The Designer Behind the Lobby Display

With the unveiling of The Washington Design Center’s beautiful new lobby, comes a beautiful vignette created by Frank Babb Randolph, award winning interior designer.With furnishings exclusively from Design Center showrooms, the lobby vignette will luxuriously mark the entranceway into the building with the mid-Atlantic’s premier resource for home furnishings and décor.

The vignette features:
Art work
David Bell

Custom planters
Center Table
Custom Rock Crystal Chandelier
Niermann Weeks

Wool Carpet
J. Asher Handmade & Decorative Carpets

Benches
Lee Industries through AmericanEye

Side Table
Mrs. MacDougall through
Hinson & Company

Black Sea Fan Coral
Michael-Cleary

Custom Mirrors
Custom Tables
Iatesta & Co. through Holly Hunt

Silver Square Trays
JF Chen through Hines & Co.

Custom Sofa
J. Lambeth & Co.

Sofa Fabric
Fabricut

Pillows
Clarence House and George Smith through J. Lambeth & Co.

Black Sea Fan Coral
Michael-Cleary

Fluted Stone Column
Cache through Michael-Cleary

Standing Lamps
Barbara Barry through Henredon

Painted Chairs
William Switzer
through Hines & Co.

Tall Cupboard
Pair of Side Chairs
Oscar de la Renta through Century Designer Showroom

Cube Glass Coffee Table
Century Designer Showroom

Screens
Henredon Interior Design Showroom

A native of Washington, DC, Frank Babb Randolph’s interiors reflect the influence of his mentor Billy Baldwin and his love of classical Italian architecture.
Some of Mr. Randolph’s projects have included a Palladium Villa on the Miles River on

Maryland’s Eastern Shore and the redecoration of the official residence of the Vice President of the United States.
Mr. Randolph’s work has been featured in House Beautiful, Southern Accents, Veranda, Traditional Home and

The Washington Post Sunday Magazine. As well, his classical Jeffersonian dining room for the Alexandria showhouse was honored by House Beautiful magazine as one of the top 10 showhouse rooms of the year.

Mr. Randolph has been included on House Beautiful’s 100 Best Designers In America list for the past 10 years. As well, Mr. Frandolph collaborated with Niermann Weeks on an elegant furniture collection.

Design in the Family
Brunschwig & Fils Weaving History
Design definitely does run in the family and, within a special advertorial unit of the January 2007 issue of Architectural Digest showcasing the families behind some of the design industry’s most prestigious firms, Olivier Peardon is featured as the man poised to guide the future of Brunschwig & Fils.

When 34-year-old Olivier Peardon was asked by his father, Thomas P. Peardon, Jr., to succeed him as President and Chief Executive Officer of Brunschwig & Fils, his mission was clear: invigorate and expand the brand to appeal to the new generation of designers and their clients, while maintaining the century-old firm’s impeccable reputation. To meet his objectives, Peardon has remarketed the Kirk Brummel Collection (a thoroughly modern counterpoint to Brunschwig’s traditional designs), appointed a new design director and furniture designer, and commissioned his wife, Susannah, an interior decorator, to redesign the New York showroom. Olivier Peardon’s plans amplify a return to Brunschwig’s roots: “We will concentrate on luxury, edit the collection to invest more in each fabric and institute true luxury service.” Peardon continues, “This is an exciting moment in Brunschwig’s history; I’m fortunate to have so many creative people on my team. We’re energized and ready to move Brunschwig & Fils in a new direction.” 202.554.1004.

Michael-Cleary Now Open to Designers on Saturdays
Michael-Cleary has listened to the design community’s feedback regarding shopping hours, and they are pleased to announce the beginning of Saturday hours for designers and their clients! Customer service is, and has been Michael-Cleary’s top priority, and they understand that it is sometimes difficult to work with clients during the week. Beginning Saturday, March 3rd, Michael-Cleary will be open every Saturday from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Michael- Cleary encourages members of the design community to take advantage of this shopping opportunity, and looks forward to now seeing designers on Saturdays! 202.488.9787.

Ed Collins to Serve as the Permanent Vice President/General Manager
Ed Collins will serve as the permanent Vice President/General Manager for The Washington Design Center and the Federal Office Center Southwest, effective immediately. Ed, as part of the MMPI team since 1995, is a highly experienced executive who has worked directly with leaders in the residential design industry as well as diverse office tenants throughout his 35-year career. During his tenure as interim GM in Washington as well as in his various roles for us in Chicago, Ed has demonstrated strong operational and management skills. He does an excellent job of serving the needs of designers and their clients who shop the Washington Design Center Showrooms. At the same time, he never forgets the importance of those who work in our Federal Office Center Southwest and patronize the businesses located with us.