Japan By Design | ICFF

The design junkie in me will always take any opportunity to wander the aisles of home design stores to daydream about my future Manhattan penthouse (and vacation home on the beach). So, of course I had to say yes (!) to my invite to join the ICFF opening weekend festivities with JETRO (the Japan External Trade Organization) this past Saturday.

Allow me this and I promise not to diverge too often...

Arrived just in time to catch some of the overview.

Make your own laminated cherry wood lamp!

Each kit comes with 10 pieces which can be interlocked to create pendant lamp shades of any size.

Kirico uses strong, surprisingly light weight, and sustainable Paulownia wood in their home designs.

Moving would be super easy if all my furniture was made of Paulownia wood.

Beautiful ceramic tiles at Kenzan.

Convention goers test out tiles at Kenzan.

I love these guys. Last year there was a huge giraffe. He was replaced by a horse this year. At D-torso.

I am a sucker for any type of container. Kaikado fashions gorgeous, air tight canisters out of tin, brass, and copper.

A business that was established in 1875, Kaikado's containers are durable and designed to oxidize over time, resulting in beautiful finishes. I especially love the copper ones, the finish evolves to look like rusty red lacquer in a few short years.

At the Tanihata booth a representative was cutting away at a piece of cedar.

Upon closer inspection, I realized that everyone was invited to construct a keepsake using a traditional Japanese wood working technique with the tiny pieces of wood he was slicing.

So pretty =)!

I love hand-dyed fabrics.

Not in the Japan pavilion, but I thought it was super cool, this wall paper is made of stone. By Trove.

My favorite part of ICFF is the Design Boom Section. It's full of little treasures specially curated from all over the world. This is the Johnny Herman booth where they were showing Wooden Popsicles and Light Bulbs. Not practical but very cute!

This is a clever little Iphone case by Stre-it! Helsinki, the wings can be repositioned to make a more gamer friendly grip.

I love color too. The Kohler/ Jonathan Adler lounge. You can't tell from the photo but the seating was made of cute clawfoot tubs with the sides cut out.

May and I both agree that we need to have John Klein studio build one of these rope trees for us as well.

Today is the last day, and the only day it's open to the general public. International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) at the Jacob Javits Center-- go check it out!

Warren Tricomi

Edward Tricomi and Joel Warren chatting in the beauty atrium of their Greenwich location.

The first time I crossed paths with Joel Warren was brief. Just a handshake. A "hello, nice to meet you."

I was on my way out of a meeting and he was on his way into a meeting. I might have handed him my business card. I don't remember.

Meeting the "something" of "something," face to face is always intriguing. Putting a well known name to a face is, for lack of better words, cool. It's not really about being star struck for me. It's more about being a little bit surprised. Because, well... who grows up thinking, "One day, I'm going to shake hands with Big Bird?"

Roughly a month later I received an invitation to take a little day trip to Warren Tricomi Greenwich for a day of fashion and beauty. What else was I supposed to say... but, "Of course."

I particularly enjoyed the atmosphere.

Edward (The Tricomi) likened Warren Tricomi salons to "nightclubs where you go during the day."

There were two lovely models demonstrating how to combine makeup, hair, and apparel trends for complete looks.

Another resident beauty duo Piret & Tamara.

Makeup looks were created using products from Piret & Tamara's well edited, no-fuss line.

Piret of Piret & Tamara

Beauty always starts with the skin.

Mathilde Thomas, the very lovely creator of Caudalie was on site to educate visitors about the benefits of grape extracts.

Thomas brought wine from her family vineyard to share.

Caudalie's adorable tote.

Edward transformed the hair to "match" with different outfits.

Our lovely models, cocktail ready.

Every woman loves a messy updo.

And now, for my favorite look of the day. Love myself a long flowing dress. <3

What a lovely day getting to know "The Warren," and "The Tricomi." Please stay tuned, there is more to come.

;)

The Makeup Show NYC 2012

As always, the cocktail party featured some fantastic body painting!

The Makeup Show NYC begins today at The Metropolitan Pavilion! Seven years of community building, amazing educational programs, and fantastic shopping.

Swing by my Examiner article to read about new product launches and the amazing lineup of keynote speakers!

WANT! TMS NYC limited edition signature artist brushes, gimme!