Materialista NYC

Materialista® has moved!

2011-06-01T11:58:00.000-04:00

Dear Materialista® readers and followers,

We have incorporated our blog into our “parent” site, www.archsystems.com, for easier, one-stop navigation, and www.materialistanyc.com will now be tracking the trends on what's fashionable in materials at a new address - so please make sure to change your bookmark!

NEW!

www.archsystems.com/blog.aspx

If you have any suggestions for future blog posts, Materialista® would love to hear from you!

Just e-mail us at materialista@archsystems.com

Thank you for reading Materialista®!

What's Now - Choice + Innovation Available with 3M Architectural Market launch at International Contemporary Furniture Fair

2011-05-27T12:54:00.081-04:00

3M booth by Mansour Design

3M products are everywhere, and now that we have a strategic alliance with their Architectural Markets, they can be everywhere in your design! The International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) was a perfect NY trade show to introduce 3M™ DI-NOC™ Architectural Finishes and Fasara™ Glass Finishes.

3M™ Fasara™ Glass Finishes and DI-NOC™ Architectural Finishes

When working the show, it was great to see so many familiar faces from the design community. Everyone knows Architectural Systems for their distinctive materials and everyone knows 3M for their technology, and the excitement around the collaboration was contagious! The booth sparked a lot of interest. It was not only fantastically designed by Mansour Design, who we introduced 3M to, but attendees immediately started thinking of ways they could incorporate the films and our products into their projects. It was wonderful to watch their creative wheels spin!

Metallic films were applied to two patterns of ASI Sculptured™ panels in the eye-catching display and everyone was fascinated by the innovative ways the panels can be used, either as a new concept or to repurpose an existing surface. Ornamental Surfaces were also part of the exhibit, including new mirrored patterns that attracted a lot of attention!

Left: Sculptured™ Collection WPMAS205; Middle: Ornamental Surfaces DSBUS208;
Right: Sculptured™ Collection WPMAS204

How do you see 3M™ DI-NOC™ or Fasara™ enhancing your current projects?

Let me know!

Click on these links for press we found on the booth from Contract Magazine and Nirmada interior design blog!

What's Now - Materialista® reports on Aeropostale presentation at IIDA NY Retail Forum

2011-05-13T15:26:00.027-04:00

Rachel Salomon, Larissa Nahari, Architectural Systems

Materialista® is on vacation (lucky her!) so I am filling in as guest blogger. I am Larissa Nahari, Marketing Director for Architectural Systems. ASI was an event sponsor of the IIDA NY Retail Forum Event on Tuesday night. A group of us attended the accredited presentation, held at the very cool Herman Miller showroom, followed by a visit to the store. Two people won a $50 raffle, which would have come in handy when I was shopping for gifts for my nieces and nephews!

Ron Jackson, CEO and Nancy Jackson, President, Architectural Systems, Tim Anderson, VP Construction, Aeropostale

Nancy Jackson, President of Architectural Systems, is on the IIDA NY board and suggested the topic of the Retail Forum be about the new Aéropostale Times Square flagship. Nancy introduced the Retail Forum chairs to our longtime customer, Tim Anderson, Aeropostale’s VP of Construction and Store Design to be the presenter.

A typical Aeropostale store (Monmouth Mall, NJ) -- see the contrast below!

What a fantastic story we heard, the history of the brand (did you know Aeropostale means “air mail”?), the 885 stores they’ve opened, and the philanthropic efforts they’re involved with, like distributing over 1 million pairs of jeans to homeless teens!

I had intimate knowledge of this project, since Architectural Systems did a Featured Project e-blast, highlighting the materials supplied by ASI throughout the space. But what was most compelling about the presentation was to see how the final concept was achieved and the back story of how the design had to stay true to the brand, while still capturing the energy and iconic images of NYC.

With their out-of-the-box thinking, GHA Design Studios from Montreal was appointed as the design firm, based on a competition Aéropostale held, looking for who was most able to incorporate all of the NY-centric elements in the design.

The turn-around for the store was extremely fast, (we know how quickly yet successfully we got all the ASI materials there!). Metro Tile is installed throughout the 2-level space, following the subway concept and replicas of the NY Public Library’s lion statues sit above grey porcelain flooring.

