What did you do this summer, Pierre?

We're still in denial that summer's officially over, so to further the daydream, we asked Pierre Frey to tell us about his summer. He is the Director of International Relations/Press of, and shares his name with, his family's fabric company, Pierre Frey.

"Ever since I’m a young boy, every year I spend time in the summer on the southwestern coast of France, on Cap Ferret. We started coming here because my grandmother had a house here. Now, no matter how scattered around the world my family may be, we always end the summer here together. It’s a picturesque area, with very few hotels or development, which keeps it quaint and quiet. My time here is all about rejuvenation, spending time with family… and the most amazingly fresh seafood." He's pictured above left with his equally adorable brothers, Vincent and Matthieu.



"The climate on Cap Ferret can be cool, so it’s the perfect end-of-summer transition back to Fall. One of our fabrics that I associate with it is our Teddy Mohair in Marine [pictured above]. Like Cap Ferret for me, it’s cozy, lush, and in a deep blue color that matches the intensity of the sea. Also, our new print Panarea reminds me of the many sail boats that fill the waters here. Looking at the crazy positioning of the sails reminds me of being on a boat getting tossed about on the waves."

Panarea:


"When I return to Paris, we start the frenetic preparations for launching our next collections, culminating with our big show in January - the Paris Deco-Off. It’s our busiest time of year, but also the most exciting."



"We just shipped our new Boussac collection to our US showrooms. [We're mad for the absinthe-like color in the collection.] It is inspired by nature, but with a decidedly contemporary spirit. The collection has lots of color, and a sophisticated contrast of natural grounds with embroidery and hand blocked pattern."



Stop by Pierre Frey at the DDB (Floor 16) and see what Pierre's talking about -- and maybe transport yourself to Cap Ferret!

Plumwich is now at Pierre Frey

Plumwich by J.A. Design Studiois now represented at Pierre Frey! We stopped by to give you this peek at the terrific, punchy fabrics designed by Janet A. Fernandez, the Swedish-born, Rome-raised, Miami-based textile designer.

Seahorses in Indigo:

Cefalu in Olive:

Lowe in Orange:

Pierre in Mustard:

Tessa in Salmon:

Venice Piccolo in Caper:

Dreamy on a daybed, and terrific for pillows, don't you think? See for yourself at the DDB, Floor 16. We hear there's an event in the works for September 12. Stay tuned...

Design Seminar Series at the DDB

The DDB's DESIGN SEMINAR SERIES continues with DESIGN HISTORY SERIES on the HISTORY OF THE INTERIOR. Sign up now and brush up on your decorative arts history. We We promise it'll be more fun (and insightful) than summer school! This five-session program examines the history of the 20th-century interior through the filter of the major design movements that influenced the modern home. The discussion highlights key concepts of the development of the modern interior, such as taste, class, style, identity, hygiene and modernity. By viewing icons and some of the most important interiors of their time, the series will include analysis of furniture, furnishings, lighting, objects, wall coverings and the decorative arts of the interior.


All lectures by Daniella Ohad Smith, Ph.D. Sponsored by Modern Magazine. The five-week series with Optional CEU certificate is in partnership with NYSID costs $25 per course credit (.1CE .1LU per course). To register as CEU, please contact 212-472-1500 ext. 209 or visit www.nysid.edu. General RSVP to RSVP@DDBuilding.com.


Tuesday, May 29, 9:30AM, Crestron, Suite 400
The Birth of the Modern Home | CE145-W-A 
The campaign for the modern home and the transformation from Victorian concepts of domestic culture into those adhering modern living were initiated by William Morris and the fathers of the Arts and Crafts Movement. In the wake of industrialization, they proposed alternative visions of production that integrated art and labor as well as manifesto that focused on furniture, furnishings, and the appearance of the modern home. Breakfast reception to immediately follow.


Tuesday, June 5, 9:30AM, Donghia, Suite 700
Art Nouveau – The Art Home | CE145-W-B
The attempt to reform and renew the domestic sphere through a complete design program in fin-de-siècle Europe, had informed the European Art Nouveau home. Concepts such as an 'artistic' home, the Gesamtkunstwerk interior, nationalism, and a transformation from a historicist tradition into modernist ideals came to inform and define that unique home that tells the story of its time. Breakfast reception to immediately follow.


