Last weekend was the first ever “Design Milk Presents” event, Reinvention; Writing History Through Aluminum, featuring new works by Brad Ascalon and Frederick McSwain (AM) for Neal Feay Studio, an exhibition at Bobby Berk Home (it runs through May 27th so you can still catch it!)
We stopped by the Nervous System booth while at ICFF to check out their brand new lamp. I especially love all the energy and thought that they put into their booth design – that wooden pedestal is amazing.
Boy, those girls from Sight Unseen sure know how to put together a fun series of events. We had a great time walking around Noho this year. I made it a point to go this year because unfortunately last year I missed it.
London Underground
London Underground was Tom Dixon’s first satellite show in the US, which took the Bleecker Street Theatre’s basement level space (i.e., “underground”) and turned it into a showcase for his lighting. The geometric shadows thrown onto the walls from his Etch Light Web fixtures were especially mesmerizing. Besides the lighting on display, there was a Fab.com pop-up shop where a selection of his lighting could be purchased. We were a little bummed not to see him on the main floor at the Javits, but this was an entirely different experience. And, once again, I didn’t get one of those safety orange messenger bags! Drats!
We really loved the Kohler booth; it was probably our favorite booth (and not just because they had a phone charging station!) I think they did a great job of embracing and promoting their collaboration with Jonathan Adler.
…and so begins our 2012 New York Design Week coverage! First up is Model Citizens NYC, a show I also attended last year. Now in its fourth year, the show had a few gems situated in an awkwardly large space… I preferred last year’s space, but this year there was a lot more to see.
Hated having to take an elevator up to the hot 4th floor, but was happy to be greeted by this.
Italian designer Diego Grandi does a little bit of everything – surface design, interiors, and even exhibition design. Prove di Stampa is an exhibition he designed for the 15th year celebration of SaloneSatellite 2012 and it’s all about a print laboratory.
Kartell’s Salone del Mobile stand showcased an iconic range of products, deconstructed. Every phase of the creative process was on show, from initial sketches, through prototyping to the final manufactured products.
Innovation, a Danish company founded in the early 1970s that began by making beanbags, now supplies convertible beds, sofa beds and other seating to the furniture industry. Convertible furniture isn’t easy to make – in addition to looks, wear and tear, you have to think about the mechanics, functionality, easy of use, and even how the fabric lays and moves as each part moves. That’s why Innovation, which came to the US in 1991, is a leading supplies of these products. It was by far one of our favorite companies showing in High Point not only because of the clean lines and modern styling but also the fact that so many of the pieces were – surprisingly – also beds. And even better? Most of them are in the fairly affordable range of $799-$2600 retail. It was in their showroom that we spotted our “Best in Show.”
Designed by Per Weiss in 2010 after a trip to Milan, the SLY Z10 is a small sofa with removable back pillows that converts into a queen-sized bed. It immediately caught my eye with its dark gray fabric (a big trend from High Point this year) and contrast red stitching. I especially love that the stitching on the seat and back was made in a cross pattern to give the feel and look of tufting without actually having any buttons.
It’s an exciting time of year for us at Design Milk. Starting Wednesday, Caroline and I are headed to NYC for Design Week and the International Contemporary Furniture Fair. Make sure to follow us during the show for live updates:
- Twitter: @designmilk
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/designmilk
- Instagram: @design_milk
- Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/designmilk
And please stop by Bobby Berk Home in Soho on Saturday 5/19 for the first official “Design Milk Presents” event: Reinvention; Writing History in Aluminum.
