saturday! Will you?! Thank you for reading. To keep up with the latest happenings here at Nathan Anthony, please connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
Terms & Conditions
All Trade applications are subject to approval by Nathan Anthony Furniture. Please allow up to 72 hours for application review. If accepted, you will be notified via e-mail and given a login to our website.
PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT OF ACCOUNT
The above information is for the purpose of opening a Trade account with Nathan Anthony Furniture (herein after “Company”) and is warranted to be true. Terms will be 50% prepaid, FOB factory merchandise pickup within 10 days of invoice. Company does not drop ship. Freight must be arranged by applicant. We accept cashier’s check, company check (if approved), American Express, Visa/Mastercard. Any orders paid with a credit card will be charged an additional 3% for administration costs.
I/We understand that Company uses Lyon Credit Services as part of its account approval process and that Company reports payment history to Lyon Credit Services and uses Lyon Credit Services to collect bad debt. I/We also understand that Company reserves the right to revoke its terms and cease doing business with me/us at any time and for any reason without notice.
NOTE: RETURNED CHECK/PAYMENT POLICY: If your check or payment is returned unpaya ble for any reason, you will be charged a $30.00 returned check/payment fee, plus any other costs associated with collecting balances due, including but not limited to, court costs, collection agency fees and attorney fees.
For more information on our RETURN POLICY and CLAIMS information, please see our “Company Policies”
JURISDICTION
Any disputes arising out of this agreement shall be governed under California law and adjudicated in Los Angeles, California.
In April, Spring’s High Point Market, an event we spend six months preparing for, was cancelled. This was a major upset for us, as we love meeting you and debuting our newest designs . Thankfully, for technology, we could turn to webinars and lots of video production to keep the connection with you . 
Design et al London named our Tina Nicole to the WORLD’S LEADING DESIGN NAMES LIST 2021!! Wow! Tina Nicole is our co-founder, creative director and principal designer here at Nathan Anthony. Her incredible vision, fearless approach to design, dedication and devotion to her craft makes it only fitting that she was selected for this prestigious recognition. Read here a full article including her background, philosophy, predictions for 2021 and to find out some of her favorite things! We are pinching ourselves and are so proud of her!!
Fall’s High Point Market was given a green light and we were able to continue the show, but at 70% less attendance. We still had a huge success with the introduction of our EMBRACE Collection extensions – Cuddle chair, Swivel Chair and Sweetheart ottoman and a sweet designer taught us a new way of relaxing on a sofa… and begins with “the slide.”
Miami, FL | FKA 
Interior Designer rockin’ color
from my multicultural roots 
to your design project! 
HGTV 
HPMKT Style Spotter 
Kimono Obsession
Designer, spokesperson, blogger. AKA: The Baroness
