Saturday, April 18, 2015

From lawyer to Elle Decor in 5 years!!!

I cannot thank Interios Editor Robert Rufino (love him!), Elle Decor Magazine, and the amazingly talented Megan Winters enough for including my work and my passion in the May 2015 issue.  I am beyond thrilled to see one of my paintings in such a gorgeous home!!!

To see my full collection or to inquire about a commissioned painting to fit your home, go to www.KarinaGentinetta.1stdibs.com or simply email me at info@KarinaGentinetta.com.


Elle Decor May 2015


Megan Winters and a painting by Argentine Artist Karina Gentinetta.

To read the complete story and see Megan's entire house (you will drool!), click here.


Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Gorgeous at Domaine Home


I love to see where my paintings ultimately call home..... That they are featured on Domaine Home ... well, that's "lagniappe" (as we love to say here in New Orleans)!



Original Acrylic Painting by Karina Gentinetta

Interior Designer:  Melissa Rufty of MMR Interiors
Home:  Sally and Richard Edrington’s Greek Revival row house, designed by architect Henry Howard in the Garden District of New Orleans, LA.

Photograph by Domaine Home


To view more of my paintings and creations, go to www.KarinaGentinetta.1stdibs.com, or contact me directly by clicking here.


Friday, September 13, 2013

A Painting to Bond a Friendship


It is always so very humbling and utterly surprising to me when my work in some way touches the emotions and lives of people whom I've really never met, whether they are here in New Orleans or across the world.  I have been so fortunate in the past 3 years since I left the practice of law to take this journey into my creative side to have met individuals, especially women, from all walks of life.  From Australia to Rome to Connecticut .... these women all share my passion for life, diversity in creativity, compassion, design and family.  I have forged great friendships with them that transcend the miles and differences between us.  One such friend is Susanna Salk -- author, designer, television personality, writer, mother and wife extraordinaire.


So when Susanna mentioned in passing one day during one of long distance phone conversations that she loved my paintings (a passion which I only recently have had the courage to pursue), I set out immediately to give her the one gift I knew I could give her from my heart that would in some way repay her for all the pep talks, emotional support and true friendship she has given me over the years since our paths first crossed.  I wanted so much for this painting to convey to Susanna the admiration, respect and love I have for her that it terrified me that somehow the simple strokes on the canvas would simply not do those emotions justice.  Would she like it?  Would she love it?  Would it fit in her beautiful home and world?  But, most significantly, would it be our bond to some secret divine order of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood?

Well, Susanna, in all her Susanna-hood, did more than just accept my gift.  In a way that only Susanna Salk can, she wrote the most beautiful and touching post about my gift wherein she answered all my questions and fears.  I invite you to read it here and then to discover Susanna's world and work.



http://blog.susannasalk.com/?p=209


Susanna's painting (www.KarinaGentinetta.1stdibs.com)

With five (5) successful design books under her belt, Susanna is currently working on her next book, “Decorate Fearlessly: Using whimsy, confidence and a dash of surprise to create personal spaces,” featuring not only "our" painting but also my own home in New Orleans.  Be on the lookout for it on April 2014 from Rizzoli.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

50 Shades of Purple


It seems these days I'm just mad about purple, every shade of it -- amethyst, eggplant, violet, blue-violet, plum, orchid, magenta, lavender......  As House Beautiful so amply describes it: "It's royal. It's papal. It's eccentric. It's feminine. Most likely you either love it or hate it. But you can't argue: The color purple is looking very good right now."

So I've been busy incorporating all shades of this gorgeous color into all of my creations this season.  Take a look at some of my new inventory on 1stdibs.  Most of these are on display on the 1stdibs floor at the New York Design Center (at 200 Lexington Avenue).



Magnificent Large Amethyst and White Vistosi Disc Chandelier (36" diameter).  Click here.



Pair of Amethyst and Silver Silk Pillows.  Click here.




Breathtaking 19th c. Italian Giltwood Settee with Iridescent Purple Silk Taffeta.  Click here.




Pair of French Louis XVI Painted Armchairs in Purple Velvet.  Click here.





Exquisite Set of 8 French Walnut Empire Style Dining Chairs Upholstered in Magenta Silk Fabric.  Click here.