The Soho T-shirt shop is Tim Anderson’s favorite, where our Tin Ceilings and Reclaimed Timber Flooring duplicated the bygone factory architecture of one of NYC’s oldest neighborhoods (and one I like to shop in too!).

Though we already had the inside scoop, Anderson announced plans for a Dubai store opening, where they will reproduce the flagship design with the more recognizable New York components – and maybe they can even copy the amazing view of the “crossroads of the world” seen from the Times Square store’s balcony!


George Reddick, Architectural Systems, on the 2nd floor balcony @ Aeropostale Times Square

Have you been to the Aeropostale NY flagship yet? Tell us which is your favorite “room!”

What's New - Guest Interview on Salone del Mobile, Milan

2011-04-25T17:50:00.000-04:00

I can barely keep track of my mom’s travel schedule, as she’s always heading off to the industry tradeshows, whether as an exhibitor or a trend tracker (like mother, like daughter!).

As president of Architectural Systems, Nancy Jackson has been an innovator of material trends, sourcing the latest and greatest products from around the world for over 20 years. Dedicated to partnering with the design community, ASI is attuned to what designers are looking for and is always staying ahead of the curve. This month, Nancy attended Salone Internazionale del Mobile, which is the center of creativity and innovation, and I interviewed her to find out first hand what's happening from Milan!

What makes Salone del Mobile so special?

Well, Milan’s Design Week is the largest international showcase for contemporary furniture & architectural materials. The show allows people to see the best and newest products in the world of domestic furnishings. This year, the show celebrated “50 years young”, and Salone energized the entire city! There were events and exhibits going on everywhere!

An amazing interactive outdoor exhibit in the famous Duomo di Milano piazza (behind the hotel where I stayed). “Principia - Rooms and Substances of the Next Arts”, was really an experience to walk through.

Wasn’t this the first time you went to Salone? Why this year?

Yes, and my incentive was to represent Architectural Systems (ASI) at the international launch of 3M’s Architectural Markets division, with which ASI has just announced a strategic alliance. At the Triennale Design Museum, 3M featured their DI-NOC™ and Fasara™ finishes and introduced their lighting products, showcased in a fantastic architectural space. The theme, ‘Infinite Innovation’, pairs nicely with our concept of ‘Choice + Innovation’ as these are new collections to the ASI product offering.

The VIP reception at the booth was very exciting! It was a fantastic international turnout with many of the Gensler team from all of their US studios, and it was great to see Keith Rosen and EJ Lee from the NY office there.

I also got to attend the Karim Rashid party, also at Triennale, exhibiting 15 years of his prolific product designs. Who knew that Prada’s cosmetics packaging was his work too?

What were the highlights of the show? Any emerging designers?

I didn’t get to see as much as I would have liked at the fairgrounds, but two booths I loved were Edra and Kartell (highlighted in the NY Times!).

As you know, I am a passionate supporter of young design talent so the ‘Designing the Future’ exhibit at SaloneSatellite by A&D students from 20 universities was a must see for me. Digital animation which was presented as a new form of communication, housed in an acoustical igloo, was unbelievable. We won’t only be interacting with people through words on Facebook, instant message and text, but soon, through virtual images of each other.

One example of students on the cutting edge of design was the combination of technology and materials being used together in the WAFFT furniture collection. This was a hybrid of aluminum and wood and I hope a manufacturer picked up this promising design!


Hybrid WAFFT table

What were some of the trends you saw?

Digital imaging was definitely everywhere. It was really hard to tell what was real and what was virtual! The images of a park landscape as a backdrop in a booth with actual park benches and musicians playing was really impactful!

The leather manufacturers also used digital images of bookcases as focal elements for their displays and you couldn't tell the classics on the shelves weren't real!

I also saw lots of color everywhere, and QR Codes to scan on your smart phones in the most cutting edge exhibit booths!

What else were you able to do in Milan?

Though I was only there for a couple of days, I did get to enjoy the fabulous restaurants. The first night was a late dinner at Ristorante Da Giannino, which was fun and trendy! The “last supper” in Milan was at Dolce & Gabbana’s Ristorante Gold with my favorite Canadian designers from II by IV. The space was phenomenal – from the mirrored tables and chandeliers to the architecture, all the gold details were bellisimo!

