events Archives - Elizabeth Pash

Hope Lodge Birthday Bash

November 13, 2017

I was delighted to be invited to design a tablescape for the Hope Lodge Birthday Bash. Hope Lodge is a wonderful organization that provides housing for cancer patients receiving treatment in New York. Celebrating its 10th year, Hope Lodge has accommodated more than 17,000 patients and caregivers from around the world. I was honored to be included in the group of designers selected for this year’s event, and more than happy to lend my time to such a worthwhile cause. I lost my dear childhood friend, Kathy Ann, to breast cancer, and I dedicated my table to her.

In scheming my design, my first order of business was to identify some vendor partners willing and able to donate or loan their products or creative talent. I love Manuel Canovas and the saturated color ways of their fabrics, so my first stop was the Cowtan & Tout showroom in New York’s D&D Building. It didn’t take me long to identify a fabulous fabric, Alegranza. It is colorful, happy and hopeful. Although cancer patients and their families are often on a painful, difficult journey, I wanted my table to be cheerful and full of hope.

To finish off the round tablecloth, I used a grosgrain trim as well as a fringe from Samuel & Sons. I turned to Sidotti Decor to create the tablecloth and add the trim. Sidotti is a pleasure to work with and skillfully handles all of the upholstery for my shops and decorating projects.

With the tablecloth designed, I then needed to focus on the items to be placed on the table! I spotted some stunning bone china chargers in the showroom of William Yeoward that complemented beautifully the floral tablecloth. William Yeoward generously offered to loan the chargers (Avignon Charger in Apple Green) as well as his exquisite Athena crystal wine and water goblets.

For table linens, we turned to Leontine Linens. The white linen hemstitch square napkins with the metallic gold monogram was the perfect finishing touch!

Next up–Flowers! I turned to the talented Anthony Ortiz who generously donated his services to my effort. Anthony found these dazzling vases, and together, we designed our centerpiece. My vision was to do a monochromatic mix of flowers at varying heights in the tall vases, surrounded by several small vases at the base of the tall vases. We chose a combination of hydrangeas, orchids, calla lilies and tulips, all in bright pinks and purples, to pick up the pinks in the tablecloth.

To add a bit of ambience to our table, I used these striking glass hurricanes with gold design at the base. What dinner table is complete without candlelight?

And for a little party favor, we added some of our signature candles. For this event, instead of our standard navy ribbons, and in a nod to breast cancer, we opted for pink.

Two months prior to the event, all the participating designers met at the venue, Gustavino’s in New York City, to present our design concepts. What a fabulous, talented group! Guillaume Gentet and David Carpenter led this effort and they welcomed the group. It was great to see how different every designer’s vision is.

I am so grateful for the help of the super talented artist Jane Gianarelli. Jane interpreted my vision so beautifully in this rendering of my table.

The Kick Off Party for the event was held at Hope Lodge. It was a great opportunity to meet others involved in this worthy event and to tour Hope Lodge. We were treated with delicious hors d’oeuvres prepared by the chef David Burke, as well as a demonstration by David in the kitchen. What a thrill to see a master at work!

This special place provides such comfort to patients and caregivers by letting them know that they are not alone, and that they will have support every step of the way. Below is an example of the accommodations provided at Hope Lodge.

The invitations went out and the big day finally arrived. We headed to Gustavino’s for the set up. With 30 designers arriving at around the same time, it was a bit of a chaotic scene.

Somehow, everyone completed their tasks and the space was transformed.

I was thrilled to be there with my friend Toni Maurizi, the sister of my childhood friend Kathy Ann. We raised a glass to Kathy Ann and know she would have been happy that we were together.

I was honored to be one of the designers chosen for this special event. I could never have accomplished it without the help of Sidotti Decor, Design by Anthony, Cowtan & Tout, Samuel & Sons, William Yeoward Crystal, Thibaut, Leontine Linens and The Workroom.

