Art in the Form of Comfort

It was pillow talk all the way, baby.
Arguello Casa Architectural Pillow Collection by Michael Arguello Design
Quietly whispering into my ear the words “custom,” “made in New York City,” “Italian linen,” “day-long stitching process,” and “couture cushions,” Michael Arguello, friend, colleague and the interior designer/founder of Michael Arguello Design, directed me through his newly-launched Arguello Casa Architectural Pillow Collection Tuesday night.
His comfortable art form, debuting alongside his signature candle scent wafting among the fashionable furnishings at The Red Threads, a sweet home shop nestled among the coolness of New York’s Nolita neighborhood, resulted in classic, modern, swoon-worthy home accoutrements.
Michael of Michael Arguello Design

Michael Arguello of Michael Arguello Design

Michael, ever influenced by the archetypal skyline of New York City, set forth a colorful, sophisticated collection hand made here, inspired by Mid Century Modern designs and updated with a tweaked color palette. He says he “wanted to make art using a practical, familiar and comfortable art form.”

And that he did.

rguello Casa Architectural Pillow Collection

Michael Arguello Casa Architectural Pillow Collection

Arguello Casa Architectural Pillow Collection by Michael Arguello Design
Michael Arguello Design is a New York-based lifestyle interior design company focusing on projects within the residential, commercial and events realms.

rguello Casa Architectural Pillow Collection by Michael Arguello Design

Wow! at NY Now

Have I got some bright new shinies for you from earlier this week!

glass nynow

Barnacle- and beach-inspired glass ware from LBK Studio

With a new name and a new broader range of products, from home furnishings to bedding, tabletop and beyond, textiles to fashion apparel and accessories, the New York International Gift Fair – now known simply as NY Now – teased retailers (and me!) with gifts gone wild.

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My top highlights would be the textiles. I went gaga over alpaca rugs-slash-blankets from Bolivia, vintage Kantha quilts from India, fold-up wool and wooden stools from Colombia. Then there were the to-die-for pillows, curtains and badges from our All-American buddy Stephanie over at Coral & Tusk (some of her pillows have their own little stuffed creatures that reside in 3-D in the print, i.e., the fox inside the teepee, below who – squeal! – is beyond all cuteness), the unearthed-looking fine jewelry from Polly Wales (biggest girl crush yet to date!), the tasseled earrings or pom-pommed bracelets at Takara, the plaid or polka dotted totes and pillows at Proud Mary (a fellow Southerner from Charleston, no less).

Polly Wales

 

Polly Wales2

 

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Coral & Tusk

Coral & Tusk

Proud Mary

Oh, and of course there were the Panama hats, the khadi cloths, the Indian blankets, the indigo, the ikat, the cashmeres, the cottons. Okay. The textiles in particular might have been my most favorite part of the show, which stretched from the Javits to Pier 94. Great representation of artisanal creativity imported from a wide source of countries – Bolivia, Colombia, Cambodia, Guatemala, Mexico, Mali, India – whose wares were absolutely inspirational must-haves. Shop away, my people!

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Zero Hunger

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Takara

Takara

Jeanne Koepp Berlin