New York Design Week: WantedDesign and ICFF Highlights

So much amazing design, so little time! ICFF has morphed into a total city design diversion. There is no way you can see everything, but I managed to squeeze in a few days to view the latest offerings of the international design world. See my favorites below...

WantedDesign took over the Tunnel space. Modko, who make the best cat litter box presented their newest designs on lightboxes.

Quebec designer Tat Chao (left) super-glues glasses and pedestal bowls together to create one-of-a-kind table bases and candlestick holders.

The Effeti Showroom had me salivating over its streamlined space...the cabinetry and accoutrement were quite special. From left to right: The yellow inside the cabinets can be custom applied in any color; tools fit beautifully inside; architect Kelly Solon show us how the corner shelf pulls out. If you are doing your kitchen over, head to the showroom to see the indoor grill and wall of hideaway surprises.

My favorite countertop material, Caesarstone showed off its latest colors.

Raison Pure NYC presented a funky tea party diplay. GOLD tea cup by Will Kang.

Britto Charette Home’s animated porcelain vessels with GOLD interiors caught my eye.

GOLD edged porcelain dishes by Daniel Levy have a zen-like quality.

gt2p GOLD vases from Chile, the Royal Mahuida collection.

Tom Dixon’s Eclectic collection uses marble and brass elements.

Glamour exudes at THG Paris fixtures that pair with Christofle and Baccarat brands.

Raimond Puts’ magical lights at Moooi.

Garden without having to stoop! These planters from Hurbz would work well on a terrace or backyard. They can be anchored to a wall, and have a clever drainage system.

Oxidized maple creates an elegant sideboard. The wood is silky to the touch. Tod Von Mertens hand makes this and some lovely matching dining room tables.

Gorgeous gaming: love this white ping pong table from RS Barcelona.

Cowhide and leather make for an elegant backgammon board by Gilles Caffier. For serious players!

Tibetano creates beautiful carpets using cowhide assembled in classic patterns. Lovely to touch. I would like to see these as a table runner, perhaps under glass.

More cowhide, brightly colored from Britto Charette Home.

This was my absolute favorite item. From Wiener Silver Manufactur, this tray can switch out its center, depending on your mood. Designed by Marco Dessi.

Design Walk 2012: Lillian August

ASID presented Design Walk 2012, a selection of tours, talks, and showroom debuts in three neighborhoods over three days. On day 1, I headed to the Lillian August store on 21st street to hear creative director Skye Kirby Westcott talk about their new designer services. While in the store, I had to snap a few photos of some of my favorite vignettes. I love the mix of neutral glamorous pieces with accessories in vibrant, intense tones. Even if you are not looking for furniture, the store is loaded with great gifts (for yourself or loved ones!) 12 West 20th Street.

ICFF: Top Picks from the Show

In mid-May Manhattan got a dose of furniture and accessories design influx from around the globe. As usual, the International Contemporary Furniture Fair did not disappoint. View highlights below...

Salt and Pepper grinders from Nick Munro. Can be purchased through the website, or at Bloomingdales. He also has a wonderful smoked glass ice bucket to dress up the bar.

Puff Buff, designers from Poland, created this airy, bubble-like structure out of inflatable spheres with  LED light points inserted. I want one!

Be-jeweled sinks from Linkasink. The jeweled stopper can be attached to the top of existing drain pieces and removed and cleaned in a dishwasher. Novel!

Porcelain Dinnerware from Daniel Levy in soft pastels. I like the contrasting shapes.

Marc Trotereau, on the left, stands below his green light frame. He devised a way to weld 3 pieces of wire together, see his lights on the back wall, center photo. Also in this booth, Pierre Ospina created a sensual, organic pole lights, wrapped in silicon, with LED bulbs seen in close up on the right.

Trove Wallpaper features some very cool designs and some innovative manufacturing methods. The “paper” on the right is made from powdered marble and limestone, thus saving trees from being cut. Their eco-friendly process also uses no water (so no wastewater pollution). The surface is smooth, like suede, and cool to the touch.

Al-Hamad Design featured a super geometric parallelogram duet. I love the spirit of this.

The Luxury Planter Collection’s Sorbet Collection in gorgeous pastels. Planters are stainless steel coated in automotive paint.

