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What’s new at Maya Romanoff

EAL Editor — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:00:44 +0000

For over forty years, Maya Romanoff has been an industry innovator. Recently they rolled out a slew of novel textures just in time for summer renovations. Go for sparkle, slither or just a beautiful texture in a range of colors for any decor. Stop by the new showroom for a peak at these introductions. Check back soon for a look at the soon-to-debut Roger Thomas collection…

As seen in: Elle Decor

EAL Editor — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:00:35 +0000

Earlier this week we saw some great DDB showrooms and products in the May issue of Elle Decor. Thomas Jayne and Katie Ridder selected an armoire by Julia Gray, and a Ralph Lauren Home end table, below:

Ralph Lauren Paint:

Romo:

Maya Romanoff:

Fabrics from Duralee, Clarence House, Ralph Lauren Home, Kravet and Manuel Canovas, Brunschwig & Fils, Fabricut, de le Cuona, Pollack and Zimmer + Rohde:

Bloggers cover DDB Spring Market

EAL Editor — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:00:25 +0000

Here’s what some of the bloggers participating in today’s Spring Market at the DDB have been saying in anticipation of the big day.
Here in this House
Nest by Tamara
Carrie’s Design Musings
Quintessence
Don’t forget to follow along on twitter (hashtag #DDBMarket), since it’s impossible to make it to all of the happenings! Check back soon and we’ll share our bloggers market recaps.

Deborah Needleman on the Luxury of Imperfection

EAL Editor — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:00:12 +0000

Deborah Needleman, editor in chief of WSJ Magazine, kicked off Spring Market and its theme of internationalism. She addressed key trends as seen in the worlds of food, fashion, photography, and of course interiors — united by high luxury merged with imperfections.
“For us at the magazine, trends are a distillation of a mood, something that just feels right for now. We’re always looking for who’s taking a risk, in any field.”

Her keynote speech took us through three areas:
1) Fashion photography- it’s a celebration of culture and craftsmanship. Needleman highlighted a story in WSJ on couture as modeled by Stella Tenant. “She’s a strong model with aristocratic blood but we photographed her in a blank, quite sterile environment. It creates a tension–she’s not in a rich environment. It’s not rich on rich on rich.” She pointed to an image of a living room at Chatsworth (pictured above), with its fluffy rug and slipcovered chairs – not what’s expected in a grand English country home. With the example of a pub story in the English countryside, decorated by Robert Kime, Needleman made the transition to how trends in the food world related to interiors. “It’s all about lightening up luxurious decorating, making it feel homey and casual. Like ticking stripes, which are humble and tone down a nice piece of furniture, or antique and vintage fabrics, particularly those from other cultures- using them signals that you’re literally letting people in.” Examples: using “ethnic” fabrics on lampshades, something she calls “charming” and piling on “loads of pillows and even leaving supplies out, which gives a sign of life, like a coat rack.”
2) Food – with movements like farm to table, gastropubs, and hyper specialization (the Meatball shop) and even local and organic ingredients, “the restaurants are creating a sense of place, story-telling and underscoring simplicity.” As seen in a slide of Yves Saint-Laurent‘s home in Tangiers with one light chintz pattern covering all chairs, in a simple white room. Try dragging your fancy stuff outside. And the example of legendary antique dealer Amy Perlin, whose niece is running an antiques business dedicated to just tables made of reclaimed woods
3) Fashion- “It’s easier to see trends in fashion, since the shows are condensed into four weeks. In decoration we don’t refresh that often. There’s something so frivolous about this blouse paired with tapered, clean pants (pictured below left), like Pauline de Rothschild‘s living room, with its cooky furniture arrangement and no art (pictured below right). It’s a virginal innocence combined with a richness. Something so wrong it’s right.”

To close, Needleman remarked “this moment is about how we really live. It’s about lifting the spirit of whatever inspires you and figuring out how to apply it to your work, your home.”

As seen in: Elle Decor

EAL Editor — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:00:50 +0000

Have a peek at these great discoveries in the May issue of Elle Decor, found throughout the DDB showrooms.
The Holly Hunt shelving (above) is one of multiple picks in their Miami showhouse, as is this chaise:

And a Holly Hunt blue velvet in front of a wall in Ralph Lauren Paint:

Holly Hunt, Ralph Lauren Paint and Jerry Pair:

Sutherland:

Stark and Ralph Lauren Paint:

And fabrics from from Zoffany, Pierre Frey, Fabricut and Osborne & Little:

And that’s not all…check back soon to see more great items featured in the same issue — and pick up your copy today!

