By Karen Ostlund
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| Custom designed Schwinn Bicycles at WestEdge Design Fair 2016 |
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| The Interior Lounge, anchored by Mah Jong sofas from Missoni Home and Roche Bobois, featured Bolon, Farrow & Ball,
Vondom, Green River Stone, Smith & Stephan and Matt Gagnon's sculptural installation | |
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| West Hollywood Design Group Exhibit booth |
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| Appliance brand Alfresco culinary stage |
The fourth annual WestEdge Design Fair
brought a wealth of design talent and conversation to Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar
this November 3-6th.
The fair kicked off with an Opening Night Party for 1,400 guests
who celebrated design while supporting the evening’s beneficiary, Los Angeles Ronald
McDonald House. Sponsored by DCS, Fisher & Paykel, Pez Cantina, Reilly’s Whiskey,
Schwinn, Tequilla Arette and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
The festive evening featured a
silent auction of more than two dozen, one-of-a-kind Schwinn bicycles, all customized
by design luminaries, artists and brands such as Aaron Axelrod, Amy Devers, Bend
Goods, Erin Condren, Gregory Siff, Hancock Design, Kelly Edwards, LA Closet Design,
LA Galaxy, McGuire Denim, Nicole Facciuto, Peter Gurski, and Portola Paints.
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| Opening day party |
Proceeds went toward the renovation of the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald
House’s 75-room facility, which provides accommodation and support to families of
seriously ill children.
Throughout the weekend, attendees experienced the latest designs and
products from 150+ exhibiting brands. The audience included high-level architects,
interior designers, set decorators, educators, art directors, speakers, consumers and
members of the press, among others. In addition to riveting displays of design and art, a
multitude of panel discussions and intimate conversations offering tips and insights on
the industry took place in the Jenn-Air Master Class Studio and Convo by Design Social
Lounge.
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| Culinary Pavilion, sponsored by Fisher & Paykel |
Special highlights included the all-new Culinary Pavilion, sponsored by Fisher & Paykel, where guest chefs hosted continuous live cooking demonstrations and tastings.
The show also hosted the first-ever Grilling Showdown between appliance brands
Alfresco and DCS; Chefs Glenda Galvan-Garcia (for DCS) and Chef Keith Mecutchen
(for Alfresco) went head-to-head preparing seasonal Thanksgiving dishes on the grills
with Chef Keith Mecutchen being declared the winner.
Design Industries Foundation
Fighting AIDS (DIFFA)’s Picnic By Design provided another charitable element to this
year’s show with its live auction of spectacular picnic baskets coupled with an exclusive
gathering in the Outdoor Lounge.
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| WestEdge Co-Founder Megan Reilly & Troy Hanson |
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“We had our largest turn-out to date, both from an exhibitor perspective and attendee
stand-point,” says WestEdge Co-Founder Megan Reilly. “To us, that indicates the
strong enthusiasm for seeing, showcasing and learning about premium, innovative
home design.”
Exhibitor Brenda Houston of Brenda Houston Design seconds this, “As an exhibitor at
WestEdge for the past three years, I was thrilled to see the growth of the fair this year. I
connected with so many top residential and commercial design firms. The show has
evolved so beautifully – it’s the best opportunity to meet West Coast trade and keep in
touch with current clients.”
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| Jenn-Air built-in refrigerator |
Other WestEdge highlights included the popular MADE:MODERN section, sponsored
by Design Milk and showcasing more than 40 independent designers and artists; the
Outdoor Lounge, outfitted by Roche Bobois; the Interior Lounge, anchored by Mah Jong
sofas from Missoni Home and Roche Bobois, and featuring Bolon, Farrow & Ball,
Vondom, Green River Stone, Smith & Stephan, and Los Angeles designer Matt
Gagnon’s towering Alder wood sculptural installation, which became the central spot for
attendees to mingle and gather throughout the weekend.
2016 show sponsors included Bolon, DCS, Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery,
Fisher & Paykel, Jenn-Air, Matt Gagnon Studio, Missoni Home, PEZ Cantina, Roche
Bobois, Schwinn Bicycle Company, Snyder Diamond, Southwest Greens, Tito’s
Handmade Vodka, and Wallpaperdirect.
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Outdoor Lounge outfitted by Roche Bobois and Southwest Greens
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WestEdge is a three-day event that offers the best in modern design, all in an
environment designed to engage, entertain and inspire. The fair offers the opportunity to
shop from premium home furnishings brands-many new to the West Coast and meet
the designers behind thousands of inspiring products. In addition, attendees gain insight
from leading names in the design industry with a full series of educational programs and
special events.
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| Myself at WestEdge photobooth 2016 |
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