THE PRINCE OF BLOCK PRINTS: JOHN ROBSHAW FOR DURALEE

An early adopter of exotic exploration that traveled world learning the tricks of the global style trade years ago, John Robshaw has helped define the global/exotic design category. His sophisticated, brightly colored block-prints celebrate the handmade with a fresh twist. Working with centuries - old block printing and dying techniques, Robshaw applies his design eye to create something new and exciting by mixing artisanal technique, pattern, scale and bold color. From frolicking elephants to flowering vines, his designs take the best elements of exoticism and Indian design. With a fine arts degree from Pratt, the search for indigo dyes took him to Asia many years ago, igniting a lifelong passion for the artistic sensibility and sense of tradition that existed there. Influenced by the culture, people and process, his sarongs, bedding, fabrics and pillows make a distinct statement. A new partnership with Duralee fabrics makes his pattern play available to a wider audience. The collection includes energetic prints, some embroidery and rich wovens that mix and layer together. A wide range of colors, from umber to khaki, charcoal to moss green, madder to coral and indigo to turquoise make the collection ever-varied. You will feel as though your passport has been stamped numerous times once you see this collection, but you don't have to venture far to channel it's global sensibility. 

DESIGNING WITH ANTIQUES AT THE WINTER ANTIQUE SHOW

Interior designers Harry Heissmann, Eileen Kathryn Boyd, and Philip Gorrivan showcased their ability to mix and match antiques with new pieces in their modern day room vignettes at this year's inaugural Designing With Antiques at the Winter Antique Show. Featuring an eclectic mix of hand picked antique furniture, decorative arts and modern pieces from the show, they combined these select items from exhibitors with pieces from their own collections. The result ended up being a serenity - filled bedroom, quietly sophisticated living room and festive dining area. The installations were on view in a period room, the Board of Officers room at Park Avenue Armory. The backdrop provided a dramatic contrast and perfect foil to the vignettes. Sponsored by The Magazine Antiques, the spaces were a wonderful way to show how to work with and embrace all period styles. Living with antiques and enjoying their history and special details is what its all about.

Harry Heissmann shared his take on classic serene white bedroom. Saying, "The George III tester bed from 1790 is from Kentshire, all bedding and the silver pillows, as well as the throws on the bench are from Nancy Koltes, she was a dream to work with! Smurf chess set on Dansk tray, blue gourd ceramic and 'Blessing' alarm clock are from my collection. Most importantly: flower arrangements by my all time favorite florist Emily Thompson in Dumbo. She is the new Constance Spry..."

The elaborate bench at the foot of the bed is a cast iron Morning Glory settee is from Barbara Israel.

"I selected the Intarsia cowhide rug with Ashley Stark at Stark carpet.
They had just gotten it and I fell in love with the vibrant blue... The rug
set the tone for the entire vignette, as I wanted it to pop. Pair of fine & early fruitwood Art Deco side chairs are by Leon Jallot from Maison Gerard, the chest is by Grosfeld House and Cornucopia plaster lamps are from Liz O'Brien. The blue tall case clock, Maine, circa 1810-1830 is from Olde Hope Antiques."

Nothing says fun like a table set with multiple eye-popping hues. Exceptional with color, designer Eileen Kathryn Boyd blended modern and traditional elements with bright, joyful bursts of orange and pink. She began planning around an incredibly colorful Oushak Rug she found at Peter Pap's Oriental Rugs. A Karl Springer Table from Liz O'Brien and Frances Elkins Loop Chairs were the neutral pieces that grounded the color.

Two candlestick lamps with huge drum shades added a modern element and draw the eye upwards. She used Clarke & Clarke fabrics for pillows and to tie the orange and hot pink scheme together. A Liverant and Son Antiques sideboard in the background added a traditional dark wood piece to the assortment, and Harry Bertoia sculptures modernized it.

Philip Gorrivan had the largest space of the three and used it as a launching pad to showcase his newest fabric collection for Duralee's Highland Court called Gorrivan II. The space was filled with creams, dusty lavender and hints of brass and shiny surfaces. The majority of the accessories were from Maison Gerard and Lost City Arts, adding to the sophisticated mix. He covered the sofas in his Terrazzo fabric, and a pair of stunning Regency chairs from Clinton Howell Antiques were made modern covered in plum cut velvet seats. A pair of 19th c. giltwood klismos chairs with ebonized owls and Asian sculpture were from Kentshire. Spill Cast Sculpture by Bertoia (left of the fireplace) and the collection of Danish seashore rocks were from Lost City Arts.

A bench was covered in Articus a white faux fur that contrasted the sculptural metal legs. An array of pillows were in a variety of his fabrics: Ruskin, Voltaire, Concerto, Newgrange, and Julian. The Coffee table used between the sofas is a wakapu, lacquer and gilt bronze table by Jean-Berenger de Nattes from Maison Gerard.

A large folding screen made the large space appear more intimate. It was covered in London Plane with the trim taken from the fabric Homer. Centered in front of them were two mirrored tables from Liz O’Brien that add sexy glamour.

It's all in the details. A detail I have been spotting a lot lately is painted rugs. A painted Seagrass rug border is a detail Bunny Williams employed at last years Kips Bay Showhouse. Here, a Chinese key design is an effective way to bring in pattern and graphic impact to an otherwise neutral surface.