After 17 years in New York, wanderlust set in and Tania moved to Europe, living and working in the south of France and London with such luminaries as Alain Ducasse and David Linley before moving back to the States where she settled, this time, in Palm Beach. She spent most of her time executing charming watercolors of clients’ interiors, such as this Albert Hadley designed living room.

But even during this period, she spent a large part of the year in Florence where she established a tromp l’oeil academy and turned her huge palazzo apartment on the Arno into a living work of art!

Last year her life came full circle and, after a brief stint in London, she found herself back in New York where she started creating a collection of textiles based on her fashion designs from the 1970′s. Hand printed on linen in England, the capsule collection of 11 patterns is carried through John Rosselli at the DDB.

Tania has also recently published a book A Memoir of the Decorative Arts 1970 – 2011, an illustrated story of her incredible experiences and work. It is available through Rizzoli as a limited edition work. Tania shared the beautiful malachite inspired endpapers as well as some of her early fashion fabrics.

Because Tania clearly has creative juices coursing through her veins, she has also created a line of hand painted silk pillows, a collection of eglomise and continues to collaborate with designers as a decorative painter.

Tania is one of those people who grabbed life by the horns. So full of life and creative energy, hers is an inspiring story of self-expression and following one’s passion!

You can read more from Quintessence Blog online, and let us know your favorite Tania Vartan pattern, if you can pick just one!

What a delightful morning! Not only did I get to spend some time with several friends I don’t often see, but Tania’s tale was so inspiring and fascinating that we were all entranced by her incredible talent and creative life!

A southern debutante from Kentucky, Tania’s creative spirit has taken her on an amazing journey of incredible experiences around the world, leading an enviable life that is the stuff of young girls’ dreams. After trying out a variety of art colleges on for size, Tania traveled the globe drinking in life – a year studying in Paris, living on a houseboat in California while making costumes for Rock groups, working in Canadian theater design in Montreal and an impressive stint on Seventh Avenue in New York City, where she founded a small company manufacturing dresses of her own print fabric and design.

But fashion was not ultimately her calling. In 1978, Tania rented an apartment on Park Avenue, which she covered in tromp l’oeil painting and used her dress fabrics to make curtains and upholstery. Mark Hampton, who lived across the street, discovered her talents and a career was launched. From first Hampton client, Lee Radziwill, to the Smithsonian and the White House, Tania’s commissions took her around the country and the globe.

Tania was commissioned by the Smithsonian Institute to paint two life size murals of interiors of the White House. The Family Staircase circa 1902 depicts Teddy Roosevelt’s oldest and youngest children and is now on permanent display in the National Museum of American History.

Check back for more from Quintessence Blog about Tania Vartan and where her vast career in fashion and design has landed her these days.

This year’s Fall Market, hosted with Ocean Drive magazine, begins with the morning keynote Colorful Characters, moderated by Ocean Drive style editor John Lin with panelists Windsor Smith and Eileen Kathryn Boyd. The Keynote takes place in Atrium C at 11:00 a.m. The panel will discuss the creative process in developing his panelist’s fearless, unique and expressive styles. Lunch will follow at Duralee in Suite C-100, followed by coffee and dessert at Kravet in Suite B-180.

Stay tuned to GoDesignGo for DCOTA Fall Market news, and for more information, visit the DCOTA online.

Join Anna Maria Kinberg as she explains how to recognize why energies require changes in a space through interior design, Feng Shui, color, and house cleansings including herbs and healing candles. She will also speak about how energy can be brought into a space through antique furniture, inherited jewelry and artwork.

Anna is an accomplished  psychic medium, International Telly Award winner, and celebrity interior designer who works closely with families around the country to bring beauty, peace, calm and closure to their lives. Her business is founded on the philosophy that being a psychic medium consultant and interior designer go hand in hand. She connects the dots through design work and any paranormal energy that may be affecting a space.

The event takes place Tuesday November 1 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the DDB’s Astra Café on floor 14. A reception will follow at Kravet in Suite 324. For reservations,please call 212-759-2969, or email  rsvp@ddbuilding.com.

