LOOKING FOR CHINOISERIE FURNITURE? JARDINS EN FLEUR IS JUST THE THING

Jardins en Fleur is a fairly new company. Simon P. Scott created "Gardens in Flower" from a love of pretty Chinoiserie. Since the 17th Century, fanciful images of an imaginary China have been used. They are especially hot right now. Pagodas, Chinoiserie toiles, screens and loads of other motifs are permeating the landscape. What can I say, bring it on! Simon began his development research in Northern China, where he fell for the silk painting process. Soon he decided expand what was going to be a silk wallpaper venture into something more. Visiting with artisans, he saw he could do things with rattan that were new and fresh. From there he started a line of lighting, framed panels, ceramics and more, based on China's decorative strengths.
For their second NY Gift Show they had more accessories and lighting. I chose to focus on their furniture, because it has such a wow factor. Fretwork was not being done by many companies, and I adore the retro resort flair it has. They offer a variety of finishes and poppy brights. To find out where you can locate Jardin en Fleur check their website. Enjoy!

All photos courtesy of Jardin en Fleur
Nesting tables are always needed. Scatter them around the house or waterfall them.

A Pagoda Coromandel Etagere is great to display some books, what nots, and picture frames.


This killer breakfront does have a lot going on, but it's pretty fab. Show off some blue and white Spode china or majolica.


Perfect for a Lyford Cay house, this canopy bed needs some bright Matouk linens on it.



The Papillon Chair could go rustic Adirondack or porch, anywhere.


Substantial benches with high backs are so great in entryways. A Quadrille cushion is calling for this bench.


This piece comes as a console and a desk. Since we spend so much time at our desks, make it great. Red accessories would be killer here.


At a card table or dining table, chairs with personality are always welcome.


A tray table is the perfect perch for an orchid, more silver picture frames and a candle.


THE BRAINCHILD:


Ah yes, the framed panels that started it all. They are hand-painted on silk in soft pastels. Other motifs include the Cherry Blossom, which goes hand in hand with a pretty interior.

HOT LA DESIGNER KELLY WEARSTLER CREATES DREAMY BEDDING LINE AND TABLE LINENS FOR SFERRA

KELLY WEARSTLER BRINGS HER CHIC AESTHETIC TO BEDDING AND TABLE LINENS

Portrait by Grey Crawford
Kelly Wearstler and luxury bedding brand Sferra linens have collaborated on a new collection! Bedding, throws, pillows, and napkins/rings are done in soft blues, yellows and natural tones. Her inimitable look has touched many areas of the home. She has created fabrics with F.Schumacher and Co, Groundworks/Lee Jofa, rugs with The Rug Company, home accessories with Bergdorf Goodman and a new tome is due out this year. I have been eager to share this for awhile, and I am thrilled the time has come! The linens are in stores this spring. Let your fingers do the walking to Sferra to find out exactly when.


Kelly's fabric collection has a nice overlap with these designs. Even her signature star burst ornament with Bergdorf Goodman is represented, on a napkin with a soft metallic embroidered motif. The pop of brass hardware brings it all home. The sculptural napkin cuff provides a natural, handmade element.


The connectivity goes one step further. The bedding coordinates with her Zephyr Tibetan wool carpet for The Rug Company. As with her Groundworks collection, she was inspired by Japanese kimonos, travel and embroidery. The soft neutrals in this palette are not overpowering, making for a restful bedroom environment.

Delicious ombre throws keep this marble maiden warm. The cashmere is super rich multi ply, the kind that feels like clouds. If you really want to luxe it up, bring it with you when traveling.

All photos by Grey Crawford Courtesy of KWID
The drop dead pillows were incredibly hard to produce, given the embroidery work involved. Yards and yards of ribbon were used to create this caterpillar-like pattern. The other designs would be a nice finishing touch on top of bed, or next to the throw on the sofa.
Her collection looks divine when seen all together, so make sure you visit the website and Kelly Wearstler, Inc. to get the full effect.

