Handcrafted Objects at the Architectural Digest Design Show

Photo by myself at the 2011 Architectural Digest Home Design Show, at 55th and 12th Avenue on the Upper West Side.

Above, the work of Mark A. Perry, a folk artist who lives in Rhode Island. His fanciful works in wood seemed to be imbued with hidden meaning.

My fiance Mark and I attended the Architectural Digest Home Design Show held at Pier 94, this Sunday. The show started last Thursday and ended yesterday.

This was the 10th year of the show, sponsored by the magazine Architectural Digest, or AD for those in the biz. The magazine publishes high end residential work by architects and decorators.

Over 300 exhibitors showed home furnishings, such as custom furniture, hand-blown glass lights and textiles. There was also a separate section devoted entirely to art. We encountered innovative and beautiful objects at every turn.


The delicate work of Jedediah Morfit. A bas-relief in plaster was suspended in front of a painted surface.

The themes of much of the work seemed to be reclaimed or natural materials. There was a good deal of furniture made of beautiful rare wood and glass objects in earthy colors.


Custom made wood pieces by Patrick Weder Design, a craftsman working out of Brooklyn.


Burled end tables, lamps and handmade earthenware by dbO Home.


Playful cast iron coat hooks resemble hands in different poses, by Nick Davis.

The above images are just a smattering of what we saw. Mark and I walked away with our heads full of ideas for our apartment.

What was especially refreshing was how open the exhibitors were to having their work photographed. Thankfully, there is the understanding that photographs can be less about stealing ideas than promotion on a large scale.

For more information on the AD Show and to sign up for their mailing list for next year's event, click here.


Faux aquariums created by Samantha Freeman. Fish were painted on layers of clear glass, creating a sense of depth.

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