Durene Phillips Designs

One year ago today…

stitzer — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:30:41 +0000

It’s hard to imagine with the weather today almost hitting the 70 degree mark in North Carolina, that just last year we were ankle deep in the fluffy white stuff!! That’s right–last year’s winter showed us a Christmas Eve snow (first ever!!), along with several others in January and February. And where do we stand right now? It has hardly dipped below freezing all winter, and people are outside in short sleeves enjoying the sun!! Are we complaining? Of course not!!! But here’s a quick look back of some winter shots from last year taken from Durene’s back deck. And even though the groundhog predicted 6 more weeks of winter this year…..I’m not sure that I believe it! Now get outside and enjoy this weather!

Before and After: Sunroom Update

stitzer — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:15:20 +0000

Take a look at one of our recent renovation jobs. This home is situated in a small town outside of Raleigh and has a beautiful view of the golf course. Our clients were wanting to update and “refresh” the space while still using the existing furniture, and incorporating new fabrics, colors and accents. Here are pictures of the space before:

And here is the space after!! Note the tranquil blues, creams and golds of the room and how well they blend with the existing furniture and windows!! Also, the sheer panels in the corners show off the large windows and view more than the large cornices that were there before. Beautiful!!

And now for a note from summer…

stitzer — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:13:59 +0000

Way back at the end of summer, Durene and her family took a trip to the beach to celebrate her birthday. While they were there, she stumbled across a wine bottle laying on the beach that had a tightly rolled up note inside. They carried the bottle home with them and celebrated her birthday by opening it on the patio at their house.

Inside the bottle was a note written by a family from Raleigh, North Carolina!! (Just a few miles down the road!!) They were celebrating a family reunion at the Outer Banks in 2006 and decided to pitch the bottle in the ocean to see if anyone ever found it. So although the bottle traveled just a few dozen miles over the course of 5 years, it ended up in the hands of another family from North Carolina! Take a look at our video as Durene’s husband explains how they found the bottle.

Message in a Bottle

Merry Christmas from Durene Phillips Designs!

stitzer — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:19:07 +0000

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the studio

Durene and Stacey were busy, about to lock up and go.

The gifts were all wrapped, the projects cleaned up

They were just settling back to enjoy a hot chocolate cup

When all of a sudden, at the back door came a sound

And appeared in an instant a jolly elf, cheeks so round.

He twinkled as he spoke, and gave a great chuckle

And laying his hand on his shiny belt buckle

Said “Your Christmas gift awaits, a surprise for you, dears

A discount on everything through the end of the year!

And with one final wink and a sprinkling of snow

He disappeared in the night with a distant “Ho, ho, ho!”

We looked at each other, jaws dropped in surprise

A discount on everything? We’ve got to tell you guys!

That’s right, dearest friends, through the end of the year

Get a fifteen percent discount on everything here!

Every order, every artwork, each sofa and chair

Every table and vase, each lamp, single or pair!

Let us know what you want and that piece we will find

Merry Christmas from your friends at Durene Phillips Designs!

Antique Furniture at the Grove Park Inn

stitzer — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:01:43 +0000

We recently enjoyed a weekend trip to the beautiful town of Asheville, North Carolina and had a chance to tour around the Grove Park Inn. The Inn is a historic hotel that was built in 1913 and continues to be a landmark for visitors all over the country. The Inn is perched on the side of a mountain overlooking Asheville and was constructed of granite boulders from the nearby mountains. It’s main room has 2 fourteen foot fireplaces that attract guests to the rocking chairs in front during the cold winters!! The Inn has housed famous guests from Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Thomas Edison and F. Scott Fitzgerald to Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama!

The Inn also has one of the largest private collections of antique American furniture in the country. These pieces are spread throughout the massive floors and make up much of the commonly used furniture in the space today. Many of the pieces were handbuilt on the property by the Woodworking shop specifically for use in the Grove Park, and bear the stamp of the Grove Park Inn. Great examples of Roycroft, Stickley, and other arts and crafts style furniture pieces can be seen throughout the property, some original and some reproductions. It is definitely worth a stroll around to see what you can spot!!

Still Made in America

stitzer — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 19:47:24 +0000

Well we are back from China!! After spending a month in Suzhou getting our new furniture showroom with Turnberry Interior Design Group up and running, we are glad to be back in the USA!

While we missed the High Point Market this year, we are staying updated on all the current trends, colors and styles! One thing we have seen is something we’ve been noticing for the last few years–the increase of American made furnishings. With the economy in its current state, many households are choosing to invest in fewer pieces that are higher quality and will last for a lifetime instead of having to be replaced in just a few years. And there is no better place to search out affordable high quality furniture pieces than North Carolina!

Although we are starting to export American furniture to the Asian market, don’t forget that we have access to hundreds of quality lines here in the States! We will be taking full advantage of the to-the-trade designer showrooms in High Point, so let us know if there is something specific you’re looking for–we may even be able to find a Market Sample you can get at a discounted price!!

We are Moving!!

stitzer — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 13:57:48 +0000

That’s right–many of you know that Durene Phillips Designs has been working on a project in China for the last year. We are very close to kicking it off next month, and are making a few changes here in the States, as well! We will be moving the bulk of our showroom to Suzhou, China starting in October. But don’t worry–Durene Phillips Designs will still have a satellite office here in Raleigh, and we are still open for business!! Our new office will be by appointment only, and we are still here to help you with your design needs! You can reach us, as always, at 919-845-4456, or Durene on her cell at 919-522-1198. All mail should go the our PO Box #98841, Raleigh, NC 27624. We look forward to hearing from you!!

A little kitty love…

stitzer — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:46:33 +0000

Here is your gratuitous cat picture of the day….These are 2 of Durene’s furry babies–LC (in gray) and Scrappy. Just enjoying each other’s company curled up on the sofa!! If that doesn’t make you go, “Awwwww!” Durene has another furry friend at home, too–stay tuned for more pictures!

Calling all Baby Boomers……

stitzer — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 19:45:12 +0000

With much of our population reaching retirement age, there is a new trend developing in housing: Downsizing. With no more children underfoot, many baby-boomers are already retired (or getting very close) and spending more time traveling and pursuing leisurely activities. Who wants a large house to take care of? Some may even be preparing to move into a ‘retirement community’–often condo-style buildings with 1 or 2 bedroom floorplans to choose from.

A big question facing many of these folks–even just downsizing to a smaller house–is the question of “What do I keep, and what do I get rid of?” This is where Durene Phillips Designs comes in!! I bet most of you didn’t realize that we also specialize in helping people with relocation services!! We can come in, help decide which furniture will work in the new space and which furniture won’t. We also will help on moving day to arrange all the pieces, help hang artwork, and place all accessories!! This can save you a lot of time and energy trying to figure out which pieces will work in a space.

Let us know if this is something you would like help with!

Newest Kitchen Makeover!

stitzer — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 14:31:30 +0000

If you’ve been on our sister site, www.turnberryinteriordesigngroup.com you’ve already seen the fantastic Master Bedroom re-do we just completed for a lovely couple in Henderson. Here, you can see the before and after pictures of their beautiful kitchen. The kitchen already had wonderful granite countertops and cabinetry, but needed a little updating. We added a smoked glass backsplash, fabulous blue and bronze wallcovering, and all new light fixtures. We also updated the window treatments on the french doors, and the accessories on the wall. It really is now a beautiful elegant kitchen!!