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Blogfest Day One – What to Expect

Blogfest is upon us! In less than a week we will welcome 150 interior designers and lifestyle bloggers to New York City for Blogfest 2012. We thought it would be helpful to answer some of your questions in advance, so we’ve broken out this information by day, starting with Monday.

ICFF

As part of Blogfest, all attendees will receive a ticket to the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, taking place at the Javits Center in NYC. The press desk has a list of Blogfest names, so when you arrive at ICFF, check in there to receive your ticket.

Blogfest attendees may visit ICFF at any time during the weekend, but if you plan to attend on Monday afternoon there are some special perks. Wilsonart is hosting our bloggers at booth #2248, where you can enter to win a counter makeover. Wilsonart is sponsoring a bus to the Architectural Digest Kickoff Party, so make sure you check in at their booth on Monday for info on where to catch the bus at 3:30.

Kickoff Party at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House

Architectural Digest Editor in Chief Margaret Russell is hosting the kickoff event of Blogfest, a party at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House. This year’s show house is not one, but TWO penthouse apartments. We took a sneak peek this week and you are in for a real treat, the space is exceptional.

Blogfest attendees should plan to arrive right at 4 pm. This way, you’ll have lots of time to check in, tour the house and take photos AND mingle with fellow bloggers and meet the great team from Arch Digest. You’ll check in downstairs when you enter, and there will be a coat check as well for coats and large bags.

Savant Experience Center

From Kips Bay we will head down to Soho on a bus that will drop us at the Savant Experience Center. The space, designed by Thom Filicia, integrates state of the art Savant technology with beautiful design. What could be better? There will be lots to eat and drink, and Thom will be there to meet everyone and talk about the space.

Savoir Beds After Party

 

Energized from the last two parties, Blogfest attendees will walk around the corner through beautiful Soho to the Savoir Beds showroom for the final party of the night. Luxurious beds for lounging, plus plenty more food and drink await!

From there it’s home, hotel, etc. and we’ll see you bright and early Tuesday morning for more Blogfest fun. Check back this week for Tuesday and Wednesday information.

Ask Alice: How is Ikat Fabric Made?

A few years ago, the centuries-old weaving technique called ikat enjoyed a resurgence, and everyone called it a trend. Now, with several years of hindsight we can definitely say ikat is here to stay.  But what separates this ethnic design from the rest? We’re glad you asked. Here, Kravet’s own Alice Guercio tells us how ikats are made, and we’ve put together this video showing the process in action. Let us know what you think in the comments.

-JP

 

One of the most popular trends in interior design today is ikat. The word ikat comes from the Malaysian word ‘mengikat’ or to tie, bind or wrap around. The proper pronunciation of the word has long been debated; however, the correct way to pronounce is ‘ee-kaht’ not ‘eye-cat.’ This ancient style of weaving uses a resist dyeing process similar to tie-dye where the warp and/or the weft yarns are dyed before the fabric is woven on the loom. The result of this process is a motif which is “blurred” in appearance. This ‘cloudy’ look comes from the slight bleeding of the dyes into the resist areas.

Bansuri, a popular ikat from Echo Design, shown here in multiple colorways. Available through Kravet.

Ikat is a universal weaving style common to many world cultures and is likely to be one of the oldest forms of textile decorations now. It is extremely difficult to determine where the technique originated. It probably developed in several different locations independently. For instance, during the 19th century, the Silk Road deserts of Bukhara and Samarkand were famous for their fine silk Uzbek Ikat. India, Japan and many South-East nations such as Cambodia, Myanmar, Philippines and Thailand have weaving cultures with long histories of ikat production. In addition, these designs were also common in Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala and Mexico.

Thom Filicia for Kravet room setting, featuring his signature Prospect ikat. Available through Kravet.

The ikat design is created by tying areas of the threads into bundles using grasses, wax or even plastic to prevent penetration of the dye. What this means is the weaver needs to figure out where on the loose threads the dye should go in order for it to form the proper pattern when it is woven. For more exact patterning, a weaver will typically use warp ikats, where they can see the pattern on the loom. With a weft ikat, the pattern is less exact because the design is not visible until it is already woven. The most difficult is the double ikat. This is when both the warp and weft are dyed to create the pattern. This form of weaving requires the most skill for precise patterns to be woven and it is considered to be the highest form of ikat. As you add colors, the process becomes more complicated.

