As the holidays approach, design connoisseurs have more grounds to haunt their favorite shops without a twinge of guilt. It’s shopping in the spirit of giving, correct? Whether that giving might entail oneself is a discussion for another day. But this year, we are happy to note that Francophiles will be particularly excited. Emblem Paris—a collection of four French heritage brands—has recently opened its first U.S.-based store in Soho (171 Spring St #2fl).
The intimate boutique space—inspired by a chic jardin in a Parisian hȏtel particulier—showcases the exceptional craftsmanship of the Emblem ateliers: Maison Taillardat, (the brand that tasked to create set pieces for Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette movie); Maison Craman-Lagarde, a marquetry specialist and master cabinetmaker; Vernaz & Filles, specialist in custom gold leaf work and historic restoration; and Manufacture des Emaux de Longwy, the oldest ceramic factory in France.
While we would love to focus on all four houses, we decided to spotlight our favorite holiday gifts from Emaux de Longwy. The history-laden brand’s enchanting savoir-faire when it comes to cloisonné enamel on faience, or glazed ceramic ware, is completely enamoring.
Boule Coloniale + Bougie (Lemon Insect Collection) by Michaël Cailloux Inspired by 17th century still life’s and Art Nouveau naturalism, Michaël Cailloux created a fertile body of work that includes these finessed beauties.
Pot à Bougie by Nicolas Lequeux Nicolas Lequeux’s “Art Decool” collection showcases stylized and geometric patterns inspired by the Art Deco period, laden with warm colors that recall the vibrancy of the summer months. It notes Emaux de Longwy’s first collaboration with the designer.
Chou Vase by Pierre Gonalons With its swirl of sherbet hues and chic French craftsmanship, the Chou vase by Pierre Gonalons is a delightful gift for art and design lovers alike. Fun fact: The vase is currently on exhibit at the Hotel de Sully (a historic mansion) in Paris, making the gift even more splurge-worthy.
City of Stars by Lukas Works City of Stars evokes the romantic essence of art and its creation, paying direct homage to the magic of Paris and its stars. The artists’ hope was to promote the people who tirelessly fight to inspire us all through the beauty of their work despite the pitfalls of their job.
The Little Prince Oeufs
“The Little Prince” and “The Little Prince and the Fox” decorative eggs not only make for chic stocking stuffers but they pay homage to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s beautiful, poetic tale, immortalizing it forever in enamel.
Decorative Candles
From left to right: The falling snow on a midnight blue background that adorns the Darksnow candle by Eric Hibelot was inspired by Japanese prints, specifically those of Hasui Kawase; The perfect gift for those who appreciate enamels, the Heritage candle features a traditional display of flowers enhanced by Longwy gold; The Happy Face candle by Nicolas de Waël is alluring in its simple, joyous nature.
Bishop Stool The hand-enameled Bishop stool, which India Mahdavi recently festooned in a gorgeous pattern, is available in two colorways: Apple Blossom and PrimaDonna.
The gradual onset of the cooler weather tends to tease the much-anticipated comforts many of us look forward to all year long. From intimate fireside conversations to curling up with a glass of wine or a good book under a lush throw, the enjoyment of the season is only enhanced by the gorgeous colors of the fall foliage from the vantage point of the home.
So when Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams announced their soon-to-come Fall Collection—the New Modern—we waited with delight. It did not disappoint.
Designed with intention, each beautifully crafted furnishing is meant to elevate the way we live—today. It’s the brand’s version of modern, with each piece exuding a warm yet architectural nature that invites conversation and comfort while emanating an understated, yet unavoidable, clean-lined elegance.
To showcase a behind-the-scenes take on what defines the New Modern, we sat down with Allison O’Connor, President, and CEO of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, to get an unvarnished look at the breadth of the collection and some insight into the inspiration behind some of our favorite pieces. We hope you enjoy the discussion as much as we did!
Downtown: How would you describe the essence of the new Fall Collection?
