London Fever: Alexa Hampton for Chesney's

Continuing on with our British blitz -- we love the Olympics -- we wanted to share the latest collection from Chesney's, designed by Alexa Hampton. The daughter of the venerable Mark Hampton, Alexa inherited her dad's love of classicism, which made the collaboration with Chesney's a match made in heaven.



Chesney's started 25 years ago as a dealer of antique fireplaces. They continue to maintain a stock of several hundred antique pieces, while they have expanded in a contemporary direction with designer collaborators like Jasper Conran and Jane Churchill.



The Alexa Hampton Collection consists of three mantel designs, all hand-carved in Statuario Venato marble. As each mantel is made to order, any size is possible, with prices starting around $9,700.



Stop by Suite 224 at the DDB to touch the beautiful stone and see the mantels in person. And remember, it might feel too hot today for a fire, but custom work takes time...

Meet the designer: Darren Henault

We asked NYC designer Darren Henault to reveal some of his must-see showrooms at the DDB. Henault, one of the multitude of talented professionals available through the DDB's Designer Referral Program, is known for his luxurious and yet liveable environments, as seen in the bedroom of this NYC townhouse:


-Christopher Hyland. He's got the most gorgeous jacquards and lampas' I have ever seen. If you want super high quality, Old World weaving techniques, this is where to find it. Being a textile fan, it's love love love.
-Chesneys. We're currently installing a beautiful marble mantel into a home upstate New York. Chesney’s has got everything and if they don't, they will make it. They have done a very good job of offering very traditional profiles in a modern way by varying the stone selections.
-David Sutherland. They have got beautiful seating based on Louis XVI furniture. I'm tired of all of the distressed finishes that are ubiquitous and poorly done. They're doing furniture in a waxed, unfinished quality that is more beautiful.
-Farrow & Ball. Finally I can get their gorgeous colors in wallpapers as well.
-Fortuny.  Even before I visited the printing facility in Venice I was hooked.  Now I'm addicted.
-Gracie. We're using their papers in clean monochromatic tones, taking the tried and true and making it fresh and crisp.  The ever-lovely Jennifer Gracie is so nice to work with besides.
-Holland & Sherry. The ability they have to turn anything we come up with into the most exquisitely executed embroidery is unbelievable. I'm, of course, loving their new ever expanding rug collection which includes my own designs, including China Gate [pictured below].

-Jerry Pair & Associates. More and more clients who like traditional are asking for cleaner lines.  The Madeline Stuart collection is perfect and fits to a T.
-John Rosselli. If you are looking for a masterful mix of furniture, Bunny Williams and John Rosselli have done all the work for you.
-Pindler & Pindler. Wonderfully cheerful fabrics. If you're on a budget, you're going to find all of the same basic solids and textures here as everywhere else but for half the price.

Check back soon when we'll share what caught Henault's attention for summer on an afternoon of shopping at the DDB.

Sample Sale Alert: Chesney's Fall Sample Sale at the DDB

This Monday, October 10 marks the start of Chesney's Fall Sample Sale at the DDB. The sale lasts through Saturday, October 15, so be sure to make your way to the Chesney's showroom (Suite 244) while attending the DDB's Fall Market this coming week.

Many showroom models, seconds and antiques will be available at significantly discounted prices.

For more information, please email peter@chesneys-usa.com or katherine@chesneys-usa.com.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

From a brilliant bevel to the perfect patina, J. Pocker specializes in a wide variety of custom framed mirrors.

"We want our audience to know we don't only frame art, as in the case of mirrors, and we're also not limited to traditional gold frames. We've got a lot of modern, new pieces of art and frames that are more contemporary and fresh," said Showroom Manager, Rebecca Vicars.

It’s no wonder J. Pocker is the only showroom in the DDB solely devoted to custom framing—how could anyone compete with President Robyn Pocker’s devotion to customization? Other showrooms in the building such as Chesney's rely on her expertise for their own framing needs.

"J. Pocker has an endless selection of frame styles that can make into custom sized mirrors, from powder room to ball room. Our newest love is a silver leaf with black clay with Dutch waffle influences," Rebecca told us. “Robyn found this beautiful antique frame [shown below] in London this past September. She brought it home to have it interpreted by our own craftsmen. We are always on the lookout for the unique design in frame styles, something totally ‘Pocker.’"