Announcements

Bentley Prince Street Launches the Mystic Journey Collection

by Joanne De Palma

Contact
Bentley Prince Street
Reva Revis, 312-923-8186
Reva.Revis@BentleyPS.com
or
Joanne De Palma, Inc.
Corinne Patrice, 212-399-4062
Cdpr@aol.com

Collaboration with Renowned Designer Emphasizes Human Connection to Nature

Sophisticated Patterns and Vibrant Color Palette Define the Collection

INDUSTRY, Calif., February 21, 2008 -- Bentley Prince Street, a leading manufacturer of stylish floorcoverings for nearly three decades, today launched Mystic Journey", a collection of five carpet patterns designed by New York-based designer Joanne De Palma. All five styles -- Falling Rain, Vortis, Future Connections, Intuitive Impulse and Journey's Path– are available in broadloom. Falling Rain is also offered in 18" X 18" carpet tile.

"Through the Mystic Journey Collection, we have created a visual translation of this incredible experience into floorcovering designs."

"As part of our Mission Zero" goal of eliminating any negative impact our company has on the environment by the year 2020, Bentley Prince Street is constantly seeking opportunities to partner with designers who share our sensitivity to our vulnerable planet and who also understand the critical role that interior design elements have in our journey toward sustainability," explained Anthony Minite, president of Bentley Prince Street. "Joanne De Palma’s combination of design talent and thoughtful pursuit of sustainable design materials make her a natural fit in the Bentley Prince Street design studio."

According to Ms. De Palma, Mystic Journey was inspired by her 900-kilometer walk through Europe. This journey took her through desert terrain, mountains, modern windmill farms and ended in a small village on the Atlantic Ocean.

"This journey opened my heart and my mind to the profound sense of connection between human beings and nature," explained Ms. De Palma. "Through the Mystic Journey Collection, we have created a visual translation of this incredible experience into floorcovering designs."

The linear patterning in Falling Rain captures the randomness and repetition of rainfall. Vortis features a swirling pattern that captures the three-dimensional quality of the vortex form. The star-like motif of Future Connections has intersecting vertical and horizontal lines that symbolize the vast geometric pattern of the universe. Energy and constant motion are translated into repeating concentric shapes in Intuitive Impulse. And finally, Journey’s Path is a directional representation of the space between two points on a journey.

Ms. De Palma’s mission is to emphasize the connectivity of all life through the design, production, distribution and installation of sustainable interior design elements.
"I chose to work with Bentley Prince Street because their Mission Zero promise aligns perfectly with my dedication to the health of the planet through considerate use of sustainable materials, responsible manufacturing practices and continuing support of environmental causes," explained Ms. De Palma.

According to Mr. Minite, all five patterns in the Mystic Journey Collection are manufactured with 50 percent recycled nylon. Also, High PerformancePC" is the now the standard backing system on all Bentley Prince Street broadloom products. This unique latex formulation recovers mineral residual from the paper recycling industry in an environmentally friendly fashion, resulting in a minimum average 10 percent post-consumer recycled content by total product weight.

Bentley Prince Street manufactures and markets award-winning broadloom and carpet tile products for commercial interiors across the globe. Bentley Prince Street is committed to sustainable commerce and innovations to integrate style and function with environmental practices through its Mission Zero" goal of eliminating any negative impact it has on the environment by the year 2020. With the industry’s most comprehensive vertical carpet manufacturing facility, the company maintains third-party certification to the ISO 9001 Quality Management System and the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System. Based on Los Angeles County, California, Bentley Prince Street is a subsidiary of Interface, Inc., a global provider of floorcoverings. For more information, please visit www.bentleyprincestreet.com.

Joanne De Palma Incorporated, located in New York City, is an environmentally, socially and fiscally conscious interior and product design company with over twenty years experience in high-end interior design and decoration.

New York Environmental Product Designer, Joanne De Palma Will

Break New Ground at the HD Boutique 2007 Exposition & Conference This Fall

Contact
Corinne Patrice Public Relations
Corinne Patrice, 212-399-4062

NEW YORK, NY, July 24, 2007 As the concept of sustainability continues to take hold, thanks to Joanne De Palma, the hospitality market will reach new heights at the HD Boutique 2007 Exposition & Conference in Miami Beach, Florida September 18. Combining her skills as a traditional interior designer and consciousness in regard to the natural world, with the introduction of a sustainable carpet, furniture and hardware line, she will help to usher in a new era in the hospitality arena this Fall.