Allison O’Connor, President & CEO of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams: Our Fall Collection focuses on warm and welcoming design with an architectural appeal, a blend of beautiful craftsmanship, and timeless style. We’re drawn to elements that both look and feel luxurious—like the deep and generous cushions in our sophisticated Montauk Sectional, so tailored yet still inviting. We’ve also been excited to work with even more exceptional materials this season. Our Hayes Dining Table, for example, is inspired by mid-century Italian design and features a stunning contrast of American walnut and lightly antiqued brass sheeting. You’ll find that a lot of thoughtful, design-driven detail has gone into this collection.
Decorative Pillows.
And at the heart of everything, of course, is customization: We love to see our customers express their own design voice through our brand, whether it’s choosing a favorite fabric from our exclusive Kravet library, or unique details like nailhead and finish.
Downtown: How did your definition of the New Modern inspire the direction of the collection?
Allison O’Connor: Most of us have experienced some major lifestyle shifts recently, and a lot of that has centered around home—how we interact with space at home, what home means for us. We’ve built deeply personal bonds with our concept of home, and at the design level, it has inspired us to consider how fresh, relevant design can elevate the way we live. This is the basis for the New Modern: It’s a deep reverence for living in the present, and for a customizable design that becomes part of the fabric of our homes, part of those memories we make. For us, it’s about creating interiors that are aesthetically pleasing but also support our busy lifestyles and families.
Keane Dining Table & Chairs.
Downtown: The cushions on the Montauk Modular Sectional look incredibly comfortable—while maintaining a very sophisticated yet casual look. What are some of the details that went into achieving the look and feel of the sofa?
Allison O’Connor: We conceptualized our Montauk Sectional to look effortlessly elevated, yet still be an irresistibly inviting place for everyone to gather thanks to its exceptionally versatile design. We love its Turkish corner cushions and deeply angled back—they create a very tailored yet sculptural appearance. We added a wood plinth base to complete the look with an understated foundation, and also offer some additional opportunities for customization with more than 20 wood finishes and over 600 fabrics.
Montauk 4-Piece Sectional.
Downtown: We particularly love the warmth of the Keane dining chair and the beach-vibe sophistication of the Portia Dining Chair (can’t you see this in an expansive Hamptons dining room with views of the ocean?). What do you most love about these two designs and what inspired their shape for this particular collection?
Allison O’Connor: Yes—absolutely, ocean views and all! Our Keane and Portia dining chairs are perfect examples of multifunctional sophisticated seating. Both have a fresh, modern feel that complements almost any style of the dining room, office, entry, or bedroom while enveloping you in an extremely comfortable sit. Keane, in particular, has a modern floating curved back and warm solid-maple wood frame accented with a plush seat and back that can be customized in fabric or leather. And the Portia Dining Chair is a modern slip-covered barrel chair for easy-care dining. With its loose seat and comfortable curved back, Portia is perfect for casual dining settings. And you can customize in a choice of hundreds of fabrics.
Portia Dining Chairs + Vann Dining Table.
Downtown: We are obsessed with pairing the Portia Dining Chair with the Vann Dining Table. What would be your ideal color palettes/finishes when using them together?
Allison O’Connor: I love that style pairing. Portia and Vann nicely balance uncomplicated form with a sophisticated feel. I like dining rooms to feel airy and relaxed, to gather my family and friends and share a meal together, and warm neutrals are a wonderful way to set the tone. For Portia, I’d choose MG+BW exclusive performance linen in Flax, a warm and grounded fabric that’s very family-friendly and also easy to care for. To complement that, I love the idea of our Vann Dining Table in the Weathered Oak finish—it really emphasizes its unique grain patterns from reclaimed wood.
Spindle Chair.
Downtown: We love the height and look of the Spindle chair. What types of frame finishes and fabric choices are available?
Allison O’Connor: You can customize our Spindle Chair from more than 600 fabrics and 40 types of leather, including performance fabrics, velvets, linens, chenille, and boucle. That also includes exclusive access to Kravet fabrics that were previously only available to designers. We also have more than 20 unique wood finishes to work with.
The beauty of Spindle is its exceptional craftsmanship—it features this very classic yet timeless turned-wood detailing, and it evokes a distinctive aesthetic depending on the finish. Choose something dark and smoky like Storm and you instantly have a very dramatic and modern piece or try something a bit rich and warm like Toffee and the chair evokes a very different kind of character. The spindle has unique upholstered details, as well, that add striking contrast against the frame—so choosing any favorite fabric is going to stand out beautifully.
