The “kitchen rock star” enters the DDB

The kitchen rock star, aka Christopher Peacock, is set to open a new showroom in the DDB, making it the company’s first in New York City.

We had a chance to chat with Lane Brooks, Creative Director and VP of Communications for Christopher Peacock, who told us how thrilled they are about the new venture.

“I can tell you we’ve always wanted to open a New York showroom,” said Lane. “It’s part of our global strategy, and in addition to pulling from the metro area, we are confident that this new showroom will also attract an international clientele.”



Christopher Peacock specializes in fitted furniture, interior paint products and spectacular hardware. Their work has included many of the world’s most luxurious private estates across the globe

You can find showrooms in Greenwich, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco and now our very own DDB. Christopher Peacock has been manufactured exclusively in the United States for 20 years.

“This is going to be our flagship showroom,” said Lane. ”We personally believe there’s not going to be anything else like this showroom in New York.”

The showroom is under construction but will be open by November on the 5th Floor of the Annex Building, 222. For more information on Christopher Peacock, visit the website.

Every day this week we’ll be spotlighting a new DDB showroom; check back tomorrow to learn about PID Floors!

Get ready Fall Market, these bloggers will be taking over!

Get to know yet another four bloggers, their blogs, their mission and how they make design come to life on the web.

Here we go:

Barbara H. Karpf for DecoratorsBest

For the past twenty years Barbara, NKBA Kitchen Designer, has worked in NYC, The Hamptons, and the entire Metropolitan area. She is in “Who’s Who in Interior Design” and was selected as one of the “Great Designers of the World 2000.” She has also participated in many decorator showhouses, her work has been featured in numerous national publications and she has been a guest lecturer at The Architectural Digest Home Show in NYC.
When surfing the web she noticed a real niche to fill “To the Trade Only” designer fabric and wallpaper was unrepresented online. It was up to her to bring this industry into the 21st Century – thus DecoratorsBest was born.



Raina Kattelson for A Stylist’s Life

Raina was 21 when she started Woojee Wear, designing and manufacturing her own line of hip, European influenced kids clothes. It was sold across the country in boutiques and department stores including Henri Bendel’s.

After a while she felt the lure of the image and decided to take up the life of a stylist-styling fashion, beauty, still life and interiors. This work has brought her commissions as display designer, location scout and interior designer, designing homes as well as several restaurants. When not off on a styling gig Raina can be found with her husband and two daughters in New York's Hudson Valley gardening and renovating old houses.



Marni Elyse Katz for Style Carrot

Marni describes herself as a writer and editor living in Boston, obsessed and affected by the aesthetics of life. She had the chance to work for Rolling Stone Magazine and was an editor at a travel magazine and a woman’s magazine. These days, from the sofa she writes about the (material) stuff that life is made of. Wrap dresses, platform sandals, shimmery lipstick, dewy skin, shiny hair, green weddings, zebra skin rugs, modernist furniture, cavernous closets, emerging artists, bauhaus architecture, japanese gardens, kissing, and fantasies of all types.



Carrie Leskowitz for Carrie’s Design Musings

Having been in the fashion and design business for many years as a stylist, fashion show coordinator, and now the principal of Carrie Leskowitz Interiors, Carrie describes herself as passionate about all forms of design and fascinated by those who create it. She loves the design process and being challenged by design dilemmas. Her motto is: "A dash of drama goes a long way.”

Take a look back at this week’s previous posts to meet other great bloggers: Part I, Part II, Part III, and check back tomorrow for our final blogger round-up as we prep for Fall Market.

For live feeds and updates during Fall Market follow the DDB and our guest bloggers on Twitter:
#ddbmarket @danddbuilding @godesigngo @DecoratorsBest @astylistslife @stylecarrot @cleskowitz

Rubelli tells the story of silk

A new book, chronicling the life of the Rubelli family and the company's extraordinary textiles has hit the bookstores and is worth a celebration.



