 CHICAGO, IL (September 29, 2016) – LuxeHome®, the world’s largest collection of premier boutiques for home building and renovation hosted the Chicago Design Summit, the Midwest’s largest residential trade-only design summit, on September 14, 2016 in its over 35 boutiques, spanning over 125,000 square feet of space at the Merchandise Mart in downtown Chicago, drawing more than 2,000 attendees from across the country. The 2016 Chicago Design Summit saw a 25-percent increase in the number of attendees as compared to 2015.
The Chicago Design Summit presented a variety of educational and innovative programming, including: Highlights Presentations from notable members of the design industry, including kitchen and design icons, Christopher Peacock and Mick De Giulio; celebrated interior designer and TV personality, Kathryn Ireland; and A-List interior designers, Alessandra Branca, Kara Mann and Martyn Lawrence Bullard packed the house. There were also a multitude of CEU presentations, business programs and trend presentations offering something for every attendee. “We’re thrilled with the overwhelming response from our LuxeHome showrooms, presenters and attendees at this year’s Chicago Design Summit,” said Katherine Flaherty, Vice President, Vornado I Merchandise Mart. “The high caliber of CEUs, presenters and industry leaders really raised the bar and drew top trade professionals looking for the latest products and insider knowledge.” Presentations and CEUs were standing room only throughout the one-day, trade-only event. An added draw was the energy generated from six new boutiques which opened at LuxeHome in 2016, with a seventh coming soon. New showrooms include: Devon&Devon, Fantini | The Galley, GRAFF: art of bath design center, Lefroy Brooks | Cooper & Graham, Pella Crafted Luxury and Vicostone. Both Devon&Devon and GRAFF: art of bath design center are U.S. flagship showrooms for their respective companies. And, coming in early 2017, BSH Home Appliances will open its BSH Experience & Design Center, featuring the full BSH portfolio of Bosch, Thermador and Gaggenau. Major editors and publishers from leading shelter publications from coast to coast were on hand, offering their deep knowledge of the industry and years of expertise, including: Mayer Rus, West Coast Editor, Architectural Digest; Michele Gerus, Director, Dwell; Arianne Nardo, Design Editor, Editor at Large; Kate Kelly Smith, SVP, Publishing Director and Chief Revenue Officer, Hearst Design Group; David Hamilton, Associate Publisher, Elle Décor; Sophie Donelson, Editor in Chief, House Beautiful; Pamela Jaccarino, Editor in Chief, Luxe Interiors + Design; Susan Szenasy, Editor in Chief and Publisher, Metropolis; Andrea Mills, Editor in Chief, Modern Luxury Interiors Chicago; Pam McNally, Vice President of Digital, Interior Design; Ann Maine, Editor in Chief, Traditional Home; Amy Elbert, Senior Editor, Traditional Home; and Clinton Smith, Editor in Chief, Veranda. In addition to a phenomenal day of programming, attendees explored a plethora of new products throughout the first floor, including kitchen, bath, appliances, faucets and fixtures, cabinetry, hardware, tile and much more. “The Chicago Design Summit has become the must-attend residential design conference in the Midwest and brings together the best of the best in the industry for education and inspiration,” added Flaherty. “We look forward to building on the success of the Chicago Design Summit and attracting more attendees from the Midwest, as well as from coast to coast.” Chicago VIP Luxury Gala Highlights “We were privileged to honor this year’s exemplary residential design professionals,” said Flaherty. “All have made their mark on our industry by creating spaces that inspire and motivate us to think differently, not just in the way we design, but in the way we live.” The Chicago VIP Luxury Gala was sponsored by exclusive media partner, Luxe Interiors + Design; Platinum sponsor, BSH Home Appliances; Gold Sponsors, Pella Crafted Luxury and Sherwin-Williams; and Silver Sponsors, Poggenpohl and Wood-Mode. 2017 Dates About LuxeHome LuxeHome offers discerning homeowners and trade professionals one-stop shopping convenience with access to the finest kitchen, bath, tile, lighting, cabinetry, appliances, countertops and much more. LuxeHome displays the widest selection of products to suit all upscale design styles, from modern European to classic American to traditional English. In addition to the extensive lineup of premier brands, each boutique offers knowledgeable designers who are available to assist with all phases of each design project. LuxeHome’s boutiques are open for shopping Monday through Saturday. For more information, visit www.luxehome.com. Follow LuxeHome on Facebook, Houzz, Instagram and Twitter. Vornado Realty Trust, owner of the Merchandise Mart, based in New York City, is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust. Vornado’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO. www.vno.com |
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The Chicago Design Summit culminated with the Chicago VIP Luxury Gala, held the evening of September 14. The Chicago VIP Luxury Gala drew a record crowd of over 700, including a who’s who of the design industry who came together to celebrate the best of Chicago and Midwest design. The event is in its eighth year and featured the induction of four residential design industry icons into the Merchandise Mart Hall of Fame.
