Highlights of a Busy Week in Design

Whitby Hotel Orangery

While there have been a plethora of industry events, I am catching up here with a few highlights from a very busy week in design. Monday evening was a reception for the most recent installation at the Carpenters Workshop Gallery. In their stunning Fifth Avenue space, select works from represented artists were paired with bold nature themed wallpapers from Pierre Frey for a beautiful and thoughtful intersection of art and design.

Studio Drift Fragile Future chandelier and Pierre Frey Cuilko wallpaper at Carpenter's WorkshopI remember being blown away (pun intended) when first seeing an incarnation of Studio Drift’s amazing Fragile Future dandelion chandelier several years ago in their Paris gallery. Exploring “the relationship between nature, technology and mankind,” the light sculptures are made of bronze electrical circuits enhanced by light emitting dandelions, all hand picked and individually glued to LED lights (detail below). The result is ethereal, functional and visionary, looking beautiful against Pierre Frey’s Cuilko, a large scale watercolor pattern recalling the desert plants of South America.

detail of Studio Drift Fragile Future light

A favorite wallpaper pattern Alexandrie evokes the tropical splendor of the jungle behind Sebastian Brajkovic’s curvaceous upholstered bronze Conversation Piece.

Sebastian Brajkovic Conversation Piece with Pierre Frey Alexandrie wallpaper at Carpenter's WorkshopWith tribal influences, Pierre Frey’s Marabout illustrates animal masks influenced by statuettes of African art. Its whimsical quality is echoed in Studio Job’s  Pan Wall Mirror.

Pierre Frey Marabout wallpaper and Studio Job at Carpenters Workshop

Of polished and patinated bronze, the back view reveals its clever swivel functionality.

Studio Job frying pan mirror detail

In the middle of the gallery hangs Vicenzo de Cotiis’ monumental DC 1706. Of brass, marble, antiqued glass tube and neon, it is a marvelous melange of old and new, refined and raw and, like all pieces at Carpenters Workshop, art and function.

Vicenzo de Cotiis light at Carpenter's Workshop

Tuesday evening, I was delighted to join a group of esteemed design friends to celebrate the new trade program at Incollect. While the carefully curated and vetted art and antiques platform is available to the public, the In The Trade program confirms their commitment to interior designers and architects by offering them exclusive access to new inventory 8 days prior to the general public.

Whitby Hotel Drawing RoomIncluding over 300 of the world’s finest dealers, Incollect allows design professionals to communicate directly with sellers to get more information, negotiate prices and arrange shipping.

Whitby Hotel outdoor terraceAt a dinner co-hosted by Architectural Digest at the chic new Whitby Hotel (the uptown sister to the Crosby, both stylishly designed by Kit Kemp) it was a marvelous opportunity to catch up with friends and learn more about the program. Starting with cocktails in the cozy Drawing Room, top, and charming outdoor terrace, above, we segued into dinner in the beautiful Orangery, below,

Whitby Hotel Orangery

where dealer, designer and stylist Michael Bargo executed all the charming floral arrangements.

Michael Bargo flower arrangements at Whitby dinner

Wednesday morning I attended a preview for Michael Berman‘s new collection with Fromental. Based on the aesthetics of the 1920’s and 30s, all the wallpapers start with hand drawn sketches, which are then scanned at full scale at the Victoria & Albert, with their machines, used for fine art, archival and record printing. This allows for depth, detail and a perceptible hand in all the designs.

Michael Berman for Fromental wallpaperPalio, on the left, above, features graphic equine segments, referencing the famous Italian horse races. On the right is Blossom, an elegant design inspired by Kyoto screens from the 20s. A close up, below, shows the beautiful background and delicate flowers.

detail of Blossom wallpaper by

Hex celebrates the machine age with its graphic appeal.

Michael Berman for Fromental Hex

Inspired by the backs of textiles, Scrim is a plain that adds incredible and versatile texture to almost any room.

Michael Berman for Fromental Scrim wallpaper

Wednesday was also Spring Market at the D&D Building and a big thank you to all who attended my talk with Marshall Watson at Ferrell Mittman. His vignettes in the showroom showed just how versatile his collections can be.

Marshall Watson at Ferrell Mittman at the D&D Building

My final stop of market day was at the new THG showroom to see Timothy Corrigan’s new collections for the French manufacturer. Recalling the elegance of the classic interwar era, Timothy’s collections celebrate the beauty of jewelry and decorative objects of the period. West Coast offers a mix of materials, from rhodium plated sterling, below, to rose gold to 25 other options, all with guilloché, a decorative technique featuring a mechanically engraved intricate pattern.

Timothy Corrigan for THG West Coast collection

The mix and match options are endless.

Timothy Corrigan for THG West Coast

The Grand Central collection features ribbed metalwork, inspired by the columns outside of the celebrated train station, with thin pinstripes as accent details. This version below shows the handles inset with the option of white onyx. As Tim explains, “For me, beauty and detail are a basic part of the THG-Paris DNA. I tried to mix the best of both worlds into this new collection – both Grand Central and West Coast reflect a combination of French classicism and All-American boldness and optimism.”

Timothy Corrigan Grand Central for THG

all photos by Stacey Bewkes for Quintessence

My last stop of this very busy week in design was a small dinner feting friend Gaye Tapp for her marvelous new tome, How They Decorated. Stay tuned for more about this insightful look at sixteen of the most stylish 20th century icons and their creative homes.

3 thoughts on “Highlights of a Busy Week in Design

  1. Aaaah, the Whitby. What a perfect setting for gathering with friends after such a thought provoking day. I’ve decided it’s my new home-away-from-home.

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