Recently in “Furniture Designers”

Swedish design collective Muungano was started in 1996, and began as "a critical discussion about the meaning, methods and values of design but has broadened through the years to include a commercial stance to design." For the past several years the studio has been focused on projects in or related to Africa and this collection of furniture is a result of these collaborations. The collection, Baufrica, combines the form and function of Bauhaus design with the color and pattern that is found in traditional African design. The furniture is made of waxed ash, and multi-colored lacquered tubular steel. The modular collection is upholstered in neutral grey, strengthening the weight of the bright colors native to Africa. 

It  is no secret that the depth & quality of African color appeals to me!!!!! I think Muungano's ability to use this influence in an innovative and contemporary design context is very exciting ....... the union of "north" and "south" ..... the "cold" country and the "hot" one...... blending  traditional Bauhaus grey with bright "piped" African colors ....... resulting in a harmonic use of color as an accent, but one which does not trivialize or minimize it's presence!!!!!! They have used color as an excellent "accessoration!!!!!"

The "Vanity" magazine table is designed by Dutch product designer Roderick Vos for Linteloo.  Each table is based on a system of nine compartments, each holding one magazine, the sizes are based upon the most common magazine dimensions. Included with the table is a wooden panel for one space, that can be used to place a coffee cup, a vase of flowers, or nothing!!! Beneath the table top three boxes are created, each can hold additional volumes of the magazines. Vos created two designs for this sleek table, one square and one rectangular, both having a matte black coated steel frame ...... taking a "problem" and creating a stunning "solution" is his design formula!!!!

Vos's message to his clients is simple ...... "I don't want to be constantly entertained, or entertain others. I want to make you happy with beautiful useful pieces. Objects that exude aesthetic pleasure. Strong shapes that feel beautiful, good and true. Such sensations are nothing to be ashamed of."

The "Vanity" table is perfect for "the accessorator," ....... I am a magazine junkie, who lives in a constant state of magazine mess ...... piles covering every surface, including the floor!!!!

These over-the-top, "fastastical creatures" .......... designed by Marcel Wanders for Bisazza (see blog 2/12/09), are a limited edition collection of tables or pouf-tavolino (ottoman). I dream about living in an all white linen beach house, "accessorated" with one of these stunning glass mosaic objects ...... a wonderful collection of books ....... and fabulous contemporary art!!!!!!!!!   That's my idea of heaven!!!!!

Catalonian Marti Guixé, living between Barcelona and Berlin, calls himself an "ex-designer." He is extremely outspoken in his "disregard" of design and works hard at pushing boundaries between design, art, and performance. Firmly ensconced in the contemporary movement, often using cheap or disposable materials, looking forward rather than backward, and forfeiting traditionalism ...... results in his more playful, less commercial, approach to design. An important example of his work is this installation, "Respect Cheap Furniture,"  an edition of 50 hand painted plastic Monoblock chair that are painted with the name of the edition. This well-known, inexpensive chair, universally accepted for it's good design, is an important addition to his series "stop discrimination of cheap furniture" begun in 2004.

I think that these chairs, part of an exhibition last fall in Berlin, are a wonderful reference to my view of our current design climate ..... nothing has value and everything is valuable!!!! Seems like an "accessorator's" dream ...... or is it a nightmare???????

Norwegian furniture designer Amy Hunting (currently living in London) has come up with this fantastic bookshelf!!! To create this innovative and exciting design, Amy has used blocks of over 20 types of wood, found in a London timber importers waste bin and cotton rope. Reclaiming these simple materials has had stunning results!!!

According to Amy, "The dogma behind this product is probably quite obvious: what can you do with blocks of wood and cotton rope? Using a knot traditionally used for sailing and fishing you can pull the strings and the shelf will disassemble. It can easily be put together again." 

Every "accessorator" is fascinated with bookshelves ...... the most fabulous place to accessorate ...... and this design is so clever and chic ...... and ecologically appropriate!!!!!!!

Amy Hunting's website 

These wonderful "new-vintage" pieces of furniture are from Blue Ocean Traders in Louisville, Kentucky. Combing reproduction antique frames with vintage linen grain sacks, from Eastern Europe, gives each piece a unique history with a modern twist. Historically, the sacks were one-off patterns; woven into the linen was either the farmer's name, initials, a specific stripe, or linen pattern. The purpose of these markings was to identify each farm, so that the sacks got returned to the correct farmer after they had been emptied. In their travels, Blue Ocean's designers put together a collection of these sacks, creating this selection of vintage-inspired furniture, each with bespoke upholstery.