Last month at the DDB, Margaret Russell, Editor-in-Chief of Architectural Digest, joined Nicolo Favaretto Rubelli, CEO of Rubelli and Andrea Favaretto Rubelli, CEO of Donghia for a special presentation of the book.


“I’ll tell you a Venetian story spanning two centuries. Five generations, six brands, five continents: our history, yesterday, today and tomorrow.” - Alessandro Favaretto Rubelli

Rubelli: A Story of Silk in Venice, written by Irene Favaretto (sister of Alessandro), takes you through the history in photographs, archiving the company's work.



The book is on sale now, pick up your copy and indulge in the rich history.

About Rubelli Textiles:
Currently run by the fifth generation of the Rubelli family, the company produces and sells top end, high-quality furnishing fabrics - brocade, damask, velvet, silk and lampas.

Knoll Luxe & Trove's fabulous collaboration

Trove announced their partnership with KnollTextiles back in June as their stunning wallcoverings entered the Knoll Luxe Showroom in the DDB. But last week, we checked out the official launch and reception for the Vivid Collection, and were nothing but impressed.


Trove designers Jee Levin and Randall Buck discussed their design process with attendees and spoke to how they made the prints come alive.



“Designers have been thrilled to see Trove in the D&D, love the use of color and feeling of whimsey in the collaboration they have done with KnollTextiles,” said Cannon Schuab, Knoll Luxe Showroom Manager.


Intrigued? Take a look back at the collection in detail in our previous post and stop by the showroom, Suite 1702, for a peek!

Meet more fun, fierce bloggers

Back for another blog fix? Meet three more of the industries' best, making their way to Fall Market!


Suysel dePedro Cunningham & Anne Maxwell-Foster for Tilton Fenwick

Suysel’s love for all things beautiful started early. She has worked for renowned decorator Markham Roberts, and now lives in New York City with her husband, David, and their daughter, Cecilia.

Anne has worked her way from office assistant to project designer at two prestigious decorating offices: Ashley Whittaker Design and Brockschmidt & Coleman. Anne decided to fully pursue what had immediately connected her and Suysel: a mutual love for distinctive and striking design as well as a life filled with passion, hard work, laughs and delight in the details. Anne lives in New York City with her husband, Ryan, and their precious dog, Dallas.

Tilton Fenwick is a boutique interior design firm and recipient of the “Rising Stars of Interior Design” award by The International Furnishings and Design Association. They were selected to participate in the 2011 Hampton Designer Showhouse and were also chosen as one of Traditional Home Magazine’s 2011 Top 20 “New Traditionals.”


Mae Hacking & Elise Jones for Here in This House

Mae describes herself as a design and fashion enthusiast, who’s always taken an interest in design while working in the retail/fashion industry.

Elise has many, many jobs but describes herself as a keeper of her household. She has no formal training beyond years of living in an antebellum world and a night-school class of interior design.

Here in This House is an outlet for the creative and artistic pursuits Mae & Elise bring into their homes. It is a place to chronicle discoveries, to save ideas for the future (or for others to make use of), and to talk about the things that they make and do.


Jason Oliver Nixon for Demystifying Design

Jason and his blog partner John Loecke describe themselves as the (self-confessed) dynamic duo behind the Brooklyn based interior design firm MADCAP COTTAGE. They are all about the “F” words: fun, frisky, and fun-to-be-around. Their blog is an all-access pass to glorious design, from inspirational to aspirational.

Take a look back at yesterdays post to meet four other bloggers, here. And, check back everyday this week to meet additional bloggers!

For live feeds and updates during Fall Market follow the DDB and our guest bloggers on Twitter:
#ddbmarket @danddbuilding @godesigngo @hereinthishouse @tiltonfenwick @jolivernixon

3-way textile love at Donghia

We're falling in love with beautiful collections from LULU DK, Armani/Casa and Sacho, new to the Donghia Showroom at the PDC, and you can too. This Thursday the showroom will open its doors for a preview, reception and an opportunity to meet Lulu herself.

