Airings on Design by Area Aesthetics

High Point Market Spring 2015 Roundup: The Color Story

Eleven million square feet of showroom space spread over 180 buildings, upwards of 75,000 buyers and non-stop professional, networking and social activities that go on for days… if you’re in the interior design industries, there’s no place on Earth quite like the bubble that is High Point Market.

 

 Spring Market was a tour de force; the mood was upbeat, and the many designers - new friends and old -  with whom I chatted generally agreed that this Market had more to offer in the way of exciting finds, innovation and new directions than those of the past few years.  

 

The Color Story

 

The graceful retreat of the beige bunch continues to be the big color story at Market. However, many of the bright hues seen last Spring and Fall have receded into pastel tints, with softer, paler pinks and greens.

Stunning Sheridan Rd cabinet by John Strauss Furniture epitomizes the color story at Spring Market. Co-designed by Carisa Marie, wallpaper veneer by Black Crow Studios.

 

 Watery blues ranging from lush iterations of fully saturated navy and cobalt to barely there, were everywhere. The neutral palette is evolving as well, with lighter, less assertive grays and lots of crisp whites on both painted furniture and textiles.  

 

 

My favorite fabric at Market! "Rosie," a modern take on a floral in a soft neutral palette. Joe Ruggiero Collection for Sunbrella available through Miles Talbott.

 

  

Nourison's Couture line of area carpets in saturated watery blues were a standout.

Area Carpet by Paula Grace Designs, Ottoman by Taylor Burke Home, Navy sofa by Jennifer Taylor

Copper was big again this Market, but the earthy tones of aged copper and verdigris have given way to pinker influences and a more refined, highly polished iteration that approached rose gold, giving the finish a more upscale look.  I've been admiring the top of the line Apple Watch since I first saw it, completely taken with the stunning combination of the rose gold case with the rose gray band.   So I wasn't surprised to find myself enchanted by this chair from Midj in their "pink gold" finish.    

Midj "Apelle" Armchair in "pink gold" finish

And there was lots more - lamps, casegoods, seating and, of course, an abundance of tabletop accessories sporting this fresh metallic look.   

Desk with copper trim from Sunpan Modern "Club" Collection

Lamp with glass copper base from Trend Lighting, Cocktail table from Zuo Modern, Planters from Three Hands

 

More to come from Spring 2015 High Point Market!  Next Post: "Upholstery Goes Architectural"

 

The Color Story at High Point Market: Bright and Bodacious

High Point Market is Mecca in the world of interior design, a mashup of interior style that draws upwards of 75,000 designers, retailers and manufacturers from around the world for a bi-annual furnishings fest spread over 180 buildings in more than 11million square feet of showroom space. 

I go into overload by day 3, already having snapped hundreds of photos and past the point where I can identify the source of most without relying on my copious notes.  But as I progress through the Market, what remains clear and evident is the season’s color story.  And the Fall 2014 market just ended was no exception.

In short, this season’s color story was bright and bodacious. The muted tones of years past have definitely faded into the background as attention-grabbing saturated color in “happy hues” commanded center stage almost everywhere you looked. 

Fortunata 

The blues are still with us, but they’ve taken a decided shift from the steely muted tones and nods to purple that we’ve seen in recent years towards the blue-green side of the spectrum.  Teals, turquoise and peacock were popular iterations from both sides of the Atlantic.

 

Mr. Brown London                PolART Designs           Taylor Burke Home

 

Muniz

I was delighted to see orange wake up this season as persimmon which was popping in both furnishings and accessories.  Among my favorites in this vein was the design team of John Strauss and Carissa Marie who showed a range of furnishings, both painted and upholstered pieces, with this bright fresh look that felt new and modern.

 

John Strauss Furniture Design, Green Bay Collection Bed and Nightstand, Gable Bench

 

JBB Home for Stanford Furniture

Big, bold punches of hot pink were another market trend seen in accessories and paired with neutrals in some striking fabrics.  It is a perfect counterpoint to gray, which is now definitely ensconced as the modern neutral with its more assertive presence.

