Posts from — November 2010

Tomorrow Cultured opens in the Miami Design District as part of Art Basel/Design Miami, running through December 5th it features a specially curated and richly varied program of events, openings, art exhibitions, and retail promotions. Part of the event, and the one I am sure not going to miss, is The Rug Company’s Alexander McQueen collection.

Taking three years to complete and finished shortly before his death, its the Rug Company’s most opulent collection to date by the late fashion genius Alexander McQueen . Each piece took six to eight months to make by extraordinarily skilled weavers; and like everything the designer touched, some are literally woven with gold.

This is no ordinary “ fashion designer moves into home” collection. The collaboration with Alexander McQueen encapsulates his commitment to arresting design, superior quality and skilled craftsmanship. The intricacy and opulence of the rugs honor the groundbreaking designs for which McQueen has become renowned- giving new meaning to quality, luxury and craftsmanship. In fact, the craftsmanship is integral to the collection – without the traditional handmade methods , they would not have been able to achieve the designs. The man was a GENIUS.

The dramatic Military Brocade design, originally created as embroidery for a coat from his 2001 collection, reveals McQueen’s ability to innovate while honoring history. The pattern is inspired by the effect of gold bullion found on traditional military uniforms. The design incorporates wreath and fern silhouettes and gold fringing, against a black background, with the extraordinary addition of a curled oriental serpent wrapped in oak leaves, appearing from a skull centred in the design. Raised from the wool background, the golden silk yarns are carefully carved by hand to achieve the complexity and fine detail of the pattern.

Feathers, the iconic Alexander McQueen pattern, is taken from the breast and wing feathers of a hawk and reflects Alexander McQueen’s lifelong love of birds and patterns found in nature. The design was developed into subtle grey tones and hand knotted in fine cashmere yarns mimicing the softness and lightness of the feathers.

Instantly recognizable, the skull motif has been translated into an exquisite tonal rug and two cushions. The understated shades of grey soften pattern and the lustre of the silk yarn enables the skulls to stand out against the wool background. The skull pattern is also depicted on two hand woven tapestry cushions: one in black and white, and the other in opulent golden metallic thread.

Hummingbird,for me the most stunning of the collection, is a finely hand woven wool, silk, and metallic flatweave rug that celebrates the delicacy of the motif. The birds are captured in flight to show their unique speed against a dark background to offset the iridescent colors in their feathers. I can’t imagine that this is a handknotted rug not a photograph. If the rugs aren’t in your price range- He has done pillows in Hummingbird and skulls

Share/Bookmark

Here’s a roundup of 2die4design books just added to my library, destined to be classics and sure to inspire. With Christmas just around the corner which ones will be on your wish list? Any other not- to- be- missed titles I need to know about?

Lifting the Curtain on Design by Vicente Wolf

Simplify, Connect, Expand -Vincente Wolf’s principles of design and the theme of his new book, Lifting the Curtain on Design are explained through many viewpoints: his yearly inspirational travel sabbatical, the narrow focus of a Wolf project and the perspective of a talented and experienced design mind. Through his travels and detailed account of 2 similar, but different projects he lifts the veil of the design process and give us a look inside the mind of a designer. From the grand design gesture to the indispensable details it’s signature Vicente Wolf.

The Finest Rooms in America by Thomas Jayne

A selection of 50 influential interiors in America by Thomas Jayne, one of our best design scholars. This is a must- have if you are a design history buff and have an interest in American interior design. Each room is represented in luxurious color photography and supplemented with engaging text identifying why the room design is successful. The book offers a cross section of a broad range of decorative arts periods. Ranging from opulent to rustic; traditional to modern ; encompassing all regions of this vast country, all the rooms reflect the common thread that refinement is about thought not expense.

The World of Madeleine Castaing

Finally ! There are loads of design books and design biographies on the DC bookshelf, but none so well researched and written. Plus, it makes my small circle of books- you- can’t- put- down. I have been intrigued with Castaing since I first had tea on the corner of Rue Jacob and Bonaparte, the site of her famous shop and now uberchic La Ludree. This is the quintessential designer’s book and hooray for design blogger and historian Emily Eardmans for writing it.

I am head over heels in love with all 270+ pages of this book from the amazing color photography to the depth of information- I felt I was a part of her the quirky and eclectically famous circle. Don’t pass this one up.

Essential Elegance The Interiors of Solis- Betancourt

Art as the design muse categorizes The work of Solis Betancourt. His sublime, yet seemingly effortlessly combination of classical and contemporary create a timeless interiors. He and his partner Paul Sherrill believe that the soul and spirit of great interiors begins with fine works of art. The skillful integration of paintings, sculpture, period furniture, and decorative objects is a hallmark of the firm’s rooms. The book showcases fourteen recent projects that incorporate works of art from a different period or style. Each project is introduced with a vignette that focuses on the artwork—which ranges from Old Master drawings to African and Pre-Columbian sculpture to bold contemporary paintings—that served as the design inspiration for the interiors.

