Porcelanosa Factory Tour

When in Spain, tour Porcelanosa. Last summer's tours of the Porcelanosa factory complex in Valencia made it to ID Socialites! Porcelonasa not only fabricates porcelain tile as we all know it, but and array of specialities just as plumbing fixtures and accessories, kitchens and closets. The best part of the 3-day tour was sending project samples back home.

Soon to Launch: SOY CREATIVE by Alfonsina Romero

Interior Designer Alfonsina Romero-Waters launches the first scent of her new candle this December. The currently- secret scent is the first of many rich organic aromas made out of natural soy and natural ingredients you’d find in your kitchen. The SOY CREATIVE candles smell delicious- “almost edible” as they do not contain the musky perfumes found in many candles. SOY CREATIVE is packaged in a beautiful eco-friendly glass jar with a silver metal twist cap.

SOY CREATIVE scents launch twice a year and each will be revealed at their own exclusive scent launch party, which will be an exciting and much anticipated experience. Explore #soycreative

Platinum Circle Awards Gala

The 28th annual Platinum Circle Awards took place November 15th at the Marriott Marquis in New York, honoring John Ceriale, Prospect Hotel Advisors/Blackstone Group, chef and restaurateur Tom Colicchio, and Tim and Kit Kemp, Firmdale Hotels; Jeffrey Beers of Jeffrey Beers International and Clodagh. 

Handwritten Notes for the Holidays

Dempsey & Carroll's 2016 Holiday collection ranges from top quality correspondence cards, gift tags, and thank you/apology notes to send a host after perhaps one too many Hot Toddy’s. The 138-year-old brand, founded over a century before texting, emailing and social media became the popular way to communicate, is continuing its quest to bring back, and preserve, the lost art of the handwritten note.

Our very favorites from the 2016 collection are vibrant and very classy, see below: 

11 Howard Guestroom Tour

The main lobby at 11 Howard

Located right off Canal Street, 11 Howard, a former Holiday Inn boasts a fashion forward boutique hotel appeal with chic and modern design. Upon entering the lobby there are no formal reception desks, a trend that is predominate in many newer and hip properties. An iPad and a greeter casually check guests in at one of the round tables that adorn the lobby space. A metal spiral staircase transports guests upstairs into the bar and restaurant. The visit included a tour of the Penthouse suite, public areas, the meeting room and the gym.Unlike a traditional gym, the gym at 11 Howard is interestingly divided by areas into existing small guestrooms on the second floor.

Hotel Indigo Guestroom Tour

NEWH's "Toasty Tuesdays" April affair took place at Hotel Indigo at 177 Ludlow. The event included an exciting tour of the guestrooms and a peek inside a duplex penthouse. The hotel boasts an industrial-street vibe from the lobby to the rooftop.

The Kips Bay President's Dinner

A crowd of prominent design elite, philanthropists, fashion designers and socialites gathered at Cipriani last night to celebrate the 44th Annual Kips Bay Decorator Show House and the organization's 100th milestone year of service. Simon Doonan was the emcee and notable guests included Martha Stewart, Aerin Lauder, Margaret Russell, Bunny Williams, Thom Filicia, Jaime Drake and Johnathan Adler. The black tie event raised over $900,00 to fund after school programs for over 11,000 children the Bronx Club supports.

Affordable Art Fair Favorites and Trends 2016

Every year there is a trend at the Affordable Art Fair that follows you home. This year's big trends were: 1) Found objects, 2) Black heavy frames 3)Interactive Art (scroll to the end for this one!) Expect to see paintings on mirrors and a variety of untraditional mediums. Athol Whitmore, for example paints on found materials. Also, by not looking closely at some of the pieces you were sure to miss something. It was a fun show! Below are some of the favorites:

Kips Bay Pre-Renovation Celebration

The Pre-Renovation celebration for the Kips Bay 44th Annual Decorator Showhouse took place on Thursday March 31st at The Carlton House Townhouse. With an "under construction" theme, designers mingled through the house previewing the spaces before the grand transformation.

The Marmara Park Ave Hotel Tour

A Marmara Park Avenue Guestroom.
Photo Credit: NEWH/ Bryan Hochman

The first NEWH "Toasty Tuesday" of the year kicked off at the newly opened Marmara Park Avenue. Designed by Joe Ginsberg Design, the boutique hotel features 128 elegantly appointed rooms with custom furnishings and artwork by Joe Ginsberg, and an incredible lobby with floor to ceiling custom details and hidden surprises which you will have to see for yourself!

Dining By Design: DIFFA 2016 Tablescapes

A preview of some of Dining by Design's stylish tables of 2016, held at Pier 92. 

The Architectural Digest Design Show 2016

Preview the highlights and favorites from this years Architectural Digest Design Show held at Pier 94!

Jan Kath Rugs

5 Hot Stationery Trends for 2016 by Dempsey & Carroll

Dempsey & Carroll's limited edition collaboration with F. Schumacher & Co.

1. Calling cards

Historically, these were used as visiting cards and were meant to announce the arrival of a visitor to someone's home. The cards typically just list a person's name with very little additional information. We're seeing these come back into fashion. With numerous ways to contact someone in contemporary society, these clean and simple cards are coming into use again in a variety of ways - names, social media handles, or email addresses all on their own.

Inside West Chin's NYC Showroom

On January 13, West Chin hosted the first industry event of 2016 at their 5th avenue lofty showroom West NYC Home. Designed like an apartment, the showroom features curious and chic home accessories and furniture collections from Porro, Living Divani, and FTF. 

Kips Bay Decorator Show House Announces 2016 Location

Bedroom by Cullman & Kravis from the 2014 Show House

In its forty-fourth year, the highly anticipated Kips Bay Decorator Show House, hosted by the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club, will be located at The Carlton House Townhouse at 19 East 61st Street in New York City’s iconic Lenox Hill neighborhood. The Kips Bay Decorator Show House Committee will be accepting submissions from interior designers and architects to participate in this year’s event through February 5th.