A Closer Look: Saddle River Showhouse

We wanted to offer you a closer look at the new 2012 Designer Showhouse. Pearson is one of the sponsors of th is project, situated on a spectacular 10 acre property in the Chestnut Ridge area of Saddle River, NJ. Traditional Home did a marvelous job attracting big name talent to put this winning project together.

Designer Angela Kumble had the opportunity to design the great room of this incredible property. She chose to use quite a bit of Pearson including the 2384 sofa, a pair of swanky 414 chairs, 1912 dining room chairs, 204 chairs and the versatile 9675 shagreen bunching tables. We love her sophisticated style and her distinctive style. Her choice of pieces is fresh and timeless at once (this is always a challenging balance to achieve), and we love the interesting mix of pieces in the scene above. I, for one, am in love with those lamps and her eclectic mix of accessories. The entire space has a collected look. I love it.

Unfortunately, this close cropped photo is all that we can show you at this time. Just a tease! For a more detailed look at this and every room in the Saddle River Showhouse you'll simply have to go on a tour yourself. Be sure to go soon, you only have a few more weeks to see this magnificent home decked out in all its splendor. The event runs until Sunday, June 10, 2012. The hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.(closed on Mondays). Tickets available here.

A Look Inside the Saddle River Showhouse

View more videos at: http://nbcchicago.com.

For those of you not in the New Jersey area, you might have missed the 6th Annual Saddle River showhouse sponsored by Traditional Home.

The Open House NYC video above features four of the designers who participated and gives insider tips and decorating tips.

The rooms are all so diverse and truly reflect the different points of view of the designers themselves. The garden room is colorful and open, but the dining room is luxurious and intimate. I love the diversity shown! Of course I love the kitchen, as it is a sexy blend of traditional and contemporary. Perfectly on point. And did I mention it's white? A personal favorite. But don't miss the "happy" library with eye-popping colors and a heady mix of fresh fabrics on traditional pieces. Love!

The showhouse is open to the public through June 10th. Don't miss your chance to see it!

Dangerous Curves Ahead

Don't you just love the pendulum swing of design? As if in response to several seasons of Mad Men influenced home furnishings, this Market offered plentiful signs that femininity is on the rise. Bold, unstoppable, unapologetic femininity.

Pink was everywhere - and more importantly, the RESPONSE to pink was overwhelmingly positive. Bottom line: it's selling. Amping it up even more was the introduction of more curvaceous furniture. This sofa above? I like to think of it as the Sofia Vergara of sofas. Full force feminine form and dressed to the nines. Like Sofia, this curvaceous sofa has ample va-va-voom. Enough for the whole room. And when used as a pair? Stand back, baby! Mama is making her presence known and daring (begging?) everyone in proximity to stop and stare.

So what do we think of all this interior design drama? I for one love it. And the Decorista seems to have taken a liking to the shapely trend as well. I say bring on the peonies, bring on the pink, bring on the boom-boom-pow. We're ready for it!

{Note: sofas above are brand new and have not yet been added to online catalog but it is available for orders. These were seen for the first time at Spring Market in High Point. Get more info here and reach out to your local Pearson rep or showroom to place an order.}

 

Scene & Heard

We thought we'd share mentions and observations from stylish designers and bloggers who attended Market. Regardless of how much fluffing and obsessing as you do over a showroom before opening day, the only thing that matters is customer response. Sure it may be pretty, but is is marketable? Is there a client in their books for that new console? Are there rooms in projects that would be perfect for using this new upholstery or that new imported fabric? That's the power of Market.

Here's a roundup of a few mentions from some of our favorite blogs:

• - Donna Vining, a celebrated interior designer from Houston noted the continuing influence of Mad Men on home furnishings. Her choices were spot on and we were flattered she chose to highlight our bolstered bench and brand new armless tufted chairs in her post.



• - Richard Rabel, an accomplishes interiors expert and art advisor in NYC and author of The Modern Sybarite, highlighted the awesomeness of our glamorous Art Deco-inspired three-tier table. Ball feet, panted black glass shelves and undeniable elegance make this a winner in almost any design environment. I suspect Richard's stylish clients would agree. Thanks for the mention, Richard!



