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IFDA Circle of Excellence Awards

Alexa Hampton and Cary Kravet

The Union Club in New York City

This week at the Union Club in New York City, IFDA hosted its Circle of Excellence Awards ceremony, which recognizes excellence across many categories in the home furnishings industry.

Event hosts Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan

Kravet received an award for product design and industry resource. After a touching and witty introduction by interior designer Alexa Hampton, and a short video detailing the history of the fourth-generation family business, Cary Kravet accepted the award on behalf of the company.

A standing ovation in recognition of Larry Kravet.

The evening was very special for Larry Kravet, who just like the IFDA, was celebrating a special milestone: 64 years with Kravet, which was started by his grandfather in 1912.

Three generations of Kravets. From left, Sara Kravet, Ray Burke, Utta Kravet, Ellen Kravet, Lisa Kravet, Larry Kravet and Cary Kravet.

It is an honor to be recognized by the IFDA, and an honor to continue to bring beautiful products to market for interior designers and their clients.

From left, Cary Kravet and Alexa Hampton with Michael Boodro, Barbara Friedmann and Kate Kelly Smith, who accepted an award on behalf of Hearst Home Group.

Ellen Kravet with Larry and Utta Kravet.

Lisa and Cary Kravet with Larry and Utta Kravet.

Images 1, 3, 4 and 6 by Dan Derrico, courtesy of IFDA.

Steve Nobel Presents: Hug Your Clients

Steve Nobel presenting "Hug Your Client" in NYC Wednesday.

This past week at Kravet in the D&D Building in New York City, design branding consultant Steve Nobel introduced a new lecture series titled “Hug Your Clients.”

Nobel, a well known speaker on the topic of luxury and affluence in our industry, presents a compelling case for establishing fulfilling relationships with your clients that are built on a foundation of transparency and accountability.

The presentation is filled with simple suggestions for ways to put your client at ease and create a mutual benefit. By singling out topics like pricing and invoicing, contracts, mark up, timelines, follow through and the “big reveal,” the take aways, while intuitive, will be a game changer for designers.

Nobel will be traveling the country, presenting at various Kravet showrooms. Upcoming cities include:

Atlanta May 9

San Francisco May 15

Denver June 26 

Chicago June 28

If you’re in one of those cities, you will not regret setting aside the time to hear this presentation. Throughout the year, Kravet hosts similar events all over the country. Check with your local showroom to get an upcoming events schedule.

Blogfest 2012 News

We have so many exciting updates for Blogfest, we couldn’t contain it in a tweet or Facebook status update. Ready?

Parties Added: More the Merrier  

We just got confirmation that the opening party, hosted by Margaret Russell and Architectural Digest, will take place at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House. This year’s show house will take place in two penthouse apartments at the Aldyn, a luxury building on Manhattan’s West Side. Mingle with editors and A-list designers in a penthouse, snap photos of beautiful interiors, that’s what Blogfest is all about!

Kips Bay 2011 Show House

Monday night, after you’ve partied uptown with AD, and made your way downtown (we’ll get you there!) to meet Thom Filicia and see the space he designed for the Savant Experience Center, the party won’t stop. Savior Beds is opening its Soho showroom for an after-after party. (And really, what better place for an after party than a showroom filled with amazing beds!) Who needs sleep when we have design?

A snapshot from ICFF 2010

Just like last year, you’ll all get a free ticket to ICFF so you can visit before Blogfest begins. Wilsonart, the world-leading producer of decorative surfacing products, has generously offered to host all of the bloggers that attend ICFF on Monday afternoon at their booth AND provide transportation from the Javits Center to Kips Bay around 4pm. So if you’re in town early, they are making it super easy to attend ICFF and head straight to the kick off.

Baccarat

Have you heard that Baccarat is opening its first US showroom right here in New York City? Well, it gets better. During Blogfest, they are popping the cork and breaking out the good crystal (it’s all they have!) for an exclusive event just for us, hosted by Vicente Wolf. On Tuesday afternoon, Blogfest attendees will be the very first to see the brand new Baccarat showroom in the D&D Building.

Where will you stay? 

