Items of Interest - Part 2

There has been a surge in the design world with brass and copper.  What has been thought to be 'traditional' (and sometimes tacky in it's likeness to gold) is now regarded of as 'cool' and 'refined'. The Cloche lamp by Lars Beller Fjetland fits perfectly into this scenario. By creating an anchored cast iron base, the ash wood stem of the lamp rises elegantly to the bell-shaped shade which were made in either brass or copper - I think that the copper adds that extra little bit to it. The piece comes in four essay to assemble parts and really plays to the Norwegian designer's fascination with how materials and form work together.  Unfortunately this piece is just a prototype, but hopefully in the support of up-and-coming designers we will be able to have pieces like this on our projects soon.

Trendland

A Concrete Idea

Architectural Digest - Michael Weschler Photography

I am a little behind in my reading and so I was going through April's Architectural Digest (okay, I'm a lot behind on my reading) and was struck by the article on the new David Zwimer Gallery by architect Anabelle Selldorf.  The article features the amazing five story staircase and it's wood board imprinted concrete walls (see image above). I have loved concrete as an interior building material and am constantly amazed at how creative and boundary pushing designers are with this material.  No longer do I think that people associate it with being a cold material, but rather that it adds an element of bespoke design that some might say is unparalleled - where else can you find a material that will literally take any form or impression you give it? 

Design Milk

Apartment 34

Randy Weinstein Design

Archdaily

Objects of Desire

ModGirl

I'm also loving the fact that concrete is being used for furnishings - whether lighting or exterior furniture. Some of my favs are below.

Loop Chair by Willy Guhl via DesignBoom

Heavy Desk Light from Benjamin Hubert via Dezeen

Workstead

Since we moved to New York, I have always thought of Brooklyn has been Manhattan's hipster cousin - everything is a little cooler, industrial and rough around the edges.  So it was no surprise to me when I discovered the design studio Workstead was Broolkyn-based.  A young firm founded in 2009 by RISD graduates, Workstead bring a breath of fresh and exciting air to the design world.  They a fantastic eye for detail and understanding of materials (see previous post here) and have translated that cool Brooklyn vibe giving their projects a little edge while still keeping a clean aesthetic.    

Workstead

Christophe Côme

Happy April to all.  Well it has been quite the month, and I have to say I'm happy to see the end of March.  I know it has been a while since I posted and thought that a good step back into the blogging world would be through an artist whose work I am currently fascinated with.

Christoph Côme is a Paris based designer who in my opinion is a true craftsman. Working in glass, metal and lavastone, he creates the most incredibly sculptural pieces of furniture and lighting - really more art objects than furnishings.  With a keen eye for design and unique modern takes on form, color and pattern, Côme creates pieces that have the ability to stand alone in any space.  We recently commissioned a piece for a project and I was truly speechless when it was installed. The detailing was perfect, the precision of material was unparalleled and it really is a piece of art.

Triscota Cabinet 2011 - textured iron with grey patina, glass

Sconces - iron with matt nickel, glass

L’onyx chandelier 2008 - iron & onyx

Screen - iron & glass

Tube cabinet - iron, glass rods

Red lava cabinet 2010

All photos courtesy of Christophe Côme

Quintessentially New York

Last weekend we had a close friend visiting and another couple in the city so we thought that it would be the perfect opportunity to introduce them to a New York brunch!  As I am ever curious on food and interiors in the city we decided to settle on Colicchio & Sons Tap Room in Chelsea.  The interior is a great mix of the raw industrial warehouse interiors we so often find in that part of town, and a very simply designed and detailed high end restaurant   There is a great mix of raw steel, leather and wood, and the lights that hang above the back dining room are simple steel rods with a tub bulb attached (see second image below).  The food was a fantastic compliment to the interior, and we were all incredibly impressed with each dish ordered (note - the french toast was to die for and is a MUST).

Colicchio & Sons

NY Grub Street

Inspired By

Lanterns!  I have been missing London recently - must be the back to work blues after our trips there this summer - and wanted to share with you one of my favourite pieces of lighting done best by the British.  In the time I spent working in the UK, I did a lot of research and sourcing of lanterns for use on our projects.  This hasn't stopped since working here in New York, and in fact, I seem to be using them on all my projects lately. I am a fan of simplicity rather than all the extra details that one can find and tend to air on the side of over-scaled for ceiling fixtures as to me it gives a sense of presence in the space.  Lanterns also make me think of fall with their warm glow - especially when there are candles inside - and as today feels like the turning of the seasons here I thought it only fitting. Hope you have a wonderful Monday and here is to another week!

Anna x

Wall Lanterns

Howe London

Shades of Light

Remains Lighting

Hanging Lanterns

Charles Edwards

Holly Hunt

Charles Edwards

I thought that I would share some of my favorite images of Lanterns in spaces as well as I think not only is the form and scale of the fitting important, but it is great to see them in spaces.

House and Home - Photographer Michael Graydon

Pinterest

Pinterest

Jamb

Lee Broom

I have been searching for inspiration on a new project here in the city, and when I am stuck I always find myself heading back to old faithfuls that I know will shed some new ideas.  This time is no exception, and what I have found has inspired me indeed. UK based  Lee Broom has an eye for design, detail and materiality that really pushes the envelope. He has a new series of lights (well bulbs) that I think are just incredible.  The idea of clustering many different drop fittings together is nothing new, however what Lee has done is change the bulb! Like a filament bulb the source is the fitting, but with these you get a little sparkle and glamour while still keeping the fitting as simple and uncomplicated as possible. LOVE! 

This lamp is another of my favourites. Again, he has taken a tile and changed the way we look at it.  Creating large-scale table lamps out of different tile components. I think that these would jazz up any space and help to add a little texture!

And although I wanted to focus on lighting I couldn't do a post without including one of my favorite pieces of furniture - The Carpetry Sideboard. Drawing it's inspiration from Persian rugs, this collection put a modern twist with it's more muted color patelle and re-interpretation of pattern.  

 All photographs courtesy of Lee Broom