Holiday Greetings from Irwin Feld Design,

Where Mid Century Modern sparkles and shines.

From case pieces to lighting to seating galore,

Artwork and mirrors, accessories and more.

Majestic dining tables restored with love,

Spotlighted by sputnik chandeliers hanging from above.

A pedestal desk with a tripod base,

A sleek floor lamp with a shade of lace.

Credenzas and dressers and beautiful chests,

Five thousand square feet of furnishings welcome our guests.

Versatile buffets with tapered legs and casters,

Timeless design created by masters.

Now Gibbings! Now Ponti! Now Wormley and Kagan.
On, Frankl! On, Seibel! On Ratkai and Baughman.
With Jere and Probber, Stuart, and Springer,

Longo and Sonneman et al, each one a winner.

No need for the chimney, our door will do,

A magical kingdom is waiting for you.

With wishes for Holidays joyous and dear,

And health, happiness, peace & prosperity throughout the next year.

Have a wonderful Mid Century Holiday!

 Autumn has arrived with all of its spectacular colors and aromas and the excitement is palpable.  The once brilliantly green trees are almost bare, their leaves now blanketing the ground and snow seems to be in the forecast for some as early as…today.  After over five months of bringing the indoors out and utilizing our outdoor living spaces during those long and lazy days of spring and summer, we are preparing to do an about face.

Despite the fact that is still only October, seasonal commercials have begun to permeate the airwaves thrusting us into into:

t h e  H o l I d a y    Z o n e 

And while we would prefer the old school holiday season that begins on Black Friday, we also believe that to be “forewarned is to be forearmed” and that the extra month (if you can stand the plethora of commercials) is a gift; the gift of time.

With Halloween around the corner, we are getting ready to embark on that frenetic, exciting and unpredictable marathon of indoor entertaining that begins at the end of the month and goes on and on and on…and on.

So take a deep breath, pour yourself a cocktail and use the gift of time, not to become overwhelmed, but rather to plan, prepare and revel in the long season. 

This is a joyous time in the Gallery.  The anticipation of so many celebrations and the lifetime of memories that will be made are not lost on us.  We know all too well the importance of holiday celebrations in our lives and are delighted when our Mid Century masterpieces play an integral part.  After all, these pieces represent the talent and design ingenuity of our greatest generation.  They have been lovingly restored and re-invented, offering clients a unique opportunity to own a one of a kind piece that has stood the test of time and is available for immediate delivery.  And let’s be honest, who can resist that kind of opportunity?

Whether you are hosting your first or one hundred and first celebration this season, there is a lot to think about. So let’s get started.

Today we will lay the foundation for holiday entertaining and focus on four key elements that need to be considered when preparing your home for the season.

 1.  Lighting                                                                                              

 2.  An amazing dining table                                                                           

 3.  Extra, multifunctional seating

 4.  Mirrors 

Regardless of your design aesthetic or your budget, there are a multitude of options available, and we always recommend that you purchase the best quality that you can afford. 

By the end of October summer’s endless days are little more than a memory.  When we turn the clocks back at 2 am on November 6^th, evening will turn into an afternoon affair and supplementing the rapidly diminishing natural light becomes crucial.  This is the time to let your imagination shine and select appropriate additional lighting for your home, especially the areas you plan to use for entertaining.

The centerpiece for holiday entertaining is most often the dining room. If you have large celebrations and have adequate space, a large table or a table with an extra leaf or two may be best.  If your celebrations or space are on the smaller side, a smaller table will probably be more appropriate.  Whatever the size, chose a table that you LOVE and everyday entertaining will become a special event.

No holiday season would be complete without adequate multifunctional seating.  This most often comes in the form of benches and ottomans that can be stored under other pieces if necessary and then moved to wherever they are needed, whether as extra seating at the dining table or as additional conversational seating.  The options are endless.

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And there is no better way to enhance the sparkle & dimension of any space than the addition of a beautiful mirror.

So put your thinking caps and prepare to enter...

 t h e  H o l I d a y    Z o n e     

Begin the planning process early because while some of us (Irwin included)  are often inspired and creatively motivated by the adrenaline rush of last minute preparations, most of us benefit from early planning and organization.  And while there are sure to be a few bumps in the road, the season will be infinitely more enjoyable and      N O T  scary at all!