If you still haven’t booked your hotel, we have secured a discount rate at the Ace Hotel, right around the corner from the now-sold-out Flatiron Hotel. The rate is $329 for a single, $379 for a double. This rate, which is about 40% off the regular rate, will be available through May 4 but inventory is limited so book soon!

Ship your goodies home and lighten your load 

Sponsors have come from far and wide to get their goodies into your hands, and we are thrilled about the great gift bag. But, it is HEAVY! This year you have the option to ship your gift bag to your home or office. No more weighing the merits (not to mention actual weight) of each item before trying to fit it all in an already overstuffed suitcase. Check your email for details.   

Speaking of Facebook and Twitter, make sure you’re following us so you don’t miss any updates.

See you in May!

Presentation: Maximize the Benefits of Social Media to Grow Your Interior Design Business

Next week, join us in Portland, Seattle and Los Angeles for a special social media presentation and panel discussion. The presentation serves as a follow up to the popular series from last year, “What is Social Media and How Can it Help the Design Industry.” It will address the changing landscape of social media and provide simple strategies for maximizing the benefits for yourself and your business.

By now, we’ve all heard the virtues of social media, and many of us have explored Facebook, Twitter and Google+. Beyond the benefits of keeping in touch with loved ones, a presence on social media can provide a short cut to attracting ideal clients, keeping in contact with prospects and magazine editors, and sourcing great products to better service your clients.

The panelists will take audience questions, addressing how they use social media and how each site has influenced the way they work with clients and network within the industry.

Each event will take place in Kravet showrooms. See below to meet the panelists at each event. RSVP by calling or emailing the showroom. We hope to see you there!

Portland: Special Guests Brad Clifford and Jenny Guggenheim

11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21

RSVP: 503.228.4040 portland.showroom@kravet.com

 

Seattle: Special Guests Faith Sheridan and Leah Ball Steen

11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22

RSVP: 206.762.9370 seattle.showroom@kravet.com

 

Los Angeles: Special Guests Janette Mallory and Shirry Dolgin

Pacific Design Center 2 p.m. **note time change** Thursday, Feb. 23

RSVP: 310.659.7100 ext. 4 losangeles.showroom@kravet.com

Blogfest is Back! Registration Opens Wednesday, Feb. 1 at Noon

We can hardly believe it’s been a year since Kravet introduced Blogfest 2011, and now we’re back and ready for year two! Blogfest 2012 will take place May 21-23 in New York City. Once again, we’ve put together an agenda that brings together editors from top design and lifestyle magazines, great brands and A-list industry designers and celebrities. 

Just like last year, you must be an interior design blogger and have a social media presence to attend. If you attended last year, you had the opportunity to register early. Click through to Who’s Attending on the website to see some of your favorite design blogs. On our Where Should We Stay? page you can check out the Flatiron Hotel, a brand new hotel that’s offering our bloggers a great deal in the heart of New York City's fashion and design district.

In addition to the events listed in our agenda, you’ll receive a free ticket to attend the International Contemporary Furnishings Fair, which can be used if you plan to arrive early. The agenda is available on our website, but we’ve got a few more tricks up our sleeve and will be unveiling exciting surprises and new guests over the next few weeks, so keep checking in with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Registration opens at noon EST on Wednesday, Feb. 1 on our website and we’re expecting a sell-out crowd, so if you’re interested in attending, register early to secure your spot. We can’t wait to see you all in May.

Here are just a few of the great things you can expect from Blogfest 2012:

Margaret Russell, Editor in Chief of Architectural Digest, and her team are hosting the Blogfest 2012 kickoff party.

The Savant Experience Center is hosting a cocktail party Monday night. Their space, pictured above, was designed by Thom Filicia, who had so much fun at Blogfest 2011 that he'll be back to toast with our bloggers at Savant.

Ann Maine, Editor in Chief of Traditional Home, will interview two interior design rock stars in the Kravet showroom at the D&D Building on Tuesday. (We can't announce who just yet, but it's going to be fantastic!)

Also in its second year, the ELLE DECOR Modern Life Concept House has a new location in one of the townhouses at The Dillon in Midtown. Mingle with ELLE DECOR editors and bring your camera!   

GE Monogram's New York City-themed showroom in Midtown will provide the perfect place for bloggers to unwind on Tuesday night with cocktails and great food.