• - Designer Cline Rose spied one of my favorite ottomans (I happen to own this very frame in the most remarkable metallic textile!) and remarked upon the large scale of upholstery she noticed at Market. I also enjoyed how she parsed out her trendspotting of the four D's in the post: Driftwood, Deep Blues (of which Pearson offered many), Daybeds and Details. Be sure to read more on her blog Design in Bloom.



• - Heather, designer and blog author behind Georgia James, featured our super chic chain link table in her roundup of favorite finds from Market. Can I just say I love Heather. Her bio makes me love her even more. 

These were all great posts from talented designers. Be sure to continue followng their blogs for more stylish selections from their trained eyes.

Happy weekend, all!

Spotted!

Did you follow the High Point Market Style Spotters? We certainly did. Whether or not you were in Carolina for April market, this talented crew did a fantastic job selecting the most eye-catching finds from showrooms large and small. Knowing that it is impossible to see everything during Market, this is a remarkable idea. It allows all of us to follow along and identify emerging trends, quirky product introductions and noteworthy pieces.

Beyond the obvious fun of being chosen as a Style Spotter, each individual has the opportunity to win a coveted prize: a free trip back to Market in October. If your Pinterest pinboard garners the most repins and "likes" you are declared the winner.

Traci Zeller wowed us with her choices, one of which was Pearson's brand new etagere. Standing tall with a gilded frame, beveled glass shelves painted black on the back. These are supremely glam and stopped many visitors in their tracks.

Traci chose this new occasional piece as one of her Style Spotting picks and caused quite a stir with designers and clients alike. We just learned that this talented Carolina designer WON the contest! Congratulations to you Traci and thank you for featuring one of our new introductions in your picks.

We would also like to extend a warm thank you to ALL of the Style Spotters for featuring such remarkable finds. It really enhances the Market expeience and is an incredible way for new brands and small vendors to be discovered. We look forward to seeing where Pinterest and technologies like it take the world of design.

Congrats again, Traci!

Showstoppers in the Showroom

Whew. Is everyone recovered (or recovering) from Market? Traffic was great in spite of the unfriendly weather. Much thanks to all of you who joined us for our cocktail party Sunday night. And warm thanks to everyone who ventured by for a peek at our new introductions or just to say hello.

The name of the game this year is color, color, color. And where there's color, there's pattern. Our showroom really reflected these trends and we delivered them with our own unique twists. As a recap, I'll show you just a few of the highlights of the showroom.

1. This dramatic blue and white fabric was showcased beautifully on the back of these Louis XVI dining chairs. You may also notice the new finish being shown on the frames... more on that in a future post. We're sure it will be a huge hit.

2. Sitting next to this adorable shagreen topped fretwork table is a classic chair with English arms. What makes this truly remarkable is the railroaded fabric applied with such great precision. We love how the textile works PERFECTLY on this upholstered frame.

3. Tangerine Tango, anyone? Who could resist the sunny appeal of this dining group. Velvet host chairs, a settee on one side and painted framed chairs on the opposing side (with classic x's on the backside) - I swoon over this little arrangement. That fabric is new and I'll be sharing much more about it once it's live on the web site. For now, note that it comes in three fantastic colors.

4. Peacocks are still going strong in the world of design. This embroidered fabric has a very large scale pattern and offers designers many opportunities to showcase their creativity.

5. Pearson's new bed program offers headboards AND footboards and bedframes now. This French-inspired option is sure to be a runaway hit.

6. While there are many things to point out in this photo, it's the new Italian digital watercolor print fabric that I'd like to point out. This comes in two colorways. Shown here is the indigo and yellow version. If you think this is pretty, you'll love the teal and raspberry version. True statement makers.

