Tuesday, February 9, 2010

IF YOU LOVE ACCESSORIES AND YOU LOVE A DEAL HIT THE GRAPHIC IMAGE SALE!

I wrote about the Graphic Image annual sale last January, and it is sale time again! Many chic leather goods are half off, and some calendars and desk diaries up to 75% off! It is never too late to start organizing your life and using a calendar. Write it down and you will do it. Treat yourself and keep track of your life with notes and a real schedule! As a Stylebeat reader, you get free ground shipping in the U.S. through February, just enter the code STYLEBEAT at checkout.

Check out a smattering of bright essentials I uncovered on their website:


I have one of these envelopes and it always serves a purpose in my bag. I use it for dry cleaning tabs, receipts and photos. The Light Pink Medium Envelope in Crocodile Embossed Leather is kicky.

The fresh lime color is another stunner-- it will not get lossed in the bag abyss.


FOR HOME:

As I like to say, you can never have too many trays, or storage boxes. This color is divine.


The Small Box in Grape Crocodile Embossed Leather works for jewelery, storing the business cards you just collected from potential clients, desk clutter or lipsticks.


FOR WORK:
Don't pull a ratty old stained business card out of the depths of your bag to hand to a potential client. Get a proper case, like this one. The Card Case with ID Holder in Orange Embossed Lizard Leather has room for other stuff too.


I love pulling something bright and pretty out of my bag, so the Lime Card Case with ID Holder in Embossed Python Leather is my pick.

The Hard Business Card Case comes in Grape Crocodile Embossed Leather.
Now that is more like it.

TRAVEL TRINKETS:
If you are forever on the go, then check out the travel stuff.


Avoid carousel mix ups with the turquoise Luggage Tag in Crocodile Embossed Leather.


The Lavender Luggage Tag in Crocodile Embossed Leather makes you luggage, whether it be a black roly bag or a set of Vuitton, look better, and you won't grab the wrong bag.


Time is money. Don't oversleep and miss that meeting. Think about getting the orange travel Clock in Crocodile Embossed Leather.

Photos Courtesy of Graphic Image
Or maybe you are feeling more like the blue, since turquoise is the color of the year.


Monday, February 8, 2010

BEING PART OF THE GIFT SHOW BLOGGERS CHOICE AWARDS

Last week, fellow bloggers were asked to select ONE thing from the design-focused gift, home and lifestyle products in Accent on Design® section at the New York International Gift Fair®. We were selected to judge since we were recognized as being bloggers from noted design and trend-watching sites.

Our task was to choose one product from 200+ companies participating in the juried Accent on Design, which, we felt was most representative of the “next big thing.” Key criteria was "odd, delightful, urgent design."

“Design bloggers are the first to herald emerging design trends,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president. “We’re delighted to tap into their trend-savvy and design-expertise to identify products that will resonate with consumers.”

The winter 2010 “Bloggers Choice Award” winners are:


Stylebeat's Marisa Marcantonio:

Children’s Chair by Oly
“Children love to feel grown up. This mini version of an adult size Louis XV chair is girly, sophisticated and charming. It moves away from disposable-chic kids stuff and fuses good design with function. An original concept well executed.”


Apartment Therapy’s Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan:
Umbrellas by BRELLI®

“Totally functional, environmentally responsible and delightfully beautiful. This umbrella turns heads and I was glad to find the source. I believe it will be very popular in 2010.”

Cool Hunting’s Ami Kealoha:
Miller Goodman Playshapes by neo-utility

“An inspiring marriage of art and science for a gorgeously-designed plaything that appeals to children and nostalgic adults alike.”

Design-Calendar’s Danielle DeVita:
Baskets, bags and jewelry by neó

“They took a material that was typically used in scuba diving – neoprene – and transformed it into a product that can be used every day. After talking to the designers, I learned that each piece is handmade in Italy (it’s the first time they are showing in the U.S.) and the company is led by three women – bonus points!”

The Design Vote’s Michael Cannell:
Table Manners Set by Funfam

“This children’s cutlery set made of laminated bamboo struck me as both a handsome concept piece and eminently practical on a daily basis.”

Habitually Chic’s Heather Clawson:
Style de Vie

“Style de Vie’s booth at the NYIGF made me stop in my tracks! The table was piled high with vintage blueprints and French school posters while the back wall was filled with framed vintage art. The maritime blueprints and nautical charts were my favorites. I’d love to be able to spend time trolling flea markets and tag sales for unique art for my clients but when I can’t, I’m going to turn to Style de Vie to do it for me!”

After covering every corner of this show for the past several years, selecting a single item from Accent was a lot harder than it seems! The show was bursting with strong design this year. It was great to be involved with such a terrific group of bloggers and in their company!

