Inspired.talk

Kravet Donates to Nassau Haven Renovation

Nassau Haven is Long Island’s only shelter for runaway teens and one of Family and Children’s Association’s 35 community-based programs, which assist approximately 25,000 Long Islanders in need. Nassau Haven has given a home to more than 400 teens who are forced to seek shelter for a variety of reasons.

Designers Therese Pomerenk and Jean Fuoco took on the very special project of redesigning the living room, dining room and boys’ lounge, with the help of the Design Cartel, an informal trade association that share ideas, resources and support. Designers, space planners, artists and craftspeople make up the Design Cartel, many of whom donated their time and took part in the redesign of the shelter.

With the help of Kravet fabrics, Pomerenk and Fuoco turned the cold institutional space, as shown in the before photo, into a warm and welcoming environment for the countless teens who will pass through this shelter. They designed a space using soothing neutral tones, comfortable pieces and beautiful wall murals. Kravet is honored to be a part of this project and play a role in providing a safe haven for those who need it.

Representatives from Family and Children's, Don Holden (top center) and Joyce Mullen (bottom left) visited our corporate office in Bethpage Thursday. They presented us with a plaque, thanking us for our generosity in providing fabric for the youth shelter. In our showroom, pictured here (top row, left to right): Cheryl Cassone, Don Holden, Norma Sienkiewicz, Marilyn Blumenthal, (bottom row, left to right): Joyce Mullen, Ellen Kravet, Elaine Kleiner.

To make a donation, visit www.familyandchildrens.com/donate.

A Preppy Modern Design Office

As temperatures continue their slow descent to zero in the Northeast, it seemed fitting to cast our eyes west to the fresh, fun office of Bravado Design in San Diego, California where they are certainly not bundled up in their warmest layers. The office, inspired by its owner’s lifelong love for Lilly Pulitzer, feels like a warm dose of sunshine. No matter which version of winter you’re currently experiencing, we feel certain this inspiring office will appeal to you. Enjoy!

Interior design offices are both the ultimate endorsement and the ultimate thorn in the designer’s side. Just as the “cobbler’s children have no shoes,” the designer’s office can quickly move down the priority list in favor of client projects. Not so for the newly renovated office of Bravado Design in San Diego, CA. By investing in a design office that represents designer Audrey Ferdyn Soldau’s “preppy modern” aesthetic, she created a creative and rewarding space for clients, and for herself.

The previous space was modern, “more serious,” as Soldau put it. The redesign included white furniture, adding paint to dark stained walls, and freshening up the plain doors with accent paint and molding detail. With bright, citrusy fabrics from Lilly Pulitzer for Lee Jofa, the vibe is energetic and youthful.

The studio work desk, custom made from white Silestone quartz, is a favorite in the space, as it creates the perfect backdrop for fabrics and mood boards during client presentations. “The most challenging part of the design was finding the time to get it all done and painting during working hours,” said Soldau with a laugh. “But the reward is that I LOVE where I work everyday.”

Bravado Design, located in San Diego, CA, is owned by Audrey Ferdyn Soldau. The firm specializes in model home interiors, commercial and residential design. Bravado’s foundation is built on honesty, a passion for design and the art of transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary. For more, visit www.bravado-design.com.

This article originally appeared in the winter issue of inspired.news. The full newspaper is available here. Photography by Andrew Burns Photography. 

Thomas O’Brien for Groundworks

In his fourth collection for Groundworks, renowned designer Thomas O’Brien brings his signature masculine, tailored look to an assortment of lush and saturated silks and velvets. O’Brien’s fresh take on classic patterns conjures images of a sleek Manhattan townhouse or a posh bachelor pad, where layered texture and tone create a look that is rich and sophisticated.

To provide some context for the collection, we’ve included a few shots from the 2011 Hearst Designer Visions show house, which O’Brien designed for Veranda magazine. Taking inspiration from the film Someone to Watch Over Me, his design, inspired by the character Claire, exudes the classic and timeless glamour that is his signature.

In the new fabric collection, hues of ivory and bisque, dove and taupe, and his signature misty blues work in harmony with deep saturated claret and viridian. These fabrics will add a touch of flair and originality to the rooms that O’Brien’s engaging vision has already helped to create. The collection includes refined chenille with a retro flare, rich and decadent velvets with classic motifs and elegant silks offered in varying tones of rich spices to cool neutrals. For more information, visit www.leejofa.com.

Chair: Corby Straight Back - H4323-20. Fabric: Matthew Velvet in Grey - GWF-3224-11

Fabrics top to bottom: Mylene Silk in Viridian - GWF-3225-53, Thomas Velvet in Bog - GWF-3230-316, Roberto Velvet in Mist - GWF-3228-15, Bresson Velvet in Latte - GWF-3223-116, Hugo Velvet in Bisque - GWF-2586-611, Fiona Chenille in Cocoa - GWF-3222-68, Matthew Velvet in Camel - GWF-3224-16, Parris Velvet in Blue/Brown - GWF-3227-568.

Room images via Veranda, product credits here.

Fabric credits for top photo: Left row top to bottom: Thomas Velvet in Pewter - GWF-3230-311; Welt: Mylene Silk in Slate - GWF-3225-5. Bresson Velvet in Onyx - GWF-3223-8; Trim: Olivia CD W/Flange in Blk - TL10047-8. Matthew Velvet in Grey - GWF-3224-11; Trim: Olivia CD W/Flange in Blk - TL10047-8. Right row top to bottom: Vivian Silk in Mist - GWF-3226-13; Trim: Mylene Silk in Dove - GWF-3225-11. Parris Velvet in Taupe/Grey - GWF-3227-11; Trim: Olivia Cut. FR in Ice - TL10039-515. Ground fabric: Mylene Silk in Mist - GWF-3225-13

Exciting Announcement: Kravet Blogfest 2013 and the Design Bloggers Conference

After two years in New York City, Kravet is taking Blogfest west to take part in the Los Angeles design culture and bring our bloggers and designers a new experience. 

This year, Kravet is collaborating with the Design Bloggers Conference to introduce some great special events during the conference in Los Angeles, March 3-5. On Monday, we are hosting a panel discussion with Traditional Home senior editor Jenny Bradley and the creators of Blogfest and the Design Bloggers Conference.On Tuesday, March 5, Kravet and Blogfest will be sponsoring the DBC keynote presentation by designer Barbara Barry, as well as an afternoon presentation featuring Newell Turner, Hearst Design Group Editor in Chief.

Kravet is also hosting the second annual DBC closing party with Traditional Home and Harbinger in West Hollywood Tuesday night. We are also planning some exciting events on Wednesday, March 6, at the Pacific Design Center, including a Kravet Chair Build at 10:00 a.m. and the kick off of the House Beautiful annual Chair Giveaway in the afternoon. In addition to these great events, we have a few more surprises in the works for Los Angeles, and will spread the word as soon as we can!

Registration for the Design Bloggers Conference is now open on their website. If you attended Blogfest 2011 or 2012 in New York City, you are eligible for a special discount on your DBC registration if you register before February 1. Blogfest “alumni” will receive an email this week containing event details and instructions for registering with the Kravet Blogfest discount.

We’re thrilled to be a part of the Design Bloggers Conference and we’re looking forward to a great time in Los Angeles!

As always, we’ll be posting additional details and information on Twitter and Facebook, as well as our designated Blogfest Twitter and Facebook, so stay in touch!