Recently in “Lighting”

I was visiting two of my "tastiest and chicest" friends this past weekend ......  and I fell madly in love with this divine chandelier!!!!! It was designed by world-famous Venetian designer Gino Sarfatti for his company Arteluce, started in the early 1940's, it became the international reference point for the "modern architectural movement" in lighting. Sarfatti designed and produced over 400 amazing lighting designs over a thirty year period. His company, the foremost of the era, was innovative in materials, production, technologies, light sources, technical lighting effects, and design aspects. Movement was an important element in his designs; standing lamps and wall mounted lights, frequently incorporated articulated metal arms, often in brass. Sarfatti designed all forms of lighting ...... chandeliers, floor lamps, wall lamps, table lamps, and sconces ....... usually including metals in his pieces. 

And, it is important to remember Sarfatti often incorporated color without fear .... the sign of a true "accessorator"!!!!!!!!!

Opened in Soho, in October, this stunning hotel was brought to life by world renowned, British hotelier's, Tim & Kit Kemp, owners of the UK's luxurious Firmdale Hotels. The duo's unique philosophy, "hotels should be living things, not stuffy institutions," is the basis of their "specialty" hotel business. While incorporating this concept in all of their hotels, this is clearly the design dictum leading their first U.S. venture. Co-owner Kit, known for her "quirky, colorful, London style,"  designed the hotel's interiors. She uses an innovative mix of color, pattern, and texture; adding a unique blend of antique, classical, and modern furniture and accessories. A modern mix of organic materials and shapes, as well a variety of foliage and flowers, also complements the hotel's aesthetic. In addition, Kit has put together an extraordinary collection of original contemporary art, that is featured throughout the hotel. Designed to be energy efficient and environmentally friendly, the hotel is aiming to get gold LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification, as well.

There are a number of innovative and interesting design elements throughout the space ..... the first one that appears is the hotel's sign. Seen from the outside of the building, through leaded glass windows, the word CROSBY is composed of individually framed collages, reminiscent of Chicago artist Tony Fitzpatrick, each including a different letter. The word STREET is a combination of vintage and new "found" letters, a la artist Jack Pierson. The visual is spectacular ....... but, unfortunately, there is an Italian shelving unit sitting inside the window that is a bit distracting ....... this is easily remedied and is my only complaint in this otherwise perfect place!!!!!

The public spaces in the hotel are fabulous!!!!! The lobby seating area includes a wonderful vintage wood frame settee covered in soft French linen, and two vitrines filled with shells, that became instant coffee tables!!!! Two "rag -rug stripe" slipper chairs finish the set up...... and in the distance are two wing chairs covered in souzani patterns!!! On the other side of the lobby is a stunning organic wooden garden bench, covered in greenery; a stone dog reclining on it, under an enormous mirror, is lit by a giant theatrical standing floodlight ...... beyond chic!!!! In addition, there is spectacular art in the lobby, including a giant 10' head made out of white letters, three divine dogs covered in comic strips, and a wonderful framed collage of a dachshund!!! YUMMY!!!!!

The Crosby Bar, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and tea, has incredible eye candy; a magical blend of pattern, print, and color!!!! In addition, hanging from the ceiling are the most spectacular light fixtures in New York City!!!!! Another wall fixture is created by telephones mounted to the wall that are lit .......... so incredible!!! Vintage tables have zinc or aluminum tops ..... chairs and throw pillows are upholstered in incredible Maharam woolen collaged textiles, designed by Hella Jongerius ....... and the banquets are covered in amazing stripes!!!! The bar has a trio of colored lucite lamps that make my heart pound!!!! I thought I had landed in "accessorator heaven"!!!!!

I am in love with this light fixture ....... I saw it hangs in a double high, glass walled media room on the water in East Hampton!!!! Created by artists Wade Guyton and Kelley Walker, the duo who make up the artistic tag-team Guyton/Walker. The fixture was part of a 2009 exhibition at Greene Naftali Gallery. The chandelier hangs approximately 5 feet long and is a combination of porcelain, light bulbs, sockets, and electrical wires. Each coconut is a ceramic mold, and each mold is created from a different, real coconut!!! The result is that each porcelain coconut is unique!!!! The piece draws reference from previous works that the pair did that included silk screens and inkjet paintings.

