Thoughts : ICFF 2011

The ICC, international contemporary furniture fair 2011 at the NYC Jacob Javits CenterThis article is written partially in response to the video posted by the lovely Grace Bonney from Design *Sponge expressing her disappointment with this years ICFF (international contemporary furniture fair) 2011 which you can see and read here, and partially are some of my own thoughts about the show.

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Sadly for me the show was a terrible disappointment and although I am glad that I went and was able to find a handful of interesting things, I would have to think twice before again spending the $50 registration fee to attend.

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Ingenuity : Can Delight

Unique suspended lights made from recycled spray cans.Unique suspended lights made from recycled spray cans.Unique suspended lights made from recycled spray cans.The Can Delight: Suspended lights made from recycled spray cans, painted and fitted with par lamps. These clever little fellas were designed for the Light Gorilla competition by the Slovenian based Zek Crew.

Please credit responsibly. Photos via zek.si.
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Rare & Beautiful : Cabinet-Vitrine

Cabinet-Vitrine, a carved narra wood cabient by Belgian Art Nouveau architect and furniture designer Gustave Serrurier-Bovy.Cabinet-Vitrine 1899: A masterfully carved wood Art Nouveau style cabinet designed by the Belgian architect and furniture designer Gustave Serrurier-Bovy.

Currently this on display at the MET in gallery 556.

Copyright © 2000–2011 The Metropolitan Museum of Art. All rights reserved.
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WordPlay : Leatheroma

leather plus aroma equals leatheromaleather + aroma = leatheroma

Inspired by “Truly love the smell…look and feel of very old, worn-in, cracked leather.” Jenne Lombardo -tweeted march 10th 2011
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Events : Rare Earths “Fluorescentball”

Kava Gorna at the museum of art and design Rare Earths FLUORESCENTBALL young arts parton gala benefit.Tapp Francke at the museum of art and design Rare Earths FLUORESCENTBALL young arts parton gala benefit.The Fluorescentball which is the MAD museums annual young patrons gala is this coming Monday, May 16, from 7:00 p.m. – Midnight. More info and tickets here.

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Art shown is, 1. Untitled (Blair’s Room), 2008, by Kava Gorna and 2. Peace, 2010, by Tapp Francke.

It looks like it will be a blast and maybe just maybe I will get lucky enough to go.

Please credit responsibly! Peace photo by Beth McNeill.
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Events : Rankin Live @milkstudios

Submit for a chance to be photographed for Rankin Live at Milk Gallery in NYC.Are you a stylish New Yorker? Here is a rare opportunity to be photographed by the world famous British portrait and fashion photographer John Rankin Waddell, aka Rankin. The five day event will be held at the super cool NYC based collaborative Milk Studios.

Details:

The legendary photographer Rankin is bringing his LIVE! Portrait shoot to MILK Gallery from June 1-5. Rankin and his team will shoot, retouch and print around the clock for five days, creating and hanging an original exhibition in the process.

THE CALL IS OUT – Rankin is inviting New York’s exceptional and stylish personalities to his set.

If you’re over 16, submit a photo of yourself and explain (briefly) “why” to rankinliveusa@rankin.co.uk
The most original applicants will be selected and invited to Milk Gallery for their personal shoot.

Each portrait will cost $100. All proceeds will go to Oxfam.

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Work & Play : Richard Serra

American Minimalist Sculptor Richard Serra at work on his etchings and paintstik compositions in California around November 1990.American artist and minimalist sculptor Richard Serra working on some etchings and paintstik compositions, at Gemini G.E.L., an artist’s workshop and publisher of limited edition art prints in Los Angeles, California, around November 1990.

Please credit responsibly! Photo by Sidney B. Felsen. © Gemini G.E.L., Los Angeles, California, 2001
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Dubbed : Kate Moss for French Vogue

Inspired by my last weeks “Inspiration” post featuring the beautiful Kate Moss for Paris Vogue. See full post here.

1. Kulms Chair 01 : A stackable wood chair designed by Tokyo based design firm Nagatomo Jan. 2. Italian 1960’s, artistic hand blown Mazzega glass table lamp. 3. Square Spot Table by Tom Dixon. 4. Italian 1980’s, Franco Gavagni blue fractal resin coffee table.

For purchasing info please contact me here.

A 1980 Italian blue- ractal resin coffee table from Franco Gavagni.

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Inspiration : The Hotel Tugu

A colorfull and organic entrance interior in a Malang hotel.From the “Getting Lost in Java” article in this weeks NY-Times Travel section; I love the organic shape of the entrance to this colorfully painted corridor at The Hotel Tugu in Malang, Indonesia.

Please credit responsibly! Photo by Jes Aznar for the New York Times.
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Ingenuity : Rhythm of Light

The rhythm of light. A design video by Dutch designer Susanne de Graef.