Niles Bed.
Downtown: The Niles bed looks particularly enveloping. Is it as comfortable as it looks? What do you most love about it?
Allison O’Connor: Niles is the ultimate bed to choose for serene, cocoon-like comfort. It’s designed in a curved, overstuffed batwing silhouette with a sheltering headboard and rails that seem to wrap around you. It also features finely tailored seams that bring a level of sophistication without losing its warmth. I think it appeals to an instinctive part of us, almost like a hug. It’s just lovely. And that’s how a bedroom should feel—a sanctuary where we go to relax, recharge, and feel nurtured. If you want to experience our Niles Bed in the most luxurious way possible, customize it in a soft fabric like performance luxe velvet. You might not want to get out of bed in the morning.
Downtown: We love the Margaux Full Swivel Side Chair and its midcentury vibe—what inspired adding a much-loved swivel feature to such a gorgeous chair?
Margaux Swivel Chair.
Allison O’Connor: Our Margaux Side Chair is a much-loved part of the collection, with influence from mid-century Italian design. It’s already a fluid piece of furniture, with a svelte and smartly scaled frame that complements dining rooms, home offices, and entertainment areas of all dimensions. Then we realized that we could bring fresh appeal to this favorite by making it a swivel, so that this chic little accent chair can suddenly, truly, sit anywhere in style. The swivel version features a sleek metal base in two choices of finish, and we created a matching swivel ottoman to celebrate the design.
Downtown: The Tate Dining Table is a favorite—is the oak finish as textured as it looks? How many people can it comfortably accommodate?
Allison O’Connor: Yes, that fantastic texture is actually a striking sunburst veneer pattern over carbon oak. Our Tate Dining Table balances two key elements perfectly—modern minimalism and natural materials—in a very sleek and clean design. It has a tapered central column that you can comfortably seat six people around, so it’s a smart, design-forward choice for a dining room or an open-concept kitchen.
Tate Buffet.
Downtown: The Tate Buffet exemplifies everything we are loving about cane these days! What inspired the use of this material?
Allison O’Connor: The exquisite detail of materiality is centric to our design ethos. Our Tate Collection’s star material is carbon oak. It has this rich, varied texture that adds so much depth and character. The woven cane front of our Tate Buffet gave us an opportunity to juxtapose two very distinctive, natural textures to create a functional piece that feels at once organic and modern while balancing the drama of unrelieved black with some lightness.
Blake Media Console.
Downtown: The Blake Media Console shows a bit of a departure from the rest (at least in terms of the color palette). What do you most love about its place in the collection?
Allison O’Connor: Blake is a bold statement piece. Consoles can easily become the focal point in a room whether they’re staged in an entryway, office, living room or dining area, so we had some fun imagining how color, material and shape all command attention. Blake is built in the style of modern campaign furniture, so it has that inherent sense of functional structure and purpose. And to that, we added striking denim blue and satin brass hardware accents as a way to balance masculine form with a very fashion-forward concept. It’s completely unique in this season’s collection, and we love the personality that it brings to any space.
Hazel Flatweave Jute Rug.
Downtown: The Hazel Flatweave Jute Rug adds the perfect pop of color to almost any design in the collection. What inspired the color palette and what would you pair it with?
Allison O’Connor: It’s a beautiful accent, isn’t it? Hazel is one of the exceptional creations from our partnership with Obeetee, who is world-renowned for handmade rugs and carpets. They share a lot of our values, including respect for artisan craft, natural material, and a sustainable manufacturing process. Hazel is made from extremely soft jute so it’s not going to be scratchy underfoot, and the color palette evokes a cool vintage vibe through desaturated colors in warm, earthy tones. The geometric pattern is very current, but Hazel also has a relaxed feel to it, so it helps to set the tone in a modern casual space.
We love it paired with our Vann Dining Table, which has similar geometric lines and a natural look and feel. Grounding the space around our Montauk Sectional is also a great, harmonious look. But we want people to experiment, too, with their own design vision. Hazel is a very adaptable rug to any space—tell us where you’d put it!
Downtown: What are a couple of your favorite accessories in the collection? We cannot get over the Antwerp Boucle Throw in Camel!
