Carolina George In Manhattan: New Boutique
The Shop: Carolina George, 19 W. 21st St., Ste. 1102, 212-242-2414, carolinageorge.com.
Two longtime friends, designers Caroline Rafferty and Georgia Tapert Howe have combined their passion for art history and home design into this cozy-chic showroom in the heart of New York City's Flatiron District. Luxurious furnishings, accessories and colorfully patterned fabrics are the highlight in the showroom, which also serves as the duo's interior design studio -- we love the homey atmosphere of the space. We sat down and chatted with the pair about their new showroom and Georgia's newfound love for the color pink.
What was the inspiration for this showroom?
We were very inspired by showrooms in Europe. In Paris many of the showrooms are more like shops and ar not part of something larger like the D&D Building here in New York City. We wanted it to feel more like a salon or a home than a corporate showroom.
Keep reading below. All photos courtesy of Carolina George.
Are there any highlighted pieces that are specific to this store?
We are probably most excited about our fabrics because they represent our newest endeavor. However, everything is exclusive to our shop and cannot be found anywhere else.
What's been most popular with visitors at the store?
People are loving the bright colors in the fabrics, the yellow and the pinks. Everyone is also loving our new games table.
What keeps visitors coming back?
I think that it's a pleasant place to visit and people get very personalized service as everything can be customized even the fabrics.
Do you both have a favorite item in this store?
Caroline: My favorites really depend on the day and what we are working on. I would have to say that when a new piece arrives that we have spent months on, it is instantly my favorite because of all the hard work that goes into getting it showroom ready. Georgia: I am loving the pink and blue fabrics right now. I'm not a pink person normally but I have been seduced by these, especially our light blue and pink. I'm also loving the Hex tables and am excited to have something in a lower price point.
What do you both like most about this store?
It's really a reflection of both of us and it's also 4 years of very hard work realized in this space. We love that we have a place that represents our collective styles. I also love that people can finally see, in one location, all of our designs. Before opening the showroom, we would only be able to showcase the line at trade shows so invariably many of our friends and family members never had the opportunity to see what we have been doing.
Fun fact:
Both of us studied art history in college and that has had a huge influence on our work. The furniture is heavily influenced by historical designs and we are constantly referencing the past.
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