We tripped into Architectural Digest's show this past weekend and were surprised at how many boring, corporate booths there were, but pleased that the show wasn't overwhelming and the good stuff was easy to pick out.
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Zia Priven Design: Marcia and Paul's growing collection of lighting designs looked marvelous and luxe amidst hoi paloi
We also bumped into friends (P2 and Anne were there!) and enjoyed window shopping some very expensive items. We're going to roll out our picks over the next few days and check our bank account to see if it's going up anytime soon.
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Perlick Refrigerators & Freezers: We love undercounter fridge solutions, especially with glass fronts and these are top of the line. You can configure them any way you want to for fridge or freezer action and they also have fridges and freezer drawers that take up 1/2 the space.
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The Antique Wood Co.: These guys from Maine sell only reclaimed wood, planks, stairs and timber. Also high end, they are another great resource to add to the reclaimed wood archive. Old wood is better wood.
This was the first chance I've had to see the Zia Priven lighting in person, and boy is it gorgeous. The more I visited the booth, the more I found things to like.
As a matter of fact, my return visits almost got Anne (working the booth) in trouble! Sorry, Anne!
Conserv: Out
Perlick: In
wait, no!
I don't know, I saw Zia Priven's stuff, too and though it was kind of (dare I say) tacky? I saw their Wallpaper lights at the Gift Fair (love the idea of these!) but was really dissapointed in the quality. They looked pretty poorly made for the cost. I don't mean to hate, but I was pretty unimpressed. The edges just looked a little uneven. I'm something of a lighting nut so details like that are really important to me.
That said, I loved the Niche lighting- the frosted ones were especially nice. I wonder how long those bulbs last,though? I kinda thought the show was a little dull overall though- I'm looking forward to ICFF and the Italians this year!
Cynthia
I thought Zia Priven's stuff was absolutely amazing! Just stunning.The whole glamour thing may not be everyones taste, guess it depends on your apt, but I love it and apparently so did a lot of other people.The booth was packed the day I was there and I too went back several times! The ball chain sconces were incredible, very elegant and sexy. And I thought the quality was excellent. Saw the wallpaper stuff before, very nice, and I'm a lighting nut too. Where us can you get that quality of wallpaper on a lamp or hanging light? Beats all the cheap imitations on crappy printed paper- their's is the real deal!
As for Niche, I'm just not feeling it. Very dull. Ya, I know it's minimal, but how many hanging glass jars have we seen? It's been done a million times. Talk about unimpressive!
Cheryl
I thought the Niche stuff was gorgeous. They got the color right, and the new frosted ones were really stunning.
Thank you very much for the posting! PatricK! (the other one) We wish you would have introduced yourself because we would have loved to meet you!!! we had no idea you were the friend talking to Anne, we would have asked you to sit down and chat! I read AT all the time and love your comments, hopefully next time we will get to meet you. Thanks also for the nice comments,and don't worry, no trouble for Anne! Anne was a pleasure to work with and we were glad to have her.
Thank you also Cheryl for the great support, we greatly appreciate it.
As for Cynthia's comments, what can I say? We all have different tastes and opinions. The pieces we showed at the AD show were dramatic and high glamour, but for good reason- they were directed more towards the hospitality market: hotels, restaurants and also people that have the homes that can work with a piece of that size and drama. Our own modest NY apartment can't take 115 yards of crystal! We have a wide range of pendants and lamps that are definitely not as dramatic, but just as beautiful.
Regarding the quality of the Wallpaper Collection, I have to speak on that. Our shades are made by the highest quality shade maker in the country, they actually make all of Boyd Lighting's shades and the Wallpaper itself is all extremely high quality, gorgeous trade only materials - Cole and Son, Flavor Paper etc. The paper itself goes for $200 - $400 a roll. We go the extra mile with the shades, have the metal frame powder coated white so they don't distract or ever rust,the trim is all hand done, not mass produced, so once in a blue moon an edge may not be perfectly straight,but comes darn close.If you look at the photos on our website,you will see the same exact lamps that were at the show, no wavy edges. Perhaps you saw a piece that was mishandled,or a prototype, I simply don't know, but I am sorry to hear you were not happy with what you saw.It is the first complaint we have heard and we have sold quite a few. Velocity also carries the line and we all know their high standards.
We make all our products in the US and don't import from Overseas, as so many lighting manufacturers do, we are willing to pay the extra money for the quality and yes, to support the US economy.
When we started this company, we made a choice, to make the highest quality product we could, at the best price possible. In some ways we lose business due to that choice because we aren't mass market, but we didn't want to be. We wanted to make lighting that we ourselves would want to own and be proud of. And when a customer buys any lighting from us, we want them to feel the same. If there ever is any kind of disatisfaction (which is rare!), we immediately replace the piece and go out of our way to make the customer happy. I can't name many companies who will do that. We are the consumer too and give the same service we expect, or at least hope for from someone we buy from.
Again, we respect your opinion, and understand everyone has different tastes. That's what makes design so interesting and exciting!
P.S. I have to agree with Patrick that the Niche colors were very nice.
Sincerely,
Paul & Marcia
Zia-Priven Design
www.ziapriven.com
What's good about about under counter fridges?
I want them over the counter, where I can see things, not down on the ground where I have to get on my knees on the floor to fish items out.
Best fridge I ever had was moounted two cinder blocks ( tastefully hidden) up from the floor.
I must be hopelessly behind everyone at AT but I had a great time at the show. It was fun for me to see trends and innovations I had only read about. The petrified wood at Lars Bolander was exciting, I loved the felt I saw as upholstery everywhere--it seems elegant, subdued, informal and fun all at once, and c'mon, P2, you didn't notice the Cubans Tomas Frenes with the beautiful sofa and bone china?
The whole thing made me envious of pple who make a living from their passions as well as reconsider my rejection of journalism. I could have listened to pple talk about their craft for days.
Shoshana--
I too had a great time!! No need to feel apologetic about liking the show. It is much more eclectic than say ICFF, but that's kind of the point, and so it undoubtedly creates a much more polarized reaction from the ATers.
Among other things... loved the new Desiron stuff, nearly moaned at some bathrooom fixtures/sinks (name of booth escapes me), always enjoy seeing David Winter of Winter Works on Paper, found a great new source for (vegans, turn away...) cowhide pillows, and fell in LOVE with a(n actually reasonablly priced) lamp at of all places Ligne Roset. Also am jazzed about a new product coming in the next half-year from California Closets...
And a hot Cuban NEVER escapes my attention. ;)
(That's why living in Miami made me so tired!!)
Just could never get past the CROWD of boyz at that booth to say hola.
The Antique Wood Co. is a great resource for beautiful floors, ceilings, and trusses. They take special care to handle every order on a personal level. The craftsmanship is outstanding and the finish product is beyond words.