Design Chicago, Two Day October Market For Design Professionals

Furniture World News

The Merchandise Mart Design Center™ announced that they will be hosting Design Chicago, the second annual two-day market for interior design professionals in the Chicago-area. Design Chicago will present up-to-the-minute trends in interior design, featuring renowned keynote speakers, innovative seminars and presentations, and the showrooms’ latest collections. Attendees will also have a change to toast the “Ones to Watch”, three design firms selected by The Merchandise Mart Design Center showrooms as the up-and-coming designers setting new standards in the design world. This year’s keynote speakers include industry icons Jamie Drake-NY-based designer and color fanatic, Celerie Kembel-retro-chic furniture designer, Lloyd Princeton-acclaimed money guru and Lisa Skolnick- contributing writer to Metropolitan Home. Special presentations will take place throughout both days in The Merchandise Mart Conference Center on the second floor of the building. In addition, several showrooms on floors 1, 6, 15, 16, 17 and 18 of the Design Center will also host special seminars with designers, showcase new products and serve fine food and beverages to guests. Enter to win one of many one-of-a-kind ottomans covered in the latest fabrics from The Merchandise Mart Design Center showrooms. Ottomans will be on display in The Merchandise Mart lobby, showcasing luxury design and exquisite detail for all to see. "Design Chicago: Future Fashions for Furniture, Fabric and More brings together such a talented group of design icons and industry leaders to offer interior design professionals a compelling, knowledgeable market. These two days provides informative, state-of-the-industry news, insight to the latest trends, and a first look at showrooms’ newest collections,” says John H. Brennen III, executive vice president, MMPI. KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9 10:00 a.m. Jamie Drake: The New American Glamour Merchandise Mart Conference Center, 2nd Floor Presented by: Jamie Drake With colors embracing the spectrum and design styles ranging as broadly, Jamie Drake examines the elements that connect all of his interiors: Luster, Texture, Color, Curve and Mix. Join the designer as he communicates his signature look that attracts his bold, confident, polished clientele. Jamie has created interiors for the likes of Madonna and Michael Bloomberg—among other elite clients around the world. He describes his design as “high style, with a bit of flash and a lot of glitter! Join Jamie immediately after his presentation for a luncheon at the Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman showroom, suite 1870A, where he will sign his book THE NEW AMERICAN GLAMOUR. 5-7 P.M A Toast to the Ones To Watch The Merchandise Mart , 1st Floor Join your peers and Mart showroom friends to toast the designers who are on their way to stardom. Nominated and selected by Merchandise Mart showrooms, these rising stars are giving stellar service to their clients and establishing a reputation for success. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10 10–11 a.m. Celerie Kemble Revealed Merchandise Mart Conference Center, 2nd Floor Presented by: Celerie Kemble and Lisa Skolnik Join Metropolitan Home’s Lisa Skolnik as she uncovers the inspiration, philosophy and life experiences that provide Celerie with her sophisticated design talent seen today. Hear how this design “icon”, as referred to by House & Garden magazine, has changed the course of direction for her latest projects, and where she sees style heading. Celerie also reveals what it’s like working with younger, affluent clientele and her beliefs behind a successful designer/client relationship. Brunch reception immediately following at CAI Designs, Suite 1619. 3 p.m State of the Industry Merchandise Mart Conference Center, 2nd Floor Presented by: Lloyd Princeton If you only have an hour to spend on education—this is it! Lloyd Princeton, renowned speaker and consultant for the design industry, updates you on the State Of The Industry. Discover a fresh perspective on the role of design professionals in the future, the influence of retail sales on consumer purchasing and ways to structure your business to stay abreast of changes in the Industry. Ask questions, hear actionable responses and learn how to make your career thrive! RSVP for all keynote presentations, 312.527.4711. Below is just a sample of showroom events. For a complete listing, visit www.merchandisemartdesigncenter.com. SPECIAL SHOWROOM EVENTS: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9 11 A.M. Atelier Lapchi ∙ Suite 6-160 Couture Design with James Barra of Shelter Magazine Atelier Lapchi invites you to a discussion with special guest James Barra, co-founder and creative director of Shelter magazine. Barra will share his compelling perspective on the international world of design. Through personal anecdotes, sociological theories, and luxurious imagery, Barra explains how to cultivate your international sensibilities to better understand the social behaviors and taste patterns that affect your own personal aesthetic. Atelier Lapchi is proud to present this incomparable event at its newly expanded showroom, and enjoy a tasting of international wines paired with light fare. R.S.V.P to Sasha Goldstein at 312.321.0090. 