I also happened to discover an Impressionist exhibit at the newly renovated Royal Palace Museum of Art Palazzo Reale, which was a special treat for me. It was composed of 73 paintings by French Masters from the Clark Collection.

You couldn’t have gone to Milan and not done any shopping! Did you buy me anything???

Not this time… but I have to confess, I did buy myself a pair of shoes in the galleria next to my hotel! Next time, I am staying longer, and Bar Basso and power shopping are on my list.

Check out additional photos from Nancy's visit to Milan on Facebook!

What's Now - Retail Stores that Feel Right at Home

2011-03-22T12:43:00.000-04:00

Though you know by now that I love going shopping for clothes, it’s tempting to buy online, at home in my pj’s. There’s the internet, TV shopping channels and infomercials at the disposal of Materialista™! Today the retail store experience has to compete with all that.

Visiting retail stores is business and pleasure for me! In the trade, we call it ‘competitive shopping’. I take mental notes of the interiors, which enables me to develop and customize on-trend materials, realizing the design vision of the retailers and designers I work with. A favorite right now is the influence of residential feel in retail. The new Tod’s store on Rodeo Drive is a great example. It features living room-like areas throughout, and the warm, dark herringbone wood floors paired with modern furniture really translates the luxury comfort of the brand.

Kramer Design Group
Photo courtesy of Business Wire

This weekend I’m off to the mall to see the Talbots that just opened in Paramus, N.J., introducing their “Tradition Transformed” concept. Did you know the brand is now catering to a more design-conscious customer?

The space is divided into ‘rooms’ with decorative elements.
The store, with the Crystallized Glass Stone flooring ASI supplied throughout, compliments the polished look of the merchandise, perfect for the stylish career woman (like me!). Inspired by a fantasy closet, the spacious fitting rooms let your friends hang out while giving their ‘yay’ or ‘nay’ on how things fit (honesty please!).

Destination shopping is not only about the space or the next up-and-coming designer, but about feeling welcome when you walk in. Fred Segal knows this, and why it’s one of my favorite stops on the West Coast. They’re a family-owned company too, and have the same philosophy on hospitality as we do in our own showroom. It’s also where I always find that special item to add to my wardrobe!

The allure of stores like these makes it easy to put down my laptop and GO shopping!

What's Now - A Taste for Restaurant Design

2011-02-01T18:13:00.000-05:00

New York City's winter Restaurant Week is well underway (it’s actually two weeks) and with a $35.00 prix fixe menu, I love being able to try all the places on my wish list. When Materialista™ goes to dinner, she’s checking out the food and the space! A truly memorable dining experience is when the interior design, ambiance and cuisine all compliment each other. The material selection in a restaurant is an integral way of defining that sense of place and evoking the mood, whether festive, relaxing or opulent.

Just last week when I was celebrating my (milestone!) birthday dinner with family and friends at Villa Pacri in the Meatpacking District, we felt instantly transported to a fabulous place. The look of luxury French chandeliers hanging above old reclaimed wood floors, barn wood panels and other distressed finishes is very au courant! This is one of the hottest new spots in the city, but the restaurant’s warm, old world feel and classic Italian menu was a much needed antidote to the cold, wet snow outside. (Next year I’ll have to visit their location in St. Bart’s…)

We continued my party at Affaire on Ave B in the East Village, and experienced another example of the “stylized industrial” design trend. The glamour of chandeliers, velvet curtains and upholstered couches met the roughness of exposed brick walls and wood plank coffee tables. The energy of the downstairs lounge created the perfect environment to have a table with bottles of vodka, Patron, and a choice of mixers, and if you know me, the night will include dancing!

I also plan on catching up with friends at an old favorite, Aquavit, known for combining authentic Scandinavian cuisine and Scandinavian design. With four series of spaces to choose from, the simple, yet careful design incorporates lots of white with red-toned wood and matches the look of the beautiful and carefully presented dishes. We’ll be sure to order one of their signature Aquavit liqueur cocktails in the bar and lounge area while I show off the timeless Walnut Hardwood flooring.

