MEET OUR MEMBERS COLUMN: INTRODUCING LAURIE VEGA

Meet Laurie Vega

We had the opportunity to interview our member, Laurie Vega, and here's what she had to say...

What inspires you day in and day out? 

• What inspires me as far as work is concerned is the thrill of the chase - working so hard to get the attention of an important client; hoping my efforts, knowledge and skills have raised an eyebrow.  And the feeling when it comes through. And the excitement of doing it all over again. The rush!

What do you do?

• I am the Director of Sales for Axiom Fine Art Consulting, covering the tri-state area. My job is to connect daily with people in the interior design industry, architecture, real estate, brokers, wealth advisors, and builders and general contractors to determine the need for art for their projects.  Axiom provides art from decorative to blue chip, for the private client, hospitality and commercial. It is very important that I educate clients about our process so that they understand it is absolutely possible to have great art at any budget.

Why are you great at it?

• Networking is such a critical part of my work.  I can say confidently that I have a gift to engage people in an instant.  I know how to work a room, light it up, make people want to know who I am and what I’ve got to offer.  I have also been a musician all my life so I am accustomed to performing and turning it on.

Why did you join IFDA? 

• IFDA NY Chapter has a strong crew.  The team is extremely dedicated and focused on conducting incredibly productive networking events, and to stay connected with one another.  Unfortunately, there are not many worthwhile networking events in this industry and IFDA breaks the mold. I have made many connections through IFDA events and am confident it will be a constant source of referrals.

• How can we learn more about your business www.axiomfineart.com

Little-known fact?

• Played drums & sang for a rock/blues band in the East Village in the 80s & 90s including CBGBs!

THE MEMBERS OF IFDA NY CHAPTER PROFILED, MEET J. RANDALL

MEET THE MEMBERS OF THE

IFDA NY CHAPTER:

Introducing J. Randall

Pavarini Design, Kips Bay 2015 

What inspires you day in and day out?

I am constantly inspired by industrial and mechanical design and fascinated by technology.  As you see in fine automobiles and Swiss watches, great design takes on great style. Day in and day out, I am inspired by superior mechanical design where not only is the design based upon function but it transcends functionality and becomes style.  Companies like Ferrari, Panerai and Porsche have the concept DOWN!

What do you do?

I manage companies and projects. I am a partner and COO of Pavarini Design, a renowned interior design firm, where I manage Operations and Project Manage all construction jobs and renovations. I am a trained interior designer with close to 25 years of experience and also am part of the Design Team which designs all aspects of our interiors and product lines.  I am also part owner and Director of Operations for The Original Lawn Furniture Co. (www.OLFOutdoor.com), an outdoor furniture company that Charles Pavarini III and I started in 2016.  Further, I am involved in all business strategy development, bidding and client communication along with execution. Beyond that, I dedicate significant time and resources to charity.  In particular, I work with Charles in various fundraising endeavors for the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club, Bailey House, and The Summer Theatre of New Canaan (STONC).

Why are you great at it?

I am dedicated and THIS side of O.C.D.  I think of EVERYTHING, ALL the time! Details matter to me, and I TOTALLY get how important design details can be for great style and also functionality.  Having lived through renovations on many occasions and seen all that can go wrong, I am extremely persistent with follow-up and painfully organized (to some) so that I can plan exactly what will happen in a day to keep projects on course.  Nothing matters to me more! I even joke about having a family and how difficult it would be for me to end a day at a specific time to be a father: I don’t know how I could go for hours without checking my email and keeping it all moving!

Pavarini Design, Kips Bay 2015 

recent projects,

Fairfield County, Ct. (above); Miami (below)

Why did you join IFDA?

The people.  I have found an incredibly generous and inclusive group of people who understand how all of us can work together within our industry, and with other similar industries, to make a big difference in business.  Within IFDA, there are members of all kinds within manufacturing, sales, design, business ownership, craftsmanship, etc. who bring a wealth of information and insight into the business of Interior Design so that WE are not alone.  It feels as though the resources and opportunities are infinite within IFDA, and I have only benefited from my relationship with IFDA and its members.

How can we learn more about your business?

I encourage you to visit our website www.pavarinidesign.com —it’s to re-launch in the next 30 days. I also encourage to follow our Facebook and Instagram feeds, which I author. (Facebook/Pavarini3) (Instagram/PavariniDesign)

Little-known fact?

I have a NEED for SPEED.  From owning and driving powerful sports cars to racing through the Italian Alps on downhill skis, I have a penchant for any activity that involves SPEED.  Interestingly enough, when in water, I’m happy swimming, kayaking or paddle-boarding. Water is the ONLY thing that slows ME down!

Please follow along on social media...

