There sure is a lot going on in Bethpage this week.  Move over Tiger Woods - Kravet is the one to watch!  Earlier in the week, the company announced that it will be manufacturing and distributing the very first fabric collection from Calvin Klein Home.  It will be licensed under the Kravet Couture umbrella.  Today, it went public with news about a creative collaboration with interior designer Barclay Butera. As part of Kravet Collections, Barclay Butera will launch with his first fabric collection and a selection of original design for Tufts by Kravet Carpet (richly textured, hand-tufted rugs). His transitional style grounds itself in European, American and Far East traditional influences, while adding his own contemporary and timeless twist.

We’re sure these fresh, new designs will be another successful addition to Kravet’s extensive line of products. 

It’s mid-June and you know what that means!!!  Three days of waiting 10-20 minutes to catch an elevator, hoping you are on one that brings you to the correct floor of the Merchandise Mart, and finally hiking all the way down the stairs to get to a party or client dinner.  Yes… you guessed it… it’s NeoCon!  All kidding aside, it is one of the key shows for the contract market and we always look forward to learning what’s new in the industry.  

If you’ve ever listened to pop-sensation Lady Gaga, then you probably know what is next.  So…go ahead…”Just Dance!”  That is exactly what we intend to do tomorrow night as the New York Design Center and New York Spaces team up to celebrate Summer in the City.  We’re told there will be dance contests (with prizes for the best moves) in the Grange Showroom, as well as festive cocktails, fabulous food and catchy tunes (see above!).  In addition to those dancing shoes, be sure to bring your checkbook as the event is intended to raise money for “Furnish a Future - a program of The Partnership for the Homeless.”  Tickets are available for $25 in advance and $30 at the door.(100% of ticket proceeds will benefit Furnish a Future.) 

Father’s Day is just around the corner and so is the desperate dash to find the perfect gift for dad. As bloggers in the design world, we are fortunate enough to get tons of great gifts ideas sent right to our inbox - so we figured we’d spread the wealth.

Most dads (except mine of course!) like beer.  So why not get him a new Pilsner glass from German-manufacturer Ritzenhoff.   Fun and functional….they come in 6 different new designs and are just right size for a bottle of dad’s favorite brew.

Designs: Douglas Day, Orlando Hoetzel, Helena Ladiero, Frank Maier, Thomas Marutschke, Rob Snow (from left to right)

As I was wandering through the aisles of ICFF a few weeks ago, “ooo”ing and “ah”ing at things like the Geneva sound system and Shimna Liffey bed, I could not help but stop at Timothy Lile’s table. As one of the avant-garde designers included in the inevitably fresh designboom mart, his crayon rings (cast in actual washable crayons) drew quite a crowd. Whether an accessory or a gift , it just seems like one of those things everyone should have. After all, they’re cheap, accessible, and fun! Just don’t leave them lying around in the summer…

You can find them at The Future Perfect in packages of 8.

We are very pleased to hear that the Neal Small exhibit at Material ConneXion has been extended until June 19^th. Following an overwhelming interest in the show Material ConneXion have announced that guests will have another week to attend, and some select pieces will be available for purchase. Small is renown for his groundbreaking work with Plexiglass and Lucite for creating lighting and furniture. Throughout the 60s and 70s Small lead the way for a whole generation of designers using industrial materials for furniture and accessories. Small’s work is part of the permanent collections at important institutions such as The Smithsonian Institute and The Museum of Modern Art. This exhibit is definitely worth a visit, whether you are interested in making a one of a kind purchase of just a design lover. 

Material ConneXion, 60 Madison Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York

Monday-Friday: 9am-6pm

Click here for more information

"Origami" side table, 1960s

Dornbracht is launching a new concept at Art Basel this year, Global Street Food. For this display, the German based company, which is a world-class manufacturer of kitchen and bath faucets, is taking the kitchen to another level. If you are familiar with the company’s cultural coup, than this latest creative vision is true to form. In order to have viewers understand the importance of the function and design of kitchens, Dornbracht is creating an exhibit that celebrates the diversity and ingenuity of actual street “kitchens.” There will be everything from a Vietnamese market boat with soft drinks and veggies, an Argentinean charcuterie cart, to a “green” Sudanese tea stand, made from recycled tires and tin cans. The purpose of the exhibit is to have viewers understand the importance of the function and design of kitchens. Dornbracht’s creative and brand director Mike Meiré said, “it’s about being aware of the kind of kitchen you really need for your lifestyle, and then developing the design.” The exhibition premiered at IMM Cologne furniture fair in January this year with remarkable success. The goal is for the project to reflect the crossroads between architecture, design and art… a topic that is sure to be of importance to the Art Basel audience. I am sure this will add yet another dimension to the already diverse and exciting event.

Closed opening June 10th. Open to public June 11th and 12th. 

Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhine, Germany

www.dornbracht.com

Vietnamese market boat

Global Street Food

Spring has sprung, and summer is underway. After spending the long winter months indoors, it’s high time to focus on outdoor living. Need some inspiration? Check out the Parrish Art Museum’s event Landscape Pleasures: COLOR, Saturday, June 13^th at 9 am. Interior designer Charlotte Moss will conduct a lively discussion with the ever-fashionable Isaac Mizrahi—all about color. Both widely celebrated, Moss, founder of Charlotte Moss Interior design and author of several books, is known for her extensive design work while the CFDA awarded Mizrahi has been a leader in the fashion industry for years. With this unstoppable combination of experience and professional savvy in one room, we’re more than excited to see what this colorful discussion will offer!

The Parrish Art Museum

Saturday June 13th at 9:00 am

For Symposium and Garden Tour only:

$125 Parrish Members, $175 Nonmembers

For tickets, click here

We just heard about this great event that the Architectural League is hosting on June 6th. The League’s annual ball to benefit their lectures and exhibition program is being held at The Old American Can Factory in Brooklyn. It’s an interactive evening where guests are invited to work, tour and meet the artisans that still produce and manufacture in the six-building industrial complex. There will be lots of open studios including some fantastic artists, architects and designers such as Nancy Nicholson, Danny Forster and Lindsey Adelman. Tickets are $25/$50 and include some light food and drinks.  All in all it should be a very enjoyable evening with plenty of original minds in this creative borough.

Find out more on www.archleague.org under Special Events. 

The Old American Can Factory

232 Third Street at Third Avenue

Gowanus, Brooklyn

Last years Ball theme was "Playtime"