Sometimes it is truly difficult to remember how really lucky we are.  Day to day life can be overwhelming when the fairytale lives we were promised by the Cleavers and the Reeds have not quite materialized.  But we are here as active participants in the only game in town, and for that, Irwin and I are eternally grateful. 

While summer has given way to autumn and the trees are awash in a golden hue, there are still signs of new bloom.

A subtle yet powerful reminder that despite the fact that life can change in an instant forcing us to recalculate the direction our path will take, we must move forward with hope, love and support.

We are now more than halfway through the month of October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and from the NFL to our own back yards (and soccer fields) awareness and funds are being raised.

As many of you know, we have a commitment to Susan G Komen for the Cure.  We participated in Holiday House NYC in 2009 and 2010 and have also, with the support of our friends and colleagues in the design industry, sold our first Pretty in Pink 4 Life Bench this past February.   ALL the proceeds went directly to the Connecticut Affiliate of Susan G Komen for the Cure.

                                       Pink- the color of life                                                         

We currently have another A M A Z I N G custom Mid Century Pretty in Pink 4 Life piece available for sale. We collaborated with Sunbrella and produced this fantastic ottoman, which is perfect for both indoor and outdoor use all year long.   And may we add that it would make any young girl feel like an absolute princess?  ALL the proceeds from the sale of this ottoman will once again go directly to Komen CT. 

 We are hoping to find this wonderful piece of reinvented Mid Century style a new home before the end of the month and would appreciate your help spreading the word

So, Get your PINK on and celebrate the only game in town: Celebrate Life!

Ah, the beauty of summer, with its never ending warm, sunshine filled days that entice us to take the long way home and drink in the cocktail of colors.  Where annuals and perennials conspire with wildflowers to present us with a symphony of sights that are in a constant state of transformation is where I have chosen to reside. In fact, I have become so enraptured with this season, I have all but forgotten to share it with you.

‘Tis the season to bring the indoors out, and enjoy every moment from dawn till dusk and beyond.  So, as the sun disappears and gives way to the cool breezes that usher in starry nights, Irwin and I like to add our own brand of illumination: candlelight.

We know only too well how instrumental candles are in setting the proper mood either indoors or out during any season, but candlelight outdoors during summer is absolutely sublime.                                                                                                                                                          

It is the season of infinite possibilities so use your imagination.  Many found objects in your home can be the perfect vessel for a candle or tea light.  An old lantern that we purchased our first summer in the house sits along side an inverted vintage capiz shell lampshade that houses a candle.

While we employ a variety of candles, we particularly love using tea lights because they are small and can be placed in a wide array of vessels.  Additionally, these short burning beauties are readily available and extremely inexpensive.  

Welcome back to our second IFD Focus, which will now be a monthly feature on our blog.  It is an opportunity to present, in a primarily pictorial fashion, an area of focus that we deem to be important and believe is of interest to you.

Today’s focus is on Art.  The contribution of Art to almost any space is immeasurable and the mediums, styles, and price points available are infinite.  Back in March of 2009, Irwin wrote Start with the Art, where he suggests beginning the design of a room with art.  Whether you subscribe to that school of thought or to the myriad of other possibilities, incorporating art into your surroundings will enrich your life.

So without further ado, allow me to present some of the amazing works of art we are privileged to have in the gallery.

Oil on Canvas:

Silkscreens including a substantial collection by noted artist Vincent Longo:

Giclee Prints of Etchings:

Photography:

Prints of Pen & Ink Drawings from the '60s:

Whatever your taste or budget, surround yourself with art and become inspired each and every day.

For additional information on any of the art featured in this post, please visit the inventory section of our website.

As many of you already know, earlier this month Pantone announced their Color of the Year.  While I always pay attention to design trends, I don’t always follow them.  However, this year’s Color of the year, PANTONE® 18-2120 Honeysuckle spoke to me in ways that reached beyond the color spectrum.

