Dining By Design 2015

I am a little behind the eight ball with this post ~ but better late than never!  The DIFFA event held last month is consistently one of my favorite events ushering in the very full Spring season of festivities.  Dining by Design was bigger and better than ever this year due to the fact it was taken out of Pier 94 where it had previously been held, and into its new home next door at Pier 92.  This freed up more space for the event as well as exhibitors participating in the Architectural Digest Show, which runs concurrently.  Every year I am amazed at the level of creativity, beauty, and inspiration I take away from walking thru this stunning, over the top tabletop fundraiser.

Above, Stacey Garcia's multi layered, three dimensional flowers from her Paper Muse collection of wallpaper for York WallCoverings was her starting point.  The oversized, textural, patterned paper with a touch of metallic with an abundance of real white anemones is a celebration of Spring as well.

Robert Passel's vignette was a feast for the eyes and more like a woodland garden environment than a tabletop display.  An abundance of everything!  I spy Areté Collection,  L'Objet Fortuny, Opiary, and more!

Ralph Lauren's understated, "under constuction" vignette not so subtlety reminds us of his extensive paint line.

Kitty Hawks and Spin Ceramics created a serene Japanese tearoom setting.  I fell in love with, and wrote about Spin ceramics in my AD roundup here

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Tyler Wisler's interactive French bistro came to life as burlesque dancers entertained atop the small podium set up during the gala.  The Zia Priven lighting was my focal point and it certainly complimented the Constentino floor tile.

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Hermes was one of my favorite spaces.  I loved the new Voyage en Ikat porcelain place settings that spoke of far off places.

Marks and Franz, the design duo behind such fabulous spaces as Carrie's apartment in "Sex In The City" and the film "The Devil Wears Prada" really knows how to make a statement!  They used the old Metropolitan Opera House as a backdrop for their "curtain call."  The Celerie Kemble delicate metal framed chairs called me from across the room, and I love how they incorporated the gold wire into the floral display dramatically running the length of the table.

"I am ready for my close up"

Corey Damen Jenkins, who has a smile that lights up a room, turned the space upside down.  The flowers were on the DeGournay wallpaper panels and he used oversized lamps from Global Views to grace the center of the table.  I love that!  Robert Allen provided the fabric for the tablecloth and a single succulent grounded the Arte Italica place settings.

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Dransfield and Ross along with Sunbrella created a riot of color that was surely the brightest space of the day; a cornucopia of color and texture.  The assorted colored glasses formed a sort of sculpture that seemed perfectly at home.

Hunt Slonem, who I wrote about recently here, gave us 2 renditions on a theme all his own; one with bunnies and one with birds.  This is his moment in collaboration with Kravet/Lee Jofa.

Bronson Van Wyck and Architectural Digest designed a folly, inspired by The Tartar Tent at Chateau de Groussay in France as a place for dreaming and dining, a respite from the cold.  The original is covered in delft tiles, while these are fabricated on cloth with a chandelier from Curry and Co. and place settings by Bunny Williams for Ballard:  magnifique!

 Stephen Burks showcased Roche Bobois' The Traveler chair from their 40th anniversary collection helping create a cozy campfire setting.  I fell into those comfy chairs and dreamed of warmer days.

Calvin Klein shows us time and again that there is always beauty in simplicity.

* photos:Architectural Digest and CLI

New and Noteworthy at AD Home Show

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The Architectural Digest Show, the premiere U.S. luxury design fair, is one of my favorite shows. While in the past it has been heavy on kitchen and bath products (more on that later), I was thrilled to see more floor space devoted to other great designers and manufacturers, especially those in the MADE division.  It is a juried show within a show featuring objects and furnishings from around the world, much of which can be customized during the show.  New are the cash and carry booths.  Sometimes it's nice to walk away with a little something, something!

Bellocq Tea Atelier brought their artisanal blends to the show in a stunning display reminiscent of their shop in Brooklyn.  The founders said, "Discovering and sharing the world of tea has been a delicious, and decidedly modern adventure."

LAFCO stands for Luxury Article and Fragrance Company.  They aspire to bring authentic traditions together with exceptionally made products into a modern world.  Their scents always make me happy and bring back memories of places I have visited.

I love a good backstory and Kerber's Farm has got it.  Nick Voulgaris, after renovating a yacht and writing a book about it, then saved a local farm from impending developers.  He was determined to save a local landmark and began making homemade provisions fresh from the farm.

I was thrilled to learn Japanese made Rikumo is based in Philly!  Owners Kaz and Yuka Morihata share the authentic craftsmanship and beauty of the Japanese aesthetic that we find in their home goods.

Rikumo carries products that have binchotan charcoal or Sumi in them.  This charcoal has a very beneficial detoxifying property.  It helps pull out impurities or acts as an antibacterial agent.  Interesting!

Speaking of backstories ~ I always stop for furniture made from gnarled wood, and this credenza was no exception!  Daniel Oates of dbo Home explained the beauty of the ambrosia wood piece was created by the ambrosia beetle that only lives for a month in May.  It creates unique patterns in the fallen wood.  Each piece has a story to tell.

Jung Lee has quickly become one of my favorite stores in NY for that pièce de résistance object that puts your table over the top!  She has a beautiful eye, and her reputation for creating fabulous fetes has her traveling the world.

Zachary A. , touted as the lightest cement like furniture on the market ~

Spin Ceramics' emotion bud vases caught my eye.  They are just so friggin cute!  This company, originally out of China with a new store in Soho, is often copied but never imitated.  It's all about the porcelain from Jingdezhen (the birthplace of porcelain).  Innovative design infused with traditions from the past make their pieces unique and extraordinary.

Curves ahead.
I am enamored with the graceful lines of Martha Sturdy's wall sculptures.  They are nothing if not conversation pieces,

and these curled or ribbon wooden pieces by Kino Guérin are deceivingly difficult to create, but WOW!

Designing a home that is more like a journey than a destination~ The Citizenry curates things, gathers artists from far off places, and gives back to help tell a story.

Honestly, I wanted everything in Erin Sullivan's booth.  Everything!  The objects are earthy, spiritual, textural, and sculptural .

Carolyn Cartwright (no website) creates artisanal lighting.  Contemporary forms infused with the ancient Murano techniques.  They are really beautiful.

Ceramics meets graffiti in RS Ceramics street art garden stools.

The Lacquer Company has collaborated with top taste makers which makes it a stand out.  Plus, we love anything lacquer right now!

I am a sucker for cool lighting, and these kinds of design shows are the best place to see innovative and unique designs.  I came into this booth for Calico's marbleized wall paper and stayed for the explanation about Brendan Ravenhill studio's lighting.  This particular aluminum shade ~ The Grain Pendant, is formed over a wooden mold (displayed on the pedestal) that has been sandblasted to raise the wooden grain.  During the metal spinning process, the pattern is impressed into the finished product.

Ultralight metals and LED lights make David D'Imperio's suspension fixtures, suspended mid air, look like they are floating, but make their presence felt.

Voutsa, a fun wallpaper company with a bold voice produces custom patterns for paper, pillows, and accessories. 

 I am looking forward to seeing more from them and many others in Miami.  Mason & Objet, a French design show is traveling to Miami in May.  It was in Singapore this month.  It is the first time the show has or will be traveling out of France.  I can't wait to see what's in store!

* Cocobolo ceramics art & design