Carol Bolton

There is a faded elegance, a nostalgic beauty that defies time. It endures in a china tea service, circa 1840, the cups carefully mended...in a yellowed lace mantilla worn by a turn-of-the-century bride...in an often-painted chest discovered in a leaky barn. It is these remnants of yesterday that serve as inspiration to a young Texas designer, Carol Hicks Bolton. "I am enchanted by lovely old things that bear signs of wear, and have been important and meaningful in people's lives."

Working in collaboration with E.J. Victor, she has used threads of the past to weave a unique tapestry of collector's items for today's generations who wish their homes to be a reflection of their heritage. "My concept with E.J. Victor is to offer furniture items that speak to the heart. Not formal or sophisticated, they encourage families to bring out dear old things from attics and trunks to create a uniquely warm and personal home environment."

The Carol Hicks Bolton Collection with E.J. Victor is an exclusive assortment of focal point ideas, decorative accents, and upholstered seating. Designs are adapted from family heirlooms, pieces bought at estate sales, items purchased at auction, or antiques found by Carol and her husband, Tim in Southern Europe. All tend to be more utilitarian than ostentatious...more interesting than imposing.

Carol lovingly translates each form...retaining the timeless quality, the traces of history, and the sense that it was once a valued possession. Her delicate touch is found in every fine detail...from the layers of wallpaper seen in a tall chest to the worn paint on a pretty console. Every special finish is hand-wrought to appear very old, very much used - stain, rust, tarnish, forged black, worn white and cottage cream.

Upholstered fabrics and custom trims capture the antique ambiance imparted by old-fashioned natural dyes...the once vivid colors softly faded, the pile crushed over time. Created from Carol's homeplace are sofas covered in an artistic array of perhaps a dozen such fabrics...reminiscent of the way favorite seating pieces were patched in Old England.

The collection reflects the ageless distinction sought by those who want a home of individuality and spirit...whether they reside in a city brownstone, a New England cape cod, or a Civil War farmhouse. To them and their families, E.J. Victor presents with pride...The Carol Hicks Bolton Collection.