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

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.

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.

Join Lori Weitzner Thursday at the PDC

If you're lucky enough to know designer Lori Weitzner, you know that she's deeply passionate about her work. So it's fitting that she will be hosting a CEU-accredited presentation on "The Preservation of Passion" on Thursday at the PDC.

Weitzner will talk about her constant quest for new sources of inspiration and the process through which she finds inspiration and carries it through her design process into her finished products.

Her creativity references both the color palette of a single artifact as well as periods of time. Expect her to share tools that can help frustrated or new designers to find success.

“People often think that design is an indulgence – a luxury that is not a necessity.  On the contrary, design, when done holistically, is essential to the growth of our human spirit.”

Thursday, September 20 at Noon in the Blue Conference Room. Light refreshments to follow at Donghia (Suite G196). RSVP to marketing@WeitznerLimited.com

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.

Dwell Studio does it again for Robert Allen

On September 5, Robert Allen hosted bloggers at its design studio on 42nd Street for a preview and luncheon to celebrate their third collection with Dwell Studio. Christiane Lemieux, the founder and creative director of Dwell Studio was on hand to walk us through the collection.
Lemieux has a degree in art history and says she drew inspiration for the saturated hues in this collection from painter Fernand Leger. Case in point, Landsmeer, pictured here:


"We have a signature animal every season. This time it's the gazelle. Any time we put a creature in a design, it sells really well. People love their animals." An earlier collection she tells us had a snake design that formed a trellis-like pattern. Apparently the Robert Allen folks were on the fence, and now of course they spot the snake pattern everywhere -- in magazines on HGTV. Lemieux jokes "Snake is code for 'trust us'."


The line features graphic florals, classic Dwell geometrics, and references from nature, like Malakos, which is pictured above. There are a variety of scales ranging from small to large. Lemieux says this helps the underlying principle behind Dwell Studio: the deftness with which the patterns can be mixed and matched. And even a geometric like Zebra Geo has movement:


Primary colors like blues and greens evocative of Leger's paintings are tempered by neutrals with an unexpected pop of cinnamon.

Kings Walk (below), a woven with lions was inspired by Scandinavian designs.



Throughout the line, Lemieux says,"We wanted the charm of handmade things without being hokey. There are no strong vectors in the geometric patterns, the result of original artwork that was hand drawn in the Dwell studio."

Witness Coco:


We love this linen with an overprint, which achieves the same look of a glazed linen at a fraction of the price.



Christiane's putting the finishing touches on her second book, and staying busy with the retail store that opened in SoHo this spring. She never stops designing, and she's already working on the next collection. We're sure there will be at least one creature in store, which gives a whole new meaning to creature comfort. This rich red color story is tempered by grey, for something fresh:



The collection will be in the showrooms by next week, so stop by the PDC (Suite B499), DCH (Suite 141), DDB (Suite 301) and check it out!

Join the DDB and friends at SoHo House

Purchase your ticket now to spend the evening of Tuesday, September 25 at the SoHo House with the DDB. "Design in the 21st Century" will be a contemporary take on a salon, only more fun! The creative minds salon will feature panelists Thom Filicia, interior designer; Winka Dubbeldam, Principal of Archi-Tectonics; Cliff Kuang, Editor-in-Chief of Co. Design; and Alexis Bittar of the eponymous jewelry line.

The evening kicks off at 7pm with the discussion to start at 8pm. The evening should wrap up by 10pm. Tickets are $65, but you, as friends of the DDB can get yours for $55 by entering code DDB when you purchase them here.

Don't miss out on this special evening, with a great crowd, fascinating panel and terrific location.

Time for one last summer fling with Kips Bay

It's not too late to enjoy a summer's evening cruising the waters around Manhattan. Next Wednesday, September 12, join the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club on their eighth annual Summer Cruise. "Summer's Last Blast" will board at 6:30pm from Pier 81, on West 41st Street and the Hudson River. Anchor's up at 7pm so don't be late. The evening will include cocktails, dinner, dancing and live entertainment, and of course breathtaking city views.

We hear there will be a slew of Kips Bay showhouse designers aboard, too. For more information and to purchase tickets, call Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club at 718-893-8600.

Get MAD about jewelry

In honor of Fashion's Night Out, taking place today in NYC, we thought it was a fitting time to mention next week's opening night benefit of LOOT at the Museum of Art and Design (MAD). The benefit will take place next Tuesday, September 11, to kick off the exhibition and sale of one-of-a-kind contemporary jewelry made by 50 of the world's most innovative studios and individuals.

