Kravet Couture Introduces Luxury Textures Presenting a modern perspective for Kravet Couture's array of textured fabrics, the new Luxury Textures collection offers stunning options from subtle to sculptural designs. Lofty chenilles, luxurious velvets, and innovative wovens are showcased in two striking books: Steel and Stone. The Steel book is comprised of fresh new color ranges in grays, blues, teals, and saturated inks. In addition to an extensive range of popular warm neutrals, the Stone book introduces new shades in subdued golds and blush tones. Throughout the collection, small-scale patterns, refined geometrics along with exclusively designed jacquard velvets layer beautifully with the more subtle fabrics for a sumptuously textured and sophisticated look. The Luxury Textures collection is photographed on pieces from the latest Fall 2016 Upholstery and Occasionals collection for Kravet Furniture. The contemporary, clean-lined and current designs draw inspiration from high-style, 1970s style seen on this season's runways from the most exclusive luxury fashion brands. To browse this furniture collection digitally, click here.

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU!

This months recipe: 

Healthy Banana Walnut Muffins

Prep Time: 5 min

Cook Time: 35 min

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 med. banana, fresh, organic
• 1 egg, omega-3, cage-free, organic
• 1 tbs. coconut oil, raw, extra-virgin, organic
• 1 1/4 c. almond flour, organic
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda, pure
• 1 pinch sea salt, unrefined and pure
• 1/2 c. walnuts, raw, organic

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 8 muffin cups with liners.

Mash the bananas in a bowl (very ripe bananas are best for this recipe). Add coconut oil (melted) and eggs, and blend until mixture is smooth. Add almond flour, salt, and baking soda; mix well. Add chopped walnuts, and stir to combine.

Spoon the batter into muffin cups. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the muffins are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. Let muffins cool in the pan for about half an hour, then serve.

Two muffins are one serving.

Holiday Inspirations with Candice Olson

Thank you to all who attended the annual "Holiday Inspirations" at the Arlington Design Center featuring renowned designer and TV personality, Candice Olson.

A palette of grays and neutrals combined with gold accents and soft textures created the inspiration from the newest collection by Candice Olson at Kravet Fabrics. 

White florals from Fabbrinis Flowers added to the color palette

Over 200 guests enjoyed a special presentation in the C.A.I. Designs warehouse, where guests entered through a specially designed vignette featuring some of Candice Olsons fabrics (provided by Kravet)and wallcoverings (provided by York thru Design d'vision). 

The evening continued with an open bar featuring our gold rimmed specialty "White Haute Martini" signature cocktail:

Guests enjoyed the passed hors d'oeuvres and a carving station from Elegante Catering.

The concept of Holiday inspirations was not only created to thank our clients for a great year, but also to inspire guests with creative ideas that you use for entertaining during the holidays in your own home. Below are a few examples of inspirational vignettes:

"High Tea" at Chicago Design Team

"Guest Welcome" at Kravet Fabrics

"Hannakah Entertaining" at Design d'Vision

"Festive Decor" by France Lefebvre at Bretag Floor Source

"New Years Dining" at C.A.I. Designs

A Red Carpet step and repeat banner stood in the center for guests to share the special event thru social media. Have photos to share from the event? #ADCHOLIDAY

Click here to view all photos from this event. We thank our clients for a great year and look forward to a prosperous and Happy New Year! Cheers!

May Market 2016 - Thank You!

Thanks to everyone who attended the May Market 2016 and Cinco de Mayo Celebration! The day began with breakfast at Bretag Floor Source. Libby from Cambria talked about how and why Cambria quartz is better than it's competitors, such as 126 colors all in the same price point!

Joe, Bill, Libby and Michael

Bretag Floor Source also raffled off a 4x6 Masland rug. Congratulations to Winner Tracy Fischer of Scarlet Begonia! The morning continued in Building 2 with a Thibaut presentation among a packed house. 

 

Deb Barrett was the keynote presentation for a crowd of nearly 100 guests. She highlighted trends from High Point Market before a Latin lunch buffet from Elegante Cuisine.

  

The afternoon continued at Chicago Design Team with new introductions and trends from Taylor King, who also raffled off a custom ottoman. Congrats to Winner Joyce Zydlo! 

