Amy Bleier Long

Traditionally speaking

Written on October 19, 2010 at 12:28 pm
By Amy Bleier Long

One of the things we’re constantly trying to do is explain (defend?) the term “traditional” as we see it. The word immediately conjures up ideas and images in people’s minds, but not always the ones we think it should—or could.

We love these evocative statements from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams on the walls at their High Point showroom. What does traditional mean to you? What comes to mind when you hear the word?

give cancer the pink slip

Written on October 15, 2010 at 3:35 pm
By Amy Bleier Long

After losing close friend Nina Hyde, a fashion editor at the Washington Post, to breast cancer in 1990, Ralph Lauren became committed to fighting the disease. His Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation’s Pink Pony Fund supports programs for cancer screening and early diagnosis, treatment, and research. Year round, 10% of Pink Pony collection sales benefit the fund.

2010 marks the 10th year of the Pink Pony collection and in honor of its anniversary four pink limited edition items were designed, including an alligator Ricky 33 bag and the Ralph Lauren Stirrup timepiece, which—with its alligator strap and row of diamonds—would contribute a sizeable donation.

Other items available include women’s and children’s wear, personal accessories, and some stunning home accessories. I especially love the Pink Pony shagreen jewelry box, and we’ll be featuring the enamel frames in our upcoming November issue (which will be out any day now).

In addition to the Pink Pony items, Ralph Lauren has partnered with Charity Buzz to auction over 300 amazing lots: apparel, exclusive vacations, chances to meet celebrities, and of course, furniture and decorative accessories. Bid now through October 21—100% of the net proceeds benefits the Pink Pony Fund.

Visit Ralphlauren.com/pinkpony for Pink Pony items and a link to the auction, and help fund the research so we can eradicate cancer.

A once-in-a-lifetime, priceless opportunity to spend four days and three nights for you and up to three guests at Ralph Lauren’s personal Jamaican paradise, above, is just one of the items being auctioned.

Dedar cushion launch

Written on October 5, 2010 at 4:56 pm
By Amy Bleier Long

Sometimes we get to put down our pens, notepads, and cameras and celebrate a new product or collaboration. Italian textile house Dedar hosted a colorful evening at their Bergdorf Goodman installation to officially launch their new, first-ever retail product line.

Owners, and siblings, Caterina and Raffaele Fabrizio celebrate their new venture.

I previously provided a tiny sneak peek of Dedar’s new cushions on Facebook, but I love the bright, saturated colors of the mix-and-match pillows. They are made from 100% cotton satin Tabularasa fabric with a variety of available trim options. Available only at Bergdorf Goodman, the cushions range from $250 for a 10″ by 16″ lumbar to $375 for a 20″ square.

 

We’ve featured Dedar’s to-the-trade fabrics and trim in the past, but I like that these are an easy way to accessorize on your own, still using high quality fabric. And I think I’m not the only one. Another fan:

 

The Big Write – custom stationery charity event 9/29

Written on September 27, 2010 at 11:35 am
By Amy Bleier Long

A hand-written note is still a beautiful luxury worth indulging in, and giving to others is always in season, so if you are in the NYC area this week, there is a wonderful event happening on Wednesday night.

Calligrapher Ellen Weldon is opening her stationery design studio to host charity event “The Big Write,” on September 29. Attendees will receive a personal consultation with Ellen who will inscribe a name or monogram on a set of custom note cards to be printed in-house. In the studio’s Lining Lounge, consultants will be on hand to assist you in choosing ink colors and envelope liners from a large collection of artisanal papers sourced globally. Many of the papers are custom-marbled, hand-painted, or textured.

While you wait for your stationery (the design and printing process takes about an hour), enjoy drinks and bites from Park Avenue Liquors and Blue Dog Café.

The beneficiary is Sanctuary for Families, which serves domestic violence victims and their families. It’s the largest not-for-profit that provides support for domestic violence victims in New York State.

Normally, Weldon’s hand-calligraphed stationery usually runs $15 to $25 per card, but for the special event you will receive the entire custom set for the $25 ticket price, and 100% of proceeds benefits Sanctuary for Families.

The Big Write
Wednesday, September 29 from 4pm to 8pm
RSVP is required; please email info@weldondesign.com with a chosen one-hour time slot to guarantee a space.
$25 (sold at the door, cash or check accepted. Ticket price is tax-deductible.)

Ellen Weldon Design
222 Fifth Avenue, 4th Floor
NYC

from the marketplace: amy butler for welspun

Written on September 20, 2010 at 3:22 pm
By Amy Bleier Long

If you’ve had a chance to check out the October issue (and I hope you have!) you might have noticed the feminine “Full Bloom” decorator pillow from Amy Butler for Welspun in the So Sublime color palette story.

That lime/light chartreuse color is one of my favorites and I had a lot of fun pulling those gorgeous products together.  And it’s no surprise that such a happy little accessory came from Amy Butler.  An artist who also has her own fabric line, Amy’s fresh takes on traditional patterns are always colorful and graphic, which I think is a great complement to a bedroom with classic furnishings.

Her 100% organic cotton designs use low-impact dyes so they’re easy on the environment, but her patterns are definitely high-impact.

The appliquéd decorator pillow comes from the “Full Bloom” collection, which is Amy’s interpretation of Victorian style mixed with rich paisleys from India – an “ode to the elegant Sari.”
 
 
The Bucharest & Constanta coordinating collections are inspired by the flourishes and motifs found in Romanian embroidery, which itself is often inspired by formal gardens.

I just love this textured “Bucharest” quilted coverlet, below. You may be seeing a lot more of this palette very soon…

 
 
In this close up of a “Dancing Garden” collection Euro sham, you can see the intricately embroidered details Amy often employs:

 
For more collections, and where to purchase, visit Amy’s site.

