Thursday, December 15, 2011

Serene Beach Modern...in progress!

Just hung this gorgeous commissioned art piece today by Candice Sone for design project in progress...Serene Beach Modern.  Candice is a Retropolitan resident artist.  Her pieces are bold and colorful, thoughtful and intriguing.  You can always find her work at the store, and of course, if you need something specific, her commissioned pieces are to die for (as you can see)!


Wednesday, December 14, 2011

A night out with Retropolitan

A night out with Retropolitan...

It was our pleasure this past week to style up a lovely Gulch-view unit at The Icon.  We were invited, along with several other stores and design firms in town, to be featured in their resident open house called Inhabit.  Armed with a truck full of merchandise from the store, a trio of strapping lads with furniture dollies, and just a few hours' time, we answered that invitation with a little set-up called "Uptown Holiday Modern."  Hope you like it!      



Beautiful art from Tinney Contemporary served as the inspiration for our design.   The furniture and accessories were mostly neutral, but diverse, so symmetry was a great way to unify all the different styles and keep the overall design on the modern slant.




In working with neutrals like this, pattern and texture were an integral way to create dimension and interest without veering from the serene feel of the palette.
   


Keeping accessories pared down, well chosen and bold made them really show up.  They told the story of the people who live there...

  

...they created intrigue and invited conversation... 



...they expressed personality, value and artistic taste.








It was a festive night at The Icon, complete with wine, hors' deuvres, and inspiring design.  Thanks to Bristol Development for including our little store and design team in this lovely event.  Retropolitan and The Icon...a lovely, holiday pairing we think!  

- Amy 

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Pantone's Color Of 2012 Is.....

It's out! Pantone's Color Of 2012 is..........

Tangerine Tango!


Head on over to Apartment Therapy for their take on it...


It's such a bright, uplifting color.  And it can be used many different ways.  From a full wall as shown in the above photo, to just a few orange accents thrown in a room.

Below are a few inspiration photos from our Pinterest page...what do you think? Will you incorporate tangerine tango into your home decor?





































Vibrant, right?   Are you as excited as I am to start decorating?!  Well don't fret - We have a few pieces in the store to get you started...


Cheers to Tangerine Tango!
-Kate

Monday, December 5, 2011

Seasonal Accessories...

I love when cheery holiday decorations start showing up in shops and houses.
Here's a peak at some of ours!


Santa's Little Helpers!

Happy Little Snow People

Look at these plump little penguins!! Adorable.

Love Birds Salt n' Pepper Shakers. Great gift for newly weds :)

Bundled Up Birdies!! What cuties!


Sending an out of town gift?? No Problem! 
We'll wrap it up nice and pretty and ship it for you!


Stop by and see us! We'd love to help you find something fun and unique for that certain someone! 
Happy Holidays!





Saturday, November 12, 2011

Retropolitan at the CMA's!!

I would first like to correct Entertainment Weekly on their recent CMA review:

"The crowd gave her [Taylor Swift] a standing ovation for her lovely, simple rendition of “Ours,” which I believe was set in an Anthropologie window."

Um, try Retropolitan window.

As the lights went up on Taylor's performance, I couldn't help being distracted by 
an all too familiar blue lamp. 
And a white straw rug. 
And a sandy pedestal table. 
And a silver wire spokes tables. 
And a cherry blossom globe lamp. 
And...

You get the picture.


"The singer also performed her new song ‘Ours,’ doing so solo and acoustically, on a stage decorated with a couch and  old-fashioned lamps, which projected the softest lighting. It was like Swift was performing from the cozy comfort of her own living room … Or yours.
While she spent the rest of the night decked out in gorgeous and glittery dresses, she donned a bright pink sweater, which she paired with black leggings, and nestled deep in her couch to deliver the song. It was a brilliant contrast to the sparkle and shimmer of the red carpet! Since country music is such a homey genre, Swift’s choice of setting and decor for her performance was a well-conceived. Nice touch, Tay!"
Yeah, Tay, nice touch!






The CMAs were such a fun night...but what made it even better was seeing Retropolitan in action on stage!


-Fig

Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween...Retropolitan Style!

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays.  
Costumes, Candy, Fall Colors, Crunchy leaves, Cozy Sweaters and Chilled Breezes...
What's not to love?


My, that Jeep looks good against orange. 


The thing I love most is the spirit. 
There's something about this time of year. Not just Halloween, and not necessarily Fall in general, 
but this brief period of time right when the leaves change. 
There is this casual vibe in the air. People are relaxed. The Christmas jitters haven't taken hold. 
It's that quiet before the holiday storm. And it's quick. 
If you're not careful, you'll miss it. And once it's gone, it's gone. 
There's no putting those leaves back up.  





