Architectural Digest Home Design Show 2012

(Cabinet on Stand from Bart Niswonger)Whenever I visit the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, I make a beeline for the furniture displays. The AD show has everything a home design addict would love: artwork, furniture, lighting, tabletop displays, kitchen and bath – so much so that it can be overwhelming.  But furniture is the heart of every room so I love to check out the latest furniture lines from the big, established firms to the new work from the smaller furniture studios. 

Just as bold bright colors were the top trends in fashion, brilliant colors were also seen in many furniture designs.  The cabinet on a stand – seen above - from Bart Niswonger is a perfect example with its red-hot and yellow colors and floating yellow-green flowers.  Made of ash, cherry and cast urethane, the cabinet provides that pop of color and touch of unexpectedness to any interior.  Another whimsical piece is the ball side table.  Floating orange urethane tops the table as red balls pop out from its sides.

(Ball Side Table from Bart Niswonger)ThinkFabricate introduced their Not Your Mother’s furniture line - fun, trendy pieces for your home.  Below is the Skyline chest of drawers with a pink silhouette of Manhattan’s skyline decorating its front.  You can choose other colors and other silhouettes for further customization.

(Dresser from ThinkFabricate)For those who prefer their wood furniture to look like wood, the AD Show also offered incredibly crafted wood pieces.  BDDW introduced their Lake bookcase and Lake credenza made from a creamy-looking holly. Tyler Hays designed these pieces in quality hardwoods with hand-rubbed finishes. Their designs would complement any contemporary home.

(Lake low credenza from BDDW)

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Amazing Wedding Gowns...

Chiffon, sequins, beading, ball gown, sheath, cathedral length or mid-thigh...no matter what your style is the Spring 2012 collections have something to offer.  I have chosen four from each of my favorite designers to showcase.  For a more complete view of each designer please visit their website or Martha Stewart is featuring all the large (and not so large) bridal design houses Spring and Fall 2012 collections.  

Amsale - My wedding gown was Amsale...I adore her!

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Ann Bowen

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Badgley Mischka

 Marchesa - I am in love with Marchesa Bridal (and her non-bridal designs...gorgeous!!)

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Monique Lhuillier

Reem Acra

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Vera Wang

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For more information on Wedding and Event Planning, please visit our website at the Sheffield School.

Katie is the Wedding and Event Planning Student Advisor and owner of Sara Kate Events. 

Interior Design Trend - Hollywood Glamour Style

Samuel Marx style chest of drawers in green parchment - dealer Antony Todd Home

“One of the great things about Hollywood Regency is its versatility; the look can be done up in a very fun, camp manner or be tailored for an upscale feel.” - Dominic Albanese, owner of NY's Metropolis Modern showroom

Oscar Torres - Hollywood has not only influenced Fashion, but the Interior Design industry has widely been in the spotlight through the eyes of set designers and furniture designers as well. Hollywood Regency Style as sometimes referenced by designers, is inspired by the movie sets of Hollywood's most iconic motion pictures’ sets. Pieces range from simple lines inspirited by the past to hand-picked stylized objet d’art coveted by dealers, designers, and collectors worldwide.

Dorothy Draper 1940s plaster urn lamps - dealer Crais Van Den Brulle

This neo-classical revival style has been going strong in this century. Not only do we see it in décor, but also in home furnishings, textiles, and accessories from high-end Neiman Marcus to affordable Target.

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Floored! by the light

(Shakti Floor Light from YLighting)I recently researched light fixtures for a client but I became quickly stumped - many that I looked at just didn’t work in the space.  The living room had low ceilings so suspended lights were out of the question. My client didn’t want side tables so table lamps were out.  I looked at surface-mounted lights and they were dull as dishwater.  Then I looked at sconces but this involved a lot of wiring behind the walls which the budget didn’t permit. Then I hit upon the solution – floor lamps! 

I haven’t used floor lights lately mostly because I found the selection very limited.  Then I discovered these sculptural lights that just floored me!  The floor light above is the Shakti, designed by Marzio Rusconi Clerici for Kundalini.  The Shakti reminds me of the Brancusi sculpture, Bird in Space.  The long body is a laser-cut Plexiglass tube and is available in several colors.

Another beautiful sculptural floor lamp is the Alta Costura, available at YLighting.  Designed by Josep Aregall for Metalarte, the Alta Costura is made of translucent PVC panels and looks like soft folds of linens spiraling around a center. 

(Alta Costura from YLighting)Floor lamps don’t have to be tall – they can be short and sit on the floor, lighting up a dark corner.  This Laszlo floor light ripples like a loosely wound ribbon.  The light is designed by Cristian Malisan for Fambuena and is made of molded plastic.

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