Red Clay Soul

The Internets is a great place.  I recently came across custom furniture maker The New Traditionalists, and was blown away.  While I’m not a big interior design guy, I do appreciate fine work, and I knew it as soon as I clicked through their site.  After exchanging a few emails, manager Scott Procops offered some information on his company:

We make sartorially inspired pieces of furniture. Classic silhouettes with contemporary details. Our design team is made up of veterans of Ralph Lauren, which certainly reflects in our furniture. For many of our upholstered goods, we are using fine fabrics typically used in menswear. Savile Row Tweeds, Shearling, Belgian Linen, Italian Leather, etc. Additionally, as everything is bespoke, the buyer can essentially make a piece their own in every way.  Think about those crazy chairs from Wm Lamb & Son.  The possibilities are endless and it can truly inspire the creative process.

The idea behind the aesthetic of the New Traditionalists is one that is vaguely familiar, yet new and unique. The silhouettes are all classic, however the details and touches are contemporary and often fashion inspired. Brady brings his appreciation for fashion and menswear to his designs and often employs details and fabrics reserved for clothing (a d-ring buckle, a tooth closure, pin stripes, shearling, glenplaid and houndstooth, baseball stitching, corduroy and suede, etc.) Additionally, many of the pieces are inspired by certain things or places including the seat of a vintage Porsche 911 and the brogueing on an Alden Wingtip.  We have recently partnered with century old Savile Row textile maker, Holland & Sherry, and have began upholstering pieces in their beautiful fabrics.

We are truly an American brand. We own and operate our own factory in Northwestern CT, the original building is from the turn of the century. All pieces are designed in Soho, NY and built in CT. Each piece is hand made, custom tailored and made to order. This is not furniture that is being shipped to you after sitting in a warehouse for months. When you pick out a piece, it is made for you from scratch using hardwood from the Northeast and Mid Atlantic, picked specifically based on grain.

Here is a run down of our company history. Philip Erdoes, an venture capitalist from Oklahoma, linked up with childhood friend Brady Wilcox (an architect by training, who worked in fashion retail store design for a number a years) and decided to start making furniture. Brady’s resume included Ralph Lauren, John Varvatos and Donna Karan. Brady recruited friend David Harris from RL, and Philip brought on our CFO Rebby Gregg. Those were the 4 founding partners. Their designs began with children’s furniture, a company called ducduc, and eventually they delved into pieces for the rest of the home. ducduc still exists as a sister company and is made in the same factory and designed by the same people.

In addition to having our pieces in the Holland & Sherry locations, we also have tables at Hickey Freeman’s flagship store in Midtown Manhattan as well as a chair in the Christian Louboutin Men’s store in the Meatpacking district.

Additionally, everything that we make is completely customizable. From dimension to wood finish to fabric to hardware, every piece you can truly make your own. Our partnership with H & S gives our customers the opportunity to pick from their extensive library of fabrics. If you can envision something a certain way, we can make it happen.

==

Their pieces are really works of art.  Beyond this Charleston-inspired gun cabinet, check out these pieces:

Bar Cart – look familiar?

I don’t know.  Call it Masters fever.  Call it ‘happy to see leaves on the trees’.  Whatever.  I’m seeing green…and lots of it:

1. Criquet Players Shirt in ‘Augusta Green’
2. State Traditions Louisiana New Orleans Gameday Hat
3. Chester Mox Bi-fold Wallet
4. Cotton Brothers Green Gingham Buttondown Shirt
5. New Balance Green 998s
6. Martin Dingman Turnberry Belt
7. KP MacLane Polo Shirt in ‘Putting Green’
8. Sid Mashburn Green Canvas Shorts

So you’ve got a date.  A good date.  You like this girl…and you scored some tickets to a Braves game.  Since this is a date, don’t break out the cornhole and start shotgunning beers on your lunch break to prepare.  This is a date.  Do it right:

1. 1908 Boston Braves Hat:  Braves, but especially a tip of the hat to Boston.
2. Randolph Engineering Aviators: The sun is setting later, and depending on where your seats are, she may ‘borrow’ them.  Good luck getting them back.
3. Martin Dingman Turnberry Belt: Don’t be afraid of a fabric belt, and don’t be afraid of a woven belt.  It’s a dangerous combination.
4. Southern Proper Club Shorts:  Khaki is overplayed.  Add some better neutrals to your short pants rotation.  The ladies over at Southern Proper did good work with these…complete with the knee-friendly 7″ inseam.
5. Smathers & Branson Atlanta Braves Key Fob:  The baseball season is 162 games long.  Then the playoffs.  This will look perfect toting your keys around through October.
6. Ledbury White Oxford Shirt: AKA the ‘Mustard Catcher’.  It’s endearing.  She’ll love it.
7. Boiled Peanuts: Grab them on your way into the ballpark.  Give ‘em and extra buck for the effort.  They’ll remember you next time.
8. Havaianas Flip Flops:  Keep it casual.  After all, it’s a baseball game.
9. Big Red: There is a slight chance you might catch some lip.  Be prepared.
10. State Traditions Koozie:  Don’t forget to bring two.
11. Cabelas Soft Sided 15-can Blind Cooler: Grab your cooler from the closet.  Make sure it’s clean.  Load it up with ice and a couple beers each so you can people watch together as everyone heads into the game.  It very possibly could be more entertaining that the forthcoming nine innings.

P.S. – The Official Red Clay Soul Braves Prediction: 99 wins.

Admittedly, the last time I wore a pair of Dockers was for the Team No Break shoot we did a few years ago.  I am very aware of their brand, and quite frankly, they have one of the best social media campaigns out there.  Dockers knows how to market their products via all the right outlets without overwhelming the feeds.

Dockers reached out recently for my opinion on their Alpha Khakis.  They tout them as pants that should be treated like jeans, but worn like khakis.  Sounds good, right?  Perfect for ‘business casual’.  They sent me a couple pairs (disclosure), and at first glance, I was intrigued.

They really do have a jeans ‘look’ to them, specifically in the cut.  They remind me of a pair of Levis 505s with a bit more taper and a shorter rise.  The fabric is very interesting – a thicker cotton that should dry well, or take well to an iron.  The green and khaki pair are the standard off the rack versions of their Alpha Khakis.  The navy pair is factory broken in, which basically means the seams are lightly worn and there is some distressing.  The colors are great – very versatile without being some shade of neon.

The leg opening is spot on – measuring just under 8″ for me.  Perfect to wear with no socks and loafers.  They’ll show just enough of my pasty white ankles (I need to work on them…badly).

Overall, I’m impressed – especially for their price point (under $70, but they always have coupons which will get you another $10 or so off).  Not too bad for a pair of well-fitting khakis.

Billy Reid’s store in Atlanta is one of my favorite places.  Not only are the clothes simply outstanding, but the staff is as nice as it gets, and the aestetics of the store are spot on.  It’s a really cool place to be.  They invited me to come snap a few photographs during their spring Made-to-Measure event, so I thought I’d share some of my favorite images (since they are worth 1000 words each):

What I’m eyeing:

The Wm. Lamb Redfish iPhone cover.  Sharp as a barb, folks.  Get it here.

So how about The Masters?  Adam Scott’s playoff win was one for the ages.  Congrats to the Aussie on his first major.  With a swing like that, it’s hard to believe he won’t have a few more.  Speaking of the Masters, my good friend TJ from Onward Reserve had the rare opportunity to play at the famed Augusta National.  What a treat…I thought y’all would like to read about it:

This morning I turned on my television and ESPN was promoting their coverage of the first rounds of the MASTERS.  For the next 30 seconds, while watching the promotion, I felt like a kid again.  I am not sure if it is the first true sign of spring, the motivation to get my own golf game in order, or just the respect for the game and course that does it for me.  However, when they pan across those meticulous fairways towards the exploding azaleas under shadows of colossal Georgia pines, it is nothing short of magical for me.  There are so many memories that surround the Masters for me and for anyone with any connection to the world of golf.  The most magical of all my memories is now my first trip to play Augusta National.

