Saturday, January 26, 2013

The American Red Cross Palm Beaches-Treasure Coast Region and Traditional Home Magazine present the 37th Designers’ Show House

The American Red Cross Palm Beaches-Treasure Coast Region and Traditional Home Magazine present the 37th Designers’ Show House

Every year, the prestigious American Red Cross Palm Beaches-Treasure Coast Region Designers’ Show House is an event that brings together the best of the best in the world of interior design. It’s a highly anticipated event for all of Palm Beach Society, a unique fundraiser for our Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter, and simply an exceptional opportunity for everyone to experience fine living and exceptional home design.


I was honored to have been asked to join the 16 nationally recognized interior and landscape designers who are showcasing their interpretations of Tropical Island Living at 123 Santa Lucia Drive in the heart of West Palm Beach’s SoSo district, and am proud to have brought a touch of glamour and surprise to the design of the home’s second-floor hallway.

Anytime I’m presented with a second floor hall large enough to display furniture, I like to treat it as a second foyer. And, like any great foyer, there should be a feeling of intimacy and surprise, and a place to visually rest before continuing on into the home. 



As you see in this sneak peek, I used furniture pieces from my collection for E.J. Victor—positioning the Sooz Console in figured walnut between a pair of Billy Screens. The screens will be formally introduced as part of my Spring 2013 furniture collection at the world’s largest home furnishings market in High Point, NC, later this Spring. Inspired by the Billy Cocktail Table, introduced last Fall, the screens feature raised panels that are molded in a composite material and then hand-carved. The intricate relief panels are then framed in a ribbon-stripe mahogany. A large Billy Mirror, also new this Spring, hangs above the console. I’ve also included a bench I created specifically for the Show House space. It’s a play on neoclassical design with tapered, modern lines, and the space is hung with art work from my line for Trowbridge. “Karma” hangs above the bench, and “Mahalo” leads up to the third floor.  

Situated just a few steps from the Intracoastal Waterway, I envisioned a sophisticated seaside feel with clean, transitional lines for the space. Pendolino Sconces from Porta Romana and the Boreal Bench in burnt silver from Ironies lend an element of glamour and surprise, and I think the result dresses up the hall like a pearl inside of an oyster shell. 

The Show House benefits a great cause and I hope you will support it. It’s open from January 24 to February 23, 2013, and tickets must be purchased at the door. We have a limited amount, so please call my office first at (561) 741-0165. General admission is $30 and cash, check and all major credit cards are accepted. For more information call 561-650-9131

Friday, January 25, 2013

You’re Invited!

For more than 20 years, Design Center of the Americas (DCOTA) has catered to the design community, attracting an international scope of architects, decorators, dealers and design enthusiasts. I’m one of them, so it was a tremendous thrill to receive a call announcing that I will be honored during the 2013 Stars of Design event on January 30th, 2013.

The ceremony will take place at the design center during its annual Winter Market on day one of two days of phenomenal programming.

The list of this year’s honorees reads like a Who’s Who in design. Jonathan Adler is being recognized for his achievements in product design, while Stanley Matz will be honored for his work in landscape design; Eric Cohler for interior design; Bernardo Fort-Brescia for architecture ; Jorge Blanco for art; and Seth Browarnik for photography. Emilia Karram is receiving the well-deserved lifetime achievement award, and I’m joining Gage Hartung, Alfred Karram Jr., Laura Kirar, Matthew MacDonald and Sabrina Vela in the 2013 Stars on the Rise category, honoring five young designers who have already made a significant mark on the design world.

It’s especially gratifying to know that all award recipients are selected by a noteworthy design panel of renowned professionals and members of the national, regional and South Florida media.  What a wonderful way to start the New Year!