Recently in “Design & Designers”

Antonello Fusé ...... Re-cycling Chairs to Hangers!!!

August 30, 2010 1:00 AM

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Italian designer Antonello Fusé created this collection, Abitudini, a series of hangers made from secondhand chairs. Cutting off the backs at various points, he then inserts a simple metal curve ....... resulting in fabulous hangers that are available from Italian design company Resign!!!!!

Remember "hanging your coat on the back of your chair" ......
these hangers take that thought to a new level!!!!!!

NY Gift Show ........ Wild & Wacky Umbrella Stand!!!

August 27, 2010 1:00 AM

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R.F. Yamakawa makes these crazy colored molded plastic umbrella stands!!!!

I adore the colors and think they are seriously silly!!!!

Again, I hate choices ...... but, even I don't need 7 umbrella stands!!!!

NY Gift Show ..... Color Comes to Serving Pieces!!!

August 26, 2010 1:00 AM

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Color, color, color ..... served up in style by Ladies & Gentlemen Studio in Seattle!!! 
Vintage inspired 3 pc. serving set, available in orange, yellow & antique white .....

My biggest decision is ..... which piece should be in which color!!!!

NY Gift Show ..... Handmade by Terrafirma Ceramics!!!

August 24, 2010 1:00 AM

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Handmade in NYC, Terrafirma Ceramics founded by artist Ellen Evans is soooo chic!!!
"One-of-a-kind" .... each piece is signed & dated by the artist!!!

They are the perfect new "accessoration" for my dinning table for Fall 2010!!!!! 

Now I just have to decide the plate shapes & colorway ... and which patterns I want!!!
Very difficult choices, I want everything!!!

#1 NYIGF Trend .... Young Designers Band Together!!!

August 19, 2010 1:00 AM

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JOIN DESIGN, Seattle

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OBJECT DESIGN LEAGUE, Chicago

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AMERICAN DESIGN CLUB, New York 

I am obsessed with new, innovative young designers and 
am thrilled when they have the opportunity for exposure !!!!!

These three collectives, from three different cities, 
bringing an eclectic collection of independent young designers to the Gift Show ..... 
are informative, energizing, and exciting !!!!!!!  

WELCOME .... and please come back!!!!!!

Aspen "Accessoration" #6 .... Re-cycled & Re-made!!!

August 17, 2010 1:00 AM

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I adore these unique bags created by Ilaria Venturini Fendi, 
for her company Carmina Campus. 

Ilaria believes that everything in the world can be "re-used and regenerated", thus the 2006 launch of her business combining her two passions: creativity and the environment. Her collection is synonymous with bags, accessories, and furniture that are "all made from recycled materials, entirely produced according to an ethical, eco-sustainable philosophy." Using assorted scraps of discarded fur, fabrics, leather, or any other assorted materials we tend to "toss," these bags remind us that creativity does not have to be at the expense of the environment ....... reenforcing the concept of "creating without destroying."
 
I originally saw the collection several years ago at the RE (f) USE, Ilaria's store in Rome,
then at Dover Street Market, London, followed by 10 Corso Como, Milan ...... 
and now at Distractions, Aspen!!!!
Welcome to the USA!!!!

Jasleen Kaur ..... A Dialogue Between Two Cultures!!!

July 28, 2010 1:00 AM

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In June, I was fortunate enough to see Jasleen Kaur's Royal College of Art graduate show.
It was found it intelligent, innovative, smart ...... and extremely thought provoking!!!!

I was particularly intrigued with her installation "Tools for Living." Branded "britesh made" with a well-designed logo, the project "explores how cultures continually evolve and adapt to new environments wilst keeping their traditions and subtle habits." This series of re-configured objects represent the melding of two cultures ...... blending them, rather than obliterating one or the other. They are displayed on brackets attached to pegboards, giving the illusion of being for sale in a hardware shop ....... a reference to her great granddad's peddling from door to door, and her family's current business.

Jasleen's project relates to her great granddad's move to Britan in 1950, referring to how he acclimated to living in the U.K., while continuing to honor his Indian culture. Her relationship and connection with him are also part of the project. Her "utensils," re-formulated from two distinct objects, are symbols of binding the two traditions and cultures. A prime example is the everyday stainless steel curry tray's (thaali) that are subtly changed with the addition of silver handles ........ Indian functionality joins traditional English formality. 

"He made a living from pushing a homemade cart from door to door selling goods or spotting construction sites from afar and turning up to see if there were any jobs going. He dressed like a real gentleman, like one of those proud to be British types, with a well kept moustache and tweed hat (a modern replacement for his once traditional turban). He was an in-betweener, a hybrid of both Indian and British and in his undecided state, functioned beautifully in his new surroundings."

