The Avenues will hold the 14th Annual Art & Design Walk on Friday, March 25th from 9am to 6pm and Saturday, March 26th from 3pm to 7pm. Over a dozen art and design programs, panels, and events targeted to the art and design professional during Friday's schedule, which is a day for the trade. Saturday events are free and open to the public. In all, the weekend will feature over 75 events, including exclusive receptions, personal appearances, food and entertainment, shopping discounts, and more.
"The Art & Design Walk prides itself on presenting the best in programming for both design trade professionals and for design lovers of all levels and ages," said Ryan Farber, Executive Director of The Avenues. "This year will be no exception. Friday's schedule will feature several innovative and exciting classes and panels to keep the design community up to date on news and trends in the industry, and Saturday is packed with fun events for the whole family."
The Friday schedule, for which RSVP is required, is geared towards the art and design trade community, will feature hour-long programs hosted by a select group of showrooms, including:
9:00-10:00 a.m. at Jasper by Michael Smith (8525 Melrose Avenue): If these walls could talk, they would ask to be covered. Wall covering is back and hotter than ever. Mike Gracie, President of Gracie Inc., presents a history of scenic wallpapers with an overview of the new directions Gracie is taking this antique craft. Elizabeth Dow, Principal Elizabeth Dow Ltd, will discuss historic color palettes, surfaces and the craft of hand painted techniques that parallel and influence the contemporary wall covering surfaces she creates today. Elizabeth Dow's career in hand painted wall coverings began with a five-year intensive restoring ceiling and wall paintings dating back to the 1860's- 1880's.
10:30-11:30 a.m. at Custom Comfort Mattress: Custom Comfort Mattress is hosting a personal appearance with Jeff Lewis and Zoila Chavez from "Flipping Out".
10:30-11:30 a.m. at Snaidero (372 N. Robertson Blvd): The Art of Italian Cooking: Creating World Class Cuisine with Innovative Kitchen Design and Appliances. Snaider and Gaggenau appliances are proud to present an homage to the art of cooking while showcasing excellence in Italian design. Chef Cathy Dyla will demonstrate in Snaidero USA's sleek and stylish showroom how to create delicious-tasting meals using the latest in kitchen appliances. Savor hors d'oeuvres and lush Italian wines generously provided by the Italy America Chamber of Commerce while transporting yourself to the romantic heart of Italy. Buon Appetito!
12:00-1:00 p.m. at Waterworks (8580 Melrose Avenue): Specifying "The Perfect Bath". A Learning Lunch that guides you through designing and specifying customized bathing environments. Demystifying a Steamy Topic! Box Lunch Served/Seating is Limited. RSVP to jmiller@waterworks.com or Contact Julia Miller @ 310.289.5211.
12:00-3:00 p.m. at Fendi Casa (308 N. Robertson Blvd): Lunch provided by Craig's. Come Hungry!
1:30-2:30 p.m. at Decorative Carpets (8900 Melrose Avenue) Commune Design & Gerard O'Brien. A conversation with Commune Design founders and Gerard O'Brien of Reform Gallery about California’s tradition of artist and craftsmen and their great influence on the modernist movement as well as Commune Design Projects.
1:30-2:30 p.m. at J Robert Scott (8737 Melrose Avenue): Designs on Film: A Century of Hollywood Art Direction. Journalist and interior designer Cathy Whitlock illuminates the often undercelebrated role of the production designer in the creation of the most memorable moments in film history. Through a lush collection of rare archival photographs, Whitlock narrates the evolving story of art direction over the course of a century—from the massive Roman architecture of Ben-Hur to the infamous Dakota apartment in Rosemary's Baby to the digital CGI wonders of Avatar's Pandora. Cathy Whitlock is an interior designer, journalist, and the author of Re-de-sign. She is a contributing writer for Traditional Home and The Huffington Post. Her blog, Cinema Style, chronicles the world of art direction in film. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
1:30-2:30 p.m. at Robert Kuo (8686 Melrose Avenue): Tasting Textiles. Sommelier Stacie Hunt will lead a conversation about her pairing of wine inspired by the new Robert Kuo Textile Collection by S. Harris. Textiles, like art, evoke emotions through their colors, look and texture. Textiles bring a personality to a scene or room, creating a unique visual and tactile experience. Wines, like art, evoke emotions through their colors, look and their texture. Wines bring a personality to a meal, creating a unique taste and tactile experience. Experience a TACTILE TASTE SENSATION as we pair vibrant, sensuous, sturdy, feminine, masculine textiles with their wine counterparts.
3:00-4:00 p.m. at Cassina (8815 Beverly Boulevard): Design Blogging: L.A. Style. Five of Los Angeles' top design and style bloggers discuss the city's role as a hotspot for innovation and influence that inspires the design community globally. Bloggers will share their perspectives on trends and insights on social media. Come hear directly from the people who know style. Ashlina Kaposta from The Decorista, Christian May from Maison 21, Megan Arquette from Beach Bungalow 8, Laura Pardini from My LA Lifestyle, and Gregory Han from Apartment Therapy Unplggd. Moderated by Scott Kramer from multibrain.
3:00-4:00 p.m. at Phyllis Morris (655 N. Robertson Blvd): The Art of Collaboration: New Dynamics in the Worlds of Art and Design. David Keeps, reporter for the Los Angeles Times, host of two television shows on Ovation and a contributing editor to House Beautiful, brings together three members of the Southern California art and design community to discuss the process of creating, curating and placing art in designed environments. The traditional method of scouring galleries, auction houses and even flea markets for art has been augmented with online interaction between artists, consultants and design professionals which has created a new dynamic in the art world. The panel lineup includes internationally exhibited sculptor Cheryl Ekstrom, along with a prominent art consultant as well as an interior designer who work together to bring art to the end user through their creative collaborations.
3:00-5:00 p.m. at Toto USA (606 N. Almont Drive): Mid-Afternoon Mingle. You are cordially invited to our “Trade Mix & Mingle” at the Aquia Launch - a duo celebration. Food and wine pairings by Feast catering. RSVP to marketing@totousa.com and receive a free contemporary guide book to American architecture.
4:00-5:00 p.m. at Baltus (9000 Beverly Blvd): Spaces Speak: the Fourth Voice. Baltus welcomes Emmy Award Winner designer Joshua Rose and Rafael Kalichstein presenting their design philosophy. When a project begins, typically a few voices are considered: the client's, the architect's (if there is one), and the designer's, but perhaps the most important and frequently undervalued voice is that of the space itself. What has always been one of the primary tenets of our design philosophy is that spaces speak; in order for a design to be successful, it is imperative that the designer listen. Cocktails to follow immediately, featuring Spanish Guitarist and Flamenco Dancer!
4:30-5:30 p.m. at Minotti (8936 Beverly Blvd) Can a House Make You Happy? Join Angeleno & Angeleno Interiors' Home Design Editor Alexandria Abramian-Mott for a lively discussion which will let interior designers and members of the growing field of happy research discuss how environment directly affects our mood, health and happiness. Psychologists, researchers and interior decorators discuss how the latest scientific studies are finding an increasing link between home environment and mental health, and how we can better design for happiness. Followed by a reception hosted by Angeleno and Angeleno Interiors
7:00-9:00 p.m. at Cassina (8815 Beverly Boulevard): Official After-Party Back to Retro. Taking our minds, ears, and inspirations back into the timeless design of Cassina’s most celebrated pieces. Come enjoy some past due disco, hors d’oeuvres, and libations while perusing collections past, present, and those to come.
