Fall Market 2013 Round Up ~ Part 2

ph:via nestnestnest

With a beautiful new, user friendly NY showroom, Benjamin Moore took us thru their color forecast for the coming year.  Calling upon an ethereal, barely there palette of new neutrals.  Words like hints, whispers, and tints describe the path color is going down.  Colors with a soft hand, pastels that flatter and flirt.
Leading the way is the Benjamin Moore color of the year 2014~ Breath of Fresh Air

Rachel Doriss of Pollack Fabrics spoke of their new Makers Collection, a collaboration with talented artists working in different media.  The panel discussed a fashion to home, form follows function story, and the challenge of translating that to textiles.  Since I am always interested in hearing about "that spark" and "that thing" that inspired, this was a conversation that had me intrigued.  It is art driven design.


Jewelry designer Klus Bürgel translated his free form, layered movement into exuberant designs that dance on the fabric.

Liz Collins, knitter extraordinaire, pushes boundaries with her fashion forward, couture like textiles for Pollack.

Design stars step forward for a good cause.  26 designers donated their time and talent to redesign the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island.  As it reminded me of my day spent at St. Jude here and here, I was moved.  Good design is healing!  See for yourself this weekend when the doors will be open for  tours of the newly designed areas.

Anthony Baretta, Sara Gore, Bunny Williams, Jamie Drake, Lisa Kravet and Cary Kravet

Story boards give us a sneak peek...

Amanda Nisbet

Tilton Fenwick

With drinks in hand, mine Bourbon (it was a long day), we were wowed by the men at work in the Neidermaier showroom..  Logan, Travis, John, and Denis wowed us with their hand crafted designs. Again, speaking of inspiration and the nuts, bolts, and challenges of designing a hand crafted "thing of beauty" that is commercially successful.

All in all, another great market.

Fall Market 2013 Round Up ~ Part 1

Robert Allen is celebrating its past, present, and future. 75 colorful years in the business offering the trade fine fabrics, trim, and hardware.  A color innovator with wonderful collaborative partners and always an important "go to" resource.

Gracie continues to astonish with it's magical, mystical hand painted wallpapers.  The artistry, always Asian in inspiration, is de rigueur among the society set.  The 4th generation family business is also celebrating a milestone: 115 years.  Ming gave us a little demonstration.  He has been hand painting these papers since 1982.  One 3 by 10 foot panel can take anywhere between 75 to 100 hours to complete.  That's something to celebrate!

This has to be the year of the design book.  There are more than 25 new design books full of eye candy that have come out or are due on the bookshelves soon.

Jan Showers' 2nd book gives us a peek into her signature modern glamorous interiors in 2nd and 3rd homes that she has designed.  They tend to be more idiosyncratic; clients will take more risk in a vacation home.

Probably one of the most anticipated tomes is that of "Prince of Chintz" himself, Mario Buatta.  Always the prankster, he's an original!  The 400 page book is equal parts personal journal as much as portfolio. More about Mr. Buatta later.

Alessandra Braca debuted a beautiful line of fabrics for Schumacher.  The dramatic scale, playful textures, and energetic patterns flip tradition on its ear.  She wanted to create something that was needed in the marketplace.  Honest, true, clear, energetic colors; not just red, for which she is known.  This is not your grandmother's toile, damask, and chinoiserie!  It's re-imagined with a masculine/feminine quality.  Her Italian roots taught her the finer points of living the Bella Figura life, which she injects into her line.  Here's to beauty and a good eye culminating in a fine aesthetic.

We're not done yet, stay tuned for part 2 next time

The Adventure of the Hunt

Fall market started off strong.  The D and D building is expanding its treasure trove of riches for and with in the industry.  New showroom openings and expansions are underway.  Live from NY (the theme this year) kicked things off with a lively discussion with Lara Spencer on the topic of how a TV personality tackles design.

photo: via ABC

Lara is probably just as well known for her love of "the Flea" as she is for her day job: on air personality for Good Morning America.  Her hosting duties for award shows and HGTV appearances keep her hopping.  It's a wonder she finds time to Flea Market Flip, her wildly popular show, and writing her second book on the subject.
She learned the basics of how to create a chic home for less from a very young age.  Her education was further refined on Antiques Roadshow.  Lara talked about the invaluable experience and confidence she gained from the Keno brothers  .

She famously decorated Kathy Griffin's house.  It apparently was a big house with a little budget, but Lara filled it with happy colors.  Who can't relate to that?  The room looks like a million bucks, but it cost mere thousands.  Pieces were reupholstered and reimagined.  Always try to see beyond the imperfections and imagine the possibility!

When shopping the flea markets in an effort to create a chic happy home for less, "Always have a plan but be open minded."  You never know when you're going to find something you didn't know you needed, but that pretty much applies to shopping in general.

She is inspired by Mary McDonald at the moment.  She loves Mary's whimsical, layered, traditional with a twist interiors.

I loved her advice about the art of negotiation.  She said, "Take the hag out of haggle."  Just ask the dealer, "What would your best price be?"  It shows you are serious but respectful.  That's advice I am going to follow!  I don't like all that back and forth.

Lara's favorite haunts:

-Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena, California
-Long Beach Antique Flea Market in Long Beach, California
-Revivals Resale Mart in Palm Springs, California
-Seattle Antiques Market in Seattle, Washington
-Salvation Army Thrift Shops, locations nationwide
-Goodwill Thrift Shops, locations nationwide
-Treasure City Room Service in Austin, Texas
-World’s Longest Yard Sale from Michigan to Alabama
-Brown Elephant Resale Shops in Chicago, Illinois
-Scott’s Antique Market in Atlanta, Georgia
-Woman’s Exchange Thrift Shop in Sarasota, Florida
-Church Mouse in Palm Beach, Florida
-Housing Works in New York, New York
-Brooklyn Flea in Brooklyn, New York
-Clark Auction Gallery in Larchmont, New York
-Greenwich Hospital Thrift Shop in Greenwich, Connecticut
-Elephant’s Trunk in New Milford, Connecticut
-Brimfield Antique Market in Brimfield, Massachusettes
-Northeast Auctions in Portsmouth, New Hampshire