All posts by Alison Trovato

Favorite Things

Mark’s Favorite Find

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The Kent Sofa by Hickory Chair is a classic “Chesterfield” style sofa that is an excellent choice for a Den, Library or Grand Salon.  The soft chenille fabric has an added touch of elegance with a caramel color soft leather welt and buttons which highlight the deep tufting.  The aged brass nail heads add the perfect outline to the well designed silhouette that has been an English classic since the mid-1800’s.  The original sofa was designed by Lord Chesterfield for comfort of his gentlemen friends with a high back and deep cushions that allowed them to sit straighter and not wrinkle the creases of their clothing.

This sofa is a perfect spot for me to relax while I’m reading . The goose down pillows and plush seating make for a perfect spot to read followed by an afternoon nap!

Contact Mark, our Indiana Showroom Manager, at markc@caidesigns.net or (317) 740-0025×8301

Favorite Things

Tricia’s Favorite Find

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The Placa Buffet by Taracea is a classic and beautiful buffet made out of reclaimed Guanacaste wood.  The design is symmetrical, centered around the black resin part on the doors.  It is a diagonal bookmatch style, inspired by the Ying & Yang figure.  The finish is in ochre or dark Guanacaste/black resin.   

The Guanacaste wood utilized in this buffet consists of vertical cuts, highlighting sections of the sapwood near the center, while retaining the organic waves on the remaining heartwood. The top of the buffet is a custom Placa metal finish. It is a homemade finish at the Taracea factory. 

I grew up near Brown County, Indiana, and now I live in Indianapolis. I love this product because the Placa buffet reminds me of the outdoors where I grew up, with its natural wood finish and texture. It also adds a touch of city living with its modern finish on top.

Contact Tricia, our Indiana Furniture & Fabric Specialist, at triciaa@caidesigns.net or (317) 740-0025×8302

Favorite Things

Farin’s Favorite Find

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The Theo Occasional Chair by Verellen is bench-crafted with a sustainably harvested hardwood frame. A firm, yet comfortable, tight seat available in a stationary club chair or as a swivel! Expert craftsmanship goes into every aspect of this exquisite piece. This generous chair abounds with an eco-elegant design that can only be described as the perfect fusion between Belgian and American traditions.

I love how comfortable this chair is and the way my arms relax on the thoughtful curves. The fabric we have the chair shown in is super cozy as well.

Contact Farin, our Denver Furniture Specialist, at farinf@caidesigns.net or (303) 282-8100×6970

Favorite Things

Chris’ Favorite Find

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Designed by Rick Lee, the bold and whimsical Playing Hooky Sectional by Thayer Coggin features eighteen modular units that can be combined to create a customized sectional sofa to fit any space. The collection takes its name from the design silhouette of the back support which resembles a curved hook when the sections are combined. Versatile yet playful, Playing Hooky is a collection that’s dedicated to comfort by offering generous seating proportions and exquisite spring down cushioning.

Playing Hooky offers the perfect balance between style and comfort. The collection is incredibly tailored but still has a very comfortable Spring Down seat and plush Trillium back. I love the way you see the peek-a- boo wood detail in the front and have the upholstered to-the-ground arm and back. The 404 Chaise is the perfect cuddle pod.

Contact Chris, our Denver Showroom Manager, at chriss@caidesigns.net or (303) 282-8100×6971

Employee Spotlight

MEET MARIA | TROY LIGHTING SPECIALIST

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What is your past work experience/education? Tell us a little bit about how you ended up in this field and what experiences brought you to the world of design.
I have an industrial design degree from Wayne State University.
I come from a building background. I worked at a high-end
home builder for almost 10 years. After that, I had my own
interior design business for about 7 years. Then, a prominent
local design firm asked me to manage their new lighting showroom. Eight years later, I’m at CAI.

Where were you raised?
I spent half of my childhood in Georgia and the rest of my life
has been in Michigan.

