A tall cup of coffee and a healthy breakfast are required before entering the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) in New York City this week. One of the largest international trade shows in the world, the NYIGF showcases more than 2,700 exhibitors in 400 categories including home textiles, furniture, lighting , bedding accessories, candles, fragrances, stationery and more in two locations. This fair is open to the trade only, and we think it must be because anyone not part of this industry would find it all together too overwhelming! We courageously started our exploration at the Jacob Javits center today, and we’ll go to the At Home division located at the Passenger Ship Terminal Pier 94 tomorrow. It’s literally impossible to view the entire show in just one day. But from the small slice that we saw today, we can tell you that COLOR is definitely in for 2010. This year will not be a somber one in the design world. Gone were the sedate, refined collections of years past. From pillows to candles to furnishings, there was an outpouring of bold colors like orange, hot pink, yellow, and, yes, even turquoise (the Pantene color of 2010). Below, some of the vibrant soaps and candles by LAFCO.
Here are our favorite sightings of the day: Artichoke Lamp at Stray Dog Designs, Chattanooga, TN: “Cookie cutters are for cookies, not for furniture ” is the motto of this family-run Chattanooga furniture and accessory company owned by Billy Pritchard and Jane Gray, and we couldn’t agree with you more! These are handmade by artisans in Haiti and the US out of paper mache from recycled materials.
LAFCO’s newest edition, Little Luxuries Candle Collection (New York Luxury Articles & Fragrance Company): These affordable candles ($8 wholesale) come in the most charming custom tin ever! The clever package includes a lid that can be used as a stand and, cleverly, a box of matches is included. Whether used as a travel candle, or to add tranquility to any space, these candles are sure to be a hit. GBGP favorite fragrance? We were loving the Fig.
Oly has a new collection of blue and white painted porcelain jars imported from Indonesia.  A wonderful modern take on a classical decorative object.
New Oly Warner Chair (carved hardwood frame with antiqued mirror detail). Talk about glamorous. This chair just oozes femininity.
Sydney’s beautiful, hand-painted plates with exquisite depictions from nature are the work of a lovely French artist who now calls East Hampton, NY home. She sells her pieces at Barney’s and other stores and is now branching out to into embroidered table cloths and linens.

Tokyo Milk is relatively new, launched in October ’08 and is brought to us by the owner of one of our favorite beauty lines, Lollia. The Tokyo Milk collection includes fragrances, candles, and bath soaps in some of the most beautiful packaging we’ve seen. Our favorite perfume is “Let Them Eat Cake,” a delicious combination of sugar cane, coconut milk, vanilla orchid, and white musk (the line is heavily influenced by Paris and Marie Antoinette).
John Derian Cake Platters: It’s hard not to be a fan of Johns’. We’ve long been cake platter collectors, but ours are mostly white and clear glass. We love how he marries the wonderful art of decoupage with this festive piece of tableware. A wonderful gift idea for a new bride or a very special hostess.
*N.B.: This fair is for the trade only. Individuals must document their direct professional trade affiliation to be admitted. The next show is August 14- 19th, 2010. – S & L