Pillows by Dransfield & Ross, tabletop accessories by John Richard Collection, Derring Sectional by Kravet

Design with a Sense of Humor - Home Accessories to Make You Smile

Finally after 12 days of rain, the sun came out yesterday, only to disappear again behind this morning's thunderstorms.  It's been a gloomy two weeks of gray skies and and indoor living.  It helps to have things in your home that make you smile.

For me, it's framed photos that bring back memories of fun times and some of the pieces in my collection of John Lennon's artwork. (A great songwriter,  but also a great humorist, which comes through in many of his drawings.) Then there's the "happy mistake":   The bathroom the painter painted the wrong color - but which I ended up keeping because every time I walked in the room, it made me smile.

Walking thorough ICFF this year, there were a few home accessory designers who set out, tongue in cheek, to give you a chuckle and, perhaps, bring a smile into your home.  

The first table I saw at the back of the show in an area known as "The Mart"  was Heather Lins Home. I immediately loved this couple. They were having a great time exhibiting their line of  screen-printed accessories and were fun to talk with. Heather calls her business a "doodle factory" where sketches grow up to become real things. She's inspired by the ordinary and has based her collection on images that are readily identifiable but show up somewhere unexpected.

Her square and rectangular "Conversation Pieces" are a series of  throw pillows that she calls "an ode to the art of conversation."   Her "Eye Chart," with what appears to be a slightly blurry rendition of the familiar on a  17" x 17" pillow, is packaged with a pair of 3-D glasses that will bring this playful take on an icon of modern life into full focus.  Heather also showed a line of place mats, napkins and coasters called Numbered Edition.

Further down the aisle where the British were bringing their wry humor to the party, I found Thelermont Hupton. This award-winning team of designers from London reinvent everyday objects with an irreverence for the mundane.  They showed a range of witty home accessories and table top items, but it was their collections of wall hooks that brought a smile to my face.  "Hand Jobs,"  lacquered coat hooks - or wall art, if you prefer - are modeled on familiar hand gestures.  The kitchen themed "Stuck on You Hooks" are described by the designers as "pre-thrown cutlery."

(Click on pictures for full-sized photos.)

MAD About Bean - Limited Edition Rugs by the Noted Ceramic Artist

Discovering an artist after his work has already been curated in such vaunted venues as The Whitney Museum of American Art, the Smithsonian Institute and the White House Collection of American Crafts among others, often means that acquiring his work will probably be out of reach for most of us.   Fortunately for us, works by  Bennett Bean, noted ceramicist, sculptor and painter who brought his unique sensibility to textile design in collaboration with Elizabeth Rand, remain very accessible.

Last week The Museum of Art and Design (MAD)  feted Bean on the occasion of  the introduction of a collection of area carpets   that were commissioned by the museum in honor of its inaugural.  The limited edition collection, "9 for 09", which was unveiled at ICFF,  is exclusively available through The Store at MAD. 

 

Although he has worked in a variety of media and one of his minimalist sculptures is in the Whitney's permanent collection, Bean is most recognized for his ceramic arts.  With influences ranging from Japanese and Native American pottery to the works of  English potter Bernard Leach,  Bean works in the vessel tradition.  Pit-firing earthenware vessels, he uses a variety of techniques to apply elaborate decorative motifs post-firing, producing masterful works of complex form and color.

The "9 for 09" collection was inspired by Bean's ceramic works with mesmerizing motifs of color that appear to overlay the ground in successive layers.    Available in three designs, in two colorways each, the carpets are 100-knot Tibetan silk and wool and are offered in both 5' x 7' and custom sizes.  

For a limited time, a number of the ceramic pieces which inspired the collection will also be available through The Store at MAD.

If you're in the area and  haven't  yet visited MAD,  which is located on Columbus Circle in Manhattan, this is certainly a good reason to plan that outing.

 

Through the Looking Glass - The Whimsy and Fancy of Furniture from Straight Line Designs

With the weekend upon us, it's definitely time for some fun!  And what could be more fun than the imaginative, quirky furnishings of Straight Line Designs. 