As stated in Pantone’s press release, “Energizing Honeysuckle Lifts Spirits and Imparts Confidence to Meet Life's Ongoing Challenges” and I couldn’t agree more.  It personifies the essence of life itself.   Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute®. stated that “Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum.”

So let’s embrace the power of this color and harness it’s restorative essence so that it not only “ is guaranteed to produce a healthy glow when worn by both men and women”, but actually improves the physical quality of their lives.

Let’s use it in home design and apparel, cosmetics and accessories, but more importantly, let’s use it to save lives!

Let’s all Think Pink today and everyday as we support Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  Here is the perfect way to start:

While our custom Mid Century Pretty in Pink 4 Life bench may not be Honeysuckle, the restorative power of its Pink hue cannot be denied and its sale will mean so much to Komen CT who will receive ALL the proceeds.

As we approach Christmas and the New Year, an opportunity to give a gift that continues to give is paramount.  Won’t you please help us find a home for this bench so that everyone can celebrate the New Year “In Living Color”.

What better way to usher in the holiday season, than to visit a designer show house centered on the celebration of holidays, and more importantly, life. Holiday House NYC is celebrating its 3^rd year, bringing talented designers together for fifteen days during the heart of the holiday season to raise much needed funds for the Greater New York City Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

With the importance of raising Breast Cancer awareness as well as finding a cure, we were delighted to be able to participate in this amazing event again this year and present a holiday that is near and dear to our hearts: Snow Day. 

While not on the list of traditional holidays, Everyone Loves a Snow Day!  And when a really good one happens to come along, there is no better place to spend it than in our cozy, warm Snow Day room at Holiday House.

When Irwin first decided to do Snow Day and saw his room, he knew that the centerpiece of the room had to be the magnificent Tommi Parzinger chandelier.

With a peculiarly shaped room containing four doors, two windows an oddly placed mantel, walls in horrific condition, carpeting cemented to the floor AND no partridge in a pear tree, he knew this was going to be a challenge. But Irwin is always up for a challenge and despite becoming sick with Pneumonia just days before Thanksgiving, did more than deliver an exceptionally designed room; he presented the essence of a perfect Snow Day.

Paint played an instrumental role in transforming the odd room into a Snow Day Cinderella story and the expertise of Fabricio Fabri of F&F Faux Finish Painting was key.  Not only are he and his staff immensely talented, they are equally as nice and were, as always a pleasure to work with.

And no Snow Day would be complete without…SNOW, so we brought the outdoors in by collaborating with Tracy Hiner of Black Crow Studios and had her take my image of snow, taken in Central Park during last year’s blizzard, and creating wallpaper that we then layered with several bird photos taken during the same day.  The result is staggering and the layered wall has so much depth and dimension that the beauty of the great outdoors truly enraptures you. 

Our fourth son also makes an appearance in the room because no one loves a Snow Day more than Charlie!  With his nose buried in the snow, he is the epitome of a Snow Day enthusiast. He is joined by a skiing foursome replete with cigarettes in hand, enjoying “Fresh Air and Good Company” along with our “deer” friend who found his way into our fireplace. 

Numerous other “snow” references abound in the room, filling glasses, bowls, jars and our imaginations with sparkling, glistening flakes.

Everyone loves a Snow Day....Even the mouse!

With mugs and plates from our favorite Stamford CT neighbor Juliska, we are ready to weather any storm.

And the furnishings, a sensory delight to both eyes as well as touch, all available in our gallery, covered in an array of plush fabrics including mohair, corduroy, faux fur, lace and a splash of orange velvet. Cerused wood along side dreamy French polished as well as lacquered pieces and a supremely phenomenal Norman Mercer Lucite sculpture entitled Stelladron I.

Sitting on a beautiful rug, hand knotted in Tibet courtesy of Kooches, Snow Day reigns supreme!

If you are in the NYC area, please stop by and become inspired while helping to raise funds for Komen for the Cure.  Housed in a magnificent limestone mansion located a 2 E. 63^rd Street, Holiday House offers the perfect respite for a busy holiday shopping or work day. Now through December 15^th.www.holidayhousenyc.com

And, please remember our Pretty in Pink 4 Life Mid Century Bench is still available with ALL proceeds of its sale going to Komen CT.  It can be seen in the Rizzoli shop at Holiday House.

