Interior designers

Design on a Dime!

Written on May 5, 2011 at 2:13 pm
By Amy Bleier Long

We are proud to again sponsor Design on a Dime, a fantastic fundraiser benefitting Housing Works, which is an organization working to end AIDS and homelessness. More than 50 top designers have created vignettes and every item in the vignettes – including new housewares, furniture, and linens – are for sale at 50-70% off retail prices. Proceeds of sales benefit a new housing project in Brooklyn which will provide a home for previously homeless adults living with HIV/AIDS.

Suysel de Pedro Cunningham and Anne Maxwell Foster of Tilton Fenwick (one of our 20 New Traditionals) designed a vignette for us (sneak peek above).

The opening reception tonight is completely sold out, which is great because the event is a fundraiser, and the largest crowd ever is expected. But the sale will be open to the public, for free, through Saturday night:

Friday, May 06, 2011 – Saturday, May 07, 2011  10am-6pm

Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St. (btwn. 6th & 7th Ave.) New York, NY

If you’re in Manhattan this weekend, shop these spectacular rooms and support a wonderful cause!

TVs: the new focal point

Written on February 26, 2010 at 5:22 pm
By Amy Elbert

Does it bother anyone else that the TVs we used to relegate behind closed armoire doors or conceal among book shelves are now the focal points of our primary living spaces? Granted, the armoire doors at our house were almost always open, but at least we didn’t “display” the TV like a great piece of art.

With the advent of the thin–but huge!—flat panel TVs, more homeowners and even interior designers we respect are placing these big guys front-and- center in elegant living rooms as well as more informal family rooms. It’s almost standard design now to hang a flat panel over the fireplace.

I admit I’m guilty, too. When my husband and I bought a new 46-inch flat panel last year, I chucked the old TV armoire and put the new sleek one on top of an antique washstand. Granted, it is somewhat tucked into a corner, but when it’s turned off there’s no missing that big black expanse against one wall. As much as electronics manufacturers like to tout the beautiful piano finish frames, they don’t complement my antique/cottage decor.

There are some attractive consoles with surrounding shelves that help the television blend better with your furnishings. Many also offer nice storage features to toss DVDs and gaming accessories.

Recently, I received a press release from Grace Home Furnishings in California showcasing a gorgeous solution for traditional homes. Their Hanover cabinet has sliding mirrored doors that cover the TV when it’s not in use. “You don’t need to sacrifice style for function,” says Roger Stoker, owner of Grace Home Furnishings. “My partner and I felt there was a market for a functional and beautiful piece of furniture that could house a flat screen television, yet be stylish enough for an upscale interior. ” Take a look and I think you’ll agree, this puts TV in it proper place!

www.gracehomefurnshings.com