"The thing I observe and make are how I see my great granddad and myself Although constructed from many things, they just work. Because cutlery is not really used in Indian cusine I am making a series of "tools for living" that reference everyday habits rather than etiquette. They are built for how we do things, not for how we should do thing."

Jasleen's graduate project, "design as a cultural unifier," teaches us how generations adapt and evolve in new surroundings, while maintaining their cultural roots. Her great granddad's door-to-door business evolved into a chain of family-run hardware shops in Glasglow.


Tord Boontje's Lace Designs @ Marsden Woo Gallery!!!

July 22, 2010 1:00 AM

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Low-tech materials meet traditional craft skills, in Dutch designer Tord Boontje's innovative "tatted" raffia lighting pieces exhibited at Marsden Woo Gallery, London. "The Lacemaker," this installation of Boontje's latest works, rethinks our traditional concept of what lace is. According to this world renowned designer, also the Head of Design products at the Royal College of Art, "With lace, all the value is invested in the labour and so it seemed a good idea to start working with cheap materials ... but also, by changing the material you can change the references." In addition to the lighting pieces, the exhibition has a collection of other "lace" works ...... a black webbed sofa, lace screens, a raffia trimmed mirror, a raffia dress, and a selection of jewlery.

This collection is inspired by Boontje's participation in an exhibition at the University of Philadelphia's Design Center, "Lace in Transition." He spent three days immersed in the Center's archives, studying the collection of the Quaker Lace Company, resulting in a unique collection of his own designs.

I love Boontje's simplicity of materials & innovative designs ......
used to create these fabulous "accessorations." 

They pieces are modern in visual and vintage in inspiration!!!

Instant Gratification ....... @ Vicente Wolf Home!!!!

July 21, 2010 1:00 AM

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I am a collector supreme & collections are one of my favorite "accessorations" ......
 Of course, I think two or more of anything is a collection!!! 
 
I know building a collection takes time .... but if you're in a rush .... I've found a quick fix!!!

Internationally known, Cuban-born interior designer and author Vicente Wolf can be a big help!!!! His 3000 sq. foot Manhattan loft features VW HOME, an internationally sourced selection of furniture, lighting, & accessories all reflecting Vicente's style ........ and includes a series of "collections of collections"!!!! 

So, if time is of the essence and you don't really want to "collect"..... 
But, would rather "accessorate" immediately .... 
this is the place to go!!!!

Handbag Artistry ...... Reclaimed Custom Couture!!!!

July 19, 2010 1:00 AM

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BLACK BEAUTY- Tortoise plastic, open work frame , America circa 1940. 
Black embossed calf, leather lined, braided handle.

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CONCUBINE II- Gilt French frame circa 1010.
Japanese silk textile trimmed in black mink.

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SNAKE CHARMER-  Vintage French frame, glass, marcasites, & metal circa 1950.
Python suede embroidered with vintage silver trim.

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INDIA DECO- Antique glass hand set, jeweled frame circa 1920.
Antique woven silk textile, unusual deco pattern.

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LOCKING BAKELITE FRAME- circa 1940
Hand embroidered Chinese silk, carnelian beads.

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CRYSTAL CLUSTER- Chunky lucite fame, hand carved, American circa 1950.
Contemporary French textile trimmed in clusters of multifaceted crystal beads.
Removable hand polished silver chain.

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RED FORTUNE- Antique brass filigree frame, American circa 1940.
Asian silk textile with embroidery and hand beading. Silk tassel.

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CHOCOLATE BASKET- Amber lucite frame, American circa 1950.
Italian calf with laser cut overlay.

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LEWIS & CLARK SATCHEL- Apple juice bakelite frame, American circa 1940.
Natural deerskin, hand stitched with turquoise beading. Vintage silver & turquoise pull.
Hand braided handle.

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VINTAGE BAKELITE FRAME- American circa 1940.
Hand painted asian silk

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GARDEN OF EDEN- Apple juice bakelite frame, American circa 1940.
Giant python skin purse.

Connecticut handbag designer Joy Liotta Horvath is a serious "accessorator!!" She has designed a collection of unique and stunning "custom couture" handbags, using vintage frames, unusual textiles, and novelty leathers. Her company Gioia Handbags, celebrates "the marriage of handbag artistry and the tradition of creative handiwork."  

I saw these bags over the weekend, and the collection was amazing ...... 
these are several from my immediate "must-have" list!!!!!

A Collection of Unique & Unusual Design @ Ani Inc!!!

July 16, 2010 1:00 AM

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My friend Ani Antreasyan is an "accessorator's" dream!!! 