This bracelet was designed by the 2012 Graduate of the FIT Jewelry Design Program:


This zipper necklace was designed by Brooklyn-based Kate Cusick:


Or perhaps these rings from Scottish jeweler Marianne Anderson:


Click here to purchase tickets. It's guaranteed to be an evening surrounded by beautiful things. And proceeds support the museum, so it's a worthy cause!

Design Loves Art: Sept 19 at the PDC

One highlight to summer drawing to a close: the revving up of the fall events calendar! We can't wait till Wednesday, September 19 at the PDC when Design Loves Art will kick off with opening receptions from 5-9pm for 15 galleries. The second floor of the building will feature works from celebrated graphic designer Paula Scher whose "Global Climate" acrylic silkscreen is pictured above. Scher, whose show runs through November 10, will host a talk on September 20 at 2pm. Serving as the artist's LA debut, an installation by Will Ryman will fill the Blue Lobby, remaining up through February 1, 2013. Here's his 2012 "Signature", digitally photographed at the Paul Kasmin Gallery in NYC, by Mark Markin:


We'll also be toasting the arrival of Wharton + Espinosa (formerly Annie Wharton Los Angeles), Hudson | Linc and LA Print Space to the PDC. They'll join these favorites on the second floor:

Industry Gallery, Isabel O'Neil, Art-Merge, and See Line Gallery.

Visiting Venice? Don't miss the Biennale.

The Venice Biennale opens next Monday, and if you're lucky enough to be in Italy for work or pleasure, you should make your way over to Palazzo Corner Spinelli, the historical headquarters of textile house Rubelli. Partnering with fellow Italians Molteni&C, Rubelli will host an exhibition that plays homage to Gio Ponti.

Vivere alla Ponti will feature reissued Molteni furniture, including a limited edition armchair designed by Ponti for his home in Milan. They will be upholstered in Rubelli's Punteggiato and Rattoppatto velvets, which were also designed by Ponti and shown at the 1934 Biennale.


Punteggiato, a chiselled velvet with a geometrical design on a metal background


Rattoppato, a velvet with abstract graphics

Both velvets are part of the Rubelli velvet and damask collection designed by the legend of 20th century architecture. The exhibition will also feature drawings and original blueprints. It will run through September 28, Monday to Friday, 10-6.

Grow your business at the DCH

Today's the last day to sign up for Tuesday's CEU presentation at the DCH on 4 Powerful Strategies for Pricing and Profiting from Interior Design Jobs. Robert Allen | Beacon Hill (Suite 141) will host the 11:00am presentation with a light lunch to follow. Terri Taylor, a residential and commercial interior designer and contractor with more than 30 years of experience, will lead the discussion. Attendees will receive .01 CEU credits, but please note that ASID and IIDA members must bring their IDCEC identification number.

While you're in the Robert Allen showroom, be sure to check out Larry Laslo's latest Artisan collection (Metallic Gems is pictured above), which we shared here.

Thursday at the DCH...

This Thursday, August 16, discover how to "Live in Harmony with your Environment". Sounds like something we all need! Duralee/Highland Court at the DCH (Suite 132) will host a 10:00am presentation by Susan Daniels, an interior designer and certified Feng Shui consultant. Daniels will share tips on de-cluttering and finding balance in your home, and how to design a space that implements Feng Shui principles for a holistic well-being. It sounds just right as we turn back to reality with summer winding down.

RSVP to 832-675-0300.

Take a world tour at the DCOTA

Tour the world at the DCOTA, now through August 9th. Suite C114 has been transformed by (pictured above, from left to right) Libby Marx, Dawn Hamilton, Alena Capra and Juan Carlos Rosas, four designers tapped by DCOTA Design Services to decorate a room in an international theme (Italy, Asia, French Polynesia and Brazil). The color scheme that ties it all together? Red, ivory, silver and white. Private tours are offered daily, but here's a peak to further entice you.

Libby Marx's Italian dining room:




Dawn Hamilton's Asian master bedroom:




Alena Capra's French Polynesian guest bedroom:



Juan Carlos Rosas' Brazilian home office and living room:

Save the date: Santa Barbara showhouse

Joanie and Dennis Franz, the husband and wife developers behind Big Red Properties and prominent members of the Santa Barbara community, have planned an exciting collaboration of design and philanthropy set in one of California’s most prestigious neighborhoods – Montecito! The Santa Barbara Design House and Gardens gives some of California's most talented interior designers a turn to showcase their talents in a “Hamptons” style house is nestled on 1.62 acres of prime gold coast land. Originally an avocado farm in the 1950’s, the estate is located on Featherhill Road and anchored by majestic California Coastal Oak trees, some over 250 years old.