Westmount Wall ikat from David Easton, available through Lee Jofa.

Many design motifs may have ethnic, ritual or symbolic meaning. Traditionally, ikats are symbols of status, wealth, power and prestige. Today, ikat has become a generic word used to describe the process, the cloth itself and the type of motif that is created as a result.

Oscar de la Renta's Kublai Kahn ikat (on pillow), available at Lee Jofa.

Alice Guercio, Vice President of Product Coordination and a Kravet veteran for more than 15 years, travels the world to source and develop new product for Kravet. She is one of our top experts on textiles. If you have a question about fabric for Alice, email her at askalice@kravet.com and your question may become the subject of a future article.

 

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!

Holiday Tabletop Inspired by DIFFA

Kravet

Thanksgiving is all about entertaining. It’s about slowing down and showing gratitude. It’s for breaking out the good china and sitting around the table until the candles burn down, laughing and sharing with friends and family. It’s a time to remember all of the things for which we’re thankful.

As we make our preparations, we thought we’d offer a look back at some of the inspired tabletops at DIFFA Dining by Design, held in New York City last spring. DIFFA is an organization that exists because of the donations of time, money and resources from people in our industry and beyond. This year, as we say thanks, let us include DIFFA for all of the work they are doing in the fight against HIV/ AIDS in this country.

Please take time between now and Dec. 14 to visit the 30for30 DIFFA Charity Auction, commemorating 30 years of fighting HIV/ AIDS in conjunction with World AIDS Day. The auction features some truly special, one-of-a-kind experiences such as consultations with design icons Kelly Wearstler and Thom Filicia, original art and photography, travel and entertainment packages, and more.

From our family to yours, we hope you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Caroline McKeough for C McKeough Unlimited

Jeffrey Brooks Interior Design

Diane von Furstenberg

2Michaels

New York Times by Anki Spets of Area

Bobby Berk Home and Marc Wilson Design

Mary Davis Interiors

Fashion Institute of Technology (Mentor: Preston Bailey)

Ralph Lauren Home

Thomas O’Brien and Veranda at Designer Visions: Cinema Style

Every year, Hearst shelter magazines Veranda, House Beautiful and Town & Country partner with prominent designers for Designer Visions: Cinema Style. Designers work with his or her magazine partner to interpret a movie through interior design. For example, in 2009, Thom Filicia worked with House Beautiful to create a beautiful space at Soho Mews based on The Big Chill.

This year, based on the film Someone to Watch Over Me, Thomas O’Brien and Veranda collaborated to create a beautiful interior at 1212 Fifth Avenue. “There's something about the production and cinematography that reflects a modern era, even as the story and mood are more traditional," O'Brien told the Wall Street Journal. "That film also offers a glimpse of this kind of elegant, composed modern woman living a glamorous New York life.” Inspired by the character Claire from the film, O’Brien created a space that is refined but not overly formal.

This apartment, along with apartments from House Beautiful and Town & Country, are open to the public for tours at selected times through October 16. Proceeds benefit the Art of Elysium, a nonprofit group that pairs actors, artists and musicians with arts programs designed to benefit children battling serious medical conditions. For tickets and hours, visit www.theartofelysium.org.

Above photo: Club chair features Thomas O'Brien for Groundworks Morocco Chenille in Mocha (GWF-2749-168), draperies are Kravet Smart 30672-116.

Draperies are Kravet Smart 30672-116. Sofa features Thomas O'Brien for Groundworks Fiona Chenille in Smoke (GWF-2582-11). Benches feature Thomas O'Brien for Groundworks Orlando Chenille in Brick (GWF-2754-916). 

Shade features Kelly Wearstler for Groundworks Sand Strie in Beige (GWF-2813-116). Bench features Thomas O'Brien for Groundworks Tahira Ottoman in Birch (GWF-2753-101). 

Photos courtesy of Veranda.