Our top picks for the NYC design events in March & April
- Reopening of The Met’s British Galleries
415 5th Avenue Between 37th and, E 38th St, New York, NY 10016
Echoing The Met’s 150th-anniversary year, the 10 galleries will finally open the 2nd of March after a two-years renovation of roughly $22 million.
The space has been re-designed by Roman & William, the AD100 design firm led by the duo Stephen Alesch and Robin Standefer. The couple is behind such projects as La Mercerie, or le Coucou among others. The galleries are obviously still devoted to British sculpture, design, and decorative arts between 1500 and 1900 but with a fresh new narrative on the period, focusing on daring entrepreneurial spirit and complex history exploring the trade between artists, manufacturers, and retailers that shaped British design over the years.
The collection will include new acquisitions, particularly works from the 19th century that were purchased with this project in mind.
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- Mario Buatta: Under the Influence Colefax & Fowler, The English Country House and American Interior Design
March 9, 2020
170 East 70th Street – New York -10021
Come to learn the influence of John Fowler and Nancy Lancaster’s creation of the English Country House style on the extremely popular interiors of Mario Buatta. The panel will include Roger Jones, Director of Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler; Emily Evans Eerdmans, Design Historian; Marian McEvoy, Editor of and Contributor to Elle Decor, House Beautiful, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and French Vogue; and Angus Wilkie, Author and Antiques Dealer
Mario Buatta contributed a lot to the English Country House Style and became famous for his “old-fashioned” interiors, impregnated with a strong love for history, and more particularly of the early 19th century. His rooms are colorful, full of flowers or chinoiseries, very eye-catching in opposition to the common whitness of so many homes.
- Architectural Digest Show – March 19-22, 2020
PIER 94 – 55th Street at 12th Avenue – New York City 10019
The 19th annual Design Show will take place at Pier 94 during 4 days and will gather more than 400 brands and approximately 40,000 design aficionados, professionals or simple enthusiasts in search for products, resources and possibilities.
The AD Show will propose design seminars, culinary demonstrations, and special appearances as well as thousands of products from furniture, accessories or lighting among others to shop.
Come take a look at the modern pieces of Malcom Maljer, the Baltimore-based designer, or Zal Divecha’s paper artworks or Simon John’s sculptural furniture and grab the wonderful spirit of creativity that infuses this place.
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- DIFFA by Design – March 26-March 28
415 5th Avenue Between 37th and, E 38th St, New York, NY 10016
DIFFA stands for Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS and aim at supporting fight against HIV/AIDS. DIFFA annual fundraiser DINING BY DESIGN will be replaced this year by a 3 days of interactive experiences, workshops, a cash-and-carry boutique as well as some panel discussions. Proceeds from DIFFA by Design will support DIFFA’s fight against HIV/AIDS.
DIFFA BY DESIGN will invite local and international architects, designers, manufacturers, retailers, and other creatives to transform raw spaces into an immersive exhibit.
Tickets are also available for the DBD Gala Chef’s Tasting Menu, held on Thursday, March 28 which will gather renowned designers, architects, and innovators.
- Small Cool Experience – Industry City, home to the Brooklyn Design District – New York City
Saturday, April 4 & Sunday, April 510 a.m. – 6 p.m.Sessions at 10 a.m.,12 noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m.
Apartment Therapy, the famous lifestyle and interior design media is organizing their first shoppable live event: The Small/Cool Experience that is supposed to launch their Small/Cool annual contest.20 designers will create 20 spaces, among them Emily Henderson, Nate Berkus or Mikel Welch. The public will have the chance to buy every item from brands as West Elm, Chasing Paper, MakeSpace etc.Apartment Therapy will donate the majority of the leftovers items to a nonprofit organization, Habitat for Humanity New York City.
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- Eileen Gray: Spotlight on Eileen Gray’s Materials, A Gallery Tour Series, Architecture – April 15, 2020
Bard Graduate Center Gallery – 18 West 86th Street – Manhattan, NY 10024
This tour lead by Caroline Constant, honorary member of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland will review Eileen Gray’s Architecture at The Bard Graduate School exhibition, running February 29–July 12.
