NYC: ICFF 2012

I was fortunate to be able to spend half a day at ICFF last Saturday in NYC, it was my first time attending the show and I'd definitely go back.   During the couple of hours I was there I didn't get to see all the exhibitors, below is a roundup of my favorites from what I did see (and this was only half the show!).

These stools upholstered with vintage fur were my absolute favorite thing at the show, I wanted to just scoop them up and take them with me.  Unfortunately they were just props at the APPARATUS booth and not actually part of their product line,,,but by the time we finished telling them how much we loved them and had to have them,,they confessed they were going to add them to their collection because they'd had such great response!!!  Aside from the stools, I really love this studio's lighting products which are made from vintage components and found objects, the Cloud chandelier (shown above) with frosted glass orbs and oxidized brass chains was s-t-u-n-n-i-n-g.  I want.

Rattan Caning + Modern Lines.  I love this.  Throne series From Autoban 

I'm always drawn to circles and this glass and marble mosaic from Country Floors caught my eye. I think the grey grout really makes this.

I can't resist a beautiful piece of modern walnut furniture.  The May Credenza had impeccable lines with blackened rolled steel top and I LOVED it.  Miles & May. 

It was fun to meet the guys of Rich Brillant Willing + one dad! (I loved that Charles' dad was helping them out working the booth - he completely sold us on the new walnut table.)  : )  My favorite is the Quart lamp (above) and I'm lovin the new Delta pendant series so much I've just proposed the Delta IV (shown below) to a client.

A great little wood and marble side table from Blu Dot.

For all you HB2 lovers.  This brass devil is From JONATHAN ADLER.

Curiosities, found objects and vintage industrial furniture made this booth popular.  I found the way the objects were mounted on the wall quite interesting.

Indusrial style lamps in a rainbow of colours, the JIELDE booth was truly eye cathching. There's few things I'm drawn to more than an adjustable arm lamp. : )

I love a good grommet, and always need them but they are hard to find.  Impressive collection of sizes and finishes from MOCKETT.

One of the most beautiful light fixtures I've seen in a looong time.  This was a stunner! Brushed brass rods with lily pad shaped, hand formed copper panels with enamel finish.  Designed by Kiln Design Studio for Bespoke Global.

I adore Lindsay Adelman fixtures, they're works of art.  Theirs was a fantastic booth complete with workbench for assembling fixtures during the show.  Sadly they were on lunch break when we stopped by but I would have loved to have watched the process.  One of the things I admire most about Lindsay as an artist is the fact that she shares step by step instructions on her company website, "You Make It", on how to make your own Lindsay Adelman style fixture from off the shelf parts (it's how she started).  If you've never visited the site, its a must see. Lindsay Adelman.

One of the highlights of last years show was till causing a buzz this year, the Scrapwood Wallpaper designed by Piet Hein Eek for NLXL.  I'm not typically one to use 'faux' anything but I'm crazy for this entire collection, with digital technology these are more like photographic murals.  They are so authentic looking even when you touch it you still can't believe its not real, it has huge visual impact.  I also spotted some at the Kips Bay Showhouse the day before (located in a highrise duplex on the Upper West Side). 

Their newest wallpaper colleciton is Concrete by Dutch designer Piet Boon and it was attracting as much attention as the Scrapwood series, and their other newest collection Merci, vintage metal panels. All on display at NLXL's booth.

Hope you enjoyed seeing some of my favorites, believe me this was just a drop in the bucket.  The show is open to the Trade and to the public on separate days, if you ever find yourself in NYC during the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) I highly recommend a visit.

On The Side

Things are pretty hectic right now with client work and vacation planning so I don't have too much time to spend blogging.....but I just had the urge to post a pretty picture!!  You can see in these photos one of my favorite side tables - I've used it on two different projects in the last year.  It has simple and elegant lines, has a warm patinaed metal finish and best of all its usually in stock..... and not crazy expensive! Its available in two different sizes which can be used singularly or nested.  I particularly love the antiqued mirror top.  Jules accent table by Crate & Barrel.

