The end of an era, sure, but not without the beginning of a positive new epoch. As we gear up for Spruce’s 4th Anniversary party in just a couple weeks, we say goodbye to our previous space and reminisce on times past. Events that took place DIRECTLY NEXT DOOR! Hilarious! We didn’t move to Cleveland people!

But seriously, Spruce has come a long way since its inception, with awesome, creative, great customers, excellent team members, supportive and positive press, sometimes daunting and seemingly insurmountable projects (but we always prevail!), “beer:30″ ‘s, three anniversary parties (darn it! in this economy!!), and my favorite, a stimulating cast of rich and varying rotating characters that attend our DIY classes. I want to thank you all personally for entertaining me and employing us for the last year and years past. Love ya’s! THANK YOU!

Enjoy a family slide show of Spruce moments past and present. Also, please see the previous post for our anniversary party details – truly one and all are invited and welcome. Don’t be shy; hope to see you there.

Spruce says 'buh-bye' to 6607 N. Lamar

Humble beginnings: a shot from Spruce's first party. You've come a long way, baby!

Spruce year one party guests.

Early 'fabric library'. My how times have changed. These days we cannot contain our collection!

The old showroom.

The old workroom - it served well, but I won't miss it!!!

Thank you friends, family, Austin, USA, and planet Earth for supporting Spruce!!!!

My first interaction with Herman Miller was about two and a half years ago when Lizzie and I upholstered a pair of modular chairs we found at Room Service Vintage for our retail store. The tags were marked Herman Miller, and what began as 1980s blue office tweed turned into a pair of comfy and modern clean and cream chairs.

They now live in San Antonio; however, I haven’t forgotten Herman and thought you may like to be introduced if you haven’t been already. I always thought Herman was a prolific Mid Century designer. He was actually the wealthy father-in-law of D.J. De Pree, President of Michigan Star Furniture Company in Zeeland, MI who was convinced by D.J. to buy out the majority of his company which would be named Herman Miller Furniture Company. D.J., who had supported his business by reproducing traditional furniture that was in demand at the time, took a leap of faith and started producing modern furniture with the help of Gilbert Rohde in the 1930s.

By the 1940s, Herman Miller Furniture Company was producing office furniture, partnering with George Nelson and producing molded plywood and fiberglass pieces designed by Ray and Charles Eames. Today, the company is one of the top producers and designers of commercial furniture.

Check out the Herman Miller website here to learn more.

On another note…I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to show you our latest retail items hot off the press — modular furniture, of course! We found this sweet quartet in Brady and knew they would be the perfect living room addition. Although we love 70s brown Naugahyde (just kidding), we decided to give them a little update with a navy Robert Allen trellis and bright orange piping. Just the right amount of pizazz to add some personality to your space. Click here to go to our online store.

Ruhlmann Cabinet Detail

As you may already know, I have a slight infatuation with Art Deco furniture.  I love the use of luxurious materials and bold, curvy lines combined with the finest decorative details.

The Art Deco Movement (1919-1940) originated in France. After World War I, America, filled with a sense of liberation, favored the style’s use of luxury materials and sensibility for whimsical and organic forms. Wedged in between the Art Nouveau and Modernism movements, two categories of the Art Deco style emerged, one taking a more traditional approach, leaning towards feminine lines and naturalistic decoration, the other with more modern, geometric lines referencing the technology and architecture of the twenties and thirties.

It was interesting to me after researching the characteristics of Traditional Art Deco, that all of the materials so commonly used in this style are the ones I consistently gravitate towards: sumptuous leathers, exotic woods such as burr walnut, and ivory. I also happen to love inlaid wood, another detail characteristic of Traditional Art Deco. Sadly, my current selection of  Art Deco furniture is pretty limited. Here are a few things I’m drooling over:

Edgar Brandt Metal Work

Ruhlmann Chaise

Ruhlmann Cabinet Detail

Love the wood grain!

Something that I have loved to see have a resurgence in popular design is the use of a silhouette. I remember going to Disney World as a girl and getting a custom silhouette made and framed. My sister and I thought they were the neatest thing, and loved that even our eyelashes were cut out! Talk about some detail, and as an adult I wish my eye lashes were as long as they were shown in the cut-out (girls you know what I’m talking about). Well that was a LONG time ago, and in the last few years, I have often seen this older form of capturing people used throughout new design.

A little history behind the silhouette cutting is that it originated in the early 1700s in Europe. Silhouette cutters were hired to amuse the royal class. They would come to balls and galas and cut out distinguished guests showing off the latest fashions and elaborate wigs of the time. The name “Silhouette” comes from the Finance Minister of France at the time, Etienne de Silhouette, who taxed the French people mercilessly. It was said that he was more amused by the paper cut-outs than the welfare of the people. So the name Silhouette stuck. Who knew?!

Not only are silhouettes being used in the traditional sense, but they are now incorporated into other areas of design. Some of the most unique fabrics and wallpapers I have seen lately have used the silhouette in a playful way. Osborne and Little puts a great spin on this with their wallpapers including people and dogs! Not only have fabric manufacturers added this to their  offerings, but artists and designers have as well. Below are a few fantastic examples of today’s new use of the silhouette.

There are also some great DIY projects showing you how to create silhouettes of your family, friends and pets. I even did one for my family two Christmases ago. You know we are some serious dog lovers here, so I wouldn’t be surprised if some day you see a few cut-outs of Pixie and Gumbo! It only seems fitting, since they are Spruce royalty .

In exciting similar news, Austin Tidbits will be mentioning next Tuesday (the 29th) our own version of the silhouette, the Willie Pillow! If you purchase a Willie Pillow between June 29th and July 15th, mention the Tidbits listing to receive a discounted rate of $65. Check it out!

Just this past weekend, the Sprucettes taught their last class of the season (stay tuned for Keegan’s next before and after blog for the photos). Since we moved our classes to our back workshop, we’ve had to take a hiatus from the end of May through September to avoid the sweltering heat. I’m not sure if you know, but we like to sweat it out during the summer in our un-airconditioned workshop.

We often are asked, “How did you learn to do this?” Although we spent most of a year painstakingly working out the details of our projects, our core training came from the upholstery instructors at Austin Community College, Mike Gutierrez and Paulette Defoe. In the Fall of 2007, Lizzie and I spent a considerable amount of time taking night classes with Mike and Paulette and three other students eager to get their feet wet in upholstery.

I recently had the opportunity to interview Mike for an upcoming article Lizzie and I wrote for the Upholstery Journal. Since 1983, Mike has been an instructor, or “destructor” as he puts it. When he began, the certified upholstery program was a thorough 1400 hours, covering everything from basic sewing to furniture and automotive upholstery. The classes were taught at the old skill center downtown, which also happened to be the first Austin HEB location.

Mike at our old shop

In 1997, the school threatened to discontinue the classes, but students rebelled and saved the program. Shortly after, the 1400 program was reduced to forty hour classes as part of the Continuing Education Program. When a flood in 1999 condemned the building, the classes were moved to the ACC Riverside location where they reside today. Although limited in space, Mike and Paulette reach nearly sixty students every year with their three-class course offered in the Spring, Summer and Fall. They strive to keep upholstery alive through their instruction. As Austinites, we are lucky to have this course available in our area. Many of the programs have lost funding and very few survive throughout the United States.

Here are some fun photos of our ACC projects.

To find out more about ACC upholstery class offerings, click HERE. If you plan on registering, be the early bird! These classes fill up very quickly! Summer classes are now full, but check back for Fall offerings.

If you would like to be notified of upcoming classes at Spruce, please email us at design@spruceaustin.com to be added to our notification list.