Meet the blogger: Stacey Bewkes

EAL Editor — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:00:02 +0000

We caught up with Stacey Bewkes, the bloggers behind Quintessence, just before she joins the DDB‘s Spring Market tomorrow. Check back soon for a slew of coverage from our favorite participating bloggers!

How long have you been blogging: I started in August 2012. I was born and raised in Tarrytown, NY and have a degree in art history from Brown. My corporate career was spent as art director at Simon & Schuster. Both these past lives were perfect preparation for what I do now – compare and contrast, search out great combinations of style of substance, discover new talent, combine writing and aesthetics, figure out how to put what I see into words and visa versa.

What’s your blogging schedule like? I work in some way all day long, whether attending events, researching, writing, photo editing. And yes, the computer fires up in the morning with my first cup of coffee.

Do you have a favorite showroom? I couldn’t possibly pick a single favorite showroom – so many great ones.

Tell us some of your favorite things? Like picking your favorite child, I couldn’t possibly choose just one. As for accessories, I love everything from books, mirrors, and trays to ceramics, candlesticks, hurricanes and all tabletop!

What’s on your bedside table? A very individualized mix of personal objects, photos, magazines and books. I always have a personalized pad and pencil or pen handy. Right now I have Dransfield and Ross faux shagreen blue pencils I love.

How do you get your news? Mostly online and in the car. Even though we have a daily paper delivery I frequently only get to the Friday and weekend editions.

What are some of your favorite bookmarks? I check many sites every day but besides social media sites (predominantly facebook and twitter), some daily visits might include the Wall Street Journal, New York Times (mostly the art & style sections), Net a Porter, Bergdorf’s blog, Vogue, 1stDibs.

What are some of your latest discoveries? I have several fantastic new discoveries (a new store and a couple new tabletop brands) but I’m afraid you’ll have to read the blog to see them – they’re coming soon.

Anything quirky you want to share? I eat my (almost nightly) ice cream in a tea cup with an espresso spoon – it makes it last longer!!

Summer shopping with Darren Henault

EAL Editor — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:00:14 +0000

Last week we introduced you to Darren Henault, whose extraordinary talent for creating luxurious, livable spaces has won him awards, accolades, and the attention of the most important design publications in the world. His clients include celebrities, business leaders, and the social elite. For Henault, “living beautifully is about editing and figuring out what positive changes to make that will affect how you feel about your home and, ultimately, yourself.” Epitomized in this home in Millbrook:

And this New York living room, seen in New York Spaces:

We spent an afternoon with him on the hunt around the DDB looking for his favorite finds for summer. Here’s what he loves, and why.

-”This Diana églomise chest of drawers from Jean de Merry is a great find. A gorgeous Old World technique on a clean and very usable piece of furniture:

-”The Windsor étagère from Frederick P. Victoria & Son is gorgeous. As it’s custom, you can lacquer it, distress it, whatever you like. Again something old made new:

-”The textured linens and silks from Nancy Corzine are beautiful. They’re formal but crisp and light enough to live with in the summer.”
-”New bedding from Leron! Change the room from Winter to Spring just by having the folks there whip up something light and airy:

-”Have I mentioned my new rug collection at Holland & Sherry? How about using my designs and making them in cotton or linen? They’re happy to oblige.”

As seen in: Traditional Home

EAL Editor — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:00:08 +0000

The editors at Traditional Home found plenty to love at the DDB for the May issue. Pick up a copy and see these new finds from some of our favorite showrooms, like Lelievre at Stark, pictured above.

Farrow & Ball:

And William Morris, too:

Houles and Manuel Canovas:

Fortuny:

Maya Romanoff:

Baccarat:

Romo:

Osborne & Little and Ralph Lauren:

Schumacher and Brunschwig Fils, too:

Bergamo:

Vaughan:

Donghia, Lee Jofa, Kravet and A.Rudin:

Tips from the pro: Christopher Peacock

EAL Editor — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:00:38 +0000

Last week we met Christopher Peacock who will be opening his showroom at the DDB, and celebrating his company’s 20th anniversary, this fall. We used our persuasive powers to pry some design tips from the kitchen and cabinetry guru, even for those who are still only aspiring to a Christopher Peacock kitchen. Here’s what he had to say:

-”I hate kitchen design. I also love it, of course! Everyone, no matter how much money is in the bank, has to prepare food and that usually involves a kitchen. The way we think of ourselves, the way we compose ourselves, sustain ourselves, our movement in kitchens is very important to me.

-”I recommend allowing 21″ to 24″ for kitchen stools at an island. We find that Remains Lighting has the best and most interesting over-the-counter island lighting. We’re actually collaborating on a collection with Remains that should be available soon.

-There’s still a tremendous focus on islands. I typically suggest an island 5 feet wide by 8 feet long. You don’t want it to look like an air craft carrier, and you don’t want to have to walk around it to clean up and wipe it down. You want to be able to reach across it effortlessly.