Friday, February 5, 2010

MY Q AND A WITH BRAD FORD THE ACCIDENTAL BLOGGER OF DESIGN THERAPY

Mark you calendars! I am very excited to be doing a talk at the D and D next week with Brad Ford, all about blogging. In addition to Stylebeat, I do the blog for the D and D, www.godesigngo.com.
The talk is going to be a lot of fun-- come by!


Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Astra Café, 14th Floor
9:30am
Brad Ford is “The Accidental Blogger”
Our GODESIGNGO Blog Editor Marisa Marcantonio talks with New York-based interior designer and blogger Brad Ford, as he discusses how his quest for inspiration quickly detoured into the fascinating world of social media marketing and its buzz-worthy ,brand building and attention grabbing capabilities.
Marisa is the blog editor of the Cohen Design Center blog, godesigngo, created in response to the increasing influence blogging and social media has in the interior design community and luxury market.
Brad is the creator of the popular design blog Design Therapy where he brings over 13 years of design business experience to his readers.
Reception to follow at the Holly Hunt Showroom Suite 605
For speaker information and reservations please call 212-759-2969 or visit ddbuilding


Thursday, February 4, 2010

THE COMPETITION IS HEATING UP IN THE BOOK GIVEAWAY SUBMISSIONS


Entries are pouring in!!
I hope you will pick up your camera and start snapping pictures of what moves you from the printed page of a book. It could be a snap of your backyard, something you arranged in your bathroom, the way you organized things in your kitchen, a color palette: ANYTHING. Today, I got an entry from Celerie Kemble. She explained how a project was inspired by a costume photo from Tony Duquette and Hutton Wilkinson's theatrical book, More is More. The colors, textures and mood of the photo were all touchstones for her vision.
What inspires your happy home?

SCHUMACHER TEAMS UP WITH DEMPSEY & CARROLL FOR PUNCHY PAPERS WITH PRINTS

Last year, Dempsey & Carroll called on fashion designer Lela Rose, event planner Bronson van Wyck and interior designer Celerie Kemble to come up with catchy designs for a limited edition collection. This spring, the limited-edition collaboration is with F. Schumacher, the American fabric house. Envelope liners burst with color from new patterns and make mailing a missive more meaningful.


Schumacher's Chiang Mai Dragon pattern in aquamarine graces the envelope liners. They come in a box of 10 cards.

The Imperial Trellis pattern comes in five colorways, offering a subdued or punchy option.


Chenonceau, a print with flowers and birds, jumps off the page with positive and negative space.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

NEEDLEPOINT NIRVANA

Oh this is good! Vintage needlepoint pillows by the dozen! Kate Hersch finds amazing needlepoints in and around her hometown of Austin, Texas. She started her company, August Morgan, when she realized she could find enough top quality vintage canvases to make a business out of it. She scours shops for clean and well designed pieces and then backs them to create pillows. Quirky, kitchy and graphic patterns make her collection a knockout. Seeing the plethora of color and pattern together is mesmerizing. Needlepoint is finding a new generation. From belts to keychains, people are turning to needlepoint to create sentimental gifts with personal details added in the design. If you want to take the DIY route, check out the custom canvases available from Stitchaus, Needlepoint Inc and Nantucket Needleworks. If there are special needlepoint places you love, let me know and I can add them to this list!

Kate holds a Partridge Family- perfect pillow.

Matisse's Odalisque from 1923 on a different type of canvas.

The Walton's John Boy might have wanted to sew this in is spare time.

Butterflies, flowers, mushrooms -- the 1960's is channeled through a pillow.


A Peacock Wicker Chair, potted geraniums, a spider plant and a cat equals 1970's kitsch.


This one reminds me of Swenson's at The Miracle Mile in Manhasset, Tiffany lamp and all.

Johnathan Adler helped usher in the graphic geo renaissance that David Hicks triumphed. This pillow design is from back in the day.

Pop Art in pastels.

The array of outrageous finds all in a line.

Monday, February 1, 2010

GAME ON, ITS ALL ABOUT PING PONG

Ping pong is making serious inroads this season. Last year, the club Spin was opened by enthusiast Susan Sarandon on Park Avenue South. Then, Christopher Coleman decorated his Kips Bay Showhouse room as a mod lounge with a very pricey custom steel ping pong table. Pong fever continues. Long popular as a basement or garage game, and frat pastime, pong is having its day. Why not turn your basement into an updated game room, so you can get in on the action? The game is becoming hotter and more stylish, and with the accessories here you can bring your A game.


Photo Kips Bay
Christopher Coleman's sleek playpen for ping pong and a good cocktail.


Photo Courtesy of James Perse
Another custom option is the limited edition Malibu Ping Pong Table from James Perse. This table is well suited to the beer drinkers. With the black finish as opposed to the classic green, spilled beers are less likely to create a stressful situation.

Jonathan Adler just came out with the new spring collection that had graphic geometric needlepoint covers for your favorite racquet sports--tennis and ping pong.

The creative gals over at Alice Supply Company upped the ante with their nautical red,white and blue racquet set.