Gray was one of the few women professionally involved in design and architecture prior to World War II. She’s considered a pioneer of the Modern Movement in architecture, in the same manner as Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe or Marcel Breuer.
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Lally & Berger - The Winning Duo
Lally & Berger Studio was introduced by Charles Jouffre (founder of Par Excellence) from Atelier Jouffre to the Meurice hotel’s management. A little while later, Luc and Margaux were hired to renovate the hotel’s 160 rooms and suites over time. The peak of this collaboration throughout the years is surely the unveiling of the Belle Etoile Suite at the Meurice Hotel. Offering the finest view of Paris, the 6,674-square-foot Belle Etoile Suite on the penthouse level of the Meurice hotel is also one of the most spacious suites in Paris. The two designed every delicate detail of the Suite infusing it with character and personality. By showcasing highly-skilled French craftsmanship all along, Lally & Berger Studio truly aimed at offering a warm and convivial atmosphere to create a Suite where you instantaneously feel at home.
The Suite Belle Etoile features Manufacture de Tapis de Bourgogne’s rugs hand tufted in wool and silk with cut and loop pile inspired by delicate feathers, Jouffre’s sofa, bedspread and curtains, as well as Meljac fittings.
You may wonder who hides behind the Lally & Berger Studio. Margaux Lally and Luc Berger met while they were studying at the Ecole Supérieure d’Architecture Intérieure de Lyon in France. As part of their degree they both did an internship in the offices of the renowned French decorator Charles Zana. In 2013 they started their own firm together as they had heard about a project opportunity in Val d’Isère. They met Charles Jouffre for a 5-stars Hôtel project called le Yule. It is fair to say that his meeting with Charles Jouffre symbolizes their first introduction to high-end French Savoir-faire. Since then, they have been working on amazing projects, showcasing both their unique talent and exceptional craftsmanship. Intrigued by this powerful pair, we had the opportunity to interview them about their work for the Belle Etoile Suite and their approach to interior design and craftsmanship.
What is the secret to a successful duo or team in interior design?
Margaux L.: Complementarity is the Key of our duo. Together, we draw strength from our differences. We assume the eclectic style of our various projects and readily admit to having quite different personalities. I am more structured and sociable, Luc more patient and something of a perfectionist. However, we both share a passion for exceptional French craftsmanship. We are really complementary in our personalities, our way of working, our skills and it’s a source of strength. This duality makes the project process progress every time. It’s easier to find a solution when you talk with someone.
Luc B.: For me, we are a team because we are always in the dialogue, as the pieces in our project. When we are not both convinced in a choice or an idea, we know this is not a good solution. We carry on our research until we are both 100% satisfied.
What were your inspirations for the suite Belle Etoile, which has been named “the most beautiful hotel suite in Paris” by AD Middle East?
Margaux L.: We imagined this suite like a town mansion, a place with character and personality. We wanted each client to be able to take possession of the suite as if it were their own apartment. We used the architectural language of Parisian town mansions, most notably in the materials we employed: marble thresholds, a chevron-patterned parquet, wood paneling, gilding, bronze door handles with handcrafted details… Our approach was one of subtle, refined luxury, which is visible in the details (the embroidery on the broadcloth curtains, the bronze inserts between the parquet and marble flooring…). We wanted to maintain a warm, convivial spirit, rather than create a conceptual space with a ‘Wow’ effect, to transmit a notion of entertaining and art de Vivre à la française. Our goal was essentially to create a suite where you feel good and don’t want to leave.
