Super Luxe Sundays

As mentioned before, the Restless Sybarite is all about looking for luxury and pleasure. I never tire of looking for luxury, and decided as this blog evolves I'll feature a weekly piece on the search for the Super Luxe--things that folks with a bigger budget and a penchant for the high-end can enjoy. It's way too early in the game to begin hardcore endorsements, but I like to pass on things that strike my fancy.

Because of my upcoming move, I have furniture on the brain. From the outset, let me state quite clearly that the Restless Sybarite's current living situation is at the opposite end of Super Luxe. Currently ensconced in a garage apartment in the hood on the south side of St. Petersburg, surrounded by an aethestic that's best described as craigslist/Goodwill chic, I have relegated myself to a hand-me-down, Spartan existence after a year and a half of life on the road. As a result of selling a house, moving four times and feeling the need to purge the excess stuff in life before heading out on my last adventure I landed in a space with little more than the basics...and I mean basics...

Having said that, this week will see additional paring down as I'm heading to New Orleans with little more than a dance belt and a tube of Chapstick a la Corky St. Clair. My highly anticipated arrival in the Crescent City will involve a couple of weeks with a dear friend while I look for work and a new abode, and I am loathe to drag a bunch of mismatched, flimsy crap with me. So once again, I have limitless options for setting up house once I'm on sure footing.

Which brings us to today's topic: furniture. I am the first to admit the design gene passed me over, but fortunately I have good friends with a great eye and the ability to tell me that I'm foolish in some of my choices. My tastes run more to the traditional and practical, rather than modern and experimental. I want sturdy pieces that look great while offering excellent functionality. Reviewing some of the high-end furniture designers' web sites today makes me feel that I could cobble together an interesting, practical, luxuriously appointed space once the coinage again begins to flow. So let's go!

There are three manufacturers that caught my eye: Henkel Harris, Henredon, and Bernhardt. Just like me, these companies come from humble beginnings in Virginia and North Carolina, and have continued through the generations to provide quality pieces.

Henkel Harris is based in Winchester, VA and bills itself as "Just Possibly, America's Finest Furniture". There are lovely pieces for the dining room and bedroom, as well as occasional pieces, like this bar that caught my eye:

Henredon is an outfit in Morganton, NC and offers gorgeous things by Collection, by Category or by Room. I really like this bed:




Bernhardt started in Lenoir, NC and has a bit more to offer on their site, including upholstery and collections that have been branded with folks outside the company, like Martha Stewart (of course, what doesn't she have her name on these days?). I never seem to have a decent sofa, but this one caught my eye:



Each of these sites allow you to search for a retailer in your area, so dig around on their sites then head out to see what your local vendor has in the showroom. If the pieces are out of your budget there are lovely alternatives, but that's discussion for a different day. While we may not reside in the realm of the Super Luxe at the moment, it never hurts to dream...

By the way, anyone need a futon?