7. Oh, pink. I normally don't instinctively jump for pink in home decor. This vignette, however, is a true exception. Notice the curved sofas flanking the beautifully upholstered Star of India ottoman. I saw this and knew immediately I needed that ottoman. Just look at how this arrangement begs for you to unwind, sip a favorite beverage and settle in for a lengthy conversation with your favorite people. It's incredible. And the pink somehow makes the overall look even more inviting. {Beautifully done, Jennifer!}

Stay tuned for specific details on the new frames and textiles seen above. We have MUCH more to show you!

Fashion + Decor

The marriage of runway fashion and home interiors has been celebrated for years. Blogs, especially, have driven home the parallel universes that exist and the give and take relationship of trends ebbing and flowing from one to the next.

And while many blogs and mags have a regular feature comparing style of the two disciplines, Fashion + Decor specializes in such pairings. The site launched just this week and is driven by talented founder Gretchen Aubuchon. She along with her lineup of contributors offer us terrific StylePairs with a focused approach. Fashion + Decor is exactly what it sounds like: runway ensembles and stunning rooms that bear a striking similarity.

Rather than just glaze over this all-star lineup of contributors, I'll point out the talented crew. Tyler Wisler (a personal favorite!), Lisa Ferguson (of Decor Mentor fame) the talented Julie Browning Bova as well as Stacy Kuntsel (who among other this is Co-founder dunesandduchess.com), Rochelle Greayer Co-Founder and Editor of Leaf Mag), Interior Designer Jennifer Glickman, Kerry Epstein, Managing Editor Anne Flanders, Kathleen Cozzi and Andrea Cozzi. Clearly this is a site with a bright future. I'm excited to see so many familiar faces doling out daily inspiration for our viewing pleasure.

Image above of Jil Sander RTW Spring 2011 (by Imaxtree)+ House Beautiful (by Francesco Lagnese)

Fresh for Spring From Pearson

Spring Market is here! To get things rolling here are a few of my absolute favorite new introductions from the design team.

1. A Louis XVI bed made in solid maple that is just gorgeous. I love the carving and the turned legs... but those nailheads and smart low footboard seal the deal!

2. A very cool mid-century styled chair with biscuit tufting and a picture frame back. What I really adore is it's low-slung look and armless design. This baby is begging to be part of a pair or maybe a foursome for great conversation.

3. Where do we begin with this etagere?! I love it. A soaring 84.5" high and about 2 feet wide. This lovely piece has a gilded frame and black glass shelves. I love it. I absolutely love this. Can't wait to see how our clients use this in projects.

4. Speaking of gilt finishes... this geometric cocktail table will make your jaw drop when you see it in person. It's almost too pretty to cover with accessories. Thank goodness for that bottom shelf!

5. Speaking of clean lines, this sofa boasts more good personality traits than we've seen this side of match.com. Track arms, Bauhaus styling and those big square maple feet make this piece a showroom favorite.

See more new introductions in our new Facebook gallery.

To all of you here (and headed) to Market... we look forward to seeing you! There is now FREE parking directly behind Pearson on Steele Street. This will come in particularly handy this weekend as it is expected to rain. Pack your Hunter books & sharp raincoat. Also remember we are one of several parties happening in the Hamilton Wrenn Design District Sunday afternoon/evening. Ours begins at 4pm. Swing by for nibbles and sips while rubbing elbows with industry greats and familiar friends. We look forward to seeing you!

Anticipation

As we eagerly await the kickoff of this and this, we are busy preparing for this. See you all soon!

Before & After: Greenwich Showhouse

 


The talented interior design & architectural development firm RYDC, the Manhattan powerhouse behind this stunning Connecticut showhouse, reached out to share "after" photos of the project we wrote about last October. Once we recovered from that jawdropping ceiling (satin slate against high gloss white? I'm in love!) we were able to take in the full beauty of the room. Can we just way... WOW.

The powerful ceiling treatment does an amazing job of making what could seem too large of a space seem quite intimate. The architectural detail offered by the coffered ceiling is dramatic. Just look at the scale of the circular centerpiece. The eye is immediatley drawn there, pulling you into the center of the room from the moment you enter. Smart. Adding to the sense of intimacy is the creation of distinct conversation areas within the expansive room.