Luc B.: Furthermore we wanted to accentuate what makes this suite so incredible and unique: its exceptional location. You feel like you’re all alone in Paris with the city at your feet and it’s as if all its monuments were there just for you. You never get tired of looking at them. Rather strangely, many of the windows were previously blocked up, notably in the bedroom. Working with the Pompidou Centre in front of you, waking up opposite Montmartre, putting on your make-up with a view of the column on the Place Vendôme, having lunch while looking out over the Louvre or relaxing while taking in the dome of the Invalides and the Eiffel Tower gives a magical dimension to each daily gesture
How would you define Lally & Berger’s style?
Margaux L.: We try to find the perfect balance between the place’s character and the client’s character. We want to expose our vision of Art de Vivre, the art of hospitality, and the pleasure of reception. In all our projects luxe is in every detail, in the material chosen and the manner we work them. That’s why we love to always work with high-end savoir-faire.
Luc B.: We are in the process of finding the perfect balance between tone, subtle shades, matter of materials, touches, furniture forms, brightness to create a sweet atmosphere and warm spaces. The more a space keeps your mind free, the more it will go through the ages. We prefer to mix styles to create soft timeless dialogue instead of playing with trends. Our way of working is to define the codes of space and to make them almost timeless. We want people not to be sure if they’re entering a décor from the past or from the future. We like to play with that notion of space and time.
We are organizing a panel discussion on the 6th of May on how interior designers and artisans collaborate. Today it seems that there are two distinct worlds, who sometimes have difficulties communicating. But craftsmanship and interior design have common roots for sure. What place does craftsmanship occupy in your work? According to you, what is the recipe for a successful collaboration with craftsmen?
Luc B.: We both share a passion for exceptional French craftsmanship and collaborate regularly with artisans like the Ateliers Joffre, Declercq Passementiers, and the Ateliers Saint-Jacques, but always in a very contemporary spirit. Prestigious materials crafted by excellent savoir-faire are one of the treasures of a sustainable world.
Margaux L.: Craftsmanship is what gives character to your project. Working as a team with knowledge exchange and finding a solution together is a successful collaboration.
What is the project you are the proudest of and what would be your dream project?
Margaux L.: We are really proud of the Suite Belle Etoile. Projects like this don’t come along every day. The satisfaction with the result is immense.
Luc B.: We really like challenges and building a team with passionate collaborators with specific knowledge to manage a unique project. For us any unique project is a dream project.
© Stephan Julliard
Learn more about the duo’s works on their website and enjoy the beautiful video displaying their work for the Belle Etoile Suite at the Meurice’s hôtel : http://www.lallyberger.com
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Yoann Merienne the Sculptural Strength
Signatures Singulières magazine is passionate about great talents, so we were struck by the painter Yoann Merienne who definitely does not lack any talent …
Born in 1987 in Sallanches, Yoann Merienne now lives and works in Lyon. He started to paint at an early age and at the age of 13 he received the gold medal in the Wallonia International Artistic Competition. He graduated from Industrial Design in 2009, and then left to Australia for a year, from which he returned determined to devote himself to painting. His sense of detail, the intensity of his drawing, the play of light and shadow are some of his strong characteristics.
Yoann Mersenne’s universe
His universe is populated by warriors, knights, nomads but also explorers. They come back to life in shades of gray, for a disturbing and silent face to face. Yoann Merienne’s characters have the sculptural strength of great fighters, modern heroes, survivors from elsewhere and another time. They convey an impression of wisdom and silence.
Yoann Merienne’s characters are storytellers; they tell a story and an experience and Yoann Merienne is an explorer. It feeds on dreams, strange worlds and myths. Whatever form you choose, the painter takes the same contemplative look at the world and men. An invitation through its timeless heroes to meditate on the meaning of life. Yoann Merienne’s works are permanently displayed at Galerie Bayart.
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The Damyel flagship by Jessica Barouch & Francesco Balzano
The interior designers Jessica Barouch, owner of JAG Gallery in Paris, and Francesco Balzano designed the new Damyel Store, setting a chocolate store vision of pureness and calmness.
The decor unveils the elegance of Damyel chocolates through nobles materials.
