UNIQUE DESIGN DISCOVERIES AT BDNY...

I had the pleasure of attending a fairly new trade show on the scene, the Boutique Design New York (BDNY). Now in its fourth year, BDNY is combined with the International Hotel, Motel & Restaurant Show (IHMRS) making it America's largest trade fair and forum focused on the hospitality industry. 

This trade show presents over 325 exhibitors of furniture, lighting, wall coverings, fabric, seating, accessories, artwork, carpet and flooring, and bath and spa materials. BDNY attracts 5,000+ designers, architects, purchasing executives and developers in addition to hotel owners and operations who also attend IHMRS. This year's BDNY leveraged its growth spurt with two floors of products as well as 10 panel discussions and interactive workshops including the signature Owners' Grill Session. 

This has become one of my favorite trade shows because it features both experiential and practical aspects of hospitality design with some of the most innovative products available. The resources I glean from this show provides unique products and ideas to present to my clients for residential design as well.

Here are some of my notable favorite finds:

Art on Metal by Angela Cameron Fine Art 

Swivel Chair (spins 360 degrees) by Astoria Compass

Astoria Compass

Blue Coast Furniture

Bodie Swivel Chair by Grand Rapids Chair Company

Seating (4 chairs make a circular banquette) by Charter Furniture

Custom Resin Vanity by Neo Metro

Mandy Li Furniture

Custom Wall Installation by Lusive Designs

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams

Dresser by Koket

Faucets by Vola for Hastings Tile & Bath

Real Cork Upholstery by Wolf Gordon 

Astoria Compass

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams

Until the next BDNY, happy trend spotting...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

PHOTOS COURTESY OF TAMMY BOLDEN.

PANTONE COLOR REPORT FOR SPRING 2014: TOP CHOICE - DAZZLING BLUE...

Good-bye Emerald, the color of the year for 2013, and say Hello to DAZZLING BLUE - the top choice of the Pantone Color Report for Spring 2014!!

DAZZLING BLUE #18-3949

Every season the experts at the Pantone Color Institute decide on the top colors in fashion, interior design, graphic design and advertising. This Spring's crop of colors are notably more muted in hue, almost pastel in fact except for the vibrancy of Dazzling Blue aka Cobalt aka Royal Blue... 

PANTONE COLOR REPORT FOR SPRING 2014

Although #18-3949 is the "leader of the pack" color for next year, chances are the color looks somewhat familiar. Mark Zuckerberg, being the visionary that he is, selected this hue for Facebook - mainly because he is red-green colorblind. And of course, he rebranded it Social Butterfly Blue...

Dazzling Blue is also the color seen all over NYC as the hue for the Citibank Bike Sharing Program.

During the last century, artists such as Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso delved into the hardy hue in their work through entirely different expressions of mood.

The Dance (1910) - Henri Matisse

The Old Guitarist (1903) - Pablo Picasso

Although classic blue sometimes evokes a traditional feel,  Dazzling Blue provides an updated flair to today's fashion...

STELLA & DOT

BURBERRY PRORSUM

KATE MIDDLETON'S DRESS BY ISSA OF LONDON

FASHION ILLUSTRATION FOR YVES ST. LAURENT

GUISEPPE ZANOTTI

STELLA & DOT

and interior design...

So get a little blue and be on trend. Speaking of which - happy trend spotting...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

SOME PHOTOS COURTESY OF PANTONE COLOR INSTITUTE, HOUSEBEAUTIFUL.COM, ELLEDECOR.COM..

STYLING 101 WITH WEST ELM...

Last night instead of greeting trick or treaters, I spent the evening at West Elm in Paramus, NJ. Why, you ask? They hosted the "Keep Calm and Redecorate" event with Michael Shorter, their lead in-home stylist. Michael facilitated a styling session on how to breathe new life into your living space with simple changes using various colors, textures and decorative accessories.  

Michael started with two of their staple furniture pieces - the Tillary sofa and the Terra console table - to create 3 different looks:

Tillary Sofa in Stone Velvet - $949 

Terra Console in Chocolate - $349

The Before...

The first look he created is what I called the Collegiate Look, for those with their first apartments in mind...

Note the versatility of the Tillary by repositioning the sofa cushions...

Notable additions:

Chevron Crewel Pillow - $60

Industrial Task Lamp - $79 

Kew Dhurrie Pouf - $249

Denim Jute Rug - $129

Large Rectangular Tray (shown in Raffia) - $59
Low Butler Stand - $99

Next Michael created a more "adult" space which he called the Modern Rustic look...

 Notable additions:

Mongolian Lamp Pillow in Platinum (24" sq.) - $139 

Crossroads Dhurrie Rug (5' x 8') - $349

Rustic Storage Coffe Table - $499

Slipper Chair in Honey Leather - $399

Last but not least and my favorite, he created the Glam (and dare I say Grown-up) look with a few holiday touches...

Note the Martini shaker and wine bottle...

Notable additions:

Shadow Butterfly Silk Pillow - $55

Slipper Chair in Chevron Slate - $499

Chevron Table Lamp - $229

Finn Wool Rug (5' x 8') - $349

Oval Rings Side Table - $199

Herringbone Mirrored Coffee Table - $499

Green Mercury Glass Inkwell Vase - $29

The lesson behind this styling session - buy good, basic furniture pieces that can easily transition as your tastes change. Thank you Michael and West Elm!

Happy trend spotting...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

PHOTOS COURTESY OF TAMMY BOLDEN AND WESTELM.COM.