2. The support of my family, in particular my mother. 3. Home décor and interior design magazines 4. Relaxing dinners with good friends, good food and good wine
of
This handsome, slender Thumprints lamp makes a statement.
100% of every $10 purchase of Ferti-Lome Premium Bedding Plant Food 4 lbs bag will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation!
1. My husband and dog
HOPE
Allison’s TopFive
CUE: What is your background and how did you get into designing lamps? Allison Davis: I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Advertising. I do not have a formal education in design, but have always been interested in art, fashion and interior design. Everyone always asks me “Why lamps?” I am not exactly sure, but have always been intrigued by unusual lighting. I still have several lamps from my high school room that l love. I remember my dad helping me make a lamp out of a Crown Royal bottle years ago, and we turned a sculpture I designed in college art class into a lamp. I established Thumprints in 2002 after making lamps just for fun. Originally, I hand-covered shades with interesting fabrics and embellished them with
beads and trim. I then began frequenting antique stores for vases, candlesticks and boxes with fun, interesting shapes, which I made into lamps. People seemed to really like them, so I started selling to local boutiques, at home shows and at events such as Holiday House. Before I knew it, I was showing my designs at a wholesale market. CUE: How would you describe your style or aesthetic? AD: Personally, I am drawn to contemporary and modern design. I like clean lines and simplistic décor. I also love art and lots of color! Thumprints offers a range of contemporary and transitional table lamps, floor lamps, hanging lights and wall sconces. I use a variety of highend materials such as sustainable wood, ceramic, art glass, natural stone and metal, paired with luxurious shade fabrics, including dupioni silk, ultra suede and fine linens. CUE: Who/what are your influences? AD: My inspirations come from a variety of sources. The overriding influence, however, is art. High-design, detail and artistic style are at the forefront of my design philosophy; I have always been drawn to sculpture and three-dimensional artwork, which I think geared me towards lamps. I work with a variety of mediums including art glass, wood, metal and natural stone, and combine materials, textures, colors and shapes to create pieces of functional art.
COZY UP!!
BLOOMS
she was on to something when local and regional designers and retail stores began clamoring for more of her designs. This led Davis to launch Thumprints in the summer of 2002. Davis’s mother, Sandy West, joined the business shortly thereafter as Thumprints’ Chief Operating Officer and is now part owner. This dynamic mother/daughter team works together on a daily basis and over the years has built a national presence. Thumprints’ lighting designs are displayed worldwide in restaurants, bars and lounges—including Grotto at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas—and have been placed in a variety of hotels from the lobbies of Holiday Inn to the luxurious suites at Wynn Macau. We recently met Davis at mertinsdykehome—where, as we mentioned, her creations are prominently displayed—for this CUE and A.
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