Dear Diary {Chapter 5}

5.22.12

It was such a wonderful day today.  After my visit to  Kips Bay yesterday, (which was like walking though a virtual magazine, each room was like turning a page, showcasing spaces by designers I have read about and followed for years) today I learned a thing or two about the print side.  I have subscribed to and received Veranda, House Beautiful, Elle Decor and Traditional Home for as long as I can remember.  This day was nothing short of a thrill to meet those people responsible for my page turning joy and what drove me to do what I do.


Before, and still after, Pinterest came along,  I would find a day to slowly pour through each page, reading every word.  When I first started in my career,  I would study the works of some of my favorite designers.  I hoped their creativity would rub off when I came across a design dilemma.  I also hoped I could spot a "look" they had so skillfully achieved and use that as a tool, when working with a client for visual direction.   My clients would also bring me their tattered pages in the hopes I could create a look with a similar vibe.  


I love the "feel" of a beautifully photographed and printed magazine.  I collect them and fill the bookcases in my office, chronologically of course.  I love to tell the story of my 40th birthday, when I checked into the newly opened Weston Hotel, here in Charlotte, with some 80 back issues for the weekend.   I propped myself up in the heavenly bed, ordered room service, and went through each one taking the pictures I loved and (with clear sheet protectors of course) creating my inspiration binders - about 12 in all.   I still have those in my office and when it gets crazy with kids, work and life I am tempted to make a reservation to do it all again.  So thank you to my husband, kids and dogs for my little 2-day guilt free disappearing birthday act. . It was a great present.  No big noisy party, just peace and quite doing what I loved.  


Today I headed over to the 44th floor of the Hearst Tower, the world headquarters of The Hearst Corporation, home to numerous publications (Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Marie-Claire, Harper's Bazaar, Good Housekeeping, Seventeen, as well as those we were there to get to know better).  Even though it was foggy,  I could visualize the view of Central Park through all the sky-high windows.  When the fog started lifting, our attention could not be re-directed from center stage.  It was amazing to meet the Editors-in-Chief of the magazines I have loved collecting over the years.  Kate Kelly Smith, SVP Publishing Director, the Hearst Design Group, opened with the story behind our host, Kravet Inc.  Cary Kravet was on hand, along with his sister Lisa.  Getting to hear about his family owned business was more than enlightening.  Soon Beth Greene,  executive Vice President of Marketing & Strategic Branding for Kravet stepped up to welcome us all and introduce us to . . .

Veranda - Editor-in-Chief Dara Caponigro, and Publisher Jennifer Levene Bruno

House Beautiful Editor-in-Chief Newell Turner

Elle Decor Editor-in-Chief Michael Boodro

Dara Caponigro of Veranda gave us a look inside their May / June issue and brought with her two top designers, Timothy Whealon and Darryl Carter.  Newell Turner of Better Homes and Garden was joined by their new wave designers Jon Call, Jill Goldberg and Michael Herold.   What I loved more than anything was hearing their stories.  Open, candid and real.  It was a sheer delight to hear these seasoned, established, amazing, sought-after and widely know designers face the same issues the rest of us RLD's (real-life-designers) face.  The headaches, the insane requests, the delights, the countless hours - often unnoticed - the joy of seeing your vision come to life, and the happy tears of a happy client.  I realized more and more that following my dreams is worth every 17 hour day.

The Elle Decor's Modern Concept House was our next stop . . . Michael Boodro was our host on hand.  This was Elle Decor's second year creating a concept house and timed to coincide with the International Contemporary Furniture Show and Kips Bay (what a time to be in the City!)  The space is one among nine townhouses at the Dillon on 53rd Street and 9th Avenue and assembles 8 international designers to create one-of-a-kind contemporary looks.  We received an advanced tour and private reception. . . nice!

Elle Decor's site . .  click here

The Dillon 

425 West 53rd Street

New York, NY

I was most anxious, after checking out the sketches on line, to see the outdoor space, as I am working with three clients at the moment on theirs . . .


Michael Tavano created this space with all the personality and fun he is known for.
Known in Manhattan social circles for his outrageous and fanciful table-scapes.  He blogs on entertaining on his just-for-fun website At Michael's Table

A shot from Michael Tavano's site . . .

I loved the colors and accessories I noticed in both the "Sanctuary" by Lee Kleinhelter and the "Great Room" by Anthony Todd

Lee Kleinhelter has an Atlanta boutique in the Buckhead neighborhood called  Pieces.  These beautiful metal "Sea Urchin" art pieces are also available through us at Lucy and Company and I have always loved them, especially against the dark backdrop Lee chose.  She founded Pieces in 2004 when she saw a gap between high-end antiques and mass produced items (don't we all !!!) 

