ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST DESIGN SHOW

By Rio Hamilton - MAR 19, 2016 SATURDAY

Thursday March 17th 10:30am 54 degrees
I’m excited to share this story NOW because there is still time to see the design show. I had the esteemed pleasure of becoming a judge for the Architectural Digest Design Show at Piers 92 & 94 on the New York Harbor. My new favorite design membership group IFDA (International Furnishings and Design Association) selects 10 members as a judging panel to tour and preview the trade show selecting specific products deemed “Best- In- Show” and present each winner with a framed certificate. The Best-In-Show, spans ten categories in design: Art, Bath, Decorative Accessory, Flooring, Furniture, Innovative Booth Design, Kitchens, Lighting, Textiles, and Wall Coverings.

I couldn’t wait to get started early Thursday morning which was the first day of the 4 day design show. With more than 400 brands to see and countless ways to celebrate design – the panel of judges took the task seriously and scurried through the expansive show as thousands of design enthusiast began to fill the building. It was chaotic fun – discovering amazing new designs – creative artists and stylish dealers who carefully curated their booth installations for maximum impact.

Let me be frank – their are portions of the show that are on-fleek.

We saw hot NEW product and spoke to talented artisans anxious to discuss their technique and superb quality. Notable sponsors like Jenn-AIR, Hunter Douglas, Koket, RubyLux, TileBar and so many others filled the converted ship passenger terminal with innovative, fresh design. There were difficult decisions when choosing just one amazing artist or textile manufacturer. After using every moment of the few hours allotted – the judges reconvened to discuss this years winners. Then we returned to the show floor and delivered the certificate for “BEST IN SHOW” to the winners. The images below will give you an idea of the “eye candy” afternoon.

Thank you IFDA for your 60 year commitment to the Design Industry. Thank you AD Design Show for continuing to find innovative new products and resources that celebrate design. #ADDESIGNSHOW is a must see.

Erickson Aesthetics

Furniture: Erikson Aesthetics 
Ben Erickson - www.ericksonaesthetics.com
Booth M211
"The EAE daybed is beautifully proportioned, beautifully crafted with a hint of playfulness.  The metal joints are plated plumbing hardware." - Pryor Callaway

Erickson Design

WHILE JUDGING I FOUND A MOMENT TO MAKE A CONNECTION – MARIANNE HOWATSON FROM NYCG MAGAZINES MEET AURELIEN GALLET AND HIS FRESH NEW FURNITURE COLLECTION

My friend Stacy Kunstel is a stylist and writer for national magazines. Her DUNES AND DUCHESS brand has an impressive Instagram following with a picture story that salutes the stylish traditional home. She has filled her vignette with all sorts of wonderful home accessories.

Dunes and Duchess is a romanic online furniture and accessory company

The best little (wh)ore Haus Studios kept us aroused with cleverly crafted tables that donned one element of surprise after another. The wegi board lettering carved into the white marble side table was breathtaking. There was so much excitement strapped in this provocative luxurious booth that I needed a cigarette after our visit and I don’t smoke. But you know what? The Queen of this domaine has a calling card that is a book of matches. go figure . . .

(wh)ore Haus Studios owner is a model who

keeps her identity on the down-low and has a sizzlin’ hot #instapics that I adore

(wh)ORE HAüS STUDIOS

Decorative Accessory: A Space Studio

www.aspacestudio.com

Geometry Planes

Booth M317

“Creative process – use of materials. Delicate hand. Collaboration of team.” – Kevin Dumais

Kevin presents certificate to one of the team members of A Space – she was thrilled to receive the honor.

A Space is young design & art studio based in Brooklyn NY, and founded in 2013. Collaborative pieces are an attempt to bring in the timeless beauty of nature to contemporary lifestyle, be it a functional furniture or a decorative element.



Textiles: Avo


Avo Leather Wall Tiles


Courtney Kleinman -www.avo.com


Booth M311

"We love the inherent utility and decorative applications of natural leather.  Aro's hand painted leather wall tiles, rugs and upholstery offer a fresh spin you can feel good about." - Andrea Brodfuerer

Brit Kleinman founded AVO in 2014 with a mission to inspire a new appreciation for leather and its innovative use in the home. Rooted at the intersection of art and design, AVO’s signature “Painted Plains” collection of hand-painted cowhide rugs play with the juxtaposition between material, shape and pattern.



Flooring: Woven Concepts


Behrooz Hakimian - [email protected]


Booth 225

"Beautiful woven rugs with color and texture that tell their own story especially in their dimension." - Nancy Fire

www.wovenconcept.com Woven Concepts™ leaves a green carbon imprint with the creation of each hand-made rug. They implement rigorous quality and environmental production guidelines. As a socially responsible company, they support and adhere to initiatives against child and forced labor.



Art: Costantini Design


Screen Series


William Stuart - www.constantinidesign.com


Booth 521


"Quality of work. Style of art. Universal appeal. High end." - Rio Hamilton

William graduated Magna Cum Laude with Honors

in Studio Art at Colgate University and studied

in Paris before founding Costantini in 2002.

#ADDESIGNSHOW #NEWYORK TIMES #ArchitecturalDigest

#ADDESIGNSHOW #NEWYORK TIMES #ArchitecturalDigest

#ADDESIGNSHOW #NEWYORK TIMES #ArchitecturalDigest


Lighting: Luke Lamp Co 


Luke Kelly -www.lukelampco.com 


Langhorn 1 & 2


booth M1002


"This is an unusual, beautiful, flexible light fixture with texture, personality and style.  It asks to be touched and felt.  LED Lighting inside the rope glows with soft, cool light." - Elissa Grayer

Five years and counting Luke Lamp Co. has turned into quite a business. With clients as big as Twitter and Urban Outfitters, customers in over 30 countries, and projects ranging from boutique hotels to high-end restaurants.

Can’t remember who made these tables but there adorable and I want one

Innovative Booth Design: Paul Thomas & Pavarini Design

Booth 229

Paul Thomas – [email protected]

Charles Pavarini – [email protected]

“The marriage between art and furniture. Beautiful curated space with bright pops of color drawing the audience in.” – Rose Ott

#ADDESIGNSHOW #NEWYORK TIMES #ArchitecturalDigest

Bath: Rohl
Booth 435
www.rohl.com
“Love how innovative.Color combos. Detail in the finishes. Crystal detail.” – Vanessa DeLeon

Wall covering: Sarkos

Aura, Aqua Vrio

Adam Reimers – sarkosnyc.com

Booth M300

“Artisan quality. Handmade product. Method of pattern seaming. Made locally. The particular pattern and color chose is so unique – the color varies between green and gold because of the iridescence and shimmering quality.” –

Virginia Toledo




#ADDESIGNSHOW #NEWYORK TIMES #ArchitecturalDigest #IFDAselects







#ADDESIGNSHOW #NEWYORK TIMES #ArchitecturalDigest #IFDAselects









#ADDESIGNSHOW #NEWYORK TIMES #ArchitecturalDigest #IFDAselects

Rio Hamilton

Rio Hamilton is a business development professional with vast marketing and sales experience.He specializes in brand promotion for the luxury interior design and lifestyle industries. Rio works with companies, individuals and groups on concentrated brand identity and elevation. He has a popular website that chronicles "the who's who" at design and fashion events throughout greater New York.