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Kravet and the 2014 Design Bloggers Conference

Earlier this month, a group of more than 300 interior designers and design bloggers from across the country descended on Atlanta for the fourth-annual Design Bloggers Conference. Kravet was a major sponsor at the conference, bringing in keynote presentations from Jeffrey Alan Marks and Candice Olson, two beloved interior designers and TV stars who have collections with Kravet (Jeffrey’s launches this Fall). Jeffrey’s presentation was a relaxed Q&A with Kravet marketing EVP Beth Greene and Candice presented a slideshow of before-and-afters that had the audience gasping with delight.

 Via Cozy Stylish Chic

After her appearance at the Design Bloggers Conference, Candice headed over to ADAC, where she participated in a fun Q&A with HGTV Magazine editor in chief Sara Peterson, moderated by Kravet’s marketing manager Jennifer Powell. Their candid tales of first jobs, embarrassing moments and career advice had the audience in stitches, proving why these two ladies are at the tops of their game.

Photo via @whosevent

In years past Kravet has hosted an event in New York City each Spring called Blogfest, but this year we shook it up a bit and decided to merge the best part of Blogfest (the networking and celebrating!) with the Design Bloggers Conference. HGTV Magazine and Kravet co-hosted an incredible party in our showroom on Tuesday night to close the conference, and we had a blast toasting to our friends, old and new.

The next day, the team at ADAC hosted a “digital” market day, with panel discussions and presentations that addressed important questions about the changing digital landscape as it applies to our industry. Jeffrey Alan Marks and Suzanne Kasler discussed how to get design projects published with Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles editor in chief Elizabeth Ralls in front of a sold-out audience, then sold copies of their books in the Lee Jofa showroom.

 Via @adacatlanta Instagram

Conference attendees generated millions of social media impressions, from tweets and hashtags (#dbc2014 and #kravetblogfest), to photos and videos shared on Instagram, blogs and Facebook. Atlanta was the embodiment of Southern charm, and we were honored to be involved in such a big way. We are always looking for ways to connect with designers through social media, and this particular event was a great collaboration between national companies like ours, design centers like ADAC, top design talent, great event organizers like the folks at Design Sherpa, and of course the Atlanta design community.

Sara Peterson, Candice Olson, Beth Greene and HGTV Magazine publisher Dan Fuchs, photo via HGTV Magazine

It Sure is Hot in Little Rock! - Mastermind Group with Tobi Fairley

By Beth Greene

The US may have had a heat wave this week but that didn't stop me from venturing to Little Rock Arkansas to take part in Tobi Fairley's Mastermind Group. I was there to present my experience working on the brand side with designers who are interested in product licensing. While this seasoned traveler had never been to Arkansas and had only read about Tobi's business development groups, I knew that this 24 hour experience was going to be exciting and rewarding. Little Rock and Tobi's team did not let me down.

L-R, Clinton's Oval Office, sax collection, and cabinet room chair (notice the chair back is slightly higher than the others)

The evening began with a private tour of the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library and the Oscar De La Renta exhibition. Can you say fabulous and educational? I stood close to a full size replica of his Oval Office, sat in his cabinet chair, learned that he was inaugurated on my birthday January 20th, 1993 and saw his collection of saxophones. 

And what can you say about Oscar? Ahhhhhh the gowns, the celebrations from all the First Ladies to Taylor Swift, he has dressed them all!

 A selection of Oscar de la Renta gowns worn by famous individuals, from movie stars to singers to First Ladies

On to dinner with some wonderful and entertaining Kravet, Lee Jofa and Brunschwig &Fils customers with our local representation at a fabulous wine bar called So. Not "just so" but great! That dessert was just so decadent!

Clockwise from top right, me and Denise McGaha, Lee Jofa gift bags, me and Tobi Fairley, the presentation room

Tobi's Mastermind Group was a collaborative group of designers from all over the US, all there to learn, share and grow from her years of wisdom and business successes. We chatted, laughed and shared some business ideas and opportunities. My time there was short but I, too was able to develop my own strategies.

A great big thank you to my welcoming hosts and new inspiring design friends. BG

Blogfest 2012 Day Two

Continuing the fun from the first day of Blogfest 2012, take a look at our continuing photo recap.

Tuesday morning, Kate Kelly Smith from Hearst Home Group welcomed our group to the 44th floor of Hearst Tower.

VERANDA editor in chief Dara Caponigro chatted with designers Darryl Carter and Timothy Whealon about the May/June issue.

House Beautiful editor in chief Newell Turner invited three New Wave designers (from left, Michael Herold, Jill Goldberg and Jon Call) to discuss their career paths and the "a-ha" moments they've experienced along the way.

The ELLE DECOR Modern Life Concept House, awaiting bloggers for a pre-lunch reception.

Anne Foster, Marisa Marcantonio and Suysel Cunningham at the ELLE DECOR Modern Life Concept House.

Robert Brown discussing his collection of furniture for Holland/ Macrae, on display at the Lee Jofa showroom at the D&D Building, where Traditional Home magazine hosted a Nantucket-themed luncheon.

Management consultant and author Keith Granet spoke to our group about design branding and taking your business to the next level at the Kravet showroom in the D&D Building. 