We asked Marketing Director Lindsey Morris what her faves were right now in the showroom.

She said she can't get enough of Finland in red by Armani/Casa, a mesmerizing plaid, Donghia’s Wild Night, a perfect combination of plaid and sparkle, and Grizzly, a faux fur by Sacho.

“The collections are reflective of the individual brand heritage allowing us at Donghia to showcase not only the best product but also how they seamlessly work together in a lifestyle setting,” said Lindsey.

Here's a taste of each collection:

LULU DK’s Eden Collection is steeped in the intricacies of nature and the beautiful nuances of what it has to offer. The line features twelve designs: six hand-drawn prints, three woven outdoors, and three solid linens.



Ocean by LULU DK



Faver by Armani/Casa

The theme of Armani/Casa’s collection by Rubelli is an imaginary voyage between east and west, from the occidental approach, to the features of the oriental culture. The inspiration to this collection arises from the influences that the east has given to the west for decades.



Fredonia by Armani/Casa



Leo by Sacho

Sacho’s collection Urban Safari is natural and artful as well. The collection features a sophisticated selection of imitation furs, velvets and other intricate weaves inspired by the uniqueness of nature including stunning imitations of fox, leopard, lynx, Persian lamb and ostrich, with warm and sensual textures and materials.



Grizzly by Sacho

Want to see more? Fall in Love with Textiles will take place at the PDC's Donghia showroom, Suite G196, on Thursday, October 4 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

For more information on the Donghia Showroom and the collections, visit the website. If you're not in LA, stop by the DDB Suite 700 and DCH Suite 1000.

Designers chat about creativity and personality in the 21st century

Creative thoughts flourished at the Soho House last week as The Round Table Creative Media Group (Round Table CMG), in partnership with the DDB, presented Design in the 21st Century: A Creative Minds Salon, panel discussion.

The discussion featured industry leaders Alexis Bittar, Jewelry Designer for the likes of Lady Gaga and Michelle Obama, Winka Dubbeldam, Principal of Archi -Tectonics and Interior Designer Thom Filicia.

The panelists tackled questions including, what is design? How is the past important to the present? And how is the design world ever changing?

Here are some highlights from the talk:

According to Thom, design to him is very much about personal expression.

“I see design as a vehicle for us to really express ourselves,” he said. “For me that’s what design is today — bringing really great ideas and inspiring people at every level.”


Moderator and panelists

Winka described design as an extremely elaborate and personal process and she follows her own unique path when designing as an architect.

“I hate style, can’t stand style,” she said. “Just the idea that you have to be put in a box really irritates me.”

With regard to design in the 21st Century, the panelists agreed that it’s not really about the present and the future, but about the past.

“I’m really inspired by the past,” said Alexis. “You must tap into the past to make something modern.”

Although the world of design is ever changing in many aspects, according to Thom it’s mostly about re-inventing the old.

“I do think that there are fresh new interpretations of design but I don’t really see that there are too many brand new ideas,” he said.

The Creative Minds Salon series, put on by Round Table CMG, are meant to cultivate discussion about the latest industry trends, technology and creative ideas.

For more information on the Round Table CMG and the Creative Minds Salon series, visit their website.

Meet Iris Apfel at Stark during Fall Market

After enjoying the DDB's Fall Market keynote presentations by Michael Boodro of Elle Decor and Wendy Goodman of New York Magazine, don't miss the chance to meet a style, and industry, icon. On Thursday, October 11, Stark Carpet will host "Accidental Icon: A Discussion with Iris Apfel", founder of Old World Weavers, and Huffington Post Style Senior Editor Brie Dyas.

