Shop Talk
Three industry professionals choose their favorites from the A&D Building.
Charles Farruggio is a native New Yorker, with 20 years of experience in the design industry. His portfolio of work includes residences for select high-profile clients and hospitality projects for some of the top hotel brands. He has also co-owned a home lifestyle retail shop, taught at the New York School of Interior Design, staged real estate listings and has traveled internationally as a stylist and design consultant. His interiors are often described as inviting, seductive, and elegantly comfortable. He consistently stamps every project with a dramatic sensibility, but each project stands on its own, taking its cue from the surroundings, history, and ultimately, the people that will inhabit the space. charlesfarruggio.com
PLEO I, EDWARD FIELDS (above right):
I’m in love with this round wool and silk rug. It is a dynamic and artful rug that brings a palette of nine colors together through pattern and various textures over a gradient field. I am fascinated by its “center of attention” personality while simultaneously having a hypnotic and calming effect. And what better way to break the hard-lined expected boundaries of a room than to bring in a round rug!
HIP 2B SQUARE, ARTISTIC TILE (below left):
The expression, “kid in a candy store” comes to mind at Artistic Tile. From their collection called Jazz Glass, my pick is Hip 2B Square Green with Brass. The classic pattern makes it familiar while the jewel toned glass mosaic mixed with metal make it fresh and fun. I am seeing opportunities for powder room floors, bar backsplashes, and accent walls.
CAVA CABINET, FLORENSE (above right):
The jewel I found at Florense, the Brazilian/ Italian, green, furniture designer and manufacturer, is a beautiful jewelry case called the Cava Cabinet, designed by Rejane Carvalho Leite. The drawer fronts are shaped to have an integrated finger pull, and the interiors are lined with leather compartments. The top is hinged to reveal a mirror. I easily pictured this gem standing in my own bedroom!
MACKINTOSH 1930, LEFROY BROOKS (below left):
With an affection for the Art Deco period, I am immediately drawn to the sparkling Mackintosh 1930 plumbing fixture collection in the Lefroy Brooks showroom. Classic and sophisticated, the jewel-like pieces are beautiful to the eye and feel good in the hand. I was tempted to take a shower!
EVELYN TILE, STUDIUM (above right):
There is always a warm welcome from David Meitus at Studium. My fave here is from one of their Bright Young Things Collection. The pattern Evelyn caught my eye. The combination of luxurious stones and brass pattern seduced me into running my hands over the smooth surface.
DOUBLE LOWTHER VANITY, DRUMMONDS (below left):
This vanity/basin is my fave pick from Drummonds. Classic, handsome, and elegant is how I describe it, and my preference in finishes is the unlacquered brass with white arabescato marble. With a high backsplash and deep counter top this piece has the ultimate in functionality.
DEKTON TAGA, COSENTINO (above right):
For me, Cosentino’s Dekton and Silestone is a standard go-to for counter tops and other architectural surfaces because of its highly durable quality. I love the dark solid finishes like Dekton Dark Embers, or a solid white like Silestone Eternal Statuary, my pick here is Dekton Taga. Its grayish tones with warm veining give it a luxurious natural stone quality.
Left: Virginia Toledo and Jessica Geller
Right: Drip filter coffee machine, SMEG – Us working moms who do it all need our coffee, and we need it with a pre-set auto start. Doesn’t hurt at all that it looks good sitting there waiting for us to use it.
Toledo Geller is a boutique firm that excels at delivering turn-key, custom residences for singles, couples, and families who value exceptional design. Virginia Toledo and Jessica Geller begin every project with a deep dive into how each client dreams of living. Getting to know their clients intimately and thoroughly understanding their wish lists and worries, allows the design team to create a unique, luxury living space that truly reflects who they are—and what they love.
toledogeller.com
Left: Erica ’19, B&B ITALIA – This chair is a perfect modern interpretation of a classic wicker and its black frame makes it just edgy enough.
Right: Corduroy, ARTISTIC TILE – The ribbing in this tile is simplistic yet chic. Gone are the days of polish and sheen, and this barely-there stripe can lend the most subtle texture to a bathroom wall.
Left: STC No 1 ’19, ST. CHARLES
Right: The Dalby surface mounted shower set, DRUMMONDS
Right: MIELE – A classic choice for wall-ovens and glass countertops.
Rory McCreesh founded Duce Construction in 1990.
The company has a dedicated team of highly experienced construction managers, builders, craftsmen, and draftsmen who work alongside architects and designers to bring their visions to life. With multiple levels of expertise in structural and mechanical trades, design engineering, millwork and carpentry, stone and tile, metal and glass, and finishes, Duce specializes in constructing and renovating high-end projects in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey. Duce’s projects have been featured in The New York Times, Architectural Digest, Interior Design, Downtown Magazine, and Elle Decor, among others. ducecc.com
“The A&D building is one of our primary sources to recommend and bring our clients to, because it provides a multitude of luxury showrooms where they can see products and materials installed in a finished setting. This helps clients see the visions of the architects and designers. I personally love that every showroom has expertise to advise and guide the end user.”
—Rory McCreesh
Left: ARTISTIC TILE – Architectural and textured backsplash tile.
Right: FERGUSON – Our go-to for stainless faucets and sinks with high-style.