Category: Showrooms

Autumn Fête at ETOS with Contemporary Artist William Witenberg

William Witenberg, Mercedes Desio, Alberto Villalobos
On Tuesday October 15th, Mercedes Desio and Alberto Villalobos hosted the New York launch event of a show by contemporary artist William Witenberg at their chic downtown home furniture gallery ETOS. The show represented the first time Witenberg has formally exhibited his new collection which blends ancient watercolor techniques with contemporary digital manipulation to create mixed media pieces that broaden the definitions of what the eye sees.
The evening was well-attended and guests included Chappy and Melissa Morris, Di Mondo, Lorren Miller, Peter Benedek, Michele Gerber Klein, Evelyn Lorentzen-Bell, Margot Takian, Anna Saucedo, Kyle Marshall, Brooks Huston, Peter von Schlossberg, Nell and Hayley Kucich, Nuria de la Fuente, Carolina Davila, Dina Toak, Charles Pavarini III, Randall Tarasuk, Eric Hilton, Garrow Kedigian, Vyna St. Phard, Brett Beldock, Suzanne Eason, Joshua Green, Stephanie Richmond, Christine D’Ascoli, Ambria Miscia, Anki and Victoria Leeds, Nicole Holt, Jennifer Roberts, Karen Tompkins, Karen Dorothee Peters, Maggie Norris, Amy Porter, Violeta Lekutanoy, Linette Semino and Nelly Espinal.

Eric Hilton, William Witenberg
Chappy Morris, Melissa Morris
Randall Tarasuk, Alberto Villalobos, Charles Pavarini III
Jennifer Roberts, William Witenberg, Suzanne Eason

Alberto Villalobos, Vyna St Phard, Mercedes Desio

Stephanie Richmond, Ambria Miscia
Alberto Villalobos, Kyle Marshall
Anna Witenberg, Madeleine Witenberg
Alberto Villalobos, Di Mondo, Mercedes Desio
Photos courtesy Patrick McMullan

The Textile Issue

Am I Blue?


REVISED: Working with sumptuous fabrics, like this one from Armani Casa, can certainly elevate your mood, and surroundings. Take this latest textile from Fargo for example. Fargo is based on their much-loved Cleveland material, and it is a decorative geometrical design that distinguishes it from Cleveland. The pattern surfaces vary and form a larger damask pattern on the fabric. Donghia‘s fall collections have something for everyone who desire a chic, comfortable and sophisticated interior. The Urban Safari line is from Sahco. This collection features some of my favorite imitation furs, velvets, and other intricate weaves that are inspired by nature and its natural habitat. What other textiles do I like to work with? Find out here.

Fayette from Armani/Casa Exclusive Textiles by Rubelli

Left: Fargo, a fabric based on Cleveland (pictured right). All three fabrics are from Armani/Casa Exclusive Textiles by Rubelli and Sahco.

Indigo Collection
(J. Robert Scott)
Indigo is a refined selection of luxury textiles designed by Sally Sirkin Lewis. Sally has designed this collection featuring 100% silks, woolens, and JRS Superskidskin in the deep inky “mood” of the Indigo colorway offering versatility in any interiors.
From left to right: Woven Radiance, Edwardian Floral, Wool Dot, Bengaline, all in the Indigo Colorway. Watch the Duke Ellington/ INDIGO video from J. Robert Scott on YouTube.  

Kelly Wearstler for Groundworks: Top Image: Mineral in Indigo/Slat. Bottom: Mala in Lake, Agate in Slate/Linen, Sonoma in Cornflower, Barcelo in Taupe, Oblique in Slate/Graphite, Channels in Periwinkle/Oat, Sunbleached in Linen, Sunbleached in Graphite. Bottom: Kelly Wearstler for Groundworks: Top Image: Mineral in Indigo/Slat. Bottom: Mala in Lake, Agate in Slate/Linen, Sonoma in Cornflower, Barcelo in Taupe, Oblique in Slate/Graphite, Channels in Periwinkle/Oat, Sunbleached in Linen, Sunbleached in Graphite. Bottom: Mineral in Indigo/Slate.

Have A Seat!



“The chair is the thing that is closest to people, so it is important that its detailing is in order.”
     Hans J. Wegner


RR Koch Folding Chair







Carl Hansen & Son

I’ve heard it said that a chair is by far, one of the hardest pieces of furniture to design, no matter how simple or how complicated it may look. I think I agree with that. And when it comes to well designed chairs, I tend to look towards the 1950s, because during the course of those years, you had designers like Hans J. Wegner producing some of the most iconic and amazingly functional chairs for that period. It’s funny, I recently visited a showroom here in Manhattan where I sat on a chair that had similar designs to Wegner’s CH07 lounge chair.


