A formal gala co-hosted by DIFFA Chair Emeritus Architect David Rockwell and featuring live performances and appearances from special guests such as actress Jane Krakowski, Broadway star Amber Man, members of the cast of Company, and DIFFA Board Chairman Cindy Allen, will take place on Thursday, March 24, to kick off the three-day event. The next day, Friday, March 25, guests are invited to DIFFA NIGHTS, a dance party featuring classic grooves and iconic fashion. Throughout the event, guests can view unique vignette installations from brands including Gensler, Steelcase, Carl Hansen & Søn, Jeffrey Beers International, and Florim, all at Center 415. Additional programming, such as panel discussions, a loom installation by Suzanne Tick, a pop-up shop from Robert Verdi, and a silent auction, will also take place during the three days to further activate and engage guests.
DIFFA BY DESIGN is emerging this year at a pivotal movement in the non-profit’s 50-year history, as the organization recently expanded its mission to also address challenges relating to homelessness, food scarcity, and mental health illness in the AIDS-afflicted community. Proceeds from the event will go towards supporting DIFFA’s partner organizations which contribute direct aid to impacted individuals and groups. For tickets, head to diffa.org/diffa-by-design/. To learn more about Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, check out Downtown Magazine’s profile on DIFFA Executive Director Dawn Roberson in our Summer 2021 issue, The Reformers.
As we head into the last weekend before Santa makes his masked and socially distanced midnight ride, it’s time to make sure everyone on your list is taken care of. Here are some of my favorite NYC gifts to give and receive.
Gem Spa Tote Bag
Gem Spa streetwear
The legendary Lower East Side newsstand and purveyor of the world’s best egg creams may not be with us in the physical realm anymore, but they live on in their collection of hoodies, tee shirts, joggers, hats, totes, and of course, face masks! Give the gift of rock and roll and literary New York history. Gemspanyc.com
Fire Escapes of New York
Tenement Museum Fire Escape ornament
The Tenement Museum tells the story of the immigrant communities that came to our shores looking for a better life and helped create the New York City we all know and love today. While the museum is closed due to COVID, you can still sign up for a walking tour of the Lower East Side, or shop in what I consider to be the greatest New York gift shop in all of the five boroughs. Their newest ornament pays homage to that classic feature of New York life, the fire escape. Tenement.org
Hudson Whiskey NY Bright Lights Big Bourbon
Cheers!
Hudson Whiskey is New York attitude, distilled. These fine spirits are handcrafted in Gardiner, New York, using grain from local, family farms. My personal favorite is Short Stack, a full-bodied New York Rye finished in maple syrup barrels. For stockists: hudsonwhiskey.com
Zen Holiday
TribeTokes CBD Gummies
Embrace the CBD lifestyle with TribeTokes, a woman-owned business located right here in the Meatpacking District, NYC. They have everything from tinctures and beauty products (try the green, superfood mask!), to vape pens. And the gummies, with 15mg of CBD each, make the perfect stocking stuffers. tribetokes.com
CW Pencils Charm
Write Stuff
It’s no secret that I am obsessed with pencils so when I discovered CW Pencil Enterprise on Orchard Street, naturally I became a regular customer. Their website is packed with great gift ideas, but I particularly love this little 14k gold pencil charm, designed by Cass Lilien, an NYC-based jewelry designer. Perfect for the creative people in your life. cwpencils.com
Russ & Daughters
Appetizing
Russ & Daughters is a 106-year-old appetizing shop that is part of the rich culinary history of the New York Jewish community. It is also the BEST place to buy smoked salmon, pickled herring, whitefish, as well as bagels, bialys, halvah, dried fruits, and more. Create your own spread to nosh on, or have the team put together a stellar platter or gift box for the ultimate in NYC gifts. shop.russanddaughters.com
John Derian Puzzle
Splendid Decor
John Derian is known for his decoupage work, which appears on everything from plates to coasters, and it’s all produced right here in NYC. But his East Village shop is also filled with all kinds of sweet and cheerful items, including Steiff animals, ornaments, home décor, textiles, art, and vintage and antique finds. These jigsaw puzzles are perfect for stay-at-home days. This one is a 19th century print of the Manhattan island. johnderian.com
