May Madness: Mark your calendars!

Get ready to book up your calendar - May is a busy one for us!

Here's what we have on tap:

Wednesday, May 1st
Book Party with Cindy Rinfret
Rinfret Home and Garden
354 Greenwich Ave, Greenwich, CT
6:00 - 8:00pm
The first book party of the season is not to be missed! Join us at Rinfret Home and Garden for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres and be the first to get a signed copy of Greenwich Style: Inspired Family Homes. We have partnered with Christopher Noland Salon and Beauty Spa, as well as Equinox Greenwich and Luxe Interiors + Design to give you fab goodie bags stuffed with lots of treats, not to mention a raffle with some seriously amazing prizes. We can't wait to celebrate Greenwich Style with you!
RSVP

Wednesday, May 8th
New England Home's "To the Trade" Book Signing with Cindy RinfretWakefield Design Center
652 Glenbrook Road Stamford, CT  
4:30 - 5:15 pm
Industry friends, come out to the Wakefield Design Center for a "To the Trade" event organized by New England Home's Connecticut. The day starts at 12:30 pm and offers an impressive lineup of presentations by industry leaders including Oly Studio, Farrow and Ball, Vanguard and Osborne and Little, and last but not least, from 4:30 - 5:15 pm Cindy Rinfret will give a presentation about the making of her latest book.
Click here for more info

Thursday, May 16th
NYC&G Book Party with Cindy Rinfret
Christopher Peacock
222 East 59th Street, New York, NY
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Greenwich Style comes to NYC for a fun evening hosted by New York Cottages & Gardens and Christopher Peacock to honor Cindy Rinfret and her new book. Cindy and Christopher go way back so we're looking forward to some great stories at what is sure to be a fab night out in the city.
RSVP to nycgevents@cottagesandgardens.com

Thursday, May 16th - Saturday, May 18th
7th Annual Warehouse Sale
Morgan Manhattan
16 Bruce Park Avenue, Greenwich, CT
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
The sale of the year is back and promises to be better than ever! Save the date for this epic sale where you can score the best deals possible on furniture, accessories, artwork, mirrors, you name it! There is so much stuff that we open up the doors of Morgan Manhattan (at the bottom of Greenwich Ave) so you can check it all out. 
Click here for more info

Tuesday, May 21st
Innovation in Design Awards
The Stamford Hilton
1 1st Stamford Place, Stamford, CT
6:00 pm cocktails, 7:00 pm Dinner & Awards Presentation
Rinfret, Ltd. is a finalist (for the third time) for the Connecticut Cottages and Gardens IDA. Come down to the Stamford Hilton and cheer us on in the Best Bath category. We're also excited to see the entertaining Jonathan Adler on stage as he'll be honored as the Innovator of the Year.
RSVP

With all of these events, we hope to see your smiling face this month. Let's all spread the Greenwich Style!

PS - Keep tabs on everything that's going on and follow us on facebook and twitter!

Fashion Week with Brizo

Last week I had the supreme pleasure of joining an elite group of design bloggers as part of Brizo's fashion week. This fashion-forward faucet company invited us to an all expenses paid whirlwind tour of New York City, with our home base being the chic Eventi Hotel. In return we gave the Brizo designers and marketing team our feedback on never before seen prototypes. It was an amazing experience that I will not soon forget. Here's a look back at the magical few days...

On our first full day with Brizo we learned about the brand and their partnership with the designer Jason Wu from the head designer and "rock star" of the company, Judd Lord. His charisma and enthusiasm made looking at faucets actually fascinating!

 

Above, Judd talks about Brizo's partnership with Jason Wu and below we see the sketches for the collection.

 

It was interesting to see how Jason Wu kept a modern design but added unique flourishes that we learned were inspired by photos of Versailles that were part of the "Parcours Museologique Revisite" collection.

That afternoon we headed to the Hearst building to hear a funny and informative talk from Ann Preiser of Elle Decor, followed by a very cool tour of the Hearst building. We got to see all the fabulous office spaces, killer views of Manhattan, and an epic art collection, not to mention the "alpha barbies" (the term our tour guide jokingly used to describe many of the Hearst employees). 

 

Here I am checking out the panoramic view of the city (photo courtesy of Brizo, by Jayme Thornton Photography).

My favorite part was the Good Housekeeping floor which had lots of "testing areas" - everything from kitchens, to temperature controlled chambers.

Above, the Good Housekeeping test kitchen.

We ended the day with a fun cooking lesson from the culinary masters at Sur La Table. (This event definitely made us appreciate the smart touch technology of Brizo faucets.)


We even got our own fancy chef's jackets! Above, is the whole crew of design bloggers with our Brizo friends.

Not being much of a cook myself I made sure I had some good chefs on my team and they did not disappoint.


Adele Young and our Sur la Table teacher make pasta.

On Friday the event we had all been waiting for was here: Jason Wu's fashion show! Of course, mother nature made things a little interesting as NYC was about to get slammed with the infamous Nemo blizzard.

 Above, the view of the Empire State Building from my hotel window the morning that Nemo hit.