The Ultimate Seating Comfort

Hans J. Wagner Lounge Chair

Hans J. Wegner CH24 Chair
Also known as the Wishbone Chair

Clean Elegance
Carl Hansen & Son CH33 Chair
Bold and Colorful
The new edition of Hans Wagner’s CH 24 Chairs comes in these variant green colors,  and orange,
blue, purple, white and pink!
The owner volunteered the name, but low and behold, the copycat’s identity went from one ear and out the next. As we all know, just about anything can be duplicated these days. Now let’s talk about the real thing. Carl Hansen & Son recently recreating one of my favorite designs, the CH33 chair, which came out in 1957 by Hans J. Wegner. It was produced for just 10 years before it went out of production! After learning Wegner’s daughter Marianne chose the chair for the desk in her very own first bedroom, Carl Hansen was inspired to recreate it. Aren’t we glad that he did!

The Herman Miller Pop Up Shop in Soho

The Collection’s final, vital elements are wholly new works from Herman Miller to be introduced this Summer and beyond. In the queue are designs by Ayse Birsel and Bibi Seck, Leon Ransmeier, Sam Hecht and Kim Collin, to enhance and extend The Collection’s reach and service to virtually every space in modern life.

Right foreground: Eames lounge chair and stool upholstered in white

Not simply an exercise in nostalgia, however, the collection also includes recent award-winning contemporary designs by some of today’s best known practitioners from Italian alliance partners Magis and Mattiazzi. These highly respected design houses represent the work of Konstantin Grcic, Jasper Morrison, the brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Steffano Giovannoni, Nitzan Cohen, Naoto Fukasawa, Marcel Wanders, Sam Hecht and Kim Collin.

 Eames Arm Chair
Mattiazzi Chairs

The Collection includes familiar and well-loved pieces from the company’s early collaborations with the giants of 20th design, many reintroduced after decades or freshly reinterpreted with new materials and manufacturing technologies.

 Eames Dinning Room Chairs and Table

Names like Eames, Nelson, Noguchi, Girard, Bennett, and Burdick are the foundation for this pop up shop. The shop marks the first public display of the renewed Herman Miller Collection, a comprehensive portfolio of products that offers the ability to create complete environments—from the backyard to the boardroom—with solutions that serve commercial, home, and hospitality spaces. Taking its cue directly from the 1952 writings of George Nelson, Herman Miller’s then director of design, the portfolio represents “the continuing creation of a permanent collection designed to meet fully the requirements for modern living.” 
Eames Chairs and table
The Herman Miller Pop Up Store which is now open in Soho until July 1st is one of the most ambitious pop up store around. During their opening party, over 800 guests gathered together in order to observe and absorb design at its finest. Every piece of furniture and accesory from Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson, Isamu Neguchi, to Girard, have a story of its own. Herman Miller, the American furniture company have always been ahead of the pack by introducing their customers with nothing less but the finest modern furniture in commercial interiors and modern spaces since the 1930s. This particular exhibition officially introduced Herman Miller Collection to the largest metro market in North America. They even have a popular shop filled with design accessories – from Maharam pillows upholstered with George Nelson’s fabrics to my favorite Eames Black Birds. While the Pop Up Shop is intended to serve as a showroom for the commercial architectural and interior design community, it is also open to the public seven days a week. The carefully curated portfolio combined existing and newly reintroduced iconic modern furniture pieces, as well as the contemporary work of some of today’s best known designers, as well as a total of 200 product families, including several pieces previewed in advance of their retail availability this Fall. The flow of the shop’s vignettes made me want to explore the space even more, and I appreciated how these museum quality pieces represented both residential and commercial applications, which provide solutions for casual office environments, executive offices, meeting rooms, dining rooms, living rooms and even outdoor environments. The product display and the shop is located at 68 Wooster Street (between Spring and Broome) in the heart of SoHo.  For more pictures of the exhibition, please visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/highendweekly. And don’t forget to Like US too!

The Weekender: Social Butterflies

 
LEGENDS OF LA CIENEGA
On Wednesday, May 9th, acclaimed interior furnishings company Rose Tarlow Melrose House hosted the VIP cocktail party that officially commenced the La Cienega Design Quarter’s 4th Annual LEGENDS of La Cienega.
The opening event historically draws notables across categories and offers the design community an opportunity to gatherin celebration of the Los Angeles design scene, of which the LaCienega Design Quarter is the heart. Last night’s event reflected the “Windows to the World” theme with globally inspired catering by Taste that referenced the featured countries of the windows.