"From high-end residential and commercial interior design to environmental product design, I made a shift as a traditional designer"

"From high-end residential and commercial interior design to environmental product design, I made a shift as a traditional designer," says De Palma. Given the current conditions we face in the environment, to me the decision was obvious. Not only do I approach my work from a design standpoint, but from one that is socially and environmentally responsible. This perspective is one that is necessary for the hospitality market. It is what we all need to embrace now and in the future."

The thoughtful use of natural and sustainable materials and manufacturing techniques combined with her strict adherence to honoring the artisan in product design are principles that are reflected in all aspects of De Palma's work. Her furniture called the "Oak", "Etruscan", "Nature" and "Transition" lines, which combines high style and sustainable manufacturing from the personal care of a family owned custom shop is one such example. All materials for the line, which consists of beds, side and lounge chairs, arm chairs, night stands and cabinets, with the exception of the designers own sculptural metal elements that make up the hardware for the pieces, are natural and biodegradable. Through these lines, De Palma hopes to initiate the move into full sustainability in high-end luxury furniture.

Mystic Journey, De Palma's carpet line with Bentley Prince Street, an Invista broadloom weave with 50% recycled content, marks the initial inspiration she received to make the shift she made into product design. Through the fibers, textures and patterns of which the carpets are comprised, they relate to the direct experiences of their creator.

Last, through the choices De Palma offers in her "Metal" line with five different patinas that far exceed normal high production quality, she honors the artisan and the value of craft. According to De Palma, this line is "currently the most transitional of all her products." In her continuing efforts to refine the manufacturing process, not only does she consider worker health and safety, but increased air quality, reduced waste and recycling, and the least toxic production methods available today as part of her initiatives to help foster a connection to all life on the planet.

"We have lost sight of the things that really matter in life for the disregard we have demonstrated towards our natural resources," maintains De Palma. "As a result, we have lost our connection to the natural world; and, in the process, isolated ourselves from each other. Through my efforts as an environmental product designer, it is my intent to help us reconnect to what is most important.

Joanne De Palma Incorporated, located in New York City, is an environmentally, socially and fiscally conscious interior and product design company with over twenty years experience in high-end interior design and decoration.

New York Interior Designer

Joanne De Palma Goes Green at the Opening of the Spring International Art & Antiques Show

Contact:
Corinne Patrice Public Relations
Corinne Patrice, 212-399-4062

Tabletop tree-house displayed at the Park Avenue Armory

NEW YORK, NY, May 24, 2007 "Dreaming Eyes of Wonder," that was the theme of a table top display designed by Joanne DePalma that went on display at the Spring International Art & Antiques Show, which benefited the Lenox Hill Neighborhood Association, April 26. In selecting a theme, which represented childhood and a child's connection to the natural world, for DePalma the display makes an important statement.

"Because we are living in a relatively finite system, the respectful harvest of resource is as important as how we use it"

"With global warming taking place, as part of the benefit's theme, 'The Time of Your Life,' I chose this venue to honor our children and their future, and to help foster an awareness of the environment and a social consciousness in the world," notes Joanne DePalma. "In this regard, 'Dreaming Eyes of Wonder,' delivers an important message. It speaks to the charity itself rather than a social event."

Drawing on key elements of the environment and traditional interior design, DePalma constructed the treehouse and miniature furniture with storm felled oak branches, acorn cap finials gathered from the woods in New York. She selected the materials in keeping with a new company she is developing to utilize forest waste. The textiles used for the tablecloth contained natural unbleached plant fibers were all hand-dyed with plant-based colors. In addition, DePalma designed them for reuse, as well as the textiles in the seat cushions of the chairs that surrounded the table. Another key feature of the table setting included photographs of children that the designer integrated into the tablecloth thereby reflecting the table's theme. As a key element of her current work, DePalma also chose a company to sew the textiles on the basis of its commitment to sustainability.