Arielle Medea Coat
Fashionista
Texas-born Arielle launched her eponymous brand in 2018, after over 10 years in the fashion industry. The fully sustainable label is committed to zero-waste, ethical sourcing, and elegant, lasting style. The Medea Coat is made from vegetarian shearling using Responsible Wool Standard American merino wool backed with Repreve®, made from recycled water bottles. Oversized lapels and welt pockets highlight a clean, straight cut with open front. Fully lined in organic cotton. Made in NYC. shop.arielle.com
Bee Raw Butch Wax
Busy Bee
Bee Raw champions American family-run farms and apiaries and produces a collection of honey-based goods packaged in post-consumer paper, glass, and metal. Butchwax is a moisturizing balm that softens skin, made from beeswax, jojoba, rosemary, peppermint, and tea tree oils, and made right here in Industry City, Brooklyn, NYC. Beeraw.com
Get your cameras ready! The Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) is launching a new social media campaign to raise funds for a very important cause—and sparking a seriously fun design competition while at it! The first-ever Dining for DIFFA Design Challenge offers tabletop lovers a chance to showcase their creativity by creating an out-of-the-box dining experience at home. Inspired by DIFFA’s signature annual fundraiser—which always featured incredibly inventive dining vignettes from New York’s most talented designers—the Dining for DIFFA Design Challenge will run through April 25th. Submissions can range from luxuriously indulgent breakfast-in-bed set-ups, a decked-out holiday-themed setting, a decadent picnic in the living room, and a tablescape gone mad—in the best of ways of course.
DIFFA
How does it work?
Post your designed area/dinner on your Instagram feed and/or story and tag @diffanational with the hashtag #diningfordiffa and include the donation sticker linked to DIFFA on Instagram. Tag three or more friends and encourage them to participate as well! Follow @diffanational on Instagram to be eligible to win.
DIFFA
A jury of design professionals will vote on their favorite dining experience and the winner will be announced on/around May 1. The prize includes a $250 gift certificate for a future meal at home, inclusion in a press release sent nationwide, and a feature on various Instagram platforms including @DIFFANational, @DesignStandsTogether, @DesignCalendar and @NovitaPR
DIFFA
Support DIFFA’s grant-making efforts, by making a donation here. For more information on the Dining for DIFFA Design Challenge, click here.
In just a few weeks, the world’s leading brands and top talent will come together in a curated presentation of design, offering inspired vignettes by respected brands, design seminars, culinary demonstrations, and special appearances.
Imagine walking around to see the latest designs from furniture, accessories, lighting, and art to kitchen, bath, and building projects, the show offers thousands of products for you to source and shop, from independent makers and well-established manufacturers.
ADD Show is now in its 19th year and draws around 40,000 design aficionados to interact with incredible design displays from more than 400 brands.
“There are a lot of big brands that you’d expect here, but it’s kind of amazing how many smaller brands you can discover. It’s a free look as an architect at what’s going on in the world of design and what’s emerging right now.” —David Rockwell, Founder & President of Rockwell Group
“There’s nothing that surpasses the Architectural Digest Design Show in our industry. It is a meeting of great minds, and where our industry comes to exchange good ideas and take-home information that will improve their business. There’s really nothing that tops it. As seasoned as I am a professional, one would think I’ve seen it all, but more than half of what I see [here] I’ve never seen before.” —Jeffrey Bilhuber, AD100 Designer
PAUL-ÉMILE RIOUX
Mark your calendars, get some comfortable shoes, get tickets and come to meet Downtown Magazine’s team as this will be our first year as a media sponsor.
MARCH 19-22, 2020
Thursday, March 19: 10:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M. Open to design trade & VIP consumer ticket holders.
