Features
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Instant Serenity at Play
Blush bedding collection How do you like your home décor? Elegant, quietly understated, serene, seamless? If that is the case, then the Calvin Klein Home spring collection is perfectly suited for your home. While previewing their latest arrivals, (the minimalistic designed flagship store is on Madison Avenue), I experienced the venerable brand true meaning of what it takes to indulged in home decor that is visually stimulating, relaxing, comfortable and sublime. Here are some of the items that caught my eye.
(Left: A modern take on a traditional floral; layers of slipper pink, blossom, and thistle are printed underneath a striated pigment texture. Reminiscent of a vintage botanical print of dahlia flowers and paired with delicate Gossomer Sheeting in 100% pure combed cotton percale with softly etched waves in a rose tint on an ecru ground. )
Reverse twill matelassé 
Vintage indigo body pillow, one size, hand sewn, limited edition 
The maya overdye collection – labradorite hematite rug 
Silver vine bedding collection 
Cambium Lines Oak Bowls,Ebonized Oak painted white -
From Pompei to Your Home
Red and Grey Cup, 2014, Ceramic A few weeks ago, I had an interesting conversation with a client, after the end of an art consultation. He wanted to know if I knew about Russian-born British artist Yuri Kuper. This was a rather surprising question, especially since we were on the topic of contemporary Asian Art, just a few minutes ago. Yuri’s name was rather vague, but I did remember receiving a catalogue about his exhibit that took place at Friedman Vallois back in November. And so by the time I told him to wait on some of my research, and writing this post, it was with some satisfaction that I learned that his latest works, a series of thirteen teacups, appeared “ageless, as if discovered from excavations, broken and burnt by the flames and destruction of a devastating earthquake”. Yet, they have this natural appeal, this genuine artistry, that strengthen our imagination.
Green and Pink cupm 2014, Ceramic 
Grey and Pink cup, 2014, Ceramic 
Grey Cup, 2014, Ceramic 
White Cup, 2014, Ceramic 
Yellow Cup, 2014, Ceramic Yuri Kuper’s work is included in the permanent collections of many prestigious museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of New York, The Museum of Modern Art of New York, The Boston Fine Art Museum, the Puskin Museum in Mosow, the Trityakov Gallery in Moscow and the Fonds National d’Art Contemporain in France to name a few.
To learn more about Yuri Kuper’s work, or to buy his latest Pompeian pieces, please contact our office.
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Paris’ Top Street Photographer
Robert Doisneau’s photography brings joy, laughter, happiness, and sometimes even some tears. His body of work is intriguing, fresh, and enchanting.Born in Gentilly, France in April 1912, Robert was mainly known for his candid street photography that focuses on The City of Light. His artwork is staged in homes, art fairs, auction houses, museums and galleries worldwide. Even yours truly is a Robert Doisneau collector.
The endearing photographer remains memorable, and a favorite among collectors and gallery owners.
His photography suggests a Paris long gone, but which many still yearned to have been part of.
Even today, Robert Doisneau’s photography is prominently displayed in homes, art fairs, auction houses, museums and galleries across the world.
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Chic Lifestyles from Assouline
Internationally known for their exquisite volumes of lifestyle books on Fashion, Design, Travel, and Art (to name a few subjects) as well as their admired spirit and savoir-faire, Assouline, the celebrated publishing house who is celebrating their 20 year anniversary, is set to début Assouline Interiors in the Fall of 2014. The conceptual luxury brand is well poised to feature a complete lifestyle furnishing collection for contemporary libraries and chic offices around the world. Last month, I traveled to the legendary Plaza Hotel, where their second floor bookstore has been transformed to one of the city’s choicest destination, where fashionable New Yorkers, and infinite tourists can escape to the world’s most vibrant cities, art and fashion spheres. The beauty of the bookstore is that, not only is it well situated, it is beautifully designed for individuals who have embraced the so-called “good life”. In this particular trip, I got to witness the launch of their book bags and candles.
That’s right. Book bags and candles.
Introducing the new Assouline Book Bags & Candle CollectionsAnd so after nearly a decade of launching their brand, it seems that Assouline has now added a new spark to their collections by creating an excessive presentation of deluxe scented candles that were created to arouse a rich and subtle fragrance to any library. Paper, Havana, Culture Lounge, Leather, and Wood are the names of their candle series. It should be noted that the company is also planning on opening a lifestyle showroom at the D&D Building in October, as well as a flagship store in London’s West End, in the City of Westminster, a place famously known as Piccadilly. The second floor of the D&D showroom will premiere not only their candles and book bags collections, but it will be the core of Assouline Interiors, which highlights their prolific lifestyle brand.
