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Convention Design Thoughts
The Democratic National Convention has just ended. Unusually, the Democrats chose two venues for the event. First, the traditional “convention hall”. I have to say, I was pretty underwhelmed by it. Kind of groovy, the requisite red, white, and blue, stylized American Flag motifs, etc. Honestly, it looks like any generic convention (albeit a big convention) display design. (At least that’s what I think). You? Here it is, for your reference:
See what I mean? It may have changed in tonality once the room was filled with politicos and people wearing silly hats. But really, quite expected and nothing particularly new. Or thoughtful.
However, Barack Obama’s acceptance speech was delivered outside at the second venue, Invesco Field. To most, that seemed both a risk and a nod to the last candidate who delivered an outdoor speech of that magnitude, John F. Kennedy.
The design itself (before the event) took some heat from the opposition, who likened it to a greek temple. I think that missed the point entirely, which became clear during Obama’s acceptance speech.
Take a look (I couldn’t find a better photo, sorry), and remember the date of Obama’s speech. (Hint: It’s the anniversary of another famous American speech.)
The speech I was referring to was, of course, Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech, which took place at the Lincoln Memorial.
That’s what the columns were supposed to evoke.Very clever, I think.
What do you think? Let me know. And I’ll follow up after the Republican National Convention this week.
Larry Laslo’s Penthouse
I thought you might enjoy this video of designer Larry Laslo talking about his penthouse for the Kips Bay Show House. It features all his fabrics for Robert Allen. The cameraman could have been better, but Larry has some nice ideas for using fabrics in different ways.
He mixes it up a lot by using a lot of texture and placing different fabrics on one chair - in a good way. Padded walls, padded doors are part of the fun. Even if you don’t like his style, think about how he uses the textures and patterns to work together. You can do the same thing with any style you like. Enjoy.
Chair of the Day: Alexandra
Sometimes I think I’m like a Frosted Mini-Wheat. The plain side of me loves all things contemporary and modern. But the frosted side likes a coating of ruffly girlishness. Thank goodness I’m a designer. I get to satisfy both sides via clients. Anyway, the frosted side of my is liking this Alexandra Chair from Hickory Chair.
For a less classic look, I’d team it with some funky fabric. A cut velvet would be awesome. In a bright color. What do you think? And, do we all have a frosted side or is it just me?
Cool Recyled Product from Smile Plastics
Smile Plastics makes panels similar to 3Form except theirs are made from recycled products like Wellington boots, CDs, and now discarded cell phones. The boots and CD panels just look like a wash of color. But the mobiles (as they’re called everywhere else in the world except here) really look like the phones. Much cooler in my humble opinion.
The Mobile panels are 6mm thick and can be used for just about everything. Furniture, wall panels, etc. You can see examples on their site. I think one of these would look great hung from the ceiling as instant art. Or how about a headboard? File this product under A Thousand And One Uses.
Votives from Maryink
Here’s a favorite from Etsy. Tennessee based company, Maryink, designs lively patterns which she applies to T-shirts, totes, aprons and votive holders. The votives are a real favorite of mine.
They come in lots of colors and patterns. All colorful and lively decoupaged designs that sell for $10 each and you can buy them in sets as well.
I also like the fact that they hold a candle of your own choice - a votive (they also come with one candle). This way you can choose an unscented candle, or buy a bunch of one scent you like. I like the romantic setting that candles lend, but without having to think about the blending of scents.
Chair of the Day: Jonathan Stool
This modern Jonathan Stool is the perfect piece for any style of room. It fits perfectly with antiques, as well as transitional and contemporary styles. I love to mix things up in this way because it gives a room a personal look.
You can find this particular stool at Tonic Home. It has an antique gold metal base and measures 24″ diameter x 19″ high. Contact Tonic Home for pricing. Shipping is free for anything over $200.
Washington Post’s House Calls
For all my readers who love my Design Dilemmas (more coming soon - I promise!), I thought you’d like to read some over at the Washington Post. They do a similar things with very nice renderings (jealous anyone? - yes).
Go here to check it out. Enjoy!
The Brass Knob
Do you own a Money Pit? Oh, sorry. I mean an older home? I do. Many of my clients live in older homes as well. The Brass Knob is a monstrously great find (sorry, I’m watching a Jane Austin movie - vastly amusing) which offers vintage architectural lighting, knobs, brackets, etc. salvaged from old homes.
I’m looking forward to really taking some time to look at everything they have. There selection is fairly extensive and I’ll know this ship will come in handy for me. Thought you’d like to know about it.
Chair of the Day: Baker
Baker is having its annual sale on all furniture. They offer good savings in this sale - usually a lot more than the standard 10%.
This chair is a sample of what you’ll find among their lines. These include Baker, Milling Road and McGuire. The sale runs now through October 13th. Check their site to see what they’re discounting. Then call your local shop for pricing.
Favorites for a few days
Well, as you can see, I am back - sort of. My vacation was shortened by a family emergency and I’ve actually been in Baltimore for the last 2 weeks. Things are settling down and I’ll be back in Detroit on Thursday.
I have had a chance to see my hometown of Baltimore. Much has changed since I moved away. At any rate, I thought I’d have some time to get back to writing. But the best laid plans are often pulled asunder, as they say. So while I’m finishing up here why not check out two excellent blogs from Baltimore?
Rachel Perl’s Hue blog is all about color and one of my all-time favorites. Rachel recently moved from Baltimore back to her home town in Berkeley, CA. But, she’s still in the club.
Pigtown Design is another interesting design blog. I think you’ll enjoy it as much as I do.
So you have a favorite Baltimore blog? Let us know about it.
Susan Etkin
The lighting designs of Susan Etkin are beautiful. Her work with hand-blown glass is truly her own. She began working with light in Murano, Italy working with master glass blowers there. I love her unique take on the old tradition. She’s breathed new life into an old dragon. They’re very sophisticated and not over-the-top in the decoration department. And, I really love the light bulbs.
Ms. Etkin opened her New York studio in 2001. But it’s not a lighting studio; she thinks of herself as a sculptor first. After working in Murano, she realized that designers were interested in incorporating her ideas and designs using and hand-blown glass into their projects. As she says on her site, “Thus began a series of unique collaborative ventures, often requiring complex design explorations…”
It’s so difficult to sculpt this kind of glass. Etkin’s skill is amazing. She’s been on my list of people to interview for a while. Gotta do something about it soon.
The bad news is that she does only custom work and doesn’t have an online shop. Nor does she sell to a retailer. However, please visit her site here. And if you’re ever in NYC, she’s in SOHO on Greene St.
Off On Vacation
I’m taking off for a week at Chum Bucket, our little beach house in Sunset Beach, North Carolina. I need to catch up on my reading and catch a few waves.
I’ll be back a week from Monday. See you then!
UPDATE: My vacation has been extended for another week. Stay tuned!