Lighting, as an art form, continues to fascinate me .... and while I was in Beirut, I was particularly taken by this series of 5 contemporary sconces. They line the wall of a double height staircase atrium in a stunning house owned by a Lebanese art collector. In addition to the sculptural design of each individual fixture ..... created by CAI Lighting, a trio of Beirut-based designers Christophe Hascoët, Annabel Karim Kassas & Isabel Rolland ..... an additional artistic element appears when they are lit. The scones, Splashing Drop, create a dramatic interplay of light and dark wrapping around the atrium ..... the resulting middle eastern influenced pattern becomes a mural or wallpaper. When standing in the room-like atrium, surrounded by the mesmerizing graphics, in combination with the height of the space, there is a peaceful and spiritual sensation. 

To date, illuminating Milan's opera Teatro alla Scala to resemble a bookshelf is the ultimate ACCESSORATION!!!! Mario Nanni's, "La Luce della Musica" is a visual and musical experience that takes your breath away. Opening the opera season at La Scala, this tribute to Bizet's "Carmen" is extraordinary. Nanni, the ultimate "architect of light" uses video projections and light to "highlight and compliment" the architecture of this historic structure designed by Giuseppe Piermarini (1776-78). The bookcase pattern projection is one of six that Nanni created to light the opera house. It was done as part of Milan's International Festival of Lights. Nanni is the ultimate lighting master, beginning his career as an electrician and becoming world renowned ...... this work at La Scala is monumental!!!!!!!!

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!!!!!!!!!!!

The Wreath Project 2009 was inspired by the Polish tradition of hanging a wreath on the top of a building as a sign of completion of the project, as well as a symbol of joy and feast. These handmade wreaths are created by knotting 120 silk ribbons on a wire spiral, and they are to be hung upon completion of the interior design of a home. These imaginative fixtures are available in a variety of color combinations and lengths, to be chosen by the user.

"I wish that my Wreath would be an inexpensive gift for all of those who finished redecoration- symbol of joy and good luck. Depending on needs and imagination of its owner Wreath can change color and length. It is possible to hang small decorations or other objects on it. Design invites interaction." Agnieszka Lasota

Last Sunday, I stood with my nose pressed to the glass at Moss.....begging to be let in.....but, there was no one there.....the store was closed!!! I was possessed....I had to "meet" the light fixtures that were in the window!!! I ran home to my trusty mac and started "digging," as only a deeply "addicted accessorator" can!!! I found that the artist who created this magical lighting is Andy Coolquitt. Featured in the 2009 Texas Biennial, this native Texan is currently living between New York City and Austin,Texas. Creating these fragile, poetic pieces from found "street treats," Andy uses minimal shapes and vivid colors for the "light sculptures." The work combines sophistication and and whimsey, with strong linear detail. It's innovation and interesting .....  and I can't wait to find my way back to Moss and to see it for "in the flesh"!!!!!!!! 

The above images combine works from Andy's first solo show in New York at the Lisa Cooley Gallery, as well as works that are currently available at Moss.

Award winning English designer, Lee Broom created his first furniture collections in 2007 and 2008. Called "Neo Neon" and  "Rough Diamond," the pieces were shown at the London Design Festival. Previously known exclusively for his dynamic designs of bars and clubs, Broom jumped into the furniture business with a highly narrative eye and flair for the unusual....... and he never looked back!!! In his two collections, "Lee transformed vintage furniture in it's original condition by adorning each piece strikingly with light." Both, the discarded luminaire bergere chair and the luminaire club chair have been reclaimed into sculptural works without changing their appearance, rather Broom has depended upon the element of light to bring them into this generation. The time-worn bergere relies on the addition of neon tubing, while the aged club twinkles from the addition of an array of fairground light bulbs. Both pieces rely on their iconic history, while being updated and having an air of whimsey!!! 

The chairs were re-exhibited this month in London, at the Contemporary Applied Arts Gallery, in an exhibition called "The Revivalists."  This exhibition, running concurrent to this years design festival, was curated by English design commentator Max Fraser. It reflects one of the design trends that he includes in his excellent new handbook to the London design community, LONDON DESIGN GUIDE 2010. In the book, Fraser divides the English design community into five "tribes,"  including..... the new modernists, the escapists, the reactivists, the digitalists, and the revivalists. In essence, "the revivalists are designers that celebrate nostalgia or set about subverting traditions" and these chairs are excellent examples of this "celebration!!!"

