To The Brafa Art Fair in Brussels, 2019

Highlights From Our Trip To The 

Annual Brafa Art Fair in Brussels

written by Tamara Matthews-Stephenson

chocolate and treats from Maison Dandoy

More and more designers from the United States are finding it helpful both for their business and their creative inspiration and sources to attend the international design and art trade shows.  Paris shows Maison Objet and Deco-off  are quite popular with designers here in New York.  This year, we attended the Brafa Art Fair in Brussels, Belgium the same week as the Paris shows, and it was an exceptional experience. An added bonus was seeing this beautiful, historic city with cobblestone streets.  Known for their beer, chocolate and waffles, there is certainly a lot to do besides take in the design at the fair.  The fair showcased a milieu of the classics, beautiful historic art that keeps you enthralled.  But, make no mistake this international art fair, showcases modern art and artists as well. There is also plenty of decorative arts at the fair.  I especially loved the showhouse-like designs sponsored by Delen Bank in Belgium and created by mother and daughter interior design team, Anne-Sophie Delen and Marie-Alix Delen.  The rooms were gorgeous and jam-packed with rich art, mid-century furnishings and vintage lighting.  It was wonderful to see how European designers put all these factors together in a home-- this certainly gave us fodder to bring home to our projects.  

 interior designers

Anne-Sophie Delen and Marie-Alix Delen

One of the artists at the fair who drew my attention was Julian Opie represented by Patrick De Brock gallery.  The artist renders his subjects with minimal details in thick black outlines then fills it in with solid areas of that same color. I particularly love the portraits, including "Lucia 1" which he painted in 2017.  It's a must-see for modern art lovers. His oversize sculpture installations are stunning as well and they appear in a multitude of applications from hospitals to other public spaces and of course private gardens and homes.

  JULIAN OPIE, Lucia 1, 2017 Silkscreen on acrylic panel

more art we spotted...

please see more of my musings from Brussels 

over on the 

Aspire Design and Home magazine Instagram

IFDA NY Chapter's e-news summer issue is chock-filled with information and stories about our industry

With summer festivities abounding, 

we have the IFDA e-news serving up the latest in our design community to keep us informed!

If you have not seen the IFDA NY chapter's e-news recently it has gone through a beautiful overhaul.  
This summer's issue is now available, please check it out at 

IFDA e-news Summer 2015

Revamping the newsletter has been a labor of love, and in the hopes to better offer news about the design industry to our members and community.  Highlights in the summer issue that you need to know about include Member Spotlight of product and interior designer Stacy Garcia, Members Making News including highlight's from Charles Pavarini's backstage tour (including his exquisite room) at The Kips Bay Showhouse), highlights from our team at recent IFDA Selects, information on Tamara Stephenson's Root Cellar Designs launch, a recap of this year's Take A Seat chair charity auction, congratulations to new members, a special offer to travel to Maison Objet in September, and more.  

Please see details below about
a brand new partnership between IFDA NY with Maison Objet in September.  This is a special offer to travel to Paris together.  

Travel to Maison Objet in September

Offer includes:  Upon arrival at the airport Thursday morning a driver will be waiting for you for a private transfer to your hotel.

The Fontaine du Luxembourg ***, a unique boutique hotel located next to the Luxembourg garden and French Senate provides stylish rooms with period artwork. Each room is air-conditioned and sound proof, Wi-Fi equipped, flat screen TV with satellite channels and bathroom with bathrobes.

Five minute walk to the RER station “Luxembourg” direct line to Villepinte and MAISON&OBJET show.

A special IFDA guided visit to the wonderful Musée des Arts Décoratif is set up for your third day in Paris.  

A welcome cocktail will allow you to relax and meet other members of the IFDA.

Your free MAISON&OBJET badge will avoid the usual first day hassle at the venue.  

A “Paris Visit” card for 5 days will give you full unlimited use of the entire Parisian transportation system.
6 nights (double or single accommodations)
Daily Breakfast.
Welcome cocktail reception.
5 day pass for unlimited use of Parisian public transportation.
A driver waiting at international exit for a private transfer. Hotel/airport as well.
Guided visit of the Arts Décoratif museum
Free pass to the MAISON&OBJET show.
All taxes and service charges.

If you are not using accumulated miles to travel, contact patricia@froggytravel.com.

We have contracts with many airlines and will be happy to help you.

 $1,195.00 double occupancy / $1,890.00 single occupancy 

(upon availability)

Land only as described above. Price is per person & valid 2 months.

Rate is in US$ as of April 2015.  A $250 per pers. deposit is due at time of registration.

 LIMITED AVAILABILITY - BOOK NOW.

and a special thank you to the e-news sponsors and volunteers 
who help create this newsletter and the myriad programs IFDA NY chapter has to offer!

Dreaming of Maison & Objet, and glimpses through the eyes of IFDA NY chapter members

~Maison & Objet Round Up~

IFDA New York Chapter's trip to Paris! 

Let's take inspiration from the members who traveled together for this spectacular show.  Lovely glimpses through  board member, Andrea Algaze's eye with members Valerie Rennert, Rose Gilbert, Elaine Seigel and others from the New York area who met up in Paris to share in the festivities surrounding this decorative arts show.

IFDA girls celebrating @The Antique Diva's Champagne Brunch, Paris Flea Market /Marche Aux Puces:

Andrea Algaze, Rose Gilbert, Valerie Rennert, The Antique Diva--Toma Clark Hines, Lloyd Princeton

on their agenda -- delicious dinners at some of Paris' most toney haunts, plus the Baker /Garcia party...the American in Paris Party...Part of Paris Deco...the Charles party on the river under the Eiffel Tower...The Antique Diva party & tour of the Flea market, and days walking through Maison and the streets of Paris, and, of course, shopping. 

 Are you drooling yet?   

 Andrea says, 

"As they say, Paris is always a good idea! The City of Lights is enlightening especially when the global design community gathers there for a week of parties networking and inspiration. We were privileged to attend this year's Paris Deco Off and Maison & Objet design show as part of an IFDA member trip.
Although I have been to Paris many times before I never experienced Paris as a part of the design community.  As we were lucky enough to be included in the circuit of wonderful parties, we truly had a unforgettable time!

The wonderful bright pops of colors in everything, from Pantone Radiant Orchid, paint colored walls, fabrics, flooring, tabletop, & linens, were seen everywhere at the show as well in the streets, the markets & the windows throughout Paris, offering a renewed source of energy and excitement. We saw warm metallics glowing, on walls, in lighting and gold was added to just about everything, signaling gold is definitely the new silver. Prints everywhere in fabrics and lots of wall coverings in motifs with butterflies, birds, and then there were all things under glass showcasing a call from Mother Nature and a nod to a cultivating idea that although we are moving fast and forward in technology, we need to step back in our lives and hold onto the past, hold onto what matters, and remember who we really are! 

We returned home with souvenirs, new friends and lots of  ideas and inspiration.

Please sign us up for next year!!"

~Andrea & Valerie~