Events Fairs Travel & Hotel

Blogtour NYC 2015 with Modenus.

Mary-Heilmann-Frieze-art-fair-New-York-2015-photo-by-Little-Big-BellI had the most amazing time in New York on Blogtour recently. This was organised by the wonderful  Veronika Miller and her lovely daughter Florence of Modenus, co-sponsored by Laufen, Wilsonart, Mr. Steam and Dacor.

It was five fun days of art and design, with a group of like minded bloggers and interior designers.

I thought I’d write about some of my highlights from the tour.

I was excited to attend the Frieze art fair, since I’ve always wanted to attend the one in London, but could never make it.

As we entered the art show, Mary Heilmann’s colourful chair and painting caught my eye. It was unsurprising, since I have a passion for bright colours.Mary-Heilmann-The-New-Whitney-museum-NYC-photo-by-Little-Big-BellInterestingly, I encountered Heilmann’s work a few days before the blogtour started, on the roof terrace of the New Whitney museum. I absolutely loved it.Frieze-art-fair-NYMy other favourite art piece was this photo realistic painting by Daniel Rich. I am liking that shade of mint and its combination with the blue and orange.Brrch-floral-and-milena-muzquiz-with-travesia-cuatro-frieze-art-fair-2015-on-Little-Big-BellSometimes it is good to lose your way in an art show. If I hadn’t lost my way, I wouldn’t have stumbled upon this beauty. The stunning flowers are by the talented Brittany Asch of brrch and the colourful ceramics are by Milena Muzquiz with Travesia Cuatro.Brrch-frieze-art-fair-new-york-2015-photo-by-Little-big-BellLook at this!Travesia-Cuatro-and-Brrch-photo-by-Little-Big-Belland this!

Frieze-art-fair-New-Yorkand this!Nika-Zupanc-for-Se-dining-chairs-ICFF-2015-on-Little-Big-BellAnother wonderful highlight from the blogtour, was attending the ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair).

I must say, I was rather taken by this dusky pink and gold Stay dining chair, by Nika Zupanc for Se.

I could quite easily use it with my make believe dressing table in my fantasy boudoir.Kartell-Laufen-2015When I heard that Kartell had collaborated with Swiss bathroom brand Laufen, and that they were showcasing at ICFF, I was instantly curious at how ceramics and plastic would look together in a bathroom.

Kartell is definitely a brand that has successfully taken plastic to that next higher level of design.

It certainly didn’t disappoint. That plastic removable tray above the circular tap was such a clever feature, perfect for when space is premium or if one’s sink model didn’t allow for display.

Kartell-Laufen-on-Little-Big-BellThe citrus hue in this bathroom is so vibrant. The pleated effect of that mirror looks like sunshine, don’t you think?

Also, take a look at that ceramic sink, beautifully finished and quite simply elegant. I need a Laufen-Kartell bathroom in my home soon.

Heller-colourful-tables-stools-ICFF-2015-photo-by-Little-Big-BellBeing a lover of colour, my eyes gravitated towards Heller’s stand at ICFF.

I’ve never heard of this brand before and was happy to discover something new. In fact, Alan Heller, the founder, was there and we had a lovely conversation.

These colourful, multipurpose cubes can be used both indoors and out. They were designed by Massimo Vignelli for Heller.Heller-Vignelli-RainbowMugs-SetAgain coincidentally, I had only just discovered Vignelli 2 days prior, when I was browsing in the MoMA ( Museum of modern art) shop.

I was seriously tempted to buy those mugs he designed.

Now pinching myself for not getting them, but then again, my luggage for the journey home probably would not have been able to accommodate more.Wilsonart-challenge-Blossom-chair-Samantha-Lilly-featured-on-Little-Big-BellIf you looked at this ‘Blossom’ chair, you probably, like me, wouldn’t have guessed that it was made of laminate.

In fact, this is the winning chair by Samantha Lilly in a competition sponsored by Wilsonart and was on display at the ICFF.

Wilsonart is a leading producer and supplier of engineered and decorative surfaces.

The theme of the competition was to celebrate the beauty, culture and history of the Appalachian Valley of North Carolina.

