Kind Finds from The 2015 Architectural Digest Home Design Show

It's become the much anticipated yearly event. Once a year, during the third week in March, The Architectural Digest Home Design Show sponsored by Architectural Digest and The New York Times, take over pier 94 overlooking the Hudson River. Members of the trade and homeowners flock to this great event to learn about the latest and greatest in home design and technology - it's where art, science and technology come together for the home. 

This year color and design seemed to take front and center stage in all areas of the home from kitchens and baths to home accessories. Having attended for several years now, I've noted subtle changes from year to year, some for the better, some not. Last year, I left a bit disappointed and felt the event had turned more into a kitchen and bath show. This year, I have seen notable improvements in the layout of the show making the floor much easier to navigate - from the placement of the coat check to additional seating for weary feet. While the kitchens seemed to take center stage, I was glad to see more furniture again this year. As always I love the MADE section - the smaller artisans, and the addition of smaller home accessories into the mix. 

Below is just a sampling of some of the many and varied finds. 

Vetro Vero always captures my attention. Sleek, elegant and sublime, from stemware to barware, to vases and pitchers, these hand-blown, modern Venetian designs by Michael Schunke and Josie Gluck are stunning.  Find modern Venetian style goblets, functional wine decanters, stemware, and inspired home decor in bright jewel tones and smokey neutral colorways. Vetro Vero hand blown glass designs include Flat Pitchers, color-block Incalmo Vases, graceful Tapered Bottles and functional Flower Vases have garnered attention from such publications as Veranda, Elle Decor, Vogue, Traditional Home, Brides to name just a few. For more visit their website. 

Hand-blown Venetian glass decanter detail by Vetro Vero

Handblown Venetian stemware by Vetro Vero

This magnificent agate table immediately caught my attention. It comes to us from The Matthew Studios collection which is inspired by nature and incorporates material that deeply resonate with founder, Katherine Wildt O'Brien, such as rough quartz crystal, semi-precious gems, exotic skins and lucite. For more information on this and other agate tables, please visit her website.  

Pendant light from Hubbardton Forge, the oldest and largest commercial forge in the country had so many wonderful designs this year. The company was founded in 1974 -  Watergate was the big scandal, The Sting was the box-office hit, and artists and entrepreneurs George Chandler and Reed Hampton fired up their first blacksmithing forge in a drafty old Vermont barn.

With anvils, swage blocks, trip hammers and other tools from a bygone era, the two set out to revive the nearly forgotten craft of hand-forging raw metal into functional art. Their innovative designs became recognized for their simplicity and integrity. From these humble beginnings, one of the most respected brands in the industry was born.

Today, Hubbardton Forge is the oldest and largest commercial forge in the country with a team of over 200 people creating hand-forged lighting of timeless beauty and artistry…an American wrought-iron renaissance. For more and to view their entire product line please visit their website. 

Hubbardton Forge

Carolyn Cartwright creates her lamps in the tradition of the Venetian masters, with a more modern approach. She creates her lamps to give focus and expression to a space. Her aim is to make objects today that will become the heirlooms of tomorrow. Her lamps are spectacular in color and shape. For more information please visit her website.

I loved this lamp. I don't know who the designer is but it was on display with The Lacquer Company. 

I'm madly in love with everything about The Lacquer Company. Founded in 2008 by James Lowther, the designs are clean, modern and sensible yet retain the English influences from his first job at Colefax & Fowler in London. Lowther's design projects mix classic and modern elements and can be found in numerous apartments, townhouses and beach houses in Manhattan and the Hamptons. 

Lowther bought his first piece of lacquer when travelling in Burma fifteen years ago; a century-old betel box in burnt orange that, even today, remains one of his favorite things. It was from that experience that he learned about the lacquer process and began to appreciate the patience, skill and attention to detail that goes into the finest examples.

Lowther has partnered with such talent as Rita Konig, Martin Brudnizki and Steven Gambrel who have collaborated on the design. For more please visit the company website. 

