Inspired by the Cubist Painters of the 20th Century, this Cubist Chest from Tucker Robbins is a chic, simple and sensible storage solution. Made from pickled Oak with a natural oil finish, this cabinet has no hardware and would look great in any transitional environment.
According to Tracy Kendall's fantastic website, "Tracy Kendall creates new and innovative wallpapers using hand techniques and modern technology to expand the vocabulary of possibility for wall coverings. The wallpapers are all starting points, often from elements already within a room or space, and convey a strong design concept, one which interacts with an interior's identity, but without dominating it."
Shown here is Tracy Kendall's "Jigsaw Wallpaper". I enjoy seeing something totally unexpected in the right interior design. The use of jigsaw puzzle pieces as a wall treatment is one such example. But the fun does not stop there. The wallpapers found on the Tracy Kendall site include huge cutlery images, over-sized peacock feathers, newsprint, buttons and sequins to name a few.
It's just about time for some outdoor living. Which means it may be smart to purchase some cool outdoor furniture now, since there are sometimes lead times when ordering popular furniture. A favorite outdoor armchair of mine is the Forest Armchair available from Ambiente Direct. This aluminum powder-coated armchair is available in several vibrant colors including white and black. There is even a side chair variation so you can mix up your outdoor seating scheme. The Forest chair would also be a creative touch to an outdoor cafe/restaurant seating area.
An occasional stool placed strategically in a room can act as an additional place to sit, rest a drink or just look sculptural and smart.
I am fond of these two stools from Julian Chichester. The 'Mr. Lot', (above), is a contemporary molded stool/side table available in Fools Gold. The 'Mrs. Lot' is a contemporary molded stool/side table that is available in off-white. They both measure 17"h x 14"w.
Instead of a hammock why not try Pfeifer Studio's Woven Rope Bed for an afternoon nap in the sun? Also known as charpoi, this handmade bed is an ancient furniture style still used extensively today throughout India.
References to them can be found as far back as the 14th Century, when Islamic explorer Batuta describes them "every traveler should have his own bed, which his slave carries about on his head. Consist(ing) of four conical legs, between they plait a sort of ribbon of silk or cotton. When you lie on it you need nothing else to render the bed sufficiently elastic."
The frame of the bed is constructed from solid Margosa wood using mortise and tenon joinery. The art of weaving the Jute rope mattress is called manjaa unena. This process starts with the tying of a Jee (Life Knot) at one corner of the bed, followed by the main weave and finally the addition of the tension strings. The finishing process of tightening is rigorous and repeated many times in order to get the tension perfect.
After a record-breaking snowy winter in DC, Spring finally arrived this past Saturday. It's worth taking a pause to officially Welcome Spring!
Designed by Manhattan-based Rich, Brilliant & Willing, (RBW), collective, this spectacular and sophisticated Excel Floor Lamp keeps materials to a minimum while maximizing luxurious proportions and creating an amazing sense of atmosphere. The spare and lightweight construction houses a gold foil diffuser in the shade that creates a warm glow, designed for use with two compact fluorescent bulbs. Fabric-coated cord comes complete with on/off foot pedal.
Sometimes the smallest details have great impact. Such is the simple delight of opening a dresser drawer and discovering the light scent of Vetiver. The white, Vetiver-scented drawer liners, (shown above), are emblazoned with the Hermès Paris monogram. They are available in boxes of five, 24" x 16.5" papers. They may be a nice way to make the task of Spring cleaning more enjoyable while welcoming the new season. They are available here.
I like the vintage appeal of this Oscar de la Renta Chinese Credenza for Century Furniture. The finish options for this piece seem endless so it is possible to create a 'jewel piece' that you can really call your own. Finish details such as gold and silver leafing may be added as well as the option to have the piece hand waxed. Hand waxing brings out the luster in fine wood finishes. A skilled artisan applies a special formulation of wax and rubs it to a high sheen.
The Oscar de la Renta Home Collection for Century Furniture is based on Mr. de la Renta’s own designs, as well as adaptations of extraordinary pieces collected over the past 40 years. His furnishings, like his clothing, represent great taste, refinement and elegance.
Oscar de la Renta Home is inspired by the furniture found in Mr. de la Renta's three very different habitats: his New York City residence, his country estate in Connecticut, and his oceanside island retreat in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The result is a collection remarkable for its scope and variety - from sophisticated, 18th Century inspired mahogany pieces, to casually inviting upholstery, to Caribbean woven rattan designs.
I know I have presented Lucite furniture before, but I just cannot seem to get enough. This is a coffee table from Craig Van Den Brulle's 'VDB Collection'. The 'Avenire Coffee Table', as it is called, has a 3/4" inserted top of the finest Italian travertine. The marriage of Lucite and softly colored stone, is an exciting twist, which makes this one-of-a-kind piece perfect for the sophisticated homeowner.
I found this Midcentury Mexican chair by Arturo Pani on 1stdibs and I just love it. The restored hand forged chair is covered in 22K Gilt and features new silk upholstery.
The history of Arturo Pani is actually quite interesting. He was born in Mexico City to a well known diplomatic family. At the age of 4 in 1919 he traveled with his family to live in Europe as his father was appointed Mexico’s Counsel General to Belgium, later moving to Milan as his father’s position changed. In 1925 the family settled in Paris and remained there until 1935.