Instagram: PavariniDesign

Personal Instagram: RandallDesign

Facebook: Pavarini3

Personal Facebook: Randall Tarasuk

MEET OUR MEMBERS COLUMN: Mimi Levitan

Meet Mimi Levitan

What inspires you day in and day out?

I have a lot of energy, and seem to be inspired by everything and everyone around me. My camera is always close at hand, and almost anything becomes a subject … in no particular order, saturated colors, architecture, great textures and flowers. Not just relative to interior design, but nature itself. My two young adult children inspire me and certainly keep me young, as do my friendships of a lifetime! And I really love what I do, even on the more challenging days!

What do you do?

I have been an Interior Designer for all of my adult life, and have worn a variety of industry hats throughout my career. As I have recently moved back to NYC via LA and So. Florida, I am reconnecting within the trade and working on business expansion. I have maintained a client base in Florida, so there is a lot of back and forth, which I actually love. As well, I am involved in several trade organizations, which allow me to access and continue my education as an Interior Designer.

Why are you great at it?

To be a designer has been a part of who I am since I was a little girl. I come from a long line of artists, both my mother and grandmother being fine artists…I took a slightly different route! So inherently, that helps me be “great”.

Within my residential focus, my clients' tastes are as varied as you might imagine. I pride myself on listening and really hearing, and am able to adapt my years of expertise to each individual client. Regardless of the scope, I dedicate myself to a successful outcome. And I really have a great time doing it; I think that Interior Design should be fun, and I try to bring that to the client. Why am I great? I’ve been doing this a long time, I have a natural flair and I am a great puzzle solver. As I have shared with my children, if you chose something that you love and make it your career, you will never really “work” a day in your life. I am doing what I am supposed to be doing!

Why did you join IFDA?

Joining IFDA initially was a promise to the South Florida Chapter President. She was right. Being an integral part of this community is beneficial not just professionally, but personally. It has been a pleasure to work and socialize with these members of the NY Interior Design community. We are involved in so many ventures; the options to be involved are never ending!

How can we learn more about your business? My website, though ever-changing, is www.mjldesigngroup.com. I think this will give you a small taste of all things possible. Follow me on Instagram at mjl.idesign, where you will catch me snapping shots of all things that inspire me on a daily basis! Most importantly, give me a call! Let’s chat, let’s have an iced tea while getting know each other We’ll have a great time, I promise!

 

Little-known fact?

I am a theatre lover, go as often as possible! And dare I say, I am a bit of a fanatic with crime genre, but have become absorbed by the Law & Order crime series! Oh, and did I mention a book lover? I still like to turn a real page while reading a great story!

IFDA Selects Chooses The "Best Of" at NY NOW

Winter 2016 Awards  at NY NOW With IFDA Selects  Andrea Algaze, Julie Schuster, Richard Segal, Claudia Giselle Tejeda, Andrea Brodfuehrer, Scott Hohl, Jessica Robb, Shari Chamish, Rose Ott, Rose Gilbert, Samantha Coppola.  On January 31 at NY NOW, eleven fantastic industry talents, comprised of both members and board members of the IFDA NY Chapter, were hand-picked to judge in nine categories at the show in New York City.  The judges chose a BEST-IN-SHOW winner in their category.  It was a fun and productive day, and the judges met up early Sunday morning to walk the aisles on a hunt to choose their favorites in their categories.  Winners were announced the next morning at the IFDA Color Event at NY NOW.   Please note the winter 2016 winners...  TEXTILES:   Kevin O'Brien Studio   INNOVATIVE BOOTH DESIGN: Two's Company  ART: Itinerant Studio  GOURMET HOUSEWARES:  Klein Reid  LIGHTING: Sage Green Life  FURNITURE: Mr. Brown  GREEN SENSIBILITY: Eangee Home Design  TABLETOP: Kiss That Frog  WALLCOVERINGS: Tempaper Designs This winter's judges included:  Andrea  Brodfuehrer, von b interiors; Richard Segal, Metropolitan Home Hardware & Bath LLC.; Shari Chamish, Shari Chamish Designs; Rose Ott, Rose Ott Interior Design; Samantha Coppola, Senior Experience Student Mepham High School, Julie Schuster, Schuster Design Studio; Jessica Robb, Robb Media Partners; Andrea Algaze; Design Concepts; Claudia Giselle Tejeda, Claudia Giselle Designs; Rose Gilbert, RBG Communications; Scott Hohl, Hohl Home Furnishings.  About IFDA SELECTS: IFDA SELECTS was created to support and promote the design industry by highlighting innovative and creative products to various categories. For information on IFDA NY membership or to learn about upcoming events and programs, visit www.ifda.com

Part 2: The 2nd annual Take A Seat charity auction with profiles of designers and their chairs -- Betsey Johnson, Karim Rashid, Joan Dineen, Justin Shaulis, Joan Dineen, Pamela Copeman, Robin Baron, Andrea Algaze & Deborah Martin

We are happy to announce the upcoming May 14 

Take A Seat chair auction invitation is now published both in print and online in NYC&G magazine.