In the foreground you see this majestic sectional with tufted back that practically begs for a group to entertain. We spied our glamorous antique mirror top cocktail table (a personal favorite!) just in front of it beneath those pretty tulips. The large area rug brilliantly separates this seating group from those closer to the fireplace and adds warmth.

Looking further into the scenes, against the left wall is a pair of Pearson's quatrefoil door cabinet. If you've seen these grand cabinets in person you can respect the generous size of the room. These glass-front cabinets measure an incredible 90" tall and over four feet wide. Not diminutive pieces by any definition. They are often a designer favorite due to their unique combination of delicate architectural features and generous scale. It's not an easy blend to achieve, but they do so masterfully.

In front of the nearby window is one of my favorite dining side chairs. The architectural beauty of the Louis XVI legs make this lone seat interesting enough to hold its own in front of the massive paned glass. The chocolate & taupe cut velvet fabric of the upholstery adds textural interest to this little corner.

What's really impressive to me is how the entire room manages to be both formal (thanks to the sophistication and swagger of the selected furnishings) and relaxed. It says, "come in and stay a while... but please bring your manners with you." A visual message I'd say is pitch perfect for a Connecticut showhouse.

For more work from Dwayne Clark & Ron Yeffet, be sure to visit their firm's site and like their facebook page. And our thanks to the team for sharing their updated photos with us. The room is absolutely gorgeous!

See the original post here.

 

West Week Wrap-up

One of these years I look forward to attending West Week, the massive spring interiors show in Los Angeles at the Pacific Design Center. Aside from the dreamy LA weather, the PDC is a terrific venue for attracting big name editors and designers alike. It doesn't hurt that Margaret Russell delivered the keynote speach. Let's say I'm a fan and leave it at that.

Editor at Large was at the PDC in March to interview Suzanne Kasler, Lisa Borgnes Giramonti, Emily Ruddo, Gay Tapp, Charlotte Moss, Lisa Newsom, Shelly Van Rozenboom, Amy Meier, Typanie Peterson and Keith Granet. In the video, Vanessa Kogevinas uncovers what inspired the designers and gives insight into emerging trends in residential and commercial design. Catch the full video here.

Great Scot

 

One of the great benefits of twitter is getting to know so many people. I look at my long list of followers and followees and I'm stunned by the numbers. But in truth, you only interact regularly with a small number of those amazing people.

One of my favorites, as much for his verbal and sartorial wit as his design chops, is Scot Meacham Wood. Brad Goreski may be credited with the popularity of the bow tie, but I will put forth the theory that Scot may be the one who ushered in the trend. One look at his blog will tell you he's no stranger to color, pattern and tradition. Plaid (Tartan, of course!), pinstripes, houndstooth and stripes: these are all regular elements in his mode of dressing. Not to mention color!

In terms of design, look no further than his East Hampton project for posh New England styling, preppy details and happy go lucky design. In this space I love how he honored the coastal location with out ever being trite or cliche with nautical elements.

A natural fiber rug, a blue palette and a seashell framed mirror are all that is necessary to bring to mind the water nearby. For continuity, other rooms offer hurricane lanterns and framed seashell prints - but his location-centric styling ends there. The home in its entirety is classic, sophisticated and suitable for any geographic location. Although one look at that sweeping back yard and you know immediately why everyone wants a home in the Hamptons to call their own.

For more on the method of his Tartan madness see his entry in the Viewer's Choice Challenge on Joyus In the video you'll learn more about his aesthetic and see how he styles a room compared to several other style bloggers. It just shows that even given the same space to decorate, it is impossible to deny his Tartan flair for design. View them all and vote for your favorite!

Inspiration: David Hicks

Designs and designers come and go.. but a few leave an impact of style in their wake that transcends time and trends. David Hicks, a celebrity designer known as much for his love of gemotery as for his larger than life persona, was such a legend. His eye-popping designs and love of energizec color schemes are still found in fabulous homes today.