This is my PERFECT find from the NY Gift Show .......... child size chairs by the design icons of the 20th Century!!!!!! Imagine a baby 1956 Eames lounge, a tot's 1958 Egg Chair by Arne Jacobsen, or Mies Van Der Rohe's 1927 Barcelona chair in mini ........... and that's just the beginning!!!!!!! This collection is available from the Australian company, Little Nest. The brainchild of Samantha Firestone, it is now distributed in the U.S. by Los Angeles representative Karen Alweil Studio.  

These designer's are the best of this century, the most influential and exceptionall!!!!! But, the idea of creating these iconic designs in miniature is over-the -top ...... a giant WOW!!!

"Plastic Classic," designed by Taiwanese industrial design student Pili Wu, combines the expensive, traditional classic design of Chinese furniture with a typical cheap, anonymous Taiwanese stool. Redefining the traditional loop chair ..... simple. elegant, and expensive,design .... into an object that is in combination with mass-produced product results in a "split personality!!"

"The Plastic Classic project began as a focus on the transformation of Taiwanese culture, hoping to represent what i thought and felt living in Taiwan. In Taiwan, plastic stools are very popular, seen on street, alleys, and by street food stalls or ban dou (traditional Taiwanese outdoor banquet, seen at weddings or celebrations). Taiwan used to be a plastic production kingdom, plastic chairs and stools have been present fot a very long time, yet interestingly nobody knows about the designer or inventor of plastic stools, but it's cheap price, simple structure and fast production has enabled its popularity, so popular that it has turned into a "classic" design that nobody has ever really noticed. Similarly, loop chair is another classic of traditional Chinese furniture, its elegant and reliable structure represents a certain social status and position." Pili Wu

I think this chair, the ultimate meaning of low-brow meeting hi-brow, is divine and would be wonderful in New York, as well as Taiwan!!!!!!!!!!

I have always adored the unique pieces of furniture from the Lebanese furniture company Bokja, the brainchild of Huda Baroudi and Marie Hibri. I first heard of the collection from a Lebanese friend who was renovating her apartment. Her architect sister, who had designed the space, took her to meet these two wonderful woman and see their furniture. The result, an immediate match was made and a stunning vintage chaise, covered in a patchwork of antique suzani textiles was sent to New York. I must admit I was very jealous when I saw it ...... it is sooooooo me!!!!!I 

Since then, I have been following the company with a passion!!! I have seen the collection in New York City at ABC Carpet & Home; in Miami, in 2008 at Design Miami; in Milan at Spazio Rossana Orlandi; last fall in Paris at Merci; and in London at Gallery Fumi. Finally, last month I was in the new Bokja store in Beirut and met Hoda!!!! She was charming and of course, as is the case in Beirut, we had friends in common...... but, most importantly, she remembered the chaise that had come to NYC!!!!! We chatted, I learned more about the company, and fell in love with a number of pieces in the store!!! 

Bokja is not the new kid on the block ........ Hoda and Marie's partnership began in 2000, when textile collector Huda, put a piece of Uzbek tapestry over one of Marie's antique chairs, to get a better look at it ..... and a collaboration was born!!! The charming, eclectic furniture combines extraordinary textiles from all over the middle east, a melange of color, patten, and often needlework, with antique furniture from the 50's, 60's, and 70's.  Each bespoke piece of furniture tells a different story and the narrative results in a name and "passport" specific to the piece. 

"Barrail designed an object the challenges conventional labels. Using the traditional engraving techniques of the Paraguayan tribe, PAI-TAVYTERA (meaning:"habitants of the city of the center of the world") to decorate a thoroughly modern chair, he seamlessly combines traditional and contemporary design techniques into a single piece. With "El Castor" Pedro Barrail confronts accepted labels to unveil an innovative design style that defies convention." Cristina Grajales Inc.

I think any object that stays with me this long is destined to be part of my "accessorations,"

unfortunately there is no room in my house for these pieces and I would hate to visit them in my storage bins!!!!!!