In attendance at the gala were many former patients and caregivers who benefitted from Hope Lodge. Hearing their stories gave special meaning to the evening. By all accounts, the event was a big success and raised more than $500,000 in support of Hope Lodge, and I was happy to play a small part in this success.

Legends of La Cienega

May 30, 2017

While waiting with a growing sense of desperation for spring to arrive on the East Coast, I escaped for a whirlwind few days in Los Angeles to participate in “Legends of La Cienega,” a three-day celebration of the city’s design talent and resources. Now in its ninth year, “Legends” is organized by the many shops and showrooms clustered on La Cienega Boulevard in an area known as La Cienega Design Quarter (or LCDQ) in West Hollywood. With the support of many sponsors, including 1stdibs and the Hearst Design Group, Legends included a wide range of fascinating panel discussions, tours of the finest of LA’s extraordinary range of design houses, along with lively receptions and cocktail parties. There was something for everyone! The week kicked off with a gala cocktail reception at Fig and Olive, one of my favorite eateries. It was nice to see friends and colleagues and meet some California-based members of our design community.

At the Fig and Olive reception with LA designer Missy Calvert and NY designer Kati Curtis

Day two had us off and running. The jam-packed schedule left us exhausted but exhilarated. Most of the day was spent visiting design shops and showrooms — some of my favorites include:

Hollyhock—owned by designer Suzanne Rheinstein, this beautiful shop features a wonderfully curated collection of quality antiques, lighting and accessories as well as Suzanne’s custom line of upholstery, furniture and lighting. Behind the shop is a lovely garden space for special events.

Harbinger—one of my favorite showrooms in the country! An outstanding collection of wallpaper, furniture, lighting, carpets and decorative arts including some of my favorite lines—Amanda Nisbet, Moore & Giles, Coleen and Company, and Sister Parish.

A beautiful vignette in the Harbinger showroom

Hollywood at Home — an exceptional and wide-ranging collection of textiles, furniture, accessories and lighting. Everything to create a chic and comfortable home.

I love the combination of pattern and textiles in this bedroom design by Hollywood at Home

Jasper—This chic showroom offers a stunning array of furniture, fabrics and accessories. I fell in love with this gorgeous floral and need to find a way to use it!

Exploring Jasper textiles with my west coast design partner Missy Calvert

The Windows of La Cienega — One of the wonderful traditions of this design celebration are all the shop windows, each styled by a different designer. Seeing each designer’s use of color, texture and staging inspired us all! Some of my favorites are shown below.

The window at Downtown designed by Angel Sanchez and Christopher Coleman. I am always a sucker for a bit of femininity!

The window at Hollyhock by Meredith Ellis—This “Explorer’s Journal” was a wonderful celebration of the colors, textures and materials from around the world.

There were also plenty of opportunities to learn from some of the true legends in our field. Each day featured a series of panel discussions with an extraordinary array of design talent. Some of the highlights included:

The Power of Paint: Achieving your Vision with a Stroke of the Brush, led by Veranda Editor in Chief Clint Smith, with panelists Alexa Hampton, Alessandra Branca and Ellen O’Neill, creative director at Benjamin Moore paints. Everyone agreed that, with paint, one can get the most bang for the buck and really transform the feeling of a space. And the beauty of it is that it is easily fixed if you don’t like it!
Demons and Disasters in Design, led by LA designer Madeline Stuart with panelists Nate Berkus, Philip Gorrivan and William Peace. A lively and humorous discussion. There is some comfort in knowing that everyone has made a few mistakes on the road to success. The important take away is to admit your mistakes (and fix them to your client’s satisfaction), learn from them, and then move on.
Standing Proud: Preserving Architectural Heritage in LA, led by Luxe Editor in Chief Pamela Jaccarino with panelists Brett Parsons, Jaime Rummerfield and Tim Barber. As a New Yorker, it is always fascinating to learn about other cities and I enjoyed learning about the active movement to preserve LA’s many architectural and historical treasures.
Say it Loud: Bold and Bright, led by House Beautiful Editor in Chief Sophie Donelson with panelists Anne Hepher, Nick Olsen and Ron Woodson. A lively, funny and inspiring exploration of the creative process and dialogue with clients when selecting color palettes.