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The Jet Set Life: Q&A with Nina Flohr
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Nest & Rest in The Hamptons
James Huniford’s InteriorsIt was an all white gala affair at the 2nd Annual Holiday House Hamptons opening party presented by HC&G (Hamptons Cottages & Gardens) last Saturday, June 28th in the quaint town of Sag Harbor, New York. This Decorators Showhouse which has quickly gained popularity for its high credentials of star-studded list of high profiled designers and committee members, is also noteworthy for raising funds to help The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®. This year, the model house took place at the much-anticipated Watchcase (which is under construction, and we were told that every single unit is already sold). Holiday House Hamptons officially opened on Sunday, June 29, 2014, at 15 Church Street in Sag Harbor, New York.The showhouse will be open to the public daily through Labor Day, September 1st.
Being in the country, many of the designers, like Milly de Cabrol had the lovely fortune of showcasing some airy and memorable outdoor living spaces. The overall decoration of the house can be described as a sort of easy elegance, mixed with the most luxurious designs for the home and gardens. And why not? Surely, the surrounding neighborhood most certainly can afford them. Watchcase, the unit in question, is a 130-year old historic, former watchcase factory undergoing a dramatic transformation by the developers Cape Advisors into the Hamptons’ first resort-style luxury condominium project. Upon completion, Watchase will hosts a two-bedroom penthouse loft, a six-bedroom townhouse and a one-bedroom bungalow.The participating designers for the 2nd annual Holiday House Hamptons are: Bjørnen Design, ID Creations, Brady Design, Jen Going Interiors, Campion Platt, Milly de Cabrol – Ani Antreasyan, Dale Cohen Design Studio, Scott Formby, Elizabeth Dow Home, Studio MRS, Elsa Soyars Interior Design, Tamara Magel, Eugenia Au Kim, The Design Studio, Terra Design, Huniford Design Studio, Vicente Wolf, and West Chin Architects.Get inspired and support a notable cause by visiting www.holidayhousehamptons.com.HUNIFORD DESIGN STUDIO
James Huniford
James Huniord interiors reflect “pure” design and a stunning homage to the Bauhaus movement, as well as a notable nod to outstanding artists like Louise Nevelson, Cy Thombly, and Martin Puryear.
Huniford Design Studio’s Living/Dining Room Area (And Terrace)JEN GOING INTERIORS
A nod to mystical India by Jen Going InteriorsID CREATIONS
Details from Iris Dankner’s Living/Dining Room InteriorsTHE DESIGN STUDIO
Eugenia Au Kim/The Design Studio
Participating Designers of The 2014 Holiday House ShowhouseSCOTT FORMBY
Opening remarks were made by interior designer, 17-year cancer survivor,
and Holiday House founder Iris Dankner
Interior Designer Milly de CabrolBJORNEN DESIGN
This magical ‘jungle’ of a bathroom is a celebration to the joys of gardening.
A true favorite!WEST CHIN ARCHITECT
Interior Designer John D. Eason
MILLY de CABROL – ANI ANTREASYAN
East Coast terrace transformed into a European garden by designers Milly de Cabrol
and Ani Antreasyan.
James Huniford (Middle) and friends
Vyna St. Phard
Katarina Novakova (Head and Hand PR), and HC&G Cottages and Gardens Editorin front of West Chin’s “Summer Love” townhouse living and dining rooms, a tented oasis created to feel like summer in the South of France designed by Vicente Wolf.CAMPION PLATT
Interior Designer Campion Platt
A peaceful, and elegant spa-like bathroom by Campion Platt
Campion Platt’s penthouse master bedroom inspired by a “Spring Awakening”.TAMARA MAGEL HOME
Bedroom and Bathroom by Tamara MagelImages by High End Weekly™All rights reserved -
Q&A with Pablo Picasso’s Grandson
Last week, on a muggy day that felt like last year’s summer, I left my office a little after 3 in the afternoon to scurry down to the Sofitel Hotel which is located a few steps away from the heart of the city, a place otherwise known as Times Square. It was there that I was to preview, and later on, interview the grandson of Pablo Picasso, Olivier Widmaier Picasso. Picasso has a grandson who is also an artist? No, not quite. Although he understandably have a real flair for exquisite art, the 54-year-old Parisian, who was trained as a lawyer, is the author of many books about his celebrated grandfather. He is also a journalist, who is getting ready to release a documentary on Picasso later this year. “Revealed” a new photography exhibition that is currently on display at the lobby of Sofitel New York, is curated by Oliver Widmaier Picasso. All 30 individual photographs were chosen by him, from the archives of Paris March, a weekly french newspaper. These intimate snapshots offer a unique window into the lives of blue chip artists like Salvador Dali, Rene Magritte, Jeff Koons, Keith Haring, and of course, Pablo Picasso.High End Weekly™: First of all, congratulations on this exhibition. In “Revealed” one recognized a solid group of global artists, that I myself have admired for decades. How did you come to the initial idea or realization of selecting them?Olivier Widmaier Picasso: Softel and Paris March came to me and offered this unique opportunity to create an energetic ensemble in a very candid manner. Some of these artists are seen in the privacy of their living rooms, others are seen on the streets. The idea was to create an exhibit which portrait those solitary artists, at times, playing with the camera. Some of the artists are a little shy, a little passive even. Other artists like Pablo Picasso, Jeff Koons, Salvador Dali are quite the opposite. Looking at the photographs, it become clear that they are playing with the camera, they found the photographers a bit amusing. One gets the sense that they are showing the photographers what they want them to see. They want to project that they are in control of the situation. Are they revealing themselves? You be the judge.
