Leaving Las Vegas... Not Yet!

Okay, Designers. Before we go, let’s review what the D.A. crew learned on this big adventure to the Las Vegas Market. First, let me remind you of our mission. We cleaned house here at Design Alliance, tossing dozens of out-of-date, neglectful and uncooperative vendors from our library of catalogs. We have made room for new vendors with a fresh perspective and a state-of-the-art design inspiration. We want to help you stay ahead of your clients  by keeping you abreast of the cutting edge trends in the design business.

The following are the vendors we found most exciting, with products and styles missing from our current library. As you review, please note who sounds good to you and with whom you might place an order.

FURNITURE COLLECTIONS

Four Hands:  Young, hip and urban. Very creative use of “other” elements, mixed with the common. Lot’s of natural accents like a slice-of-wood coffee table or a tree stump stool. Best industrial-influenced design seen at the show! Nearly every display had a vintage nod to the 50s or 60s or 70s in some application and all the clever lighting was unique to Four Hands. Overall the feeling was imaginative, designed and hand crafted. I choose this for its special accent pieces.

Gabby:  Transitional elegance, chic and slightly formal. Graceful lines in a pale palette, would describe the quiet Gabby showroom. A strong period furniture influence was seen in all of their designs as well as an extensive collection of antique “bench-made” case goods. Their seating collection shows lots of modern inspired silhouettes, the popular Italian arm on many chairs/sofas and classics like the Bergere chair. A handsome, stylized armoire, secretary or breakfront anchored every display. Overall the feeling was one of quality, class and tranquility. I choose this for its “on trend” transitional look.

Dovetail: Feminine, repurposed chic and new cottage. Dovetail had an atmosphere so distinct you could not imagine this furniture with any other. Every display was an effective, new, eclectic mix of styles that were spot on! Their artisans have mastered the art of “aging” woods, metals and fabrics to appear natural. In the weathered painted cabinet or the rough distressed tabletop you believed there was a history that got them here. Although they had some edgy, industrial pieces, I saw their strong suit in upholstery and dining sets. Overall the feeling was romantic, barefoot, gauze dress, lover, wine and strawberries. I choose this for all of the above.

Noir: Eclectic, intellectual, career city dweller. The NOIR showroom is misleading at first glance. You think contemporary, hip… but on closer examination you see the quintessential eclectic blend of choices in furniture, lighting and accessories. A large inventory of classic chests and cabinets, way-traditional bed frames and stylized, period sofas and chairs.  A unique group of transitional dining tables with raw trestle bases and hammered zinc tops coupled with antique period dining chairs like Chippendale, Emperor, British Colonial and ladder-back. An array of very contemporary bookcases and modern light fixtures like the “sputnik” or the alchemy chandelier, offered the eclectic twist. Overall the feeling was smart, confident and interesting. I choose this for the iconoclastic bend.

ACCESSORIES, ACCENT FURNITURE

Gold Leaf:  An embellishment source, for your display. Just full of yummy elements that were natural, textural, graphic, 3-D and ethnic. Woven papers, by the foot, would be fabulous framed. Cool sculptures to hang as 3-D artwork, beautiful woven baskets, unique bleached branches, and so on. Not a typical accessory vendor, but at times we need that special, unique element that could seal the deal on your coolness factor. Overall the feeling was “arty” one-of-a-kind. I choose this for the promise of uniqueness.

Global View:  Colorful, sculptural, ethnic design. Everybody’s favorite, it was just fun to walk in the showroom! A space divided into color collections with a sub category…series of shiny lime green ceramics paired with polished aluminum trays or shiny orange ceramics paired with monkey pod. Blown glass bowls, vases, sculpture and varied size balls glued to the wall as art. A large inventory of accent chests and consoles almost all reflecting some vintage design, as well as whimsical mirrors and wall hangings. An extensive collection of ethnic artifacts and useful elements. Overall the feeling was clean, new and creative. I choose this for its variety.

Worlds Away:  Elegant accents, gold leaf, mid-century. It’s Palm Springs 1963, it’s a white shag rug, it’s beehive hair with “Orange whip” lipstick. Worlds Away is feminine, shiny and carefree like;  a gloss teal lacquer entry chest with gold leaf legs,  or a gold and glass bar cart, parked under a silver leaf metal drum shade with Greek key cut-outs, or a pearly, Capiz shell hanging ball fixture. OR maybe one of their many gold, silver, metal or mirrored accent tables. Accent tables everywhere, clearly a trend! Overall the feeling was 1963, Pan Am Stew’s apartment. I choose this for the divorcee project.

LIGHTING

Jamie Young Lighting:  Creative, and sorta quirky. Lamps in every shape… balls, bells, barrels, jugs, jars and urns, made of clear colored or mercury lined glass, ceramic, wicker, wood, industrial metal or a stack of sliced horn.  Once you have selected a base, you pick your own shade, choosing from 38 shade shapes and 53 fabric choices, making your lamp truly one-of-a-kind.

Robert Abbey Inc:  A Designer’s lighting source. It appears they had handpicked the best from each of a wide range of lighting categories. In an effort to stay “on trend” they continue to work with icon designers, bringing to you a chic, strictly modern collection by Jonathan Adler, the elegant, classic, designs of Mary McDonald or Rico Espinet’s Stylish industrial creations. Overall, Robert Abbey lighting is a promise of quality.

AF Lighting: Lots of designer partnerships give AF a refined feeling, through thoughtful, edited lighting designs. Plus, the handy “series” groups, where they have gathered coordinated fixture styles of all types, into a collection. Great for a new home construction! AF has a strong transitional product line and a designer friendly attitude! Overall a first class staple source.

AREA RUGS

Feizy Rugs: (Pronounced Fay-Z).
The Feizy rug selection looks like quality, from the hand knotted silk and wool to the machine loomed PET, they look and feel rich. Their extensive traditional Indian rug designs are gorgeous and pricy. The transitional and contemporary collections are colorful and trendy in their designs. Overall some designs were so sublime that they were more suitable for framing than walking on!

Loloi: Their traditional rugs appeared to be ignored, as the LOLOI designers were busy creating their very hip and design friendly transitional and contemporary rug collections. The distressed “Nyla and Mirage” collection, the ethnic “Xavier” and the sophisticated “Sahara” designs all forgave the forgettable, traditional India classics. Overall, LOLOI may only be half useful?

Surya Rugs:  Made in Surya, India, all rugs are hand knotted, tufted or loomed. Colorful, tactile, cheerful and affordable, we love Surya! Also the home of poufs, ottomans, pillows, throws, lighting and artwork, plus… Design Alliance is the exclusive distributor in North County!