The fourth annual WestEdge Design Fair brought a wealth of design talent and conversation to Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar this November. The fair kicked off with an Opening Night Party for 1,400 guests who celebrated design while supporting the evening’s beneficiary, Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House. Sponsored by DCS, Fisher & Paykel, Pez Cantina, Reilly’s Whiskey, Schwinn, Tequilla Arette and Tito’s Handmade Vodka, the festive evening featured a silent auction of more than two dozen, one-of-a-kind Schwinn bicycles, all customized by design luminaries, artists and brands such as Aaron Axelrod, Amy Devers, Bend Goods, Erin Condren, Gregory Siff, Hancock Design, Kelly Edwards, LA Closet Design, LA Galaxy, McGuire Denim, Nicole Facciuto, Peter Gurski, and Portola Paints, among others. Proceeds will go toward the renovation of the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House’s 75-room facility, which provides accommodation and support to families of seriously ill children. Throughout the weekend, over 11,000 attendees experienced the latest designs and products from 150+ exhibiting brands. The audience included high-level architects, interior designers, set decorators, educators, art directors, speakers, consumers and members of the press, among others. In addition to riveting displays of design and art, a multitude of panel discussions and intimate conversations offering tips and insights on the industry took place in the Jenn-Air Master Class Studio and Convo by Design Social Lounge.
Special highlights also included the all-new Culinary Pavilion, sponsored by Fisher & Paykel, where guest chefs hosted continuous live cooking demonstrations and tastings. The show also hosted the first-ever Grilling Showdown between appliance brands Alfresco and DCS; Chefs Glenda Galvan-Garcia (for DCS) and Chef Keith Mecutchen (for Alfresco) went head-to-head preparing seasonal Thanksgiving dishes on the grills with Chef Keith Mecutchen being declared the winner. Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA)’s Picnic By Design provided another charitable element to this year’s show with its live auction of spectacular picnic baskets coupled with an exclusive gathering in the Outdoor Lounge. “We had our largest turn-out to date, both from an exhibitor perspective and attendee stand-point,” says WestEdge Co-Founder Megan Reilly. “To us, that indicates the strong enthusiasm for seeing, showcasing and learning about premium, innovative home design.”
Exhibitor Brenda Houston of Brenda Houston Design seconds this, “As an exhibitor at WestEdge for the past three years, I was thrilled to see the growth of the fair this year. I connected with so many top residential and commercial design firms. The show has evolved so beautifully – it’s the best opportunity to meet West Coast trade and keep in touch with current clients.” Other WestEdge highlights included the popular MADE:MODERN section, sponsored by Design Milk and showcasing more than 40 independent designers and artists; the Outdoor Lounge, outfitted by Roche Bobois; the Interior Lounge, anchored by Mah Jong sofas from Missoni Home and Roche Bobois, and featuring Bolon, Farrow & Ball, Vondom, Green River Stone, Smith & Stephan, and Los Angeles designer Matt Gagnon’s towering Alder wood sculptural installation, which became the central spot for attendees to mingle and gather throughout the weekend.
“The energy and excitement at WestEdge was omnipresent. We received endless feedback that this year’s fair was the most compelling to date regarding exhibitor diversity and quality, and that our participants engaged top-level architects, designers and homeowners,” says WestEdge Co-Founder Troy Hanson. “We are very much looking forward to expanding the footprint of WestEdge in 2017 following the momentum of this year’s event.”
2016 show sponsors included Bolon, DCS, Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, Fisher & Paykel, Jenn-Air, Matt Gagnon Studio, Missoni Home, PEZ Cantina, Roche Bobois, Schwinn Bicycle Company, Snyder Diamond, Southwest Greens, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and Wallpaperdirect. Click here for charity partners; click here for industry partners; click here for media partners.
For more information on WestEdge Design Fair, visit westedgedesignfair.com.