New York Design Center: 1st Dibs
by Jennifer Markas
Each year the New York Design Center hosts a full day of events and openings showcasing new products, materials, and designs for the home. “What’s New/What’s Next” allows every design showroom the opportunity to present their upcoming ideas, product launches, and collaborations to the design community. On September 20, I attended the giant, indoor event and heard a fabulous lecture by Donald Albrecht on the Cecil Beaton exhibit at The Museum of the City of New York opening October 25. In addition, I met Susan Roy, the writer of Bomboozled, a book that documents the history of America’s obsession with the fallout shelter through imagery of dated propaganda, advertisements, and objects.
My favorite finds of the evening, however, were on the 10th floor. A full 30,000 square feet of space filled with items from the exclusive vendors of 1st dibs, the one-stop online shop for antiques. You should definitely check out this treasure trove! Below are a few pieces I wish could fit in my tiny, NYC apartment.
- Dresser stylized as an Art Deco Skyscraper, 1930s
- I imagine Halston having one of these in his foyer
- (Happy) Clam Lights
- Executive Secretary Desk detail, 1950s
- Gold Vinyl Chairs
Jennifer Markas is the Founder of Damsels in Design NYC. She currently works as a Business Manager for the architecture firm, Thomas Phifer and Partners. Jennifer is Treasurer of the Society of Architectural Historians New York Metropolitan Chapter as well as a board member of the Art Deco Society of New York. She can be contacted by email at damselsindesignnyc@gmail.com.
