Networx Brings Home the 2010 Architectural Digest Home Design Show

The Architectural Digest Home Design Show takes place this weekend at Pier 94 in New York. I had the pleasure of attending the show on the press and trade only day on Thursday and was very impressed with the wide range of products and price points of the exhibitors. Of course, we all know that Architectural Digest Magazine is the crme de la crme of shelter publications and their pages are filled with homes and products that aren't available to most of us. However, I was happy to see that there was a little something for everyone. Retailers like Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams had a large display, as did quite a few artisans and small handmade goods shops, which was exciting to see as well. The folks at AD report that the first day attendance was up over 30% from last year and that a readers' survey showed that 56% reported plans to spend an average of $43,000 on renovation projects in the next twelve months. This bodes well for the entire home improvement industry-stores will stock up, trades people will get bookings and interior decorators (ahem) will enjoy the sound of the phone ringing.

Muddwall

One of my very favorite finds at the show is the Muddwall. The Muddwall is a take on the mudroom, only without the room. Made by a custom woodworking firm in New York, the Muddwall currently comes in eight different styles and configurations. There are the usual coat and boot walls in styles ranging from coastal beadboard to an Arts and Crafts style. There is even a "Merlot wall" for storing wine and wine glasses, which is pictured above.

Aviva Stanoff Design Studio

Brooklyn based Aviva Stanoff Design Studio makes the most gorgeous velvet and bedazzled pillows I've seen in a long time. All items are made to order, or in very small batches such as their signature hand-dyed velvet pillows. I was particularly taken with their glittery "Bling Bling" and the sultry "Ostrich" pillows.

From The Source

This handmade furniture company, based in Brooklyn, features products made from gorgeous and exotic reclaimed or plantation grown woods. These are truly one-of-a-kind products. Their 25,000 sq. ft. studio warehouse has a stock of exotic slab and bases. Customers can create their own custom designs or select from a range of latest designs in their Chelsea Gallery.

Haddonstone

Haddonstone creates beautiful architectural cast stone products for home and garden. Their new line designed by the renowned architect Robert A.M.Stern features garden urns and planters in simple classic forms which are incredibly beautiful. While nearly everything in their catalogue is quite out of reach for most of us, I am pleased to see a newly released collection of "Small Key" planters that are very well priced and still have the wonderful look and style of their higher-end products.

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams are one of those stores that are always on my go-to list when designing an eclectic space for clients. A little modern, a little classical with some added funk-the furniture is well made and comfortable. One of their newest releases is Hutton Coffee table which is made from dark tobacco stained kolin wood veneers. The beveled edge detail is unique and the prices are reasonable as well. Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams is also known for their excellent corporate culture and personal touch. Their on-site day care center "Lulu's Child Enrichment Center" located at their corporate headquarters and is the first of its kind in the furniture industry. The center is education based and fees are based on a break-even formula. The center is named for their late beloved bull-dog Lulu who is also the corporate mascot. Customers are encouraged to send in photos of their own dogs for display on the company website. Fun!

EZ Decorator

One of my favorite tools for client presentations is the EZ Decorator Design & Decoration system. This unique product allows designers and design fans to create beautiful, hand rendered, illustrations of their design plans in minutes. With literally thousands of furnishing and fixture choices to choose from, it's peel and stick on steroids. Their latest product release is a Furniture & Room planner for overhead plan-views in " scale. If you're planning on making any major (or minor for that matter) furniture purchases, the ability to see a floorplan view of your room will help you avoid the catastrophe of purchasing furniture that is the wrong size for the space. Plus, it's a whole lot of fun!

Posted by: Linda Merrill