C.A.I. Designs continued with Palacek. Congrats to Raffle winners Megan Heuschmidt and Julie Dunfee! C.A.I. Lighting presented Schonbeck Lighting.

The day ended at Kravet with a trunk show by area representative Jen Lundal showing new introductions by Candice Olson, Kate Spade and Barbara Barry. 

Afterwards, the Cinco de Mayo celebration began with Homemade Margarita and Horchata ice cream and fresh churros by Elegante Cuisine paired with cocktails of sangria, margaritas and coronitas. Click here for homemade ice cream recipes!

We thank you for attending and hope you were inspired by new trends. If you could not attend this year, we hope to see you again next year! Photos from this event can be viewed on our ADC Flickr page!

Deb Barrett Back fro May Market at the ADC

Throughout the day, the Arlington Design Center will host various vendors in each showroom, talking about trends from Market and introducing new products.


Back by popular demand, Deb Barrett will be joining us Thursday, May 5th to recap trends and tips from High Point Market 2016!

Deb Barrett, driven by the desire to inspire and energize her fellow design peers by sharing her knowledge and experience about her two passions- couture window coverings and trendspotting. After many years in the design business, Deb has a broad and varied background and experience that is a rare mix in this industry.

Click here to read Deb's Website

Click here for Deb's Blog - Design Confidential




After the keynote presentation, we welcome you to stay for a Mexican buffet lunch in our atrium.

After the days events, please join us in the Kravet Showroom, Building One, for a Cinco de Mayo Celebration with Sangria, Margaritas and small tapas appetizers!

Admission is free - To the Trade. Registration required. Click here to register!
We look forward to seeing you!

Sarah Richardson for kravet collections

SAVE THE DATE!
Thursday November 12th
The Arlington Design Center presents Sarah Richardson at the annual Holiday Designer Appreciation Event. To the Trade. Details to follow!

Fall Open House and Annual Sample Sale

This year the ADC combined their annual Sample Sale with the Fall Open House, giving designers a special afternoon of lunch, new products, wine tastings and extra flash sale discounts!

Design d'Vision hosted "A Perfect Pairing: Wine & Design" featuring wines from Prairie State Winery and cheese selections from Ludwig Farmstead Creamery - combining them with new designs for Fall!

 



The Kravet Showroom hosted a Fall Ice Cream bar while unveiling their newly remodeled showroom! Recipes for the delectable flavors are below:

Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream 

Blueberry Cheesecake

Ingredients
1-1/2 Cup Sugar
1 pkg (3.4 oz) Vanilla Pudding Mix
1 qt Heavy Whipping Cream
2 Cups Milk
2 tsp Vanilla Extract
1/2 cup Fresh Blueberries
Approx 5-6 Graham Crackers, crushed

In a large bowl, combine sugar with milk until smooth.
Add in heavy whipping cream.
Add in pudding mix and vanilla

Pour slowly into Quisinart Ice Creamer as directed.

Smash fresh blueberries until slightly chunky but becoming juicy texture.
As ice cream is near complete, fold in blueberries and crushed graham crackers alternately until desired taste.

Maple Bacon Bourbon Ice Cream 

Maple Bacon Bourbon Ice Cream

Ingredients
1-1/2 Cup Whole Milk
1-1/4 Cup Sugar
3 Cups Heavy Whipping Cream
3 Cups Milk
2 tsp Vanilla Extract
4 tsp Bourbon
6-8 Stripes Smoked Bacon, Cooked and finely chopped

In a large bowl, combine sugar with milk until smooth.
Add in heavy whipping cream.
Add in vanilla

Pour slowly into Quisinart Ice Creamer as directed.

As ice cream is near complete, fold in bacon and bourbon alternately until desired taste.



The Best ever basic vanilla (great for root beer floats!) is made the same as the Maple Bacon, but without the bacon and bourbon. Salted Carmel is made the same way, but with caramel and sea salt added in. Tip: be sure both milk items and ice cream churner are VERY cold. Quisinart should be frozen for at least 8 hours or more. Keep in freezer until last minute.