Tuesday, June 12, 9:30AM, Pierre Frey, Suite 1611
The Art Deco Interior | CE145-W-C 
Two streams and concepts regarding the modern interior were developed in France between the two world wars, reflecting historical-traditional vocabulary on the one hand and an avant-garde approach on the other. Issues such as machine-age aesthetics, mass culture, antimodernism, and domesticity became apparent in the construction of the French Art Deco interior. Breakfast reception to immediately follow.


Tuesday, June 19, 9:30AM, Designers Lounge, 14th Floor
The Midcentury American Home | CE145-W-D 
The postwar suburban projects, the Case Study House Program, furniture production and promotions, are at the center of discussion of the American midcentury home. It is contextualized within postwar modern design and the work of such key figures as the Eameses, Eero Saarinen, Knoll, George Nelson, Robin and Lucienne Day, and Eva Zeisel.
Breakfast reception to follow at Knoll Luxe, Suite 1702.


Tuesday, June 26, 9:30AM, de le Cuona, Suite 914
Living with Postmodernism | CE145-W-E 
The departure from modernist ideals in home design toward the Postmodernist home reflect a critical shift in the practice of culture and consumption and in the understanding of concepts relating to the essence of interior design. Themes such as consumption of popular culture, kitsch, the transformation of the 'good taste,' and nostalgia, all came to play central role in the emergence of the postmodernist interior. Breakfast reception to immediately follow.

Now showing: Hutton Home at Pierre Frey

Pierre Frey has welcomed an outside vendor to its NYC showroom for the first time in its history. Hutton Home, a furniture company based in Miami, is a symbiotic fit for the French fabric house, as both are family-owned businesses. Patrick Frey, Chairman and Creative Director of Pierre Frey, was introduced to Douglas Hutton through his friendship with Frey's son, Vincent. He wanted to add a richness to the showroom, but noted that "American showrooms all look alike. I thought, let's do it like an apartment, because after all, we are not a huge space." Lamps, magazines, a small fireplace and new window treatments all enhance the residential mood. Frey describes the look as "anti-showroom, a more personal, salon-like environment." All of the Hutton pieces are upholstered in a neutral palette of creams and taupes, even though the fabric house is known for their color. As Douglas Hutton says, "It's hard to have a cohesive design when you are showing lots of different companies and their brands."



Shown above is the Space Odyssey chair, named after the Kubrick film.



In fact, the collaboration came about in an astonishingly short time frame, especially considering the 12-14 week lead-time on the French-made furniture. The decision was finalized in November, Frey selected his fabric choices (narrowed down naturally by upholstery weight options and then by the neutral palette they envisioned) and sent those off to Douglas who grouped the fabrics with the finishes. They both credit having just one decision maker in each family as leading to the quick results, although Kim Huebner, marketing director of Pierre Frey, says "it's also an advantage to having the creative people as the president of the company."


Stop by and see their new "rooms" -- here's a peek at the living room:

In the News: Pierre Frey Presents New 2011 Fall Collections (Part 2)

Yesterday, we showed you the new Braquenie collection, but the new introductions at Pierre Frey don't stop there.

The fadini borghi collection was inspired by fabrics brought back from the Orient by explorers during the Renaissance. Medici, Venice, Constantinople, Sultan, Venetian, or silk--many magical names evoke the greatness of an era when men were only bound to excellence.

The collection offers silk in all of its forms, including voided velvet, taffetas, damask, lampas and brocades that are illustrated by classical Italian and Art Deco design.

Stop by the 16th floor of the DDB and let us know about your favorite new lines at Pierre Frey.

In the News: Pierre Frey Presents New 2011 Fall Collections (Part 1 of 2)

The Pierre Frey showroom has a lot going on, from Pierre Frey's recent promotion to Director of International Relations to the newest fall collections.

The newest collection from Braquenie brings together never-before-seen archive designs and reworked Pierre Frey classics. The collection is composed entirely of embroidered materials in original colors that perpetuate the archived historic documents.

"Braquenie's 2011 collection evokes such a passage of time," said a showroom representative. "The collection is very 18th century French in spirit, with stripes, checkered and embossed fabrics."

Check out the new Braquenie collection at Pierre Frey at the DDB and stayed tuned to GoDesignGo to learn more about Pierre Frey's newest collections.

In the News: A Toast to Pierre Frey

This week brings visits from Patrick, Pierre and Vincent Frey to New York to mark Pierre’s transition to his newly appointed position as Director of International Relations for the company that bears his name. Pierre Frey, previously the overseer of the US market of Pierre Frey, will continue overseeing many of the same responsibilities, but on a global level.

