Tabletop Market Sneak Peek

Posted on April 23, 2014 by quintessence   •   3 Comments

Tabletop Market Sneak Peek

It’s been another busy week with spring design events in full bloom. Almost all of today was spent scouting new product at the Tabletop Market - below a sneak peek at some of what I’ll have to share very soon.
Then I was delighted to attend a wonderful evening at the Kips Bay President’s Dinner in a festive new location at Cipriani’s, below. Not only a wonderful cause, but the excitement is now building for the unveiling of the Kips’s Bay Showhouse next week, an annual industry highlight. It’s a great line up in the fabulous Stanford White designed Villard Houses – couldn’t ask for a better venue!…

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Setting a Stylish Table with Carolina Irving for Oscar de la Renta Home | Video

Posted on April 20, 2014 by quintessence   •   9 Comments

Setting a Stylish Table with Carolina Irving for Oscar de la Renta Home | Video

Carolina Irving has worn many stylish hats. But her most recent incarnation is that of Creative Director of Oscar de la Renta Home, where she will oversee the home collection, the furniture collection at Century, the fabric and wallpaper collections with Lee Jofa and the rug collection with Elson & Company. We were thrilled to catch up with Carolina and several of the other designers at the recent Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala, sponsored by Veranda Magazine. Tag along behind the scenes with Susanna Salk, Carolina and florist Raul Avila as they prepare their table, incorporating the latest beautiful collection from Oscar de la Renta Home.…

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Going for the Gold at High Point

Posted on April 17, 2014 by quintessence   •   10 Comments

Going for the Gold at High Point

Whether brass, gilt or gold leaf, tones of gold at High Point added a luxe touch to many showrooms. Charlotte Moss‘ new collection at Century included timeless decorative pieces such as the Beaufort chair and ottoman in a charming faux bamboo that would add instant chic to any room.

And I loved her tiered mirrored Memphis side table, a stylish and versatile piece with plenty of room for seatside accoutrements such as drink, snack cell or remote!

Alexa Hampton introduced her Laird coffee table at market. With brass trim and heft, it offered solid balance in spaces of intense color and pattern like her rooms at Hickory Chair, but would be equally effective with neutrals.…

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Feeling Blue at High Point Market

Posted on April 15, 2014 by quintessence   •   8 Comments

Feeling Blue at High Point Market

While other shades have come and gone, the staying power of blue at High Point this spring market proved the universal popularity of the hue. Whether fashion forward Yves Klein cobalt, classic navy or the pop of peacock, blue was prevalent in almost every showroom I visited. Within Alexa Hampton‘s stunning suite of rooms at Hickory Chair was this beautiful blue bedroom, featuring her Tompkins bed and Simon bench customized with a Martyn Lawrence Bullard marbleized fabric from Schumacher.

Classical allusions abounded, including her own “cobaltized” version of the Winged Victory surrounded by a series of Caesar intaglios and her Kina console.…

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More Tabletop Creativity from the Lenox Hill Gala

Posted on April 14, 2014 by quintessence   •   4 Comments

More Tabletop Creativity from the Lenox Hill Gala

Each year, in anticipation of the Lenox Hill Gala, I wonder how designers will top their creations from previous seasons. And each year I am amazed at the innovative ingenuity displayed. From towering to (not quite) tiny, the table decorations ranged in size and extravagance but none lacked creativity. Patrick Mele’s stunning centerpiece was a festive weeping willow of colorful ribbons. Pierre Frey‘s new Arty linen dressed the table, inspiring a fresh and primary take on spring with simple yet lush arrangements of daffodils, blue votives and red and yellow place setting accoutrements.

Talent finds talent, and collaborating with long time friend, Haley Sarno, Mele commissioned charming placecards
and Matisse-like paper flowers to adorn each chair.…

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Springing into Great Design

Posted on April 12, 2014 by quintessence   •   3 Comments

Springing into Great Design

As I was looking at my calendar today, I realized they should probably rename spring the season of great design. From High Point Market, to the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala to the semiannual upcoming Tabletop Market, to Design on a Dime and Kips Bay in April, there will clearly be a lot of noteworthy design news to share. And following right on the heels of all these events, at the beginning of May, is the Wakefield Design Center To The Trade Day, where I’ll be speaking with Thom Filicia about Defining Americanism, the Red Cross Ball in Greenwich with more tabletop splendor and my favorite West Coast design gathering, La Cienega Design Quarter’s Legends, where I am excited to report, I will be participating as a Legends Ambassador.…

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Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala

Posted on April 10, 2014 by quintessence   •   7 Comments

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala

It was a Spring Affair at the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala Wednesday night as designers presented their visions for the theme at 50 spectacularly decorated tables. Honoring Thomas Edelman, long term board president of the well respected and popular nonprofit, media sponsor Veranda chose a well rounded list of distinguished designers, with editor-in-chief Clinton Smith and design and decoration editor Carolyn Englefield serving as two of the Design Chairs. Designer Lindsey Coral Harper, also a Design Chair, created a table honoring Tony Duquette’s More is More philosophy.

Incorporating many of Duquette’s signature elements, Jim Thompson‘s decorative Duquetterie fabric was the table topper over a fabulous malachite skirt and leopard chair cushions.…

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A Fresh Take on Tradition at High Point Market

Posted on April 9, 2014 by quintessence   •   11 Comments

A Fresh Take on Tradition at High Point Market

Classic shapes and materials, historical allusions and an abundant use of trim and appliqué are just some of the themes seen at High Point, reinforcing the fresh take on tradition that’s been percolating in the world of interiors. Alexa Hampton‘s rooms at Hickory Chair were a knock-your-socks-off sophisticated ode to French mid-century design. Clearly the result of an educated and experienced eye, her spectacular take on tradition was a rich and saturated mix of color, texture and pattern.

Set against a gorgeous Gracie wallpaper, the rooms featured both new introductions and past favorites reimagined in new fabrics, trims or finishes (such as the sectional below, updated with red buttoned tufting).…

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High Point Preview

Posted on April 6, 2014 by quintessence   •   12 Comments

High Point Preview

Did I even mention that I was headed to High Point this weekend for the semiannual market? It’s been a whirlwind of activity down here but I wanted to give you a little preview of what I’ve been seeing at this enormous design venue. Much more to come very soon.…

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The Designer Showhouse at Sotheby’s | Part II

Posted on April 3, 2014 by quintessence   •   3 Comments

The Designer Showhouse at Sotheby’s | Part II

As we continue to look at the Designer Showhouse at Sotheby’s, the middle room, created by Ryan Korban, was designed as a grand hall.
photo courtesy of Sotheby’s
As a transitional room, it packs a glamorous punch. While filled with elaborate period pieces, the space still feels modern with its dramatic contrast of black and gilt. Each vignette is thoughtfully composed for color, composition and an artful mix. Below, a luxe pairing of gilt regency mirror and Louis XV japanned commode are balanced by the saturated colors of the George III Axminster carpet and Louis XVI gilt wood marquise. The strong flat colors and signature outlining of Jean-Pierre Cassigneul’s Femme au bouquet complete the scene.…

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