Bunny William’s Scrapbook for Living

Bunny Williamsis renowned for her glamorous design and attention to detail.­ From Treillage to her new Beeline Home furniture collection just debuting at High Point, Bunny is considered among the design giants. Using her incredible knowledge of design and decor, and drawing on her wealth of experience, Williams takes the reader through several homes room by room, showing creative ways to organize and add personal touches. This is more than a tips and tricks treatise- Williams empowers the reader with her practical and inspiring ideas for making a house a home.

Share/Bookmark

High Point Market just released two sets of trends from last month’s market. Right Now details seven looks that are important to the Home today and Right One The Edge showcases seven trens on the horizon. Because to aim to be fashion forward, here are the seven key looks that are Right on The Edge.

Retro Runway

Mad Men and a mad, mad world have us reaching back for a nostalgic feeling. Retro looks were all the rage on the runways, and those styles will be stepping into the home.

Look for Mid-Century Modern Danish Modern and French Deco-look antiques from the ’30s and ’40s as the inspiration for upcoming designs • 1970s It’s ba-ack! The big bold patterns and avocado greens are very au courant • Lady Like On the runway, it was pearls and twinsets. In the home, the look will translate with lace, eyelets, ruffles, and crochet.

Verne’s Victoriana

A heady mixture of Victorian and industrial is gaining ground as a cultural phenomenon as much as a fashion statement, and it’s beginning to make an impact in home furnishings.

The Steam Punk Movement hits home • Victoria meets Jules Verne with proper silhouettesreconfigured in industrial metals • Gears and Rivets married with crystal and velvet.

Pattern Play

As always, we find inspiration in nature and travel, but it’s where we focus our attention next that garners the buzz. We’re seeing : Out of Africa Bead patterns and tribal looks • Fret Work -The newest Asian inspiration is fretwork and folk art chinoiserie • South of the Border Mexican textiles and woven patterns• The Buzz -Honeycomb shapes are finding a home, and we also see bees and apples as early trends.

Color Is Coming

Color is on the horizon( actually I thought it was already here). Look for the ’70s to be a major influence on the colors for 2011 and 2012.

Watch forPurple -Either with greyed tones or paired with grey • Teal- This blue-green combo packs a punch • Melon- A juicy color will brighten the color spectrum • Olive green- In light and dark variations.

French Connection

Ah, Paris – the romance, the history, the je ne sais quoi. Forget the Brit invasion, we’re feeling a need for joie de vivre.

Oh La La, my favorite trend topic is French Inspiration. Look for Antique Chic -The next big thing to inspire designers will be French antiques of the ’30s and ’40s • Old World Romance Heraldic symbols, fleur de lys, quatrefoils, and hardware fit for a castle on the Seine.

Art Gallery

Art has always inspired, but today’s interpretations feature grand works directly on the furnishings themselves. So will home furnishings become the next big thing in the art world?

Modern Art Scribbles and splashes that would be welcome in MoMA • Master Class Grand paintings that evoke Dutch Masters and famous Italians • Expressionism with it’s Fresh and colorful designs from artists such as Paule Marrot.

Glass Act

The material of choice for forward-thinking designers, glass is finding its way into fascinating forms.

Mercury Rising Mercury glass is staging a comeback, along with vintage or antiqued looks • Hue Knew Colors range from jewel tones to soft earth tones • Organic Tree shapes, gingko leaves, and other organic styles • Craft Made Handcrafted looks are key.

Share/Bookmark

Join me Friday, December 3, 2024 for a day of design in New Orleans. I will be speaking for Design Arts in the morning on Textile Technology and in the afernoon I ‘ll be talking trends- consumer and interior- in World Tour. Both are CEU accredited. The event takes place at Longue Vue House and Gardens, 7 Bamboo Road.

Share/Bookmark

Join us in High Point, NC, the home furnishings capital of the world, December 5-8, 2010 for SHOWTIME, the largest decorative event in the Western Hemisphere; where industry leaders present their latest designs to home furnishings manufacturers.

Showtime™, High Point’s Semi-Annual Fabric Market, is produced by and for the members of the International Textile Market Association (ITMA). Twice a year, ITMA brings all segments of the home furnishings industry together, in one place, at one time for Showtime™. During the months of December and June this internationally acclaimed market offers the most thorough fabric, leather and trimmings presentations in the western hemisphere

Share/Bookmark