11 A.M. JANUS et Cie ∙ Suite 1876 Bringing the Outside In JANUS et Cie invites you to join designer Doug Nickless as he explores how to create glamour, luxury and style using exterior products in interior spaces. R.S.V.P to Amy Marek at 312.822.0560 or amarek@janusetcie.com 12 P.M. Kravet ∙ Suite 6-128 Michael Berman for Kravet Collections Join Kravet for a presentation with Michael Berman. This west coast designer, who combines chic modernism with a classic vibe, will introduce his newly launched textile and carpet collections for Kravet. 12 P.M. Modern at Design Atelier ∙ Suite 1848 Luncheon Enjoy lunch with Helene Aumont, former French Givenchy fashion model, and presently a hot interior designer “tweaking” European antiques into mode confections. R.S.V.P. to Monica at 312.822.0440 12-2 P.M. Odegard An Afternoon with Paul Mathieu Odegard invites you to join Paul Mathieu with L’Apertif to celebrate the designs Stephanie Odegard has created in collaboration with him. We will be sharing his favorite French wines and cheeses while Paul shares the stories behind the design inspiration for his furniture and lighting collection for Odegard. 1:30 P.M. Robert Allen │Beacon Hill ∙ Suite 633 Inspiration and Expression Join Larry Laslo, world-renowned interior and product designer, for a presentation that explores his creative philosophy and design process. This fascinating presentation is followed with wine and hors d’oeuvres. R.S.V.P to 312.644.5790 by October 7. 2 P.M. F. Schumacher ∙ Suite 6133 Jamie Drake Presentation Join Schumacher and Jamie Drake for a sweet dessert. Guests are eligible to partake in a raffle for a custom Jamie Drake Ottoman. R.S.V.P. to Steve Silveira at 312527.4659. 3– 3:30 P.M. Gallerie One ∙ Suite 600 Contemporary Heirlooms Gallerie One invites you to meet award-winning designer, Emma C. Gardner, who will introduce her newest rug designs and talk about how best to use floor covering to complement your interior projects. Refreshments served. R.S.V.P to Gallerie One at 312.222.1177 3– 5 P.M. Ralph Lauren/ Henredon ∙ Suite 1865 The Ralph Lauren Showroom invites you to attend an evening with Chicago’s finest artists of contemporary art and photography. Please join them to meet the local artists represented by Flatfile Galleries and view their work. Curator and owner, Arinko will be present. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Todd Hase Furniture ∙ Suite 1622 New Fall Introductions Enjoy a personal tour with Todd of the latest additions: a new quick-ship line of exclusive casegoods featuring polished marble tops with metal bases, as well as Todd Hase's namesake Macassar Ebony. New porcelain and blown glass lamps in Neoclassical and Asian forms compliment the entire Collection. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10 11-2P.M. de Aurora ∙ Suite 1871 Kitchen Trends Interior design starts in the kitchen. Habersham Home displays the trends of not just the kitchen but the whole home. Meet Myron Fry, national kitchen rep for Habersham and Terrell Goeke of Terrell Goeke Design for a presentation of trends. 12 P.M. Modern at Design Atelier ∙ Suite 1848 Visit Modern at Design Atelier for lunch with Hughes N’cho-Allépot, the uber-talented French-African designer making his Chicago debut with new designs. 12 P.M. ICI ∙ Market Square Conference Center (leave where at on web, but add headshot and logo) Waiting for whatever copy will go here. 1:30 P.M. Baker Knapp & Tubbs ∙ Suite 6-187 Insight with Matt Lorenz Join Matt Lorenz, winner of Bravo's Top Design, as he shares his latest celebrity experience to starting his own Chicago-based design firm. For a complete listing of DesignChicago events, visit www.merchandisemartdesigncenter.com/designchicago. ABOUT THE DESIGN CENTER™: Located in the heart of Chicago, Illinois, The Merchandise Mart is home to four floors constituting the world’s first and largest design center. As a leader in the $65-billion residential furnishings market, The Merchandise Mart Design Center™ offers the largest presentation of home furnishings worldwide, all under one roof. Encompassing 700,000 square feet, boasting 130 showrooms and featuring over 2000 product lines, the Design Center is the design professional’s ultimate resource for luxury furniture, fabrics, floor coverings, wall coverings, lighting, antiques, accessories and much more. The Merchandise Mart Design Center’s Designer Portfolios are a unique online resource for homeowners to learn about working with a design professional and help them find the perfect designer to match their tastes, expectations and budget. More than 50 area design professionals are featured in the online Designer Portfolios, with his or her own web page featuring their design philosophy, area(s) of specialty, project photos, fee structure and more. Designer Portfolios can be easily accessed by visiting www.merchandisemartdesigncenter.com and clicking on the Designer Portfolio logo. For more details, please visit www.merchandisemart.com or call 800.677.MART (6278). Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) is a trade show and property management firm, specializing in managing buildings devoted to wholesale showrooms and commercial office space. MMPI produces more than 300 trade shows, market events and conferences each year. MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart and 350 W. Mart Center in Chicago; Market Square, the Suites at Market Square, Hamilton Market, Plaza Suites, Furniture Plaza and the National Furniture Mart in High Point, N.C.; the Architects & Designers Building and 7 W New York in New York; the Boston Design Center in Boston; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center and Federal Center Southwest in Washington D.C. Vornado Realty Trust, owner of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust. Vornado’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.