We participated in an exciting benefit auction of ‘up-cycled’ vintage furniture, reinvented by several of new york’s top interior designers . The event raised funds for the New York chapter of Designs for Dignity, an organization that provides pro bono design services, donated building materials, and donated furnishings to transform the facilities of community centers and nonprofit group facilities . Please take a look at the before and after photos of our entry.

We discovered this vintage gem in a Chelsea thrift shop, and it was love at first sight. Aside from cracking vinyl upholstery and a shabby wooden frame, the handsome bones of the chair spoke to us – and demanded a MadMen-inspired makeover. For starters, we revved up the engine by applying a glossy automotive paint finish to the frame – Mercedes SLK350 Roadster Pearl Beige Metallic, to be exact. We then dressed it to the nines, upholstering the seat and back cushions in fetching Italian wool plaid and a luxurious Chinchilla faux-fur. We hope you’ll find this swank vintage chair as alluring as the irresistible Don Draper.

Bradley Stephens is thrilled to participate in this year’s Design on a Dime fundraiser benefitting Housing Works. This exciting event, which will be held at the Metropolitan Pavilion, challenges interior designers to create stylish room vignettes, furnished solely with fabulous donated items. All proceeds will benefit Housing Works and their mission to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS, through tireless advocacy and entrepreneurial businesses – such as thrift shops — that sustain their efforts.

A VIP reception on the night of May 5^th will allow guests the opportunity to preview the room vignettes.  Those in attendance may purchase any items displayed before the event opens to the general public on May 6th & 7th.

www.surfacemag.com

Who could resist the warmth and charm of a traditional holiday dinner in the grand dining room of Orchard Hill? The romantic room, with its original hand-painted mural wallpaper and historic fireplace, is a perfect backdrop for our fantasy holiday feast. Frosty white curtains frame a view of the garden, as well as a stately sideboard piled high with holiday treats. Equally delicious crystal and silver serving pieces add an icy sparkle to the sugary bounty. In the center of the room, an exuberant table setting is layered with lavish fabrics, glittering tableware and signature touches. A sumptuous striped silk table skirt and shimmering shear tablecloth form a tailored foundation for the formal table setting. Custom embroidered napkins, hand-written place cards, and exquisitely wrapped gifts welcome guests with their careful attention to detail. From all of us at BRADLEY STEPHENS, may your home be filled with warmth and wonder this holiday season.

This installation was made possible by the  following outstanding resources:

Alba New York, American Foliage & Design Group Inc, Casa del Bianco, Chesney’s, Colombo Mobili USA Inc, Fine Arts Furniture, High Style Deco, Lee Calicchio Ltd, Mulberry Home at Lee Jofa, Scully & Scully Inc, Stark Carpet Corp, Swarovski, Threads at Lee Jofa, William-Wayne & Co, Window Works of Livingston Inc

www.oldwestburygardens.org

photos by Michael Rodenbush

We are thrilled to announce our first international hospitality venture in collaboration with Christopher Dierig and his firm S3 Architecture. The site of the project is a stunning new seaside resort complex in Tianjin. Our firms have been selected to design the interiors for a luxurious fine dining restaurant, as well as architecture and interiors for four oceanfront villas. The development features a 600 room high-end hotel, a sprawling recreation and spa facility, and a dramatic yacht club marina.

We were very excited to participate in the Gift For Life/NYIGF 2010 Design Competition, benefiting DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids. The theme was “Make Change,” and artists and designers were challenged to reinvent the iconic piggy bank. We were one of nine finalists chosen to compete  for the “Peoples’ Choice Award,” and the “Designer Distinction Award,” determined by a panel of professional designers including Mark Blackwell, Sandy Chilewich and Evette Rios. Winners will be announced shortly – fingers crossed ! The designs were presented during the New York International Gift Fair, which took place August 14 to 19 at the Jacob K. Javits Center.

The Le Cochon Tote, our take on the classic piggy bank, is symbolic of our troubled economy’s effect on the retail and service industries. Even well-heeled consumers that appreciate the pedigree of a couture handbag have been inclined to hold tightly onto their purse strings. The tiny zipper on top opens just wide enough to stuff crisp dollar bills inside. However, as the economic horizon looks ever brighter, we hope that our products and services can one day inspire them to cut loose and start shopping again . In fact, we’ve integrated a special accessory for ‘breaking the bank’: a mother-of-pearl pocket knife.

The body and straps of Le Cochon are composed of ‘Great Fake Woven’ and ‘Intrepid’ faux-leather fabrics generously donated by Joseph Noble through POLLACK.