Growing up in Georgia, Masters week was always a big deal.  I remember dreaming that one day I would be able to attend the Masters.  In college, that dream came true and I was nothing short of giddy.  I became an instant expert on Bobby Jones and on everything Augusta National.  I was obsessed.  My dream had come true…or so I thought.

Bubba Watson was asked last year if winning the 2012 Masters was like he imagined it in his dreams.  He replied “I never got that far in my dreams.”    That is exactly how I felt driving my old Tahoe down Magnolia Lane towards the Clubhouse.  I couldn’t help but laugh to myself.   The feeling that overcame me was true, pure happiness.

We checked into our cabin along #10 fairway and I stood on the back porch imagining all the people that I was used to seeing around #18 green during tournament play.  It was surreal to have the place seemingly all to myself.  I was about to play Augusta National…twice!

The highlight of my experience was that I got to play Augusta or “the National” for the first time with my brother and my dad and that our host was one of my dad’s dearest friends from college.  Aside from our host, none of us had ever played the course and it was amazing to share that experience with my family.  We hit balls on the range and then headed out to #1.  Everyone hit decent drives and then I stuck my approach to 3 feet to tap in for Birdie.  I won’t say much more about my score that day other than I did break 100 and that I had a couple of more pars.   My score was the least of my concerns.

After our first round on the big course, we got to play the famous Par 3 course.  What a blast!  I will note that I also birdied #1 on the Par 3 course.  However, I will not divulge any further scorecard information on that round either.

Anytime you have the opportunity to play a well-known golf course, it is fantastic.  Half of the experience is seeing and playing the course and the remaining half is being able to dive into the culture of the club and its membership.  You learn so much by hanging around a clubhouse for a couple of days listening to stories and enjoying the hospitality.  From the top of the crows nest to the bottom of the wine cellar – there is no lack of subject matter at Augusta.  The full set of clubs used by Bobby Jones to win the Grand Slam is hanging in the dining room and near the Champions Locker Room there is a ballot box that was given to Augusta National by The Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St. Andrews.  On an old shelf in the wine cellar you will see General Eisenhower’s name in pencil staking his claim on the spot.  There are Masters Tournament programs and badges from the past as well as clubs used by some of the most famous golfers in the world – past and present. It is heaven for anyone who enjoys golf or history.

When I asked our host what it was like to be a member he replied “you don’t ask many questions, you just sort-of enjoy the ride.”  That is what I decided to do with the rest of my trip.  I proceeded to take 1 million pictures and try to soak up every story I could.  I pinched myself regularly to make sure it was real life.

The people at Augusta could not be any more delightful.  From the gatekeeper on Washington Road to the caddies on the course, everyone was so welcoming and fun.  The pro shop, dining room, kitchen, bar and locker room staff all truly seemed happy to be there and to be a part of it all.  Although, how could you not?  The food was fantastic and the wine was even better.  The members were all so cordial and respectful of the club, the other members, and their guests.  When I left I felt like my caddie was an old friend.

The ‘Caddie Kickstand”

I should note that the attitude and ambiance of Augusta National and its membership exude mainly one thing:  an immense respect and love for the game of golf.  Augusta does more for the game of golf globally than I ever realized.  They are constantly improving their course, their facilities and their people.  They believe that things can always be better.

It was interesting to be at the National only a few months after they admitted their first female members.  I think it is fantastic that they allowed female members and even more fantastic that they did so on their own terms rather than caving to the intense media pressure of year’s past.  I also think it is noteworthy that the focus and the first priority of the Club has and always will be on the game of golf.

For more pictures, head over to The Gazette.