Friday-Saturday, March 20-21: 10:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M. Open to all ticket holders. Sunday, March 22: 10:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. Open to all ticket holders.
LOCATION PIER 94 55th Street at 12th Avenue
New York City 10019
This purchase includes a 2-month complimentary trial membership to AD’s new digital design community AD PRO which includes the current issue of AD Magazine, a $50 value.
Your ticket allows you complimentary access to DIFFA by DESIGN! A three-day confluence of design, art, shopping, and festivities located in a new venue Center 414, 415 5th Avenue. From the opening night DBD Gala to the one-of-a-kind industry chats, DBD will showcase the latest in the design world, all while raising money in the fight against HIV/AIDS. DIFFA by Design takes place on March 26-28, 2020. For more information go to diffa.org.
MIELE, INC.
Valid FRIDAY-SUNDAY
Includes re-admission all 3 days
$32.00+tax
Onsite ticket price is $45.00+tax.
Ticket purchase includes a 2-month complimentary trial membership to AD’s new digital design community AD PRO which includes the current issue of AD Magazine, a $50 value.
Your ticket allows you complimentary access to DIFFA by DESIGN! A three-day confluence of design, art, shopping, and festivities located in a new venue Center 414, 415 5th Avenue. From the opening night DBD Gala to the one-of-a-kind industry chats, DBD will showcase the latest in the design world, all while raising money in the fight against HIV/AIDS. DIFFA by Design takes place on March 26-28, 2020. For more information go to diffa.org.
Screen Shot 2020-02-05 at 2.24.08 PM
Valid FRIDAY-SUNDAY
Includes re-admission all 3 days
$32.00+tax
Onsite ticket price is $45.00+tax.
Ticket purchase includes a 2-month complimentary trial membership to AD’s new digital design community AD PRO which includes the current issue of AD Magazine, a $50 value.
Admission to the show is complimentary for Design Trade with proper credentials who pre-register prior to March 19, 2020. Design Trade are registered Interior Designers, licensed Architects, Landscape Designers, Set Designers, Developers, Contractors, and other design professionals. Students can register for complimentary admission. Valid credentials are required and include business cards, company credit cards, profession -membership cards, Tax ID. Along with a Government-issued Photo ID.
Your ticket allows you complimentary access to DIFFA by DESIGN! A three-day confluence of design, art, shopping, and festivities located in a new venue Center 414, 415 5th Avenue. From the opening night DBD Gala to the one-of-a-kind industry chats, DBD will showcase the latest in the design world, all while raising money in the fight against HIV/AIDS. DIFFA by Design takes place on March 26-28, 2020. For more information go to diffa.org.
Valid THURSDAY-SUNDAY
Includes re-admission all 4 days
Onsite ticket price is $45.00+tax.
Held on March 21–24 at Piers 92 & 94, the Architectural Digest Design Show brings together a wide array of established and emerging talent and over 400 luxury brands to discover each year. Now in its 18th year, the event also happens to be one of the only global design trade shows that offers consumers a vantage point into the exclusive world of interiors outside the pages of a magazine or on a TV screen. There is even a section on the show floor that caters to design aficionados’ need for instant gratification—in SHOPS, visitors are welcome to purchase brands’ wares and saunter out of the show with their finds. This week, Downtown readers can enjoy $5 off tickets from Friday, March 22–Sunday, March 24 with code: DOWNTOWNMAG. Below, enjoy a round-up of 10 makers, brands, and one spectacular event that is sure to entice any design enthusiast to the show.
Ngala Trading Co. is a luxury lighting and home decor brand known for offering unique and exotic handmade designs featuring sustainably sourced materials from across Africa. Each piece in the line, founded by Nick Geimer and Lawson Ricketts in 2016, marries European and African design styles in a mesmerizing manner. With designs utilizing feathers, porcupine quills, and leather fashioned into one chic chandelier (see above), there is so much to explore.
