High Falls Mercantile Blog

Trooks: Function in Nature

April 2, 2012 – 12:36 PM

Sometimes the simplest things captivate us. When Geoffrey Fisher contacted Cait regarding his hand crafted “Trooks” (The invention of tree and hook combined) we knew that we had found another perfect fit. Having had his products featured in some of our favorite blogs, we decided to jump on board and bring his hooks and magnets to HFM. (Check them out here)

This is Geoffrey’s story on how he got started making these hooks and why we are loving what he does…

“We lost our lovely lilac tree last year as a result of the severe winter so had no other choice but to remove it and think of a way of using the wood so all was not lost. Clearly there wasn’t enough to make a ladder back chair so I decided to make something less complicated – the humble hook.

This turned into what we now call the “Trook” from the words “Tree” and “Hook” and is made from the natural wastage produced when a tree needs to be cut back or sadly comes to the end of its life. By their very nature Trooks are totally unique which means each one has its own character and appearance.”

I’ve already been hanging them throughout the store and plan on bring home a few for the mudroom.  Have a look at the following blogs to see other great resourceful ideas.

www.apartmenttherapy.com

www.designsponge.com

www.remodelista.com

www.urbangardensweb.com

 

Larry

By Larry Ruhl | Posted in Gift Giving, Homepage Featured, Inside High Falls Mercantile, Interior Decorating & Design | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (1)

The Architectural Digest Home Design Show Highlights

March 29, 2012 – 4:44 PM

It seems like a lifetime ago that I was in New York preparing to set up for the Architectural Digest Home Design Show. Held at Pier 94 the show attracts thousands of designers, bloggers, artists, and manufacturers. This was our first time exhibiting and it was an adventure to say the least.

As usual, the set up days are quite chaotic. This is what the pier looked like when I arrived to set up.

Our space was in the “Made” section which showcases handcrafted and one of a kind pieces. The gallery-like space was 5′ X 20′ which provided a perfect backdrop for the High Falls Mercantile Made in America collection of furniture and accessories.

After waiting several hours, I decided that unloading the truck from across the West Side Highway was the only way to put us in motion. Wheeling tall cabinets across 6 lanes of traffic proved daunting and funny.

Thankfully Tony is very strong and agile. He felt it best to throw the farm table over his shoulders.

I immediately started to feel better seeing our pieces arrive safely in the booth.

The lighting was one of the final details.

This corner of our booth was a favorite of mine and many visitors. My good friend Stacey at Quintessence captured a great shot and wrote about us on her blog. I was completely flattered by her post which you can read here.

I absolutely love doing flowers but usually leave that task to the pros. At this show I decided to jump in and take over the floral displays. I had the best time!

A detail of the flowers.

The final outcome of the show was more than I could have imagined. We met hundreds of people and made some fantastic new connections. Designers such as Brad Ford, Anthony Baratta, Jamie Drake, and of course my friends at Tilton Fenwick could all be spotted roaming the aisles. My fellow exhibitors at Strawser and Smith and The New Traditionalists helped keep the Twitter stream hopping throughout the show and we all shared more than a few laughs.

We look forward to making the Architectural Digest Home Design Show an annual event with new and fresh pieces to keep you inspired. Larry

By Larry Ruhl | Posted in Homepage Featured, Interior Decorating & Design, Interior Design Events | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (3)

Go local! Hudson Valley Seed Library

March 28, 2012 – 1:50 PM

With such a mild Winter, Spring is on our minds early this year at High Falls Mercantile. As a matter of fact, trees are budding, and the crocus, tulips and daffodils are popping through the grass already!

With that in mind, we realize that it’s going to be Spring planting time in the Hudson Valley before we know it. Here at HFM, we’re big fans of the Hudson Valley Seed Library.

Supporting local businesses and artisans is very important to us and that is why we are proud to carry these beautifully packaged, local seeds both in our store and on our website.

In this day and age we have found that it is becoming more and more difficult to discern the difference between natural, organic and GMO in the market. The Hudson Valley Seed Library helps farmers and gardeners to “understand where seeds come from, how they are grown, who grows them, and why seed saving is more important than ever.”