Antwerp Boucle Throw.
Allison O’Connor: The Antwerp Boucle Throw is one of my favorites, as well. It’s so incredibly cozy, and something as simple as a boucle texture adds so much depth and character when it’s thrown over a sofa, armchair, chaise, or bed. Another favorite is our collection of Italian Carrara Marble barware—there’s a set of coasters, a lovely and curvaceous champagne bucket, and a large round serving tray. Carrara has a luminous lightness to it, and very faint striations in the stone. It’s a favorite of ours to work with because it adds such richness to a room without being overwhelming.
We also have a partnership with Lost Art Salon and an exclusive collection that we’ve curated with them that I love. Lost Art Salon brings rediscovered art to the public from history and underrepresented groups, with an emphasis on 20th Century Modernism. Our collection features striking watercolors, prints, and photography—modern pieces that reflect a unique vantage point through the lens of the artist.
Ojai Woven Leather Pillows.
Downtown: What are your favorite elements of the collection and which design would you take home with you today?
Allison O’Connor: I really do love how well our Fall Collection embraces modern design that’s completely approachable. Our Giselle Collection is a perfect example of that—it’s a luxurious statement collection, with gentle curves and an elegant profile that makes for gathering and igniting conversations. And the attention to detail speaks so eloquently to the craftsmanship of our artisans. Yet it’s also warm, generous, utterly comfortable—something you can sink into at the end of a long day without feeling like such a glamorous piece is off-limits for every day. Our furniture is made to be enjoyed. I’d take home everything in the Giselle Collection today.
Frederic Fekkai, Shirin Von Wulffen, photographer Antoine Verglas
World-famous French hairstylist and entrepreneur
IN LIFE, WE’RE OFTEN CONFRONTED with choices. But sometimes, it’s the ones we don’t love that lead us back to a road already traversed, only to find a new path that blooms at every step. Such was the journey of Provence-born Frédéric Fekkai, a beauty industry luminary, thought leader, entrepreneur, hairstylist to Hollywood sirens, and environmental advocate.
While FEKKAI is a name synonymous with luxury — emanating from every facet of the global brand — luxury to the man behind it is far from what you’d expect. “One of the most luxurious things in the world to me,” he explains, “is not having a logo. It’s about wellness, a way of life, a guide on how to live your life well. To live it elegantly, by being cautious and careful, and attentive to everything that you do.” And he has. In 1989, Fekkai opened a salon atop New York City’s pinnacle of style, Bergdorf Goodman.
By 1995, he was a pioneer of innovation and creativity, launching the first hair care line to be based on skincare technology. “Very often hair care is lagging behind skincare and food,” he explains of his endeavor to elevate the product. It worked. “All of a sudden my brand was sitting next to La Mer, Estee Lauder, and Chanel.” A 10,000-square-foot flagship salon on 5th Avenue followed: the ultimate test of success. By 2008, Fekkai sold the company yet stayed on as a consultant. “Financially, it was a great reward, but emotionally it was not,” he says.
Frederic Fekkai, photographer Antoine Verglas
30-year-old heritage brand that Fekkai
As time progressed, Fekkai became restless. “I wanted to be an entrepreneur again, I wanted to be active,” he recalled. It took a visit back to his hometown of Aix-en Provence—where he now shares a home with his wife Shirin Von Wulffen, a former fashion publicist— to realize what his return would look like. In 2015 the couple acquired Côte Bastide, a now 30-year-old heritage brand that Fekkai had previously worked with. “We fell in love with the romance of the brand. It was artisanal — the label was written by hand with a fountain pen.
Everything was eco-friendly and produced by local artisans with generations of savoir-faire,” says Fekkai. They shortened the name to Bastide —which means “country house” in southern France. “This idea of a bastide really drew us,” explains Von Wulffen. “It’s a home, where you hear laughter, smell cooking, and you see families enjoying themselves. It’s this idea of living a really good life. We call it la vie bastide, as in ‘the sweet life of Provence.’”