Save the Date: Perks in Palm Beach on September 30

Written on August 30, 2010 at 11:02 am
By Amy Bleier Long

The beginning of fall is always a good time to shop. When Tory Burch is giving 10% off, it’s a great time to shop, and when 10% of the evening’s total proceeds benefit the American Red Cross Greater Palm Beach (FL) chapter (which serves seven counties!)—well, what could be better?

Traditional Home is partnering with the American Red Cross Designer’s Show House in 2011 and fundraising starts with a kickoff event on September 30. Stop by Tory Burch’s Palm Beach boutique from 6 to 8pm and enjoy 10% off Tory’s gorgeous, approachable fashions, plus cocktails, wonderful swag bags, and sweet treats from Southern Belles Cakery.

While there, enter the raffle for a chance to win prizes including dinners for two at Ruth’s Chris West Palm, Morton’s, and more!

The local Red Cross chapter has also teamed up with month-long restaurant event Flavor Palm Beach, so after you shop, bring your receipt to Top of the Point to receive a cocktail on-the-house with, or without, your dinner (advance reservations required for dinner).

Be sure to RSVP to bb@flavorpalmbeach.com by September 15 for a fun night out, and help raise money for a wonderful cause!

Shopping fundraiser event

Tory Burch boutique

150 Worth Avenue

Palm Beach, FL

September 30, 6-8pm

 
Complimentary cocktail

Top of the Point

777 South Flagler Drive

West Palm Beach, FL

Movin’ on up to the East Side: 38th annual Kips Bay Decorator Show House

Written on August 19, 2010 at 6:43 pm
By Amy Bleier Long

This week, we received the wonderful news that the Kips Bay Decorator Show House has found a home for 2010 and is underway. Normally presented in the spring, this year’s previously-secured property fell through because someone purchased the townhouse and wanted to move in right away, forcing the project to be postponed.

The new house marks the 38th year of the event and fundraiser, which garners about $1 million each year for the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club, and receives 20,000 visitors over a four-week period. The non-profit Boys & Girls Club serves more than 13,000 children by providing after-school and enrichment programs at 10 locations in the Bronx.

A recently-renovated 17-room mansion at 106 E. 71st St in Manhattan was selected and will feature the work of designers such as Vicente Wolf, Katie Ridder, and Sherrill Canet (a full list of designers is at the Show House’s website). I can’t wait to tour it and see each designer’s inspiring ideas and applications.

The house is open to the public starting October 14 and remains open until November 11. Tickets are $30 and include the journal and sourcebook.
 
Here are a few highlights from recent past Kips Bay houses:

For those of you who said you like mixing modern art into your decor, this room from Jed Johnson Home (2007, photo: John M. Hall Photography) is one of my all-time favorites.

 
 

A beautiful feminine bedroom from Charlotte Moss, 2008 (photo: Francis Smith)

 
 

In Philip Gorrivan‘s tailored bedroom, art doubles as a compelling headboard (2008)

 
 

Looking from the living room into the dining room, both designed by Stephen Miller Siegel (2008)

 
 

A dramatic chandelier captures attention in this 2006 room by Larry Laslo. (photo: Evan Joseph/Alex Barrymore)

 
 

Another example of Jamie Drake‘s phenomenal command of color (2007, photo: Nick Johnson).

designer visions

Written on July 28, 2010 at 1:15 pm
By Amy Bleier Long

The proliferation of the Internet, social media, apps, and online collaboration has prompted a handful of interior designers to offer their expertise online at discounted rates, the caveat being that you do the measuring and the shopping. But that means you can set the budget and timeline, and have a little fun!

So far I haven’t come across a service that is as much of a bargain as Designer at Home. And if you haven’t yet used an interior designer—or are on a budget—this might be for you.

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give to me your leather

Written on July 22, 2010 at 1:42 pm
By Amy Bleier Long

If you’ve been contemplating a new sofa, chair, or ottoman, now’s the time to buy: Select items from Elite Leather will be on One Kings Lane for up to 50% off retail price (OKL requires membership, but it’s free). Pieces available include the Belcourt tufted armchair, Old Course tufted ottoman, both below, and the Barkham chair from LA designer Nathan Turner’s collection. The sale starts Friday, July 23 and ends Sunday, July 26.

Belcourt chair in Grotto Cerulean

Old Course in Dover Jungle

enchanté at Maison France

Written on June 24, 2010 at 1:36 am
By Amy Bleier Long

This week, French flair touched down in New York with the Maison France exhibit—promoting French decorative arts—opening yesterday. I visited the Felissimo Design House to see a showcase of 30 French companies displaying luxury home décor items including lighting, wall coverings, and bath fixtures.

Familiar with only a few of the companies, such as Taillardat, who has appeared in TH pages previously, I was very interested to discover the others. Some of them already have a US presence—at retailer Bergdorf Goodman, for instance—but the remaining brands seek a home here.

18 of the companies carry the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (Living Heritage Companies) label, which recognizes them for promoting French industrial and craft heritage. EPV-labeled brands are known for excellence, and those on display here are artisans with mastery of rare traditional or technically advanced skills, and antique machinery and/or archives. The companies present were hand-selected by the French Trade Commission.

A comprehensive catalogue featuring the exhibit’s participants is available as a free iPhone app (it also works on the iPad and iPod Touch).

The exhibit is open to the public tomorrow, Thursday June 24, from 12-5p, at Felissimo Design House, 10 West 56^th Street, NYC.

Check out a few highlights and some of my favorite finds after the jump.

sculptures by Verodalla

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