If you’ve seen the latest issue of R•Home, you’ve likely seen the chairs: the leonine spotted ladies with brass-accented arms. These prowling “Elle” chairs, which dress the opener of “The Goods,” are from designer Tobi Fairley’s new collection for CR Laine. The collection debuted last year, and it’s sold exclusively in Richmond at Ruth & Ollie.
Kat and Mike Liebschwager, Ruth & Ollie’s owners, were delighted to land the line. They first met Fairley, the Arkansas-based designer, in 2010 when they each designed rooms at the Richmond Symphony Orchestra League Designer House on Rothesay Circle. Fairley, and her foyer, made a great impression and the three stayed in touch. Fairley also visited the couple’s Carytown store a few times.
“When we first saw Tobi’s line for CR Laine we were blown away,” Kat says. “She and I share a love of Greek key motif and of acrylic and nailhead.”
Fairley’s “Marguerite” sofa features nailhead trim and acrylic legs, and is Kat and Mike’s favorite piece. Kat calls it “divine.”
Upholstered in a beautiful blush pink fabric, you can see it in the store, along with two other favorites of Kat’s from Fairley’s line: the “Helen” slipper chair and “Lena” ottoman. Both feature Greek key trim in their molding, and both are pictured above.
“Tobi’s popularity as a design and style icon has skyrocketed since we met her six years ago,” Mike says. “But the cool part is she is still so kind, welcoming and down-to-earth. We love her.”
