Beautiful New Arrivals...

It was a rainy March in Paris this year but the designs (as well as the food and wine) more than made up for it.  My goal, as always, was to find collections to complement the huge archives already in our New York and London offices. Tribal and Ethnic pieces were the success story from the City of Lights - especially fine Indian and Pakistani embroideries.  They have now found a temporary home at the Design Library, but are nomads still as they move around the world toward new incarnations in the collections of our clients.

After Paris came the unexpected bonus:  a favorite source in the South of France had just bought the contents of three castles.  My timing was perfect.  From high fashion embroideries and beads to large Central Asian wall hangings;  it is so interesting to note the consistency of  a family's taste even across generations.  Merely being an aristocrat does not confer good taste, but when they have it, the pieces are REALLY GOOD!                        -Peter Koepke

We're Celebrating!
Our Expansion/ Renovation is Complete.
The negotiation for the space took months.  Development of the floor plan evolved over many late nights and weekends. The relocation of millions of designs was daunting, and painting, lighting and endless organization were a challenge but, as of March, 2010, the Design Library has moved into its new home!

It's the same place that you already know but now in one huge room - an 11,000 sq. foot homage to the endless invention of surface design.  Early visitors are already bowled over.  It's an even better place to work.  Our 1000+ categories are easy to find and see.  Collections that were formerly stored in the mine (hidden away - purgatory for design) are now in the light, accessible, and ready to impress.

We are all proud and happy and looking forward to many more years of growth in our Hudson River home.                 -Peter Koepke


Opening Party
On March 9th we held an Open House and party to celebrate the opening of the new space. Many of our friends and clients attended, and we were delighted to give them tours of the new space and our vast collections, now all beautifully laid out and accessible. Peter gave an eloquent speech in which he honored the unsung heroes of design - the thousands of men and women who, through the ages, have given of the fruits of their labor and creativity so we might enjoy their inspiration today. Live music entertained us - delicious food and wine flowed - a great time was had by all!  -Ali Duffey

Peter Koepke and Susan Meller inspect a floral and ikat printed Russian robe.