Up and Coming Designers

Each and every month I flip through my issue of AD and hope to be inspired.  Design is not only my job but it truly is my passion, and I try and share as much of what inspires me with all of you as much as I can.  I love learning about new designers, and whose work we should keep an eye out for.  Well in a recent issue their outlined who we should watch in 2013 (see full article here) and I thought I would share my top 4 seeing as they have been added to my list of as well.  From East to West coast their aesthetics are different, however what they all have in common is that they are helping to shape the design world going forward and are producing some pretty amazing interiors if you ask me.  Happy Wednesday all!

David M Sutherland

David M Sutherland is an impressive Manhattan based designer with a strong masculine aesthetic.  He uses a bold mix of materials, highlighting their textures and natural qualities, while creating interiors formed with high craftsmanship. 

David M Sutherland Inc.

MW Works Architecture + Design

Based in Seattle MW Works have a clean, crisp West Coast modern aesthetic.  Their mix of indoor/outdoor spaces is perfectly fitting with their location, and although each detail is thought through, I don't really get the impression that things are over designed   Best to keep it simple and let the details and materials speak for themselves.

MW Works Architecture + Design

Tommy Clements

The son of renowned designer Kathleen Clements, and now a partner at her Los Angeles based firm Kathleen Clements Designs, Tommy has helped shape the interiors we see from this firm.  With celebrity homes under his belt all over the country, there is a soft accessible side to their aesthetic, however one can see little pops of a more rustic urban aesthetic working its way through. 

Kathleen Clements Designs

Ashe + Leandro

This design duo based in New York have a relatively young firm of five years, however with their experience in Architecture and set design, it is clear to see that their projects speak to their years of experience at some of the top design companies in the city.  To me Ashe + Leandro are a breath of fresh air mixing colours, patterns and textures to make livable yet stylish interiors.

Ashe + Leandro

To the Mountains I'd Go

Especially if I had a winter escape like this! Nestled in the nordic mountains in Sweden, this getaway was built in the style of a traditional log cabin, yet when you get inside it is way more stylish! With all the cold weather we have had over the past week I surely would love to have a place to spend the weekend out of the city.  I love the whitewashed timber interior walls and the wide open spaces.  The furnishings are simple and are in keeping with the Scandinavian vibe and location. Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend. 

Trendland

Ministry of Design

At the beginning of the week I showcased the amazing creativity of some incredible designers with their contribution to the anniversary of an amazing fabric (see post here).  Well, while all of their work is amazing, one firms has really inspired me on another level.  With offices in Singapore, Beijing and Kuala Lampur, Ministry of Design is hardly a small firm, however they are pushing the boundaries of materials, textures and creativity with their designs and I for one am impressed. I think that it's best to let the photo do the talking - enjoy the eye-candy! 

All Photos courtesy of Ministry of Design

Hallingdal 65

Designed in 1965 by Nanna Ditzel for Kvadrat, Hallingdal 65 fabric has become a staple of the design world. Made of wool and viscose and available in pretty much every colour of the rainbow, this one fabric has taken it's place amongst design icons in a different way - covering them.  In celebration of this fabric stay power within the industry, Kvadrat has decided to showcase it by inviting up-and-coming designers to "see what the fabric can do".  I know that it seems like a strange thing, and many people might not directly know this material, however I think that when it comes to the design world the idea of looking all it's parts - including fabrics - is essential.  Not to mention what a great idea to have all these amazing applications! Click here to see the complete collection as it is creative, inspiring and full of amazing designers.

Simon Hasan - Bench

Jean-Baptiste Fastrez - Hammock

Ministry of Design - Pouf

Small Projects - Chaise Longue

Pauline Deltour - Table with Magazine Rack

All photos courtesy of Kvadrat Hallingdal 65

Quintessentially New York

It was my hubby's birthday last week and I wanted to plan something really special. We have wanted to visit SD26 ever since we saw the movie on the Vignelli's (see post here), so when the oportunity to have dinner at thje chef's table came up I thought this would be the perfect occasion. Situated in the heart of the flatiron district, this modern Italian restaurant features comefort food in a stylish setting. The uncomplicated interior is In perfect style to when we have know to expect and love about this dynamic Italian duos work. With a simple palette and iconic pieces (the dining chairs are Mies van de Rohe), the restuant interior is modern yet timeless, and allows the food to do all the talking - and talk it does. We had a truly wonderful evening and dining experience and you can be sure that this will be on our list of places to visit again!

Top Restaurants

Happy 10th Birthday

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Louis Ghost Chair. Designed by Philippe Starck and distributed by Kartell, this modern chair has managed to transcend tastes and styles. I find it fascinating how design evolves and how pieces of furniture become design icons. When we look back, designers like Le Corbusier, Charles and Ray Eames, Rens Risom and many more have all designed pieces of furnture that decades later we are still swooning over and that still feel so current in the aesthetics of today.  This is why I find it fascinating that after only ten years the Louis Ghost has become an icon (let me be clear that I do not think that this chair is necessarily on the same level as say the Eames Lounge chair, however it ticks a lot of the boxes that make a piece of furniture iconic).

The thing that I find fascinating about the Ghost is that it has an incredible ability to meld into any interior. Whether a traditional or modern space, due to the design and simplicity of material, this chiar works well really no matter where it lives.  This being said I enjoy it much more in more timeless, traditional interiors that seem to balance out it's stark modernity.  While they now come in a large and small size as well as many different solid and opaque colorus, my favorite is still the classic clear.  As you can see from the images below, it really is a ghost.

via

Karma Just Far

Pinterest

Pinterest

Pinterest

Pinterest

The Caledonian Mining Expedition Company & French by Design

House Beautiful

If you have a moment and are interested for it's 10th anniversary, Kartel have taken photos of the Louis Ghost all around the world.  This one from London does pull at my heart strings a little, but many more can be seen in this video here.

Kartell

An Inspiring 2013

Well, let me start off by saying Happy New Year to you all! I am sorry for the delayed message (you can still say it even on the 4th right?), but as you all know holiday are crazy times with family and friends and life just seems to take over sometimes.  We had a wonderful time in Toronto visiting friends, trying new restaurants and enjoying the snow.  Back to work this week and things are in full swing.  I have a couple of projects installing here in Manhattan in March/April and so it is the last push to get all the details done on any outstanding items and start thinking about accessories. I have been pinning quite a bit lately and thought that I would start the year off with a little Pinterest inspiration!

I hope you all had a truly wonderful holiday season and here is to a very lucky 2013!

A x

Arch Daily

Yatzer

Contemporist

Hooked House

The work of Russian photographer Andre Ermolaev have been floating around lately, and with good reason.  He has some truly incredible photos taken over Iceland and I just find them mesmerizing. Here are a few to get you excited, but to see the complete series click here.

Colossal