Frederic Fekkai, & Shirin Von Wulffen, photographer Antoine Verglas
Today, the brand continues to celebrate
To keep to the brand’s artisanal, sustainable ethos and expand it even further, the couple reformulated everything to be as green as possible, growing importance in their lives. For Von Wulffen, the “a-ha” moment, she says, came when they had kids. “We wanted to make sure everything we put in our home was clean, that it was good for them.” Fekkai adds, “When we were in the South of France, we realized people were so ahead of us.
They were so careful with the ingredients they would select, buy, and consume. And not just for food, but for health and beauty too. I thought to myself, ‘Wow, that’s the way life should be.’ So, it really triggered and accelerated that desire to create products that would be modern, chic, and sustainable.”
The couple worked with talented designer Pierre Jeand’heur to recreate their product packaging to reflect the beauty of Provence. After a beautiful but off-the-mark first attempt, they invited him and his team to experience the region for themselves, and to understand why the most incredible painters, from Picasso to Van Gogh and Cezanne, all gravitated to the light in the South of France.
By the next try, the team nailed it, choosing a bright terracotta hue — the same shade of the couple’s home — as the branding color. “When you’re walking through the town of Aix, you have the same feeling that you would have when you’re opening something from Bastide,” explains Von Wulffen. Today, the brand continues to celebrate artisans, honor tradition, and offer products that exude l’art de vivre.
From soaps made of the purest olive and coconut oils to handmade candles, fragrances, and creams, Bastide’s natural essence is intoxicating.
Frederic Fekkai, Shirin Von Wulffen, photographer Antoine Verglas
By 2018, Fekkai was restless again. “I realized that my brand FEKKAI was not relevant or modern anymore, and my name was on the bottle.” He bought it back, and by 2020 launched the first-ever collection of salon-grade products made with clean, plant-derived ingredients. He worked with specific chemists to ensure each formula was vegan and completely toxin-free, avoiding all silicones, parabens, phthalates, and sulfates.
Every bottle in the collection is made with 95% high-grade repurposed plastic and is 100% recyclable. “What we’ve done is an extension of our thoughts on consumption and how we want to live,” stated Fekkai. “Bastide is, I would say, a celebration of life and home, and FEKKAI is a celebration of beauty and confidence.”
One of the design industry’s most beloved events, Design on a Dime (DOAD, sponsored by Housing Works and founded by interior designer James Huniford in 2004, took place last month to a raging success and much fanfare.
Now in its 16th year of raising funds and awareness to end AIDS and homelessness, we were especially excited to sit down with Huniford and learn a little bit about his vignette and why DOAD remains such a meaningful, powerhouse event.
Designer James Huniford Photo by Ryan Moore
DOWNTOWN: As the founder of Design on a Dime (DOAD), how did it feel to return after a year of no in-person events to return to a bit of normalcy for such a great cause?
JAMES HUNIFORD: It was an exciting time for Design on a Dime to be New York City’s first in-person event since COVID.
DOWNTOWN: Now in its 16th year, how much have you raised for Housing Works so far? What was the turnout like this year?
DOAD has raised over $20 million to date
JH: DOAD has raised over $20 million to date with involvement and support from so many New Yorkers, business leaders, media moguls, celebrities, writers, the Broadway community, and most of all, the design industry.
DOWNTOWN: What made you choose Housing Works as the beneficiary every year. Why is it the organization close to your heart?
JH: Having a home is such an important part of our lives and being able to provide security and comfort of shelter will allow any challenge and opportunity to blossom.
Photo by Noe DeWitt
DOWNTOWN: Do you participate in designing a booth every year? If so, why, and how do you choose the designers who participate?
We always try to choose a wide range of designers
JH: Yes, I’ve been involved in designing a vignette for all DOAD events. We always try to choose a wide range of designers, from the established ones to the upcoming new talents. It is a great opportunity and it almost feels like a homecoming for the design community.
DOWNTOWN: Can you tell us about your vignette this year? What was the theme?
JH: Summertime, beach, and relaxing.
DOWNTOWN: We loved that it was so cheerful, what inspired the color palette?
JH: The color palette was inspired by the 60’s Saint-Tropez atmosphere.
DOWNTOWN: What do you most love about striped umbrellas? Where is that particular piece from?
