In the world of design, that place between incomplete and overdone is not so easy to find, however, designer Chris Kraig seems to know exactly where to go with this Manhattan townhouse. By juxtaposing contrasting forms and materials, he creates a serene yet inspired space.
In the double height living room shown above, the bold artwork echos the context of the city (just outside the windowa) in scale and intensity. The furniture selections, which anchor the room, are in the simplest white and natural tones. Pairing the industrial chrome and glass coffee table and its near opposite hand carved wood side table achieve a sort of balanced tension. The Jacobson Egg chair holds its own between the city view and art work because of its bold shape and height.
The design does a brilliant job of bringing you from the top of the room down by drawing your attention, in height, scale and intensity from the window and art, across to the fireplace surround, back to the sideboard and finally down to the seating area.
The roof deck of the same townhouse allows the backdrop of the city to provide the drama. The simplicity of the white corian topped XX Dining Table surrounded by the near transparent Arper Leaf chair stands in stark contrast to the ultra-urban context.
Kraig has a demonstrated ability to combine bold and subtle, industrial and organic to acheive a balanced, cojent design.
Chris Kraig Studio for Suite New York
Rachel de Joode seems to be channeling her inner Busby Berkeley with her Noir Collection of wallpapers. Although Jugendstil (The German expression of Art Nouveau) is the reference in de Joode’s design, we can’t help but think of Berkeley. Busby Berkeley was known for creating kaledioscopic patterns with his dancers in fantastic cinematic performances as in Dames, below.
What is intriguing about de Joode’s work is her use of contemporary fashion photography. Her characters are dancing or acting in a sort of surrealist play.
John Beck Paper & Steel combines traditional steel fabrication techniques with a graphics background to create AntiTrunk. The numbered tables/stools create a bold statement on a small canvas: 14 inch diameter x 18 inches tall. Like all Beck’s work, each piece is made completely by hand. The entire composition has a certain rawness that we find incredibly appealing. @ John Beck Paper & Steel.
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the introduction of Hans Wegner’s CH24 Wishbone Chair, Carl Hansen has produced a limited edition in four different shades of blue. The chair has a white papercord seat and is available on a limited basis.
What’s really cool, is this Spring, a series of greens will be available followed by more colors later in the year. But if you want in, you need to do something about it now… contact SUITE New York for more information.
Thursday, February 25th 5:30-8:30pm
Inform Interiors invites you to their newly located showroom to preview new collections from Cassina, Poltrona Frau and Poliform – listen to jazz, sip local wine, and taste small bites from Seastar Restaurant.
RSVP: info@informseattle.com 206.622.1608 www.informseattle.com
Mark Odom Studio is based in Austin, Texas. His studio m(odm) strives to reach that equilibrium between clean line and chaos. His studio and his clients place a value on exploration. The residence pictured above was created for a local artist. A design/build project for m(odm), Rosewood was a Five Star Green rated project completed on a budget.
We were particularly interested in the industrial finishes used in the project. On the floor, what is usually the plywood sub-floor was sanded and finished with a few layers of clear coat. Polygal (twin wall) is used both inside and out to create diffused light with a measure of privacy.
After removing the forms for the poured in place concrete counter top, both he and the owner were facinated with the raw concrete edge. It “…worked with the idea of balancing clean lines vs raw industrial..”. The metal carport entry door was painted red and what looks almost like a framed artwork is actually the blue painter’s tape protecting the door window. The owner/artist liked the look of it and left it in place. The steel pipe handrail is just an off-the-shelf piece attached to the wall with welded L brackets.
The Green Star status was earned by using raw materials as finishes, effcient lighting, a tankless waterheater and appropriately sized HVAC – simple stuff, not expensive, high tech systems. The project was also built on an infill lot near public transportation. Responsible creativity, you gotta love that.
In another project, Odom was charged with converting an industrial warehouse into a combination residence / gallery. He needed to find a way to create an open floor plan that still provided separation between public and private spaces. Another major design challenge was lighting: how to balance natural and artificial lighting.
Because the space receives so much natural light from the existing large windows, Odom elected to go with a darker color palate. He felt the darker palate helped to balance the flood of natural light and gave the interior spaces a greater sense of intimacy. Much of the furniture was from the owner’s own collection.
It is clear that Odom has been able to connect with like-minded clients that want to try something out of the ordinary. Take a look at his other projects at m(odom).
MTV’s 25th anniversary edition of The Real World featured Nini Beds from Viesso. Upholstered in a dark grey, Nini grounds a bright and bold color palate. All Viesso designs are very customizable. With Nini, choose the bed with or without a headboard, customize the headboard height, vary the layout, fabric and legs to suite your space. Made in LA @ Viesso.
“In Japan, Bonsai are considered national treasures. It is our great pleasure to feature several historically significant Masterpiece Bonsai Trees from the Bonsai West collection. According to Michael Levin, owner of Bonsai West, ‘these trees have never been shown in a gallery setting before.’ This show was produced and curated by artist and sculptor Jacob Kulin, who, using his own artistic talent will be ‘presenting the trees in an innovative manner, reformulating some of the more conventional standards of display.’ “ Dennis Duffy
First Friday Reception, March 5, 2010
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
D SCALE
520 Harrison Avenue
Boston, MA 02116
RSVP info@dscalemodern.com
617-426-1055
Exhibit Dates:
March 4, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
March 5, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
March 6, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
www.dscalemodern.com
MASH Studios – the creators of the minimalist, organic aesthetic of the LAX line of furniture is hosting an Open Studio Party and Sample sale. Aside from great company, cocktails and hors d’oeurves, they will offer reduced prices on some of their signature pieces and will offer a sneak peak at their soon-to-be-released PCH series.
Don’t miss it!
Open Studio Party and Sample Sale Kickoff – Thursday February 11, 2010 from 5-10pm
Sample Sale – Friday February 12th and Saturday February 13th from 10am – 6pm.
@ MASHstudios 12705 Venice Blvd LA 90066
RSVP to: caitlin@mashstudios.com
This is not your average bunch of daises. Oopsa Daisies are graphic depictions of the real thing but supersized. A group of six flowers, the heighest measuring 45″. Available in a selection of colors, about $86 for the set.