Architectural Digest Celebrates AD <3 New York Design Center!

This year at the New York Design Center was quite special! Architectural Digest and their Editor in Chief Margaret Russell gave a warm, warm welcome to all interested in design!

To celebrate at the NYDC with what they believe are great finds! I will follow the beautiful Ms. Russell anywhere, for her signature is so clear!

Margaret Russell, Editor in Chief of Architectural Digest Magazine

Since being with Architectural Digest; I definitely see a difference in the style and content of the magazine! You can just tell, more celebrities are opened to featuring their homes and the creativity is shown on its pages, with ideas that regular people are truly interested in!

So when arriving at the New York Design Center on Lexington Ave last Thursday, there was such a buzz in the air; I could n’t wait to explore the four floors of showroom bliss!

The showrooms were full of people, all scoring a spot near a bar to receive the signature drink of the night and talk about all the one of a kind of pieces; unique textiles, tapestries and how home furnishings keep on envolving. Beautiful pieces! I placed a few pics below of my favorites!

Even Twitter was involved, where the guests were asked to tweet their favorite #ADLOVESNYDC pick and tweet it right there! Although I made the mistake and tweeted (is that a word) a slipper chair I’d fell in love with, not one of AD’s picks!

It didn’t even matter, because the excitement of the feedback was amazing! Some people were tweeting for the first time in their life, which was actually quite funny…”Is it on my phone? Oh, I have to download the app!” The showroom staffers sure did not reckon on that they would be giving Twitter tutorials on how to be a certified tweeter!!!!!!!

The showrooms featured:

Baker Knapp & Tubbs

ARTERIORS Home

Henredon

Julian Chichester

Desiron by Frank Carfaro

Woodwrights Wide Plank Flooring

Dennis Miller Associates

PROFILES

Tufted furniture items with Contemporary coffee tables i

Bedroom Suite, with gorgeous Chandlier

More Fireplaces

Beautiful Mirror with me in the way!

Huge Mirror with Leather Bench and wood magazine rack

Slipper chair out of Linen

Silver tea cup! Unique!

Letia Mitchell, LMLSD tweeting away

Architectural Digest July 2013 Issue

Tufted chair with matching Ottoman

Slipper Chair I Love – the detail in the Fabric!!!

Bartenders making the night’s signature drink!

Fireplace – Movable

The night was quite enjoyable and I’d got the feedback that others also had a good time too! All rejuvenated with great ideas and finds!

The New York Design Center’s is a 16-story, 500000 square foot building with design items for the trade. Showroom search, floor plans, admission policy, news and events, staff, designer and more! Located at 200 Lexington Avenue, Suite 428 New York, NY 10016 Ph: 212.679.9500 Fax: 212.447.1669 @nydc @archdigest

Letia

Kips Bay 39th Annual Decorator Show House 2011

I made it!  Where?

Kips Bay Boy & Girls Club’s 39th annual decorator Show House, that’s where!

This is where designers, textiles and companies donate their time; with a challenge to transform a selected home; from the basics to extra, extra extraordinary!  Stretching their vision to the ultimate!

Kips Bay addresses many critical needs of children, adolescents and young adults:

• a safe place where they can “belong”
• a place to play and grow socially with peers
• adult mentoring
• a place to challenge oneself physically and intellectually and be recognized for accomplishments, and opportunities to give back something to others.

It’s great opportunity for the designer to have their vision shown.  All articles shown can be purchased, where all proceeds benefit the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club! A lot of work, but all done for their love of the club.

Well the show house did not open its doors until Noon!  So I was an 1 hr early and decided to dine at the Ritz Diner.  A small diner, at 62nd st on 1st Ave.   I had a broccoli & cheese COMBO omelette; with a cup of coffee!  It was wonderful!  www.ritzdinenyc.com.

Ok!   Now, this year’s choice is a 1919 brownstone, designed by the architect Frederick Sterner on a historical New York City block, 63rd Street.

There are quite a few celebrities which live in the area, (60 -68 th Street) like Bill Cosby and Sting to name a few.  Central Park is nearby, the 59th Street Bridge is close by for a quick hop to the borough of Queens and a slew of restaurants you could ever imagine…Greek, Italian, Indian…you name it,  it’s here!

