A Fearless Adventure with Color and Beading by Paula Queen of Pyar&Co.
I am a girl full of adventure. But, it was one moment in my life that created the continuous adventure of Pyar&Co. And that moment happened in 2010 when I married my husband, Sumit Gupta, when we traveled to India for our wedding celebration.
Throughout our wedding celebrations, I found that not only did I love wearing the traditional sari and lengha, but I admired the craftsmanship of the work – every element seemed to have an impact and I truly found it all so fascinating.
It was shopping in the different markets throughout India when my mind began to really turn; the more I experienced, the more I wondered how I could find a way to share these experiences with others. And, the dream of Pyar&Co. began.
My approach is to take a bit of a sense of fearlessness with color and beading while also working to create fluidity between East and West. My hope is to achieve a bit of a reference to the lyrical fashion, in India and abroad, while meshing the influences in my own way.
Whether using opulent silks, velvets or linens; vibrant colors or blush-toned; delicate details or metal studs, my thought… Continue reading
Transcendent Textiles
There are many measurements of quality in home textiles: thread counts, heft, finishings. A search for quality suppliers will invariably lead to the New York market. At the debut of NY NOW HOME, the Home Furnishings + Textiles category offers not just home textiles, but also complementary resources in decorative accessories and furniture.
Sophistication — in design and material – are the hallmarks of these NY NOW HOME Home Textiles suppliers:
The company’s first printed sheet introduction in decades features a geometric dotted diamond pattern. The sophisticated look is perfect for mixing and layering the colors: aqua, coral and green. Also available as a duvet and decorative pillows, in 100% Egyptian cotton. PecockAlley.com
Showcasing an exclusive animal design in gold boucle on ivory linen, this 24”x24” pillow was handcrafted by Asian artisans. Designer Karin Reiter follows a “pillow philosophy” that great room design should start with pillows, allowing everything else to follow. www.tourmalinehome.com
Rice Towel by Simple Life Home
Made of the finest 100% Turkish cotton, these towels are soft, absorbent and long lasting. They are luxuriously oversized, and loomed to a… Continue reading
Like so many good things out there, Handful of Salt was born out of a personal frustration: I wanted things that were artisanal and made by hand, but with a strong sense of modern design… and I just couldn’t find a great deal online or off. And yet I knew in my gut that there were lots of great makers out there. So I set out to find it, and then to share it.
Truth be told, that magical combination of design and craft still isn’t the easiest thing to find, but then that’s why we do what we do!
For me, artisanal is about individuality and connection. At some point, you stop wanting to surround yourself with the same stuff that everyone else has. Plus, I’ve always loved the slight variations of the handmade: it just makes things more interesting and unique.
And I love the sense of connection to the people and stories behind the object. Their stories are inspiring: it reminds me that out of the ‘one step forward/one step back’ lives we all lead, great things can happen when you dream big, put in your 10,000 hours of practice, and just stick to your guns.… Continue reading
Connecting With Creators
Designer makers have found a home at Handmade since 1985. In this juried section, 340 limited-production makers and artisans have been selected for their innovation and technique in a wide range of media. This summer, you can connect with these craftspeople in Handmade® Designer Maker in Javits Center North, as part of the NY NOW HANDMADE collection.
Created by hand, these products showcase the artistic caliber you’ll find at NY NOW:
The Finch Satchel by Peg and Awl
Each waxed canvas satchel in this line is one-of-a-kind, finished with a WWII Swedish gun sling strap, vintage zipper, brass buttons and antique ticking. Available in five colors: Truffle, Spice, Coal, Slate and Tumbleweed. Peg and Awl pieces are made to order; handcrafted by Margaux and Walter Kent from vintage and salvaged materials. pegandawlbuilt.com
Lily Pad by Hudson Beach Glass
Designed for delightful food presentation, an elegant platter in Peridot Jewel is topped with a lotus bowl in Alabaster Jewel. Both pieces are available in 13 different colors. A glass studio casting functional and sculptural objects for more than 20 years, Hudson Beach Glass is based in New York’s Hudson Valley, with John and Wendy Gilvey, Michael Benzer and Jennifer… Continue reading
100 Days of Design Blog Previews NY NOW Summer 2013 Starting May 6
Hope you liked the highlights from the winter 2013 NYIGF… We’re busy gathering information about great new products and NYC attractions you’ll find during the summer 2013 show. Look for our first post on May 6!
In the meantime, did you hear the news? Beginning this summer, the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®) becomes “NY NOW®, the Market for Home & Lifestyle!” We’ll unveil a new exhibit floor layout, four new product collections – HOME, LIFESTYLE, HANDMADE and NEW – and a new name, August 17-21, in New York City. Check out this video for a sneak peak at what’s in store!
