I was a gift show virgin, but no longer! I'll admit it; I'm not sure if I was more excited that I'd be spending an entire day in the city without children, or that I was going to my first gift show. I thought for certain I'd be overwhelmed. But, thank goodness, no! The gift fair's slogan this year was 'driven by design' and they did not dissapoint. I only did Pier 94, the 'At Home' section of the show -- and it was just right for a newby! Got some great images, and there was so much more that I wasn't able to get, but that are available at the vendor's websites. I saw a lot of beautiful bright colors at my favorite Bungalow 5 booth, and tons of bone inlay and wood on everything from garden stools (which I loved), to end tables, boxes and more, and lots of rattan and roping, and beautiful rustic pieces, and lots of shagreen, and so much more! Vendors who really stood out for me were Bungalow 5, Worlds Away (their tangerine was hot!), Tritter Feefer Home Collection had beautiful American made pieces that can be customized in all possible ways, Maison was gorgeous, Karen Robertson; whose shell grotto work is amazing and her beautiful living tortoise pieces are perfection-you've got to check her out, Bliss Studio (so me with each and every piece), Bojay (amazing bone inlay garden stools), Dunes and Duchess (their sconces were to die for) and Loforti Fine Prints for hand colored prints-so beautiful. Oomph was so much fun - happy, pretty pieces. Gargoyles, Ltd. had the most fun props I could've ever imagined! Roost and Made Goods had lots of fun bone carvings & inlay, wood, shagreen, rattan, and natural items. Spicher and Company had fun and amazing art work to include those classic coordinate pieces in black. Chive had some beautiful terrariums. Dransfield & Ross had beautiful linens, of course. Mangiam Arts had more bone inlay boxes that were beautiful. Emissary had some beautiful garden stools, and Unidesigns had great shells, vases, and corals. CDI Home had lots of fun things as well. Wendover Art Group and the Vintage Print Gallery had beautiful prints. Terrariums and succulents were everywhere! So much fun! I, of course, had to make the most of my trip in, and headed to the east side for Laduree, then strolled over to The Plaza (past The Knickerbocker Club all lit up from within, looking so welcoming) to grab a bite to eat, past my old work building on Ave. of the Americas, and then to Columbus Circle to soak up all that the beautifully large Williams-Sonoma had to offer. Love that Beckett Bar Cart in polished nickel! And yes folks, I walked the entire time! (I will be incapacitated tomorrow, but worth every step) Enjoy!
