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Out and about

Hobnobbing at Restoration Hardware

ACRIA threw a cocktail benefit at the Flatiron Gallery of Restoration Hardware. The event was also celebrating the premier of Restoration Hardware’s spring 2012 collection. My friend Alice is so FAH-BU-LUX she gets invited to these things all the time! This time around I got to be her plus one. I’ll tell you in a later post,why you may be interested in getting to know Alice.

The host committee for the event was comprised of the who’s who in design, fashion, and society. Miles Redd, one of my favorite designers, was in the committee! I didn’t think any of them would actually be there, but I was excited nonetheless. I love Restoration Hardware. I wanted to see their sping collection, and I honestly can’t pass up free hors d’oeuvres. In the end I didn’t see much furniture, but I was treated to an exclusive parade of industry celebs.

On the way to the party, Lillian August window displays by famed designer Amy Lau stopped me in my tracks. Saturated colors punctuated the elegant vignettes. Indigo crocodile chairs and hammered copper stools make an amazing combo! It turned out Lillian August was hosting an event too. Lillian August is a one stop shop for high-end furnishings, and they opened opened a NYC outpost.

New York Cottages & Gardens magazine, was celebrating their premier in the store. Judging by the window displays and a brief glimpse inside there’s more inspiration to be had. I grabbed a Lillian August magazine as I continued onto the party. I’ll have to pay them another visit soon!

A trio of well-dressed gatekeepers with guest lists were stationed on the carpet behind velvet ropes guarded by big bouncers. Alice and I made it through the gauntlet without a hitch and to be greeted at the door by male models. In fact, all the cater waiters, coat checkers, and greeters were male models.

Much to my surprise the celebrity parade started right away. Alice and I almost photobombed Gary Friedman and Carlos Albarini’s (Restoration Hardware’s CEO/chairman and co-CEO) photo as we leaned against the back of a Chesterfield style couch. We tried to edge away out of the frame as much we could at which point Tom Felicia walks in a to give the couch a personal test run.

Making our way to the back of the store we bumped into Stuart Sussman, a city savvy executive VP for Core real estate brokerage. I met Stuart last year when he graciously gave me a tour of his incredible apartment. He advised us that the bellinis were pretty good, so we swiped a couple glasses and sat ourselves on another Chesterfield style couch.

Ryan Korban came by and perched himself in front of us. I love his work. As one of the hottest young designers today, he wields romantic textures to fantastic effect, creating ultra lux interiors that are also super inviting.

Turning around I spotted Danny Seo! He frequently appears on talk shows, has authored countless craft and design books, and is one of the biggest names in eco-friendly home goods and natural beauty products. I met him earlier last year at an Apartment Therapy meetup where I gave him a couple upcycled mini candles. Reintroducing myself, I couldn’t help but giggle like a little girl, cause he actually remembered who I was. He said he saw me on The Nate Berkus Show, and he still has my candles!

Alice spotted a Pomeranian and had to rush over to pet it. It was no ordinary pooch. It was Change, Kevin Saer Leong‘s canine baby. Kevin oversees the design of Russell Simmons’ entire fashion empire. He and Rajiah Williams were really nice as Alice fawned over Change.

As the official end of the party passed the store was still packed with posh people sipping bellinis. It was too fabulous! Head over to Alice’s blog to see more of the party from her point of view.

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