ACCLAIMED NEW YORK DESIGNER BENJAMIN NORIEGA-ORTIZ
FEATURED AT L.A. MART®’S FORTHCOMING DESIGNERS’ FORUM
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2004
LOS ANGELES (June 11, 2004) – Glamour, sophistication and a touch of the ethereal take center stage as acclaimed New York designer Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz presents L.A. Mart®’s next Designers’ Forum.
Named one of America’s “Most Brilliant Decorators” for eight consecutive years by House Beautiful, Mr. Noriega-Ortiz reveals his technique for diffusing everyday reality by creating fantasy in design. Sharing his “design as art” philosophy, Noriega-Ortiz applies an artisan’s perspective to each project treating furnishings as sculptures of shape, color and texture that dictate their placement – rather than their preconceived purpose –
upon the canvas of each room the designer creates.
“We are thrilled to host Benjamin’s appearance at the L.A. Mart and to further acquaint Southern California designers with the breathtaking beauty and versatility of his work,” said Paul Watson, L.A. Mart’s vice president and assistant general manager. “A truly gifted artist, Benjamin and his presentation will be an absolute inspiration to the design community.”
This special Designers’ Forum begins at 4:00 p.m. hosted in L.A. Mart’s 2nd floor seminar room, 295, and is followed by a 5:00 p.m. meet & greet cocktail reception with Noriega-Ortiz.
Noriega-Ortiz is recognized as one of the most stylish and influential of today's interior designers. Possessing two master's degrees in architecture from Columbia University and the University of Puerto Rico, Noriega-Ortiz began his professional career at John F. Saladino, Inc., where he spent six of his nine years as head designer. His firm, Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz, LLC, was launched in 1992 and has produced residential projects for author Laura Esquivel, media mogul Michael Fuchs and recording artist Lenny Kravitz, among others. Commercial projects include Pikayo, a restaurant at the Museum of Art in San Juan, Puerto Rico; showroom displays for the Kohler Company headquarters, Kohler, Wis., and the lobby and wine cellar of 30 Crosby Lofts, a loft condominium project in Manhattan.
His work has been featured in such international publications including Architectural Digest, AD France, Town and Country, The New York Times Home Magazine, Departures, Metropolitan Home, House Beautiful, Elle Décor, New York Magazine and Interior Design, as well as German and Brazil Vogue. Television appearances include several HGTV programs, Style Network, E! and Lifetime Television. You can also find his work in books such as House Beautiful Great Style and Better Homes and Gardens' New Classic Style.
The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) will offer 0.1 CEU credit to industry professionals. With limited seating, designers are encouraged to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the program. To ensure a reservation at the Designers’ Forum, please R.S.V.P. by September 3, 2004 at 213.763.5731.
ABOUT L.A. MART
The L.A. Mart is the pre-eminent center for gift and home furnishings products in the Western United States. With nearly 300 showrooms encompassing 724,000 square feet of showroom space, the L.A. Mart is dedicated to showcasing a wide array of lifestyle merchandise including gifts, fine furniture and home décor, decorative accessories, tabletop, stationery, collectibles, holiday ideas, gourmet foods, floral, linens, paper products, bath & body items, apparel, children’s giftware and handcrafted products.
The L.A. Mart is centrally located in the heart of the new Furniture & Decorative Arts District at 1933 South Broadway, Los Angeles, California 90007, at the corner of Broadway and Washington Boulevard. For more information about the L.A. Mart and the Designers’ Forum series, please visit www.lamart.com (click on L.A. Mart under “Properties”) or call 800.LAMART.4.
L.A. MART/MMPI
The L.A. Mart is a registered trademark of MMPI. The Gift & Home Furnishings Market is a trademark of MMPI.
Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (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, Chicago Apparel Center, and 33 North Dearborn 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 in New York; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center and Washington Office Center in Washington, D.C.
Vornado Realty Trust, owner 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.
MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY:
Joanna Mineau
Director of Public Relations
Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.
312-527-7074
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