This May issue of the magazine is chock-filled with beautiful local design projects.  With just days until our 2nd annual Take A Seat chair charity auction, please purchase tickets here -- space is limited! Proceeds from our event will go to  
Habitat For Humanity New York City.  

About Habitat:
Habitat for Humanity New York City transforms lives by building quality homes with families in need and by uniting all New Yorkers around the cause of affordable housing. Currently, the organization is rehabilitating vacant houses in Queens for homeownership, performing critical repairs on homes damaged by Superstorm Sandy and revitalizing community centers throughout the five boroughs through its 
Brush with Kindness program. 

To learn more, visit HabitatNYC.org 
or follow them on Twitter at @HabitatNYC.

Today, let's continue profiling the talented interior designers and artists who are currently working away transforming a chair to donate to our May 14 auction at the Room & Board showroom in Soho. 

First, see the names of 28 Designers & Artists creating chair designs for our event

1. Caleb Anderson
2. Vanessa DeLeon
3. Rose Ott
4. Peter Fasano
5. Saxon Henry & Pryor Callaway
6. Scott Hohl
7. Andrea Algaze & Deborah Martin
8. Michelle Slovak
9. Tracy Steele
10. Michael Tavano
11. Sara and Moncef Touijer
12. KathArine Wood
13. Justin Shaulis
14. Alan Tanksley
15. Andrea Mihalik of Wild Chairy
16. Toma Clark Haines, The Antiques Diva
17. Pamela Copeman
18. Betsey Johnson
19. Esther Sadowsky & Jim Parlow
20. Ondine Karady
21. Karim Rashid
22. Robin Baron
23. Evelyn Miller
24. Michael Danielsen
25. Joan Dineen
26. Claire Russo & Liz
 27. Gregory Allan Cramer 
28. Caty Tillman/Darlene Chimaliro of Mod(ish) 

Please read our Part I post profiling
six of the designers.

 7. Betsey Johnson's 

"POOFY PROM" PERCH

Betsey Johnson loves the idea of furniture dressed in clothes.  We are oh, so tickled pink to have this fashion icon on board, and cannot wait to see what creativity she has up her designer sleeve.

Known for her celebration of the exuberant, the embellished and the over-the-top, Betsey has been rocking the fashion industry with her unique and original designs since the 1960s. Her ability to

change with the times while keeping her designs pure has not gone unnoticed. Betsey Johnson, both the woman and the label, is constantly

moving forward and continues to keep a strong

foothold in the fashion industry.  Her love of detail and design is evident in everything she does.  

8. Justin Shaulis' 
TOM FORD MEETS LENNY KRAVITS: 
Not Your Average Rockin' Chair

Justin Shaulis has been busy in the studio making over this stylish chair; please see sneak peeks below.  

(above) Justin transforming his chair in the studio.

Justin develops projects by balancing classic and modern forms that are inspiring through their architecture and refreshing in their layered design. His formal practice includes work with architect Shigeru Ban and interior designer Jennifer Post. The influence and aesthetic of each project varies depending on the collaboration with the clients and the context of the home. Justin's diverse background includes a rural Pennsylvanian upbringing, a Big 10 Architecture Degree and travel centered around antiquing. Justin was the Design Host for the HGTV series "Home Rules." Please find Justin on Twitter @Justinshaulis and Facebook Justin-Shaulis-Inc

9. Karim Rashid's OHandDOODLE

This is the second year Karim Rashid will donate a chair to our event.  He is one of the most prolific designers of his generation. Over 3000 designs in production, over 300 awards and work in over 35 countries attest to Karim’s legend of design. His award winning designs include democratic objects such as the ubiquitous Garbo waste can and Oh Chair for Umbra, interiors such as the Morimoto restaurant in Philadelphia and the Semiramis hotel in Athens. Karim collaborated with clients to create democratic design for Method and Dirt Devil, furniture for Artemide and Magis, brand identity for Citibank and Hyundai, high tech products for LaCie and Samsung, and luxury goods for Veuve Clicquot and Swarovski, to name a few.  Karim on Twitter, @Karim_design and Facebook We await his surprise...

10. Pamela Copeman's

GARDENING WITH OSCAR de la RENTA 

is inspired by this quote,

“Gardening is how I relax.  
It’s another form of creating and playing with colors.”