Partners Ken Greene and Doug Muller have created an accessible, affordable source of regionally-adapted seeds that are packaged in gift-quality seed packs. Each variety of seed pack features original art work that celebrate the beauty and diversity of heirloom gardening.

As a matter of fact, we love the designs so much that we’re thinking about framing the artwork from the seed packets for the wall of our mudroom or kitchen after we’ve used the seeds in our garden this Spring!

In 2012, the Hudson Valley Seed Library plans to offer 60 varieties sourced from responsible seed houses in the Northeast. At HFM, we absolutely love seeing this local business take root and grow. The Seed Library’s mentality speaks to our hearts and is something we can truly get behind.

When planting your garden this Spring, why not do it with seeds from the Hudson Valley Seed Library?

By ABCD Design | Posted in Gift Giving, Homepage Featured | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (1)

HFM Furniture Line at the AD Home Design Show: Details, Details

March 21, 2012 – 11:30 AM

In preparation for this week’s debut, I snuck a few detail shots of the new High Falls Mercantile furniture line. They’re quite handsome, don’t you think?
The patina on the painted pieces is perfect – you’d be hard pressed to determine that these brand new American made beauties are not antiques!
The copper and zinc clad mirrors are modern and rustic all at once. They would be just as at home in an eclectic loft apartment as they would be in a country farmhouse over the breakfront in the dining room.
Yesterday, we moved everything into our booth for the AD Home Design Show. Today we will put the final touches on our space as we prepare for the next few days at Pier 94 in New York City.
The show is open to the trade on Thursday and to the public Friday-Sunday. Please stop in and take a look at the new line in person!

- ABCD Design

By ABCD Design | Posted in Homepage Featured, Inside High Falls Mercantile, Interior Design Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Architectural Digest Home Design Show

March 19, 2012 – 3:34 PM

 

As I write this post, the moving truck is being loaded, Cait is printing our packing lists, and I am making everyone crazy preparing to hit the road for the Architectural Digest Home Show in NYC. Our collection is ready to go and we are really excited to show our American made  furniture and accessories.  The show, which runs from Thursday to Sunday,  will feature many talented designers, artists, and manufacturers.  I’ll be posting more photos of our booth but thought I’d share a sneak preview before I head out the door.

Classic tapered leg End Table with Zinc top

A detail showing our hand hammered zinc table tops.

A pine chimney cabinet in our distressed black finish.

A detail showing our hand rubbed and distressed finish.

The interior of the cabinet which like all of our designs can be customized to suit your needs.

Chimney cabinet in distressed gray.

Hand hammered copper framed mirror.

Detail of our copper patina.

An industrial influence in our zinc mirror.

-Larry Ruhl

 

 

By High Falls Mercantile | Posted in HFM Newsroom, Homepage Featured, Interior Design Events | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Just arrived at HFM: Spring ’12 Villa Romo fabric and wallpaper collection

March 14, 2012 – 8:15 AM

As you might recall, last week we told you about our upscale Romo fabric and wallpaper line. This week we’d like to introduce you to Villa Romo.

We like to think of Villa Romo as Romo‘s super stylish, versatile, thoroughly affordable counterpart. These fabrics are perfect for upholstery items that need a lot of yardage. Think: custom sofas, club chairs, oversized upholstered headboards and window coverings.

Needless to say, the new collection of wallpaper and fabric has arrived at HFM recently – and we’re in love!

While there is an entire selection of patterns and florals, we’ve taken a shine to all the new stripes that Villa Romo is offering. They have High Falls Mercantile written all over them, don’t you think?

The patterns are updated and colorful, yet comfortable, relaxed and easy to live with. We can’t wait to feature them on new upholstered pieces for our shop at home and interior design clients in the months to come.

As a matter of fact, I recently selected Villa Romo’s Tiku pattern in onyx and dijon for our laundry room. Goodness knows, I spend enough time doing the wash that it ought to be as pretty as a jewel box in there!

Click here to read a bit more about my personal laundry room and kitchen pantry design.

