Ok, one more and I’ll stop – but Slab by Michal Kopaniszyn for Moho Design, Poland is a beautiful rug made from pure wool. If it is possible for an area rug to have life, this one is it. From a simple background emerges a lively random burst of color. I love it. In LA at twentieth and Chicago at IQMatics.
I’m on a little bit of a kick with Polish design in general and MohoDesign in particular. How can you not love this Chicken rug (i think its a chicken). It is such a nice combination of folk art and modern graphic. 100% pure wool and available in stock and custom sizes. Checkout the other rugs available from MohoDesign, really very innovative. And because I get frustrated with a great image of something I cannot get, here are some US Dealer: IQMatics in Chicago and twentieth in Los Angeles.
Ross Lovegrove designed Cellula is a kind of floor art – very graphic and bright. The rug is available in in Woven on looms from traditional yarn and then felted. This rug can be specified in single, double or triple layered felt.
The rug is manufactured by Moho Design, a polish manufacturer of contemporary rugs.
Available at IQMatics, Chicago.
Cart Blanc by FTF Design Studio
There is something so gracious about a serving trolley. You can just see beautiful cakes and tea or artful sushi being wheeled in and offered to guests. Cart Blanc by FTF Design Studio is made from a matte white corian. There is a removable tray on the lower shelf of the cart, making it a great little piece for entertaining.
Bocci 14 Series
The 14 Series pendants are designed to be grouped together to form a sort of modern chandelier. Each light is a cast glass ball with a frosted void for either a 10 watt bocci bulb or a standard haolgen. Together, the pendants create the effect of many tiny candles. The glass has a handmade look with imperfections and bubbles that make each light cast a unique light.
The lights can be grouped in a number of configurations depending on the application. Bocci Chandeliers are available at Room.
Mike Perry, has run a design studio in Brooklyn over the past two years. He does work in design, illustration, type, art direction or art. I found him via Semigood Design in Seattle where they sell ceramic pieces with a Perry graphic. From there i visited Perry’s website Midwest Is Best - the guy has done alot of work for familar names and I found the images really compelling. If you would like to purchase a ceramic piece, check in with Semigoods.
Moooi Sofa Sale @ twentieth
twentieth in Los Angeles is offering 40% off Moooi Sofas in stock and available for immeditate delivery. I’ve seen these sofas, they are great modern pieces. Contact twentieth for more information.
Wittus Fire by Design’s Shaker wood burning stove designed by Antonio Cittero and Toan Nguyen was inspired by American Shaker furniture design. Made from mattel black steel, the stove is available with a small or lare side bench table and can be loaded from the right or left. The Shaker is the 2006 recipient of both the reddot design and Chicago Museum of Architecture Good Design awards. Simple, elegant and strong. I love this piece.
Why is it so hard to find an interior designer? Many people just don’t know where to begin or they feel intimidated by the entire process. They want the service, they are uncomfortable with how to get there.
A good first step is to gather information. Go online and view the online portfolios of interior designers. The American Society of Interior Designers, Design Finder, Ava Living and Furnitureseen provide designer listings with links to web pages where you can view their portfolios. This takes time and work, but is well worth it in the end.
The search does not end on the internet – only about 38% of Interior Designers maintain websites for their practices, so the majority are not even going to be online. Talk to friends and peruse shelter magazines. Save the pages with details you like. Add those designers to your list of potential candidates.
Once you have a short list, define your scope of work. How many rooms will be included? Will you want to incorporate any existing pieces? Will there be any interior remodel or is it just a furnishing and finshes job?
Assign a budget. You must give a potential designer an idea of what you have to spend. There are many designers that can work within a budget, but only if they know what it is. Designers are happy to discuss your project to help you get that number if you are completely lost.
Make the calls. Contact the designers on the phone. Tell them what you are looking for and what you think your budget is. If it feels right, set up a face-to-face meeting.
Consider meeting at the designers office so you can get a sense of the operation. How many people are in the office, will you be working with the principal designer or an associate? What materials are in the office, are there renderings of current projects? Ask the designer to walk you through the process. What steps will be taken from start to finish. What are the fees? Does the designer feel your budget makes sense for the scope of work you have outlined?
Finally, once you decide on a designer, make sure you execute a written contract for the work.
Okay, here it is, the inside track on Suite New York’s sample sale. You must visit the showroom from now until September 5th to see what’s available (closed on Labor Day). Having been to the showroom, I can’t imagine you’d be disappointed in the offerings.
Suite New York is located at 625 Madison Avenue, Suite 218, NY NY. 212-421-3300.
