From around the world of design, the MILIEU INSIDER features stories, events, gift guides, and book reviews, exclusively for our online readers
Thirza Collection
With the mission of inspiring their clients through art, design, and craftsmanship, McKinnon & Harris is known for its timeless, yet enduring bench-built outdoor furniture. Founded over 30 years ago by Virginia-based siblings Will and Ann Massie, the family-owned company has always recognized the importance of furnishing outdoor spaces as an extension of one’s home.
A Whale’s Tale of Mary Maguire
Nestled all snug in her 19th-century waterfront studio in Hadlyme, Connecticut, overlooking the serendipitously named Whalebone Cove, artist Mary Maguire paints visions of birds, boats, and sea creatures that dance in her head. One might only dream of such a charming New England scene, but of course this is no fish tale.
Conversations with Mili
As an interior designer, I am on a constant search for unique products and interesting artisans to introduce into my projects. When I discovered KUFRI textiles hand-woven fabrics and pillows by Mili Suleman, I was immediately impressed by its craftsmanship and ethos.
Recipe for Success
The new Pret-a-Porter program and range colors from L’Atelier Paris will make your kitchen a feast for the eyes. What used to happen every season in Paris ready-to-wear fashion, is now happening in your own kitchen.
Preserving Beauty: Anne Blackwell’s Bountiful Botanical Adventure
Every cloud has a silver lining, and for Virginia botanical artist Anne Blackwell Thompson, it just happened to be growing beyond the garden gate.
The Palette of Wayne Pate
One of the joys of being an editor is to learn about what is in the hearts and minds of creative people. And one person I have been very intrigued by is artist Wayne Pate.
Unloading with Tara Shaw
For several years, beginning in the late 90s, designers lucky enough to be in the New Orleans and Houston areas would mark their calendars for Tara Shaw’s new shipment dates. Shannon Bowers, MILIEU Editor-at-Large, catches up here with Tara just as she is unloading a new shipment.
Furlow’s Folly
In fond memory of Furlow Gatewood (August 28, 1921 - October 29, 2022), we wanted to share this story about Furlow's new collection, Furlow's Folly, with his dear friend John Rosselli, published in the Winter 2020 issue of MILIEU. Even at the young age of 98, he never stopped designing beautiful pieces for the home. "Furlow Gatewood: Always loved. Never Forgotten. Thank you." - Leslie Newsom Rascoe, MILIEU Design Director, and producer of "Furlow's Folly" for MILIEU
Breathing Room: The World of Pierre Bergian
Hovering between dream state and reality is the ethereal world of Belgian artist Pierre Bergian. As a child growing up in Bruges and Ghent, Bergian was a curious sort. Intrigued by the old abandoned buildings he encountered along the waterways of the Low Country, he developed a fascination with interior spaces and architecture that would influence the course of his life.
Meet Alice Sergeant
MILIEU had the pleasure of visiting with the noted and prolific textile designer Alice Sergeant. Her new fabric and wallpaper lines reflect her heritage, her world travels, her love of all things French, and her background in fashion. Not only are we excited to share with you Alice’s collection, but also our conversation about her creative process and what inspires her designs.
Flower Child
Ethereal. Preternatural. Otherworldly. These are adjectives that blossom forth when first encountering botanical sculptor Tiffanie Turner’s exquisitely crafted, often larger than life, paper flowers.
Dream Gardeners
Renowned landscape architects make their living wrestling with this very dilemma: controlling the uncontrollable. However, it is in their attempt to harness nature that true magic ensues. Meet Miguel Urquijo and Renate Kastner of Urquijo-Kastner Landscape and Garden Design Studio.
Travel with MILIEU
Every edition of MILIEU takes our readers to destinations around the world with travel stories that are visually stunning, offer unique experiences, and make lasting impressions
Trimmed and True
Samuel & Sons has been making fine trims for more than tree-quarters of a century. While the family firm proudly acknowledges its long legacy and its anthology of patterns, it also continues to move forward with new products.
Your Round Top Short List on the MILIEU Insider
The Round Top Antiques Fair can feel a bit overwhelming to plan with so many sites and vendors worth visiting. MILIEU’s editors did some advance shopping for you this season. We honed in on four of our favorite Fall fair destinations— places where you will find ideas, inspiration, and lots of shopping opportunities.
The Roles Rugs Play
In an exclusive interview with Sarah Tringhese of Matt Camron Rugs and Tapestries, Sarah conveys the new methods and current ideas she is seeing while working with designers.
All About April Openings
Home and garden storefronts and showrooms have been busy expanding this Spring with renovations, moves, and the opening of new locations. The MILIEU editors have the story on 8 new or transformed décor destinations to visit from the Grea Lakes to Florida's Atlantic coast.
Showhouse 2020
MILIEU Magazine is thrilled to announce its first-ever designer showhouse to benefit Clayton Dabney for Kids with Cancer. When all of the rooms were finished and the door was open for the 2020 MILIEU Designer Showhouse, we were thrilled to reveal the phenomenal work by our distinguished ensemble of designers.
A Gusto Garden
Your table will look its best, year-round, when adorned with Casa Gusto's new, all-white tole flowers. The neutral palette works in any setting at any time of year. These flowers are always in bloom.