Still returning a little early, I waited with this lovely woman, who has convinced me that I must see Morocco!  Which I have indicated before in one of my earlier posts that I have to go!

The doors opened, I was the 3rd person to enter and was so taken back about the entrance.  I began snapping pictures, until one of the volunteers said “You are not allowed to take photos”.  Oops!  I’d taken about 10 -15 already!  “Sorry” I said.  So, I only got a few to share with you!  But more importantly it is about the cause!

Ever think about having pinstripe gray flannel walls?  How about turning your laundry room into a bar with neon lights!  Designer Stephen Fanuka thought, why not!!!!  Oh, instead having a huge flat screen TV – a mini Sony  ® Internet TV with Concierge, so quaint for any room.  A copper inspired kitchen by Bilotta.

How about, making a fish net into a shower curtain!

What being part of a Zen garden with a Buddha right behind while meditating?

Oh! Remember last year, I’d talked about Interior Design Magazine’s cover with a giraffe, well a baby giraffe was found lurking around!!! LOL

Such creativity!  Such Fun!  Whether your home is big or small, you can do with it, what you may!!

So if you are on Facebook (who isn’t), you can see more pictures  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kips-Bay-Boys-Girls-Club-Decorator-Show-House/127163207319000

Well I ended the day at their POP UP Shop; which has wonderful items!  I was looking for their fragrant candles, where I was told that they are on hold; until their supplier can find a sponsor.   I luckily have one left, but will be checking to see when they’re in stock!

Oh! Gilt Home will feature some of the items shown at the Show House for sale.  If interested join Gilt Home at www.gilt.com/kipsbayshowhouse

If you would like to know more about The Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club, go to their site: www.kipsbay.org

I had such a wonderful day!   With keeping Kip’s mission in mind, the Kips Bay’s Designer committee is still working.  As soon as this year’s event has ended, they begin planning next year’s!  So if you are NYC next year, during the month of May….do make plans to see it!

Letia 🙂

Images provided by Kips Bay Decorator Show House, You Tube video by LM LifeStyle & Design.

Where are They Going To Sit?

This evening, Kathi of Davenport, IA sent me an e-mail with the following question; here’s my answer:

“I’m having guests over for dinner and my husband didn’t tell me that he invited some more friends and I’m panicking because my dining room table only seats 6.  What should I do?” 

Seating should be the least of your worries.  By all means, DO NOT tell them not to come! Why put so much pressure on yourself!  If you are having 10 guests, then you are only have to get 4 extra chairs.  You can either go to the local thrift store and look for the extra chairs which are compatible to your current dining chairs.   They don’t have to match at all. 

 If you are worried about the seats; you can always go to your fabric store and change it!   Just unscrew the screws which are under the seat, using the old fabric as a pattern to cut the new fabric.  Get a staple gun, safety goggles and reapply with the same foam or a glue gun can be used (I prefer the staple gun). 

If your dinner party is more than 10 guests, you might want to have the party outside – where there is more room and really yell at your husband (a little).  If it’s bad weather (it is October), then I suggest not a sit down dinner; but a cocktail party, with various appetizers on 8″ plates.   Now, say buying new chairs are not in the budget, you can always get some folding chairs and cover them with slip covers to match your decor! Check Bed, Bath & Beyond at E. 53rd St; $7.99.

Too often the host worries so much about preparing the party, that when the dinner party happens, they are so exhausted – that they seldom get to engage like they hoped to.  Remember it’s a party!  Not a “Oh, I’m so tired – this was a lot of work”.  This phrase should not be said; you will make your guests fill guilty.  So don’t panic, just plan. 

You still have time, get those RSVPs, look for the chairs, plan your meal, drinks, etc.  You will be just fine!

Oh!  When you receive RSVP calls from your invites, if they ask what could they bring.  Try to avoid flowers, for you don’t want to spend too much time finding vases and arranging them for this will also take away from guests at the dinner party.  Wine, candles, candy are great ideas.

Kathi…just have fun!!  Let me know, how it turns out!  

Good Luck – Lee 🙂

If you have any questions, please e-mail me at lee@lmlifestyleanddesign.com