Meet the Designers: Hinson Joins the Donghia Family (Part 3)

Having recently spoken to Hinson & Co. CEO and Owner Olivier Peardon about Donghia's recent announcement of its distribution of Hinson & Company, we knew Hinson owner Harry Hinson had to be next. We were lucky enough to spend some time with Harry and talk to him about where his inspiration comes from and his past with Angelo Donghia.

GDG: What do you admire most about Angelo Donghia’s interiors?

HH: I most admire Angelo's unique ability to couple the traditional and the modern into seamless perfection. No one has done it quite like he had and it's truly something to cherish.

GDG: What are some similarities between your aesthetic and his?

HH: Angelo Donghia and I have been friends for many, many years. Because of this, I knew that we have always shared a similar aesthetic and a devotion to quality. We cherish the timelessness that is not of the immediate moment. I believe there is a purity of design in our mutual aesthetic.

GDG: Where do you get your inspiration?

HH: Hinson has been the expression of Classic American Design since its inception. This theme has pervaded the fabric and wallpaper collections since I founded the company over 40 years ago. Our new Fall and Spring 2012 will continue to reflect the Hinson aesthetic.

Make your way over to Donghia's brand new showroom at the DDB to see Hinson & Co.'s newest Fall collections.

Meet the Designers: Hinson Joins the Donghia Family (Part 2 of 3)

Yesterday, we got some of the behind-the-scenes details on Donghia's recent announcement of its distribution of Hinson & Company from Hinson CEO and Owner Olivier Peardon. Now we're learning more about where Hinson is today and where it’s headed.

GDG: How has the Hinson brand evolved since you began working with the company?

OP: It’s become very focused, overall. We have reduced the size of the fabric and wallpaper collections in order to support them better and increase their stock levels. The brand will always remain true to its roots and that has not changed. It will be expanding again soon though.

GDG: Where do you see the future of Hinson & Co.?

OP: We have a Fall collection about to launch, and a Spring collection to come, as well. We will be looking to expand our lighting collection too. We will be much better able to promote our contemporary lighting collection from MetalArte through our association with Donghia. For Mrs. MacDougall, we will be placing more of the collection throughout the U.S. and generate growth by tapping into new markets. And there still remain the international markets for us; particularly France and the UK where we have begun to make very nice inroads.

GDG: Who is a current interior designer who's aesthetic you most admire today?

OP: Certainly a more European aesthetic ranks higher for me, as some American decorators tend to do too much in my opinion. I prefer the less complicated.

GDG: What design style do you prefer in your own home?

OP: Overall, a subtly complex design of a home is the style that I most prefer. The one thing that must be respected, however, regardless of style, is the quality of products used. There is nothing worse than designing with cheap products. I would rather have fewer items but of higher quality than several items of lesser quality.

Check back with GoDesignGo tomorrow when we talk with Hinson & Co. founder, Harry Hinson.

Meet the Designers: Hinson Joins the Donghia Family (Part 1 of 3)

A few weeks ago, we wrote about Donghia's new distribution partnership with Hinson & Company textiles, wallcoverings and lighting collections.

We sat down with Hinson CEO and Owner Olivier Peardon and Founder Harry Hinson to hear their thoughts on the collaboration. Here's what Olivier told us.

GDG: What made Donghia the best choice for your distribution partnership?

OP: Donghia is a very well regarded distributor of luxury home furnishings in today's design industry and historically as well. Its own collection is classically modern, targeting a young, affluent age category that is still buying product to decorate their homes today, despite the economy's challenges.

GDG: How do Hinson and Donghia best compliment each other?

OP: Hinson complements Donghia, and vice versa, in a number of ways. Hinson’s design standpoint is American with worldly influence. Mrs. MacDougall home accessories and Hinson Lighting truly add to Donghia as a destination showroom for contemporary home decorating. We complete each other quite well.

GDG: How did the collaboration with Donghia initially start?

OP: I have known Donghia’s majority owners, the Rubellis, for  many years. I was also lucky enough to have interned with Rubelli in Venice in 1994 for several months, so setting up our first meeting to talk about the collaboration was really just having a very nice dinner—in an Italian restaurant of course!

Tomorrow, we'll hear more from Olivier on how the Hinson brand has evolved and where it’s heading.

In the News: Donghia Announces Distribution of Hinson & Company

Donghia has recently announce its distribution of Hinson & Company, the celebrated brand regarded for its extensive textile, wallcovering, and lighting collections.

Beginning now in all national showrooms, Donghia will carry Hinson textiles and wallcoverings, lighting. New collections are slated to be introduced biannually beginning in Spring 2012 and Hinson will be merchandised throughout the Donghia showroom network over the next few months.

“This is a significant opportunity for Hinson and I believe that the integrity of our brand will thrive with such an established company as Donghia," said Harry Hinson, founder of Hinson & Company. "Our visions for growth and our commitment to superior quality are aligned."

The breadth of Hinson & Company products will immediately offer designs which are unlike anything else currently displayed in the Donghia showrooms. Hinson will seamlessly integrate into the collections of Donghia forming a destination for both 20th and 21st century iconic pieces.

“We are eager to support the Hinson brand and honor the work of Harry Hinson," said Crans Baldwin, President of Donghia, Inc. "Mr. Hinson is a leader in our industry and we are privileged to help write the next chapter of this brand’s story."

Rubelli owner Andrea Rubelli warmly welcomed the Hinson brand on behalf of his family stating his looking forward "to a profitable endeavor in the United States and ultimately in other nations around the world."