I am pickin’ up what Stephen Burks is layin’ down! Man oh man! As I peeled through the current Elle Decor, this wonderful designer’s look and work certainly caught my eye. I’ll add that I am quite late on being privy to his contributions- he has been making waves in industrial and hand-made design for some time now. Little did I know the things that I have been loving have his stamp on it. A name to a product!

Here’s what I saw in Elle Decor - click the link to read the article. Featured are some of Burks’s stools made in collaboration with the Italian fabric company Dedar. There they are below – brilliant, hand-made with lovely texture, looking strong and lasting for years. I covet these stools. These treasures consist of rope, fabric trimmings, and rubber.

Mr. Burks has founded readymade projects inc., making this company his creative hub for designs in retail interiors, events, packaging design, lighting, furniture, home accessories – it seems there’s nothing he can’t tackle. Please visit his site. He’s collaborated with everyone, so naturally you may be familiar! Below are some of my other favorites from Stephen Burks (via plenty of designers and collaborations – I will do my best to footnote!)

I hope you’ll follow the rabbit trail on the web to all points leading to Stephen Burks. You will find that he is everywhere in design. He is truly one to watch as he is prolific in his small amount of years. I am stimulated! Mr. Burks – I admire and salute you – will be watching you moving forward. Thank you for your illumination in design! Love it!

 

 

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In this episode of “Before and Afters,” Spruce brings you some pointedly unique creations. We have had a slew of client-designed furniture that speak to the designer/clients’ personal vision and individuality. We applaud you! If you’re going to spend the money on a project, why not do it big and bold and fearless as these brave hearts have done? Eyeball feast ensues…!

I will announce simultaneously this first piece of furniture with the coming of a new life in the family. Our fearless leader Amanda has a twin sister that is delivering her first baby in coming months! Yaaaay!!!! (Congratulations Jennifer and Justin – you can do it! Amanda becomes an auntie!) Check out this rocker, a gift from Amanda to sis that was rehabbed to FAB!

The next is so cute. A couple came in to design this chair several times, selecting the perfect vintage sari to work around. Pink velvet and yellow chenille to complement. Here’s the before:

Okay next, next, next….this one’s close to my heart. Tell you why in a minute. The client brought in a perfectly clean and lovely chair that obviously needed some pizzazz.

Get a load of this! (I love this: it reminds me of fun beach living in one of my favorite silly places on earth – Florida! This is not for everyone – but I LOVE it! Ms. J – I will come looking for this chair someday!)

Be so endeared by what’s next. It’s a sweet, spicy Valentine’s Day present. (Nice job to you gentleman for thinking ahead! We hope you’ve delivered ’cause here comes the reveal!)

Finally there is only an after as we share a custom creation for an Austin iconic businessman. This was designed by the client and created from scratch. With much work and button-tufting we finished this 170-plus-inch lovely headboard in stark white vinyl. CHIIIIC.

We hope this encourages you to say to yourself, “that idea for my sofa wasn’t so unattainable!” If you can design it, we can do it! Trust yourself, and trust us to deliver. Happy Valentines Day lovers!

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We at Spruce are gonna try our ‘darndest’ each month to bring you, lovely readers, a new or hip or funky-fresh-fun fabric/fabric line to whet your tactile textile appetite! In this post I bring you Hable Construction! If you’re unfamiliar with this company get friendly by visiting their site (click the link above, please.) Hable Construction has teamed with one of the heavy hitters in the textile biz, S.Harris, to introduce a line of textiles suitable for home and hospitality. We just received a stack of samples here in the showroom that you’re gonna love!

*Featured  top to bottom is: “Wailea” in color Sorbet; “Makena” in Confetti; “Volcano” in Coral Reef.

Hable’s collection is clearly inspired by a Hawaiian island trip and Polynesian dreams, having names like “Volcano”, “Wailea”, “Hilo”, and “Kahala”, among others.  While some of these fabrics are overtly referential in pattern or name, many would work beautifully in a mid-century modern  interior, an Asian inspired room, kid’s bedroom or playroom, you name it! You’re not required to have a Tiki bar to use ‘em. (Or if you do, cheers – these fabrics are for you!) The big bonus is that they are high-traffic prepared – i.e. DURABLE! Wear it well!

Hable Construction (home-site proper) also has a well curated retail department that offers finished goods such as bags, hats, aprons, dopp kits, garden gloves, etc. If you need a little Hable fix, you can just grab and go online – no need to make something from scratch yourself!

*Featured from top to bottom: “Pololu Valley” in Volcano; “Hilo” in Umber; “Hawaiian Palm” in Coffee; “Akara Falls” in Umber.

