Donald J. Pliner To Open Home Furnishings Store In Miami
Barbara Schneider-Levy
Senior Editor, Men's and Comfort
Footwear designer Donald J. Pliner is applying his fashion sensibilities to the home furnishings market with the opening of Coming Home, a store of home furnishings, unique objects and art designed and curated by Pliner and his wife, fellow designer, Lisa Pliner.
The 7,000-square-foot store, set to open on Nov. 2, is located at 29 NW 24th St., in the city’s art hub. Known for their color sense, the Pliners have built the store around a concept of color — using five distinct lacquer colors of black, white, silver, cobalt blue and China red.
Included in the store’s offering will be a collection of chandeliers, sofas, chairs, rugs mirrors and one-of-a-kind art objects. The store’s unique twist, explained Donald Pliner, is that all pieces for sale come from the couple’s personal collection of art as well as objects they’ve collected over the years formerly on display in their home, New York showroom and string of stores.
“I like decorating, but didn’t realize I was good at it,” said Pliner, about switching gears after decades in the footwear and accessories business. Even Pliner’s now iconic whimsical cow branding introduced in the ’70s on shopping bags, is being used to decorate the outside walls of the the store.
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According to Pliner, the couple also plans to use the space to continue their philanthropic work. A launch event on Nov. 12, will aid the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami.
In between opening the doors to their new store, the Pliners are exploring their literary skills. Lisa has just published, “Look Into Her Eyes,” which tells the story of the couples’ dog Baby Doll, through the canine’s point of view. According to Pliner, a deal is currently in the works for follow-up books. Meanwhile, Pliner is inking an autobiography and is also in talks with a publisher. “I’ve done interesting things in my life,” said Pliner, about his walk down memory lane.