You can find out a little bit more about the inspiration behind the design here. 

I really admire a company who gives back to design what design gives to it.

The Wilsonart challenges programme is a scholarship programme to foster the careers of emerging furniture designers in North America.Moglea-National-Stationery-show-on-Little-Big-BellRunning alongside the ICFF was the National Stationery show.

This colourful mural was created by Meg Gleason, the lovely owner of Moglea, a beautiful stationery brand. Do check out her website.March-paper-and-design-on-Little-Big-BellAnother sweet stationery brand is March paper and design.

This painterly card could not have come at a more perfect time. My wedding anniversary was just a week away.

Dacor-colour-match-oven

We were invited to view the Kips Bay show house by Dacor , a leading kitchen appliances brand.

The Kips Bay show house raises money for young people in economically and socially disadvantaged neighbourhoods of New York. Last year they raised $19 million.

Not only were we invited by Dacor to view their beautifully designed Christopher Peacock kitchen, we were treated to some freshly made frittata muffins washed down with Mimosas. Yes, Mimosas for breakfast!

We learned all about the new technology associated with their appliances. Integrated Android interfaces, the ability to link to an iQ app which allowed for remote customisation when cooking. Voice control of the appliances is possible when off site. When on site, you could even surf the internet and read blog posts on the oven screen.

Technology aside, I was super excited to find out that Dacor do customised colour match appliances. I’m now dreaming of a baby pink or maybe a powdered blue oven in my kitchen.Kips-bay-show-house-roof-terrace-by-Rottet-studio-featured-on-Little-Big-BellSo, there were numerous rooms, bathrooms and hallways decorated in the show house.

My favourite was quite simply the roof terrace at the top of this Upper East side home. A little oasis of calm away from the bustling streets of New York.

This was designed by Lauren Rottet and the Rottet Studio team.

That white Patricia Urquiola chair looked so inviting, I could have easily spent the rest of the day lounging there.Kips-bay-home-Rikki-Snyder-butterfly-mosaicsThe butterfly mosaic walls were stunning.Kips-Bay-show-house-2015-Butterfly-mosaic-wall-Rottet-studio-featured-on-Little-Big-BellHere’s a close up view. Just look at those green tones with the yellow and Indigo.

You can read a good coverage and see the photos of the Kips Bay house on Houzz .Ink-48-hotel-dinner-with-Mr.Steam-photo-by-Little-Big-BellAfter a busy day at the fairs and exhibitions, we were treated to amazing cocktails and dinner at the  rooftop restaurant of Ink 48 hotel by Martha Orellana, the VP for Sales and marketing for Mr. Steam.

I have previously written about Mr. Steam, and the benefits of chromotherapy with a steam shower. I’m pretty sure I said I wanted to install one 2 years ago. I may well need to make it a goal.

So the many benefits of steam therapy can be found here,  but for me, it’s all about relaxation and unwinding at the end of a busy day.

I currently have a cold, oh what I would do to have some Eucalyptus scented steam therapy.

Brrch-Frieze-art-fair-Little-Big-BellHope you’ve enjoyed my quick whizz through the blogtour. We actually saw and did more than I can write about.

A huge thank you to Modenus for organising the blogtour and to the amazing sponsors of the tour. Thank you to Mr. Steam, Dacor, Wilsonart and Laufen.

In the next couple of weeks, I will be doing another post on exploring New York by myself, from Brooklyn to Manhattan, what’s cool, where to eat and shop. so watch this space.

There will also be some special collaborations coming up with really cool brands.

Wishing you all a lovely week.

( All photos are taken by Geraldine Tan of Little Big Bell, except for the images for Dacor,Laufen, Wilsonart are from their sites)

2 Comments

  1. Thank you very much Geraldine for featuring MARCH Paper & Design stationery… it was lovely to meet you at the National Stationery Show this year. I really enjoyed reading about your recent tour in NYC… you have a brilliant eye for design.

    • littlebigbell

      It’s my pleasure Yolanda. Thank you for visiting and so pleased you enjoyed the blog tour post.

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