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Wordplay : Splatter

Fragile Glass Bulbs = Splatter

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Inspiration : Secret Garden

Although we are still in the midst of a very cold spring I cant help but look forward to spending some quiet time at this mostly unknown Catskill NY lake which is on my favorite getaway places in the world.  Although I love to share, she is sacred and still very much unpopulated and thus I must keep her location a secret. I feel as if she is my very own secret garden.

Please credit responsibly! Photos by Naftali Stern for theBohmerian.com.
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On Display : Color Moves – The Art of Sonia Delaunay

Ukranian born Jewish French artist, textile and fashion designer Sonia Delaunay at the art studio of her husband Robert Delaunay 1924.Rythme Coloré  a abstract oil on Canvas by Ukranian born, French Orphic-Cubism artist Sonia Delaunay.A fashion rendering by French abstract artist and textile designer Sonia Delaunay.Tissu Simultané. A block printed silk designed by Ukranian born French abstract artist and textile designer Sonia Delaunay.A coat designed and made by Sonia Delaunay for American actress Gloria Swanson.Design 945, a set of five fabric designed by Ukranian born, French textile and fashion designer Sonia Delaunay.A fabric sample by French abstract artist and textiel designer Sonia Delaunay.Color Moves – and exhibit featuring the Art and Fashion of Ukrainian born, French abstract artist and textile designer Sonia Delaunay. Currently on view at the Cooper-Hewitt in NYC until June 19th 2011.

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Sonia Delaunay is primarily known as an abstract painter and colorist, yet she also greatly contributed to fashion, interior design, film, theater and the primary focus of this show, textiles. Most of the works featured in this exhibit are of her 1930’s textile designs for Amsterdam based Department Store Metz & Co., and of fashion designs she created through her own Paris based design Atelier.

Some lesser known facts about Sonia Delaunay is that she was Jewish and together with her artist husband Robert Delaunay they started the little known Orphism, or Orphic-Cubism art movement.

The exhibit is unique, fresh, dynamic, and I would strongly suggest going to see it before it ends. While your there you can also see the very well promoted and really fabulously displayed “Set In style” : The Jewelry of Van Cleef & Arpels exhibit that is on the main floor.

Preorder the "Color Moves" Book from Amazon.comPre-order the “Color Moves” book through Amazon.com here.

Image credits and description in order shown:
1. Sonia Delaunay (on right) and two models in the studio of Robert Dealunay. Image via Bibliotheque Nationale de France. 2. Rythme Coloré (Colored Rhythm), 1946. Image Private Collection. 3. Robe Poéme no. 1328. Image via Museum of Modern Art, New York. 4. Tissu Simultané. Block Printed Silk. France 1928.Images via Musée de l’Impression sur Etoffes in Mulhouse. 5. Coat made for American actress Gloria Swanson. France 1923-24. Image by Wolfgang Woessner. 6. Set of Five Fabric Designs – Design 945. Printed Silk.France 1929-30. Image via Private Collection. 7. Design 1044 Fabric Pattern. Printed Cotton. France 1930-31. Image via Private collection.
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Inspiration : Mad Rad Color Kate

English fashion model Kate Moss photographed by Mert Alas and Miggott for Vogue Paris magazine May 2011 issue.English fashion model Kate Moss photographed by Mert Alas and Miggott for Vogue Paris magazine May 2011 issue.English fashion model Kate Moss photographed by Mert Alas and Miggott for Vogue Paris magazine May 2011 issue.English fashion model Kate Moss photographed by Mert Alas and Miggott for Vogue Paris magazine May 2011 issue.English model Kate Moss photographed by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott for the May 2011 issue of Vogue Paris.

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Unfortunately the overlap from high fashion is hardly obvious in today’s world of Interior Design. Because more often space has to withstand longevity, people tend to be more conservative when designing and shopping for their homes.

Still I would encourage you all to glance through any and all of the many fashion magazines and pull images such as these above, as inspiration, not to be used literally, but rather as a guide for understanding how to properly layer a room with texture and color.

In due time I shall post a demonstration showing you how effective this can be.

Please credit responsibly! Images for Vogue via touchpuppet.com.
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Bohemian Finds : The Voronoi Shelf

A modern storage unit, the Voronoi Shelf, made of white carrara marble designed by Australian bron furniture designer Marc Newson.Voronoi Shelf, 2007: made of white carrara marble and designed by Australian born designer Marc Newson.
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Currently I am working on the design of some lighting fixtures that are made of marble and when I found this carrara marble bookshelf I knew I had to share.