LAFCO New York is among one of my most favorite fragrance companies. LAFCO (Luxury Articles and Fragrance Company) was established over 20 years ago when founder, Jon Bresler, quit his job as a lawyer to pursue his passion for body care. In 1992, Jon began travelling across Europe, foraging for hard-to-find specialty items and learning about how they were made. He supplemented his research with a self-imposed apprenticeship to study the nuances of alchemy and perfumery. As Jon grew fascinated with the rich histories of these disciplines, he envisioned LAFCO as a company that would actively participate in their preservation.  LAFCO grew as Jon trained with internationally renowned creators of natural skin care and perfumes, and eventually imported their entire collections. He carefully maintained the spirit and integrity of every line as he brought them together to recreate an authentic European apothecary experience in his native New York. Products range from soaps (both hard and liquid) to candles and diffusers, to hand cream. Using only all-natural ingredients, these products emit the most wonderful, natural and clean fragrances that are neither too potent or too mild. WIth stores in New York City and Dallas, you can also find their products at various boutique store across the country, as well as on line. The packaging is as exquisite as the products and will enhance any home. For more visit their website. 

More products from LAFCO 

Ping Pong for the luxury set. This gorgeous glass ping pong table designed by Calma e Gesso brings the game to a whole new level. For those seeking to bring recreation out of the basement and playroom this may be what you're looking for. Grace and elegance, clean modern lines make this luxury item perfect for the home for those who work hard and play hard. Until now, one may not place the words sophistication and ping pong together in the same sentence. How much will this set you back? Just a cool $30K!

For more information on Calma e Gesso please visit their  website

Smeg is an Italian company has captured my heart and attention. What beautiful design and such graceful looking products ranging from tea kettles to blenders and mixers to ovens to beverage coolers. I will write more on them at a later time. 

At House of Rohl you'll find that authentically crafted faucets and fixtures are more than just form and function. They are truly pieces of art made by artisans using skillsets that have been passed on from generation to generation. Each fixture celebrates craftsmanship, heritage and authenticity.

Whether formal and sumptuous or simple with clean linear lines. Each piece is crafted with precision. 

For more information on House of Rohl and to see their extensive collection, please visit their website. 

To see these and hundreds and hundreds more visit The Architectural Digest Home Design Show's website. 

And be sure to wear flats or comfortable walking shoes! 

I was quite taken by these Nestled Cylinder Pendants from Jamie Harris Studio.Made in New York, these pieces play on stacking geometric forms to create sophisticated lighting structures that illuminate with elegance.  Colors and fixture are custom-designed for your project.  Available as individual pendants, or can be built into chandeliers in any shape. For more information visit Jamie Harris Studio.

This wood assemblage by Michael Sanzone was created from wood found at an Irish whiskey distillery. For more visit Kathryn Miriam's website.

Eric Trine describes himself as a "I'm Eric Trine. I consider myself an object based studio artist and designer, or more simply, a maker of things." He designs by making instead of by drawing.  Each idea starts with a tool instead of a pencil. For more on the artists and his creations, visit his website.

Mehmet Cetinkaya Gallery brings us beautiful fabrics from Istanbul. For more visit their website. 

Mehmet Cetinkaya

Cowhides and bold graphics create a modern juxtaposition between material and pattern. The rug’s outline is natural and unique to each piece. Each one is hand painted in Brooklyn. For more visit Avoavo.

Cowhide pillows via Avoavo.

Gorgeous linens and home accessories from Japanese-made Rikumo.

Japan Made Rikumo

Italian Dinnerware by Arte Italica

I was mesmerised by the Calico Wallpaper

Everything old is new again and this Kickback Coffee Table is the perfect example. 

This table was designed for the music lover who takes his downtime seriously. It’s the ultimate table to come home to after a long day—with a recessed area to house a turntable, a side cutout for an amp, a niche for over 120 albums, and a solid brass inset to hold a whiskey or wine bottle (or ash tray if you live in a legal state). Kick back, enjoy a drink or a smoke, and when side A comes to an end, no need to get up—just lean over, flip the record, and pour another finger. For more information visit the Atocha Design website.

I was quite taken by the beauty of these glass decanters by Chesterfield Glass Art. 

Mitchell Black, a new tradition for gift and home is new to the show this year. It is a nod to the past and a focus on the present. This celebrates the aesthetic from the past through modern living. It all began in 2012 from a collection of vintage copper and silver plate etchings. I loved the modern whimsical accessories. For more visit their website.