The design industry is ever-evolving, what with the arrivals and departures in manufacturing and retail, marketing and publishing, interior design and architecture, and industry organizations and design centers. Editor at Large is keeping tabs on who’s coming and going in this monthly column.
Media/PR
Lisa Bingham Dewart has joined the Luxe Interiors + Design team as Features Editor for the Los Angeles and Orange County/San Diego editions. Bingham Dewart brings to Luxe a wealth of editorial experience in the interior design and architecture sector. She began her career at Architectural Digest as an Editorial Assistant in 2002, and, from 2007 to 2010, rose through the ranks to serve as Senior Associate Editor. Most recently, she was the Digital Editor for FORM Magazine while also freelancing for Luxe, for which she has written several home features.
Erik Perez launched his own boutique agency Hello PR Group, focusing on home, design and lifestyle clients. Among his clients are Sydney-based interior designer Jason Grant and L.A.-based outdoor wear and performance brand Runyon Canyon Apparel. He was previously at HL Group for seven years.
Kate Bergeron, who spent almost two years at Andrew Joseph PR, left her post and will now be working on public relations and marketing initiatives at the Brooklyn-based furniture company Uhuru.
Julia Sag, who was most recently an Account Executive at HL Group, has been named Public Relations Assistant for Calvin Klein Home. She will report to Director of Public Relations Sarah Boyd.
Lance Lin left his position as Senior Director of Public Relations at Gilt. In his absence, Gary Burton will be handling the PR for Gilt Home.
Gabriella Vivaldi, who was most recently in charge of communications at SANDOW’s Material ConneXion and Culture + Commerce, is now the Communications Director at UpSpring PR.
Cherrie Braud has left her post at the public relations firm the Linge Agency. Her replacement has not yet been announced.
Diane Falvey is the new Editor in Chief of Gifts and Decorative Accessories magazine, a sister publication to Furniture/Today, succeeding Caroline Kennedy, who is retiring after 30 years with the magazine. Falvey was most recently Executive Editor at Gourmet Insider and Senior Editor at Home-World Business.
Manufacturing/Retail
Rosecrans Baldwin, the former CEO of Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman, has joined Dedar, Inc., as its U.S. President. Initially, he will concentrate on the company’s joint venture with Hermès, developing its collection of textiles in the American market. In the long run, Baldwin will focus on Dedar.
Sally Walshe was hired to replace Baldwin at Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman. She is the new Senior Vice President of Sales + Marketing and has many years of experience in the luxury furnishings industry.
Jobst Blachy who was previously the President of Rose Tarlow Melrose House, stepped down to start his own home furnishings brand, Qiuntus Home. Rose Tarlow has taken over the position and is the current President of her namesake company.
Lexi Joondeph-Breidbart is the new Marketing Coordinator at Avery Boardman. As a recent graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Joondeph-Breidbart will be in charge of social media and website content for both Avery Boardman and its sister brand Carlyle.
Case goods and upholstery manufacturer L. & J.G. Stickley has named Keith D’Mello Director of Brand Development, a new position. Most recently, D’Mello owned a design firm in New York City, handling creative and branding related tasks for clients.
Randi Pastrovic was promoted to Director of Marketing at 3form and will now lead the company’s strategic brand communications and digital strategy. Pastrovic joined 3form in October, having spent more than 15 years in leadership roles within the commercial interiors industry, most recently at Herman Miller and Wolf-Gordon.
Scott Group Custom Carpets welcomed Debbie Verbrugge as an Account Representative for the growing company. In her new role with Scott Group, Verbrugge will be responsible for interfacing directly with aviation, residential and commercial customers.
Interior Designers/Architects
Architectural Firm Francis Cauffman promoted Haley Driscoll to Director of Healthcare Interior Design. Driscoll has more than 20 years of experience at the firm managing nationally acclaimed projects for healthcare environments.
Washington D.C.-based architecture and design firm Studio3877 hired interior designer Eileen Vitelli, who has 15 years of experience in both hospitality and high-end residential design.
Sofia Fonseca has been named Vice President and leader of HOK’s workplace strategy team in the Gulf Coast region. As a workplace strategy and programming specialist, Fonseca will ensure that HOK’s clients benefit from the latest knowledge and best practices in creating high-performance workplaces that attract and retain the most talented employees.
Architectural firm Mancini Duffy promoted nine staff members. William Mandara has been promoted to Principal; Fran Ferrone and Ricardo Nabholz to Senior Associates; and Georgi Hubenov, Joacha Sullivan-Strange, Layla Safiani, Nicole Morgenthaler, Nora Alhasan and Mary DeLaurentis have all been promoted to Associates.
Miscellaneous
After four years, Steven P. Murphy has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer of Christie’s. Patricia Barbizet will become Chief Executive Officer in addition to continuing in her role as Chairman of Christie’s.
Annette Gray has left her position as Executive Director of the Design Leadership Network.
New York-based interior designer Robin Baron is the 2015 President Elect for the New York Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers.
International Market Centers has appointed Leanna John as the Gift section's Leasing Manager. As the newest member of the Las Vegas Market leasing team, she will be responsible for driving leasing activity among permanent gift tenants. John will report to Terence Morris, Senior Director of Gift Leasing.
Richard Heriford has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF). The Washington, D.C.-based organization was founded nearly a half century ago to support the preservation, improvement and enhancement of the environment. Heriford is currently the President of the Landscape Forms firm.
Interior designer Steven Favreau of Favreau Design was recently appointed to two local boards in support of the arts. He is now serving on the Board of Overseers at the Celebrity Series of Boston and the Board of Trustees at the Walnut Hill School.
Comings and goings we missed? Drop us a line and let us know!
