Inspiration Abounds: Blogfest, Jonathan Adler and Kips Bay

Posted on the 23 May 2013 by Courtney Zanelli @courtneyzanelli

This week I had the great pleasure of attending Blogfest 2013, sponsored by Kravet.  I have so much to report from this fantastic conference, but for now I’ll simply give you a few highlights and later, a few more details.  Our three day tour in New York began with a kick-off party at Jonathan Adler’s fabulous Madison Avenue store.  It was a great opportunity to network with other design bloggers and take in all of the incredible inventory in Adler’s showroom.  I fell in love with every bright color and interesting texture, and between the furniture, light fixtures and textiles I could have spent an awful lot of money on that first night alone!  Mental note: must go back.

I came face-to-face with this fantastic mirror when I walked into the store and knew that I had to have it — although where to hang it in my traditional, Georgian colonial home I did not know!  I entered a drawing for $500 and knew just where I would spend my spoils.  Alas, I did not win, and the wall in my entry hall will continue to be bare (truth be told, orange wasn’t the right color anyway, but it was just such a fun, funky mirror!).  Mental note: for another day.

Our first stop on Day 2 was at the Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse on 64th between 3rd and Lex.  I knew immediately that I had arrived at the right address once I saw how beautifully manicured the exterior of the building was!  Who knew that both the exterior and the interior would far exceed my expectations?

To my great delight, we were served breakfast courtesy of Doodle Home in this beautiful kitchen designed by Christopher Peacock.  Apologies for the crummy photos — I have learned that while my old iPhone is great in a pinch, it doesn’t produce the quality photos that these gorgeous rooms deserve.  Use your imagination:  the kitchen was stunning.  What fun to see a departure from the often-copied Peacock white scullery kitchen (a favorite of mine for sure, and of countless others)!  This kitchen was constructed of dark stained quarter-sawn oak cabinets, polished nickel hardware and beautiful caesarstone countertops.  I could have spent the morning there!

Spending three days surrounded by some of the most creative minds in the design industry is incredibly energizing — you can’t help but be inspired.  More details and images from Kips Bay, Blogfest and our private behind-the-scenes tour of Kravet Studios will follow in a post next week.  For now I will continue to be inspired by my fellow friends and bloggers, the beautiful design showrooms I had the pleasure to visit and the exciting pulse of New York City!