Les Ateliers Saint-Jacques made the carpentry and bar layout, making each alcoves or fluting eyecatching details and a perfect match with the ivory lime covered walls.
The sobriety and neutrality of the space contrast with the usual chocolate stores design, and is kind of an invitation to contemplation. And to savor delicate chocolates afterwards obviously.
Founded in 1988 by a passionate family, Damyel offers fruity chocolates with lime zest, grand cru ganaches, macaroons and praline truffles, all 100% vegan and artisanal.
Fine crafted chocolates with the most unique flavors and minimalist aesthetic crafted furniture, that’s a combination that we shall all embrace.
© Annick Vernimmen
AD Pro Paris Design Now
We are honored to share with you this article from AD Pro which beautifully describes our mission at Par Excellence. Thank you AD Pro and Mel Studach for conveying our artisans’ crafts and spirit. All our artisans’ know-how are showcased in this article and we are very proud of this French Artisans collective which helps preserving and passing on to the next generation these outstanding craftsmanships.
Discover the full article about Par Excellence below. Complete report available to AD Pro members-only.
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Waldorf Astoria to Reopen, with a new French Touch
By Amanda Copkov
After several years of undergoing extensive refurbishments, New York’s very own Waldorf Astoria is expected to open once again — and this time, with a new French touch.
Acclaimed French designers Jean-Louis Deniot and Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR) — both originally based in Paris — have undertaken both sides of the luxury art-deco hotel’s latest renovations: Deniot, with the former rooms now turned into luxury apartments and penthouses as well as the amenity spaces, and Rochon with the general hotel interior and public areas, as reported by luxury lifestyle magazine The Robb Report on November 14. The new designs also bring back the “old world glory” of the hotel, reconstructing the grand ballroom as it originally was in 1980 as well as restoring the four-faced clock which dates back over a century to 1893.
In 2016, Deniot was featured on the AD100, a list from Architectural Digest which recognizes the world’s best interior designers and architects. The “tastemakers,” as the magazine referred to them, on the 2016 list were each artists with a vision, and all “supremely confident” — Deniot included. On the AD100 2016, AD wrote that Deniot places a “heavy importance on the atmosphere more than the actual look” and was then working on projects such as the 25,000-square-foot construction of a modern palace in Chandigarh, India as well as an apartment
overlooking the Tuileries Garden in Paris.
PYR also focuses on luxury hospitality, while integrating the location, culture, and history of each property into the final design. According to their website, their design philosophy “centers on creating a refined, comfortable atmosphere that celebrates elegance and warmth while providing a timeless backdrop for an ever-changing modern culture.” Previous works from PYR include award-winning designs for the other luxury properties such as the Four Seasons, Ritz-
Carlton, Shangri-La, Sofitel, among several others.
The Waldorf Astoria renovation, which began in 2017 and cost up to $1 billion, includes refurbishments to 375 hotel rooms and 375 brand new residential condos — the latter costing anywhere from $1.7 million and higher for purchase and expected to go on sale starting in 2020. The condos, which will be formally known as the Towers of the Waldorf Astoria, range from studios to four-bedroom apartments, averaging 1,700 square feet. They will also feature large floor plans with libraries, entertainment rooms and master bedrooms with en suite baths and
walk-in closets, as detailed by The Robb Report.
The complete renovation of the Waldorf Astoria is expected to be completed sometime in 2021.
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The Salon Art+Design 2019: Rendez-vous
The Salon Art+Design show returned for its eighth edition at the Park Avenue Armory from November 14 – 18, 2019. Being an incredible melting pot of design, vintage, modern and contempory art, it featured 56 leading art and design galleries (Apparatus, R Company, The Future Perfect, 21St Gallery), from 14 different countries.
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Lalique : A celebration of iconic design and craftsmanship
Lalique participated at Salon Art+Design 2019 for its second year in a row. The façade of the installation featured the debut of the “Hirondelles” Wallpaper, created in tandem with Fromental, a British wall-covering company. The overall concept for the installation was influenced by the three F’s that define the Lalique brand; Femme (woman), Flore (Flora), Faune (Fauna).