Where do you draw inspiration from? 
Nature and my kids.

In your experience working with C.A.I. Designs thus far, what are some of your favorite product lines and why? 
I love Hammerton, Accord, Alora and Lodes. Learning about
Hammerton’s artisanal quality and that it’s made in the USA is
important to know. The Accord wood lighting is so unique,
beautiful and unexpected. Alora has great designs similar to
other popular lines but there are design aspects that make them
unique and easy to sell. Lodes is just simply beautiful. It doesn’t
need any wacky designs to be “cool”. I love the edited offering
they have that is not overwhelming.

What is your favorite color?
Purple.

What do you like to do in your spare time? (Hobbies, Talents, Travel, Family, etc.)
I started watercolor painting & love it! I like cooking, gardening
and hiking. I am also a troop leader with our local boy scouts.

How would you characterize your design style?
I like new traditional with MCM thrown in.

What is your favorite food?
Mexican.

What is your favorite TV series?
Sopranos.

Maria can be reached in the Troy showroom at mariak@caidesigns.net or by phone at (248) 822-1300×2370

Favorite Things

Amy’s Favorite Find

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The Selene 65 Pendant by Fine Art Handcrafted Lighting is a sculptural linear pendant inspired by the Greek goddess of the moon, Selene. It features hand cast glass in Full Moon White & New Moon Clear.

I love the attention to where light is placed along this fixture; integrated LED illuminating the glass discs and the canopy light highlighting the uncompromising craftsmanship of the metal finish. The design itself can play in both a traditional or modern aesthetic. It is a conversation piece and stands out to me for that reason.

Contact Amy, our Denver Lighting Specialist, at amyz@caidesigns.net or (303) 282-8100×6976

Favorite Things

Kelly’s Favorite Find

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The Mussels Cluster Pendant by Bomma is hand-blown and inspired by the organic beauty of the ocean. Finishes can be mixed and matched and you can choose options anywhere from a single pendant to a 20-light cluster.

This product is my favorite because there is nothing out there like this. The custom capabilities are amazing and the uniqueness of the artisan craftsmanship is beautiful. I love the fact that there are so many options to this series.

Contact Kelly, our Scottsdale Lighting Specialist, at kellyh@caidesigns.net or (480)-565-3775 x6937

Favorite Things

Carol’s Favorite Find

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The Daina Tray Set from Made Goods features a faux shagreen material and is available in various colors and sizes. It showcases a beautiful brass metal detail.

Trays are a great way to complete the design of a room, keep things nice and tidy, or add a splash of color.  It’s form and function in one and Made Goods does a great job of having tons of options available from which to choose. 

Contact Carol, our Scottsdale Showroom Manager, at carolw@caidesigns.net or (480)-565-3775 x 7060

Favorite Things

Claudia’s Favorite Find

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The Dakota Dining Table by Julian Chichester features a black stain oak top and a polished nickel base.

This beautiful table is a classic, a timeless piece. The bases are hand beaten, the finishes stunning, and the mid-century design will add a touch of elegance and uniqueness to any space.

Contact Claudia, our Scottsdale Furniture Specialist, at claudiac@caidesigns.net or (480)-565-3775 x 6933

Favorite Things

Melissa’s Favorite Find

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The Bomma Dew Drops Pendant is lit by an internal LED light source that creates an iridescent glow. The crystal drops adhere to either vegan or natural leather belt. You can choose from many color options including tan, blue, black, silver and many others. There is a multitude of installation possibilities to make each project unique.

Dew drops and the entire Bomma collection is the most innovative lighting I have seen in many years. Joe and Glen discovered this gem of a line at the lighting show in Milan. Stop by the Arlington Heights Showroom to see it for yourself. It is truly a magnificent piece.

Contact Melissa, our Arlington Heights Lighting Specialist, at melissaw@caidesigns.net or (847) 590-9835 x6781