BEST IN SHOW: ALICE SUPPLY CO. MAKES HIP HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

Racing through the aisles at the Gift Show, this bright booth stopped me in my tracks. Sure to be a Real Simple favorite, Alice Supply Co. takes ordinary utilitarian household objects and gives them aesthetic allure. Part Paul Smith part No Frills, this collection is will make cleaning a breeze. Fun Fact: The line is named after Alice, the Brady Bunch housekeeper!


THE BOOTH


Whistle while you work. Who ever thought you would crave a scrub brush pan? Now, you will.


THE GIRLS BEHIND ALICE SUPPLY CO.


Fun and energetic, this designing duo have an edgy surfer fashion background. They pooled their talents to fill a need in the market. Container Store, have you placed your order yet?!


THE WALL O' PRODUCT


Great displays at a show like this is key--a point not lost on these gals. A cool concept can seal the deal. Using crafty, white peg boards they showcased the product like it was in a hip garage. The colors pop next to the squeaky clean white everyday objects. There is something very Duchamp-ian going on here...


Plungers, hoses, brooms, dustpans, tool cases, buckets and scrub brushes bring clean to the scene. With the economy the way it is, people will want to keep their homes spotless and nice if a vacation is not in the future. Find out where to get your cool tools at Alice Supply Co.

STYLEBEAT'S BREAKING NEWS: CONDE NAST'S DOMINO FOLDS

This release was just put out:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 2009
CONDE NAST TO CEASE PUBLICATION OF DOMINO

New York, NY, January 28, 2009 -- Domino magazine will cease publication, it was announced today by Charles H. Townsend, President and CEO of Conde Nast. The final issue will be published in March
2009.

"This decision to cease publication of the magazine and its website is driven entirely by the economy," Mr. Townsend said. "Although readership and advertising response was encouraging in the early
years, we have concluded that this economic market will not support our business expectations."

More to come....

BEST NEW TABLETOP TEXTILES AT THE GIFT SHOW: VIRGINIA WITBECK DESIGN LLC

What a breath of fresh air! A discovery like this makes the whole trek across the trade show well worth it. VW's stand at the show was a cozy mecca of prints.

All Photos Courtesy of Virginia Witbeck Design LLC
Virginia Witbeck is a renaissance woman. As a former creative director at Ralph Lauren, she has an eye for style and understands the importance of details. She travels India, designs wonderful jewelry, and is now launching a home collection of soft goods for the table.
Virginia Witbeck Design LLC is located in New York City. If you are interested in finding a shop that carries the collection, please email her at vmwdesign@aol.com.


This collection will win over Porthault aficionados near and far. Young and kicky, it will not produce sticker shock (like the P word often does). Printed on soft cotton that gets better with age, you will want to give them to all your friends in warm climates. Each piece is trimmed in a solid piping that ties the colors together nicely. This pattern would make a great plush towel. Virginia, consider it for the next collection!



Leopard is hard to get right. A suggestion of an animal print, rather than an all out onslaught is so much nicer. The soft lavender and pink shades are delicious.



A royal blue colorway looks great with a touch of gold as shown above.



Ikat in a punched-up yellow would look great with royal blue china and sunflowers.



Primary colors suit this Ikat. I am glad to see the chocolate,since it has become a neutral and beloved part of today's palette.



Arabian horses march across cocktail napkins. What a good conversation starter these make!



Tutti fruti colors are sure to match most Jack Rogers sandals.



Graphic and patriotic in red and navy, this set a must if you live in the DC area. Get it now and you will be ready for July 4th.



Sweet dahlias and climbing vines would work nicely at a spring shower or tea.



Embroidered linens with a scallop edge are not too fussy and will match almost any china.

HELLO FROM THE NY GIFT SHOW: CATCHING UP WITH THE DESIGNERS THAT SET THE TONE

Meet some of the great designers at the New York Gift Show. These creators have influenced trends, silhouettes, materials, finishes, patterns and colors. Here is a behind the scenes look at what the talent is up to at the Piers and Javits Center. More to come-- so much ground to cover...

