New Collections at Paris Deco Off 2016

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Stacey Bewkes   •   6 Comments

New Collections at Paris Deco Off 2016

It’s wonderful that more and more companies are choosing to do pop ups in the city during the shows but it also makes seeing all the new collections at Paris Deco Off a bit challenging, especially this year as I was busy at the pop up as well. One stop I always make time for is Jim Thompson.

The latest collection, cleverly titled Bonsai of the Vanities, is inspired by the archives and the private collection of the Royal Palace. Creative Director Ou Baholoyodhin does such a beautiful job art directing the room sets, I thought I’d share his vision for the collection.…

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2016 Young Collectors Night at the Winter Antiques Show

Posted on January 30, 2016 by Stacey Bewkes   •   6 Comments

2016 Young Collectors Night at the Winter Antiques Show

The 2016 Young Collectors Night last Thursday at the Winter Antiques Show, was, as always, a festive evening celebrating what is widely considered the most prestigious show for the best of the best in fine and decorative arts. More than 800 fashionable folks came for a private viewing of the show and to mingle with top interior designers and a social crowd of New York’s design aficionados, all to benefit the East Side House Settlement. As tomorrow is the last day, I wanted to share some of my favorite finds. On arriving, I ran into designer Jesse Carrier and we made a beeline to friend Liz O’Brien‘s booth, who always has an incredibly chic mix.…

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Paris Deco Off Favorites

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Stacey Bewkes   •   2 Comments

Paris Deco Off Favorites

While I organize my thoughts and photos, I thought I’d share a few Deco Off favorites. Ancien et Moderne was such a fantastic experience for all of us involved. Beth Dempsey‘s brilliant concept brought together a group of people passionate about design, their products and the power of creative collaboration. With an eclectic mix of old and new and a focus on timeless style, the space spoke to the enduring quality of the handmade and fine craftsmanship.

Pierre Frey, who contributed the beautiful Braquenié rug to the pop up, presented several stunning new collections. Charleston looks back to Art Deco with a contemporary eye as can be seen in the namesake fabric, a jacquard (shown in two colorways) based on a design in the archives.…

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Welcoming McAlpine Home

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Stacey Bewkes   •   10 Comments

Welcoming McAlpine Home

Thirty years ago, McAlpine Tankersley Architecture was born in Montgomery, Alabama. Since then, the firm has grown into a national powerhouse, encompassing both architecture and interiors, with four offices including a recently updated outpost in New York. I had the pleasure of visiting with four of the seven partners there before the holidays to see their elegant new Flatiron digs and discuss the evolving nature of this talented multi-faceted firm.

left to right: Greg Tankersley, Susan Ferrier, Bobby McAlpine & Ray Booth

Designing from the inside out. That mantra is what led Bobby McAlpine, in 1997, to open a related but separate interior design firm, McAlpine Booth & Ferrier Interiors, with partners Ray Booth and Susan Ferrier.…

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Paris Update

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Stacey Bewkes   •   9 Comments

Paris Update

It’s been a whirlwind 48 hours. Deco Off officially opened today and so did the Pop Up. Our small salon at 16 rue Guénégaud was hopping and even we couldn’t believe that it all came together so quickly. Many media friends and designers stopped by as well as new acquaintances it was a pleasure to meet. I will hopefully have a closer look for you to see very soon. In the meantime, please enjoy this little Paris update, with glimpses of Ancien et Moderne as well as a bit out and about. This afternoon at 4 we are looking forward to hosting a book signing and talk with Alexandre de Vogüé, co-author of A Day at Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte, fifth generation Chateau resident and manger of the estate with his two brothers!…

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First Peek at Paris

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Stacey Bewkes   •   15 Comments

First Peek at Paris

Je suis arrivée! While it may have been gray for my arrival, it is already feeling festive for the start of Déco Off on Thursday. I thought I would post a first peek at Paris through my lens. Since time will be tight on this trip, I will try to share shorter glimpses of the activities as we go along. Of course you can always follow along on Instagram for even more timely updates.

The iconic lanterns of the show are are looking festive in the charming place de Furstenberg above.

Pierre Frey‘s windows at their  left bank outposts feature old and new from their various lines above and below.…

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A Day at Château de Fontainebleau

Posted on January 17, 2016 by Stacey Bewkes   •   4 Comments

A Day at Château de Fontainebleau

Whereas many chateaux are associated primarily with a particular resident or royal, Chateau de Fontainebleau represents almost 1,000 years of French ruling dynasties. A Day at Château de Fontainebleau offers not only insights into the history, art and culture of France throughout the centuries, but also the lives of those who inhabited this magnificent French landmark. While the château welcomes over 500,000 visitors a year, many of the images in the book are of rooms and galleries not open to the public

With over 1,500 rooms on 130 acres of park and gardens, it was one of the few royal residences left intact after the ravages of the French Revolution.  …

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The Luxury of Time at the Met

Posted on January 14, 2016 by Stacey Bewkes   •   2 Comments

The Luxury of Time at the Met

The luxury of time is a valuable asset when visiting the vast collections, exhibits and shops at the Metropolitan Museum. The phrase also refers to a small yet marvelous current exhibition at the museum featuring pieces from its distinguished collection of European timepieces. Time is of course inescapable, and while the need for clocks and watches has diminished in our increasingly technological world, our fascination with the art of timekeeping continues. Just check out the prices for vintage chronographs. Melding the science of mechanization with aesthetic artistry, these exquisite objects created a beautiful dialogue between inside and out.

French decorative arts of the 18th century are prized for their sophisticated elegance and classic designs and the clocks of that era are some of the most luxurious ever made.…

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Paris Pop Up Invitation

Posted on January 12, 2016 by Stacey Bewkes   •   14 Comments

Paris Pop Up Invitation

Next week, during Deco Off, please join me for a unique Paris Pop Up! I am thrilled to finally share a very special project I have been quietly collaborating on behind the scenes for the past several months.  Ancien et Moderne represents much of which I write about here – the melding of time-honored craftsmanship with 21st century lifestyle. The brainchild of friend, pr and marketing strategist extraordinaire, Beth Dempsey, the concept space will feature both product and events. If you are in Paris for the shows, consider this your personal invitation!

illustration by B. Russell Melzer

Interior designer friend Francine Gardner of Interieurs will be curating the gallery space which sits in the heart of the left bank Deco Off action. …

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The Rejuvenation of Richard Ginori

Posted on January 10, 2016 by Stacey Bewkes   •   11 Comments

The Rejuvenation of Richard Ginori

Founded in 1735 by Carlo Ginori in Sesto Fiorentinto outside Florence, the Italian porcelain company became the most distinguished manufacturer in Italy. It remained family owned until 1896 when it merged with the Società Ceramica Richard of Milan, becoming Richard Ginori. While it thrived for many years, producing handcrafted product for palazzos, villas, luxury liners and the Vatican as well as collaborating with artists such as Gio Ponti and Paola Navone, by 2013 it was in bankruptcy. Later that year, Gucci stepped in to save the historic brand and its centuries-long tradition of Made in Italy excellence.

photo via Gucci, courtesy of Alessandro Moggi

This is a story that has been brewing in my files.…

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