NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL GIFT FAIR...

Part of my job as an interior designer is staying current with design trends which means attending industry events such as trade shows. This week, I attended the The New York International Gift Fair at the Jacob Javitz Center, Pier 92 & Pier 94 in New York City. Held twice a year in January and August, the NYIGF hosts 2,800 exhibitors showcasing home, gift and lifestyle products. The fair is open to the trade only.

The NYIGF has 14 highly-focused divisions offering  housewares, artisan jewelry, apparel and accessories, home furnishings and more. The fair is an opportunity for designers (and retailers) to see what's on trend for the upcoming season. I generally focus on At Home which features furniture and accents and Accent on Design which features tabletop and bedding although I have been know to peruse the other divisions to see what's on trend there as well.

Color still reigns supreme with metallics and animal prints making a great resurgence. The menswear influence is making a comeback as well. Here are some of my favorite finds...

Bedding by Legacy Home

Bright glass lighting from Vivify Lighting

Graphic signage by Design Legacy

Side table by Red Egg

Dining chair by Design Legacy

Side chair by Room Service

Armoire by Design Legacy

Mirror mosaic ram by Gold Leaf Designs

Wallpaper by Tempaper Designs

Tables by Tara Shaw Maison

Pillows by Dransfield and Ross

Chest and accessories by Bungalow 5

Sectional by Luna Bella

Sculpture by Gold Leaf Designs

Silver accents by Roost

Dresser by Notre Monde

Chest by Bliss Studio

Graphic florals by Dutch Home

Chair and ottoman from Julian Chicester

I discovered a vendor at the show for the first time, TrueBee Designs, that creates beautiful custom storage ottomans. Pricey but well worth the investment as it is a one of a kind, heirloom quality piece of furniture. I predict we will see much more from them.

Custom storage ottoman by TrueBee Designs

Happy shopping...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Photos courtesy of Tammy Bolden

LIVING LARGE IN SMALL SPACES...

Living with small spaces is not just relegated to city dwellers.  Sometimes a room has to serve multiple purposes in suburbia as well.  Here are several rooms where the design makes the most of the space available whether its...

an office turned guest room thanks to a murphy bed,

or accommodating an entire family in a shelter,

or sleeping and living spaces separated by a moving wall,

Design by Chipper Hatter Architectural Photographer, San Diego

or an office in a loft

Office design by CWB Architects, New York

or an outdoor space,

Exterior design by House + House Architects, San Francisco

 or a closet turned office space,

Office design by Ed Ritger Photography, San Francisco

or a multi-functioning studio apartment,

Design by Nicholas Moriarty Interiors, Chicago

or creating a bar for entertaining,

Design by Susan Diana Harris Interior Design, San Francisco

or an office and family room,

Home Office design by Jonathan Quinn Barnett Ltd, Seattle

or creating privacy in studio apartment,

Multi-purpose room design by Tobi Farley, Little Rock, Arkansas

or elevating a space for guests and extra storage,

 Bedroom design by Kia Designs, London

or carving out a space to work and relax,

Design by Elizabeth Cross-Beard, Baltimore

or just enough room for sleeping quarters...

Design by Dyanne Wilson Photography, Montreal

Here's to living in every inch...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Photos courtesy of Houzz.com and HouseBeautiful.com

COLORFUL KITCHEN DESIGNS...

I'll admit that cooking is not one of my favorite past times except when entertaining for guests.  Having a cheerful place in which to create a rare culinary delight always helps.  The love of color shouldn't be relegated to just bedrooms and family rooms.  A unique color palette in the kitchen can make preparing any meal a joyous occasion...

Kitchen Design by Camilla Molders, Melbourne, Australia

Kitchen Design by Karen Soojian, ASID, Minneapolis

 Kitchen Design by Ken Kelly, Inc., New York

Kitchen Design by Elizabeth Speert

Kitchen Design by Momoko Morton, Denver

Kitchen Design by Michelle Allman

Kitchen design by Loop Design, Austin, Texas

Kitchen Design by Crisp Architects, New York

 Kitchen design by Mark English Architects, San Francisco

Kitchen Design courtesy of Traditional Home Magazine

Kitchen Design by Stephen O'Brien

Happy cooking...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Photos courtesy of Houzz.com, TraditionalHome.com and HouseBeautiful.com

THE LOW DOWN: PIER 1 IMPORTS...

Pier 1 has been around for 40 years. I have fond memories of shopping there when my mother purchased furniture for my first apartment in college. The products usually have a charming, global or artisan flair which is right up my alley.

When the stores first opened, Pier 1 was known mostly for its rattan and wicker furniture which is still one of the very popular offerings.

Now this national retailer has expanded its product lines to almost every type of home decor and accessory you can think of at really affordable prices.  I've bought everything from rugs and lamps to nightstands and media cabinets, even desks and bookcases.

 

My personal favorites are the outdoor furniture, candle holders and dinnerware.

A few years ago, I furnished my husband's entire office aka his man cave (except his LazyBoy Recliner) with a rich espresso wood desk, bookcase, printer stand and side table all from Pier 1. Its a little matchy-matchy for my taste but it looks great and its comfortable for him. I would post photos but that would lead to embarassment for both my husband and me.

Pier 1 stores are everywhere. There are 3 locations alone within 10 miles of where I live.

Happy shopping...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Photos courtesy of Pier1.com