 
Here's a link to a little video tease
The national media sponsor, Traditional Home, along with the regional media sponsor, California Homes, have partnered on this showhouse, with additional exposure on season two of the BRAVO! network's Million Dollar Decorators and an HGTV Special.
The roughly 6,000 square foot, 6 bedroom, 6.5 bath shingle style estate was designed by architect Peter Becker and features a long private tree-lined drive, swimming pool, bocce ball court, detachable two car garage and an elegant two bedroom cabana. 
Set to open September 13th, the Design House and Gardens will feature the work of: Ryan Brown, Linda Chase, Jaime Dietenhofer, Lulu DK & Carla Lane who is designing a kid's room using Lulu DK fabrics, Mary McDonald, David Phoenix, Ann Sutherland, Katerina Tana, Caroline & Steve Thompson, Mark Weaver, Steven Weinstock and Michelle Workman.
Featured vendors include (several carried at the PDC): Action Roofing, AKDO, Alchemy Glass & Light, All Around Landscape Supply, Ann Sacks, Baron Brothers, Bay Alarm, Boccemon, Building Material Distribution, Budget Blinds, Cabana Home, California Closets, California Door & Hardware, California Electric Supply, Cedar Valley, Celestine Stone Tile Inc, CertainTeed, Cicileo Landscapes Inc, Circa Lighting, Classic Party Rentals, Clopay, Consolidated Doors Inc, CoverPro, Earthknower Studio, El & El Wood Products Corp, Emtek, Eldorado Stone, Exquisite Surfaces, Farrow & Ball, Garage Envy, GE Monogram, Global Views, Goleta Building Materials, Grandfolio, Hanson, Hayward Corporation, Heppner Hardwoods Inc, Hinkley Lighting, Hudson Valley, Icynene, Isokern, Jeffrey Court, Kallista, Kohler, Marvin Windows, Matthews Fan Company, Old World Wood Floors, Pacific Register Company, Pacific SOD, Pentair Water Pool & Spa, Pennco Properties, Pindler & Pindler, Pottery Barn, Purling Painting & Finishing Inc, Riley Electric Inc, Rivera Concrete Construction, Robert Abbey Inc, Ruppert Construction Co., S&S Seeds, Saint-Gobain, Santa Barbara Building Products, Santa Barbara Umbrella, Schumacher, Showcase Kitchens & Baths, SoliStone Inc, Solid Rock Construction, Sonos, St Thomas Creations, Stealth Acoustics, Steve Handelman Studios, Stone West Tile, Summer for Kids, The Rug Company, Timberlane, Top Knobs, Tri County Pools, Valley Crest Tree Company, Villeroy & Boch, Walker Zanger, Waterstone, Wish I had That, Wood-Mode Cabinetry. 
 

Meet the Novogratz tomorrow at CB2

Tomorrow from 6-8pm, on your way out of the DDB, escape the summer heat and stop into CB2. Bob and Cortney Novogratz, the husband-and-wife design duo behind Sixx Design and stars of Nine By Design (along with their brood of kids)and HGTV's Home by Novogratz, will be on hand to kick-off their collaboration with the playful and affordable retailer.

This wool rug, with its fitting subject, is available now in two sizes.




We hear a handful of other awesome pieces will be in stores come October, so check back. In the meantime, RSVP online here and join the party tomorrow.

Live webcast: Larry Laslo at Robert Allen

Recently we previewed Larry Laslo's newest collection for Robert Allen. The event starts today at 11:30 at the DDB--last minute RSVP to nyevents@robertallendesign.com. BUT for those of you sitting by the pool are in luck! Here's a link to a live webcast to "virtually" join the designer as he shares his inspiration and design process behind the Artisan collection, his fourth collaboration with the textile company. Suite 301.

August 2 is all about lighting at DCOTA

The DCOTA's International series kicked off to a great start yesterday. Here's a glimpse at the fourth day in the series, August 2, which is devoted to lighting. These two events promise to shed light on the subject (sorry, couldn't resist...)!

1–3pm
Decorative Crafts, Suite B-218 • Meet the Artist, Derek Wilson
“Harriet’s Secret...A Son Pays Tribute Collection”
Artist Derek Wilson has been working in South Florida since graduating from F.I.U. where he earned his bachelors in Fine Art Sculpture. He is most proud of the artwork he executed for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Stand Up For Kids, Junto’s, Easter Seals and most recently, the March of Dimes.

2pm
Jolo Enterprises, Suite C-428 • Lighting for the Future


Jolo Enterprises welcomes Don Lyons, lighting representative for Generation Brands; manufacturer of Tech and LBL. He will discuss LED, its many applications in residential and commercial settings and offer innovative ideas and solutions for the green conscious customer.