Decadent Louis XVI Giltwood Armchair in Fuschia Velvet.  Click here.





Breathtaking Pair of Handblown Murano Glass Blue-Violet Lamps.  Just arrived from Italy to my showroom in NYC.  Will be uploaded to my 1stdibs storefront soon!  For questions, call the 1stdibs showroom at 
646-293-6633.




Original Abstract by Karina Gentinetta, Signed (48" x 48").  Painted on stretched canvas in acrylic with hues of magenta, purples and pinks, with the perfect touch of black.  Click here.



When purple can look this good in a room, why would you go with anything else?????

The elegant French Quarter Pied-a-Terre of Lisa Donofrio and Brian Valzania (photograph by Sara Essex Bradley; designer, Evelyne Clinton). New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Magazine - Winter 2012


Saturday, November 24, 2012

disegno Karina Gentinetta debuts on national TV!


I am honored and proud to be part of More Magazine's 3rd annual, nationally syndicated TV special, “Reinvent Yourself with More Magazine,” airing this month and hosted by the ultimate "More woman" and CBS This Morning host, Lee Woodruff.   I want to thank More Magazine and 1stdibs (especially 1stdibs PR director, Stacy McLaughlin) who helped make this possible.




To view some of my latest creations, please visit www.KarinaGentinetta.1stdibs.com.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2


Okay, I'll admit it (and I hope I'm not the only one here) -- I have not read any of the Twilight books and have not watched any of the movies.  I know, I know, I know!!!!  Where have I been, you must be wondering?  Well, if you read my previous post, you would know.  But I digress.....

So, not knowing anything about the Twilight saga, you can understand that I did not think much of it when, about 2 years ago, a movie set designer walked into my antique shop in Uptown New Orleans (which has since been moved to Manhattan, NY) and told me that she thought my furniture was absolutely perfect for a certain movie set "not to be mentioned" that was being filmed in Louisiana.  Of course, I was flattered that my restored vintage and antique furnishings would want to be featured in a movie (any movie, at that!) so I did not even care or bother to ask what movie they were being used for.  She also asked if my house was decorated in the same way as my store (which, as you can see below, it is) and could she also come see it to check if any other pieces might work for the set.   Sure, be my guest!

(photo by The New York Times, April 2011)


A couple of weeks went by and I received a call from one of the design set crew telling me which pieces they were interested in using and setting a date to pick them up.  A couple of pieces were from my inventory (also listed on 1stdibs) and some from my house.  Here are some of the pieces selected:


This gorgeous 19th c. French Daybed with Belgian Linen



A Pair of 1930s Swedish Style Painted Nightstands or Side Tables


The finish on these little nightstands were done by me in my signature Gustavian grey finish


The little painted grey and gilded side table to the right of  my slipcovered chair (photo by The New York Times, April 2011)


The little french boudoir lamp with antique gold shade on my Swedish Secretary.

Here is a closeup of it as I adore it.  I found it locally in New Orleans, had it rewired and found a beautiful antique gold silk lampshade to go with it.



So enough of the mystery!  Where did all my pieces go?????  Until recently, I was not much at liberty to say.  But now that it has hit theaters, see if you can find the pieces yourself.






They were used for Renesmee's bedroom/nursery.

My 19th c. daybed (on 1stdibs) is shown in this photo with my little painted side table and boudoir lamp directly next to it.


My Swedish Nightstands are next to the crib


You can catch a small glimpse of the nightstands on this photo too.

As for the other pieces, well, I have yet to see the movie myself so I don't know exactly where they ended up on the set.  But as soon as I do, I'll report back.  It is just nice to know that wherever my pieces go (and they have gone far in this world, literally), some of them will be forever immortalized in the big screen.

And since as you can see I am totally out of the loop on this....  Are they or aren't they back together??????



Have a wonderful weekend wherever this post finds you.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

We Interrupt This Busy Moment.....


I feel just terrible that I have not been able to post lately.  The good news is that I've been so busy creating and working that I sometimes forget to eat lunch.  I'm sure many of you can empathize!

Here are a few things that have been happening:

I am getting several pieces ready to ship in a container to Australia to my dearest friend Frances Russell of Beautiful Interiors and 18th Century Style who has been equally as busy designing some gorgeous homes.  I cannot wait to see the finished projects and seeing all of my pieces in their new Aussie homes.