"Because we are living in a relatively finite system, the respectful harvest of resource is as important as how we use it," says one of Joanne DePalma's associates, Matt Lou, and the builder of the treehouse. "Therefore, the use of natural materials, as well as the environmentally-friendly companies and artisans with whom we choose are key elements of our work."

As a designer, part of DePalma's efforts to combine elements of the environment into her work, represents an important step for her. It reflects a turn she has made as a designer. Her presence at the show, therefore, reflects the emphasis she places on sustainability. "Antiques are about as green as you can get," she says. In addition, through the use of materials and colors that bring attention to the natural, elemental and organic, DePalma's intention is to create designs that reconnect us to our innate feelings of being a part of nature. The new products she is creating, which includes a hemp carpet line, a recycled carpet line that will debut at NEOCON in June with Bentley Prince Street, a sustainable furniture line and a transitional hardware line, will make use of these principles.

DePalma attributes the decision to her shift when she became disillusioned with business in the nineties. And, in part, to the simple act of walking with American Indian tribal peoples, a nine-hundred kilometer trek in Western Europe, and her solitary moments in the wilderness, which started as a very young child with her grandfather in the Adironack mountains in New York State. "Be still and observe and the answers will come," says DePalma.
DePalma believes that given the current concerns in the environment today, the residential, hospitality and corporate markets will appreciate the concept of this new perspective. "We have no choice but to base all of our decisions on environmental and social responsibility," says DePalma. "The industry of design is changing. With residences that are no longer supported with large staffs, our responsibility as designers remains with conscious buying. We are seeing a shift from out of nature and into luxury. As an artist with my eye on the future, this mindset is where the industry is now and is headed," she says.

Joanne De Palma Incorporated, located in New York City, is an environmentally, socially and fiscally conscious interior and product design company with over twenty years experience in high-end interior design and decoration.

Spiritual Walk in Spain and Dramatic Changes in Industry

Open up Heart and Mind of New York Interior Designer

Contacts
Joanne De Palma, Inc:
Corinne Patrice, 212-399-4062

With new furniture, carpet and hardware line, Joanne De Palma bridges gap between sharp edges of sustainable design and tradition with classic elegance, ushering in new era in sustainability

NEW YORK, NY, July 28, 2008 -- If sustainable design conjures up images of pure practicality without the elements that make it relevant in interiors today, think again. A product line by Joanne De Palma brings new meaning to the concept.

"Through the Mystic Journey Collection I created a visual translation of this incredible experience into our carpet designs."

Created from a standpoint of social and environmental responsibility, a strict adherence to natural and sustainable materials are principles that are incorporated into all aspects of the line. Yet the work according to Joanne De Palma, doesn’t sacrifice function without form.

As a former, traditional, high-end residential and commercial interior designer, Ms. De Palma made a shift into environmental product design after a spiritual walk she took in Spain, and extensive work she did with the American Indians. That combined with changes in the industry that she had noticed served as impetus to realign her business practices, and reconnect to the natural world.

"Given the current conditions we face in the environment, to me the decision was obvious," she says. "The interior design industry is also changing," she adds. "Our clients don’t employ large staffs like they used to. They also don’t want interiors that require a lot of maintenance, and this is true on both the residential and commercial ends," she affirms. People want the option of buying furniture that is environmentally conscious, yet still conforms to a more classic aesthetic. For this reason, De Palma’s work boasts environmentalism within tradition. It is practical yet embracing.

De Palma’s Oak,™ "Etruscan,™ Nature,™ and Transition™ furniture lines, combine high style and sustainable manufacturing from the personal care of a family owned custom shop. All materials for the line, which consist of beds, side, arm, and lounge chairs, night stands and cabinets, with the exception of the designer’s own sculptural metal elements that make up the hardware for the pieces, are natural and biodegradable. Through these lines, De Palma hopes to initiate the move into full sustainability in high-end luxury furniture.

Joanne De Palma also lends this thoughtful and aesthetic philosophy of product design to her flooring options. De Palma's carpet line, Mystic Journey™ manufactured by Bentley Prince Street, a leading manufacturer of stylish floor coverings for nearly three decades, consists of a collection of five carpet patterns. All five styles -- Falling Rain, Vortis, Future Connections, Intuitive Impulse and Journey's Path– are available in broadloom. Falling Rain is also offered in 18" X 18" carpet tile.

