On Day 3, we had a renewed enthusiasm because we finished up our orders and confirmed others before leaving the Piers for good, to head over to the largest building of all, the Jacob Javitz Center. While the Javitz Center is the largest venue for the NYIGF, it’s the least important to our stores. Vendors who specialize in our areas of interest are few and far between in this mammoth center, but we’re looking for those Vendors that have never shown here before, those that are unique and different than anything we’ve seen before.
We found a line made in Vietnam (not China! yeah) of hand carved wooden vases and vessels. Textures were carved, fluted, or rendered silky smooth. Finishes include Espresso stain, natural Mango wood, and Matt White paint. The matt white was yet another take on the “Gesso” finish written about in the Day 2 report.
Photos, above: Hand carved vessels in different textures and Gesso- style finishes
We like these lap blankets from a South American importer. Made from super soft, luxurious Alpaca, from Peru. Alpaca is precious and usually rather expensive, but this Vendor had great prices, so we bought into the line.
Photo, above: Alpaca throws (lap blankets)
The next two photos, below represent a number of trends, all in one showroom. There was a beautiful polished Rosewood inlay table, juxtaposed with a Console Table covered in linen finished with a gesso- style finish. Then a chest lacquered to death in a new blue, not that blue, but fresh just the same.
Photos, above: Three trends are represented: Wood inlay tops (shown here in Rosewood), a Gesso finish (shown over a linen covered Console), and a lacquered chest in a new blue finish.
Next off to the famed Pillow (and now bed linens) designers, Dransfiled & Ross. Of course being designers who make throw pillows, they show colors that are very inclusive of not only the trendiest colors, but those that are less so, as well.
Photo above: A heavily textured pillow that is virtually made with the same construction as a rug. Rich materials, and elegant color combinations make for a unique, but expensive pillow.
Photo, above: Animal patterns remain strong, actually maybe even stronger than last year. A fresh take on a leopard print, in taupe, fog (grey), and blue on pale grey linen.
Photo, above: Luxe fabrics were well represented. This fabric, in the style of abstract expressionist Jackson Pollack (Jan. 28, 1912 – Aug. 11, 1956.
Photos, below: Pollack at work painting on the floor, and a few of his splatter and drip paintings that could have influenced the pillow, above
Photo, below: Another color story: Grey tones with lavender, shown below in cut velvet (top left), printed on linen (top right) and embroidered (center).
One of the most exciting finds was the vendor Emporium Home, which was very much the style and feel of the famed designer, the late Tony Duquette (b. June, 11, 1914 – d. Sept. 9, 1999). The designer of this line is Ashley Childers, based in Little Rock. When we met her at the show it was immediately clear that she was pure Southern lady, with a great eye, and ever so sophisticated.
Photo above: Tony Duquette is certainly the king of “Maximalism” (I did not coin that term)! Photos of Duqueetes home, Dawnridge Estate. Living room at left, and a table top collection in the Sunroom. Notice the Parrots headpiece, rendered in gold. We have two of Duquettes three books at Cabana Home: TONY DUQUETTE, and MORE IS MORE.
I told Ashley that her work reminded of Duquette and she admitted that he was a huge inspiration to her, and said she was honored to hear that. I told her we had toured Duquettes Dawnridge Estate, which is now owned by his protege Hutton Wilkinson, and let her know that there are ways to get in to see it, and I would do what I could to get her in the next time she’s in LA.
Photo, below: Blown glass Table Lamps in a cool coral, and another in vibrant green. Bronze finished brass detailing.
Photo, below: An Emporium Home mirror that embodies the the style of the late Designer, Tony Duquette.
Photo, below: Another Duquette inspiration is found in this round side table, with beveled mirror top on hammered brass frame, set with cut rock crystals.
Over the last couple of years we saw parchment covered books, free of titles and authors names, these were simply an aesthetic overture to the literary. A fresh take on the concept was made by this Chicagoland vendor made from wood, also unadorned with any printed lettering. These books seem to parody their more elegant parchment covered cousins.
What is parchment you ask?
Parchment is a very thin layer of hide, often calfskin, sheepskin or goatskin. Its’ most common use was as a material for writing on for documents, notes, pages of a book, etc… It is different than leather in that parchment is limed, not tanned. Also, finer quality parchment is called Vellum.
Shown, below: Carved wood “books” in natural and gesso-style painted finish.
Photo, below: Detail of wood carved “books”
I would say “the find” of the show was the manufacturer of these woven leather goods. This Italian company
is the maker of the woven leathers for the lovely Bottega Veneta leather line, and their softer than soft lambskin leathers.
Photo, above: The color range includes all of the above, plus any custom color you specify
Photo below: This Springs Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Tote, in the new blue, $2,800.
Shown, below: Felling flush: We can upholstery your furniture in the custom woven lambskin leather.
Shown, below: A Throw in finely woven lambskin, with leather fringe, backed with Loro Piana cashmere.
Shown, below: Move over Burberry! The classic English design house known for its ubiquitous plaid can be rendered in woven leather, or any other pattern you specify.
Shown, below: The woven lambskin is available in exactly the same pattern as the Bottega Veneta leather products, in any color you choose.
So, that brings us to the omnipresent use of Shagreen (pronounced sha- grin), of late most often made from the skin of the Sting Ray.
However, the tone on tone colors of grey this Shagreen, trimmed in natural wood finish, gives an elegant presence to this ever popular material, shown, below.
Photos, below:
A round convex mirror framed with free form plaster edges, in a gesso-like finish
Photo, below: Detail of Mirror edge and gesso-like finish.
More bone, photo below, this time in a pattern that appears to be “woven” bone.
The Moroccan influence in the market place is more than just bone ladened furniture and accessories.
Shown, below, a gold leaf finish mirror.
From a source known for their exquisite print quality, showed new work influenced by the famed former Bauhaus artist, Josef Albers, best known as an abstract painter and theorist, and especially for his Homage to the Square series.
Photo, below: A new print references the work of Josef Albers.
Photos, below: The real Homage to the Square, works by Joseph Albers.
Photo, above: Homage to the Square 1966, by Josef Albers
Photo, below: Homage to the Square 1965, by Josef Albers
Not as thrilling as art but infinitely more practical for most, are these throws (lap blankets) colored in new tones of sea blue, with the addition of a fresh stripe of blue/green. We liked the fresh take on a traditional houndstooth pattern, shown below, far left.
Shown, below: Navy and white. We saw only a few people showing this tried and true combination. While it always looks fresh and crisp, this is not a trend, but wonderfully fresh and sophisticated.
More Lucite!
Shown, below: A Lucite framed Barstool with oversized polished nickel hardware, upholstered with a hair-on-hide seat.
More “new Blue”!
Shown, below: Glass, blown in America not Murano! How about that! Because it isn’t an import, these lamps were a terrific price.
Finally, for the unusual: A new take on “fish sticks”.
Shown, below: Fish on sticks!
An unusual globe!
Shown below: A globe with a chalk board finish, allows your cartologist to create their own land masses and country’s as they please.
Worst in Show (show below): Undoubtedly the worst hair color at the show. Definitely not a trend! Note the Chanel suit on this attendee.
Worst in Show: These custom chairs are the end all! Preserve your rear end in high density plastic. If you don’t like your derriere, choose someone else’s or the basic form, shown below.
Worst in Show: I mean really, how can the shows promoters justify adding this vendor to the mix? Really? Dogs with glasses? Really?
Worst in Show: Okay, this is pretty bad, but its so kitsch that I almost like it! But not in my house! Also available in white, black or turquoise.
Whew, what a day, so glad you could join me. Please join me again for the 2012 NYIGF: Day 4.