Orange is a must for any Halloween decor. 
Black is the typical partner. Well, that just won't do in the House of Retro.
Typical is not one of our adjectives. 

Usually we have an idea of what we want to do for the windows. This Friday was different.  
For one reason or another, we adopted the "Eh, let's just see what happens" attitude. 
And we were stumped. So there Amy and I stood, staring at the empty windows. 
Puzzled. Pondering, searching for inspiration... What goes with orange? 

(cue simultaneous Mimosa sips)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
CHAMPAGNE!

Introducing... our Halloween/Autumn/Mimosa inspired windows. 


"Fallen Beauty Still Shines" by Candice Sone


My absolute favorite rug at the moment. Woven strips of shimmery leather and creamy suede.



"Hope and Destruction " by Candice Sone



Now go grab some candy, a new identity, and soak up the spirit of Halloween!!





   

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

A Little Lifestyle....

A few images that have been inspiring me lately....oh so Retropolitan :>)



"The Retropolitan Girl"






Motto for life:








Keep it a happy home :>)











Beauty is everywhere...





And finally, chartreuse!  It's Fig's favorite color palette at the moment (quickly becoming one of mine, too!).  We have some beautiful new pieces in the store right now! Come check them out ...they may fit perfectly in your home.




cheers!
Kate

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Day 3: Meet Kate!

Meet Kate!



Kate Coppola Leiva - Assistant Floor Manager

First Car:  A pewter Oldsmobile Bravada.  I shared it with my twin sister, and we used to blare "Fly Away" by Lenny Kravitz as loud as we could...Freedom!
Favorite Book:  Impossible question.  I'm a book nerd.  But I do love Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series.
Favorite Vacation Spot:  Cabo or Napa (or Italy, but it's a tad far).
Favorite Drink:  Wine or a dirrrrrrrrty (I'm talking filthy) martini.
Favorite Nashville Restaurant:  Cafe Nonna or Burger Up.
Favorite Retropolitan Memory:  Celebrating good news with "all day mimosas" while sitting on the white benches in back.
Favorite Retropolitan Playlist and Why:  Frank and Dean.  Ok, yes, because I'm Italian, but also because it really gets the Saturday crowd going!
Chandelier or Drum Pendant?  Chandelier - the glitzier the better.
Modern/Contemporary or Retro Design?  Both.  Mix it up.
Coffee or Tea?  Coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon.
Favorite Color Palette at the Moment (Fall 2011):  White base with pops of jewel tones - emeralds, sapphires, purples, fuchsias.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Day 2: Meet Fig!

Meet Fig!



Katie Figlio - Showroom Manager


First Car: 2004 Black Jeep Wrangler Sahara, R.I.P. 
Favorite Book: Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger. 
Favorite Vacation SpotSomewhere I've never been, and with friends!
Favorite Drink: Jack and Coke. Clapless Bell if I'm at The Patterson House.
Favorite Nashville Restaurant: City House. Or maybe Kien Giang. And I'm always down 
for Starbagel.
Favorite Retropolitan Music Playlist and Why: Disco-Funk. So I can groove!
Chandelier or Drum Pendant?  Chandelier-...Vintage, drippy, and HUGE.
Modern/Contemporary or Retro Design? I love design that's bold, theatrical, and a little bit weird.
Coffee or Tea?  Coffee
Favorite Color Palette at the Moment (Fall 2011): Chartreuse is on my mind...

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Meet The Retropolitan Team - Amy!

First up.....Amy!



Amy Heimermann - Owner/Interior Stylist

First Car:  1976 Buick Electric, HUGE, bright yellow.  Called it The Banana.  Learned to parallel park in it, so I can park a tour bus on a dime!
Favorite Drink:  Three Days At Sea (Patterson House) or Chai Latte (Starbucks).
Favorite Nashville Restaurant:  Park Cafe
Favorite Retropolitan Memory:  Loading in vintage furniture on a 100 degree August day.  Super gross and sweaty and forgetting there was an interview with photos that day.
Favorite Retropolitan Music Playlist and Why:  Jazz.  It's snappy and fun.
Chandelier or Drum Pendant?  How about a chandelier inside a drum?  Chain mail is my fave!
Modern/Contemporary or Retro Design? Warm European Modern with bold antiques and colorful art.
Coffee or Tea?  Joe!
Favorite Color Palette at the Moment (Fall 2011):  Canary yellow and a mixture of every blue there is.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Vibrant High Rise Modern Design

"Vibrant High Rise Modern"
Designed and Styled by Amy Heimermann, Retropolitan