June 30, 2010

Guest Post from Amy of ABCD Designs!

First and foremost...I love you guys! The Rue team has been floored by all your kind comments, well wishes, and support for the magazine. Yesterday was a really special day for us - thank you for being part of it. Really and truly, I am honored to be part of such an inspiring community of bloggers, designers, and design enthusiasts!

As you know, Anne and I are in New York all week shooting home tours for the premiere issue of Rue. So, I've lined up some of my friends to keep us company while I'm away. In honor of being in the city that never sleeps, I've asked them to share their favorite NYC designers with us! And I'm thrilled to have Amy from ABCD Designs here with us today!

True story: The other day I received a beautiful card in the mail from a friend. It was so pretty that I had to ask, "You did this stationery?!" And it turned out, it was Amy! Of course...when you want the best, who else? So, take it away, Mrs. D (P.S. Her favorite NYC designer also happens to be mine!):
It's so great to have Crystal in NYC with us this week! I couldn't be happier that she asked me (a designer in NYC to write a post in honor of her trip to the City that never sleeps. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo (ABCD!) and I write a blog called ABCD Design.
As a topic for this post, Crystal asked me: Who is your favorite designer in NYC? I had to think on it for 0.001 seconds before Vicente Wolf came to mind! Who can't embrace the man responsible for being the first designer to "do" the all white room?
Vicente has worked as a designer in NYC for more than three decades. While he doesn't hold a degree in interior design, you'd never call him "just a decorator." Vicente's interior design work is incredibly complex. Layers and layers of texture, light, and form go into the spaces that he creates.
The palette is always neutral in tone, allowing the artwork and artifacts to stand on their own and tell a story. One of the key points in his design aesthetic is the composition that he creates with furniture. He always manages as interesting visual dialogue between pieces.
In regards to furniture placement Vicente says, "They are placed to create different balances, without being symmetrical, in a way they neutralize each other, and this produces calmness."
Using a dinner party analogy, he explains his furniture placement theory further, "How do you seat guests at a dining table? You do not put a talkative person besides a talkative person. Each one fills in the gaps. Not too much of the same thing next to each other."
Vicente is a multidimensional artist - he designs furniture, a line of crystal for Baccarat, he is a talented photographer, a collector, a theatre buff, and a world traveller. I adore his aesthetic, it truly speaks to me. I hope you take a moment to check out his website and his blog.
Crystal, thanks again for having me at Plush Palate - I can't wait to meet you in "real life" on Thursday!

xoxABCD

*images via Vicente Wolf portfolio

15 comments:

Ludmila {creamylife.com} said...

these pictures are pure gorgeousness! who doesn't love Vicente Wolf? his style and design approach are something to learn from and get inspired of! great post, Amy! xo

Norbridge Antiques said...

This is a beautiful blog. I will visit often.

Will @ Bright.Bazaar said...

I agree, that bedroom is divine! Great post as always, Amy!

Creategirl said...

Love it Amy AND Crystal in one place!
What a great post, I love the last space and somehow it reminds me of you Amy, living in an open NYC loft!

The Simply Luxurious Life said...

This is a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing some of his insights and advice. The dining room with that large wooden table has always been a favorite image for me. Great job!

ABC Dragoo said...

@Norbridge - I am so happy that you had the chance to "meet" Crystal's blog from my tweets!

@Julianne/Create Girl - there is no doubt that his eclectic design sense has inspired me. I totally "get" his work, every time I see it, it speaks to me. Without me even knowing it is his work, I have torn out multiple magazine images I am inspired by -- and it's often of his design.

Thanks to everyone who has commented to this point today - and most of all, thank you Crystal for having me guest post while you're tending to the business of Rue! xox

All the best,
ABCD

P.S. It's been a big week of guest posts for me, I wrote a little thank you here: http://www.abcddesign.com/archives/2010/06/30/abcd-elsewhere-blu-label-bungalow-plush-palate/

Kim@Chattafabulous said...

Vincente Wolf is a master! Thanks for sharing these amazing images. I also put a link from my blog to yours about the launch of Rue. Best wishes to you on this exciting project!

Connie @ SogniESorrisi said...

He does such great work. Love that kitchen -- the table paired with the more modern white chairs, just gorgeous.

jane said...

enjoy NYC! fortunately, we're having some lovely cool summer weather now. i am SO SO excited for the Rue launch! best of luck with everything. xx, Jane

this free bird said...

These rooms just make me want to cry. I absolutely love!!

lyndsey hamilton said...

THAT BED! Amazing. Thanks Amy for the great post :)

Staci Edwards said...

Good call on the Vincente post! Love him! Great post Amy! xo

Lori Andrews said...

I love his furniture placement. Everything is scaled just right.

Verdigris Vie said...

I am a fan of both Amy and Vicente - a fabulous post...

vie

Heather Feemster said...

Love the table, bathroom and bed! Grogeous....

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