“Reveled” a photography exhibition curated by Oliver Widmaier PicassoFrom left: French filmmaker Henri-Georges Clouzot, and Pablo PicassoHEW: Have these pictures been shown to the public before?OWP: Of course, they were originally published in Paris Match, but what’s unique about this exhibit is that they have never been shown together in the way that you see them here. Working with my team, it was important to have the juxtaposition of the images right. We wanted to show all the artists together in a way that make the entire tableau “complete”. There are elements of surprise here and there. And at other times, you can easily see the relationship that they have with each other.
René Magritte, and his candelabra, 1965“This is a more innovative way
to showcase individual art to people.
We are so use to going to museums,
or galleries in order to enjoy art.
This exhibit is a new way to show people
a moment of creation, and the intimacy of the artists.”
Olivier Widmaier PicassoHEW: Is there a story behind this curated group of photographs? As the storyteller that you are, was that your intention when you were putting it all together?OWP: I was ready to be discreet behind the power of each picture. I felt quite honored really when I was asked to put the exhibit together. At the same time, my team and I did not want to betray the situation. When you have great artists like Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Keith Haring as the subjects, when putting it all together, I felt that somehow, I was part of each of their history. It was a proud moment for me.
The lobby of Sofitel New York
Jeff Koons“… you also have people who arelooking for emotion – at any price.Even if it is a small price, for a small drawing.”Olivier Widmaier PicassoOWP: You have to be a storyteller. Having a background in television, I’m very aware of the fact that people love a good story. And so in this case, I was thinking we have to make a novel (Smile). Because you know, these artists were very important artists at the beginning of the 20th century, and right until our time.
Salvador Dali pausing with Frederika: “The Queen of Venus”, 1965Think about it. It’s quite extraordinary knowing that there is over 110 years of art between these artists. 110 years! So surely they all have a tremendous story to tell. There are some happy stories, there are some sad stories as well. When you think about Keith Haring… His story is very touching. Here we see him in the photograph as a simple guy, casually dressed. Perhaps he did not realized it at the time how his legacy, his artwork was going to morph to a high magnitude. His story symbolizes a link to AIDS, especially during the 1980s. Keith Haring was so close to the public, he was such a popular artist, even though he had a short career.
Olivier Widmaier Picasso’s latest book – Picasso: Portrait In Time“It was not only aboutthe artists being the subject,but it’s about the photography as well.And so with these multiple layers,you have to be innovative,and careful at the same time.”Olivier Widmaier PicassoHEW: What do you think about the globalization of art?
OWP: It’s a big question, because today in the art market where you have all those auction sales, you have the urgency from new clients. The point is, most people want to buy a “record”. What do I mean by that? Most people don’t want to buy the painting. They want to buy the most expensive painting available for that particular artist, the one which will hold the highest record price. And on the other side, we know that the art world is made of artists, experts, historians, curators, specialists, journalists that are maintaining the art world, which is also a “scientific world”. Therefore, money is the point, but you have to remind yourself that there is emotion. Humans have emotions. We need more than a car, a plane, a painting. Of course, like I said before, you have people who are looking at the “record”, but you also have people who are looking for emotion – at any price. Even if it is a small price, for a small drawing. Having said all that, I’m quite optimistic. Quite optimistic about the art world.Photo credit High End Weekly™All rights reserved -
Decorating Tips from a Showhouse
Greenbaum Interiors, Mansion in May Designer Show HouseIt’s been almost two weeks since the Mansion in May, a magnificent show house, opened its doors to the public in Peapack-Gladstone, New Jersey. And this year, the chosen model home is a 62,000-square-foot Louis XIV Chateau-style mansion known as Blairsden. Surrounded by breathtaking rolling hills, this majestic mansion is made of limestone and brick, and features a linear design that is classically made of tall columns, grand hallways, and elaborate carved mantles and moldings. This masterpiece was designed by the renowned architecture firm Carrere and Hastings, which by the way were also responsible for the construction of the New York Public Library, the Frick mansion on 5th Avenue, the U.S. Senate and House office buildings and several large mansions in Newport, Rhode Island.
