Christofle is a manufacturer of fine silver flatware and home accessories based in France. It was founded in 1830 when jeweler Charles Christofle assumed management of a jewelry workshop belonging to his wife’s family. Among Christofle’s product lines are silver picture frames, crystal vases and glassware, porcelain dinnerware, and silver jewelry and holloware.
I was reintroduced to the luxury brand when I used their intricately etched Marcel Wanders silverware for my tabletop design at Lenox Hill this past April. Roberto Reino the handsome Italian that oversees the New York CHRISTOFLE boutiques suggested I gather some of my favorite ‘creatives’ for a small dinner in the company’s chic West Village storefront.
The Art of the Table by CHRISTOFLE showcased the exquisite home accessories made by the legendary silver company. We toasted with crystal tulip Champagne glasses, then sipped from classic wine goblets while eating with beautifully etched sterling silver. There were 3 courses: we began with Arugula – preserved lemon – strawberries – barrel aged balsamic 25 years – the main course was Chicken breast – rainbow Swiss chard and carrots – tarragon – brown chicken jus – dessert was Exotic Mousse – Mango and red fruit mousse on coconut dacquoise biscuit with mango glaze.
The notable guests were asked to change places before each course. Kin to a sophisticated version of musical chairs, except the high energy jazz tunes kept buzzing in the background. This made for some lively conversation as the dinner continued and the roar from our cozy group could be heard by passers-by on Bleecker Street in the West Village of Manhattan. People outside were snapping photos of our lively dinner soirée while they gazed wide-eyed through the big storefront windows. Le dîner was a success.
Today the celebrated French silver company is one of the most sought-after luxury brands in the US, and Christofle’s expansion and modern design philosophy have been covered in the press from coast to coast. Thank you CHRISTOFLE and Roberto Reino, my Art of the Table dinner party was legendary.
just getting started at the Christofle -Art of the Table – dinner with Roberto + Tamara + Gabby + Melissa + Shari Ajayi who is the US Marketing Director for the Italian luxury linen and lifestyle brand FRETTE.
Tamara Matthews Stephenson is an Interior Designer – her trending textile company has a vintage chic aesthetic named ROOT CELLAR DESIGNS + Gabby Stephenson is a casual chef, Equestrian & future Plastic Surgeon.
Kyle Clarkson is the Managing Director and Creative Director of German luxury carpet maker Jan Kath – Santi Tomás of Santiago Tomás Interiors creates divine minimalist interiors for his global clientele – Chris Coleman
Noah Pelletier is the Decor Director for LLADRO the Spanish Porcelain Company and enthusiastic vintage and history connoisseur.
Jana Weillis the Director of Marketing forRobert Allen Beacon Hill. The Robert Allen Group and Duralee Fabrics, Ltd have merged and are now both divisions of The Robert Allen Duralee Group (or The RADGroup). Making it one of the largest companies in the industry. The RAD Group have an expansive product line—more than 45,000 SKUs of fabric, trim, decorative hardware and furniture with multiple brands to cover virtually any design style. + Jeremy Silva has his own company Honua NY that creates beautiful handblown glass vessels which resemble sea urchins from his native Hawaii.
beginning moments as guests start to gather at Christofle – Art of the Table – on Bleecker Street in the West Village. Napkins compliments of Frette.
XXL Jardin d’Eden candelabra by Marcel Wanders for Christofle -2250
photo by Tamara Matthews Stephenson
C h r i s t o f l e – art of the table
le dîner de christofle
Veronica Macasset – VP USA SAVOIR BEDS – which custom makes luxury beds in London + painter/artist Jonathan Kutzin
Interior Designer Nicole Fuller – Nicole Fuller Interiors – the sophisticated Interior Designer just launched a new collection of tiles with Ann Sacks called ‘whimsy’. + Jana Weill
Christofle is one of the leading French silver manufacturers. What’s special about the brand is that each silversmith creates the necessary tools for their craft personally, fashions it to suit their own hands, and remains its sole user. The selection of cutlery, silver serving items, giftware and unique Haute Orfevrerie offered is truly magnificent.
Alexander Yulish and his wife, Nicole Fuller – I love artist couples: Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera + Charles and Ray Eames + Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner
Christopher Coleman is an international tastemaker with a home furnishings and accessories boutique in Miami with his fashion & style Icon partner Angel Sanchez. They created Sanchez Coleman Studio and they will be boutique hotel design kings before long.
ART OF THE TABLE – CHRISTOFLE
Roberto- Nicole – Chris – Rio – Gabby – Veronica – Asler – Vivian – Alexi – Noah – Peter – Tamara – Kyle – Santi – Jeremy – CHRISTOFLE
Christofle Malmaison, one of Christofle’s most historic patterns exemplifies the Empire style. Featuring a classic frieze of delicate palm and lotus leaves.
Bi-coastal Artist Alexander Yulish is a New York Native known for his vibrant, energetic, large-scale abstract paintings.
Asler Valero is an International Interior Designer and Art Collector has design studios in New York and Greece + Rio Hamilton + Chris Coleman whose vibrant color schemes have continued to enliven interiors, restaurants and shops worldwide, many of which have been featured in the nearly 100 publications that have printed his work.
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.