The photos above are from the living room of the 70's sidesplit I recently furnished for a single mom.  More photos of this room coming soon......

All Photos:  Carol Reed

Golden Oldies

If I had a set of antique dining chairs kicking around my basement.......... I'd be painting those babies gold this weekend!

I LOVE this mix, its sophisticated and glam and set in a contemporary or modern interior - its simply perfection.



Photo by:  Carol Reed
Chairs:  Elte

August Sourcebook:

Rico Espinet Chandelier by Robert Abbey

Every month I search high and low, on-line, in-store, and off the street for products and materials for my client's projects.   I make hundreds of carefully considered recommendations over the course of a month, some months its more furniture based sourcing some months its more building materials and hardware - it all just depends on my current projects.   Of course not all the options I source over the month actually make the cut.  But here’s a peek of just some of the winning picks that I’ve specified or purchased this past month,,,,,these are things my clients have purchased, things that I’ve specified for clients and things i’ve purchased for my own use.

These items are in random order and are from more than one project.  Unfortunately you'll have to wait patiently for the 'After' photos to see just how these pieces were pulled together and where they'll soon call home.

I had my eye on the chandelier pictured above for some time, wishing I'd have the opportunity to specify it for a project.  And this month I did!   I absolutely love that it has a bit of a vintage industrial feel to it, with its historical filament bulbs and sleek wire suspension instead of chain, its a modern take on the traditional ring chandelier.    Its a perfect way to bring a bit of edgey style to more traditional furniture pieces.   When I look at it I can't help but envision this fixture adorned with some simple fresh evergreen at christmas. 

Host Chair by Lee Industries

There's several reasons why a pair of these chairs were selected as host chairs for a clients dining room table, I love the understated lines of this modern wing back - it definitely makes a stylish impact.  But the fact that this chair comes with an optional slipcover means its practical for a family with young children and it gives you the flexibility of two different looks.

Rod Back Windosor Chair by The Windsor Workshop

Made right here in Canada and worth every penny.  These beautifully crafted chairs will be enjoyed by my clients for a lifetime and then handed down to their children to enjoy for another.   Truly the antiques of our tomorrow.  You won't find a more comfortable chair, the formed seat and contoured edges make this more comfortable than almost any upholstered chair I've sat in and the way the dramatic curved back cocoons you feels simply luxurious.  I'm having these ones finished in a custom, lightly distressed paint colour like the sample above.

Ankara Area Carpet by Restoration Hardware

A classic looking pattern in an an appealing palette of olive greens, silver sage, red and cream.  I like the fact its 100% wool so its all natural, hypo-allergenic, extremely durable and naturally stain resistant.   Its also on sale right now.

A pair of custom made upholstered chairs and ottomans, similar to these.  I'm having them upholstered in a wide kakhi/taupe stripe indoor outdoor fabric.

Potter Lamp by Mitchell Gold.  

A handcrafted look and a large scale!  Available at Elte.

Stump tables by Pottery Barn.   

I particularly like mixing these organic tables with contemporary clean lined pieces especially metal and glass.  Great multifunctional tables in three sizes you can move around an use as stools or side tables.

Tolomeo Mega Wall Lamp by Artemide and available at DWR. 

  Sleek, super functional and a modern classic.  I love to use these in unexpected places.

Thin veneer stacked stone panels by Erth Coverings.  

Natural stone, variation of light warm colours, and can be used indoors and out.  This month I've specified it as a new cladding for an outdated fireplace.  Its dramatic texture will add high impact and the linear cut adds a modern organic feel.

 

Natural hide carpet from Elte.

I'm crazy about animal prints and hides.  Placed assymetrical or off centre, I find the irregular shape makes them suitable for use in oddly shaped furniture groupings or in small spaces where I find sometimes a rectangular carpet chops a space up or makes it feel boxed in, their irregular shape just flows better.

Delano Chair by Toronto based Gus Design Group available at Style Garage.

Canadian designed and made in Canada.  A stainless steel frame and tufted leather modern lounge chair in unlimited custom upholstery options but offered in several standard leather colours for $950.  A modest price for a leather lounge chair with such high end style. 

