First Fruit Collection Art Show

Everyone don't forget First Fruit Collection's Second Annual Art Show is coming up. All of our local artist will be here at the store with tons of new art. Vesela Baker, Sherril French, Katie Toombs, LeAnn Farris, Keep the Piece, Colleen Long, Lisa Hood + her two daughters (Kara Martin and Ashley Hood). You will not want to miss this event! 

WHEN: Thursday April 26

TIME: 2:00-8:00

We hope to see you there!!

Happy Decorating,

Ashley

Design Trends

If you have visited First Fruit Collection lately, more specifically, since March 1 when we reopened the store with our wonderful new owner, Ashley Toney, you have noticed a change in our style. The new look is softer, less fussy, and full of new design elements.

We wanted to incorporate the new design trends in our store and mix them with the traditional country french furnishings you have loved for so many years. There is a lot of reclaimed wood, industrial elements, mercury glass, natural fibers, muted colors, and unexpected accents. Currents trends that are making statements in design are monograms on just about everything, solid color rugs, silver and gold accents, chevron, ikat and quatrefoil patterns, and tufted sofas.

You may be wondering if you can incorporate these new looks in your home. How can you update without getting rid of everything you have? We have heard many questions from our customers on how to get this new look in their homes. We have to address each home on an individual basis, depending on your particular style, but there are some simple ideas on how to update I will share with you.

Do you have a piece of furniture that could be painted with a new soft color? You may have a dated motif painted piece that is really dating your design.

Do you have all of your art under glass? Try using an original piece of art, such as an unframed canvas painting.

Do your floral arrangements still contain ivy, roses or magnolias? Are they dusty and tired? If so, it may be time to update those. Trends now are more natural florals with less mix of color.

Is your sofa a large scale floral? If so, it may be time to soften the look with a solid piece. A solid sofa is always a good idea, less trendy. Put your print on disposable items, like an accent pillow.

Are your rugs making too bold of a statement? Try using a solid textured rug to soften the look of your room. Solid rugs make a space appear larger and give more focus on the furnishings.

Are your light fixtures dating your home? Are they shiny brass or have beveled glass on them that always looks dirty? Can you paint them or bust out the glass to update them. Lighting is like jewelry to your home, the final sparkling touch. Take a look at your lighting, it may be time to time to replace some of your fixtures.

We have great ideas and great designers at First Fruit to help you with your home. We love to see photos of your rooms to help you make your home beautiful. We can help with fabric and paint selections, window and bedding selections, furniture and accessories, and everything else that will make your home amazing.

Come see us with all of your design needs. Our designers even make house calls. Call to book an appointment with one of our staff designers, you won’t be disappointed. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Happy decorating,
Lisa

First Fruit Collection's 2nd annual Art Show!

We know spring fever has you in a daze,
But we at First Fruit have a solution for your haze
Join us April 26th for a wine and art show
View great new pieces from local artists that you know
Keep the Piece, Sherrill French, and Vesela Baker will all be here
Also, Colleen Long, LeAnn Farris and Katie Toombs have no fear!
Lisa Hood’s pillow creations will make their debut
So on the 28th, from 2-8,we hope to see you!

WHEN: Thursday, April 26th

TIME: 2:00pm - 8:00 pm

WHERE: First Fruit Collection

Please join your Friends at First Fruit Collection for our second annual art show featuring the artists, Sherrill French, Vesela Baker, Katie Toombs, LeAnn Farris, Keep the Piece, Colleen Long, and Lisa Hood. Meet the artist while you sip wine and shop local artwork. You do not want to miss this event!

What in the world is a davenport?

My daughter Kara had a good friend growing up who used to spend a lot of time in our home. She would often “sleep over” and the girls would play and giggle until the wee hours of the morning.

I overheard her tell Kara about visits with her grandmother, who lived somewhere up north, way up north, where car is pronounced caarrrr, and you want a pop? (aka as Coke) She told of spending the night on visits to her home and her grandmother would say in a very northern accent, “ Laura, you’ll sleep here on the davenport!” Laura would giggle, and explain how she never knew quite where she would be sleeping,
but always ended up on the couch.

Once, just a few years ago, at First Fruit, we had an elderly northern customer who also needed a davenport. She came to the counter and said “I need a davenport!” All the girls just looked at each other as though she was ordering a mixed drink or something. While they were trying to find the recipe for a “davenport”, I proceeded to show her our line of sofas, couches, divans, sleepers. lounges, fainting couches, sectionals, love seat, settees, and anything else that would fit her small frame.