-Renovation is happening much more than starting-from-scratch these days. I get asked a lot about where to cut costs. “Value engineering” is something I hear a lot. The biggest mistake is to try to save by cutting out the specialist advice and using a woodshop to copy a product. You always tend to get what you pay for, and it shows in the final look. If there are sensible areas to save money, I think it should be on flooring and backsplash tile, and ancillary items such as special wall finishes and fabric. I am amazed by how people tend to spend too little on cabinetry and hardware and then how much they’ll spend on a wall finish, or a decorative item that won’t last and stand the test of time. Tastes change, and the room’s decoration becomes replaceable, long before the fixed items such as cabinetry and countertops need to go.”

Meet Maryam Montague, international blogger

EAL Editor — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:00:35 +0000

We caught up with Maryam Montague, the Marrakesh-based blogger, before she joins the bloggers lounge at the DDB Spring Market.

-What set you off as a blogger?
I have been blogging since 2006 (Incredible! Time passes so very fast!). I was born in Cairo to a mother from Tehran and a father from Manhattan. I grew up in Chappaqua, New York and Wellesley, Massachusetts. I went to Smith College where I studied literature and international affairs and then went on to get a Masters from Johns Hopkins in international affairs. After graduate school, I moved overseas for my work as a human rights and governance specialist. I have traveled to over 70 countries but currently live in an olive grove in Marrakesh where I have a B&B called Peacock Pavilions that I designed, built and decorated from scratch with my architect husband. I also have an online shop called Red Thread Souk. Over the last couple of years I have worked on a coffee table book for Artisan Books, Marrakesh by Design. It’s just hot off the press!

-What’s your blogging schedule like?
I typically blog two to three times a week, often writing in the evening and photographing by day. I’ve been lucky enough to have my blog voted Best Blog in Africa in the Annual Weblog Awards (Bloggies) for the last two years.

-Favorite showroom at the DDB?
Because I have lived overseas for years, I haven’t spent time at the DDB. I can’t wait to see it with fresh eyes! I am going to scout goods with a modern global or tribal feel–my personal leaning in design.

-All-time favorite designers or designs?
I love black and white photography, and if I win the lottery, I plan to collect Photographer Albert Watson’s iconic images of Morocco.
I’m also crazy about this Moorish bed from Martyn Bullard and his line of Moroccan fabrics – although I live in Morocco, I can never have enough of fresh interpretations of Moroccan design. They are so rich and usable.

-What’s on your coffee or beside table?
My coffee table (and, indeed, many of the surfaces of my house) is like a flat surfaced cabinet of curiosities. The table itself is made of a handmade Moroccan ceiling panel. Right now I have on it, old finely carved stools from Mali, a fossilized whale vertebrae found in the Sahara desert, and a set of three vintage handmade Mauritanian wood bowls made for serving camel milk, each filled with strands of glass African beads, some 100-200 years old. You can see my home at Peacock Pavilions in the April 2012 issue of Elle Décor.

-How do you get your news?
I use Twitter to aggregate my news feeds. So I get global news in headline form in a flash.

-What are five bookmarks you check at least once a day?
I’m on the road for my work a lot and have several side projects on tap right now. But when I have time I like to check out the following: Indagare.com: I love this beautiful travel and shopping site! http://indagare.com/ The latest digital travel issue is on Morocco. Ebay: I admit that I am an ebay addict! Ebay’s blog, the Inside Source, profiled some of my Moroccan picks. French magazine Cote Sud always has inspiring homes, many in Morocco. I check it out regularly to see what’s new. I’m a huge fan of the Moroccan artist Hindi Zahra. I obsessively check her website concert schedule in case she is coming to Morocco. I saw her in concert when I was at the Salon du Livre et du Presse in Geneva. I now officially consider myself her disciple. Brownbook: An urban guide to the Middle East. Perhaps the most beautiful paper magazine I’ve ever seen. And it has a great website.

-What’s the best thing/discovery/source/person you’ve found this week (or month)?
I am really enjoying Sibella Court’s book, Nomad: http://tinyurl.com/d9mkzf5. I flip it open to random pages for inspiration. Also, as a present to myself for finishing my book, I recently bought this beautiful watch. It’s a daily reminder to me that anything’s possible.

-Tell us something interesting about you?
I’m fascinated by symbols and meanings, magic and the supernatural. In Moroccan design, many things aren’t simply beautiful — they do double duty by warding off the evil eye and sending pesky genies running. I love magic and supernatural I’ve been to witchdoctors and fortune tellers in multiple countries, including Senegal, Morocco, Benin, and the Central African Republic.