Christmas 2009 was absolutely AMAZING!!!! I spent two weeks in Beirut, Lebanon visiting friends and it was beyond ....... it is the chicest, most exciting and inviting city, Beyrouth is the most happening spot around!!!!! Apparently Beirut, previously known as the Paris of the Middle East, has regained its title!!!!!!!!!!!!

The city sits on the Mediterranean, a blend of ancient and contemporary culture, architecture, and design, it is surrounded by ancient cities that include Baalbek, Tyre, Byblos, and Tripoli. The weather is spectacular, as the Lebanese constantly remind you, you can go snow-skiing in the morning and water-skiing in the afternoon!!!! The international flavor of Beirut is the result of the mixture of cultures, Christians, Sunni's, and Shites. Lebanese are warm and charming, they love eating and drinking ...... and having a good time!!!! Family and friends of friends are always welcome, and adding additional guests at the last minute is done with ease. Overseas guests are treated as family and always have a wonderful time. Culturally the city is blossoming ..... the year-old Beirut Art Center presents universally acclaimed shows, featuring both Lebanese and international contemporary artists. Ashkal Alwan, founded in 1974, is invested in forging cultural connections between artists residing in Lebanon and overseas. To date, over 450 international artists and museum curators have registered for their presentation of Home Works V in April. Recently, a group of five artists reopened the Metropolis Cinema, a two theatre movie house. They plan to feature a variety of film festivals, and will have a cafe with a cinema library, to serve as a meeting place for film buffs. Beirut's restaurant scene is extensive and varied (see NY TImes 12/29/09), and packed cafes are central to the fiber of the city. There are a number of chic hotels, including The Albergo, a Relais & Chateaux property, and the newly opened Le Grey, owned by international hotelier Gordon Campbell Grey. Shopping is a major pastime for Lebanese women, and there is a wide selection of fabulous international designer boutiques. This past December a new Dior store joined the mix and according to WWD, any major designer without an outpost in Beirut is on the hunt for space ...... even Hermes is opening this fall!!! In addition, Saifi Village, the tasty shopping district downtown will soon be home to the newly renovated souks!!! Currently Saifi includes my favorite home design stores .... Nada Debs and Bokja Design, both a must stop on any Beirut shopping trip .... and also my favorite cafe Balima, designed by Annabel Kassar.

                                  Tejo Remy Chest of Drawers XS at Droog                

                                Kwangho Lee at Johnson Trading Company

                           Pedro Friedeberg at Sebastian + Barquet Gallery     

                                            Studio Job at VIVID Gallery

                                               Julien Carretero at Moss

Design Miami 2009 has a wide selection of galleries, focusing on a variety of designers. I was thrilled to see the mix of iconic pieces, including the Hand Chairs from Pedro Friedeberg and the Drawer Chest from Tejo Remy ....... mixed with the work of newer designers, such as Julien Carretero and Kwangho Lee. Included within this range of design is a wide selection of process, technique, materials and silhouette. All of the work is unique, exciting and interesting ...... a delicious feast for the "accessorator's" eye!!!!!!!!!!!

Dutch designer, Maarten Baas is the 2009 Design Miami Designer of the Year. At 31 years old, his work already had an enormous impact on the design world. According to Design Miami Associate Director Wava Carpenter, "His work has transformed the way collectors understand the landscape of contemporary design and has opened the market to a younger generation of designers. Baas pioneered the way with his first collection Smoke , his graduation project which became an international design sensation through his collaboration with New York gallerist Murray Moss."

For Miami, Baas has created an installation that includes a selection of pieces from earlier collections (the 2 horizontal images above), as well as various items that have influenced his process. His Cabinet of Curiosities is completed by the newly fabricated piece, Real Time. This work features an outer shell of irregularly shaped welded steel, surrounding a refined, well polished wooden interior. According to Design Miami Director Ambra Medda, the new work looks "like abstract monsters behaving like cabinets." It could easily have been a drawing from Where The Wild Things Are come to life!!!!" Originally conceived as a collection of cabinets, the difficulty in creating this piece has resulted in Maarten's decision to only create this single, unique "monster!!!" As he said......."NEVER AGAIN!!!"

MORE TOMORROW FROM MIAMI!!!!!!!!!!!!