Arturo was the younger brother of Mario Pani, well known Mexican Modernist Architect and editor of the magazine Architectura/Mexico for over 40 years. After completing studies in the private school Janson de Sailly both Mario and Arturo entered the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. Mario was inclined toward architecture and Arturo chose decoration and interior design. Both brothers returned to Mexico City by 1935.
Arturo’s first project was the furniture design and decoration of the family house on Lieja Street. Mario’s first major project was the construction of the Hotel Reforma in 1936 which became the emblem of Mexican Modernism. Arturo Pani was given free reign to design the furniture and interiors of the lobby and several salons of the Hotel Reforma. Diego Rivera created the murals for the one of the dining rooms. The social standing of the family allowed Arturo to begin his career with the decorating company De la Pena, Lascurain y Compania. The company took advantage of the Pani name and presented Arturo as the Senior Decorator.
Arturo Pani went on to create a career that spanned over 40 years. He became “the” decorator to the elite of Mexico City and his studio, Arturo Pani SA, remained at Niza #30 well into the 1970s. In the late 1950s Pani became known internationally for creating the “Acapulco Look”.
While this beautiful chair may be available for sale today, it is not certain that it will be around to purchase tomorrow. It just caught my eye and I had to feature it here. For more information, click here.
I'd like to pause for a second and take a look at The Chair Factory's Loop 3D chair. This stackable, wooden striped chair may not be my first choice for a residential interior design. However, I can certainly see it working quite successfully in a hospitality, restaurant or institutional environment.
The Loop 3D Stripe chair is designed by Claus Breinholt and is produced with a special technology allowing the wood to bend to the design. With original veining made by using one wood or combining different woods. The chair is stackable 4 high and is also available in one color wood options. Optional cushioned seats are also available.
This attractive and handsome iPhone case is made in Holland from two contrasting wood species fused together. Each unique and exclusive case has a bottom opening that accepts the original dock connector, supplied with the iPhone 3G. All other functions of the phone may be used while the case provides protection. The iWood 'cobra' is available in two tones: Padouk/Maple and Wenge/Maple, obtained from well managed forests. 
How fun are these? ShapeMaker by MillerGoodman is a set of 25 colorful, geometric design, hand-printed, beautifully crafted, environmentally friendly hardwood blocks made of rubber wood - a replenishable wood. The blocks can be excitingly arranged to create a menagerie of thousands of surprising creatures and tons of sparkling, imaginative, engaging images that guarantee to amuse children and adults of all ages. The blocks perfectly illustrate MillerGoodman's commitment to combine function with the highest design principles. The blocks even come with design suggestions.
In honor of the Academy Awards celebration last night, I thought it would be only fitting to feature some lighting with a distinct Hollywood Twist. These Studio Floor and Table lamps are made from Aluminum-Plated Steel and designed by Barbara Cosgrove. They would add a nice dramatic accent to many contemporary interiors.
Osaka-based Truck furniture is rolling out some of the coolest pieces of spare metal-and-wood furniture. The pieces here would look fantastic in a loft space or as an eclectic punctuation in a contemporary interior. Their pieces are raw, industrial, retro and out of the ordinary. I love the idea of using reclaimed wood and metal to create shelving and library dressers that evoke the style of a card-catalog. The furniture from Truck is made in Japan, however, if you fall in love with their collection, they will happily ship any of their pieces to the USA.
The handmade decanters from Plantation Design are the perfect blend of form, color and function. The six festive shapes would add a lively punch to any decor and can spark conversation over a nice bottle of wine. I think it would be a nice touch to group a collection of these decanters on top of a sideboard in a dining room or on top of a bar. They will add a nice sculptural element to both modern and more traditional spaces.
Sometimes there just is not enough space in a room for a large media cabinet. Sometimes there just is not enough wall space to mount a flat screen television. There is, however, a very clever and attractive way to display a television.
The TV Easel from Restoration Hardware incorporates the aesthetic of an artist's easel with the practicality and function of holding a television in a sturdy manner. The TV Easel is built of solid hardwood and has an antiqued ebony finish. It is height-adjustable to securely hold flat-screen TVs up to 60" or 100lbs. It is easy to move around because it is fitted with small wheels that lock into place. The easel is also suitable for artwork and mirror display.
I'm getting a bit tired of the cold, snowy winter we have been having in Washington, DC. I am definitely in the mood to see green leaves, flowers and the arrival of Spring. In celebration of the upcoming season, I would enjoy seeing Oly's Constance Bowl filled with an assortment of flowers and ivy or a simple abundance of green fern. The bowl, which is cast in bronze, is available in either an antiqued bronze or gold finish. It is the perfect, out of the ordinary centerpiece.
Quirky and very fun! I am quite fond of Alexandra Walters Anti-Depressant artistic creations. Zoloft, Prozac and Effexor are delightfully captured on backgrounds of children playing and daisies blooming. Composed of silk, cotton and rayon floss on stretched fabric these 'quilted portraits and stitched scenes' are available by inquiring at 360See Gallery.
