“I’ll have Johnny Walker… Blue Label”

New Yorkers have always been a couple of notches above the average consumer. Their desire for the best is apparent in all the aspects of day-to-day life in the big apple, and more recently, in the real estate market. David Rockwell, Andy Pepper, Phillipe Starck, Richard Meier, Deborah Berke, Costas Kondylis, Bruce Fowle and Ismael Leyva, to name a few, have revolutionized how Mr. and Mrs. Jones feel when they enter their designer homes at the end of a busy day. What’s in a name? The arguments both for and against are compelling, and we will make no attempt to address the matter here, other than to say that there is indeed something that we associate with these “designer” names, which continues to drive the buzz and hype around these starchitecturally designed buildings, more so than their no name counterparts.

Authored by Matthew Knee (Guest Author)

Black Label suits, Occhiali specs, Aqua di Gio scents...furniture?

"You buy furniture. You tell yourself, this is the last sofa I will ever need in my life. Buy the sofa, then for a couple years you're satisfied that no matter what goes wrong, at least you've got your sofa issue handled. Then the right set of dishes. Then the perfect bed. The drapes. The rug. Then you're trapped in your lovely nest, and the things you used to own, now they own you." (~Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club)

Well, if you're going to be owned by your possessions, they may as well be Armani Casa. With pieces for every room—from open-edged vases for the library to mother-of-pearl chopstick rests for the dining room—the collection furthers the designer’s streamlined aesthetic far beyond the cramped confines of your walk-in closet. Furnishings like an irregularly woven dressing screen or a sculptural bed nod to Near- and Far-Eastern traditions (especially the Japanese) as readily as tableware or textiles. If you’re not looking to refurnish the whole penthouse or Hampton villa, less dramatic touches can be made via small luxury items like leather key wallets or an array of fine candles.

For the modern-minimalist in all of us. To view their entire line of home decor, visit http://www.armanicasa.com.

Versace debuts its long-awaited Home Collection...

The first model private residences at The Plaza, and the first model private residences anywhere with furnishings and accessories designed by Versace Home, are making their debut at the iconic castle on the park. The designs contrast with the restored glory of the great landmark public rooms, like The Palm Court and the Oak Room, defining a standard of sophisticated elegance. Fans of Philip Starck and Ian Schrager's design will have a field day furnishing their modern home with Versace's elegant contemporary twist.

To see the entire line of the Versace Home Collection, visit the Web site at http://www.versacehomecollection.com. FYI, Versace can also be commissioned to design custom interiors for private jets (starting at $25,000).

Starck Madness...

Love him or hate him, he's here to stay. Philippe Starck's "New Design" style is off the deep end, literally (see his indoor pool design for Yoo Downtown in Manhattan at left). Owning in Starck condo is a good deal, as his designs of the common areas add value to your property. In an age (and town) where unique features create buzz and demand, a Starck condo is a sure thing.

For more information about Starck's brilliant projects, visit http://www.philippe-starck.com.

Feng-Schrager...

A poor attempt at a play on words ("Feng-Shui")? Yes. A brilliant interior designer? Yes. For all those who aren't familiar with Ian Schrager - shame on you. Some of his projects include the Gramercy Park Hotel (pictured left), 50 Gramercy Park North and 40 Bond. In an age where selling is increasingly difficult and differentiation is the key to success, an Ian Schrager-designed residence will do the trick.

Check out more about Mr. Schrager at http://www.ianschragercompany.com.

PS...If you're reading this Ian, how about a pro bono re-design of my living room? If you don't ask, you dont get...