I have to admit, the upcoming Holidays really snuck up on me this year.  I was so busy capturing the lingering summer blooms I all but ignored the changing leaves, the changing of the clocks and the fact that whether I was ready for it or not, Thanksgiving was arriving.  

The imminent approach of Thanksgiving did not crystallize in my mind until I saw the magnificent Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dining Table that arrived in the Gallery last week.  When I saw it I was so overwhelmed, I could hardly catch my breath and I thought: What a magnificent table to celebrate Thanksgiving around.  Sometimes a piece of furniture can do that to you; it can evoke true feelings and memories in all of us.

Thanksgiving is the holiday of choice in our family, and our youngest son’s favorite meal of the year.  No matter what is going on around us; work, show houses, school applications, tests, papers etc., we always come together in the country for that day to gorge ourselves on the usual holiday fare and spend quality time together watching football, playing scrabble and monopoly and running around on the front lawn with Charlie.

It is the simplicity of the day that everybody loves.  A time for true decompression and accordingly, no major pre-requisites or dress codes are required in our house on this day.  It is a come as you are, slow home, kick off your shoes, chill kind of day, ideal for celebrating life and giving thanks for all that we have. 

The table we gather around is perfect for the occasion.  While old and ruggedly honed, storing years of memories in every nick and scuff, it still offers us infinite possibilities for creating new memories every year. 

And with the sounds of whistles from a far away football field echoing through the house, before we finally settle around the table, before we attack the cornucopia of another year’s harvest, I sit quietly at the table alone and listen to the sounds of the house.  I close my eyes and try to imagine our house in its earliest days, when much like Little House on the Prairie, it was a single room with a sleeping loft and an attached barn. 

My mind drifts back to a simpler time and I begin to wonder about the man who built our house.  He, like us, had three sons and although his original acreage was substantially bigger (over 200 acres) and the house much smaller (originally a single room with an attached barn), I can’t help but ponder what else we share in common.  What I know to be true is that we share a love of this home and this land and for that, I am thankful.

So, no matter the size or extravagance of our table or celebration, what is most important is what we bring to the table.  Not the food or libations, which are a given, but the time together with friends and loved ones reminiscing and making new memories.  Enjoy the simple beauty of a day that reminds us to pause and give thanks Everyday.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Part II of this post: After Thanksgiving

We don’t usually take our “show” on the road, but when our very good friend Susan Blumenfeld, one of this year’s co- chairs, asked us to participate in the 43^rd Chappaqua Antiques Show that took place this past weekend, we could not refuse.

The Chappaqua Antiques Show, which is sponsored by the New Castle Historical Society, raises important funds to support the Horace Greeley House Museum and its rich calendar of educational activities for school groups and community members.  It is deeply steeped in the history of Chappaqua, a sleepy Westchester suburb and is the Society’s most important event of the year.

The Historical Society is housed in The Horace Greeley House, which was the family’s country home from 1864-1872 and serves the surrounding communities with its programs, exhibits, and extensive research resources.

 Although Chappaqua may be best known as the town of residence for the Clintons, it is rich in history as well.   The town’s famed early settler, Horace Greeley, who made famous the quote: ”Go west young man”, would have been proud to see us changing the traditional landscape of the show by infusing it with a mega-dose of our Mid Century Glamour.

And the show attendees could not have been more pleased as well.  With the notoriety of Mad Men, Mid Century Design has become more widely recognized and sought after, and as a result, we were quite an attraction.   Our particular style of MCM Glamour is quite eclectic and as a result, mixes well with more traditional design, offering many attendees the opportunity to add our pieces to their existing décor. 

Referred to as a “vast oasis", our booth was quite busy and drew wonderful comments along with many “ooos and aaahs”.  And we were delighted to sell several many pieces as well.

The event may be long over, but the memories remain. 

Please join the celebration as we share:

The Life of the Party: A Fall Celebration

The New England Home Connecticut Magazine Fall Networking Event with photos courtesy of Landino Photo