Pierre joined the family company at age 23, working in several areas of the business to learn the French savoir-faire of fabric-making. As the brand ambassador, Pierre works closely with the press department as the image of Pierre Frey.

"As the next generation at Pierre Frey, he will work to reach and develop the next generation of clients," said a company representative. "In addition to meeting with clients and presenting collections, Pierre will promote the brand through events and publicity, including the oversight of all social media for the company. Be sure to friend us on Facebook!"

Pierre and friends will be toasting his move to Paris along with the launch of two new collections for Fall 2011 .

Stay tuned to GoDesignGo for the event recap of the celebration and for more about the newest collections at Pierre Frey.

Product Pick: Pierre Frey's Pastis Peps Us Up

Looking for a little beach time while shopping for clients? Head over to Pierre Frey where you’ll find a heap of elegant, colorful deck chairs that make you think you’re sipping an umbrella drink in a swanky beach cabana—if only for a moment.

Whether its the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean or the China Seas, the fabrics on these deck chairs speak many languages. Pastis is a lively and bold pattern that incorporates wide, narrow, two-toned and multicolored stripes. You bring the sunscreen; we'll bring the seats!

Guest Blogger Julieta Alvarez Shares Her Favorites From the Kips Bay Decorators’ Showhouse (Part 2)

Yesterday, Guest Blogger and Pierre Frey Sales and Marketing Assistant Julieta Alvarez gave us the behind-the-scenes scoop on being a Kips Bay Showhouse volunteer, and today she's sharing a few of the rooms and designs she loved most. Here are a few of Julieta's many favorites.

By Julieta Alvarez

It's hard to narrow down and pick favorites, but one of the rooms that really stood out most was Brad Ford's The Stereo Lounge. I loved how calm and comfortable the room was. It really helped gravitate people to hanging out and socializing in the space, and it even avoided being too masculine or too feminine—which is hard to do!

An oversized paper lantern ballooned over the room and the fabrics that Brad used were gorgeous, soft and sophisticated. A pair of shaggy stools sat near to the natural skins on the sofa and rugs made the room casual and earthy. What a versatile room!

I can see it in a beach house in Montauk, a penthouse loft in Manhattan or anywhere in California. And did you notice the turntable on the coffee table? What a fabulous idea! And while the coffee table isn't from one of the D&D Building showrooms, the stunning beige rug came from Stark Carpet and the sheer, linen drapery fabric hanging as a backdrop are from Schumacher.

I was also a huge fan of the staircase designed by Janet & Carolina Rauber (Rauber+Rauber). This staircase was a beacon of glow! Taking advantage of high ceilings, the sisters upholstered the walls in a large-scale Ikat pattern. Beautifully colored in a graphite grey and mustard yellow, it was just beautiful! Of their product, the wall upholstery 'artwork' is from Dedar, which can be found in the Jerry Pair showroom.

And if you missed it this year, don't stress, there's always next year! And if you doubt a visit or two will give you your fill—then you can volunteer!

You can expect more from Julieta on GoDesignGo, but in the meantime, visit her fabulous design blog.

Guest Blogger Julieta Alvarez Shares Her Experience Volunteering at the Kips Bay Decorators’ Showhouse (Part 1 of 2)

Julieta Alvarez, Pierre Frey Sales and Marketing Assistant, gave us a behind-the-scenes tour of the Kips Bay Showhouse last week. As a volunteer for the showhouse, she gave us the inside scoop shared her experience working with top designers.

By Julieta Alvarez

After deciding to volunteer at Kips Bay Showhouse with three of my favorite classmates from New York School of Interior Design (NYSID), I got to be part of one of the best events in the industry—and it was a blast! I had never been to the Showhouse before, but after seeing it in person, I'll be there every year from now on!

This year, 22 top interior designers were chosen to decorate rooms in a beautiful neo-Federalist style home on 63rd Street in Manhattan. The spaces included bathrooms, kitchens, stairways, hallways patios and a backyard, leaving no space un-designed.

One of the tasks of a volunteer included learning about the materials in the rooms, including the wallpaper, carpeting, furniture, colors and more. By doing so, we were able to learn about a few rooms we loved and then spend time in them while telling the coming and going visitors all about it.

My job at the D&D Building also made me even more interested in knowing which product came from the showrooms I love. Everyone wants to know what materials and product make up the room, and as long as I made sure they didn't go beyond the red velvet rope, I had the luxury of talking shop with them for as long as they wanted!

