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Martha Stewart (and others) Tells Us Stories

D&DB (Decoration and Design Building)-the midtown NYC trade destination hosts:
 THE POWER OF STORYTELLING: People:Progress:Product


The DDB Fall Market-last week-hosted inspiring panels -heralding the visually/verbally talented hard-working industry individuals and wonderful wares displayed in open product showrooms. No surprise- hundreds of interior decorators and architecture professionals attended- eager to share/learn... timely tips centered around the theme of "DESIGN IS A STORY" aka what a home environment says about its occupant(s)---and how to translate personalities and spatial requirements into a welcoming place to live.
via GIPHY
No doubt, all of the fast paced talks (plus Q+As) with the top professionals, hosted by editors of top magazines (including Elle Decor, Domino, Metropolis, Home&Design, Architectural Digest...) were superbly informative.

We suspect however- that design icon, Martha Stewart -was  the biggest STAR present-a participant in a terrific panel set in the spectacular Baccarat showroom-a space gloriously packed with the company's hand-blown crystals, glassware, tabletops and drop dead gorgeous chandeliers worthy of Versailles Palace. AND all left unbroken despite the equally packed in crowds.

Although the cult of Martha-eluded us in the 20th century... we always suspected this successful business woman had an edgy-entertaining side---she graduated Barnard College after all. It wasn't until a gal we went to summer camp with-went to work for the practically biblical read must for weddings (Martha Stewart Weddings)...that we got a bit of inside insight on this Big Personality person-now on must see broadcast display via VH1's -Martha and Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party.

This one hour session, The Power of Experience: Enhancing the Five Senses-was ably led by Departures Editor in Chief, Dan Rubinstein...who began with the other accomplished two panelists- interior designers Stephen Sills and Shawn Henderson--- recounting favorite design projects for clients that physically spoke volumes about the occupants' personalities (and imo-the customer's choice in who they hired, too).

Martha Stewart-has herself as a client, in a way-and impressed everyone - with detailed descriptions of her Maine kitchen-located in the former Edsel Ford estate-and how design details and materials -included using local elements (raw woods, hog hair).
NOTE-one of her 21 'brand' kitchens.

Our biggest practical takeaways---once one walks through the front door... were on the critical importance of light and clean air-.particularly in the kitchen.

A fab tip from Ms. Stewart ...for a delicious smelling welcoming home--- bake an apple or poach some pears= a waaay better aroma than conjured up by potentially toxic interior sprays or candles.

Other tips/ observations to a question we asked- (past design trends-missed and should return or cringe worthy-and should  stay banished)... included-the desirability of now out of favor 18th/19th century furniture - incredibly well priced too (Martha Stewart), stereo-typed interpretations of modern design-like ho-hum low slung couches-around a coffee table-should be ditched for what MODERN design should be-stream lined elegance (Stephen Sills) and a reinvigorated interest for fabrics with metallic accents (Shawn Henderson).

Instagram and social media pros and cons- were also discussed-including the millennial tendencies to experience life in the virtual world-versus IRL -like visiting the wonderful period rooms in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
On the plus side-multi-cultural experiences-often gained through travel...are a necessary part of today's world and in turn-environmental experiences...("Politics Aside," M.S.).

Applause, applause, applause.

Observation: One could have sold tickets to the public for this event-set it in a large auditorium-and donated the proceeds to a worthy charity like Hurricane Relief...or  Habitats For Humanity. Just saying.