According to Ms. De Palma, Mystic Journey was inspired by the 900-kilometer walk she took in Spain through desert terrain, mountains, and modern windmill farms, ending in a small village on the Atlantic Ocean. "Through the journey I developed a profound sense of connection between human beings and nature," she says. "Through the Mystic Journey Collection I created a visual translation of this incredible experience into our carpet designs."

"I chose to work with Bentley Prince Street, because their Mission Zero™ initiative to eliminate negative impact on the environment is in keeping with my dedication to the health of the planet through considerate use of sustainable materials, responsible manufacturing practices and continuing support of environmental causes," explains Ms. De Palma.

"We have lost sight of the things that really matter in life for the disregard we have demonstrated towards our natural resources," maintains Ms. De Palma. "As a result, we have isolated ourselves from each other. Through my efforts as an environmental product designer, it is my intent to help us reconnect to what is most important, the health of our children, our environment, and ourselves.

All five patterns in the Mystic Journey Collection are manufactured with 50 % recycled nylon. Also, High PerformancePC™ is the standard backing system on all Bentley Prince Street broadloom products. This unique latex formulation recovers mineral residual from the paper recycling industry in an environmentally friendly fashion, resulting in a minimum average 10 % post-consumer recycled content by total product weight.

Through the choices De Palma also offers in her Metals™ line, with a hand crafted aesthetic and different patinas that far exceed normal high production quality, she again honors the artisan and the value of craft. According to Ms. De Palma, this line is currently the most transitional of all her products. In her continuing efforts to refine the manufacturing process, not only does she consider worker health and safety, but increased air quality, reduced waste and recycling, and the least toxic production methods available today as part of her initiatives to help honor our connection to all life on the planet.

Additional initiatives from Ms. De Palma include the interiors for Kentshire Galleries’ newest expansion on Madison Avenue. Kentshire Galleries is one of New York’s most renowned resources for antique furniture and accessories, and fine period and estate jewelry. The business was founded in 1940.

As part of the job, Ms. De Palma introduced clean, natural finishes into a high style and luxurious aesthetic. She rallied the support of artists and craftsmen who did not typically work on commercial projects. Their skills embodied methods used in 18th and 19th century, perfect counterpoints for the antiques. The organic textiles were hand-painted with plant-based dyes and the stair railings were fabricated using traditional blacksmithing. The job also incorporated classic painting techniques with the use of innovative materials.

She is currently working on a sustainable camp in Kenya, which involves collaboration with another environmental steward who hopes to preserve some of the last wild roaming lands in Kenya, Africa.

Joanne De Palma Inc. located in Columbus Circle in New York City. As part of its overall plan to strengthen awareness of the environment and foster a social consciousness in the world, it handles all aspects of the design, from research and manufacturing, to the distribution and installation process. For more information, please visit www.joannedepalmainc.com

Joanne De Palma Incorporated, located in New York City, is an environmentally, socially and fiscally conscious interior and product design company with over twenty years experience in high-end interior design and decoration.

Joanne De Palma Bridges Gap Between Sharp Edges of Sustainable Design and Tradition with Classic Elegance Through New Furniture Line

   Corinne Patrice, Corinne Patrice Public Relations
   cdpr@aol.com (212) 399-0887

Joanne De Palma Bridges Gap Between Sharp Edges of Sustainable Design and Tradition with Classic Elegance Through New Furniture Line

Complete Collection is Now Available on-line.

New York, NY, April 15 – Sustainable design in the luxury space does not have to mean pure practicality. The aesthetic elements that make this type of design relevant in today’s interiors can still be present.  The introduction of a new product line by Joanne De Palma underscores this new concept.
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“People want the option of buying furniture that is environmentally conscious, yet still conforms to a more classic look,” says Joanne De Palma.  While remaining true to her classic training in design, her sustainable furniture collection boasts environmentalism within tradition, making it unique in the sustainable furniture arena, and is now available on-line. 
Joanne DePalma

About the Company
Joanne De Palma Inc. is a full-service, interior design firm, located in New York, which specializes in environmental product design with over 25 years of experience in high-end interior design and decoration.  Founder, Joanne De Palma weaves the inspirational stories of her larger vision of a healthy future into the product lines that she design, governed by creativity, functionality and sustainability.