Just when my aching feet were begging to call it a day at ICFF,  I saw what at first glance I thought was a slinky little black dress being used as an installation prop.   Now my feet are no match for my shopping mojo when it comes to anything slinky and black ,  so I headed down the aisle to get a closer look. 

But all is not what it seems in Wonderland.  That little black dress turned out to be a little black dresser from the mind of Judson Beaumont, who turns the outrageously fanciful into furnishings that make you smile. What tweeny-teeny budding fashionista wouldn't love one of these hanging in her bedroom?  (And, I bet there's more than a few post-teens who would love it as well!)

Judson,  who is based in Vancouver,  says he is inspired by Walt Disney, Dr. Seuss and Saturday morning cartoons,  as well as likes of Phillipe Starck and Frank Gehry.  And it shows. Melding his interest in childlike imagery and design with exquisite craftsmanship,  he creates extraordinary furnishings for children and the child in us all. 

Interesting and whimsical with a bit of the anthropomorphic thrown in - what could be more fun than Judson's Sobey Dressers. Unless it's his Knick Knack shelves.

 

Take a look at Straight Line's web site and don't forget to peek at Judson's sketchbook - it's a trip down the rabbit hole that just gets "curiouser and curiouser."   Trust me, Lewis Carroll has met his match! 

(Click on photos for full sized images.)

Pomp and Circumstance - Artistic Lighting and Accessories from John Pomp

Okay, here's the Pomp part... John Pomp, an incredible Brooklyn-based artist whose blown glass collections of tabletop items totally captivated me last year with their vibrant colors and definitive lines, just blew me away at ICFF with this chandelier.

A collection of hand-blown glass orbs housed in a simply framed glass box enclosure,  I'm convinced it's called the Infinity because you just want to look at it forever.  One of the most commanding fixtures i've ever seen, the surprisingly low 6-watt candelabra bulbs just  sparkle through the irregularly shaped orbs, magnifying the luminance as they seemingly dance off each other in a festive celebration of light.  

Now here's the not-so-great circumstance... if you desperately covet this chandelier and are thinking, "I wouldn't change a thing," you had better be doing your thinking in a pretty large space.  The Infinity, available in two sizes, 54" x 30" and 48" x 20" x 20", with considerable length in the drop as well,  is undoubtedly aimed at the hospitality market.   

According to his studio, John will create a custom version for an upcharge,  and he does have a vertically-oriented version that measures 12" x 12" x 24".  But wouldn't it be nice to see this design scaled down to something that can be comfortably accommodated over your dining room table?

Are you listening, John?

(Click on photos for full size pictures.)

"Where's the Bed?" - Clei's Incredible Convertible Furniture

Five or six years ago I wrote an article about the smallest studio I ever designed - a paltry 225 square feet of living space - which seems to have a life of its own on the internet. Rarely does a month go by without a few calls from prospects hoping I will help them figure out how to manage their entire lives in a space that is often dwarfed by what our suburban neighbors usually turn into a walk-in closet.

Although I think  a convertible sleeper sofa is fine for the occasional guest, as I said in that article, I'm not a fan of the arrangement  for everyday use with its demanding nightly pull-out-the-bed ritual that usually involves rearranging some of the other furniture in the room as well. I've worked with many clients who have just given up, leaving the sofa bed open and the coffee table and other furnishings that had to be moved strewn dysfunctionally around the room. The other seating and oftentimes the tabletops are then permanently occupied by the displaced sofa cushions. The studio may be working as a somewhat disarrayed and cluttered bedroom, but at that point, it has ceased to function on any other level.

So I'm always on the lookout for great convertible furniture -  with easy to open and stow beds that minimize the daily inconvenience and disruption, and look fabulous as well. 

One of my great finds at ICFF this year was Clei's convertible pieces available from Resource Furniture.  Beautifully designed, they are so incredibly inventive that you will find yourself wondering,  "Where's the bed?"  Many never even alter the footprint of the furniture when opened and all have been designed with an eye towards convenience.

The Cabrio is a spacious seven foot desk  which lifts up to reveal a twin bed. No need to remove anything from the desktop!

