In January, we joined thousands of other interior design professionals and enthusiasts from around the globe at Maison et Objet, a biannual design fair that takes place in the chic capital of the world: Paris.  The fair showcases all that is brand new in the home furniture, accessories, and tableware world and sets the tone for the season’s interior design trends. Here’s a roundup of some of our favorite trends from the show:  Blush pink:  The Pantone Color of 2016 officially known as Rose Quartz, is still taking center stage. Seen in upholstery fabrics, wall coverings, accessories, and even paint color, this feminine, soft, and yet luscious tone; gives us all sorts of warm and fuzzy feelings.   Flora and fauna:  Going beyond the animal print, which has been a ubiquitous trend for many years, animals invade the interior design world in full force in other fun and unexpected shapes and forms: from playful taxidermy to bunny-shaped lamps and illustrations on tableware, fabrics, and wallcovering, there's an abundance of options for those wanting to incorporate fauna in their interiors. (We prefer our taxidermy of the faux variety....but real was seen as well!)     Fringe binge: A constant on SS16 fashion runways from Paris to New York, the trend has officially cast its spell on interior designers as well.  Fringes are cleverly employed to upholstery pieces, chairs, and even mirrors in ways we've never seen before to suit the current preference. We...

It's a designer's dream to be able to do anything we want...Often we're constrained by our clients' tastes and preferences, but sometimes... we have a chance to throw caution to the wind and make a grand personal statement! This is exactly what happened when I was chosen to design a table for the New York Design Center's Dining By Design exhibit March 20th - 24th in NYC.  Since I basically live at the NYDC, I didn't have to think very hard about what I wanted to use in my design. And with an upcoming visit to London, I could scope out the Timorous Beasties showroom in person.  It's a great honor to have been selected to design a table for DIFFA in conjunction with the New York Design Center.  The Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids, Dining By Design annual event is held in conjunction with the Architectural Digest Home Design Show and is a unique event that showcases design luminaries in a feast for the senses. All proceeds from this four day event, which includes a Cocktails By Design preview party on March 20th, a Gala Dinner on March 24th and public viewing from March 21st through March 23rd, benefit DIFFA and their quest to fight HIV/AIDS. Since this is such a unique event it called for finding some extremely unique finishes and pieces to include in my 'Boy|Girl' design theme. Timorous Beasties fulfilled that beyond my expectations and I'm thrilled to give you a...

This NYC interior designer joined her best girlfriends who run the non-profit Friends of Fresh and Green Academy for the Give Good Market, which showcased 100's of women owned businesses hawking sustainably made gifts, all for a great cause.  Today I wanted to share with you some of my favorite goods for the home, along with some other ideas for "giving good" this holiday season. My buddies not only support the school at Fresh and Green Academy, but also the Mother's Cooperative, which teaches skills to the students' mothers encouraging to them support themselves, and helping to sell their amazing handmade wares. I own literally over 20 of their hand-woven scarves, which can also be used as holiday table runners. And the trivets are just perfect for hostess gifts. Ever wondered if those "handmade" gifts are really handmade? Here is a video of the women in action: Fresh and Green Mother's Cooperative Also at the sale we snapped up some throw pillows from Mercado Global which strives to link rural indigenous artisans to international markets and break the cycle of poverty.   From right here in NYC we found these incredible handmade ceramic from artist Ikuko Iwamot - a perfect tabletop addition to a penthouse we're completing in TriBeCa. and some stunning artwork by artist Mark Reigelman that might work on our Charles Street project: Both the vase and light art pieces are available at the local NYC gallery Underline....

Last week, NYC's top interior designers attended the annual What's New What's Next at the New York Design Center. We'll be posting more info on what we saw and what we're going to be using on upcoming interior design projects, but- I was most interested too learn that, hold on to your hat, chintz is back! No, it's not a typo, I wrote CHINTZ. Yes, like the '80's when I used to hang out at the Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michael's Maryland. Now I loved Laura Ashley as much as I loved Stiff Stuff hairspray and acid washed jeans, but I would never want to go through that phase again! So...Chintz? That's what Wall Street Journal contributor and decorator Sarah Ruffin Costello says is what's HOT now. However - not a ton of chintz ala Mario Buatta, but a "dollop" of chintz just to smarten things up. She also mentioned that David Hicks, Moroccan, and Ikat are all DEAD... So my first reaction was to walk out of the room, but she had some good points- Now that everyone can shop at DWR for modern designer furnishings, and get a mid-century looking credenza at West Elm for peanuts what on earth is making design "special" any more? If people can go on hivemodern.com and purchase all of the classics fitting out their penthouses in Corbusier why hire us?? Well, because we have something that the average internet shopper/design...