I pressure you to come into the shop to see these and other fabrics in person, and I can’t stress to you enough how much more impressive a fabric is when you have it in your hand and on your eyeballs. See ya’ll soon at Spruce!!! Get yourself to the shop!

 

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This tip is appropriate for Austin-area residents and non-Austinites alike. Our “old faithful” upholstery materials supplier has been bringing provisions to us for 4 years plus and has locations in Austin and San Antonio. They also have an online catalog presence for your DIY needs. How do we love “Capital”? Let us count the ways!

Capital City Upholstery Supply runs like clockwork. If we order our supplies by 8:30 am, our materials are delivered to the shop by 9:30am/10:00am latest. For a  full-tilt shop this service is key and vital to our functionality. We rely on and appreciate their punctuality! We enjoy the option of ordering supplies a second time during the day, allowing us to have supplies delivered sometime in the early afternoon. They are truly there for us all day, every day.

If you have ever taken any of our classes and think, “how can I repeat this in my home space/garage/kitchen, etc.?” I highly recommend getting supplies from them for your home projects. Simply call them at 512.326.9968, order, and pick up your goods! They have everything: foam for seat and back, dacron (batting), cotton sheeting, tools, staple guns, tacks, staples, materials for automotive upholstery, leather, vinyl… I urge you find your materials here. They really do have everything you’ll need. If you have any questions, call us or Capital City Upholstery Supply for inquiries. Additionally, we at Spruce are happy to be a receiver or a “go-between” for your goods!

“Capital” offers leather in a gazillion colors, vinyl in even more colors, some canvas, as well as auto supplies for those of you who are brave enough to tackle a vehicle.

Another practical plus…if you plan to take on building new cushions, re-padding your dining chairs, creating a window seat cushion, etc., you’ll need different sizes and densities of foam. Have no fear, “Capital” can provide any amount and density or thickness that you desire (even down to 1/2 inch thick foam – they’ll slice it for you!!!!!) Check out their high-tech foam cutting apparatus below!

Get it together here ya’ll! Just to re-inforce the recommendation, there are some lovely, professional gentlemen who run the joint (Randy, Carlos, Dustin – you know who you are!) They are endlessly patient and helpful, and keep the place more clean and more organized than any other supply warehouse I’ve seen in my days. “Capital”, YOU’RE THE JAM!

Click the text to visit Capital City Upholstery Supply‘s website. Catalog, contact info, hours of operation, and location are contained within. Don’t be afraid to call us if you need any ordering advice! We’ll be happy to help!

 

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Happy Holidays one and all! We have not been holding out our spectacular makeovers from you on purpose, we’ve just been BIZ-ZAY! We know you have been too! It’s long overdue for us to share with you another round of successful makeovers – they happen daily! Check out some of our recent favorites below…

First in line in before-and-after heaven is a piece found down the block at Corner Collector’s Market. Needs some serious TLC. Just a dirty little thing.

For the makeover, this chair gets a black gloss lacquer and an equally rich black velvet to match (Duralee‘s solid velvet in onyx). This is a retail piece still available for sale in our showroom. Versatile, rich, a generous seat. Will work with any interior!

Another retail piece we’ve madeover is this number. An armchair old, full of dirt, and originally had a cane back. We found the caning underneath when we stripped it!

We reupholstered in a large scale houndstooth chenille and plain weave (Duralee‘s houndstooth pattern number is hyperlinked for your convenience.) Visually striking while keeping it neutral. Comes in a black and cream and red and cream as well!

This next job was for a client – possibly one of the most fun moms ever! She had this killer kids recliner upholstered in a graphic cut velvet that she picked up at the infamous Mood fabric retailer (I’ve hyperlinked to the fabric itself – comes in 5 colors!) Check it out!

Wow! Adorable, hilarious.

We reupholstered a trio of chairs that are now the epitome of opulence and glamour. See below the two wooden side chairs and arm chair using a hand-printed Galbraith and Paul fabric. (Again, hyperlink is to fabric page; “ovals” on pewter velvet, color berry. Plain pewter velvet used for the insides on  armchair.) Absolutely beautiful.

We worked out a fabulous large ottoman with a cool design. The customer supplied us with an amazing embroidered Madeline Weinrib suzani (called “Pink Sommers”), and we filled in with a white and black canvas. Drab to Fab!

Lastly, we created a custom headboard based on one our client saw out and about. No before – because we made it from scratch!

The client chose this romantic large-scale Quadrille printed cotton (print “Henriot”, color Lilacs on ecru.) Just beautiful.

As always, if you have a hankering for a makeover or a fabrication – give us a call. We can do it 99% of the time (we’ve even upholstered a bathtub!). If you’re lost for ideas, Spruce will be happy to help you with inspiration and direction.

Happy Holidays again! Be safe and well! We’ll see you after Christmas!

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