I’ve always loved all sorts of stripes
Artwork by Peter Valcarcel; Photo by Noe DeWitt
JH: I’ve always loved all sorts of stripes and I feel that the striped umbrella brought a bit of fun to space. This particular umbrella is DestinationGear 6.5 ft. Aluminum Deluxe Italian Patio Umbrella.
DOWNTOWN: Can you tell us a bit about the lamps—did you create the shades yourself? We love the matching planter and the complementing one’s on the window floor. Where are they from?
JH: I wanted to add a personal touch to the vignette, the hand-painted lampshades are a simple way to personalize the room. The planters are from my collection of objects I’ve collected over the years.
DOWNTOWN: The artwork offers a great pop of color. What inspired that piece and who is the artist?
JH: I love the movement in the art by Peter Valcarcel. The soft palette of colors and the idea of the cutouts remind me of Henri Matisse.
DOWNTOWN: Can you tell us a bit about the mix of textures, materials, and patterns?
JH: Implementing a mixture of different textures, materials, and color palette create depth and an interesting composition that feels more appealing and inviting.
Photo by Noe DeWitt
DOWNTOWN: What was the response like to the booths this year? Who were some new and established designers who really blew it out of the ballpark?
JH: The response from designers as well everyone that visited both in-person and shopped online was impressive. DOAD has been the annual tradition for Housing Works, and the New York design community and it always brings us together for a good cause and fun with design.
DOWNTOWN: Do you foresee expanding DOAD to more cities?
JH: We are planning to bring the event to Miami and we are in early talks to have one in Los Angeles.
DOWNTOWN: What was extra special about this year’s event?
JH: It felt like a homecoming. We brought DOAD back where we started – Housing Works Thrift Shop on 23rd Street where we hosted the first event with 5 designers.
At a moment when the world grapples with climate change, bold new ideas are needed more than ever. It is with this urgency in mind that eight countries have come together to announce the second edition of ECO Solidarity, an international project, movement, and initiative focused on design solutions for some of the most pressing issues of our time. Eight visionary designers were selected to share products and projects that thoughtfully consider positive social impact, design empathy, and sustainable materials. ECO Solidarity will launch as part of the CLOSEUP 2021 presented by ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan event on May 18th, 2021 during two thought-provoking sessions, followed by an expanded online exhibition in June.
This inspiring movement, initiated in 2020 by the Polish Cultural Institute New York and Tomek Rygalik of Studio Rygalik in partnership with WantedDesign, continues its mission with eight European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) organizations to address the imperative need for human-centered design in response to humanitarian and public health crises by focusing on ecology, the climate emergency, public health, wellbeing in public spaces, and how shifts in the economy affects people’s lives. In alliance with WantedDesign’s co-founders Odile Hainaut and Claire Pijoulat, the ECO Solidarity 2021 program will also strive to address the key objectives of the Green New Deal, through interior and product design as well as spatial planning. “At WantedDesign, we have focused on sustainability as a topic in our programming for several years as we understand the importance of always keeping it top of mind,” explains Hainaut. “ECO Solidarity is not only a design exercise—it shines the light on designers who think about our future and propose ideas that push the conversation forward and help create a more sustainable, conscious, and harmonious way of living. Pijoulat adds, “The international exchange of ideas is key to what WantedDesign does, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring eight European countries and regions together for the ECO Solidarity project at CLOSEUP in May and the WantedDesign Online Exhibit in June.”
ECO Solidarity is a platform for designers to convene on issues relating to sustainability and the circular economy. The underlying objective is to unite design disciplines and industries around the globe in a resolve to create more ecologically-sound, human-centered designs that protect the environment, our health, and ecosystems—thereby restoring integrity in fractured communities and addressing the current humanitarian and climate hazards affecting our world.
Flemish Field Expert, Axel Clissen says “ECO Solidarity comes at a time where the world is realizing more than ever that joint efforts are essential to creating a unified and sustainable path forward. As such, the ambition of ECO Solidarity should lie beyond the design community as it deserves to aim for a global, broad, and diversified reach. The selection of narratives displayed show the true ingenuity humankind is capable of and aspire to in a world where nature and civilization go hand in hand.”