This grande dame of beaux arts-style mansion was decorated by approximately 50 designers, one of whom I’m very familiar with his work, James Rixner. James designed the grand salon at Blairsden, a beautiful and bright room which was generously decorated with furniture from the Italian company Columbo Mobili. He used elegant design accents from the legendary glass and lighting company, Baccarat, and finished the room with heavenly textiles from Clarence House.This season, Mansion in May is the show house that is not to be missed. Blairsden is managed by The Women Association, who are now in their 17th year of running this noteworthy charity that benefits the Goryeb Children’s Hosptial at Morristown Medical Center. During their last fund raising for Mansion in May, they’ve raised an impressive $1.2 Million which benefited the expansion of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, and a new Pediatric Autism and Child Development Center. The Showhouse is open to the general public now until Saturday, May 31, 2014.
Clarence House textiles in one of the guest bedroom
Interior designer James Rixner‘s grand salon
Scott Seibold of Canterbury Design brought to life the kitchen at Blairsden
Photos by High End Weekly™All rights reserved -
High Tea in Gramercy Park
Let’s talk about one of my favorite topics – English High TeaUnlike afternoon tea, high tea is not so dainty. High tea is the divider between day from night, sometimes around six in the afternoon, and not at the more idle and elegant afternoon-tea hour of four to five.
In the north of England and Scotland, high tea still reigns! In such surroundings, what you’ll find is a large table spread with a white cloth; a heavy brown Firestone teapot pouring tea strong enough to trot a mouse on.
A side of smoked ham, maybe an eggs and bacon pie; a generous wedge of cheese; a dish of tomatoes and a bunch of watercress. Let’s not forget a plate of sandwiches, hot toasted tea cakes; and appetite-cutting cakes, often baked from recipes unique to the region, full of dried fruit and oatmeal and ginger.Do not expect to find delicate pretty cakes like mille feuilles or meringues; frosted confections; creamy gateaux; little fingers crooked over teacups, silver tea pots and fine porcelain – and social chit-chat, at an English High Tea.Yes, High Tea is totally unlike what we have here in America, and what we get served at the usual posh places.
Sandwiches define the English afternoon tea: its presentation and filling; its size and shape and slenderness; whether it is with or without the crust. Tea sandwiches should know their place—that is, before the scones and well before the cake.
The British custom of thwarting late afternoon fatigue with a steaming cup of black tea, delicate sandwiches, tea cakes and biscuits dates back to Victorian times. According to lore, the Duchess of Bedford popularized the meal in Queen Victoria’s court. A simple, infallible mood-lifter, it’s easy to see why afternoon tea persists as a habit today in England and abroad in Australia and New Zealand.What we consider High Tea here in America is in fact afternoon tea. The next time you decide to stop by the Peninsula Hotel, or Lady Mendl’s for a “spot of tea”, keep in mind that at the end, you will be served with a very “high” bill, but not necessarily High Tea.
- Decorative Arts, Design, Editor's Top Picks, Features, Furniture, I Saloni, Interior Design, Italy, Lighting
Top Design Trends from Milan
I Saloni is 50 years young this year, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at the design trends that keep trickling down each year at this iconic luxury design trade show. Planning to attend? You’re in for a treat since you’ll be able to touch, marvel, and experience the world’s best furniture design.I Saloni is where you’ll find a variety of furniture and accessories – from classical to modern. With an increasing audience each year, no wonder this is the quaintessial place where you’ll find firsthand, the trendsetters of tomorrow.
Scene XXL by Montis Designer: Gijs Papavoine 
Hanoi by Prandina Designer: Federico Churba 
Breva by Molteni & C. Designer: Arik Levy 
Duplex by Matteograssi Designer: Piero Lissoni - Books, Entertainment, Features, Flowers, Flowers as Art, Gardens, Life and Style, Lifestyle, Olivier Goigmo
The Wondrous World of Parisian Florist Olivier Giugni
Parisian Flair
For the last few days, I’ve been eagerly anticipating my copy of Living Art by Oliver Giugni, and was not one bit disappointed when it finally arrived in the mail. Oliver’s latest book has a multitude of pages, all filled with stunning photographs, of some of the most breathtaking floral creations I have ever seen. My love for flowers, especially when they are beautifully arranged by such a talented florist like Olivier, will never wither away, even when the time has come to close the book and move on with my day.L’Olivier Floral Atelier has a definite flair. Located at 19 East 76th Street, and 213 West 14th Street, it is truly “a wondrous world of flower extravaganza”.