As always, I love my visits to LA, seeing friends and colleagues and meeting new ones. Although travel takes time away from our day to day work and responsibilities, going away and experiencing another place is always a source of inspiration. Legends of La Cienega also allowed me to meet some people whose work I have admired, such as Marisa Marcantonio, the founder of Stylebeat, a must-read blog for anyone interested in the latest trends and emerging talent in the design world.

With Marisa Marcantonio of Stylebeat blog

Being surrounded by sun, towering palms, and the stunning jacaranda trees that line the streets of LA this time of year made me yearn for spring to finally arrive at home. The picture below is definitely not something we see in New York! Until next time, LA!

Paris in Color

February 8, 2017

Colorful lanterns adorning the street during Paris Deco Off 2017

Paris is always a source of inspiration for me. During my recent visit to this fabulous city, I went to Maison et Objet, the bi-annual design trade show. The show offers an extraordinary abundance of furniture, lighting and accessories for the home and garden. It is so vast, that one needs to set aside several days to see it, lest your eyes begin to glaze over after a couple of hours. Even more spectacular was Paris Deco Off, the design week in Paris during which all the showrooms roll out their “nouvelles collections.” Many of the houses host special events for designers; for example, Maison Pierre Frey gave a spectacular presentation of their new collections hosted by Patrick Frey. I also had the extraordinary privilege of spending time with Claud Gurney, founder of the magnificent House of de Gournay. What a treat it was to wander through the winding streets of Paris and find genius and inspiration around every corner.

Color is back and going strong and nowhere is it done better than Paris. The city was blushing–soft, blush pink was everywhere I looked–from armchairs to settees, to wallpaper to objets. The hue coming in a close second was yellow, which appeared in all its various shades across furniture, wall coverings and accessories. A feast for the eyes to be sure!

These are some of my favorites from this colorful trip. Paris never disappoints, and always inspires! Stop by my shop in Locust Valley, my showroom at the NY Design Center, or visit me at elizabethpash.com to see my latest French finds!

The Pinks of Paris

Yellows are Trending

Twelve Days of Christmas

December 20, 2016

We kicked off the holiday season in our shop celebrating the twelve days of Christmas. Here are some fun gifts for friends, family or even yourself!

On the first Day of Christmas my true love gave to me – One scented seasonal candle. Kick off the holiday season with the scent of Cinnamon Leaves wafting throughout your home.

On the second Day of Christmas my true love gave to me – Two brass apples. Looking to add a “wow factor” to your desk? Look no further than these brass beauties.

On the third Day of Christmas my true love gave to me – Three French hens. These delightful guinea hens are the perfect accessory to any kitchen, dining or living room.

On the fourth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me – Four gardenia scented candles. Reminisce to warmer days with the clean and light scent of spring and summer in your home. They are perfect socking stuffers as well.

On the fifth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me – Five stone fruits! While you might not be able to bite into these festive pears, they make the perfect centerpiece!

On the sixth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me – Six sparkly pillows. It’s the time of year to add some glitz and glamour to your home!

On the seventh Day of Christmas my true love gave to me – Seven linen coasters with metallic trim! No need for marks or stain on your tables this season.

On the eighth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me – Eight vintage cranberry highball glasses. Be the hostess with the best looking cocktails at this year’s holiday party!

On the ninth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me – Nine red candles. No holiday tablescape is complete without elegant candles adorning the table.

On the tenth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me – Ten embroidered stockings. These adorable and chic miniature stockings by Rebecca Vizard are perfect for storing small gifts or decorating your mantle and tree.

On the eleventh Day of Christmas my true love gave to me – Eleven blue seashells. These shells are a staple for every beach home.

