Kudos to "Kravet"

Most of you have heard of Kravet, the global leader in home furnishings since 1918. Others are lucky enough to own some fabric or pieces of furniture designed by Kravet. Professional Designers, like I, shop religiously at Kravet for textiles, furniture, rugs, wall coverings, lamps, etc.

If you're an insider, you know that Kravet recently purchased Brunschwig + Fils, the famed French fabric house, to add to their roster of brands.  Their Calvin Klein Home Ad, shown above.

BUT, if you are like me, we are also a little spoiled by Kravet.

Their extraordinary  team make it easy for all of us designers to present + produce products for our Clients that are top notch, cutting edge pieces of quality design.

If you are like me, you might not always realized the daily dedication to the process, the expert staff + highest caliber of customer service this New York based, forth generation family business is built on.

It is known that the Kravet family believes in educating the Designer, who can then explain to their Client everything about the product. Education is key here + the Kravet team goes all out to enlighten Designers, in every way possible. Not only with their products but in every aspect of design:  technology, blogging, how their furniture is crafted + how to reach our creative potential as Designers.  They are committed to staying at the forefront of the digital movement in the interior design industry.  It's not just from this colossal event, but a year round dedication with frequent seminars, lectures + even their own newspaper!

I happen to be one of the "quick to click"  Design Bloggers that had the extreme honor of procuring  a ticket for the First Annual Blogfest 2011: Access to Inspired Design, here in NYC.  All spots were sold-out in a couple of hours.

100+ of us were  treated like a member of the Kravet family for the entire 3 day event. The family attended all events + were approachable, relaxed + having just as much fun as everyone else. No expense was spared, no gourmet meal was skipped, no transportation issue un-planned for .... basically every i was dotted + every t was crossed.

It was like a destination wedding ~ all about design. Did I mention the gift bags at every stop?  Oh yes, I tweeted about them!

There is much written on the web re-capping the presentations at the Hearst Building with the House Beautiful, Veranda + Town and Country Magazines Editors. There is also  much on the web about The Elle Decor Modern Life Concept House, ICFF + Kips Bay occurring during this very busy New York Design Week.

But the privy ticket holding Bloggers were invited behind the scenes of many other memorable design inspired happenings like:

The presentation + breakfast at Lee Jofa (owned by Kravet), celebrating the new Lily Pulitzer line - with all employees dressed pretty in Lily, was a pink, orange + a twist of  lime - a sight to see on an incurable rainy day.

A presentation of the personal slides + inspirations for the new Barbara Barry Indochine Collection of textiles, which was given by Barbara herself.  We followed her as she narrated pictures of  her worldly travels where she conceived + developed her vision for the collection.  Following was a "tea tasting" of her signature blend - an unforgettably delectable taste treat.

There were so many highlights I've given up trying to pick my favorite.

Some say the following event was the star of the show:

We bused to LI City, where the following world famous Designers were standing in vignettes showcasing their present creations for Lee Jofa, another of Kravet's brands.  Each "star designer" autographed their page in the coffee table book, "Inspired Styles" published by Assouline. You can purchase your copy at our Encore Decor's Amazon Store. A great big hard cover item that is sure to delight.

Need I point out more than the rickety elevator to get to the 7th floor photo studio where the party took place was papered in a Lee Jofa pattern?  Get the picture?

Here we met + spoke with:

Suzanne Kasler

Diamond & Baratta

Eric Cohler

Thomas O'Brien

David Easton

Suzanne Rheinstein

Just reviewing these 3 days of events is exhausting. So, to all my Client's who know I played hooky... that's where I was + now I am back... Kinda.

It was my honor to be included.

Kudos to Kravet.

Stay Tuned for a behind the scenes tour of the Kravet Design Studio - I wanna work there!