His rooms were characterized by extreme adherence to tailoring, symmetry and precision. You'll find no chintz here, no ruffles, no fluff. In short, his design style was as firm and bold as his famous personality. And interesting thing occurs, however, when you see a Hicks room from the past: they seem just as modern and fresh as they did at conception. Timeless design. 

Looking to add more order and a Hicksian vibe in your home? Adhere to this roundup of elements to achieve his orderly aesthetic:

1. Ventana Drum Shade Chandelier by Jonathan Adler  2. Pearson Shelter Arm Sofa  3. Pearson Hexagonal Side Table  4. Arteriors Marble Lamp  5. Surya Hexagon Rug by Paule Marrot

Honoring Hadley

Albert Hadley, society's designer extraordinaire has passed away at age 91. Known for his fearless approach to design, Hadley's legacy and influence is difficult to overstate. While he might have been described as "bold" and "brave" in his designs, I always admired his stylish restraint. His rooms were never overdone. His look was never too extreme. “Never less, never more.” was his design philosophy - and it shows in his work.

If you want a quick history lesson in Albert's design past, this NY Times article does a fabulous job. But to me the most important influence Albert offered is found in his interviews and the soundbite quotes he is known for.

In an interview with House & Gardens Best in Decoration he opined, "If you really like things they all tend to be of the same spirit and they all work together... If you don’t know right away that something is something you want or can use you shouldn't buy it."

Hearing a designer share these and the more regularly shared quote, "you can never do anything for a slob" gives you a greater sense of the person himself. We are sad to see him go, but appreciate so much the rich and colorful influence he left behind.

{Sketch and photo above of the famed library in Brooke Astor's apartment. To achieve the ideal look of the bookcases it required a staggering 10 coats of oxblood red paint. The resulting combination of high gloss red and brass is somehow high drama and completely inviting. A balance only a pedigreed interior designer like Albert Hadley could pull off!}

Case Study: Unusual Bookcases

Mark Cutler has a great roundup of unusual and inspiring bookcases in his Tuesday post. Some fanciful, some utilitarian and others... easily one-of-a-kind.

But none of those (save for the Alicia Martin's Biografias sculpture) cause me as much shock and awe as this use of a vintage Jaguar as a bookshelf. The scene of the crime, er, site of inspired ultra-green design is a Dutch mountain home designed by architect Thomas Dieben of the Amsterdam studio denieuwegeneratie.

FastCo Design has this to say about it:

"We don’t know whether to be impressed or saddened. On one hand, we have to commend the guy for creatively reusing something that really doesn’t have a place in the life of an environmental ascetic. It’s done in a surprisingly tasteful way, too. The rest of the house’s decor is so quirky--a teapot chandelier here, a staircase made of skateboard decks over there--that the car doesn’t look a spot out of place. On the other hand, it pains us to see such a beautiful (and expensive) piece of machinery reduced to kitchen furniture. Furniture that’s used to prop up Jamie Oliver books, no less. Now that feels like a sin."

Sacrificing such a lovely machine seems wildly committed to the cause of reducing your carbon footprint. It is gloriously done and a remarkable display of design... but my uncle Danny (a huge Jaguar fan who is always in the process of lovingly restoring one to its former glory) would surely agree with me that this is green gone too far. At least the owner can still admire it daily and appreciate its beauty from atypical angles. Even if he does approach it with tear-filled eyes.

If you're a fan of sleek, modern design be sure to tour the rest of the home. While additional imported autos are nowhere to be found elsewhere in the residence, but there are plenty of imaginative elements to adore.

Floral Explosion by Tilton Fenwick

You've seen a veritable explosion of primavera inspired beauty on the runway. Flowers and vibrant colors as far as the eyes can see. It's as if all of nature has landed at our fashionable feet. Now.. expect that same fearless approach to color, pattern and femininity to extend to your home.

It starts easily enough at the table. Witness this gorgeous Christian Lacroix inspired table design by interior design team Tilton Fenwick. Their starting point was the opulent “Vuelta” fabric by Christian Lacroix through Designers Guild, distributed at Osborne & Little. From there, they just kept going and going (or should I say growing?) much in the fashion of nature itself.