Please credit responsibly! Image via marc-newson.com.
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Moments : Alabama Swirl

The tornado in Alabama USA.The 2011 Alabama TornadoA damaged Church in the 2011 Alabama TornadoA fallen street light in the 2011 Alabama TornadoThe 2011 Alabama TornadoLove and more love I wish to send to all those who have been effected by today’s devastating Alabama tornado. It never ceases to amaze me how determined people are to help, survive and rebuild.

Please credit responsibly! Hover for image credits.
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Inspiration : Abstract Leopard

A leopard patternd "Rockie" chair by Dutch furniture designer Bauke Knottnerus.Leopard patterned shoes by Italian shoe manufacturer Boemos.With the current craze for everything animal print, I am sure you have already noticed the abundance of leopard patterns covering everything from granny canes to chic bohemian wallpapers. Yet here are two designs whose abstract versions of the otherwise overused pattern stood out from the rest.

a. Rockie Chair by Dutch furniture designer Bauke Knottnerus.
b. Leopard Redbrick Oxford Shoes by Italian shoe maker Boemos.

Please credit responsibly! Images via baukeknottnerus.nl and hypebeast.com.
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Rare & Beautiful : ‘Uncut’ Chair

"Uncut", a anodized aluminum and stainless steel modern chair by Israeli furniture designer Ron Arad.Uncut: A anodized aluminum and stainless steel chair designed by Israeli born architect, furniture and industrial designer Ron Arad.

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Wordplay : Tastelift

face lift + taste = tasteliftface-lift + taste = tastelift

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Thoughts : Scattered Blur

Photo of "Gathered" an photo installation at the Brooklyn Museum by Brooklyn NY, born photographer and artist Lorna Simpson.Gathered : A personal photo of the “Gathered” installation by Brooklyn born Photographer and artist Lorna Simpson, which is now on display at the Brooklyn Museum.

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Of the millions of digital images that are being uploaded to the Internet every day, sometimes I just feel as if they are all a blur of similar ideas, similar things, similar expressions, similarly framed, and all of similar people trying to share their unique moment with the rest of the world. I find it all so inspiring that without any doubt, camera in hand, we truly are all the same.

Please credit responsibly! Photo by Naftali Stern for theBohmerian.com.
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Student Power : The Brooklyn 9

The Brooklyn 9 Graffiti Dresser, designed by NYSID, New York School of Interior Design student Elizabeth Kottakis.The Brooklyn 9 Dresser : Designed by my very talented and super good friend Elizabeth Kottakis.

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Inspired by the controversial Bond No. 9 Brooklyn perfume bottle, this is yet another graffiti piece that because of its overall white frame is sophisticated enough that it can easily be used in any contemporary interior. For furniture, its shape may feel somewhat postmodern, yet because of the graffiti application, in my mind, it feels rather transitional.

Liz designed this piece for her custom furniture class at NYSID.

The original inspiration, a Bond No. 9 Brooklyn graffiti design perfume bottle.

and the original inspiration……

Please credit responsibly! Design and rendering by Elizabeth Kottakis, Image via Bond No. 9.
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Inspiration : Eggshell Art

A postcard featuring egshell art by Slovenian easter egg artist Franc Grom.Postcard featuring the work of Slovenian eggshell artist Franc Grom. Most of Grom’s egg sculptures contain over 2,500 to 3,500 tiny holes, some of which take over a year to make and most are decorated with Easter themed ornaments.

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Bohemian Finds : The Secretary

The Secretary, a minimal modern steel, aluminum and leather bookcase by Chicago based American furniture designer Jonathan Nesci. The Secretary: Designed by American industrial and furniture designer Jonathan Nesci, and is made of powder-coated aluminum, steel and leather.

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This is a beautifully built, minimal modern, secretary/bookcase of which I love its height, its color and its interchangeably use. Because of its metal construction (which allows for a thinner frame then that of say wood), there is a added slenderness that gives this piece a vertical elegance which makes it suited to be used in even a somewhat traditionally designed interior.

Please credit responsibly! Images via hale-id.com.
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Sketches : Filthy/Gorgeous

A sketch for a New York City Salon designed by interior designer Naftali SternA sketch for a New York City Salon designed by interior designer Naftali SternAfter some more archive digging, here are some 3D design sketches I did while working on a NYC Hair Salon inspired by the song Filthy/Gorgeous, a once hit single by the amazingly talented American alternative disco band, Scissor Sisters.

A disoc light with the American band Scissor Sisters logo.and my initial disco themed inspiration….. the rest should be obvious!!

Please credit responsibly! Design and renderings by Naftali Stern.
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Outspoken : Cheap Shoes

A quote by Hardy Amies from his 1994 book The Englisman's Suit.___
“It is totally impossible to be well dressed in cheap shoes.”
A quote by Hardy Amies, from his 1994 book, The Englishman’s Suit.
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