A red and purple arrangement for the debut of Robert Brown Home Furniture by MacRae in the front room at Lee Jofa 

Yes, it's that time of year! The spring is here, it must be time for Blogfest 2012. Attracting a diverse network of design bloggers from around the country, the three day event,  hosted by Kravet Inc,  is in it's second year. With a bevy of fun events in the jam- packed schedule, we were off and running yesterday at 8:30am. 

We kicked off the day with breakfast at Hearst Tower, which included candid conversations with Dara Caponigro of Veranda and distinctly American designers Darryl Carter and Timothy Whealon. Their designs have that elusive play of light and color with an architectural bent and use of strong pieces for impact.

Tables were set with the most glorious pure pink peonys

House Beautiful followed, where the hot issue was  uncovering life-changing Ah Hah moments from HB Next Wave designers Jon Call, Jill Goldberg, and Michael Herold.

 The HB Connect App works like this:

Staying close to the leading edge of technology, their just launched House Beautiful Connect app scans scans images on the magazine pages to unlock behind - the - scenes video from photo shoots and additional content. It is a great way to feel like you were there, as a fly on the wall editor. I am very impressed with their early adapter initiative, it engages readers to interact with the print copy to gain access to that ever-desirable thing: more content.

 The ever-inspiring interior and fabric designer Katie Leede left us all with a mantra for the day-

Most of Katie Leede's bedroom for a college gal included catalog - shopped finds. And yes, Laduree Macarons that matched her tented fabric swag.

Followed by a  tour of the just-opened Elle Decor Modern Life Concept House, where participating designers Katie Leede and Sherrill Canet among others, were on hand to discuss their inspiration.

Southern gent Atlanta-based Robert Brown sharing his design inspiration with Lisa Kravet

From there, we headed to the  D and D for a delicious Lobster Roll lunch at Lee Jofa and got to know Atlanta-based interior designer Robert Brown, whose just-launched sophisticated traditional yet minimalist Macrae furniture collection was debuted in the front showroom.  

The beyond hilarious speaker Alexa Hampton regaled us with tales of design excursions with her dad, including a class trip to Kips Bay in  2nd Grade.

We then headed over to Kravet, where we were privy to a spirited design conversation with Alexa Hampton and Traditional Home Editor in Chief Ann Maine.

Interiors latest issue

More fun is to come tomorrow, and I am very excited to participate in Blogfest on an Interiors Magazine panel hosted by Editor in Chief Michael Wollaeger.  Joined by the effervescent interior designer and creative director for Oscar de la Renta Home,  Miles Redd, along with photographer Peter Aaron, the panel is entitled "Interiors Insider: Beautiful design results from inspiration, experience and creativity whether the goal is a magazine spread, a photograph or simply a happy client. Join Michael Wollaeger for Interiors Insider, a panel discussion which will address the various functions of designer, photographer, and blogger, and the important role each plays in achieving success through design. Learn tips and tricks from top experts in their field: interior designer Miles Redd, noted photographer Peter Aaron, and blogger and former editor Marisa Marcantonio. You’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories of how the most beautiful work in our industry is created."

The venue is one of my favorite Old New York institutions, The  Museum of the City of New York at 1220 Fifth Avenue (at 103rd St.). 

More from the final day as it unfolds. Please standby...

Outside the Lee Jofa Showroom, Kravet goodie bags lining the entire length of the hall.