Anthony Todd continued the cohesive look in the concept house with his dark wall color.  I love the large scale art piece and great mix of new and vintage.  His design firm, based in New York, was founded in 1995.  With his "less is more" approach he has attracted high-profile clients who appreciate and gravitate toward his flawless aesthetic.

I could not put this bedroom out of my mind.  The graphic explosion of color drew me in from the moment I came up the stairs.  Christopher Coleman was responsible for this !  Graphic simplicity of clean lines, mixing shapes and sizes . . .  you could say that.

Being that there were at least 10 people in this study area . . .I opted to snagged this pic from 

The New York Times.

photographer Christopher Stuman for The New York Times

Katie Leede is responsible for this beautiful bedroom with it's plum's and sea foam.

She seeks to reveal through her work each client's unique take on color.  Per the bio page on the Elle Decor Concept House site . . . "She has been featured in Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Veranda and Traditional Home, as well as numerous blogs.  In 2010 Traditional Home nominated Katie as one of the "Ten Young Designers to Watch" and in 2011 House Beautiful sited her as one of the "Ten More Designers who create a Global, Sophisticated Look."

Per my take . . . her bohemian touches in this room really spoke to me. I loved the watercolor textiles, the little bit of glimmer in the pillow, the distressed mid-century chair, the romantic bed canopy, the jar of paint brushes and tubes of well used acrylics.  She was there to enhance my vision even more.  It was a beautiful space !

Well worth the visit . . . this concept house !

The Decorating and Design a.k.a. D & D Building was stop no. 3.  Home to some 120 showrooms, it's NY's premiere design center.  For over 40 years this space represents over 3,000 leading manufacturers dedicated to offering the very best in furnishings, fabrics and resource information.

I stop by almost every time I head to NY.  The showrooms are big and overflowing with the newest and brightest.   Kravet, Lee Jofa and Brunswig & Fils were were we headed.  We were treated to a chat between Alexa Hampton and Anne Maine, Editor-in-Chief of Traditional Home.  Both women were completely engaging and real.  Alexa Hampton was hilarious, I think we will all agree.  I did enjoy a glimpse into of her childhood - running through the D&D building with her acclaimed father, the late Mark Hampton.  For a moment I thought of my 8 year old at home and how she loves nothing more than to run around my showroom.   She's a lover of words (like "Effulgent"- shining brightly or radiant and "Sanguine" positive or optimistic), the traditional style, and overall down-to-earth outlook.  She admitted her kids brought her back to reality, and she "had some work done" on her eyelashes !  But the best advise "only work with people with whom you see eye to eye!"  As the theme for the day was the "A-Ha" moment . . . that more than resonated with me!

We also met Keith Granet the author of "The Business of Design, Balancing Creativity with Profitability," a read for a day it isn't all about pretty !

After wandering around and stopping by Brunswig . . .

. . . our final stop was the New Baccrate Showroom . . .

Now this space - we were the first to see . . . just put some all white tables and gobs of white flowers and let me have another wedding.   What a pretty space.  Vincente Wolfe hosted our gathering with all his elegance and charm. Champagne, and a bunch of really cute waiters . . . Nice end to our day !

May favorite quotes of the day . . .

"I run my business with full transparency" - Timothy Whealon

"If you ally yourself with people that understand and love what you can do it can help you succeed" - Alexa Hampton

"I live in a gated community" (referring to roping off her living room from her kids) - Alexa Hampton

"I read the New York Times every morning.  I don't want to loose perspective on the world" - Newell Turner

"Do you want to have sex in there or have a party in there" (on master bedroom design) - Newell Turner

Dear Diary {Chapter Four} . . . Part Two.

5.21.12

Charlotte Moss

Imagine my surprise when I rounded the corner upstairs in the Kips Bay Show House only to run into Charlotte Moss.   As she leaned against the "wood paneling" I cornered her . .  no, just kidding, but not really . . .  the questions I had just started flying out of my mouth and she was great in indulging my queries.  She's a New Yorker by way of Virginia, and I once read a piece on her East Hampton home where she spoke of her garden within a garden, her screened-in porch being the most used room in the house, and the overall feel of the home as "Easy."

1.

Her desire in this space was to create a conservatory look.

The "wood paneling" is actually paper from Sylvester & Co.  It lined the walls as you made your way down the hall.

 2.

This idea she used on the runner was just the perfect little detail.

Take a look at other papers available at Sylvester & Co.

You just want to touch this paper to make sure you really didn't get a splinter!

All the furniture pieces are from her collection for Century.