The Atoll wall system drops the bed over the sofa without displacing anything on the shelf above.

Not what you expect! Two bunk beds from one sofa, available in two sofa styles.

(Click on photos for full sized versions)

This post would go on for days if I showed you just half of what I loved. So if you're local, head into their showroom at 969 Third Avenue in Manhattan. If not,  do check out the "Space Savers" section on Resource's web site.

ModKat - A People-Friendly Litter Box

Earlier tonight, I was sifting through the literature-laden tote bags and the 70-odd photos I took at ICFF a couple of weekends ago.  My trade show rule is to let it sit for a week or two and then see what really stays with me.  Of the 30 or 40 items that made an impression,  most turn out to be fleeting and only a handful are really lasting. 

This year, fewer than usual have made the cut.  While I'll get around to posting most of my favorites in the next few days, in honor of my bulldog Spike's 5th Birthday today,  I thought I'd tell you about my favorite accessory from this year's show which happens to be a pet accessory.    

A client once asked me to figure out where to put her cat litter box.  There was no room in the bathroom and, like most new construction in New York City, her apartment  afforded none of the nooks and crannies or out of sight hallways that you can find in pre-war buildings.    We ended up ordering a small wooden bench with an open side, which we faced away from the sightline, into which a litter box could slide. 

It was a serviceable, but far from perfect, solution.  The bench could be placed in plain sight without giving away its secret, but there still remained the problem of "wandering litter" as the cat left the box.  And while the agile cat had no trouble getting in and out,  it was a bit less convenient for a human being to scoop.

The ModKat Litter Box I saw at ICFF,  is  a stylish, fresh approach to litter box design that promises to best the "wandering litter" problem as well.  As the name implies,  it will look best in modern interiors, but no matter your style, it is unquestionably a great improvement over the standard litter box look.  A perfect blend of form and function,  it comes with a washable, reusable deep liner making it an eco-friendly choice as well. As someone who can't figure out how to get the cat box liner out of the box without spilling half of the litter on the floor (yes, Spike lives with some feline friends), I especially appreciated that the designers have incorporated handles on their liner for easy lifting.

It won't be available until later this summer, but you can sign up on ModKat's Web site to learn about availability.

As for Spike,  I'm afraid the days of poking his nose into the litter box to see what those cats are up to, are soon over!

ICFF Best of Show - Stunning Glass Furniture from Glas Italia

For the second year running,  I have to give my ICFF "best of show" kudos to Glas Italia. I discovered this company a few years ago at ICFF and always make a beeline for their booth upon entering the show.

Glas Italia has mastered the art of glass furnishings with unexpected design and extraordinary craftsmanship that makes even their largest tables seem weightless.

Last year, I couldn't tear myself away from their Post Modern  line of baroque-legged tables.  A stunning blend of styles, they are available in dining and low table heights with round, oval, square or rectangular tabletops that seem to float on air. 

This year, did not disappoint. The new Wireframe line of low occasional tables is a whimsical series of twisted and irregular box-like forms executed in tempered glass so transparent that I had to touch them to convince myself the surfaces really existed between the piped edges.  Edging is available in black, white, lime green and red.   

Another new introduction this year at the show, was a stunning, finely-detailed three-panel etched glass screen that was flawless in its execution.

(Apologies for the poor photography - lighting in the Javits Center doesn't lend itself to the best shots.)

International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF)

If you're near New York City,  you may want to check out the International Contemporary Furniture Fair  which opens to the trade this Saturday at the Javits Center.  The show sells tickets to the public for its closing day, Tuesday May 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Most trade events are hit or miss for me.  Given my busy schedule, and that I live in a city with so many design centers that you can see almost anything on the market at your convenience,  it's not always my highest priority.  But I make it a point never to miss ICFF.   It's the one place I always find new and exciting furnishings,  including a lot of innovative lighting, kitchens and seating.  

Too, it really is an international show. Some of the best in contemporary furnishings comes from Italy, Spain, Japan and, more recently, South America from where we also see a lot of new exciting materials introduced.

If you're only going to do one home show a year, this is the one not to miss!

I'll post some photos from the show this weekend.