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.

Celebrating the Kips Bay Decorate Show House

The 40th anniversary of the Kips Bay Decorator Show House kicked off on Monday night with the President's Dinner at the Mandarin Oriental. Nearly 500 guests filled the ballroom, including: Margaret Russell, John McEnroe, Dennis Basso, Lauren Dupont, Bunny Williams, Jeremiah Goodman, Charlotte Moss, Doug Wilson, Thom Filicia, Bettina Zilkha, Peter & Jamee Gregory, Valentin & Yaz Hernandez, as well as gala co-chairs Jamie Drake, Aerin Lauder, Victoria Hagan and Richard Mishaan. The evening was sponsored by Architectural Digest.

Jim Druckman, Bunny Williams, Jamie Drake, Aerin Lauder, Richard Mishaan



Charlotte Moss



Richard Mishaan and Margaret Russell



For the first time, this year's showhouse, chaired by Bunny Williams, will be in a luxury high-rise on the west side, the Aldyn on Riverside Boulevard between 62nd and 63rd Streets. The space measures 11,488 interior square feet and 7,480 exterior square feet and will present the work of thirty-two designers, including some of our favorites:
Alexander Doherty Design; Andrew Tedesco Studios Inc.; Brian del Toro Inc.; Brian J. McCarthy Inc.; Bryant Keller; Bunny Williams Inc.; Charles Pavarini III Design; Charlotte Moss, LLC;
 Chuck Fischer Studio, Inc.; Coffinier Ku Design; David Kleinberg Design Associates; David Scott Interiors; Gunn Landscape Architecture and Vert Gardens; James Rixner Inc; Jamie Drake/ Drake Design Associates; Laura Bohn Design Associates; Lynne Scalo Design; Mark Hampton LLC; Monica Rich Kosann Photography; Neal Beckstedt Studio; Patrik Lonn Design Inc.; Raji Radhakrishnan/ Raji RM & Associates; Robert Schwartz and Karen Williams for St Charles; Scott Sanders LLC; Shawn Henderson Interior Design; Susan Zises Green, Inc.; Thom Filicia Inc.; Timothy & Associates Interior Design; Todd Alexander Romano; Zoya Bograd of Rooms by Zoya B.

Victoria Hagan


The show house will be open to the public May 16-June 14, seven days a week. Over four decades, the show houses have raised more than $17 for the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club.


All photographs by Patrick McMullan.

What you missed: Westweek keynote recap

Margaret Russell, Editor-in-Chief of Architectural Digest, kicked off Westweek at the Pacific Design Center with a keynote presentation in the Silver Screen theatre. The standing-room only event, drew over 400 attendees. Here is Russell with Charles Cohen, President of the PDC:







Russell discussed the latest trends in architectural and interior design photography with photographers Roger Davies (below left) and Grey Crawford (below right) offering their expertise and insight into how they capture the "right" images (hint: fresh air, sunlight and beautiful staging).







Here are some takeaways for those of us who missed it:
1. Take multiple photos of the same room from the exact same angle, on a tripod, and combine them to create perfect lighting of various elements, to show how a space looks in reality. Take a photo with the room well lit, and another in the same spot with natural light from the window window and combine in Photoshop to show the true feeling of the space.

2. Make minor changes in styling to change everything. Small changes in floral selection or pillow placement can make or break a photo. Also, books, flowers and a cashmere throw do wonders for a photo.

3. Look at the space from all different angles.

4. Watermark any image you put online. That way, any of your work that gets re-posted on blogs, pinterest, etc., will always have a small watermark in a corner, so people will easily know the image source.



Cowtan & Tout hosted a reception immediately following Russell's keynote speech. Over 200 guests paid tribute to AD's Editor-in-Chief and celebrated the admired the vibrant new Manuel Canovas collection, devoted to L'art de vivre à la francaise. Elegant designs with ravishing color and pattern provide the essence of French decorating chic. Highlights of the collection include the exuberant silk damask Charlotte, the painterly print Dara featuring Mughal warrior princes and the exotic print inspired by an antique Ikat coat called Boheme.

Here are Russell, Davies and Crawford at the reception, with the cotton-print Dara on the right:

Event Spotlight: DDB Themes Fall Market 'Transcending Boundaries' (Part 1 of 2)

The DDB's semi-annual Fall Market is fast approaching and while the line-up is still in formation, we got a sampling of what designers can expect in the way of presentations, parties and product introductions.

Transcending Boundaries is the theme of this year's market, which features four high-powered keynote programs. On Wednesday, October 12, Architectural Digest Editor in Chief Margaret Russell will present the opening keynote address followed by a panel discussion with the editors of Traditional Home.

On Thursday, October 13, GILT Home Editorial Director Tom Delavan and Vice President Shane Reilly will moderate a panel of designers, followed by a presentation by Interiors Editor in Chief Michael Wollaeger.

Fall market parties will be in full swing with the annual Stars of Design Dinner on Thursday, October 12, and a Grand Opening Party celebrating the newly expanded Donghia showroom on Wednesday, October 13.

Stay tuned to GoDesignGo for more Fall Market Details and to hear the scoop on the DDB's Fall Market Bloggers Lounge, a first-time ever event with fabulous bloggers from the blogs we love.

Event Recap: Holland & Sherry Celebrates Cullman & Kravis After Hours at the DDB

Holland & Sherry presented the first-ever fabric collection by Cullman & Kravis at a stylish event last week featuring C&K signature cocktails, piquant hors d'oeuvres and of course, neck ties and outfits made from the new Cullman & Kravis fabrics.

"I've been so excited about this launch and about taking this huge step," said Elissa Cullman, interior designer and co-founder of Cullman & Kravis. "I shop at Holland & Sherry more than anywhere else because I love what they have and I love to work with them. There was no other showroom that I wanted to work with once I decided to launch a fabric collection, it was an obvious choice."

We asked Elissa what the inspiration was for her fabrics, and why she decided to take this venture.

"I really felt there was a need in the industry for what this collection offers," Elissa said. "I wasn't finding everything that I was looking for and even though this collection is slightly different from Holland & Sherry's overall look, I wanted it to be a partnership with them. My inspiration was really the need that I saw."

"We love working with Elissa and we couldn't be more excited about this collaboration," said Bryan Dicker, President of the Holland & Sherry Interiors department. "Elissa really understands fabrics and the needs of our clients. We've been working with her for years and we couldn't be more thrilled to carry her collection."

Bryan then proudly showed us the tie he and other Holland & Sherry associates were wearing, made from one of the new collection's fabrics. "These were all made from Cullman & Kravis fabrics, and make sure you look around because there's a little girl her whose dress is also made from the fabrics!" said Bryan.

A few of the notable guests in attendance included top editors Margaret Russell, Erin Swift, Eugenia Santiesteban Soto, Nanjoo Joung, and Orli Ben-Dor; and top designers Christopher Maya and Shari Markbreiter.

Be sure to stop by Holland & Sherry to see the collection for yourself!