Trending for 2014: Radiant Orchid

Radiant Orchid inspired collage by AR

On December 5^th 2013, Pantone announced Radiant Orchid (Pantone 18-3224) as the color of the year for 2014. Radiant Orchid reaches across the color wheel to intrigue the eye and spark the imagination,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “An invitation to innovation, Radiant Orchid encourages expanded creativity and originality, which is increasingly valued in today’s society.”

29th Annual Hall of Fame

Interior Design’s  29^th Annual Hall of Fame took place at the Waldorf Astoria on December 4^th 2013.  It is the most anticipated event of the design world, celebrating prominent individuals who have made significant contributions to the design industry. Inductees who received an award this year include: Paul Masi and Harry Bates of Bates Masi+ Architects; Collin Burry of Gensler, Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu of Neri&Hu and Design Republic. A special Leadership Award went to Kenneth Wampler of The Alpha Workshops. 

Holiday House NYC 2013

Founded 6 years ago by breast cancer survivor Iris Dankner, the Holiday House opens annually and features top designers to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.  We previewed the exquisitely designed rooms and had to the opportunity to chat with some of the designers about their inspirations. Anticipate scenic rooms that exude holiday warmth, a richness off pattern and texture and colorful transitions.

Holiday House NYC 2013 is open daily from November 21- December 18 and is located at 2 East 63rd Street, inside the historic Academic Mansion.

Phillip's Modern And Contemporary Editions Preview

On Saturday October 26, Phillips hosted an art reception featuring top contemporary work that was up for auction at their Park Avenue gallery. 

The Art of The Table Event

The art of the table event was a ceremony of tablescapes by designers Kent Brasloff, Schoeller + Darling, Michael Tavano and Darrin Varden in conjunction with Lenox and Bilotta's kitchen vignettes.  It was an appropriate setting for the delicious passed hors d'oeuvres and drinks. The event, which took place at the A&D building was also hosted by Traditional Home Magazine. 

Pool Side New York Magazine + Celebrity Cruises

On August 7th, the New York Magazine and Celebrity Cruises hosted their summer party at The Dream Hotel.  Amongst the fun goodies by celebrity cruises (towels and sunglasses) were some delicious vegetarian bites and amazing cocktails by Mixologist Junior Merino, "The Liquid Chef" (one of the best and most creative drinks I've ever had, ever).

ICFF 2013

Petta Thompson Wall Coverings 

Some ICFF 2013 highlights in pictures with some after-trade-show fun in Soho:

Design Event at Pallas Fabrics Showroom

On May 15,  KI furnishings and Pallas Textiles invited interior designers into their Chelsea showroom to create lap top bags with their collection of textiles. It was exciting to discover the beautiful selection of Pallas fabrics while deciding which patterns to choose to create a personalized hand bag. Stay tuned to preview my finished product in 6 weeks!

Private Belgian Chocolate Design & Tasting at Neuhaus

Belgian Chocolate Neuhaus NYC location at 500 Madison Avenue

High end contract furniture supplier D'apostrpohe invited some of their favorite interior designers to participate in an absolutly hands on presentation held by luxury Belgian chocolate shop Neuhaus on March 28th. The private after-work event consisted of 6 designers learning about the history of Nehaus as well as tasting their popular assortment. Wearing an apron and chef hats, we each customized our very own oversized chocolate egg, filling it with more chocolates and decorating it with chocolate frosting. 

Dining by Design: DIFFA 2013 Tablescapes

An AR favorite designed by Ali Tayar
for Interior Design Magazine & Wolf Gordon

The annual Dining by Design tablescapes for DIFFA took place at this years Architectural Digest Home Show at Pier 94 from March 21-23. The tablescapes represented the creative vision of each participating designer or organization. The Dining by Design media sponsors were: The New York Times, Manhattan Magazine and Architectural Digest. The theme this year was sustainability, with the hopes that each designer will repurpose or recycle as much of the installation as possible.  The tables and designs ranged from very simple and plain to absolutely creative.  All the tables are featured below.

