Jan 8, 2011

L.A. Mart® Design Center and the California Gift Show® Welcome Celebrated Interior Designer Thomas O’Brien Back to Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA – L.A. Mart Design Center and the California Gift Show are proud to announce that celebrated interiors and product designer Thomas O’Brien will give this January Market’s keynote presentation on Friday, January 21, 2011.

O’Brien, who has made appearances at several L.A. Mart Design Center events, will discuss his design philosophy and his book, American Modern, a survey of seven of his most influential projects ranging from traditional to modern in style. A books signing and reception follows the presentation.

Thomas O’Brien has made a career of translating cool notions of modernism into an easy and generous array of modern styles. His traditional-to-modern design philosophy defines an eponymous brand of new-classic home furnishings, with furniture, lighting, tableware, textiles, carpets, and bedding and bath collections, for both fine and daily living. In addition, O’Brien is widely recognized for his popular Thomas O’Brien Vintage Modern collection for Target. His work has been featured in endless publications including Elle Decor, House & Garden, House Beautiful, Metropolitan Home, Town & Country, The New York Times and Architectural Digest, among others.

“We are extremely pleased that Thomas will deliver the keynote address at this year’s Market,” said Jeff Sampson, vice president marketing, L.A. Mart Design Center. “Year-round we dedicate ourselves to being the very best resource to southern California’s design community. Bringing design luminaries like O’Brien to our designers in addition to the unique, new-to-market products from our permanent showrooms and temporary gift exhibitors extends our value exponentially.”

DESIGNSTUDIO is one of those market resources. A vast array of sources for the interior designer as well as the retailer who carries home furnishings once again debuts at L.A. Mart’s 2nd Floor Exhibition Hall this January.  “With floor coverings, lighting, antiques, tabletop décor, contemporary and classic furniture, as well as a varied selection of both au courant and traditional artwork, DESIGNSTUDIO will prove to be a valuable tool for designers and buyers who are searching for a new and unique selection of merchandise for the home,” said Frank Joens, Vice President, Sales, California Gift Show.

ABOUT L.A. MART® DESIGN CENTER
L.A. Mart is home to over 200 residential, decorative accessory and gift showrooms serving the interior design and retail industries. L.A. Mart Design Center features the finest names in furniture, home décor, fabric, floor and wall coverings, fine art, antiques, lighting and lifestyle merchandise, offering an unparalleled depth and range of product resources for the design professional.  L.A. Mart Design Center is centrally located in the heart of the Furniture & Decorative Arts District at 1933 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, Calif., 90007, at the corner of Broadway and Washington Boulevard.  www.lamartdesign.com

L.A. Mart® is a registered trademark of MMPI. The California Gift Show® is a registered trademark of MMPI. Beckman’s Handcrafted Gift Show is a registered trademark of MMPI. L.A. Mart is home to nearly 200 permanent year-round, residential, decorative accessory and gift showrooms serving the retail and interior design industries. The California Gift Show Temporaries feature over 850 temporary exhibitors of lifestyle merchandise, home décor and furnishings, in the newly enhanced and expanded Temporaries at L.A. Mart and Los Angeles Convention Center making the California Gift Show the preeminent market for gift and home furnishings products on the West Coast. L.A. Mart is located at 1933 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90007. For more information call 213-763-5800 or visit www.californiagiftshow.com or www.lamart.com.

MMPI is a trade show and property management firm, specializing in managing buildings devoted to wholesale showrooms and commercial office space. MMPI produces more than 300 trade shows, market events and conferences each year. MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart and 350 West Mart Center in Chicago; Market Square, the Suites at Market Square, Hamilton Market, Plaza Suites, Furniture Plaza and the National Furniture Mart in High Point, N.C.; the Architects & Designers Building and 7 W New York in New York; the Boston Design Center in Boston; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center in Washington D.C.

Vornado Realty Trust, owners of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust. Vornado’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.