Design Guy: NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL GIFT FAIR: Day Four- Part I

As market began to wind down on the fourth day, we moved into high gear realizing we had several hundred thousand feet to cover and only a few hours left. No polite glances left for the hopeful booth tenders looking to snag a potential buyer. We looked straight ahead as we navigated through the crowds to make certain we got to all of the remaining vendors on our list that we had yet to see this week. We moved fast and covered so much ground that I have to make this 'ginormous' post in two parts. Enjoy!

First stop: Ann Gish, the former Californian now New Yorker and spirited designer of the fine linen line that bears her name was holding court in her booth when we walked up,

Never having met her, I asked very direct questions about the line, as I'm well known for, one being a question at the end of her presentation, "and how do you know that it holds up?"

"I'm Ann Gish, this is my company", she answered.

"Oh", I said

"What's your sign?" She asked

"Aries", I replied.

"I can deal with your kind!" She answered

And on we went, bantering back and forth amid learning about her beautiful line of linens. The net result: We liked them very much and you can expect to see them in Cabana Home stores by year end. Ann Gish Linens will be presented as only the second line of fine linens we’ve approved for sale in our stores, joining the linens by Matouk New York.

Ann Gish is known for her development of sheeting made of washable 100% silk. I know it seems a bit shocking, silk bedding could be washable, really? Well here’s what Ann’s website says about silk: Silk has the strongest tensile strength of any natural fiber; silk is naturally hypoallergenic, dust mites cannot line in silk. Silk is mildew and mold resistant, and is fire retardant. Who knew?!

And here’s one other claim…Silk helps prevent wrinkling of the facial skin when used as the sleeping pillowcase.

SOLD!

When in New York visit the new Ann Gish showroom at 4 W. 20^th Street.

Next was first time exhibitor Christen Maxwell New York, with a new line of throw pillows (shown above), featuring polished/waxed metallic linen. The march to metallic seems to be slowing down after having been thrust upon us for the last three seasons by everyone from Ralph Lauren to Jean Paul Gaultier.

But we did like the metallised linen, interesting for a casual setting. We bought the pillows as oversize floor pillows, in our Cabana Home stores in time for the holidays.

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Jonathan Adler. Like the energizer bunny, still going, but he manages to remain fresh. We loved his Bond Collection Dining Table (shown above), of pieced burled wood on a stainless steel base.

We also liked the occasional table collection at Jonathan Adler, clad in “Hermes orange” leather.

There was Jonathan Adler Junior (shown above), his kids line with playful blankets, pillows and rugs, stuffed animals covered in leather, whimsical lamps from the main line made pint size, even junior sized upholstered sofas and chairs.

The minimalist Hans Hourglass Tables, above, at Jonathan Adler, in Polished Brass or Blackened Brass is fresh.

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Klein Reid, the uber modern designers added a new color (can you guess?), Celine blue… okay, almost Celine blue, to their Studio Pottery line. These sensuous bowls and covered urn shapes sit elegantly atop hand turned solid walnut bases.

Celine blue? Well, almost!

Lidded bowls and simple dish shapes atop hand turned walnut bases (and made in America!), shown above.

They also featured one of a kind bowls created from Montana clay by James during their summer residency at the Archie Bray Foundation (www.archiebray.org), shown above.

Three more tops join their limited edition tops (yes, the kind from our childhood) for Herman Miller, crafted in solid walnut, shown above.

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Super cool woven neoprene baskets by NEO. Yes, hand woven in Rome, IT, and designed by NEO creator, Rosanna Contadini, this line of fab baskets is knitted, crocheted, woven and twisted into these usable objects. We didn't buy the line, but you can buy it online from the Guggenheim Museum web store, www.guggenheimstore.com

Shown above and below: Neoprene baskets by NEO.

Our line of Matouk New York bedding and bath linens showed new sheeting with a varying width, triple line applique border. Shown below with our washable quilted throws.

Also from Matouk, below, the beautifully detailed Bespoke Collection of customizable bedding. Matouk luxury linens you must try them!

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OLY, OLY, OLY! OLY Studio, fabulous to look at and fresh as always.They have added a Daybed to their popular Ajax Collection, shown below.

OLY's Parker Cabinet with an inlay of silver resin framed in stained wood. You can choose your wood and leg finish.

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Canadian Martha Sturdy was at the show with her amazing line of resin and metal objects, vases, bowls, table lamps and furniture. Sturdy, who can make common resin look as desirable as marble, is known for her oversize statements in resin and metals. Her website describes the work as shapes that are "dramatic yet minimal, sexy yet strong". I'd say that's right on the money.

A Martha Sturdy resin bowl sits on her steel cocktail table, above.

Resin vases by Martha Sturdy sit on a resin Console, above.

Flamed and charred tree stumps are transformed into fabulous mobile stools on wheels.

Above, organic shaped steel and brass bowls sit on simple tables with resin tops and steel bases.

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Our friend and glass artist, Caleb Siemon, has changed the name of his company to Sieman & Salazar, to better reflect the partnership he has with longtime associate and wife, Carman Salazar, who was with Caleb when the line first launched.

Sieman & Salazar Pistachio / Sargasso Low Bowl (7.5"T x 11.5"W), above.

New intros by Sieman & Salazar, above and below.

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SKLO the galls blowing group whose work is steeped in the traditions of Czech glassblowing, influenced by the groups founder and Czech native, Pavel Hanousek. This line is somewhat oversold on the lower end, but their special, larger pieces are unique and worthy. we've bought this line before and bought it again this year. expect to see it in both Cabana Home- Mill Valley and Cabana Home- Santa Barbara.

New works by SKLO, above and below.

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Now for a little fun, people watching on the streets of New York City!

We happened upon this talented virtuoso in the nearly gentrified Meat Packing District. This Roller blading, kinky haired violin virtuoso, entertained us and other passersby as she skated around on the sidewalk, dress flowing in the wind, playing a respectable rendition of Pachebel's Canon in D.

Also of interest on the street was a store window at a Levi's store, shown below, which featured a video on what is normally the leather path on the back of the jean. So techie cool!

We were across the street from the Empire State Building just a day and-a-half before the shootings that occurred there in August.

Below, so much for ear buds...big headsets rule!

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And as is my tradition, I close today with some photos of the "Worst in Show"

Below, art for your dashboard, the Queen and her Corgi in traditional pose. She depicted in her typical high fashion sensibility, the pooch couldn't give a darn!

Below, this "Fascinator" (the headpiece, i.e. hat) was atrocious and relegated to Halloween decor!
You might remember Fergie's daughter (not the rocker, the deposed former Princess), Princess Beatrice, wore quite a memorable one to Will & Kate's wedding (which later sold on ebay for 99,000 pounds, or approx. $130 US dollars).

Of the three Fascinators, below, which is your favorite?