Did you ever consider how many names there are for the same thing? Have you ever tried to act like you knew what someone was asking for when you had no idea at all. You pretend to follow the conversation, hoping secretly inside that the more they talk, somehow you will get enough clues to figure it out. You don’t want to appear dumb or uninformed, but you are totally clueless.Maybe it is just me . . . . .

Over the years at First Fruit we have heard many strange renditions of some of the following words:

Toile: Tulle, Tole, Twat (oh my)
Cache’ Pot: Cashiers Pot, Cash Pot, Tin thing with feet

Ikat: Eekat, Eye Dog, Squiggly runny southwestern print

Sconce: Scones, Bracket things

Matlesse’: Matsey, Mattingly, Quilt thing

Rush Seat: Grassy woven stuff, Woven cardboard rope, or wicker

Just thought you would like a little humor today. It goes to show that we all try new words from time to time, sometimes not quite sure how they are pronounced or the meaning. Hope this made you smile and think happy thoughts today. Now come in to see us at First Fruit . . . we have a lot of new davenports on the floor!

Happy Decorating,

Lisa

What Makes a House a Home?

Home is the one place in your life that you can relax, curl up on the sofa or comfortable chair and just enjoy being there. I have those times where I just want to be home. I don’t want to go anywhere, sometimes not even get dresses all day. I just enjoy my home. I love working in my garden, crafting in my sewing room, cutting my grass in the summer, cooking in my kitchen, and I even enjoy cleaning my home. I know that sounds strange to you, but I really enjoy it. It is such a mindless task, so relaxing.

I know you all enjoy your homes as well. What makes you home special? It may be the cat in the window, the puppy curled up beside you on the sofa, your favorite magazine on the coffee table, the pile of shoes by the garage door, the smell of dinner in the oven, the sound of bare feet running down the hall calling for you.

Whatever it is that makes your home special, we hope that we are somehow part of what makes it beautiful to you. For 13 years now, First Fruit Collection has furnished many homes and made many friends along the way. We have enjoyed being part of making you homes “HAPPY”.

We are now beginning a new chapter at First Fruit Collection. We have just completed a total renovation of the store. I am so glad to be part of this new beginning. The Store looks amazing. I can hardly believe it is the same store. The changes are very impressive and the vignettes are so well designed, it helps to see the furniture grouping as you would see it in your own home. I absolutely love all the reclaimed woods and natural elements. All I can say is

WOW!

I do hope to see all of you at the store on Thursday, March 1. Our hours are 10:00-8:00. We will have hourly door prizes, specials and treats for you to enjoy. Please come and see us. We have so missed seeing you.

Sneak Peek!

Our Designing Women at Work!

We have had one busy week. First Fruit Collection

is undergoing a total transformation. We have been

painting, spackling, hanging lighting, paneling the

walls with an old house that Ashley found and had

torn down (you will be amazed), and redecorating

the store from top to bottom. There has been

whining, tears, bruises, blood, sweat, laughter,

dancing and singing. It has been one of the

hardest and most rewarding weeks of my life.

I am so proud of Ashley. Her style and ability

to put the store together has amazed me. The

furniture and accessories are so well coordinated.

We have all had so much fun placing all the new stuff.

We have squeeled with excitement more than once

and want to buy everything. Don't worry, we are

saving it for you.

Here is a sneek peek of just a sample of what is new:

Lots of reclaimed furniture!

Lots of reclaimed furniture!

The crosses are amazing as always!

Be sure to come by on March 1 for our all day celebration.

Finial Countdown Week!!

All In-Stock Merchandise is now

40% OFF

Excludes previously marked-down items

All merchandise is finial sale and no approvals will be permitted at these low prices

We will be open our normal hours this week. We will then close the store and get ready for the Grand Opening Party on March 1^st. Be sure to stop by the store for your coupon for this special day.

Where oh Where is Vince?

Many of you have asked about where he has gone. He has opened the Dent Doctor back up. He owned and operated the Dent Doctor of Memphis for 15 years prior to working with us at First Fruit Collection.

He is now at Elite Auto on Poplar (HWY 57) just inside the Piperton town line. He is doing:

Paintless dent repair

Auto Dealing

Auto Washing

Tires

Windshield Wipers

Please stop by and see him, I’m sure he would love to see you and take care of your automobile.

His number is 850-9889