The detail in this room is over the top . . . notice the enlarged photos from a beautiful french garden framed as a triptych.  The moss covered wall is dried boxwoods with the rest of the walls and ceiling in a velvet from her collection with Fibricut.  Check out the peep hole in the hedge (which looks down into the living room.) . . maybe she got the inspiration for my second photo . . (this picture was from her bio in the Kips Bay Press book we received).  Now -  they made me take down the black wall paper we did on the ceiling at the Designer House here in Charlotte . . . I hope her labor-intensive walls will get to stay!

I did hear overhear her inspiration for the room came from this birdcage in the window . . maybe a kick back to her own space in the Hamptons.

Hand painted "Delft tiles"  as the baseboard detail, how impressive! That speaks back to the pottery on the dining table.

The space was so full of artistic detail, so unique, but the best part -  I loved that she was there and so open to question after question - she was engaging and a delight to meet.

3.

www.charlottemoss.com


Andrew Tedesco Studios, Inc.
No space was left out in this apartment  . . . the upstairs hallway - chalk board, one of my favorite applications . .

www.andrewtedesco.com

Lynne Scalo Design

I have been following Lynne Scalo for a while now.  Based out of Westport, CT, my old stomping ground, her work has always caught my eye and this was no exception.  I loved the clean white walls in this room - they are right up my alley.  I was also drawn to the gold accents . .

. .  and if you know me - huge Warhol and Jobs fan - think about that interpretation!

4.

Little glitz . . . every room should have it.

www.lynnescalo.com

Alexa Hampton
This bedroom with it's corner windows and amazing views was just one of those room you could just snooze in all afternoon.  The walls are a dark charcoal (Ben Moore's Dragon Breath) lacquer with a silver leaf wallpaper ceiling (from Maya Romanoff).  Some of the details I noticed were the types of things Alexa Hampton is known for. . .  Her traditional style is timeless, and as quoted in Habitually Chic "she wanted to create a room that would be a nod to the history of the Show House, but would also embrace the modern day."

The canopy fabric, her own design with our host . . Kravet

5.

www.markhampton.com


Coffinier Ku Design
I first became aware of Coffinier Ku Design back in 2008 when I went to that Kips Bay House.  I  will ALWAYS remember the foyer wall application.  It made such an impression with me.


Take a look back at 2008.

6.

And again in 2010 when I saw their bath of glass bubbles.

7.

This year I loved the detail of the simple clouds over the headboard in the Missoni fabric . .  love.


Etenne Coffinier, President of Coffinier Ku Design is responsible for the design of all client projects, and per his bio "french-trained architect with a Masters in Architecture from the University of Lille.

My question is this, the sheep.  Is it a real Lelanne?  I am sure - being that is came from Demisch Danant.  

What is that you ask?  A specialty gallery in Chelsea with some of the rarest pieces around.  Suzanne Demisch and Stephane Danant assemble the most unique selection of contemporary furniture and art.  It's a "field trip" type of place for me.  What I mean by that is just one of those beautiful places you want to walk about and be inspired by and learn a thing or two.

Demisch Danant

542 W. 22nd Street

New York, NY  10011

Now back to the sheep. .  collectors item and some sell for as high as $30,000 at auction.

Check out this image, circa 1967 Life Magazine "Group of Parisians in a room with sheep shaped chairs by Francois-Xavier Lalanne"

Parisians enjoying a drink while lounging in a "flock" of famous Lalanne sheep, I think I want one- but we all know the closest I will get is the Ikea sheepskin rug next to my bed (maybe I could wrap it around an ottoman?)

The late Francois-Xavier and his wife Claude (also an artist).

Sorry. . got side tracked, back to Etenne Coffinier, big fan !

www.coffinierku.com

Scott Sanders
I loved meeting Scott Sanders.  Wanted to take him out for a drink.  I just enjoyed speaking with him and seeing his energy and love for what he does, it's infectious.  His space was happy.   His space reminds me of a Palm Beach Cabana . .


 First of all the wall paper, by my friends at Phillip Jeffries - Color - Split Pea, pattern - Juicy Jute, which I have in our showroom and love.  And, are you kidding, this Scalamandre fabric on the sofa and romans, so pretty !

One of my favorite details were the metal chairs - remind you of the ones your grandmother might have had - yet amped up!  (side note ... Francois A. Carre filed a patent for these in 1866 !  Extremely popular in the 20's and manufactured into the 40's in the US and France.)  

These however, were compliments of Craft Fabricators and quite fab!

Another favorite detail was the table lamp, Artist Sean Mellyn  was on hand to chat a bit on the paint application.    

. . .  his work goes far beyond lamps !

Be sure and check out his site, I did and was very wow'ed! See . . .

Back to Scott . . beautiful romans, beautiful view.

