Design Center of the Americas

It’s been a big year for DCOTA. The southeast outpost of Charles Cohen’s design centers has been really upping the ante in an effort to educate people on the treasures that lay within the 775,000-square-foot campus. Composed of some 150 showrooms specializing in everything from furniture and fabrics to lighting, flooring, art, and antiques, it’s a playground for top designers from all over the world. Myth has it that DCOTA and its plethora of haute offerings are closed to the public and willing only to service the upper echelon of interior designers and as a result, their equally high-ranking clients. But truly, DCOTA offers complimentary design services so that you can experience their showrooms under the guidance of one of their trained professionals. Similarly, a recent renovation has made the space a veritable hub, great for setting up camp and working in the atrium lounges amidst newly installed art installations, sipping lattes, and indulging the senses with the highly designed housewares. The building now also stakes claim to some of the coolest interactive events in the design world, marrying everything from fashion to charity components in what results in a new kind experience for attendees. Complete with open forum expert panels, artful show house exhibitions, and open-to-the-public sample sales, the DCOTA team is putting a new spin on the concept of design; illustrating that while their offerings are amongst the finest available, there is a piece of the design experience that everyone should partake in, and DCOTA will walk you through it—you’re in good hands.

EGGERSMANN

At the Eggersmann House Fair 2010 this September, the 100-year old kitchen company introduced their newest innovation, the “Unique Collection.” Employing a new approach to the use of materials in kitchen design, Unique comes in such varieties as white quartz glass, a special material made of 80% pure white quartz, and 20% white glass, fused together at 3000 degrees, creating an extremely high polished, durable gloss white finish. A special system called e:wall also allows the suspension of cabinetry and appliances for a sleek, modern aesthetic that few other companies can provide.

DCOTA, Suite C-262. |  954.342.4009  |  www.eggersmannusa.com

INSIDE OUT

An outdoor furniture showroom with a sophisticated approach to the outdoor concept, Inside Out carries some of the most respected lines of European furniture available. While casual, the beautifully executed designs offer customers the opportunity to have their terraces, patios, and outdoor areas act as an extension of their homes, flawlessly mimicking the personal aesthetic of your choosing. The latest collection to join the Inside Out family is the Plastic Fantastic series from Studio JSPR (pictured here), which employs a new rubber coating technology to allow such elaborate chairs to weather the outdoors unaffected. Other lines available include B&B Italia Outdoor, Royal Botania, Cast Classics and Dolcefarniente.

DCOTA, Suite B-216.  |  954.920.2010  |  www.insideoutfla.com

ANICHINI

One of the newer members of the DCOTA family, the ANICHINI showroom opened its doors in April. Revered for their luxurious Italian bedding—sateen and percale sheets, woven tapestries and intricate brocades—they are venturing in to new lands in their pursuit of what they refer to as the “genuine article.” Muga silks from Assam, Tibetan cashmere woven in Nepal, and Ottoman inspired velvets and tapestries from Turkey create sensuous textures and robust colors that dress your bed. Similarly, offerings for the table allow the ANICHINI touch to transcend the bedroom and punctuate the entire home. The unstinting details of classic lines in a modern style delivered through old-world craftsmanship define the essence of ANICHINI.

DCOTA, Suite C-170  |  954.925.3677  |  www.ANICHINI.com

DONGHIA

Recently expanded and relocated, the Donghia showroom now covers 10,500 square feet in the design center. Carrying the industry’s finest textiles, furniture, lighting, and accessories, Donghia is a destination for designers and their clients to indulge in special additions to their home, such as textiles from their newly released fall 2010 collection, La Vie en Rose. Earth tones dance amongst wintery pastels on textured panels to create a feeling of raw femininity that’s quite magical. Whether for drapery or wall coverings, the extra dimension offered by the textiles adds much to the home environment. With a history more than 40 years deep, Donghia’s designers have always created lines that can be layered, fitting seamlessly together in an effort to complement and enhance your décor.

DCOTA, Suite C-250. |  954.628.1249  |  www.donghia.com

DESIGNER’S PLUMBING STUDIO

Awarded National Best Showroom of the Year by the Decorative Plumbing and Hardware Association, Designer’s Plumbing Studio prides itself on being a purveyor of the kind of special bathroom accessories that speak to their motto that a bathroom “is not just a bathroom; it’s a lifestyle.” Such pieces include bathroom fixtures like those from The Panthere Lavatory from the Cristal de Lalique Collection for THG. Marrying the expertise of famed French crystal house, Lalique, with that of well-known fittings manufacturer, THG, this black crystal bathroom accessory adds a whole new dimension to your space. $15,688.

DCOTA, Suite A-445.  |  954.920.5997  |  www.designersplumbingstudio.com

CARRIAGE HOUSE

A 38-year old family business, Carriage House, is currently owned by founder, Ted Sherman’s son, Monroe. After more than a decade and a half in the business, the father-son duo decided to set up shop in DCOTA in 1988, which now stands some 11,000 square feet and carries some of the finest international lines while representing a number of boutique manufacturers from the US. Credited with an eye for seeking out a selection of unique products, Monroe gets traffic from top designers who are searching for the right product mix in order to deliver extraordinary results to their clients. As a result, Carriage House is heralded as one of the top design resources in the world.

DCOTA, Suite B-342  |  954.925.2661 |  www.elan4ch.com