Alexa Hampton and Traditional Home editor in chief Ann Maine had the crowd in stitches talking candidly about the industry.

Designers lingered at the Kravet showroom for a chance to meet Alexa after the Traditional Home panel.

Marisa Marcantonio and Brunschwig & Fils showroom manager Andrea Brooke selecting a favorite piece to photograph for the Brunschwig Laduree Twitter contest. 

Baccarat invited designers and bloggers at Blogfest, along with guest of honor Vicente Wolf, for a "hard hat" preview of the new showroom. We sipped champagne and beautiful crystal chandeliers hung at eye level for perfect photo-ops.

Enjoying delicious food and drink from the kitchen experts at GE Monogram, our host for Tuesday's cocktail party. From left, Beth Greene, Ann Feldstein, Paula Cecere, Cary Kravet, Lisa Kravet, Jennifer Powell. 

My Breakfast with Barbara Barry by Beth Greene

Going to LA is always such a treat for this New Yorker with fabulous weather, dinners and beautiful people. This trip was no exception and the highlight was my invitation to have breakfast with Barbara Barry at her home.

I heard about her new home in Beverly Hills a year or two ago. She told me how much of a respite it was from her daily routine but I had no idea how truly warm and inviting it would be, a beautiful white washed structure with warm wood floors and accents.

Nympheus handblock pillow from Lee Jofa.

Each room was painted in a nuance of a white, beige or grey shade. There were many places to escape, from beautifully appointed window seats upholstered in textural fabrics from her Kravet collection to gardens filled with flowers, sculptures and seating areas. Much to our surprise, she used linen prints in one of her sitting rooms as well as decorative accents throughout the house.

Poetical linen, one of Barbara Barry's signature prints for Kravet.

The breakfast table was set with beautiful china in varied colors from different sets. She is embracing a brighter color palette these days and I relished in her selection of fresh fruits like blueberries, oranges, and wild berries. They perfectly matched the well appointed floral arrangements on the table and throughout the home.

She indulged me in a few photos and I could not resist snapping some images of Kravet and Lee Jofa fabrics as well as her favorite room and mine.....the laundry room. Yes you read this correctly, a larger than life room dedicated to laundry with her very own Miele Ironing Press which gets daily use. Sheer perfection if you ask me!

Her love for the oval shape which is reminiscent of her logo was evident in some decorative windows, the beautiful shape of the entry hall wood banister and even the shape of the outdoor swimming pool.

After my detailed tour and snapping of as many pictures as I could, we settled in her living room and reviewed some plans for her first book penned this year and due out in mid October from Rizzoli. The title is still a secret to all but as she read me part of a chapter, I am confident that it will be a great read; special, sincere and passionate as the woman that she is.

She has taken such meticulous care in every appointment in this home and truly has made it her signature. All I can say is that it is so so Barbara!

Traditional Home 2011 Classic Woman Awards

By Beth Greene

On a gorgeous spring-like day in late fall, I was invited to celebrate "classic women" with Traditional Home magazine. Every year in early November the editors of the magazine celebrate five women and their journeys and stories in the November/December Holiday issue.

What a wonderful way to welcome the holidays with the heartfelt undying devotion of these fabulous women. The room at the Mandarin Oriental hotel, overlooking sun drenched Central Park, was filled with members of the design industry and dignitaries. Always a true tear jerker, this year's event did not disappoint.

The Today Show’s Natalie Morales, co-hosting Traditional Home Magazine’s Classic Woman Awards at the Mandarin Oriental on Monday, Nov 7 in NYC.

I was star struck not only by these amazing women but also event hosts Ann Maine, Editor in Chief, Publisher Beth Brenner, and Today Show news anchor Natalie Morales, who served as Master of Ceremonies. As a crazy obsessed Today Show fan, this was like being near royalty for me!

The honorees were truly inspring this year. Liz Ferro, a product of the nation's foster care system, brings wellness and fitness to girls suffering from abuse through her charity Girls with Sole. Through the Bone Marrow Foundation, Christina Merrill raises money for homeless cancer patients in need of bone marrow transplants. New Orleans children of Hurricane Katrina have music and instruments brought back into their lives thanks to Mary von Kurnatowski and Tipitina's Foundation/ Instruments A Comin'. Kendra Stitt Robins works tirelessly to outfit each child in a homeless shelter with a book, a teddy bear, a blanket and a bag through Project Night Out. That one really hit close to home for me and many others in the audience. Lastly Lynne Patterson and Pro Mujer offers training and classes to Latin American women to empower them and encourage entrepreneurship and financial responsibility.

Left to right, Beth Fuchs Brenner, Publisher, Traditional Home magazine, Natalie Morales, The Today Show; Lynne Patterson, Pro Mujer; Christina Merrill, The Bone Marrow Foundation; Liz Ferro, Girls with Sole; Ann Omvig Maine, Editor in Chief, Traditional Home magazine

All of these women have fully dedicated themselves to these worthy causes and garnered support from their local communities as well as nationally recognized sponsors.

What a terrific tribute. Proud to be a woman is an understatement!

Photos courtesy of Traditional Home