The resulting design for DIFFA Dining by Design is their contribution to the “Emerging Designer” category at Pier 94 in NYC. It will be on display through Monday if you want to see it in person.

Be sure to see the rest of the photos and their insights on what inspired the design at their blog. Stunning, and we hope they are widely praised for their bold design!

AD Home Show Begins Tomorrow!

Hard to believe it's here again! The 11th annual Architectural Digest Home Design Show runs from March 22-25th with exhibits from nearly 400 premium brands. Naturally keynote speech by Margaret Russell, Architectural Digest Editor in Chief and appearances by many industry greats are a huge draw. But most designers come for the opportunity to shop new and established brands, preview new ideas and mingle with other industry giants. If you can make it to NYC, the one-on-one designer consultations by this esteemed list may just be enough to lure you to attend.

Market Sneak Peek: The Scene Stealer

What a week! In addition to #SXSW, the Apple keynote speech (iPad, anyone?) and the sudden realization that winter isn't really happening this year, Decor Mentor gathered together a team of designers to discuss (read: give us the inside skinny!) on what we can expect at April Market.

Decor Mentors in the mix:

• Beth Dotolo and Carolina Gentry: Pulp Design Studios @PULPdesigns
• Lisa L Kahn: Kahn Design Group @LisaLKahn
• Michelle Jennings Wiebe: Studio M @StudioM_
• Jennifer Brouwer: Jennifer Brouwer Design @JennBrouwer
• Elaine Williamson: Elaine Williamson Designs @elainewdesigns
• Kati Curtis: Nirmada @designerkati
• Lisa Ferguson: Lisa Ferguson Interior Design @DecorMentor

All of whom brought their A game to the tweetchat this past Wednesday. While you might have missed it, you can catch up quickly by following #HPmkt on twitter and following @HPmarketnews.

Why it matters: these aren't design "enthusiasts" cheering on the latest and greatest things to come down the furniture runway. These are established interior designers who relentlessly attend Market with the goal of opening new accounts, placing new orders, staying on top of their game and sourcing exactly what their clients need. But there's a greater goal and benefit at work here: it's an unbelievable way to further your relationships with peers, hone your craft and build new and important relationships and partnerships. Market is an absolute must for you and your business.

If you are a fellow design professional, consider looking at ELEVATE (an interactive wall for interior design pros to exchange ideas, encouragement and expertise) and joining Lisa and her posse for a Market Kickoff Party Saturday April 21st 4 PM – 5 PM at 220 Elm, 3rd Floor Balcony

White, Fabulous... and Durable? Yes.

I'm a huge proponent of Sunbrella's incredible fabrics. For outdoors you ask? Not necessarily. You can make any piece of upholstered furniture glamorous and completely family (or pet) friendly by using these amazing fabrics.

Your friends will think you are bold and fearless... but you'll know your decorating secret. With Sunbrella (or any all-weather fabric), even red wine can't destroy the fabulously crisp and clean look you've created. See all of our outdoor fabrics and prepare to be amazed at how they've evolved. There are even toile and herringbone options from which to choose.

Thank you, Daily Basics!

Star Power

Star light, star bright... it is amazing to see just how powerful the allure of our Star of India ottoman can be. It shows up countless times in fabulous homes and top designer show houses. This is one of those unusual pieces that challenges the designer to think about fabric placement and the impact of pattern on an upholstered piece.

While it would be easy to top this lovely shape with a solid fabric, it takes on thrilling new life when covered in a feisty pattern. Yesterday we spied this on John Loecke’s and Jason Oliver Nixon's blog Demystifying Design. In it, they preview their article from the April issue of British House & Garden. Our Star of India ottoman prominently displayed on the opening page of their featured story.

The article highlights the duo's transformation of a 1910 Brooklyn terrace house into a lively retreat. Somehow they manage to have pattern on every conceivable surface yet still achieve a dreamy retreat and zen for the eyes. Even better - their adorable dog Jasper strikes a pose in the center of the page on this lovely piece. We say Jasper has ah-mazing taste!