Last evening’s posh preview of 1stDibs@NYDC was more than an industry event. It felt like a harbinger of good things to come in the design industry. The mood was as light and bright as the new 33,000 square foot space. The question at dinner afterward was not who we saw at the event but who did we miss among the hundreds? Design stars galore, publishing greats, journalists, publicists, old guard, new guard, next wave, everyone was there.

Just off the elevator, a special exhibition from the collection of Roger Prigent’s Malmaison, designed and curated by Lithgow Osborne and Charles K. Burleigh had everyone stopping in their tracks – Helena Rubenstein’s portrait hung on a lavender-tinted wall above that insanely fabulous, miraculously lit, crystal clear bed – the whole vignette floating on a platform custom made for Joseph Carini‘s luscious Pink Tiger rug. “Do you think it was Her bed?” asked designer William Spink. We do, since this photo, courtesy of Mr. Burleigh, was tagged “HR bed”. Fab-u-lous.

The Malmaison Exhibit Feb 16- March 15 at 1stDibs@NYDC

Hosting this champagne bash in the floor-through showroom now occupied by online merchant 1stdibs were three design industry thought-leaders. 1stDibs founder Michael Bruno and NYDC owner Jim Druckman partnered brilliantly to conceive this innovative space for designers and homeowners to browse spectacular antiques from 53 venerable dealers, including the marvelous Heir and friends of Carini Lang Mondo Cane (and speaking of – if you haven’t seen their blog, do, it is one of Joe Carini’s favorites.)

Michael Boodro, the new editor in chief of ELLE Decor also hosted. The room was abuzz with anticipation over his forthcoming April issue – said to be the first entire issue that will fully realize his vision for the publication. With ELLE Decor soon to be moving from under the Hachette masthead to that of Hearst, the design world is just waiting for even more big things from this esteemed journalist and his team.

All in all, it was an evening of forward-looking, forward-thinking people admiring the very best designed objects from eras past. Those carefully curated, charmingly styled, impeccably lit antiques were a refreshing reminder of the lasting relevance of great design, and an inspiration to keep design thriving. The new floor will open to the public on Friday.