The Wabi Lawn Swing designed by Francesco Rota for Paola Lenti completely reimagines what a front porch swing is all about. This swing features a rope upholstery that is hand woven onto the wood and stainless frame. If you’ve never seen Paola Lenti’s “rope” up close, you should take the time to check it out. It is produced from rope and Aquatech, a proprietary indoor outdoor yarn. The stuff is durable, resistant to the elements and available in a wide range of colors. In this piece, the yarn is super chunky in appearance, kind of nautical.
Can you tell I was really intrigued by the Edelkoort/Moss discussion? Ok, I think this is my last reflection…. Li Edelkoort suggested that where you come from as a child influences your choices in the form of rememberances from your past. People desire to relate to other things and people. She observed this more intensely after 9-11, where people’s systems of beliefs were jilted. There seemed to be a revival of interest in representational design and narration. The Paul Loebach Tabe shown here depicts some sort of family or togetherness. Edelkoort forecasts themes of rootedness, authenticity, interaction and participation. She also noted the blending of the old and new which could be extended to the old and young as in familial relationships that skip a generation – a resurgence of close relationships between Grandparents and their Grandchildren.
More on the Hammer Conversations: Li Edelkoort and Murray Moss that took place on May 21st. Collaboration and connection are emergent design themes that both speakers see continuing into the foreseeable future. Edelkoort used an image of a Yvonne Fehling and Jennie Peiz bench that was designed for the Richard Meier designed addition to the Arp Museum in Germany as a point of discussion. The bench acknowledges that we all belong together, but that we still require our own space. The public wishes to be connected as individuals, each free to “sit” in the group as they choose.
This piece launched a little sidebar about how we furnish. Moss made the comment that we have to have a three seater sofa, two side chairs and a coffee table in our living room… or do we. Why can’t we think outside the box and have something as beautiful as this bench, and nothing else. He took it a little further suggesting that maybe we shouldn’t have any furniture at all… instead maybe we should purchase the most fabulous wine glass ever, just one, and use every night, sitting on the floor…
The trend is the emotional relationship with matter that is manifesting itself in collaboration, family and connectedness.
Last night, the Hammer Museum (in Los Angeles) hosted a conversation between Li Edelkoort and Murray Moss.
I am very familiar with Murray Moss and his Soho and LA shops known for their curatorial collections. I will admit, that until last night, I really didn’t know who Li Edelkoort was. Ms. Edelkoort is a world renown trend forecaster for the textile, fashion, interior, retail design and well being markets. For the last ten years, she was the Chairwoman of the Design Academy Eindhoven in The Netherlands. The school has been called the most influential design institution in the world. Gradutes include the likes of Maarten Baas, Kiki van Eijk and Job Smeets (of Studio Job).
Moss began the discussion by announcing that he and Li were not an act (in the ba da ba sense). They hadn’t really rehearsed and they weren’t working from an outline – it truly was a conversation. The discussion was centered around a slide presentation that was a collection of observations – what people are searching for and how that is reflected in current design. The discussion was thought provoking, enlightening and optomistic, a real pleasure.
Design trends that we have already begun to see, but that are expected to continue into the future: collaboration, additivity, eclecticism, personal historical reference.
Urquiola’s Log Collection is an interesting mix of Danish and rustic. I definitely feel some Hans Wegner in the simple curved low slung forms. But these pieces have more girth and the application of the upholsterey loosly wrapped around the back gives them an edge. The optional long haired mongolian fur takes it even a step further. Urquiola’s work always seems infused with a little wit, Log is no exception.
Nancy Batlin has long harbored a dream of having a small boutique full of beautiful things. Her path has been filled with twists and turns she could not have predicted. Nancy established herself inthe graphic design industry as a creative director and brand manager, spending a good deal of time in London – but she never let go of the dream.
In 2004 she started her own company consulting for luxury brands. During this transition, she was inspired to design her own dinnerware collection and Five Zero was born.
Five Zero / Table Conversations is a tableware line ultimately designed to provoke dialogue around the table. Each pattern series can stand alone or be mixed and matched . The intriguing pieces reinterpret old world decorative arts motifs with the use of unexpected colors, patterns and scale juxtaposed with modern imagery. Nancy creates the patterns using original photography and digitized historical motifs that are then manipulated. Case in point, the Horse was inspired by a black stone horse head that she photographed and converted to a negative to create a cameo effect.
Most recently, Batlin has collaborated with Liliana Casabel, fashion designer for Morgane Le Fay on a shared inspiration: the lotus blossom. The joint vision of fashion and art are realized in Casabel’s Spring Collection and Batlin’s Sophia Dinnerware. Casabel’s fabric has been transformed into wearable art while Batlin’s search for the perfect lotus blossom has become table art. Future collaborations are in the works.
Five / Zero Table Conversations are available through several retailers.
Isn’t it nice to know someone hand crafted a piece of furniture? I like the idea that something was made in a woodshop with the sawdust all around. Andrew Moe does just that and a little more feel good stuff. His 2009 Oslo Line is made entirely from reclaimed wood. All of the pieces are made from salvaged wood from dismantled buildings all over the country. Moe has been creating furniture for many years, but the Oslo line is pretty well priced given all the TLC that goes into it. Check it out at Moe.
Tonight at Property Furniture, 14 Wooster between Grand and Canal, a reception featuring Design House Stockholm, new lighting and furniture from SCHILSAN and Roger Borge’s neon lighting collection.
Monday May 18th from 6 until 9pm.
The Mesa Table by Phase Design is being debuted at ICFF this week. There is also a “potted” version of Mesa which is a planter. Besides the Mesas, Phase will be showing pieces from the Wired Collection including Wired Lounge and Ottoman and Wired Lights. Phase Design will be located in booth 1044.