Neo Bunching Table by Crate & Barrel.

Cube shaped tables are a great option for first time homeowners or anyone starting from scratch.  I like that this simple geometric cube can grow with you, start out by using a pair of them as coffee tables, then they could be moved to either end of a sofa as end tables,,,,or on either side of a bed.   

The Windsor Chair

Interior by Tom Sheerer

I admit I have a thing for chairs, especially timeless classics whether it be a classic modern or classic traditional, I have a list of personal favorites that includes both and regret that I can’t somehow own all of them (but I'm working on it!).   I’ve always loved the lines of a windsor chair because the spindles and the graceful arc have such a graphic quality to them and they evoke a nostalgic sense of hand made craftsmanship.   I love how their elegant lines compliment both traditional and contemporary spaces.

Modern Country model home by Toronto designer Yanic Simard

In case you haven’t noticed, windsor chairs are HOT right now - I’m seeing them everywhere.  I would never categorize a windsor chair as trendy but like many classics from the past, they are definitely expieriencing a renewed appreciation from a new generation.  I first took notice about two years ago when i was recommending some for a clients kitchen and noticed their popularity seems to have grown since then.   Its hard to pick up a shelter mag lately without seeing them in a feature story or advertisement.  Last week while I was out sourcing chairs for a client I spotted them again and again, in even the most modern of furniture showrooms.  

P.E.I. Beach Home of Canadian Pamela Kline as featured in Country Living

Windsor Chair in distressed Black from the showroom of Sharon O'Dowd.

I'm partial to these chairs in high contrast black because it emphasizes those great graphic lines (like in the photos above), especially in white spaces,  but for clients I’ve often recommended them in a fresh colourful hue which makes them look like striking pieces of art.  

Red Canadian Maple windsor Chair from Toronto shop Commute Home

Tourquoise windsor chairs photographed by Karl Juengel via Brabourne Farm

A 1948 modern version, George Nakashima's straight back chair as seen at Toronto's Design Within Reach showroom. $700.

The Salt chair available at Design Within Reach.  $120

Crate & Barrel's Ingram Side Chair emulates the classic bird cage back windsor chair.  $250.

Martha Stewart's Everday windsor chair for Kmart was flat packed and sold ready to assemble for a mear $49.  For that price I wouldn't be able to help myself from taking a paint brush to them and going crazy,,,a beautiful chartreuse green perhaps....

 

The complete family of windsor seating also includes stools, with and without backs.  Windsor bar stool by Toronto's Windsor Workshop.

The famously beautiful kitchen of Nancy Meyers (Somethings Gotta Give) by designer James Radin as seen in House Beautiful.  He describes the windsor barstools as being "like a punctuation mark in the room".

24" Windsor bar stool by Toronto's Windsor Workshop.

Rod Back windsor chair in black by Toronto's Windsor Workshop.

Large comb back windsor arm chair by Toronto's Windsor Workshop.

An elegant large comb back windsor chair seen in this Sunroom by designer Michael Smith for a Millbook New York Farmhouse as seen in Elle Decor, photo via Cote De Texas.

Windsor Settee by Toronto's Windsor Workshop.

I think a perfect way to add some graphic interest or that "punctuation mark' to a hallway or foyer is to use the graceful windsor settee.  Unfortunately I was unable to find a photo of a windsor settee in this setting,,,,,so you'll have to tap into my designer vision with me here.......If I was to furnish a hallway or foyer with one of these beauties, I could easily envision them in hallways that looked like these....

Stone hallway of a model home toured by Cote De Texas.  How perfectly striking would a black windsor settee look in this gorgeous white and stone hallway.

How about a windsor settee painted fresh spring green or crisp white in this modern traditional home.

As beautiful as this rustic bench looks in this foyer, I can't help but think how perfect the curved back of a windsor settee would echo the rounded top of the panel door.

It would be easy to picture a black or white windsor settee in this modern panelled entrance hallway but with this neutral grey panelleling a windsor settee in any colour your heart desires would be a graphic pop of unexpected colour.