More Magazine, the national magazine  for Women of Style and Substance (affluent, educated, sophisticated women) who did the feature on me in June 2012, completely surprised me by inviting me to be part of their national television show.  


Every year More produces a television special titled “Reinvent Yourself with More Magazine”and this year is their third annual, hour-long special, to be produced again this year by the award-winning production company Michael Young Media.  It is nationally syndicated and airs in November-December in over 80% of the markets nationwide, reaching an audience of about 1.5 million. The show consists of inspiring segments about various women who have reinvented their lives in some way. The show is hosted by Lee Woodruff, who is on CBS This Morning, and is the ultimate “More woman”.  Imagine how honored I was when they called me to be one of the women featured. 

We filmed part of the segment in New York (in my showroom at the 1stdibs floor in the New York Design Center) and the second part here in New Orleans.  I cannot tell you how much fun it was and how honored I am to be included.  I will let you all know soon when exactly it will air!

Between designing and restoring my own inventory (and I can't wait to show you some of my latest pieces), I've been working with some very talented designers throughout the country in furnishing some of their client's homes.  From Greenwich, CT, to New Jersey, to Miami, there is a bit of me and my pieces around the country and world (in fact, a fashion designer opening stores in New Zealand has incorporated some of my inventory).  Josephine's design line is absolutely stunning and I invite all of you to check her out.  She designs fashion for both Gregory Limited and Ricochet.  





Both Gregory Limited and Ricochet have online stores so hop on over and check Josephine's creations.  And if you happen to be in New Zealand, hop on over to their stores to also check out my furniture pieces that compliment the look of this gorgeous fashion line.

In between this and that, I also designed a hot new restaurant in the Warehouse District in New Orleans.  When Chef Manning, formerly of Clancy's Restaurant in Uptown, New Orleans (which I frequently a lot as a young law associate as I lived directly across the street from it!) asked a friend who asked Sean Cummings who he could recommend to design his new restaurant (which formerly housed Deanie's Seafood), Sean suggested me.  I wanted to crawl under a table and hide when I got the call as I had never formally designed a commercial space, much less in 1 month's time!  But, after breathing into a paper bag several times, I decided to take up the challenge.

So here is before....














And "Whoala!"  The after.....








The artwork on the walls were also done by me and are presently featured on www.KarinaGentinetta.1stdibs.com
















 The entrance.  Yes, I also have a green thumb.  





Every week I hand select the week's table flowers, something that I insist every table should have (even it I have to cut Rosemary sprigs from my own garden, which I do many times).


But what draws people to Annunciation Restaurant is its amazing food (the culinary talent of Chef Steven Manning).















Their wine list is exceptional, all hand selected by my husband and General Manager of the Annunciation, A.J. McAlear















(Photos courtesy of http://www.facebook.com/AnnunciationRestaurant)

And in between designing and keeping fresh flowers on the tables, I have been working on many of my own designs and restoring old pieces into gorgeous works of arts.  If you haven't yet checked out my new items on 1stdibs, here are some of my favorites.


Grotto Chair


Mad Men Sofa (1960s Dorothy Draper style Sofa completely restored and upholstered in a Silver Silk Taffeta with down cushions)


Murano Sputnik



Huge Original Painting by Karina Gentinetta



Large Hand Made Italian Sconces in Silver Finish (finished by me).  In fact, I had to fly to Greenwich, CT, to hand finish these babies in time for a dinner party with Goldie Hawn.


Detailed look



French Art Deco Mirror


Hollywood Regency Style Walnut Sideboard (over 9 ft. long!)



French Art Deco Sideboard in Black Walnut



Long Louis XVI bench or ottoman in completely restored and upholstered in French Indian fabric.



Amazingly thick and gorgeous Lucite Writing Desk with drawers





Black Lacquered Art Deco Sideboard


And in the midst of all this, there was Halloween....

I was "Jackie O', the Glamorous Witch of the Upper East Side"


And my little ones....


And another dog.....  Bonzo makes 4.


So forgive me for my absence from the Blogworld!  I've just been a tad bit busy.  But never too far away....

Hope you are having a beautiful day wherever this post finds you.