Emerson et Cie Partners with Designer

March 7, 2014  by in Bedroom, High Point, Market, Occasional Tables, Product   

The Dyfari Collection has an emphasis on texture, pattern, color and detailing. Guariglia combines classic forms with modern finishes, fabrics and brass details for a high-style transitional look.

“Diane has been a customer of ours for years, and she’s used our furniture in many of her client’s homes and showhouse projects,” said Emerson et Cie President Mark Smith. “With her amazing eye for color, texture and details and her experience creating interiors in the Hamptons of New York, Diane brings a fresh perspective to our design team. This is the first of many collections she will design for our company.”

In designing furniture and interiors, Guariglia puts equal emphasis on form, function and craftsmanship, Smith said. This makes her a perfect partner Emerson et Cie.

“I have been a loyal Emerson et Cie customer for quite some time,” Guariglia said. “They understand amazing craftsmanship and produce beautiful, functional pieces that I can relate to. To be able to create a line with a company whose philosophy and design aesthetic is in line with your own is a designer's dream.”

Guariglia's designs for Emerson et Cie incorporate such details as paper-lined drawers, brass grillwork, self-closing drawers and custom hardware. The designer has been involved in creating and choosing every detail on each piece of furniture, resulting in a collection that is unique and bespoke. 

“In creating this collection for Emerson et Cie, Diane has approached it as if she were working with a client to create a custom interior,” Smith said. “Every detail is so well-thought out. Her designs address real-life needs, in terms of style, scale and function.” 

Guariglia, the principal of Dyfari Interiors in New York, began her career in the fashion industry. She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology  in New York and later worked in the city’s garment as a production and purchasing agent for textiles, giving her first-hand knowledge of fabric design and construction.

Her love of fabric and pattern began even earlier, though. Guariglia’s father was a tailor, and she spent much of childhood in his shop, surrounded by fabrics and learning about tailoring and craftsmanship.

“Growing up with a tailor as a father meant I had access to some really beautiful fabrics, which I often preferred to play with over toys,” she said. “In retrospect, I can see how strong of an influence this has had in my career, as I find most of my design inspiration from fabrics.”

Those influences are evident in her collection for Emerson et Cie. She features beautiful fabrics in stunning geometric and textured patterns in her designs. But the influence goes beyond fabric choices.

Guariglia also designed a brass and glass table for the collection; the table’s trellis base is evocative of a fabric print. Similar patterned influences can be seen in the fretwork and grillwork on a coordinating modern chest and dresser.

Guariglia made the shift from textiles to interior design when she was given the opportunity to work for J.P. Molyneux Studio. Working closely with Juan Pablo Molyneux on projects in the industry, Guariglia’s passion for textiles was quickly matched with a new passion for architectural details. In 2006, she started Dyfari Interiors.

The Dyfari Collection will be available in the Emerson et Cie High Point showroom located at 520 Hamilton Street.