 

By ABCD Design | Posted in Homepage Featured, Inside High Falls Mercantile, Interior Decorating & Design | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (4)

Just arrived at HFM: Spring ’12 ROMO fabric and wallpaper collection

March 7, 2012 – 3:03 PM

Romo has been our favorite luxury go-to wallpaper and fabric line here at High Falls Mercantile for quite some time. We like to source their upscale fabrics for custom upholstery, pillows and window treatments.

As a matter of fact, we often feature Romo wallpaper on the feature wall to the right of our cash register here at High Falls Mercantile. Please feel free to stop by to see our seasonal wall covering change!

We’re delighted to announce that the new Romo collection has arrived in the shop and it doesn’t disappoint!

Romo describes their new line best “A vibrant collection of contemporary prints inspired by the Royal Botanical Gardens of Europe where architectural structures are seen juxtaposed with exotic florals in a mix of tropical colour and cool, citrus shades. Featuring over-sized ferns and rambling floral trails together with bold geometrics and a trellis design that convey the imperial style glasshouses in which these magnificent flowers are housed.”

Personally, I have always loved to combine traditional pieces with clean lines from today to create an updated, comfortable home decor scheme that is modern yet eclectic enough that you can’t pin point exactly when a space was decorated. This line would be perfect for an updated country house and just as fitting for an urban apartment interior design scheme.

As a matter of fact, I recently sourced a gorgeous plaid for our master bedroom in the hills of Litchfield, Connecticut and a few bold graphics from the line on scatter pillows for one of my New York City interior design projects!

- ABCD Design

By ABCD Design | Posted in Homepage Featured, Inside High Falls Mercantile, Interior Decorating & Design | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (1)

ABCD Designs for High Falls Mercantile: A Perfect Pair

March 5, 2012 – 12:03 PM

2011 was an incredible year for me both personally and professionally.  Hands down, the highlight of the year was reconnecting with Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo. Thanks to Cait and Twitter, Amy and I shared a wonderful reunion back in October. You can read the story of our reunion here.

After a long lunch at the Gramercy Tavern, one of the places we dined together over 10 years ago, we started traipsing about the city with Amy taking me to her favorite showrooms. I quickly realized that we were kindred spirits on so many levels, including design.

I am thrilled to tell you that Amy has joined our forces here at HFM. In addition to bringing her incredible eye to our product mix, Amy will also be taking over our shop at home and interior design services. A true collaboration at its best.

This is so exciting to me as it will now allow me to focus on new areas of our business including our furniture line debut at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show in just a few weeks.

Early in December ABCD Design and HFM joined forces in NYC. Click here to read the story.

I encourage you to spend some time on Amy’s blogsite, ABCD Design to see why we are so excited to work together. Amy will also be blogging for us on a regular basis which is certain to bring a fresh perspective to the products we carry at HFM.

You can contact Amy at abcd@highfallsmercantile.com and follow her @ABCDdesigns.

As always, keep in touch and stay tuned for all that Amy, Jeff, Cait, and I have in store for you.

 

 

By Larry Ruhl | Posted in Homepage Featured, Inside High Falls Mercantile, Interior Decorating & Design, Interior Design Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (3)

A Classic Pouf at High Falls Mercantile

February 24, 2012 – 4:05 PM

Call it a Pouf, a cube, an ottoman. We just call it perfect. These wool poufs are ideal as extra seating or a place to put your feet up. The designs and colors are great in any home decor style and add versatility to any space. Available in three patterns, they have already become a High Falls Mercantile classic.

Available in Three Designs

Dark Brown Pouf with Natural Binding

Fabric Detail

Versatile Patterns

Simple and Classic Design

Pattern and Color Detail

By Larry Ruhl | Posted in Home Entertaining, Homepage Featured, Interior Decorating & Design | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Country Living Magazine Features High Falls Mercantile

February 13, 2012 – 3:10 PM

Larry Ruhl, for High Falls Mercantile, is featured in the March 2012 issue of Country Living Magazine. Larry was one of seven dealers from the Country Living Fair selected to share his prediction on the next big collection.

"With the growing respect for American farmers comes an appreciation for the tools they used."

You can find the full feature on page 46 in the March 2012 issue of Country Living Magazine.

By High Falls Mercantile | Posted in HFM Newsroom, Homepage Featured, Interior Decorating & Design | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)