She is a fabulous "garden guru" and the purveyor of all things "accessoration" ..... 
from antique stone Turkish garden pieces to 1950's tables & chairs ... 
and all things in between!!! 

Part of her collection can be seen this weekend at the Bridgehampton Antique Show at the Community Center ...... where her booth is an eclectic mix of the most stunning design elements and the way they are "put-together" is an inspiration for all "design divas!!!"

Remember Flip Books ???? Now, There's a Flip Chair !!!!

July 15, 2010 1:00 AM

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The "accessorator" loves to constantly change and rearrange .... and this chair fits the bill!!!
Reminding me of the flip-books of my childhood ..... it's always in motion!!!!
And I love the idea of changing the patterns endlessly!!!!

Last month at Design Miami/Basel 2010 Dutch design company Droog (see blog 12/1/09 & 12/3/09) presented New York-based designer Stefan Sagmeister's "Darwin Chair." The chair is a free swinging structure that is made up of over 200 sheets of printed Tyvek paper. Functionality is a major attribute of this chair ..... as a page gets dirty, or the owner gets tired of the pattern, it can be changed easily by flipping the pattern to the back or by tearing the page off at the perforation. The concept is similar to a large note pad, where you tear off a page and a new sheet appears with a different pattern. In addition, after tearing the pages off, the remaining perforation builds up to form a comfortable headrest!!!

Paola Navone Designs Everything & the Kitchen Sink!!!

July 14, 2010 1:00 AM

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In addition to the fabulous "finds" at Lina Kanafani's London design store Mint, which recently moved to 2 North Terrace, Italian designer Paola Navone has created the most divine kitchen downstairs ....... and "accessorated" it with her trade-mark white ceramics!!!!! Steel grey, black, and accented with red, this streamline store kitchen, with it's geometric cement block wall, is stunning!!! I love the shots of red on the hardware accenting the shallow oval marble sink ...... and the strips of red metal securing the glasses, dishes, etc. on the kitchen shelves are sensational!!! The chic simplicity of this mini-kitchen is incredible ...... so much detail & style..... so little space!!!!!

I adore the variety of Paola Navone's design work (see blog 4/21/10, 4/23/10, 5/17/10) ......... 
she is one of the design world's fantastically fabulous "accessorator's!!!" 

Bathroom "Accessorations"??? Anything's Possible!!!

July 12, 2010 1:00 AM

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I love "big-hair" ....... and these "hippy" toilet brushes from Thailand-based
design company Gumption certainly have "big-hair"!!!!
What's bigger than an Afro!!! 

My theory is you have to have great "accessorations" in every room ....... 
even the bathroom!!!

Dover Street Market ..... A Final Look at Summer 2010!

July 1, 2010 1:00 AM

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Labour & Wait, Shoreditch

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Petersham Nurseries, Surrey

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Michael Costiff's World Archive 

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Undercover Co. Ltd., Japan

Lanvin installation

On July 14, 2010 "tachiagari" starts at Rei Kawakubo's wonderfully curated shopping delight, Dover Street Market. The literal translation ..... "new beginnings" ....... refers to the three days when the store is closed for it's bi-yearly "re-do" ...... followed by it's re-opening with the new fall/winter designer collections, a selection of new resources, and inspired new shops!!!! 

But, before this metamorphous begins, I thought a final reflection on the current 
spring/summer 2010 presentation would be appreciated!!! 

The current fashion & accessory selections are extraordinary and it is fascinating to see each designer's shop reflecting the individual "personality" of their collection. I am particularly charmed by the Lanvin display ......... soooooo chic, so tasty, soooo Lanvin!!!!

The eclectic and innovative "non-fashion" installations are smart and stylish. Petersham Nurseries' main floor cut-flower stall is charming, while the fourth floor includes a chic garden shop featuring a variety of eco-friendly potted plants, as well as a unique collection of vintage & new Venetian glass vases, glasses, and paper weights. The outpost of Shoreditch's "functional products emporium" Labour & Wait has a vintage feel .... but with a modern twist. The unique World Archive collection from Michael Costiff is a treasure trove of fabulous finds from everywhere, and the center piece of Jun Takahashi's Undercover shop is a fabulous re-purposed vintage light bulb installation ........ the black, charcoal, & silver stenciled walls are stunning too!!! 

What's more "au courant" than ecology, sustainability, uniting the world, and beauty, form & function!!! This current "incarnation" is fabulous ....... but, I  can't wait to see the newest "new beginnings" on July 17th!!!!

I adore shopping at London's Dover Street Market ..... 
And I love that it closes for "re-invention" .....
That's the ultimate "re-accessoration"!!!!

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