New Trads at the Armory Art and Antique Show

Yesterday evening was opening night at the Art and Antique Dealers League of America Spring Show at the Park Avenue Armory. Among a who’s who in NYC art and social circles, the best dealers in fine and decorative arts presented selections from their collections. Benefitting the ASPCA, the evening was generously sponsored by 1st Dibs and media sponsor Traditional Home, who featured two tables, created by NYC New Trad designers Allison Hennessy (my nomination) and Christina Murphy (nominated by Marisa Marcantonio) – a peek at their projects from the magazine below – Allison’s on the left, Christina’s on the right. A wonderful venue for the evening, the talented designers showed off their versatile New Trad syle.

Using donations from exhibiting dealers, they presented two elegant tabletops demonstrating how effectively antiques can be incorporated into new traditional design for modern living. Alison’s beautifully balanced blue and apricot room was anchored by a fabulous Queen Anne red Japanned two-door mirrored cabinet on chest from Hyde Park Antiques and the contrasting yet complimentary Silent, a 1991 large textural abstract painting by Esteban Vilente at Schiller & Bodo Gallery.

The table was set with unusual pearlware chinoiserie plates from Jayne Thompson Antiques that coordinated perfectly with blue and white porcelain candlesticks from George Subkoff Antiques and the spectacular pair of Chinese export vases from Kentshire Galleries, as well as the jardiniere on top of the cabinet.

The vases feature lids with fabulous foo dog finials resting on hexagonal bodies. The Chinese export silver and mother of pearl dessert set from Michael Pashby Antiques are sitting pretty on the contemporary Kim Seybert napkins, appropriately embroidered with an abstracted Chinese motif.

Christina brought pattern into her space with a tablecloth made from Brunschwig‘s classic Le Zebre in Charcoal Brown cleverly paired with Thermal Vector Cluster, a 2009 abstract painting by Rafael Vargas-Suarez from exhibitor Craig Van Den Brulle.

Michael Wainright’s Palio dinnerware from Bloomingdales was the perfect segue between the painting and tablecloth. The essence of new traditional style was evident in the eclectic mix of accoutrements: English 19th century mixed metal as well as Arts and Crafts treen and brass candlesticks, pair of Chinese balustrade form vases, and Anglo Indian quill box, all from Yew Tree House Antiques.

The distinctive late 19th century Louis XVI style mahogany and gilt bronze mounted chairs from Charles Cheriff Galleries popped off the dark brown walls, picking up the vibrant green of the lovely peony leaves, which offset a dramatic centerpiece arrangement by Rosa Rosa Flowers.

Stop back tomorrow to see a few of my picks from the show preview.