We hardly noticed the snow though as Brizo made sure that men with umbrellas were there to help us in to the SUVs that shuttled us everywhere.

Here I am (Elizabeth Ethridge McGann) on the right, with Katrina Stumbos and Shelly Rosenberg - we were absolutely giddy!

 

The invite alone was enough to get the heart rate going. Hello, leather! (Photo courtesy of Brizo.)

It was a blast to people watch as we waited for the show to begin. I spotted a gorgeous Allison Williams (from the HBO show "Girls"), Stephanie Seymour and her fashionable sons, Harry and Peter, and lots of very chic fashion editors and bloggers. The most captivating person in the audience was Anna Wintour who donned her sunglasses as soon as the show started.



It was also amazing to see the photographers piled seemingly on top of each other as they waiting for the models to come down the runway.

 The collection was magnificent and proved that Jason Wu is not just the designer of Michelle Obama's inauguration gowns, but a major force in fashion.

After the show we gathered at the grand chandelier on the runway for a photo op.

We ended this epic day with a private cocktail party with Jason Wu, Cannon (the stylist extraordinaire, seen below with microphone) and the Brizo team and lucky bloggers.

A huge thank you to Brizo for this incredible experience! Thank you also to the rest of the design bloggers who made this so much fun. Check out their blogs on Brizo Fashion Week below:

http://ethridgemcgann.blogspot.com/2013/02/our-very-first-blog-post-and-its-about.html
http://blog.elzabdesign.com/2013/02/24/bare-toes-to-gourmet-cooking-a-brizo-adventure/
http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2013/02/brizo-wu-departure-from-ordinary.html
http://www.liluinteriors.com/blog/a-common-language/
http://bridgetbearidesigns.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-adventure-begins.html
http://designerbath.blogspot.com/2013/02/getting-glamorous-with-jason-wu.html
http://design-magnifique.com/2013/02/19/fashion-week-with-brizo-jason-wu/
http://www.thebuildingblox.com/photos-from-brizo-fashion-week/
http://www.thebuildingblox.com/faucet-trends-from-brizo/
http://blog.elzabdesign.com/2013/02/13/brizo-smart-hot-and-technologically-trendy/
http://networkedblogs.com/IeTzm
http://www.kellymarket.com/2013/02/jason-wu-brizo.html

Fashion Week with Brizo and Jason Wu

A big, huge shout out to the fashion-forward faucet brand, Brizo, for inviting me (and an elite group of interior design bloggers) to New York Fashon Week! Yes, that's right - I will be going to see Jason Wu's new collection at New York Fashion Week. 

You may not already be familiar with the brand but if you've been on pinterest you probably recognize this epic shower. Hello, that looks like it delivers one sublime bathing experience.

But I'm most psyched about the brand's collaboration with Jason Wu, who they have been working with since before he shot up to fame for designing Michelle Obama's gown. You remember that one, right?

 Brizo certainly found themselves a rising star to partner with, as we all know that the first lady chose Jason Wu to design her gown for the inauguration again this year.

 

Jason Wu is super hot right now so next week's fashion show should be a real treat. I'm looking forward to seeing how Jason Wu's designs for Brizo (below is an example) are reflected in the aesthetic for his runway collection. 

If his Spring 2013 collection is any indicator, it should be a knockout.

Stay tuned for more updates on Fashion Week. Who knows, maybe you'll even see me photo bombing a photo like this:

XOXO

Elizabeth Ethridge McGann

Organized in 2013

It's the beginning of a New Year and with that comes the annual resolutions, which for many of you probably includes getting more organized. January is a great time to tackle some organization as the mania of the holiday season has subsided and with it so cold and snowy outside, why not take advantage of all your time inside the house?

Kitchens are rooms that require great organization. We love how this kitchen that Cindy designed with Christopher Peacock for a client in Greenwich geniusly organizes and conceals spice jars in a tidy drawer. 

The closet is another space that hinges on good organization to work effectively. Here we show off Tommy Hilfiger's own closet - nothing like going to a professional, after all.

Don't you love how even the coat hangers are monogrammed?

Here are some other gentleman's closets that are sure to make all us ladies jealous!

 

Another room for privately primping is the bathroom. This is the ultimate place to relax and cleanse so it goes without saying that your bathroom should be a stress-free space with everything easy to find yet not cluttered.

We love how this bathroom keeps everything accessible but tucked away in attractive containers.

 

Fresh flowers are always a great touch to brighten your bathroom. And you don't have to keep everything hidden away. If there are certain items that make you happy to see, keep them on display. It's all about doing what brings a smile to your face.

Last but not least, the desk potentially poses the greatest challenge in keeping life organized. Cindy loves to use these fabric boards as a way to display inspirational clippings, photos, keepsakes, etc. while maintaining a clean desk. Lots of cabinets as seen here also helps to keep files under control (and out of sight).

We hope we have given you inspiration to tackle your New Year's Resolution to organize!

Tis the Season

 Happy Holidays!

