Thursday, March 19th was opening day at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show at Piers 92/94 in NYC. Style quotient was high, and not just among the 425 brands. Many of the designers, media people and buyers wore cutting-edge coats [leather details], edgy eyeglasses, and chic shoes.
Some top notes:
Born in the USA. A morning panel addressed using American-made materials and furniture, and I saw some great U.S. brands, including Libby Schrum Design furniture–which happens to be based in Camden, Maine, a beautiful seaside village I love to visit–and Michael McHale Designs lighting, from Brooklyn. I met Libby, who lives near Mount Battie, an awe-inspiring spot overlooking Camden’s cove.
Even the press kits were hip. The USB thumb drives were presented cleverly. My favorites: Anthropologie, embedded in a cork stopper in a little glass bottle; Cooper & Graham, a silvery drive in a silvery pouch; and Artistic Tile’s Show Survival Kit, with a Godiva chocolate bar, lip balm, hand sanitizer, pen, thumb drive and more in a plastic travel cup. Also loved the seen-around-show gold-dipped bag, a giveaway from Covet Lounge–Curated Design.
Fashionable food. Starting with spicy Santa Teresa Bloody Marys [the kick was just right] and chocolate rugelach [soft and rich, like a croissant] from Breads Bakery in NYC–finishing for me with a luxe full-size free sample from ROYCE’, a boutique chocolate brand made in Japan. Loved it! And so did the people around me. Stylish young Sophia praised the creamy, pastel spring-green Maccha, with green tea leaves and white chocolate. I chose a dark chocolate.
Boutiques: Madison Avenue, Bryant Park, West Village.
Outdoor kitchens, indoor fridges. So much to see, so little time: From amazing outdoor hearths and wine coolers to brightly colored fridges by Smeg; From fine art to finely crafted wood chairs; From lighting to sofas to sleeper beds–plus blankets from Minnesota.
Style sighting. Hal Rubenstein, famous fashion writer, signed copies of his book, 100 Unforgettable Dresses, in the Architectural Digest Library onsite at 3 p.m. Very cool! I met him, got a book. Turns out he and I share admiration for Donna Bulseco–my colleague/boss from Good Housekeeping, his colleague from InStyle.
THE SHOPS. Nice nooks with nicely edited collections of things to buy, from LAFCO candles to Moon Juice. And in the cafe, I saw Francois Payard macarons for sale, even by the box [$30]. Quite the gift.
Rich roving, indeed!