Lightweight aluminum planters from Phase Design help to support and frame plantings.

Stickbulb lights by Rux Design take a single unit and position it in a variety of ways.

Dishes from Tse & Tse went from vintage to modern. From France.

Comical and colorful lamps from Ameico.

Glass-blower Tracy Glover poses beneath her dreamy light.

John Beck blasts his sheet of steel before forming it into the Beatty Light. The bullet holes create pretty pinlights for a subtle effect.

red collection: a picker’s paradise

Another spot to stop at along the way to the East End is Red Collection’s giant space in Riverhead. (It’s a consignment shop, so you can unload a few items too.) I have been going to their location in Greensboro, North Carolina for years, and was delighted to hear about the new New York spot. They have a fantastic selection of furniture and accessories with prices that are extremely fair. Photos of some of their offerings can be seen online at their blog. Located at 54 E. Main St.

wallpaper without commitment: Tempaper

Perk up your walls almost instantly with Tempaper, a line of repositionable wallpapers created by three women set decorators. The patterns are bold and fresh and come in brights, neutrals, and fun designs just for kids (although, I do like the giant houndstooth myself!) It’s super easy to handle, just peel a few inches of the backing off, position and press on the wall. An especially great idea for the summer rental house, as it removes absolutely cleanly in seconds. Made in the U.S.A. and sold in double rolls 20.5" wide x 33' long (covering 56.37 square feet). Photo above by Tara Striano shows the Etta pattern in subdued Pearl colorway. I put up Damsel, in hot pink, back in February for a party, then decided I liked it enough for it to stay on the wall (photo below). To apply to the counter, I just removed about 4 inches of the backing from the each end. Buy it online, or see which stores have it at this link.

yolo eco paint

The makers of Yolo Colorhouse paint, Virginia Young and Janie Lowe, took every aspect of the environment into account when creating their line of paints. But what I really love about their collection is that it makes choosing a color simple. They put their years of experience in painting murals, and painting homes into their color choices, knowing what works and what does not. Surround yourself with colors inspired by nature with The Earth’s Color Collection, whose colors coordinate perfectly from room to room. The Color of Hope palette takes color’s most basic properties to elicit different moods: creativity, imagination, nourishment, and more. See the line on their website, where you can “test” how the color looks in a room by clicking on the swatches. In New York, you can order from The Green Depot. Happy painting!

eco Smart Fire: the instant fireplace

It’s the time of year when people long to sit gazing at a flickering fire. Eco Smart Fire has designed a line of freestanding fireplaces and grates that can be put inside a space without the need for ventilation or a gas connection. The steamlined models are fueled with eco-friendly bio ethanol, an alcohol made from sugarcane, potatoes, bananas, beetroot, and cereals. Check out their website to see a huge array of really sensational designs to make your space all warm and toasty.

A gift for the decorating diva: Hats OFF to Mary McDonald

Once hat designer, now interior designer extraordinaire, Mary McDonald has come out with her first book, Mary McDonald Interiors: The Allure of Style. The book is loaded with beautiful objects and tons of design ideas for tieing rooms together. I like how the book is divided into in themes, like the Theater chapter, which features the Hollywood homes that have been boldly color-coordinated and artfully accessorized in moods of: Classic, Graphic, Obsession, Exotic. The book is truly a visual feast.

Great Gifts for the Home

Whether you want to spruce up your place with a new accessory or bring a gift to your host on the next visit, head over to Alex & Lorenzo, a cute little boutique on 1048 Lexington Ave between 74th and75th streets. Owner Kristen McLaughlin has packed the store with a delightful selection of items screaming with character and style. I could not resist this turquoise tray (photo), which had the added benefit of being the exact size as my ottoman. It’s great to use indoors or out. I plan to use it all summer long to dress up my gatherings.

instant hang-ups

A lot of guests means a lot of coats. This coat rack from Desu Design acts as a subtle work of art when not in use, but can accommodate up to 9 garments in a flash. Available in white with metallic color accents or for the true minimalist, in all aluminum.

Hip Hostess NYC: NOW on Facebook

The Hip Hostess has a travel photo log on Facebook. See HipHostess Nyc for the full picture.