Scott's book, "Picture Perfect" is filled with other inspiring designs !

And featured in several publications . . . this being my favorite !

Scott, next time in the city, drinks ?

www.scottsandersllc.com


Neal Beckstedt
Neal Beckstedt made his debut at this year's Show House.  After speaking with him, he pointed out several little details in the room I just loved.   But two things caught my eye right as I entered.  In the small "foyer" area before you entered the actual room, he created almost a "tent" feel with the canvas rollers.  The room reminded me of a urban pool side cabana - safari style (as the window view was that of this apartment's roof top pool!)

And . . I love the door stop, two little details that that just made all the difference to me.

The walls he called "Weimaraner" gray and they were perfect, but the show stopper and focal point was the Le Corbusier chaise taking center stage.  

I love the large art piece hung in the window by Kioshi Otsuka.

www.nbeckstedtstudio.com

Chuck Fischer
Chuck Fischer Studio (and talented artist Bob Dombrowski) created this chinoiserie mural that I loved.  Subtle, with the most beautiful color of warm peach.  I felt transformed across the Pacific to an Oriental writing room (and the fact he's an author of pop up books was fitting).

 The room was warm and filled with memories, art, and pieces I could enjoy while I sit, write (or type!) or just be !

www.chuckfischer.com

Laura Bohn
Laura Bohn Design Associates created this kid's room filled with so many clever ideas . . . 
The room wasn't huge -  and what kid wouldn't want a lot of floor space?! Her use of the space-saving twin that converts from bed to desk was perfect.


This piece is from Resource Furniture

Check out their site and all the other clever ideas they have to offer . . . like this "Circe Sofa."

A few of my favorite details in the room beyond the bed was the wall application were the hooks, chalk board and window treatments . . 

The walls, which I have seen at past markets, but haven't had an opportunity to use are 3 D tiles which are available in several colors and patterns . . . great texture !  What I love is the clean and sharp of the tiles and bed, along side the seemingly "rumpled" feel of the window treatments.  I like the contrast !  I looked into those window treatments from ElasticCo and fell in love.

These are called "Eyelashes" and "Crazy Eyelashes" - cool.

And how about "Felt Dot" and "Felt Stripes"

And "Felt Floral"

What a happy space!

www.lbda.com

James Rixner
Because this show house was actually two apartments, the second kitchen was also a corner room overlooking the most beautiful outdoor space . . 


I had the chance to speak with James Rixner and my first compliment was the rug !!!

Love the pattern !

When I checked out other patterns offered, I came across others to love . . . Take a look.

Orley Shabahang

Contemporary Persian Carpets

241 East 58th Street

New York, NY  10022

www.orleyshabahang.com

His space will filled with wonderful texture and was so bright and airy.

Along with the rug . . . the Art . . . a large piece (84 x 60, etched aluminum with oil, entitled "How it is")
I absolutely loved it.
The artist is Karim Ghidinelli

to see other pieces of work by Karim Ghidinelli check out

Cheryl Hazan Gallery in NY or click here 

The overall room was so inviting, I snagged a picture from his site . . .

8.

www.jamesrixner.com

Shawn Henderson
"Lounge"


Have to admit, I noticed the room after I noticed Shawn Henderson. 

This lounge, in it's sophisticated style, included the whimsy of the swing !  And who wouldn't want to swing while looking out over the Hudson River.  A quite, peaceful room, impeccably put together.

The art really caught my eye

9.

www.shawnhenderson.com

Charles Pavarini II Design

The Red Room, as I remember it.  Forward thinking, you could say that.  As you entered the room the OLED lighting system caught my eye to say the least.  I hear he flew in several engineers from Germany to install.  This interactive wall sensed your body as you approached it.  Cool.


His quote "Lighting in the next decade is going to take a great turn . .  You won't be turning on a lamp; you'll be turning on a lampshade !"

This glam bedroom definitely had a European flair with the mirrored backdrop to the bed and lacquered furniture. Being that the bed wall was reflecting about a dozen people, I found this in the Art Observer for a clean look.

10.

www.pavarinidesign.com

Photo credits mostly me, with the exception of those numbered.  Photographers: 1. Eric Striffler for Hamptons Magazine; 2 and 3 Nicole Gibbons for So Haute; 4. Trevor Tondiro for the New York Times, 5. Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic; 6. Website of Coffinier Ku Design (photographer unknown) 7. Born's Randoms (photographer unknown) 8. Website home page of James Rixner (photographer unknown) 9. Website of Shawn Henderson (photographer unknown) 10. The Art Observer (photographer unknown)

For most and the best pictures around of this year's Kips Bay Show House, check out

Houzz's coverage, all photographed by Rikki Snyder