Hagan Flynn, Inc. (Suite B435) with Gessi, the leading manufacturer of contemporary decorative plumbing fixtures, will introduce a new series of showerheads that are compliant with the new CalGreen Building Codes at 11:00 a.m.

The showroom will also present a brief review of the new requirements for water conservation under the CalGreen Building Code as well as the new Gessi products, including rain showers, that comply with these more stringent requirements. Tasty treats and light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to valerie@haganflynn.com.

Aran Cucine (Suite B119) shares what’s new, what’s next and what’s trending in kitchen and appliance design for the New Year. An appliance specialist and a culinary specialist will be on site to share insights on what to look for when selecting kitchen appliances and how to incorporate these in to your overall kitchen design.

Fresh from Aran Cucine’s grand opening last month, the Italian export shows off its sleek and stylish new Los Angeles space, where friendly and knowledgeable staff are only too happy to demonstrate their high tech installations. Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to info@arancucine.us.

The day of events takes place Thursday, October 27. Stay tuned to GoDesignGo tomorrow for more showroom events at the PDC.

In The Way Home: Reflections on American Beauty, Jeffrey takes an intimate look at twelve recent projects that embrace tradition while seamlessly accommodating the way we live today. Jeffrey will take us through urban townhouses and lofts, to oceanfront cottages and country estates, sharing the glory in personal style, and celebrated comfort.

Jeffrey is one of a handful of preeminent American decorators who takes his design clues from understanding the importance of history while optimistically looking toward the future. His first book, Jeffrey Bilhuber’s: Design Basics, with a forward by Anna Wintour, is now in its fourth printing. Its follow up, Defining Luxury: The Qualities of Life at Home, continues a tradition of reaching a broad and diverse market.

The event will take place October 25 at 9:30 a.m. at Astra Café on the 14th floor of the DDB. A reception will follow at the Quadrille showroom. For reservations, please call 212-759-2969, or email RSVP@ddbuilding.com.

Proceeds benefit fashion, interior design and beauty industry scholarshops through Fashion Group International, Inc of Houston and the Kay King Scholarship of Houston Community College.

Reserve your tickets for this fabulous evening online at kayking.fgihouston.org. The event takes place Thursday, October 20, 2011 from 6-9 p.m. at the DCH. Arrive in fabulously fashionable attire.

Moderated by LUXE Interiors + Design editor in chief Pamela Jaccarino, the panel included Barry Dixon, Philip Gorrivan, Kendall Wilkinson and Raymond Goins.

“It was a thrill to get a sneak peak of the designers’ mood boards and renderings from Maison de Luxe,” said Elizabeth Chamberlain, Marketing Director of the PDC. “Our theme for this year’s Fall Market was Collaborative Community and Maison de Luxe is the perfect example of a community coming together to collaborate on an exciting project!”

Stay tuned to GoDesignGo for more on the PDC’s Fall Market recaps.

The panelists discussed examples of designer fabrics and the process of developing a designer fabric collection from concept to launch and some fun stories of their personal experiences in the process.

“The audience was electrified with the descriptions of Martyn’s new delicious, invigorating fabrics with Schumacher!” said Michael A. Bernal, showroom manager of Schumacher at PDC. “His humor and his star personality completely captured the audience!”

Stay tuned to GoDesignGo for more on the PDC’s Fall Market recaps.

Deborah came to personally greet clients and talk about exciting new product developments the Thomas Lavin showroom, where Liagre’s product is represented. Deborah, who has a degree in interior design, has created luxurious interiors for Liaigre since 1999, working internationally in locales from New York and London to Australia and Greece. Joining her presentation about the European luxury lifestyle that Liaigre represents was Liaigre president Christophe Caillaud and two interior designers who have been longtime customers in the U.S.

“The event was fantastic! Deborah Liaigre and Christophe Caillaud from Maison Christian Liaigre arrived to standing room only for our afternoon presentation,” said Thomas. “We hosted about 120 people for the panel who asked good questions afterwards! About 400 people ranging from the very best designers in Los Angeles to a more motley crew that added some seasoning to the evening attended the party! Grey Goose cocktails delivered a delicious punch while the chic set milled about the showroom!”

Stay tuned to GoDesignGo for more on the PDC’s Fall Market recaps.