Doing the Charleston
The owner of GDC Home shares his family's history in the dry goods business dating back to 1781, as well as a glimpse into his enterprise today.
Through The Gate
Shannon Bowers sits down with Rozanne for some shop talk revealing whats behind the welcoming spirit of The Iron Gate and how it endures with time.
Home Sweet Home
Growing their business from a ten-foot-square antiques booth to a 16,000-square-foot design destination, the proprietors of Back Row Home reflect on friendship, travels, and becoming Houston's one-stop-shop for European finds and modern necessities.
Well Cooked
Kitchen specialist L'Atelier Paris opens its flagship West Coast location in West Hollywood, bringing the brand's handcrafted kitchens to the California design community for the first time
If These Walls Could Talk
Artist and designer Paul Montgomery shares news of his exciting new endeavor, The Mural Source, with MILIEUs Style and Market Editor, Lucy Bamman.
Old School at Old Plank
Shannon Bowers, MILIEUs Editor-at-Large, who has long loved antiques and works with them regularly in her own interior design projects, wanted to hear from one of the best sources in America, Old Plank Antiques, about the business.
Unrivaled Revival
REVIVAL and REVIVAL Interiors attracts artists, designers, and architects, and beauty-lovers alike. Celebrating the coveted, collected, unusual and extraordinary, let's discover what makes REVIVAL the design destination of the 21st century.
In Bloom
Textile and furniture designer Kerry Joyce proves that maxim, notably with his latest Woodlands and Ground Cover Botanicals collection. MILIEU’s Style and Market Editor, Lucy Bamman, was determined to meet with Kerry to learn more about what inspired him.
The World of ROBUCK
Kristen Walls and Shane Robuck of ROBUCK are purveyors in every sense of the word. They not only seek and find the most exceptional antiques from around the world, they are experts in their field. ROBUCK strives to preserve the story behind every piece they sell.
The Master Builder
Glen Oxford has been designing some of America’s most original and coveted houses for decades. MILIEU’s Editor-at-Large, Shannon Bowers, spoke to him at his Nashville office about architecture and why it matters to him—and to all of us.
The Perfect Surface
Handcrafted concrete paver company, Peacock Pavers, launches three new exciting shapes, expanding designer's customization opportunities. MILIEU Market and Style Editor, Lucy Bamman, gives you a first peek.
Taking The Floor
MILIEU's Editor at Large, Shannon Bowers, met with Carol Piper, founder of Houston's Carol Piper Rugs, to learn how she got started in the business and why she continues to inspire the design community as a whole
Finding Leather Land
Imagine a room with a sea of swatches of velvety suedes and supple hides in every color of the rainbow. Is it just a designer’s pipe dream? You might think so, but Dan Cahoon made that dream a reality when he started Jerry Pair Leather.
The Talented Mr. & Mrs. Bungalow
Meet Mr. & Mrs. Bungalow, aka Randy and Courtney Tilinksi, the dynamic couple behind BUNGALOW CLASSIC where furniture, antiques, lighting, and fine art converge under one chic roof.
Turning On The Lights
MILIEU's Style and Market Editor, Lucy Bamman, met with Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights to hear a compelling tale of its founding—and its enduring legacy
It’s Time For Marburger and Round Top
One of the highlights of the fall season is the Marburger Farm Antique Show and Round Top. MILIEU's Editor-at-Large, Shannon Bowers, spoke to Ashley Ferguson, CEO, to find out more about Marburger and what to expect this October.
Into the Kitchen with Downsview
MILIEU's Design Director, Leslie Newsom Rascoe, had the pleasure of chatting with Gianni Casiraghi about kitchen design, artistry, and what’s on the horizon for this thriving sector of interior design.
Family Matters
One of Houston's "go-to" destinations for upholstered furnishings, as well as design ideas for everything in your home, is Lam Bespoke owned by husband-wife, Cathy and Patrick Lam. MILIEU's Editor-at-Large, Shannon Bowers, spoke with co-owner, Cathy Lam, to find out more about their business ethos.
Pillow Talk With Jenny Johnson Allen
Purveyor of textiles for the table, bath and bedroom, Jenny Johnson Allen's eye for beauty and pursuit of comfort is unmatched. Let's pull back the covers and pillow talk with Jenny!
The Enduring Allure of Swedish Design
To find out more about one of our favorite decorative genres, Swedish antiques and more recent period pieces, MILIEU's Editor-at-Large, Shannon Bowers, spoke to one of the most informed experts on the topic—Bill Gardner, owner of his namesake W. Gardner Ltd.
The Best in Summertime Lounging
Curate your outdoor dream space with one of Teak Warehouse's classic or contemporary sun loungers. MILIEU Style and Market Editor, Lucy Bamman, will help you choose the best piece for your lifestyle so that you may simply sit back and relax.
J. Tribble Collection: Making a Masterpiece
Leslie Newsom Rascoe, MILIEU's Design Director, sat down with John and Rebecca of J. Tribble Collection to chat about antiques, craftsmanship and custom cabinetry for the modern family.
A NEW LOOK AT ANTIQUES
A visit to London's Julia Boston Antiques is as much a shopping expedition as it is a joyful experience of the past