I'm always on the look out for chic canvas bags to carry all my work supplies and fabric samples so I was very excited to see an entire wall of them in the Utility Canvas booth at the New York International Gift Fair. Now I just have to pick a color! They also sell other great items for the home and men's and women's clothing.
The fabulous duffel bag in front of the bicycle was what drew us to the property of booth. Most of the bags are geared toward men but they do have a few more styles online that would appeal to woman. I'm wondering if I can beg them to make me a tote bag version of the duffel! I love the color combination!
Most of the bags I picked up were really lightweight too which is perfect for New Yorkers who like to carry their entire life with them at all times! They had a really cool booth too!
I already posted one photo but here's a close up view of the Whistle Bag from Jack & Lulu. I think I need one of these too! The whistle would come in handy for hailing a taxi too!
I toured the New York International Gift Fair on Sunday with my friend and fellow designer Kevin Isbell as well as my friend Kelly Reynolds from Hello Robertson and Carleton V. We joked that looking for really interesting and unique items was like looking for a needle in a haystack but one booth that made us stop dead in our tracks was Julian Mejia Design. His Liberty print pillows above are so beautiful yet simple that I wonder why I've never seen them before! I've always loved Libery and I actually owned a dress from J.Crew many years ago that was made from the same yellow and aqua sunflower print on one of the pillows above! He also designs lovely placemats and napkins too. Definitely check him out!
I wish I had taken more photos of pretty pillows at Dransfield & Ross but this silk pillow above gives you an idea of their beautiful designs! Pillows are always a great way to change the design of a room without spending a lot of money. 
Oomph was the big hit at the NYIGF in August and they are back this time with some new table designs and colors but their pillows also have a lot of oomph. 
The Oomph pillows come in many great colors, patterns and styles including the fun lobster print. 
The Design Legacy booth was huge and full of fun finds but I really liked their botanical print pillows and chair. 
If none of those pillows float your boat, you can always check out the embroidered styles over at Jonathan Adler. Funny how all of the sudden I feel ready for nap!Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic
I attended the New York International Gift Fair yesterday and I have a new found respect for store owners who have to attend all five days to shop for their boutiques! I think I would keel over from exhaustion! I enjoy walking the show to see what's new and if there is anything I would buy for my clients but it's definitely a lot less work!
I'm working on my wrap of my favorite new finds but one of the first "trends" I noticed was furniture for children and specifically chairs. Jonathan Adler, above, was debuting his new Junior Collection at the show that included not only furniture but also pillows, rugs, lamps, and throw blankets.
My friend and fellow interior designer, Kevin Isbell and I spent quite a few hours today at the New York International Gift Fair and it made me want to open a store! We saw a lot of great products and met so many wonderful people that I can't believe I never attended before! The Gift Fair is not just for wholesale vendors though. Anyone can attend and they sell a lot to interior designers. You just have to ask and also check the amount of the minimum order. I also can't think of a better place to start than with Jonathan Adler. I especially loved the new Milo Baughman feeling furniture, orange nesting boxes and playing cards. All would make gifts for yourself or someone else! The fair ends on August 20th so make sure you check it out before it ends!