Ralph Rucci's Launch Party at Holly Hunt

Thursday March 7 was a particularly busy night for the interior design social scene as many popular design showrooms throughout NYC opened by their doors late to host cocktail industry gatherings at the same time.  Holly Hunt's showroom hosted an interesting event, we wanted to be there and were also excited about Ralph Ruccis's new furniture line. 

Hijo Nam's Opening Reception at The Gabarron

Repurposing common elements for fine art happens in Hijo Nam's art pieces, inspired by mysterious landscapes and spiritual motifs.  Hijo Nam exhibited her collection 'Cicles" at The Gabarron Foundation, Carriage House Center for the Arts with an opening reception that reached capacity followed by a performance by Argentinean Tango Music composer, Piazzolla.

Game Changers for Metropolis at Axor

A group of six designers selected by Metropolis Magazine gathered with industry friends to celebrate Metropolis's 'Game Changers 2013'.  The event took place at Axor in the Meatpacking District. Game changers is an annual awards ceremony presented by Metropolis Magazine to honor designers who have presented innovative ideas for significant projects.

Game Changers definition written on the wall.

Hearst Designer Visions Opening Party

Designers on the red carpet at the Hearst Designer Visions Opening Party. 

Three magazines Elle Decor, House Beautiful and Veranda sponsored three top interior designers Matthew Patrick Smith, David Rockwell and Anthony Todd to decorate three distinctive apartments at 250 West Street, a former Hudson River waterfront warehouse for Hearst's annual event: Designer Visions. The installations were used as the setting for a film competition called "The 48 Hour Film Project" in which six film makers have to write and execute their films on location in just 48 hours. In the elite crowd of interior designers, editors and publicists we also met some of the actual  actors of the films produced which will premiere in October 29 at the 48 Hour Film Festival. 

Contemporary Ceramics Show at Cocolobo

On January 24th, Cocobolo held a party to celebrate their newly expanded space in the Lower East Side and to show their collection of hand crafted ceramics. Previously featured in Elle Decor, The collection includes lighting, furniture, sculptures, tiles and decorative objects. The event showed work from the following artists: Ayano Ohmi, Colleen Carlson, Stacy Cushman, Susue Goodelman, Sguzue Imai, Young Mi Kim, Peter Lane & Michelle Quan. 

Decorative objects and sculptures in ceramic

Living Art & Live Cooking at Bolon's Grand Launch

Models Performing at Bolon's Grand Launch

On January 24, 2013, Tribeca set the stage for Bolon's private grand launch of their NY showroom and headquarters. Guests were greeted with fantastic visuals that filled the venue with drama, a full bar, an exquisite food selection cooked right in the showroom, and the perfect setting for quality mingle.

Networking in Office Space at the Humanscale + Inspace Event

Photographs of offices spaces featured over the fireplace.

On Tuesday January 23rd, Inscape and Humanscale hosted a networking event for the design industry to show their line of innovative office design products. Humanscale office products are ergonomically designed to increase productivity, improve worker comfort and reduce injuries at the workplace. Inspace specializes in manufacturing smart office systems.

Novo Art's "Spice It Up" After Work Event

Mingling at the Novo Arts studio.

On January 15th,  Novo Arts hosted their "Spice It Up"  cocktail reception for designers at their east village showroom loft. Novo Arts is a multimedia art provider and fine art consulting firm. Designers and architects from top NYC firms filled the room while previewing the Novo Arts collection. The atmosphere was festive and inspiring, hosting the perfect ambiance for some quality afterwork networking and great conversation. 

The Equus Project Event at Ligne Roset

On January 8th, Ligne Roset hosted a cocktail party for The Equus Project in their Soho furniture showroom.  The event event was "an experience for all the senses."

“Natives”, part of Roberto Dutesco’s The Wild Horses of Sable Island Series