Partygoers from the East and West Coasts

 

The evening was attended by some of the world’s most celebrated names in interior design, including Amy Kehoe, Campion Platt, David Hicks, David Phoenix, Joe Lucas, Kathryn Ireland, Madeline Stuart, Malcolm James Kutner, Muriel Brandolini, Oliver Furth, Mary McDonald, Jeff Andrews, Suzanne Rheinstein, Todd Nickey, Trip Haenisch and Waldo Fernandez, as well as Susan Feldman, Co-Founder, Chief Merchandising Officer of One Kings Lane, among others. The Legends of La Cienega Kick-Off event was hosted by Meg Touborg, CEO of Rose Tarlow Melrose House.

Photos courtesy D. Blodgett
JOHNNY SWING OPENING RECEPTION AT SEBASTIAN + BARQUET
Murmuration brings together five examples of Johnny Swing’s iconic coin furniture, and will serve as the debut of his most recent and ambitious work to date. His recent publication is a fully illustrated catalogue showcasing each of the works from the series, with essays by David Collens, Judd Tully and James Zemaitis, will accompany the exhibition. The opening reception was hosted by Interior Designer, Geoffrey Bradfield.
Geoffrey Bradfield
Michael Brummel, Corice Arman
Jim O’Donnell: Sitting on his Johnny Swing Chair
Photos courtesy High End Weekly™
SAKE TASTING at BERNARDAUD
Bernardaud welcomed 150 guests to its flagship boutique on Park Avenue for a unique Sake Tasting reception on Wednesday, May 9th. Four kuramotos ot house masters from four of the most venerable sake breweries in Japan – Urakasumi, Sudohonke, Masumi, and Masuizumi. The four masters offered samples of their products, the fruits of centuries-honored brewing techniques, that were accompanied by unexpected food pairings of French cuisine (such as duck breast and pate) during the cross-cultural gastronomic event. Guests savored the various sakes in a Bernardaud Anno cup that was designed by architect Sylvain Dubuisson. The Sudohonke brewery boasts a legacy of 55 generations of family ownership. Many of Japan’s breweries have been severely impacted by the 2011 tsunami and earthquake.
Katsuhiko Miyasaka, George Kakaty and Ryuichiro Masuda
Koichi Saura, George Kakaty and Genuemon Sudo
Photos courtesy Bernardaud
PARTICLES + WAVES at ILIAD
Cornelia Thomsen at the the opening reception of Particles + Waves, which is a curated group exhibition at Iliad Gallery located at East 57th Street. The exhibition presents a group of twelve artists whose work resonates with quantum theory, the perplexities of the subatomic world, and various interpretations of the “observer-dependent universe” through visual metaphors presenting the paradox of particle/wave duality as a modern day parable. Featuring provocative works by Cair Crawford, Karen Gunderson, Alice Hope, Ron Kingswood, Kari Lindstrom, Nefeli Massia, Norman Mooney, Svetlana Rabey, Taney Roniger, Rhonda Smith, Cornelia Thomsen and Andrea Zemel, the exhibition will include a rich variety of artistic media in a broad range of 2D and sculptural works.
VACHERON CONSTANTIN
Madison Avenue Watch Week

Vacheron Constantin kicked-off the Madison Avenue Watch Week with an exclusive cocktail reception on the evening of Monday, April 30th at two locations. Hugues de Pins, president of Vacheron Constantin North America, welcomed guests at the Vacheron Constantin Madison Avenue boutique as well as a distinguished private bank across the street from Vacheron. Guests previewed the exclusive 2012 collection of timepieces, including the Patrimony Traditionnelle 14-Day Tourbillon, the Métiers d’Art Les Univers Infinis, and the newly redesigned Malte collection, the highlight pieces from this year’s SIHH.
Hugues de Pins, President of Vacheron Constantin, and Aldo Sohm, world renowned Chef Sommelier at Le Bernardin
and 2008 winner of the “Best Sommelier of the World.”
Vacheron Constantin, The Value of Vintage Timepieces
Photos courtesy Monica Schipper Photography
SPRING SHOW NYC 2012Earlier this month, at the Park Avenue Armory, astute organizers of art and antique fairs pursued a dual mission by appealing to museum professionals, seasoned buyers, and welcomed neophytes. No art and antiques fair anywhere in the world fulfilled those two goals with more aplomb than the Spring Show NYC, which opened on May 3rd and ran through May 6th. There, in a hospitable, non-intimidating setting, fair goers of all backgrounds were comfortably united in awe and appreciation of the wide range of the fair’s offerings.