The Black Arts furniture and sculpture collection by Nicholas Hamilton Holmes is one very good reason to attend the show. The new collection showcases a variety of ‘tubular’ designs the artisan has manipulated and shaped into distinctive forms. Each piece, from lounge chairs, to book ends, to a cactus-like coat rack, is then dyed all black, allowing only the form’s true nature to stand out. To add a bit of levity, comfort, and depth, the designer adds Brazilian Soapstone, black Danish cord, Mongolian wool, and brass accents to some of his designs.
Founded by its namesake ceramist, New York-based ceramics and lighting studio John Sheppard will showcase eye-catching pieces inspired by Brutalist architecture and building materials. The asymmetrical base of the Conduit Incline Table Lamp (right) is handcrafted from slabs of sand-colored stoneware. A brass hardware piece traverses through it, yielding one unique, illuminating design
Canadian painter Janna Watson is known for her vibrant, abstract works of art. At this year’s AD Design Show, the artist is showcasing her deft hand at creating gorgeous, hand-tufted contemporary rugs. Inspired by her artful compositions, Watson is no longer solely satisfied by defining interiors’ walls but is now applying her talents to creating art underfoot as well.
Founded by Virginia Sin, SIN is chock-full of hand-built, handcrafted, and woven American-made home goods and objets d’art. With tabletops, pillows, furniture, and lighting – including a porcelain ice cream cone light that doubles as a vase – the one-of-a-kind offerings exhibited at SIN are worth the trek in themselves.
Nieve handwoven wool through and Puna handwoven pillow from Sien + Co.
Alexandra Gibson founded Sien + Co. in 2016 after touring Nepal with her daughter. When a lost luggage issue turned into a serendipitous encounter with a cooperative of Nepali artists in Kathmandu, Gibson returned to the US completely inspired. She left her job and began working towards creating handmade textiles with a modern touch. Today, Sien + Co.’s luxurious, handmade knit apparel and home furnishings are sustainably and ethically made. The furnishings are manufactured in collaboration with Identidad Argentina, a company that helps preserve traditional weaving and dying techniques.
If you weren’t particularly into tile before attending the show, Artistic Tile’s Billie Holiday-inspired, Billie Ombre might change your ideas of exactly how artful tile can be. The wave of vibrant colored glass was designed to not only create an overall ombre effect, but to mimic the legendary jazz musician’s trademark melodic expressions. Thematic variations in color are available.
Founded in 2011 by designer Gary Lee, Chai Ming Studios prides itself on impeccable craftsmanship, materiality, and artistry. With bespoke furniture pieces handcrafted to embrace texture, unique finishes, and the unexpected, each piece presents a unique point of view. At this company, it’s all about the collaborative process. Design solutions are aplenty at Chai Ming Studios.
True Residential’s 24″ Dual Zone Undercounter Wine Cabinets. Shown in antique white and gold (left) and matte black and copper.
A luxury home refrigeration brand, True Residential makes one of the most sought-after indoor/outdoor undercounter Dual Zone Wine Cabinets. At 24” in height, the cabinet not only accommodates a total of 45 bottles, but features two independent zones that can be adjusted from 40°F to 65°F and patented TruLumina LED lighting that illuminates your wines in a choice of 14 different ambient color options with the push of a button. Also, the units are now available in custom colors and finishes—perfect to design your bar around.
Gensler + Knoll, Dining by Design 2018; Photograph by Alan Barry.
Held in the neighboring Pier 92, an additional perk to attending the show is access to DIFFA’s Dining by Design. The venue is brilliantly transformed each year by some of the country’s top designers into an enthralling display of imaginative dining environments. Often frequented by design devotees and luminaries in the fields of art, fashion, and design, this immersive exhibit is pure creative and functional eye-candy. This year, visitors to the venue will be able to explore collaborative installations between powerhouse designers and brands, including one by Benjamin Moore and Cosentino designed by Tyler Wisler, and another from the New York Design Center designed by Marks & Frantz.