~Oscar de la Renta

We are excited to have Boston-based designer, Pamela Copeman attending and donating a chair.  From seaside homes to luxury condominiums in Boston's  Back Bay, award-winning interior designer Pamela Copeman is noted for her posh panache and timeless designs that unite classic style with a modern, often colorful twist.  Pamela is also an accomplished painter. She describes her artistic style as “juicy, colorful, eclectic and loose”. Pamela’s work is imbued with her designer’s eye and firm belief that inspiration is everywhere.

 Check out Pamela's blog, Posh Palettes

or on Twitter @pamelacopeman 
and Pamela Copeman Design Group Facebook

11. Joan Dineen's

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

Joan Dineen was a recipient of this year's IFDA Rising Stars, and we are happy to have her a part of this event as well.  She is a New York City-born daughter of a Sea Captain, and a real life (but much straighter) version of Joan Harris from Mad Men.  Joan thought she was going to be an Astronaut, got an engineering degree from Cornell University and an architecture degree from Columbia, and now regularly scares clients by attaching too much important to the scale of pillows.  Although she held posts at I.M. Pei's architecture firm, and worked as a structural engineer, it was a natural outgrowth of working in New York City that she became an interior designer.  From the beginning, she found it impossible to think of spaces without thinking of their color, texture and furnishings. 

Joan Dineen

We look forward to ringing in the season with Joan's Spring-inspired creation!

(left) a fresh first coat of paint by artist, Debbie Viola

(right) the "before"

12.  Andrea Algaze and Deborah Martin's

ANIMALIA BRITANNICA: 

A "Club" chair for Sgt. Pepper

Utilizing the talent from painter and artist Debbie Viola, this design duo is transforming something old, and making it new again with pop mod textiles from Clarke & Clarke and Duralee, culminating with a celebration of The Beatles 50th anniversary.  Brit invasion-inspired wing chair circa 1600 England is made Tres Chic in yellow submarine. The designers are very excited to be working with Debbie Viola on the creation of the chair, who donated her services for this worthwhile cause.  Debbie was voted Best of Long Island four years in a row as a muralist and painter.  She currently has a collection of abstract canvas paintings and silk scarves on exhibit at the Roosevelt Field's Bloomingdales. 

Both these ladies are IFDA board members, helping tremendously on the Take A Seat committee and now donating and transforming a chair together. 
Artist and designer Andrea Algaze specializes in residential design, color consulting, and home styling.  She has spent her career in many areas of design - interiors, architectural, industrial, fashion, textiles & jewelry design, and appreciates the idea of how all design can be transforming.  
Deborah Martin, as the owner and creative director of her eponymous interior design firm, Deborah Martin, offers comprehensive design services to discriminating upmarket clients based upon the premise that every project is unique.  With a strong commitment to searching for the most inspiring and sensational luxury design elements and to the highest level of service, Deborah creates sophisticated yet welcoming environments.  Deborah employs a demonstrated versatility in creating dynamic, distinctive and livable residential clients.
Please find Deborah Martin Design Concepts on Twitter as @DMDsgn and Facebook DeborahMartinDesign
and read her informative blog, Design Chronicles
Please find Andrea on Twitter @AndreaAlgaze
and Facebook, AndreaWalgaze

Upholster @DiamondInterior in the beginning stages of working on the chair.

13. Robin Baron's 
CHLOE CHAIR
Robin Baron took inspiration from her teen daughter, who loves turquoise and glam, and is very cool!

Robin is thankful to Christopher Hyland fabrics, and Paul Von Urban of Baron Upholstery --

we are certain the chair will look fabulous!

Robin Baron’s mission is creating interiors that inspire, while helping empower people through their homes. With over 20 years of experience and expertise in all aspects of interior design, Robin thrives on creating homes that are both harmonious and livable.

As the new incoming President-Elect of ASID NY Metro Chapter, Robin shows her commitment to the design community. She brings innovative and vibrant perspectives to everything she does. Robin maintains a client-centric approach in all of her work and believes that each project is unique and all about the client.

Robin's blog, Simplifying Fabulous!, has become well known for its fun and informative approach to interior and lifestyle design.  Find Robin Baron on Facebook, and @RobinBaron on Twitter as well.

Another bonus to attending our chair auction

is every attendee on May 14 can enter a chance to win Room & Board's AIDAN chair and ottoman.

Our generous host has offered to gift one of their popular chairs, The Aidan and the Aidan ottoman, which are offered in three different fabric choices. One lucky winner will be chosen and announced at the end of the auction by MC, Libby Langdon!

  the Aidan chair and ottoman
Please follow our IFDA TAS pin board
as well as on our very own IFDA TAS website outlining all details surrounding this annual, international chapter-wide event.
Stop back for more 
designer profiles soon!