THE WEEK THAT WAS: FROM FABRIC LAUNCHES TO ONLINE AND PRINT MAG LAUNCHES
After all this running around this week, I need a tea break and personal reflexologist at my beck and call.
My schedule entailed the following:
Bungalow 5 party in full swing
Monday night I attended the opening of my friends Luca Rensi and John Roudabush's brand spanking new Bungalow 5 showroom.
Photo courtesy of Rue Mag
Then worked my way to Soho and toasted Rue Mag's launch of their 3rd issue at The New Traditionalists where a good party, fun crowd and strong cocktail are guaranteed.
Tuesday night I dined alongside the "Young 20" designers with Traditional Home. They are launching a Trad Home and Lonny hybrid online mag that showcases the work of those they deem to be the best and brightest. The intimate Freemans dinner was hosted by Beth Brenner of Traditional Home and Michelle Adams & Patrick Cline of Lonny . The young traditionals issue of their first ever digital edition hits this April and I am really excited about seeing these new designers projects in detail.
The group was a design obsessed bunch:
Lonny's top dog Michelle Adams, the wry humored fantastic writer Sarah Firshein of Curbed, and the super nice interior designer Ron Marvin
Nina Freudenberger of Haus Interiors, interior designer and Design Therapy blogger Brad Ford with pr gal Stacy McLaughlin
Callie Jenschke and Nicki Clendening of Scout Designs. Callie worked at Met Home and both have Southern roots. These girls get it done.
Designer and art expert Tom Delavan and PR maven Elizabeth Blitzer
Interior designer Robert Passal with a colleague, and fellow design blogger Nicole of So Haute
And two gals I feel like I have been meant to meet forever: Suysel dePedro Cunningham and Anne Maxwell Foster of Tilton Fenwick. Suysel used to work for Markam Roberts and Anne worked for Brockschmidt and Coleman and Ashley Whittaker.
Williams Sonoma Wednesday:
Wednesday night I previewed the Spring launch of Williams Sonoma brands including Pottery Barn, PB Kids, West Elm, and Williams Sonoma at The Garden Room in the hipper - than - thou Standard Hotel
A punchy patterned printed dhurrie from Williams Sonoma Home
The best brownies you have ever had are from the new Baked brownie mixes being offered at Williams Sonoma
A neutral, tonal palette of wares from West Elm
Another creative bunch gathers for an online mag launch:
Photo courtesy of Matchbook
From there I jetted to Soho's Coach store where The Neo Traditionalist blogger Katie Armour feted her new online magazine/field guide/preppy manifesto Matchbook.
An iconic print mag steeped in tradition gets a sunny makeover:
Courtesy of Architectural Digest Photography by Pieter Estersohn
And Thursday I was wowed by the gorgeous luxe, worldly new Architectural Digest as new EIC Margaret Russell , hosted a luncheon of media and bloggers to preview the new issue. With a fully revamped staff of 30 new editors, a content rich resource section in the back of the book, photography and projects by design world luminaries like Michael Smith (who also decorated her office) and Daniel Romauldez, the new AD is worth buzzing about.
The crisp all white centerpiece at the AD luncheon at 4 Times Square
Thursday the fun continued with fabrics and books:
In the evening, I joined a small group of old media (!) friends/editors and interior designers at Pierre Frey's super cool Nolita apartment to see the newest lush bohemian inspired fabric collection that was launched in Paris at Maison Objet the week before.
Home and showplace, Pierre Frey's Nolita digs embody the brand and its latest global glam collection
A cozy fire added to the welcome ambiance
A book launch:
Photo courtesy of Campion Platt
From there Malcolm Kutner and I headed over to The New Traditionalists again (yes, they do throw a good party so I cannot seem to stay away) to see Campion Platt and have him sign his beautiful new book, Made to Order.
The week's festivities are finally winding down, after hitting so many great events and seeing so many new things I need to decompress. But it was all worth it. Who knew February was going to be so busy?