5.21.12
My adventure in NY continued with Day One of the main purpose of this trip. Today was the first day of "Blogfest 2012." What is that you say ? Well, it's a three-day jammed-packed adventure for designers, design junkies, bloggers, tastemakers and creative folk. Today I was able to put a face (and personality) to bloggers I have come to "follow" over the years. Hosted by Kravet, Hearst Publishing, Lee Jofa and Brunschwig & Fils. This year's magazine sponsors included Architectural Digest, Traditional Home, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Interiors, New York Spaces and Veranda. We gathered to celebrate the industry, get a look inside the world of textile designers and manufacturers, ever-changing styles, how technology can transform your interiors, a really comfortable bed, designers I have loved and followed for forever, and what I am realizing more and more, the importance of social media. I made some new friends and when I get it together and catch up on a bunch of new and exciting projects . . . will try and figure out this Twitter thing !!!
We kicked off the three days with a private tour of the Kips Bay Decorator Show House 2012 (40th Annual) This year they did something a little different. The "house" was actually two penthouse units in the Aldyn at 60 Riverside Boulevard on the Upper West Side. 6,000 square feet of divine! Currently on the market for a mere $15.9M and $16.9M each boasts 6 bedrooms with panoramic views, not to mention huge wrap around outdoor spaces and a roof top pool.
The amazing detail in the designs I was privy to were too numerous to include all 31 designers involved, but I do want to show off a few. Beyond seeing the Best of the Best, being able to actually meet and talk to these designers in the flesh was even more memorable. Margaret Russell, Editor-in-Chief of Architectural Digest welcomed us which was a thrill and set the tone for the beginning of our 3 day event.
Here's a few of my favorite rooms and favorite designers. .
Thom Filicia
Wins the award in my book for best color (and amazingly executed). I spoke with him, and was surprised to find it was not a spray lacquer application! That's a good paint crew for you! It's Ben Moore High Gloss Oil, rolled and back brushed ! My advise - don't attempt yourself. Not only is the color to die for, the high gloss does the trick with trying to make a small space seem bigger . . bouncing all that light around. Get yourself a great painter then sit back and watch him sand between about 5 coats . . Gorgeous !
1.
Love the rug . . want one .
Safavieh, pattern Henninger in Thom Filicia's collection
After speaking with Margaret Russell and Thom Filicia, I began wandering through (what I would later refer to in my head) my new NY digs.
Todd Romano
The transition from Thom's yummy green to Todd Romano's Eggplant dining room was perfect. The window light was strong and for this room I loved that the color made it a little more intimate. The large artwork was a must, and the giraffe sculpture was by far my favorite accessory.
2.
3.
One of the prettiest living rooms was a collaboration between . .
Bunny Williams, Inc.(also event's chair)
Brian McCarthy Inc. and David Kleinberg Design Associates
. . . who dedicated the room to their mentor, teacher and friend Albert Hadley, who passed away in March . . . The touches they brought to the space were sentimental with a touch of humor. I learned red was Hadley's signature color, which I did not know. We were all gifted a "Don't Forget" memo pad - which was so fitting .. (it's funny, I can't remember what I had for breakfast, but I distinctly remember something a blogger said in a post a while ago about "finding an actual piece of paper from Albert Hadley's famous "Don't Forget" notepads in a design book and how it was the equivalent of owning a piece of Elvis' sweat...)
Tapestry - Le Corbusier from Jane Kahan Gallery.
4.
I rounded the corner into a kitchen I would have no problem cooking in !
Robert Schwartz and Karen Williams for
St. Charles
Your kitchen not that big? Your view not that spectacular, me either, but who says you can't add some of the wonderful touches. Take a look
Alexander Doherty
What I loved the most about Alexander Doherty's space was the pure "art" of it all. Every single thing in the room was a piece of art. From the wall application, to the furniture choices and colors, to the actual canvases and framed pieces. We spoke briefly about the cerused oak paneled walls, which I loved. It added such warmth and texture. I was told the red lacquered mid-century piece was Robsjohn Gibbons - love that !
Raji Radhakrishnan
This "private office" Raji created for a would-be art curator. Very carefully created and beautiful, I especially liked the white venetian plaster walls and all their glossy elegance to capture the depth of the art showcased.
6.
Brian Del Toro
So personable . . enjoyed meeting Mr. Del Toro . . LOVED this room, wonder why. . you know how much I love blue. A lot of little details I added to the file cabinet I have going on in my head . .
First thing I noticed and had to touch, touch.. were the walls. Venetian Plaster base with a stucco overlay. Love the grid pattern, Love the color. Also think the choice in sofa and pop color of green are perfect. Sofa blends in with walls calling more attention to the walls and all the interesting art and accessories.
To be continued . . . .
Kips Bay Decorator Show House Information:
Date:
May 16th - June 14th
Hours:
Mon - Sat 11 to 5
Tues & Thurs evening until 8
Sun 12 to 5
Location:
The Aldyn Residences
60 Riverside Boulevard between 62nd and 63rd Streets
Tickets:
$30 and can be purchased at the door.
for More Information:
While I wanted to take all my own pics to capture, for me, the details I loved . . . with 100 bloggers in the room it wasn't so easy ! So thanks to all those wonderful images out there . . (a lucky few were able to capture whole room shots) . . I would like to share . . and thank you for helping me to savor the visual !
Photo credits mostly me, with the exception of those numbered. Photographers: 1. & 2.
Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic; 3. Trevor Tondiro for the New York Times; 4. Nicole Gibbons for So Haute; 5. Alexa Stevenson for Design culture Cleveland; 6. Nicole Gibbons for So Haute
