Summer is off to a great start! When we heard the 2014 Kips Bay Decorator Show House was at the historic Villard mansion on Madison Avenue, we knew we must include it in our ICFF trip to New York. What a thrill to tour the twenty-two rooms of this stately Manhattan home which was transformed by a most distinguished and talented team of interior designers.
Source: Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club
Each room was as impressive as the next with 16-foot-tall ceilings and filled with daring combinations of colors, patterns and styles. We can’t forget the lacquered furnishings, upholstered suede walls, gold-leaf ceilings and leather floors that comprised some of the rooms in the house. We especially liked the rooms by Cullman & Kravis and Darryl Carter Design.
Source: Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club
Source: Architectural Digest
We also attended the 26th annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on this trip to New York, where we saw some of the latest modern designs in furniture, lighting and accessories.
At Ronel Jordaan’s booth, we saw these interesting “Leaf Vein” wool throws, cushions and poufs made from hand felted merino wool.
Kinder GROUND displayed their graphic, modular carpet samples that come in all sorts of shapes, colors and patterns.
We thought these metal partition systems by RAZORTOOTHDESIGN, LLC were unusual for inside or outside the home.
This Saccaro, Mangue Concept Dining Table was beautifully designed with multiple legs and a wooden inlay representing a crab’s pathway on the top. Notice the crabs on top of the table which made a whimsical statement.
We love the modern color palette that O&G Studio offers; especially on this Colt Settee.
Isn’t this Gregoria Lounge a great conversational piece by Kish?
Source: Kish (right)
We were intrigued by a new lineof folding furniture with simple, elegant, geometric forms called Folditure. Their pieces make a bold statement and are surprisingly comfortable and portable.
Peter Glassford showcased his wonderful wood collage tiles at this year’s ICFF. The handicraft and detail on his work is outstanding.
Source: Peter Glassford
Lastly, we were quite interested in line of heated outdoor furniture by Galanter & Jones. This is a great new idea and the first of its kind. Although we don’t expect to get many requests for this in Houston, we are currently working on a house in Park City, Utah where this might be a welcome addition!
Source: Galanter & Jones (right)
After taking in all that ICFF had to offer, we were excited to attend a book signing for retailer and blogger, Ted Kennedy Watson, who has just released his new book Style & Simplicity. He has the most clever and delightful shop, Watson Kennedy, located in Seattle that you must stop by if you are ever in the area.
Source: Watson Kennedy (left), Our Little Gems (right)
We spent the rest of the lovely evening dining with Ronda Carmen of All the Best Blog and Rizzoli editor, Sandy Gilbert Freidus at Blaue Gans which was surprisingly located directly across the street from the party for Ted Kennedy Watson. Ironically, Sandy had worked on the book Neue Cuisine with Austrian chef Kurt Gutenbrunner which provides wonderful recipes from Blaue Gans , Wallsé and Café Sabarsky. How lucky for us the white asparagus was in season and perfectly prepared!
Source: Amazon
As always a great time was had in the city that never sleeps and as always we gathered lots of great inspiration from both ICFF and the Kipps Bay Decorator Show House. We are busy putting our ideas to work back in Houston, but look forward to another trip to the Big Apple very soon.
“London is satisfied, Paris is resigned, but New York is always hopeful. Always it believes that something good is about to come off, and it must hurry to meet it.”
― Dorothy Parker