Stay tuned for more from Julieta's experience at Kips Bay Showhouse to learn which rooms stood out most for her, and visit her design blog to hear more from her.

DDB Spring Market Buzz: Cocktail Party at Pierre Frey

The Pierre Frey showroom was the place to be as the DDB’s Spring Market came to an end. We joined Mr. Pierre Frey and his team for cocktails and photography to celebrate the ethereal work of Photographer Paul Solberg.

Paul's work covered the showroom walls with examples from BLOOM, his first published book which explores Flowers as Object.

"It's very exciting to have my work in Pierre's showroom," said Paul. "It's been a great collaboration and I've been getting lots of great, positive feedback from lots of guests at the showroom today."

Paul was decked out in a suit that made many ask him which Pierre Frey fabric it was made of.

"This suit is not one of Pierre's fabrics actually," Paul said. "Though, many of his patterns would make really great suits!"

Paul is currently working on a new book with Christopher Makos, together as the art duo, The Hilton Brothers, due to be published in October 2011. Stay tuned to GoDesignGo for more about Paul and his work.

New Faces: Julieta Alvarez at Pierre Frey

The latest addition to the New York staff at Pierre Frey is part-time Sales and Marketing Assistant, Julieta Alvarez. Originally from Argentina, Julieta also studies at the New York School of Interior Design (NYSID) and amidst her hectic schedule, she found some time to tell us a little bit about herself.


GDG: How did you initially get into interior design when you moved to New York City?

JC: It took some time! While interior design has always been my first love, I was afraid of leaving my comfortable first job in New York City in the real estate world. I finally decided to take some classes at NYSID to see how I would like it. A month later, I decided to ditch real estate completely and dug into school full time!  Even though I was broke most of the time, I was the happiest I had ever been!





GDG: Where did your interests take you next?

JC: While enrolled in school I interned for Alex Papachristidis and Zach Bliss. I also started a blog in October of 2010 as a way to express myself and record my inspirations. The blog includes everything from interior design to photography, fashion, jewelry and much more.


GDG: How did Pierre Frey come into your vision?

JC: I started working at Pierre Frey in April thanks to Alex Papachristidis, who highly recommended me to Kim Huebner. I'm thrilled with it!





GDG: Other than work and school, what else would we find you doing?

JC: I love to research interior design for my blog as well as take pictures. I became an amateur photographer two years ago with my trusty Canon Rebel. While at home, I work on my blog because it keeps me creative and up to date with new trends and new resources for interior design. When I am out, I take my camera and take lots of beautiful pictures!


Stay tuned to GoDesignGo for more about Julieta and her blog.

DDB Spring Market: Market Programs at a Glance

DDB Spring Market kicks off on Tuesday, May 10 and we can't wait to attend!  Here's a taste of some of the Spring Market programs for you to check out on Wednesday, May 11.

Rose Tarlow | Melrose House (Suite 1616) hosts Authenticity in Design: A Series on Living and Entertaining from 11:00 - 11:45 a.m. with Bronson van Wyck, Event Designer and Contributing Editor to Architectural Digest. They'll tell you tips on how to create spectacular settings from the master of environmental design. From tabletop and flower arrangements to lighting and planning, no detail is too small to ignore. Sample great food and drinks and enjoy the opportunity to win a lush flower arrangements, created by Bronson himself!

Duralee/Highland Court (Suite 815) and Philip Gorrivan introduce Philip's newest collection, Philip Gorrivan II from 12:00 - 12:45 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

Don't miss the cocktail party at Pierre Frey (Suite 1611) at from 5:00 - 7 p.m. Pierre Frey will be there to celebrate Spring Market with you while sipping a few cocktails and publicize the showroom's brand new website.

Stay tuned to GoDesignGo for more on the DDB's Spring Market Highlights.

Tech Talk: Make a Mood Board on Pierre Frey’s New Website

Leave it to Pierre Frey to create an extraordinary online experience. If you can’t make it to the showroom this Spring, Pierre Frey’s new website is the next best thing.

It’s the perfect place to explore the company’s stunning new collections. Designers can peruse entire color ranges of Pierre Frey, Braquenié, Fadini Borghi and Boussac fabrics and wallpapers, as well as accessories. Best of all, once you’ve selected your favorites, put them together as a mood boards for your clients!

While you’re there, flip through Pierre Frey’s new magazine Freyquence, which features News, Savoir Faire and Style.

If you thought Pierre Frey couldn’t get better, it has. Check it out and let us know what you think!