So many restaurants, so little time!
Click on nycgo.com for the 300+ participating restaurants. Bon Appetit!

What's New - Materialista™ Goes Holiday Shopping

2010-12-16T10:02:00.000-05:00

This Materialista™ knows how to avoid the stress of gift giving and support our valued customers – by shopping where ASI materials are installed! Here’s where I’m heading for the family members (aka co-workers) on my gift list:

Mom, President – What do you get for the person who has everything? Opening Ceremony is the perfect store for the international business woman who likes to travel in style. Since my mom is constantly traveling all over the world to find the most innovative materials, I decided to get her the bright pink TUMI carry-on, after testing out the wheels on the Cork Flooring installed at the Ace Hotel location.
This gift will be a good way to get her to switch it up from basic black luggage (and avoid mix-ups at the baggage claim when forced to check her bag!).

My brother-in-law Andrew – As VP of National Accounts, Andrew works extremely hard and is always running to meet customers (like flying to Dubai and back in a day!). I took the 1 train to Times Square to find a comfy sweat shirt and sweat pants at Aeropostale. Maybe having the right outfit will help him relax on the weekends… Once I arrived at the new flagship, it was hard to keep focused on my search as I checked out all the cool applications of materials, from the Tin Ceilings above to Reclaimed Timber and Porcelain on the floors. I also got distracted at check-out by the beautiful (soon-to-be launched) Metro Tiles used for the feature wall behind the cashwrap. What a cool space!

Dad, CEO – My dad and I are going to Chelsea Manor next door to the office tonight so I can buy him a drink and marvel at the third incarnation of the bartop. Restaurants come and go in NYC, but Crystallized Glass Stone has a monolithic aesthetic and enough durability for it to be incorporated in each redesign! We’ll kick back and toast to the new year with our tequila (Patron is his favorite) straight up and chilled with a lime.

My sister Rachel, VP of Sales - I’ll be sure to head over to the main floor of Lord & Taylor to find fun new lipglosses and eyeshadows for my sister in their new cosmetics department. The “Ultimate Face-lift” was a renovation to make the area clean and inviting, with Eco-Porcelain flooring in almost-white installed throughout. The updated lighting is the closest it can come to natural light, which will be helpful when choosing the perfect make-up shades for Rachel’s new work look when she returns from maternity leave.

My niece Addison, future Account Executive – XSRE is a new store concept with the most fun novelty merchandise I’ve ever seen! My almost 3-yr old niece will go crazy over the purple bracelets I picked out. I couldn’t help but notice how amazing Ornamental Surfaces looked on the display tables I found the bracelets on!

Baby niece Lily, future Material Expert – I chose a new onesie for my newborn niece in the baby department at Macy’s – she’s so petite and they have a great selection there! A long time customer, Macy’s believes in ASI and consistently selects beautiful materials for all their locations; and Materialista™ believes it’s the place to find something for everyone else left on the list, even moi!

Close Friends – When I’ve finished all my shopping, I will unwind over dinner with friends at Novita and show off the beautiful ASI Hardwood Flooring. We’ll make sure to order my favorite dishes – the Melazane alla Parmigiano and Kobe beef carpaccio (delish!), which go down even better with a glass of Prosecco! Cheers!

Happy Holidays!

What's Now: Giving Thanks

2010-11-23T16:02:00.004-05:00

With Thanksgiving this week (where does the time go?!) I pause to reflect on all I have to be thankful for. Coming off a flurry of hospitality events last week, including the BDNY tradeshow and our own Open House, put the idea of what it means to be hospitable top of mind – at home and at work. Whether hosting friends and family for holiday dinners, or entertaining designers in the showroom (have you been to a working lunch or one of our product launches?) the same rules of hospitality apply. Personally and professionally, I am thankful to have learned that when you are inviting, warm, gracious and everything looks fabulous, guests feel special and want to return again and again.