On the twelfth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me – Twelve Beauville napkins. These napkins are perfect for year-round entertaining.

High Point Market 2016

April 30, 2016

After all these years, I finally decided to make the pilgrimage to High Point Market. Although I was there for four days, I felt as though I barely began to explore this vast market place. More than 2,000 exhibitors in a total of 180 buildings, showcase their newest collections of antique and contemporary furniture, as well as the dazzling array of lighting, accessories and much, much more. While I have had plenty of experience shopping big shows and generally know what I am looking for, even my eyes were glazing over at the end. Advice to the first time market attendee: Make sure you do your due diligence before your trip. You won’t make it to every showroom, so prior to arrival, plan your visit and make a list of your “must sees.” Otherwise, it all becomes a big blur!

My first stop was the Antique and Design Center, a collection and antiques and vintage vendors, showcasing furniture, lighting, mirrors, accessories and art. For the most part, I was impressed with the range and quality of the offerings–a mix of European antiques and mid-century furniture and lighting.

One of my favorites is French Bleu Antiques, a lovely husband and wife team offering interesting high quality pieces in an attractive display.

A beautiful painted Swedish commode offered by French Bleu Antiques

Another must see is Delray & Associates, an eclectic mix of European antiques, lighting and accessories. Carol Pollard is a stand out for mid-century furniture, lighting and accessories, and I loved visiting with David Lindquist of Whitehall Antique, based in Chapel Hill, NC. A charming and knowledgeable dealer, David explained to me the wonderful story of “Museum Bees,” a collection of wall hangings made from 19th-century frame fragments.

A fabulous collection of “Museum Bees” created by artist Trace Mayer using fragments of 19th-century frames. Offered by Whitehall Antiques

After a couple of days at the antique markets, I ventured to the International Home Furnishings Center (IHFC) building to check out the new products. The first floor alone is 80,000 square feet! The first four floors are mainly accessories and lighting, whereas the top floors house furniture showrooms.

Here are some of my favorite finds:

A collection of plaster lotus blossoms by Jamie Young

I loved the juxtaposition of the shiny metal and bleached wood in this table offered by Uttermost

Tommy Mitchell created this beauty as well as other exquisite works including lighting, tables and accessories, sculpting metal butterflies and flowers to create whimsical, unique pieces.

In addition to High Point Market showrooms, there are some stand alone shops as well. A few of my favorite stops are Bobo Intriguing Objects, Schwung and Eloquence.

Schwung Home is a huge selection of new and vintage pieces. I loved this little lady’s desk in bleached oak.

I spotted these sleek lucite bar stools at Bobo Intriguing Objects, part of their new product line.

Eloquence is a beautiful, light-filled showroom on two levels with an impressive array of French antiques mixed in with high quality reproductions.

A reproduction French antique table surrounded by antique chairs at Eloquence.

A note about Southern hospitality: in every single showroom, shoppers were offered a variety of beverages, and in many cases, a full buffet of appetizing dishes. No doubt this was all intended to keep the customers in the shops, but it was done in a gracious, welcoming way. The entire week was a “who’s who” of the design world and there were parties and receptions galore. Two of my favorites were hosted by Kravet and Kate Spade Home Collection

At the Kravet Showroom reception with Clinton Smith, Editor-in-Chief, Veranda Magazine, and LA-based designer Missy Calvert.

The Kate Spade Home Collection Showroom was the perfect spot for a festive cocktail party!

There were two recurring themes in all of the markets I visited: horses and flowers–they were everywhere! Here are some of my favorites:

I am delighted that I was able to experience this market that I have heard about for years. It is quite an undertaking to put this show together, and it is clearly the result of hard work and many hours of labor on the part of the organizers and vendors. It feels somewhat like the Super Bowl of the furnishings world! The challenge is to weed through it all to find some treasures. After going once, I am already looking forward to my next visit to High Point and to making new discoveries!