Iris Apfel’s penchant for mixing influences from all over the world into her own, personal aesthetic is legendary. Apfel’s work is imbued with a look that is unmistakably hers. Dyas will interview her about everything from her eclectic approach to design to the story behind Old World Weavers, the legendary fabric house Apfel co-founded with her husband Carl Apfel and that was acquired by Stark in 1993. Apfel is a one-of-a-kind storyteller. A cocktail reception will be held after the discussion. Event is invitation only. In anticipation, we're revisiting a great discussion with Apfel from earlier this Spring at Sotheby's.

Score a great deal at Ebanista's Fall sale

California-based furniture company Ebanista is hosting its Fall sale.



It kicked off yesterday and only runs for three weeks, till October 12. Stop by and see what great pieces you can find for your projects and homes, at up to 70% off!



If you want to write an order for something new, you'll win, too. Ebanista is taking 20% off new orders, too!



We can't promise exactly what you'll find (isn't that part of the fun of a sample sale?), but hurry in for the best selection.



Who doesn't love beautiful wood craftsmanship?



Ebanista has showrooms at the PDC (Suite G190), DDB (Suite 1602) and DCOTA (Suite C142).

Brand new from Colefax & Fowler

Last week we told you about our recent quick visit to London. One of the highlights was the time we spent at Colefax & Fowler, where we spent a couple of hours catching up with Trudi Ballard, Head of PR and Advertising, and C&F's designer Sarah MacGregor.

They were kind enough to walk us through the new collections, including Jane Churchill, which we'll share with you later this week. Apparently we were the first international press to see it! The C&F photography is always sublime and does quite a job capturing the textures of the collection. The curtains pictured above are in a dramatic color of Bovary linen embroidery.

Sara did a great job capturing some of what distinguishes the US from the UK market, something that is clearly important when you're a storied UK company who needs to make sure to keep up with what a large market like ours in the US is ordering.

This is Francesco, a luxurious cotton-silk blend damask on a satin weave for a textured ground:


"The woven category is really important, and increasingly growing, especially in the US where it still seems everyone wants plains and solids. We're moving the emphasis away from embroidery, and presenting a velvet book that includes not just solids but lots of bold patterns. In the UK, because we don't have showrooms and rely on our traveling salespeople, we need to think of groups -- we have the constraints of needing to introduce enough of something so that it can make up a whole book."

Can you say wow to these velvets - chair upholstered in a rich color of Marlowe velvet with pillow in Wilde?


"This season, blues are big for us, which continues to be the US's favorite color. It's new for us to use it as a ground color and not just the complement or accent color. There are also a lot of smaller designs this go, which are still strong enough to be the lead design in a room."
Witness this Aqua colorway of of Cressida with its three-dimensional cording and embroidery:

How about this Heywood paper, printed in the UK as are all of its designs, with an ottoman in the cut velvet Marlowe and pillows in Keats velvet and Hugo linen-cotton blend:


We loved the color Sara described in as endearingly British "lettuce head yellow". There's also this divine silk Lucerne, which is available in 60 different colors.



We just wanted to offer a little tease here. You really must see it for yourself, and they'll be at the Cowtan & Tout showrooms at the PDC (Suite B647), DCOTA (Suite B254), and DDB (Suite 1020) over the next few weeks.

Calling all shoppers - Zimmer + Rohde sample sale

Gearing up for Fall Market at the DDB? We knew you are!

Before showrooms can show off the latest and greatest, they need to clear some space. At Zimmer + Rohde that will include the introduction of two new furniture collections, Quintus and Caperton, in addition to a slew of new fabrics. Of course we'll share highlights here. But first, do you part to help them make room for Quintus and Caperton by shopping their sample sale, which just kicked off at the DDB (Suite 932).



Don't think this means anything outdated -- you just might score some yardage of your favorite patterns. Cut yardage will range from just $5 to $30 and pillows will start at $15. And though Z+R might be a favorite source for delicious wovens, don't forget about the furniture, too…At over 50% off, we know you'll thank us later.