Serena Tufo, Mike Gallagher, Vyna St Phard, Rio Hamilton
Photo Courtesy Annie Watt

Magen H Gallery owner, Hugues Magen, and Benoist Drut, Partner, Maison Gerard Ltd
Photo Courtesy High End Weekly™
Nara Simmons, David Kristie, Andersen Gumbs
Paul Baker from Whistlepig
Photos Courtesy Annie Watt

Out and About: Dienst + Dotter Antikviteter

The Dienst + Dotter showroom located at 411 Lafayette Street (next door to the sophisticated celebrity-driven night club, Butter) is one of those showrooms in New York that stands out from the rest. Especially given its location. 

Jack Lenor Larsen, Thomas Woltz

They’ve been able to retained their loyal following from their original days in Sag Harbor, New York. Last night, the Scandinavian antique dealers hosted a kick off reception for the New York School of Interior Design’s Annual Spring Benefit which will honor visionary, scholar, world traveler, and authority on traditional and contemporary crafts, Jack Lenor Larsen and Thomas Woltz. 

The benefit will take place Wednesday, April 18 at the Metropolitan Club. I was horrendously busy this week, so it was a relief to be at this elegant, yet laid-back event which was so well attended by some of New York’s top design talents, editors, and socialites. Even the doyenne of lifestyle television, Martha Stewart, was in attendance. The 70 year old business magnate looked fabulous in a very tasteful and chic black leather pants, while she sauntered around the room in her high heel black suede boots. Nothing seemed to escape her notice, as she came prepared with her digital camera, and even took time to smell the showroom’s roses. This was my first time at Dienst + Dotter and I can tell you that I plan on visiting them soon. They have an outstanding collection of furniture that ranges from $500 to $50,000. When you get there, make sure you visit their bathroom as well. Yes. Take note of their 17th century letter which is cocooned inside this breathtaking antique frame, located right above the toilet seat. The bathroom is inviting and is in itself a haven of peace. I’ve always had a penchant for gorgeous and practical bathrooms, and this one is certainly an inspiration for my future designs.

Martha Stewart
Emma Dienst, Jill Dienst
Photos courtesy Annie Watt
 Martha Stewart

Atmosphere
Vyna St Phard, with Mario Buatto
Susan Zises Green, Juan Montoya
Polly Guerin
Laura Rothfuss, David J Stocker
Photos courtesy High End Weekly™
 Marilyn White
Photo courtesy Annie Watt 
Penny-farthing, American Star Bicycle from 1885
Photos courtesy High End Weekly™
 Dienst + Dotter
Photo courtesy Richard Perry for The New York Times

Peak Of The Week: Tactile Textiles






R E T U R N I N G   B A C K   T O   N A T U R E

Nature has always been a great source of inspiration in my designs.  Come to think of it, that is one of the reasons why I love the elegantly simple textiles from Création Baumann. Their new collection “The Living Line” is guided by nature, especially in the selection of natural colors.

Cosmea



Impeccably painted floral designs on silk taffeta, “Cosmea” brings to mind classic floral prints of long ago, with arrangements and coloring that deliberately deviate.

 Rosalie
This textile is just as eye catching as any of CB’s collections.  The soft wool cloth with punched out motifs is suitable for curtaining and throws.
Vidaflora
Vidalflora is true pizazz.  With its velour stripes, it harmonized beautifully to create a brilliant combination.  In fact, the entire collection from Création Baumann is absolutely exciting, since they only use first rate combination of the most diverse weaves, designs and colors.
to the trade only

Kobra King at iGuzzini





Lighting is not important for the architecture itself, but for the people that lives in it. In 2007, the Italian lighting company, iGuzzini manufactured the PizzaKobra, and it soon became the mother of all task light. Gazing admirably at this pure object of beauty, one can easily see why.

The Kobra Evolution

The PizzaKobra is the result of Rod Arad’s creative genius, who dared to imagine a world with a task light that one can actually switch on, and still managed to continually gaze at with admiration, long after it’s on.
The aluminium spires are highly pliable, giving the object a strong sensation of movement. PizzaKobra is light. The LEDs in the Kobra head create a suggestive play with reflections and shadows, as the material comes to life.
And then, with a simple gesture, Kobra goes back to Pizza and the light is off.
iGuzzini
60 Madison Avenue, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10010
iGuzzini’s tableware are sold at Eately, and Majestic Gifts.
PizzaKobra is an original idea – a light that is formed and transformed – the perfect expression of Arad’s design and iGuzzini’s know-how.  Continuously evolving, it is a metaphor of the passion they keep in their hearts and nourish with dreams and projects. 
The PizzaKobra may cost more, but it’s worth more.
Aren’t you worth it?