VERANDA AT 25

Photos courtesy of Veranda

Veranda Magazine recently turned 25. To celebrate the occasion, they threw a fantastic cocktail party at The Four Seasons Restaurant. Designers flew in from far and wide for the festivities, and it was great to see such a strong turn out to support two class acts, founder Lisa Newsom and Editor in Chief, Dara Caponigro. From the graceful photography to thick paper stock, you can count on Veranda to provide an endless cache of elegant, aspirational and worldly interiors. The current issue of the magazine takes a look at 25 inspired interiors that have filled the pages over the past twenty-odd years, and here are some perennial favorites.

Axel Vervoordt's old world elegance
"A curatorial eye brings together objects of rare beauty—a Guatemalan silver chandelier, French faience, Ming china, a Louis XV corner cabinet—in a cultured, cultivated display."

Miles Redd to the max
"How does something so spare seem so full of life? A minimum of elements delivers a maximum of theatricality with the use of lipstick-worthy shades and buoyant, snappy graphics."

Mary McDonald's color creative
"An expansive room with Anglo-Indian undertones achieves cohesion with the repetition of a single fabric, embellished with different trim treatments for variation and hints of sparkle."

A blissful blue and white Kelli Ford and Kirsten Fitzgibbons interior
"Ikats, arabesques, chevrons, and stripes—this paean to pattern matches grand architecture with a bold scale and unifies it all through tint and tone."

A transporting David Easton Interior
"An exotic moment from a known authority on English and American decoration. The space dramatically comes together from an unerring sense for pattern, color, and light."

Carolyne Roehm's blue and white escape
"A collection of blue-and-white porcelain becomes the inspiration for an entire room—and a lesson in how basic components can create stylish interiors with a personalized point of view."

Written by Mario Lopez-Cordero

ORCHID MANIA: NYBG'S ORCHID DINNER

Every winter, exotic orchids provide the tablesetting magic for The New York Botanical Garden's Orchid Dinner. The glorious event, generously underwritten by Veranda, BNY Mellon and Tiffany and Co, is a way to celebrate and support one of New York's best loved horticultural treasures, The New York Botanical Garden. “We were thrilled to sponsor the Orchid Dinner for our 5th consecutive year,” said Veranda editor in chief Dara Caponigro. “The evening supports the New York Botanical Garden’s vital work in conservation and education and we are pleased to have helped the Garden attract so much creative talent in support of its mission. This event is always a showcase for some of the most extraordinary design.” If you have not been to the gardens, go! The stunning Orchid Show that opens March 3rd draws quite a crowd from far and wide, as does their beautifully-edited gift shop.
For the table designs, interior and floral designers start with the delicate looking blooms, and build their design story around the flower-- sometimes using masses upon masses of them. This year, the tables were as divine as ever, with orchid arrangements created out of every possible variety and hue soaring heavenward. Here is a sampling of several tablescapes, with more to follow tomorrow.
You may get orchid fever, watch out:

Stephen Elrod for Brunschwig & Fils created a global fantasy land using the newest bold Brunschwig prints. Notice the giraffe centerpiece holding a lantern in its mouth. Stephen always outdoes himself.


Reds yellows and pinks step up to the splendid giraffe.

David Easton created a low lying arrangement with Maidenhair ferns and tall Phaelenopsis.


Laura Vinroot Poole with John Lupton, Andrew Thomas and Leontine Linens had a blast of brights and a giant red urn filled with chartreuse and red orchids.



Connie of Plaza Flowers had a true piece de resistance, pairing a large spray of deep red orchids with brushed metals.


Philip Gorrivan for Lalique went for white and clear.

Flower School New York's Felipe Sastre created a palm tree out of Phaelenopsis.


LMD Lewis Miller Design combined clear glass, a metallic table skirt and crisp white orchids.


Bowman Dahl Floral & Event Design worked with gray and mercury glass to go along with the fanciful puff of orchids atop a long stemmed vase.


Baccarat by Rafael de Cardenas/Architecture at Large used intricately intertwined orchids in vibrant tones for a rain forest effect.


Michael Walter for Lexington Gardens created a gorgeous towering waterfall of garden tools and potted orchids that was spectacular.


Robert Marinelli, RMID Enterprises, Inc. mixed a matte burlap cloth with hits of fuchsia and a glittery low centerpiece of a log with orchids sprouting from it, pure woodlands fantasy.


Campion Platt rang in the Chinese New Year with low orchids and a fanciful multi-hued paper dragon.



MagnaFlora Design | Events had a showstopping low centerpiece of just purple orchids.



Guests got to take home a mini orchid.

Roric Tobin for Geoffrey Bradfield Inc. went on safari.

BLOGFEST 2011 HIGHLIGHT: LEE JOFA DESIGNER VIGNETTES

One of the best parts of Blogfest 2011, the festivus of bloggers arranged by Kravet and Lee Jofa, was the visit to see designer vignettes. Their stable of collection designers, all in one room, used their Lee Jofa fabrics to create vignettes. It was fantastic. A mini showhouse of sorts. Bloggers lined up 30 deep to have Thomas O'Brien, David Easton, Suzanne Rheinstein, Eric Cohler, Diamond and Baratta and Suzanne Kasler sign Inspired Styles, the design book that creatively showcases Lee Jofa and Kravet designer fabric collections. Not only that, they all got their picture with each designer- not an easy feat with over 100 bloggers!

A robust arrangement flowers arranged by Suzanne Rheinstein.

Soft pastel upholstery balanced out the a busy classical print on the walls.

I love the pop of color from the modern painting hanging above the settee.

Thomas O'Brien created multiple floral arrangements for his space. He sells wonderful objects like these in his Soho store Aero.

A modern yet warm office area incorporates mid century modern vintage pieces in light finishes.

His prints for Lee Jofa are artistic with watercolor feel and soft, earthy palette.

David Easton had the best time greeting everyone. I think he got a kick out of a line 30 women long, waiting to meet him.

Beautiful antiques and decorative objects filled his space. He included a round table stacked with books that has become a David Easton signature.

His trusty wise own that sits in his own office is a vignette regular- this same owl was also in his Room with a View vignette in Connecticut.

A place for a drink and good reading light is a must.

Suzanne Kasler created an artists studio, complete with paint brushes and colorful framed prints.

A soft, neutral palette with grey finishes in a seating area was relaxed and cozy.

I imagine her getting creative in this space.

An easel in a grey wash is backed in a pale pink print centered by a floral painting. There is something compelling about the mix of color and pattern.

Bold color and pattern are hallmarks in Diamond and Baratta's work. The words fun, flamboyant and super custom come to mind when thinking of their work. They did not disappoint! A digitally printed wallpaper with giant blooming branches was the perfect backdrop to a sun room seating area.

Wicker and chintz with ferns- hello 80's! Love it.

Eric Cohler's sophisticated dining room space incorporated shades of grey and modern art. A round table is nice for it seems more intimate and warm. The pop of yellow from the vase is the perfect foil for the deep gray painted walls, and a floral print hangs at the window adding a femme touch.