Saturday, May 26, 2012

Blogfest 2012 in NYC



I am so excited to be a part of Blogfest again this year. It is such a great way to network and meet some of the greats in the design business. The first day of Blogfest was mostly spent at the ICFF. 


It did not disappoint. I saw some old favorites and acquired some new lines. I even saw some items that I just specced for my NYC project. 
 Here are a few of my favorites: 

                    Loved these porcelain tiles that looked like faux wood. Great Colors!


Tucker Robbins had these great stools in a variety of colors. 


Linkasink was there. I loved this copper bowl with black crystals. 


Kohler had the most colorful showroom to introduce their Jonathan Adler inspired colors. Who knew avocado green would come back. I loved the seating made out of tubs. Also a big thanks for the recharging station! 


Awesome take on a dome wing back chair! 


Beautiful mosaic glass tiles from Country Floor Tile



Then we boarded buses for a tour of the Kips Bay Designer Showhouse. This year it was 2 apartments that overlooked the river. Gorgeous views - too bad the weather did not corporate for some fab pictures. 


These are some of my highlights: 

Loved these bookcases in David Scott's room. Great accessorizing. I love it when it is done well. Bravo! 


The kitchen was beautiful but it had this wonderful table setting by Karen Williams of St. Charles of New York. More succulents but this time in gold eggs. 


I loved Charlotte Moss velvet upholstered walls and the baseboard that was made from a printed picture on tiles. Great idea! 


This Venetian wall treatment in this Brian del Toro room was beautiful. It was a clever idea to great a geometric pattern within the finishes. 


This living room by Susan Zises Green was gorgeous! The painting was done by Audrey Hepburn. 


Thom Felicia's green lacquer ceiling. He used Benjamin Moore for this look. I guess we will forgive him for not using Fine Paints. 


Our time at Kips Bay ended with a toast from Margaret Russell and a meet and greet with all the designers! 

The next stop was the Savant showroom. Every room was automated with apple iPads in the walls and on tables to control everything from the TV, lights and shades. 



Some of the rooms were very bachelor! TV's projected on to the walls, TV's in the bathroom and so on! Thom Felicia designed the whole showroom with his furniture from Vanguard. I snagged another picture with him this year! 




If we didn't think we were wine and dinned enough, off to Savior Beds we went. 




These beds were made for the Savoy hotel in London. Did I mention how happy we were to sit down on the $13,000 mattress and then we tested the $72,000 mattress - OMG! It was to die for! 




The sales woman said that if you sell enough mattress the company will give the designer a free one - Any takers? I better start selling. It was divine! Well worth a visit to the showroom. 



Tired feet led us to the Jane restaurant at 100 West Houston for some pasta and risotto. 




The first day of Blogfest was over - the Kravet company really puts on a good show. Wait until I tell you about day 2 and 3!  I meet a design crush, get invited to a posh party, get a sneak peak on new fabrics, and more.....




Monday, May 21, 2012

Bridget Beari Travels to Westport CT



Bridget Beari Travels to Westport, CT

On the way to NYC this weekend we stopped in CT to visit family. We explored the surrounding towns like Derian, Rowayton, and Westport. There were great shops and restaurants but the coolest place was Terrain. Owned by the Urban Outfitters Company this is a garden shop, kitchen and home goods, and restaurant. 


The exterior of the building was once a car dealership but now contracted with rusted corrugated steel and glass it has a hip new look. 


It is not any old garden center. Inside they specialize in terrariums, ferns, and succulents. Beautiful glass bowls and shapes to create any type of terrarium. The largest ferns 6-8 ft. tall that I have ever seen in beautiful rustic containers. 




Cut branches of all kinds. Interesting pottery and kitchen wares, soaps, and linens. The outside garden center sold all sorts of plants with the cutest garden shed structures. My pictures are on Instagram if you follow me and if I can figure out how to get them off to share them, I will add them to the blog. Great red wire furniture too! 





                              I loved this interesting Bromeliad! There was even a pineapple plant. 



The displays were gorgeous! Even though we did not eat anything at the cafe, it looked yummy! A definite stopping place if you are traveling this way. 



We are off the NYC today for Kravet's Blogfest2012! It is sure to be a treat! 

Happy Travels.....