Photo courtesy of Richard Cadan

And speaking of learning, I was also thankful for the opportunity to again be part of the IIDA Hospitality Forum committee. My mom, errr.. boss, Nancy Jackson, forum moderator and co-chair of the event, may have enlisted me, but willingly! A star-studded panel of industry gurus (click photo on left to enlarge) shared their points of view on the phenomenon of fashion designer hotels, capturing the spirit of fashion and hospitality. It was interesting to hear whether they feel this trend has staying power – but I do aspire to checking in to the Missoni hotel one day, where I'd blend right in with the seasonal signature scarf I purchased on Gilt Groupe! Watch the Hospitality Forum's captivating introduction video by DMD Insight here.

Most importantly, I am always thankful for my family, however enmeshed I feel they are in my life – if you work in a family business, you know what I mean! And we are happy to welcome our newest member, my niece Lily Blake :)

Wherever your travels may take you, have a Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy all the hospitality that comes your way!

What's New - Trends in Fashionable Materials

2010-10-22T12:20:00.000-04:00

Who influences whom - Fashion designers or Interior designers? Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference! The inspiration for fashion and material trends are often interchangeable. As you know, Materialista™ lives in the Big Apple, and at the close of International Fashion Week in New York, London, Paris, and Milan - the fashion capital of the world - I have been spotting the trends of the season on the street and in the places I go: faux fur/animal prints, the mixing of prints & patterns, and military chic.

Top reasons to love faux fur? It’s easy on the wallet, animal friendly, and oh-so-soft! Personally, I’m a sucker for anything leopard. Whether it’s a coat, a skirt, or an accessory, classic animal prints are en vogue this season. Even my 2 and 1/2 year old niece rocks her leopard leggings around town. Some of these gorgeous prints, with the plush feel, are part of a new product collection being introduced from ASI, Ornamental Surfaces. The applications are endless – feature walls, ceilings, furniture, window displays and visual merchandising elements to complement even the faux fur apparel!

The trend of mixing prints and floral patterns can be tricky, but playing with different textures and colors is all part of the fun, whether you’re getting dressed or designing a space. Balenciaga reinvented the school girl uniform this season by using a floral motif so similar to our contemporary Floral ceramic tile, where you can also mix and match tile and grout colors. When contrasting colors click, the result is an artful collage!

While shopping the stores to update my work wardrobe, I saw a military jacket with amazing silver metallic buttons that I’m dying to have. It will go with everything. And so will the Domes from the Metallic Mosaics collection that look just like those buttons! The mesh-backed tiles in edgy stainless steel and black colorations will suggest the on-trend Military look when refreshing a retail environment or creative corporate office. This style continues to reign as it marches into fall with army green jackets and coats, cargo pants and lace- up boots.

Fashion and interiors is such a hot topic, it’s the theme of this year’s IIDA Hospitality Forum – Designer Hotels! Be a part of the discussion on the influence of Fashion & Branding on Hospitality, November 15th.

What's Now: Materialista™ takes off to Santo Domingo!

2010-10-05T16:50:00.000-04:00

Last week I had the pleasure of accompanying Nancy Jackson, the President of Architectural Systems (and my mom!), to the grand opening of our distributor’s showroom in Santo Domingo featuring Architectural Systems. What an exciting trip! Here’s how this collaboration came about…

Sandra Abreu Rishavy, a talented designer with an exceptional aesthetic was surfing the web for a hospitality project, the renovation of Hotel Lina, when she discovered ASI’s website. Not only inspired by ASI materials, our family business model was an idea Sandra and her husband/ business partner wanted to emulate in the Caribbean.

During our visit to the Dominican Republic we went to the Hotel Lina and were able to see firsthand how beautifully Sandra incorporated ASI materials into the design. It was really amazing to see how the materials were used for such creative applications.

I especially loved the Tropical Organic Wall Mosaic’s Circular Teak pattern used as a table top under a piece of glass in the Cigar Room. The blue and silver Perla™ film created a continuous wave around the curved bar in the Piano Lounge and made you want to enjoy a cocktail – even at 10:00am!

The business center was surrounded with Sculptured™ panels painted a glossy white, leading you into the main restaurant ‘B delicious.’ This was truly the highlight! Where do I begin?! Iridescent vinyl tile on the walls, more Sculptured™ panels (painted brown) running parallel along both sides of the dining room; black and white stone mosaic tile as the bar front for each buffet station. Tin ceilings painted silver. And last but not least, the “iguana green” Perla™ film applied to a vinyl tile was used as the back feature wall – complimenting the lime green fabric on the chairs! It was a fantastic experience to view this harmonious execution of finishes.

