The Decoration and Design Building (DDB) opened its doors to the industry yesterday as the annual Fall Market began. Dozens of showroom programs—lectures, panel discussions, meet-and-greets, new collections and book signings—took place throughout the day, welcoming countless interior designers and architects, editors and bloggers.
Here are some highlights of the day:
Michael Boodro
The day kicked off at Atsra Café as Elle Décor’s Editor-in-Chief Michael Boodro shared what luxury means today in design, drawing upon a survey he conducted with Elle Décor “Design Registry” members.
According to Boodro, over-the-top technology is on it’s way out while home gyms and outdoor living spaces are more popular than ever. Another key element to luxury today is the idea of doing more with a small space, and bigger is not necessarily better.
“I think that people finally are getting away from that, for a lot of reasons, eco-reasons, money,” said Boodro. “People are returning to smaller but more beautifully detailed and executed rooms. It’s really about the detailing of the room as opposed to the size of the room.”
The survey respondents, primarily women interior designers, told Elle Décor they felt the most necessary rooms in a home are spa baths, outdoor kitchens, home gyms, and custom pieces.
Following his lecture, guests chatted and mingled at the reception held in the Kravet showroom, and the day took off from there.
Celerie Kemble
In the Schumacher Showroom, designer Celerie Kemble celebrated the launch of her new wallcoverings collection. Together with Schumacher’s Senior Vice President of Design & Creative Director Susan North, she discussed fashion’s influence on her designs as well as the pair's inspiration for the collaboration.
Next, iconic designer Bunny Williams hosted guests for a light lunch in the John Rosselli Showroom to introduce new products in her BeeLine Home collection.
John Turner & Amanda Nisbet
Donghia brought designer Amanda Nisbet and John Turner of Benjamin Moore together for a talk, moderated by Susana Salk, which was all about color. The pair emphasized the use of color in design to spark human emotion, and Nisbet stuck around after to sign her newly released-book Dazzling Design.
“I don’t believe in color trends,” said Nisbet. “You should choose what you like, and try to create a timeless room. Color can transform a room, go with your gut and what makes you feel comfortable.”
“Color has the ability to change our mood,” said Turner. “It’s a very powerful thing that creates a lot of emotions.”
Then, the Robert Allen | Beacon Hill Showroom hosted guests for a panel discussion inspired by the latest textile collaboration with Ankasa. Babi Ahulwalia, Founder and Creative Director for Anaska, joined Alexis Audette, Operating Vice President of Design for Beacon Hill, for an informative chat.
Cathy Whitlock & Ann Maine
Next up was the second keynote presentation of the day moderated by Traditional Home’s Editor-in-Chief Ann Maine; author of Design on Film and Cinema Style Blog Cathy Whitlock; Interior and Set Designer Lydia Marks; and Interior Designer and former Set Decorator Marshall Watson.
The panel discussed the transitions, similarities and differences between the design dimensions of film and television, to product and interior design.
Some highlights from the talk included Watson and Marks’ slideshow presentations of their work on sets such as Katie Couric’s daytime show and Sex and the City, respectively.
Marks explained that designing a set is similar to designing for a client in the sense that you treat the actor or actress as your client. “You want to make them feel comfortable in the space, so that they can perform at their best,” she said.
Watson explained that the key to any good set design, and interior design as well, is solid research. You must know the history, the period, and the culture before you embark on a design process.
A reception for the panel followed in the Lewis Mittman Showroom, where Watson showed off his new collection entitled, Continental.
The day continued into the afternoon at the J. Robert Scott Showroom where the company’s 40th anniversary was celebrated and President and Founder Sally Sirkin Lewis discussed the evolution of the American luxury brand with Editorial Director of Interiors Magazine Michael Wollaeger.
When asked how she did it, Lewis simply responded “guts.”
Lee Jofa hosted guests to celebrate the launch of its new upholstery line, Workroom, and David Michael Wood was on hand as well to sign his new book, Pattern Book of Upholstery.
President of Holland & Sherry, Bryan Dicker & Juan Moyata
More book signings followed in the Holland & Sherry Showroom and the JAB Showroom were Juan Moyata signed his book, La Formentera, and Geoffrey Bradfield signed A 21st Century Palace.
The day concluded with the annual black-tie Stars of Design Awards dinner, where 17 design icons and stars on the rise were awarded by President and Owner of the DDB, Charles S. Cohen. This year, Richard Meler was chosen for the lifetime achievement award.
Fall Market continues today, stay tuned for more highlights and another recap tomorrow.
Photos courtesy of Angela Esposito