The program will commence at CLOSEUP 2021 presented by ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan, a platform to showcase design, and feature two 45-minute sessions on May 18, 2021 in which the participating designers will showcase their product launches, brands, and project presentations followed by panel discussions. The designers will be split into one of two categories based on their product/projects. The first session entitled, Design with Empathy: Public Spaces and Social Impact (10:05 AM EST) will feature AHA Objects, Atelier Ad Hoc, EOOS NEXT, and Herrmann & Coufal. The second session’s theme, Sustainable Material and Process: Research and Innovation (11:00 AM EST), will spotlight Algaeing, Livable, NAS-DRA Conscious Design, and Studio Plastique. Registration to attend either or both sessions is available on CLOSEUP’s website or through the followinglink.
A two-month-long online exhibition curated by Odile Hainaut and Claire PIjoulat in consultation with the show’s Advisory Committee—itself composed of academic field experts nominated by each participating institution—which will be presented by WantedDesign and hosted on WantedDesignnyc.com from June 15–August 15, 2021. The entire program is formulated to bring attention to sustainable, contemporary design solutions with a special emphasis on helping fractured societal bonds. The ECO Solidarity Advisory Committee includes: Martina Fineder (Austria); Axel Clissen (Belgium/Flanders); Giovanna Massoni (Belgium/Wallonie-Bruxelles); Danica Kovářová (Czech Republic); Dunja Karabaic (Germany); Jevon Vella (Malta); Ewa Bińczyk (Poland); and Adriana Blidaru (Romania); along with special advisor Tomek Rygalik of Studio Rygalik. For more information, visit wanteddesignnyc.com/eco-solidarity-2021.
The name of this initiative was inspired by the Solidarity social and political movement. Last year marked the 40th anniversary of the Solidarity formation (Polish: Solidarność), in 1980. It united displaced communities and various disciplines in a common cause and led to the collapse of the Soviet Union, setting the nations on course toward democracy.
One of our all-time favorite stores, The Citizenry, opened up a flagship store in the heart of SoHo. Located at 22 Crosby street, on a charming cobbled-stone street, the store’s interiors are the personification of the hygge design movement. Every corner and vignette is chock-full of beautiful, and/or cozy designs that beg to be taken home. From bedding to towels, throws, accessories, and rugs—everything you need to outfit your dwelling is at the tip of your fingertips. Featuring The Citizenry’s newest collections—including Turkey, Guatemala, and Japan—the store is also home to some of the globally-inspired brand’s most popular items. From the Baya Lumbar Pillow—handwoven in Mexico the women of Oaxaca—to the Tesoro Alpaca Throw, handwoven in Peru, fan favorites are plentiful.
The Citizenry’s flagship store showcases beautiful vignettes to inspire your home decor.
Given the times, The Citizenry is also making every effort to prioritize the safety of both its team and its customers. The large and airy space features contactless payment, hand-sanitizing stations, regular store cleanings, and complies with the CDC’s recommended mask-wearing. All of which is especially heartening given the store’s serenity-inducing feel and the fact that not only are people holiday shopping right now but with so many people spending so much more time at home, home renovations and redecorating are at all-time highs. It’s the perfect place to visit, shop, and redecorate in comfort. Did we mention style advice from the store is also on hand?
Left to right: Tesoro Alpaca Throw; Catalina Boucle Throw; Esperanza Alpaca Throw.
But back to shopping! New right now? We are particularly loving the Catalina Boucle Throw. It’s not only available as a throw or a bed blanket, but its unique wool blend (handwoven by master weavers in the Peruvian Andes) offers the perfect amount of texture and softness. For those that like a bit more pattern, the Esperanza Alpaca Throw is an attractive, modern take on an earthy plaid. Love to pamper yourself? Invest in the Japan Collection’s Imabari Waffle Towel Set—you will not regret it. As for some oldies that never go out of style? The Neena Area Rug is a soft-hued wool rug handwoven in India, available in two eye-catching, soothing hues. The equally attractive Diya Area Rug, handwoven in Jaipur, India, comes in two hard-to-choose-from hues, Olive and Rust. A large range of functional yet gorgeous basket designs will keep you organized in a stylish manner while the San Cristobal Wall Hanging will add the perfect touch to any wall for both minimalists and maximalists. The conclusion? Visit The Citizenry’s flagship store—inspiration abounds.