Touring each area of the property made us work up an appetite! The Rishavys graciously welcomed us into their beautiful home for a traditional Dominican luncheon – the whole spread! Filled with rice and beans, chicken, sweet plantain, salty plantain, and (thankfully) salad. It was authentic and satisfying. I love the 2 hour lunch concept! Lucky for us, we got in on a great tip from Sandra’s design partner, Maggie and self- proclaimed Merengue dancer; have a big lunch and a light dinner everyday to stay fit. And, if you indulge too much, just dance longer at night!!

Now for the main event – the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the showroom! Designers and architects, family and friends came from all over Santo Domingo for the celebration! Nancy and I were fighting off the paparazzi. Every newspaper in Santo Domingo was there to photograph the event (and us!). We posed with TV personality, Jatnna Taraez (the Oprah of Santo Domingo), who was there as the master of ceremonies. Cutting the ribbon with James and Sandra and their children was very special. It is exciting to see another family business evolve! We wish them the best of luck; mejor de las suertes!

What's Now - It Must Be Love

2010-08-30T18:25:00.061-04:00

One of my favorite events of the year is the US Open in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Everyone in my family is an avid tennis player and fan alike. I am proud to say I took home the ladies’ championship in our local charity tournament this year, and my dad won the men’s. Giving back and winning continues to be a family tradition!

I have my tickets for the Women’s Finals and Men’s Semi-finals on Saturday, Sept 11, but am definitely disappointed that Serena will not be playing on the circuit this Open. I'm sure she'll be there to support her sister, but maybe to promote her newest business venture too – a chain of nail salons where the polishes are named after tennis terms! As a weekly manicure maintainer myself, I’d like to try all the colors, like 'Match Point', 'Love All' and 'Strings'.

So what does any of this have to do with materials? Well, it was really exciting to have just supplied materials for the USTA permanent booth. The booths on the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center grounds house a (tennis) shopper’s dream of apparel retailers. Polo Ralph Lauren is the sponsor again this year – need I say more? I can't wait to shop there next weekend - you know it's important for this Materialista to look at the top of her game!

It’s always fun to work on projects that hold personal interest, and the tennis connection started with the refreshed USTA headquarters, where they selected Porcelain flooring. Collaborating on the booth project made me appreciate the challenges and effort put into designing a space that has to perform well, but will only be open for 2 weeks a year.

Christie Kratzer, Design Principal of Reztark Design Studio, explains the design vision for the USTA booth, which will serve as the prototype for the other locations around the park:

“The USTA asked to unify their strong brand image in their retail locations creating a sophisticated and memorable experience with a new, fresh, sustainable face to compete with the high-end retailers on the grounds. The first phase was to renovate the Octagon which is a walk up store. All materials needed to be very durable and able to survive in a non-air conditioned space and promote the USTA’s green initiative. We used the Ecolinea wood veneer as a soft accent to represent he wooden rackets of old. The veneer has helped to bring the store to life.”

Tennis anyone?

What's new: ShoeWoo (Woo-hoo!!!)

2010-08-10T16:32:00.005-04:00

ShoeWoo HOOOOO!!! Who needs the Land of Oz when there is the land of shoes. Stilettos, peep toes, ankle straps - oh my! With Susan McCoy, Vice President of Store Design and Shop Development, heading up the design, Jones Apparel Group has executed a wonderful concept to merchandise their brands (Nine West, Anne Klein, Rachel Roy, to name a few).

I have to admit I was so distracted by the shoes I could barely focus on the materials in the shop. But luckily for the Materialista, the whole entire retail space is eye candy! There is almost 1,000 square feet of porcelain in a beautiful cream color installed on the first floor with splashes of hot pink, lime green and purple accent colors on the walls and chairs. And, did I mention the fabulous swing next to the 20-foot tower of shoes? This shoe store is designed to be what every woman dreams about!

On the second level you discover the "attic", with all reclaimed wood armoires, half painted walls and signs that read, "These shoes are made to woo" - all to inspire you to buy and buy.