For this special occasion, the Manufacture de Tapis de Bourgogne which is part of Par Excellence Craftsmen collective, created a custom hand-cut and looped carpet that lent a textural, luxurious and inviting atmosphere to the space with its modern nest and parakeet pattern.
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Mathieu Lehanneur – The Colonel’s Room
French designer Mathieu Lehanneur created a new site-specific installation for the Salon, using a mix of new and old designs. He created a place of refuge within the historic Colonel’s Room called “Soldier’s Retreat”. Here was his new collection “Inverted Gravity but also pieces of his “Illuminations” Collection like his cloud-shaped Familyscape couch and a green marble console. Most pieces of this collection were crafted by Par Excellence partners.
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The Manufacture de Tapis de Bourgogne - A Unique Workshop
Located in the heart of the Burgundy vineyards, the Manufacture de tapis de Bourgogne creates and manufactures carpets and rugs. Among its prestigious customers are the Plaza, the Ritz, the Meurice, Cartier, Christian Dior, Emilio Pucci, Airbus and the Elysée palace.
Their latest News?
The creation of carpets for the Lalique stand at the Salon Art + Designin New York from November 14 to 18.
A beautiful story of exceptional craftsmanship
In 1958, the Swiss firm TISCA, renowned for its high-end textile products, wanted to innovate and get closer to the exceptional know-how already present in France. They decided to manufacture handmade woven carpets. To do this, they settled in Moroges in Burgundy. In the 1970’s, the Manufacture de Tapis de Bourgogne developed a new technique: hand-tufted carpets. Success is quickly achieved as the talented Andrée Putman, Pierre Paulin, Jean-Michel Wilmotte, Philippe Starck and Peter Marino called on the Manufacture’s know-how. The manufacture also crafted carpets and tapestries for the greatest artists such as Robert and Sonia Delaunay, Kandinsky, Modigliani, Mondrian, Vasarely and Keith Haring. Today, the Manufacture supports designers all over the world in their projects of handmade custom carpets and rugs.
Carpets made entirely by hand in France
For more than half a century, these rugs have all been made exclusively in France in the village of Moroges in the heart of Burgundy. It is the hands of their craftsmen who guide their work. And this is the case at all stages of creation: from drawing on canvas, through weaving on looms, but also combing, gluing and finishing.
Tailor-made creations and “Signatures” editions
The Manufacture has built its reputation on its expertise in special orders. On the one hand, it offers an internal design office with the possibility of creating custom designs. On the other hand, it also offers editions of “signature” rugs developed with decorators and designers such as Pierre Yovanovitch, Damien Langlois-Meurinne, Elliott Barnes, Daniel and Michel Bismut, and Noé Duchaufour.
Artisanat d’art
As a sign of recognition of its craftsmanship and excellence, the Manufacture is labelled EPV (“Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant”) which means “Living Heritage Company”. It is also part of the Ateliers d’Art de France. Finally, it is a member of the Bellecour Committee.
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Interview with Odile Dhavernas (Principal Manager)
What determined the choice of the Moroges site in Burgundy for the manufacture of carpets?
Odile Dhavernas – In 1958, the Swiss firm TISCA decided to open a workshop for hand-woven carpets. They wanted to respond to the demand for tailor-made projects from French decorators and designers. Today, the Manufacture is the only and last French company manufacturing 100% of its production in France. No subcontracting or workshops abroad.
What are your most recent projects?
Odile Dhavernas – Most of them are confidential. We did the Connaught by Hélène Darroze restaurant in London, designed by Pierre Yovanovitch. But also the Belle Etoile Suite at the Meurice Hotel, designed by Lally & Berger. An exceptional location with a 360-degree view of the rooftops of Paris. We also did the Cartier boutiques in Dubai, Shangaï and Honk Kong, Renault’s new headquarters in Boulogne-Billancourt, the Galeries Lafayette in Doha designed by Bruno moinard and a 319 aircraft for a private individual. Our last project is the creation of carpets for Lalique presented at the Salon Art+Design in New-York in November.