Happy shopping!!

Indulge in faux fur at Christian Fischbacher

We might be barely into Fall, but you know colder weather is right around the corner. Both residential and commercial designers will enjoy the soft touch of faux fur for the projects. Now available at Christian Fischbacher at the DDB: Tessuti By Lazarine. Moscow in Arctic.

The ultimate way to ensure "sweet dreams" - how about a headboard or throw made of beautiful faux fur? New laser-cut designs in a variety of styles and colors are available through the Swiss company known for its prints.

Can you say rich? Try Mink, pictured here in Camel:


If you're in the mood for a texture, try Caiman:


And even monochromatic, black and white purists will love the touch of Alaska:


Or, for true feline fans, Cheetah:


Stop by Suite 411 and don't be surprised if you idle away the afternoon stroking all of the options!

Thursday events at the DDB

This Thursday, September 20, from 5:30-7:30pm, join us at Window Modes (Suite 1615) at the DDB. Special guest Theo Kalomirakis of TK Theatres, dubbed the "father of home theatre" is a leading creator of custom theatres and one-of-a-kind entertainment environments, like the one pictured above. Whether the style is traditional and opulent or clean and contemporary, Kalomirakis tailors each creation to fit the clients. He'll also be signing copies of his book, Great Escapes, which features nine of his projects. Discover new ways to incorporate these environments into your designs for homes (and clients) who truly want everything, as well as the technology that will make these environments truly start of the art. RSVP to Sales@WindowModes.com.

Then come back next Thursday, September 27, for a midday treat from 12-2pm at KnollTextiles (Suite 1702). Trove designers Jee Levin and Randall Buck will be on hand for a reception to celebrate their new collection of three wallcoverings, Sway, Swerve and Swoosh (pictured above) designed for Knoll. For more information, email knoll-luxe@knoll.com.

Travel to Tangiers with Stark Paint

Yesterday we shared some pictures from color superstar David Oliver's recent visit to Tangiers along with colors from his Stark Paint line. Ready to continue the journey? We thought so!

This white portico and blue doors:



...is Blue's Blue:


This derelict salon:



...is Both Barrels:


This Cane Beach shack with Moroccan flag:



...is Straw V:


These Moroccan textiles:



...are Trilogy and Very Well Read:




This yellow arch:



...is Split Straw:


This painting of Moroccan musicians playing:



...is Moss:


See the entire range at Stark at the DDB, PDC, DCOTA and DCH. And with that, we say bon voyage for the weekend, wherever it may take you!

Mark your calendar: 2 CEUs at the DDB

We hope you're free this coming Tuesday, September 18 to join the DDB for two interesting CEUs.

Perplexed by panels? Flummoxed by valences? Stunned by Roman shades? Be at Astra from 9:30-10:30 as Michael Tavano, talented interior and product designer will lead us through "Understanding Drapery Fundamentals". Tavano used peppy panels in the room pictured above. He'll advocate for how custom window treatments can accomplish "design miracles."



Explore examples that show how the right draperies for a room can make a room or window appear larger, act to heighten the ceiling, and create a focal point for a room that might lack architectural interest. Equally important, the right fabric treatment can disguise other flaws in a less-expensive-than-construction way. We also hear that Tavano will open up his address book and share some of his favorite sources for the best lining , hardware and trim to create a unique, stunning site. 1 CEU credit; Fee: $50.

Then, from 11am-12pm in the 14th floor Designers' Lounge, join Jeff Sinclair, Director of Automation of Hartmann&Forbes who will discuss what exactly home automation is and why it's important for designers to know as much as they can about it!



Get to know the components of automated window coverings like motor, control and integration technologies. Learn what you need to know when specifying and who can help you along the way. A reception will follow in the Hines & Company showroom (Suite 1010). Click here to preregister. In the meantime, be sure to check out some of their latest introductions we shared here on Wednesday.