Our concept for the Game Room is inspired by the refined sport of billiards and the exciting allure of a speakeasy. Hidden just below the polite goings-on of the upper floors, we envision an invitation-only destination for smart cocktails and some friendly competition. The generous room encourages a variety of entertainment options with overlapping spaces for lounging, card playing, and billiards. At the center of the room is an exquisite ten-foot antique billiards table from the collection of Blatt Billiards. Shimmering navy walls come alive in Philip Jeffries Ltd. Lacquered Strie wallcovering, creating a glittering backdrop against the elaborate coffered ceiling and earthy limestone floor. A sumptuous woven leather-look wallcovering adds a warm, clubby character to the ceilings and built-in cabinetry. For the daring mixologist, an expansive custom bar beckons with a glittering display of fine glassware and stylish bar tools. The adjacent octagonal “archive” houses a discerning anthology of spirits in gleaming decanters, all lovingly organized with hand-written labels.

This installation was made possible by the  following outstanding resources:

145 Antiques, Alba New York Fine Art Services, Aero, Bardin Palomo Antiques, BDDW Handmade American Furniture,  Blatt Billiards,  Carlos de la Puente Antiques, Casa Del Bianco Fine Linens, Chelsea Wine Cellar, Fallou Workroom Upholstery, FJ Hakimian Custom & Antique Carpets, Flair Home Collection, Galaria Remis Barquet New York, Geoff Flinchbaugh & Ned Colclough Custom Millworking, George Smith, High Style Deco, Holland & Sherry, Jesse Shapiro & James Glass Corp., Lee Calicchio Ltd, Lobel Modern, Lorin Marsh,  Natural Decorations, Inc., Niedermaier, Philip Jeffries Ltd Wallcoverings through Holly Hunt, Robin Rice Gallery, TR Fox General Contractor, Samuel & Sons Passementerie, Williams Brothers Painting

photos by Nick Johnson

A clear winter evening, beyond storied palace gates, a brisk ride through a frost covered forest, a discovered refuge, and the alluring light at dusk… This is the fantasy that inspired our installation, brought to life through the fabrics of Knoll Luxe, and their visionary collection by RODARTE.  We are thrilled to support DIFFA, and to take part in DINING BY DESIGN NYC 2010.

This installation was made possible by the generosity of the following outstanding resources:

145 Antiques   Allied Arborcraft General Contractor   American Foliage & Design Group   Casa Del Bianco Fine Linens   Claudia Diaz Costume Shop   Crystal Thompson / The Costume Lab   New Day Woodwork & Upholstery   PRG / Vision Quest Lighting, Inc.   Stark Wallcovering

photos by Ryuhei Shindo www.rshindo.com

With Annie Lennox as the muse for our room, we found ourselves inspired to fuse some of our favorite and divergent design elements. Her persona is a juxtaposition of empowerment and vulnerability, of masculinity and femininity, of theatrical spectacle and bare-bones emotion. Her rock star persona allowed us to turn up the volume with JJ Snyder Studio’s polished automotive painted walls, playful neon artwork, and cutting-edge furniture. At the same time, we were able to introduce a down-to-earth sensibility through timeless fabrics and antiques, unpretentious modern furniture, lush custom bedding, and the warmth of natural materials. Our aim was to capture the essence of Ms. Lennox, mirroring her personality in a range of daring gestures and intricate details. As with every project, our team strives to thoughtfully craft environments that deeply reflect the individuality of our clients.

This installation was made possible by the generosity of the following outstanding resources:

145 Antiques   Aero    Alba New York Fine Art Services   Allied Arborcraft Corp. Interior Alteration General Contractor    BDDW Handmade American Furniture   C&S Marble & Granite Fabrications and Installations   Casa Del Bianco Fine Linens  Cole & Son Wallpapers through Lee Jofa   Evolution Natural History Collectables   Fallou Workroom Custom Upholstery   Galeria Ramis Barquet Contemporary Art  Georgia Tapert Living  Geoff Flinchbaugh & Ned Colclough Custom Millworking   Holland & Sherry   JJ Snyder Studio Interior Finishing   Jesse Shapiro & James Glass Corporation  Josh Urso Design   Lite Brite Neon   Lorin Marsh  M&J Trimming   Maya Romanoff Wallcoverings through Bergamo Fabrics   Niedermaier  Neo Cabinetry  Ochre  Rubelli and Sahco through Bergamo Fabrics   The Rug Company   Samuel & Sons Passementerie

photos by Ryuhei Shindo www.rshindo.com