Love, love, love the Excel Lamp, I found last month at the New York Gift Show, from Manhattan-based collaborative design studio Rich, Brilliant, Willing. RBW creates environments, furniture, and products. Their design is often based on the alternative and innovative uses of various industrial and readymade materials. The company name, a clever play on their last names, is very reflective of their creative energy. The lamp, designed in 2008, reflects their design philosophy......standing a lean and lanky 7", it is wood and aluminum, and has a silk shade. Color options are black, blues, and grey. 

****Big News - RBW has created an exclusive series of store fixtures for Urban Outfitters!!! Congratulations RBW!!!!

These stunning Frame Pendant Lamps were created by Seattle based design studio Iacoli & Mcallister. Founded by Jamie Iacoli and Brian Mcallister, designers "interested in material exploration and industrial processes applied to furniture, lighting, household products, and wearables." They intentionally keep their studio small, assembling all of their pieces in Seattle, allowing them to continue their hands on process from concept to finished product. 

The hanging fixtures are available in a palette of a dozen delicious powder-coated colors, as seen above. The trapezoidal shapes are a very modern take on the lanterns of the early nautical communities of the United States. They are sold individually, in three graduating sizes 5"x5"x5". 8"x8"x8", and 11"x11"x11". In addition, the medium and large frame lights are available with a hand formed and finished corian diffuser, as seen on the right fixture.

      

   

      

The world is a very, very, very small place...even coast to coast!!! My friend Jill Smith showed me these delicious votive holders from glassybaby.....then my friend Jimmy Marden, told me that his sister in Seattle, Patrice, has a best friend who makes a great product that I should know about........guess what..... glassybaby again!!!! There are no coincidences..... the time has come to write about these spectacular, colored glass votives....with a heart of gold!!

This is an incredible story of courage, fight, determination, strength, and giving back!! Lee Rhodes is an amazing woman.... three time cancer survivor, mother of three, and entrepreneur.  Ten years ago Lee was diagnosed with a very rare form of lung cancer. Trying to bring some calm and peace into the life of her family, she bought her then-husband a series of glass blowing lessons as a stress reliever. He brought home a series of small,  colorful glass containers. "Lee placed tea lights in them and spread them around her home, feeling the chaos become calm...and glassybaby was born."  

Fast forward to 2009.....glassybaby is a multi-million dollar business with three stores, as well as an extensive website. Lee employs more than 25 glass blowers, working seven days a week, producing in excess of 1000 "babies" weekly!!! Cureently there are over 70 hand blown colors available and if there are additional colors that you can think of just tell Lee!!! 

I think more than the "gift of glass"  that Lee brings to the world, is the "gift of giving back" apparently, so much a part of who she is. She has created glassybaby goodwill, "a select group of colors that benefit local and national organizations contributing to cancer patients and cancer research."  

Thank goodness for coincidence......Lee Rhodes is an amazing woman, an inspiration to us all in so many ways.....I am so thrilled that our paths have crossed and I look forward to meeting her in Seattle next month!!!

I am obsessed with what happens to all of the empty plastic bottles that are flooding the earth!!! For some reason, this summer there are even more empty containers than usual at the dump......it is becoming really scary!!! What shall we do with all of this environmentally disastrous waste????  We know that feeding it into the sea is killing the fish and ruining the balance of nature.....SOOOOO......where does that leave us????

When I was at the gift show this past month I saw this incredible chandelier,,,,,created from used plastic bottles.... it not only looked great, but was soooo green!!! Unfortunately it was only a prop for a booth......but I think it is an amazing idea that someone should make for "real life" use!!! Don't you agree???

For as far back as I can remember, my desk of choice has always been my dinning room table!!! Sitting here, I am surrounded by files, magazine "tear-outs", pens & pencils, and a variety of scraps of paper, all covered with illegible notes!! Sometimes, I think that I would be thrilled to finally have a real "desk!!!"  If this dream desk were to become a reality, I would adore having this fixture from French designer, Pierre Guariche, to light it. This wall light, designed in the 1950's, is painted metal & brass, and that is black, white and grey. When I saw it at the Gallerie Perimeter in Paris, I felt an immediate rush of love!!! This is my favorite furniture gallerie in Paris, the focus is on mid-century French industrial furniture design. In addition, they are as creating a portfolio of edition pieces designed by today's leading European furniture designers. A"go-to" gallerie on any trip to Paris.....but please leave this fixture for me!!!!