My favorite piece is the six-foot stiletto shoe statue hanging from the wall. You just have to see it to believe it. Once you've filled your shopping bag, you can't help but to return, of course, to get that other pair of shoes you just can't live without.

Prepare to be wooed!

What's Now: Fashion26 A Wyndham Hotel With Style

2010-07-14T16:20:00.001-04:00

My family and I are always looking for a new place for lunch. So when we found out that RARE was opening up in the new Wyndham concept, Fashion26 Hotel, we were thrilled!

Designed by Glen Coben, the dark hardwood flooring off the lobby guides you to a dramatic curved staircase leading to the downstairs seating area of the restaurant RARE. As you pass the glamorous bar area, it feels like you are walking down the catwalk to get to your table (though any real model would skip the bun :).

The soft yellow walls with the bright red accents and fabulous light fixtures gives you a sense of your destination – this is not your typical burger joint!

I really liked the application of the light and dark luxury wood vinyl installed in a parquet pattern in the dining area. The fact that a natural hardwood flooring was used in the main hotel lobby and its cost effective and easy to maintain counterpart (vinyl simulation) were only steps away from each other show just how striking and complementary these two wood materials are!

Rare is not only a great place for a burger (with a side of the amazing parmesan truffle fries) and a perfect venue to entertain customers, it's also the space to be for industry sightings! At lunch the other day we spotted George Scammell, the Vice President of Global Design for Wyndham Worldwide, dining with the director of Food & Beverage, who was making sure everything was up to par! Anthony Simon the Senior Project Designer at TSC Design Associates was also seen having a bite with fellow colleagues.

Walking into the hotel always makes this Materialista feel like a Fashionista. From the decor to the food, RARE is very well done. (Pun intended!!)

What's New: The next generation has arrived

2010-06-24T17:48:00.007-04:00

For all you iPhone fanatics out there (count me among you), the day we have waited for is finally here. Apple's latest smartphone went on sale today and I would love to upgrade mine when my contract is up on my soon to be "vintage" 3GS!

Did you have a chance to preview Apple's commercial, announcing this generation of iPhones? It got me thinking of the next generation of materials. Especially because as you can see on the photo above I noticed the sculpted headboard. I am proud to share that my parents were the first to introduce sculptured panels in North America over 10 years ago after we visited the Batimat tradeshow in Paris. (Do you believe how lucky I was to go along?) And now, just like the iPhones, technology has created a new generation: sculpted panels wrapped in a variety of natural and synthetic finishes including wood veneers and stone simulations and metallics.

In fact, just last night I went to the Retail Design Institute event at Maison France, which was sponsored by the French Trade Commission to showcase the latest in French design. This is where custom luxury met savoir-faire. My favorite was a hand crafted sculpted panel with wood floating in resin. Just like the iPhone, the applications are endless!

What's Now: Life in the Limelight

2010-06-23T09:08:00.003-04:00

Have you heard about the new Limelight Marketplace in New York City? Family friend James Mansour designed the space in the former church, then nightclub, and created an indoor market inspired by outdoor European bazaars. I’ve been there dozens of times since it’s opened, and my favorite stop is the candy store, IT'SUGAR. The shimmery pink materials framing the doorway and encircling the center display get my mouth watering for sour watermelons – my weak sweet spot! With the Havaianas booth right in front, I was inspired to pick up a new pink pair to add to my flipflop collection – a must for my 15 block daily commute.

It’s amazing how some white paint and the clean lines of the black and white stone flooring transformed this dark and dreary (and almost creepy!) place into a fun escape for gift buying and summer treats. It’s a refreshing addition to Sixth Ave, with a little delicious taste of glamour thrown in.

WHAT'S NEXT: At the beach on summer solstice

2010-06-21T18:06:00.002-04:00

The first day of summer! It’s a beautiful start to the season here in New York and it has me looking forward to long days on the beach. I love the timelessness of sand-swept landscapes, and I think it's cool when retailers simulate that sun-blanched look and feel in their stores. It might not be the real thing plucked from a house in the Hamptons, but the available engineered hardwoods certainly capture the antiquity of driftwood without the creaking! Now, if they could only bottle the smell of the salt air…