This time of year is a favorite for all of us here at Rinfret as it is the ultimate decorator's holiday. Every year we deck out Rinfret Home & Garden to the nines. Check out our storefront all done up for the holiday season:

 

We are not the only ones who get carried away with Christmas. All of Greenwich Avenue looks gorgeous this time of year. Our friends at McArdle's even have real live reindeer that are a hit for the whole family.

After checking out the reindeer stop in the shop for a big dose of festive cheer. Just walking into this gorgeous scene puts everyone into the holiday spirit.

Looking for a special ornament this year? We have so many fabulous options. 

For the nature lover, get our fluffy white owl. 

 

Need a chic gift for the sophisticate? The gilded acorn is a great stocking stuffer and also looks beautiful tied around a gift.

 The traveler on your list will appreciate this charming ornament of trunks piled high.

Best of all, this month all holiday items are 25% off so you can shop guilt-free!

If you're looking for something more substantial, there is plenty to want this season. Get your home decked out to look beautiful for all your guests this holiday.

Last but not least, we are thrilled to introduce Champagne Fridays beginning December 7th. From 2:00 - 5:00 pm on Fridays come to the shop, sip champagne and get 10% off EVERYTHING! 

Cheers!

Autumn Entertaining

Autumn is a great time to enterain, especially in Connecticut, where the fall foliage offers up the most naturally stunning decor. As the nights get crisper, there is something enchanting about hosting a dinner party in the warmth of the home with the fire blazing and great food, drink and friends. 

Whether you want to host an intimate dinner, or are looking for inspiration for a big Thanksgiving feast, we think these photos from a recent soiree at Cindy Rinfret's house will inspire you. 

Flowers never go out of style but for fall we love to showcase the vibrant colors of the changing leaves. Bring this beauty inside with an arrangement of colorful branches.

A fall feast is as much about the table decor as the food (at least for us). Cindy pulls out all the stops for her autumn dinner parties - peacock feathered placemats, gourds and pumpkins and leaves, even stuffed birds!

For more fall party inspiration check out our post on Thanksgiving entertaining by clicking here.

Enjoy this gorgeous season with your friends and family!

Rinfret wins the A-List Award!

 

The A-List Awards has become the BIG event for the Connecticut interior design community. The awards were held on September 13th at the Stamford Palace (as last year's venue, The Wesport Playhouse, could not accommodate the 600 attendees this year) and it felt like the biggest party of the season. Our fabulous emcee, the esteemed interior designer Eric Cohler, said it was like the Oscars of interior design. We think that Billy Crystal better watch his back as Mr. Cohler knew how to keep this awards show super entertaining!

The awards were especially exciting for Team Rinfret as we were nominated for the Best Living Space category, which is kind of like the Best Picture category - it's a big one. So we were beyond belief THRILLED to hear celebrity designer, Thom Filicia announce our win and call Cindy Rinfret up to the stage. (By the way, Thom Filicia was absolutely hysterical! In fact, I want to be BFF's with Thom Filicia, Eric Cohler and Alexa Hampton, they just exuded fun up there.)

 Here is Cindy talking about her award-winning project. This living space is a show-stopper down to the smallest details, like hand-stiched felt paneling from Holland & Sherry along the window treatments. This project was also featured on the cover of the April 2012 issue of Luxe Interiors + Design Magazine and you can see more photos of that spread here. Below is one of our favorite images of the space:

We love what Alexa Hampton had to say about this room, she says the space "has a mix of functions and a calming color scheme that would appeal to any age or gender." Thank you Alexa, we can't help but agree!

Eric Cohler and Thom Filicia should seriously star in a comedy show together. The two were a riot and had the audience on their toes when they announced that they were the winners of the Living Spaces category. But once the joking was done, Thom revealed that Rinfret won - what a rush to see the company name up on the big screen!

In addition to our win, we were thrilled that Hilton-Vanderhorn Architects won the category for Traditional Architecture greater than 7,000 square feet. Rinfret, Ltd. worked with Hilton-Vanderhorn on this incredible Greenwich, CT home and it was wonderful to see the hard work paid off. To check out this project as featured in New England Home Magazine, click here.

The A-Lists definitely felt like a star-studded event (and with judges like Thom Filicia, Alexa Hampton and Victoria Hagan, they were). Above are Rinfret's own stars: Taylor Lagerloef, Jim Farthing and Beatriz Beatriz Santiz posing in front of the photo screen.

We exited the awards high off our win and got to keep that exhiliration going with a sugar high thanks to this tower of cupcakes. Here I am, Elizabeth Ethirdge McGann, enjoying the bounty of icing.

 Here's a closeup of the coveted A-List award that Cindy proudly held at the after-party. (Side note: How great does Cindy's hair look? Big shout out to the pro's at Christopher Noland Salon for her fab look.)

Our winning project will be featured (along with the winners of all sixteen categories) in the November issue of athome. We can't wait to see it! In the meantime though, you can pick up the current issue of athome for a fun interview with Cindy Rinfret on her favorite indulgences and first job. 

Thank you to athome, especially to Amy Vischio, editorial and creative director of athome and the brainchild of the A-List Awards, as well as everyone at Moffly Media for such a fabulous event. Last but not least, thank you to the incredibly talented panel of judges! We are honored!