What are the specificities of the Manufacture?
Odile Dhavernas – Among the characteristics that differentiate us from our competitors, our customers often highlight: our extraordinary stock of more than 3000 colours that allows us to produce custom samples in one week. But also our reactivity in the development of projects (drawings, samples, quotations…). We have a production deadline of 8 to 12 weeks. We also have a geographical proximity: we are present in Paris and Burgundy, but also in New York, Los Angeles, Moscow, Munich and Melbourne via our agents and partners.
You have joined Par Excellence, which promotes French Savoir-Faire in New York. What do you expect from it?
Odile Dhavernas – In addition to a physical showroom in New-York, Par Excellence is first and foremost a great synergy with our French partners. This structure brings together about ten exceptional skills, the best in their field. But it is also a group of collaborators and friends with great human qualities. We now have an expanded team on site. It is dedicated to commercial prospecting, project monitoring, and the development of large-scale real estate projects… The first step was to support French interior designers in their American projects. And now we are working with American designers on site.
What challenges would you like to take up in the near future?
Odile Dhavernas – We are particularly working on the development of the “contract” market, i. E. hotels/restaurants/shops. We invested two years ago in a tuft robot. This allows us to respond to large-scale projects at more adjusted prices, without sacrificing quality. Because it is installed in our workshops in Burgundy, this ensures that we work with the same yarns, colours and quality standards as in woven and hand tufted fabrics. To date, it is the only tuft robot machine France available to interior designers.
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The Suite Belle Etoile by Lally & Berger
The design trio Charles Jouffre (founder of Par Excellence), Margaux Lally and Luc Berger renovated the Meurice’s Belle Etoile suite. A four-bedroom duplex suite with a spectacular Italian marble bathroom with Jacuzzi. Housed on the top floor of the hotel, this suite offers exceptional views of Parisian monuments including the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and the Sacré-Coeur Basilica.
Handcrafted details await you at every turn, creating a refined luxurious atmosphere. Par Excellence craftsmen participated in the renovation of this sophisticated suite. Manufacture de Tapis de Bourgogne workshop made rugs hand tufted in wool and silk with cut and loop pile inspired by delicate feathers. Jouffre workshop made the sofa, the bedspread and curtains. And Meljac took care of the Electrical Hardware.
AD asked the question “Is this the most beautiful suite in Paris?”. Par Excellence’s answer is definitely “Yes!’.
Thierry Lemaire - Decorator and Designer
The architect, decorator and furniture designer Thierry Lemaire is an aesthete. For the past twenty years, this man with many talents has magnified everything he touches. It affixes a singular touch to Haussmann apartments, luxurious houses, grandiose chalets, chic boutiques, and oriental palaces.
Places of character
In addition to his interest in the decorative arts of the 20th and 21st centuries, Thierry Lemaire likes to highlight contrasts, whether it is for the Automobile Club de France in Paris, a holiday home in Portugal, or a penthouse in Beirut.
Thierry Lemaire also expresses himself through strong scenographies for Yves Gastou Gallery and AD Interiors among others.
Furniture with a strong presence
An admirer of Jean-Michel Franck, Paul Dupré-Lafon and Jean Prouvé, Thierry Lemaire designs furniture of radical but sophisticated simplicity. He uses noble and precious materials such as marble, bronze, Macassar ebony, lacquers, exotic essences. In 2017, Thierry Lemaire opened an eponymous gallery in Paris in the Carré Rive Gauche. There, he presents his furniture alongside the work of talented artists, painters, and ceramists.
First participation in the PAD Paris 2019
Thierry Lemaire created an architectural performance consisting of a sober and luxurious setting in white and ochre travertine, inlaid with raised panels. Thierry Lemaire mixes materials, influences and periods always with a love of craftsmanship as well as handcrafted and custom-made products.