BUNGALOW 5

You know the highly publicized Jackie table, now meet the man behind it! Luca Rensi (above) and John Roudabush (busy with clients) made this company hot. Luca came from an interior design background, having been at Mark Hampton, David Kleinberg and David Easton as a senior designer. He and his partner wanted to create furnishings and accessories that were well-made with high style. Starting from scratch, they now have a mini-empire, creating great hand-rubbed lacquer furniture, recently added porcelain lamps, eglomise framed art, and other great accessories.

SHOWSTOPPERS:

Chest of drawers wrapped in linen. Interior designer taste without the prohibitive prices.

Subtly channeling the pagodas of Tony Duquette in a lamp.

Track down a lovely home store near you at Bungalow 5.

HOME, JAMES!
David Cipperman and Joseph Schreick know tabletop. For the past twenty years their shop home, james! in East Hampton has outfitted summer houses with beautiful accessories, gift items and place settings. Then, several years back, they created their own line of china, crystal and linens, inspired by the beach, resort lifestyle and travel. Their color choices are poppy and fun, making their designs easy to love.

SHOWSTOPPERS:
Ikat in soft blues has found its way onto the plate. Perfectly summery for Crete to Watch Hill. The all-over pattern is sharp.

Their Chinatown pattern was a great success. Chinoiserie is such an evergreen design motif this new pattern is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Throw a dinner party every weekend with home,james!.

JONATHAN ADLER

Oh, Jonathan! Work the camera. Your energy and talent keep on cranking out the hits. So many new additions- when do you sleep? New orange and turquoise enamel frames and napkin rings round out a great season. Do not fret, tons of pillows and accessories are in abundance too.

SHOWSTOPPERS:

Double-cased bright glasses in candy colors.


JA lacquer is back! The tray table is uber- chic and I was starting to miss the octagonal umbrella holder.

See it all at a store near you or at Jonathan Adler.

JOHN ROBSHAW
World wide travels inform John's design aesthetic. Indian block printing and hand woven details have made his bedding and soft goods a favorite of bohemian chic. A gig with HSN and lots of great press means that his influence on design has really taken hold. The stripes, squiggles and small all over patterns mix really well with each other. Coordinates are the way to go.

SHOWSTOPPER:

Rock the block print at John Robshaw.

ROOST
Roost Co. is located in Sausalito, CA. Each and every show Scott Donnellan wows crowds with inventive glassware, wooden pieces, furniture, tabletop, accessories and other goodies. Handmade pieces with an artisanal feel put Roost above the rest. They set the trends with the material selections, finishes and shapes.

SHOWSTOPPERS:
As I like to say, one can never own too many trays! The metal edging makes them campaign -style- meets- nautical.

Cherry blossoms have been in the mix for some time, but on glassware they look fresh.

Find out where to buy it at Roost Co.

DRANSFIELD AND ROSS

Dransfield
+

Ross, in his killer suit. This man loves fabric.
John Dransfield and Geoffrey Ross made pillows fashionable again. We want to switch out the throw pillows at the end of each season, thanks to them. They are known for their fashion-forward materials, working with grosgrain ribbon, preppy prints, ikats, embroidery, velvet, feathers, and patchwork. In addition to place mats and napkins, their line includes small tables, bath accessories and bookends.

SHOWSTOPPERS:

Lime green and turq, a perpetual spring favorite.


Pop art is an inspiration in home right now. Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein are influencing. Fashion design Lisa Perry does mod dresses that would go well with the puddle side tables shown here. Louis Vuitton's Stephen Sprouse brights came out at just the right time.


Hand-painted scenics in blue and white are a nod to tradition. And in case you did not sense it, traditional is back in a big way. In a down economy, comforting and classic are the way to go.


The multi-color painted patchwork with dragged finish is so chic.

Feed your inner color muse at D and R.

AND FINALLY:


The showdog! Winnie has her own buyer's pass. At Chelsea Textiles she welcomed everyone and kept them smiling.


Global influences and embroidery are still hot. The Moroccan star pillow from CT is graphic and chic.

See more embroidery in soft colors from Chelsea Textiles.

Stay tuned for more design picks from the show...