One of the great things about being asked to moderate a panel is being able to pick the panelists. The Interior Design Society asked me to do this for a seminar on October 23 at the Furniture Market. The topic: trends for the home. I jumped at the chance to put some of the best design talent I know together in a single room.
I am thrilled with the line-up.
Vladimir Kagan, one of the most important furniture designers of the 20th century, and now of the 21st as well, has long been among the designers I most admire. Anyone who has read my blog from the beginning knows that I am a real Vladimir fan. At our seminar, he will give an overview of Modern design, then discuss its future. He tells me he has 50 slides in his PowerPoint deck to help him tell the story. I’m sure that some of them will feature his fabulous designs for American Leather and Weiman. I hope at least a few of them go back further to his earliest creations.
Vladimir is also signing his new book before and after the seminar. I already own The Complete Kagan and I love it. You can get your copy at Amazon or Barnes & Noble (or order to the left on this blog), but if you come to the seminar you can buy it on-site—and have Vladimir sign it for you.
I met Lillian August several years ago at the Drexel Heritage showroom. That’s where I first came to appreciate this woman’s knack for updating Traditional style. She makes it comfortable not stuffy, natural not contrived. And her color combinations have always left me breathless. She will talk about new twists on Traditional style. With Tradition making such a comeback I know that the audience will be interested in learning how this style will work in the years ahead.
When I think of Larry Laslo the first word that comes to mind is generous. This is not only because he has a generous dose of design style that he translates easily and effectively to product, but also because he has always been generous in acknowledging other talent. I have been with him in a showroom where he has made certain that I took notice of another designer’s work. That kind of generous spirit is unusual and charming. At our seminar, Larry will talk about the Glamour trend—a major direction for home décor—and I can’t think of anyone better suited to do so. If you would like to see how he has made Glamour come alive in product before hand, stop at Ferguson Copeland or Lam Lee. You won’t want to leave.
From the moment I was introduced to Kathy Imes’ designs at the Vanguard Furniture showroom I was convinced that her Lauren Brooks line would be a hit. It was and it still is. Both retailers and consumers are responding positively to her highly feminine, wonderfully luxurious pieces. Kathy will talk about her unique brand of Vintage style and what makes it right for the years ahead. Kathy is passionate about her designs. I’m sure we will all feel that passion in her remarks at the seminar.
Join us if you can. We will be on the 11th floor of the IHFC building, Ballroom B at 11:30am. You will need to buy a ticket. Proceeds go to The Interior Design Society. See you there!