Fell on Black Days
Chris Cornell, the voice of Temple of the Dog, Soundgarden and Audioslave, is gone, lost to suicide. I am shocked and saddened for his family, friends and countless fans, myself included.
Sottsass and Scarpa
Paris-based designer Charles Zana is displaying early ceramics by Italian iconoclast Ettore Sottsass in the newly re-opened Olivetti showroom in Venice, a modernist masterpiece by one of my favorite architects of all time, Carlo Scarpa.
Swedish Stunner by Pawson
I am loving this exquisite Manhattan apartment by John Pawson. The creamy light, so beautifully captured in the pale palette. The Swedish vintage and antique furniture from the client Jill Dienst, restrained yet playfully curvaceous. There is even a lovely splash of color here and there, as in the Scalamandre silk velvet covered borne. The purity of materials and almost monastic use of space feel fresh and I look forward to applying these principles in a forthcoming project in California.
Chris Brock Ceramics
When landscape designer Chris Brock and designer husband Paul Fortune moved to Ojai, Brock took painting and ceramics classes and discovered a passion for clay. Working out of a vintage 1940's aluminum trailer - parked next to the couple's 1967 sable-brown Rolls-Royce, he creates Etruscan-Deco vessels powdered in blues and sanguine reds. His first collection of 30 urns was displayed at longtime friend Rick Owens' boutique in LA and sold out immediately, spurring an ever growing demand for more. Getting on the waiting list, I am hoping to get my hands on one of the the blue urns for an upcoming project...
Move Over Minimalism
Milan-based duo Dimore Studio is showing the design world that there is a sea change on the horizon, away from minimalism. Their fresh and opulent installations, with daring color combos and dramatic shapes and textures recall the opulence of times past, seen through a contemporary lens. Britt Moran and Emiliano Salci, partners in life and business, infuse everything they do with a magic magpie sensibility that is at once timeless and oh so current.
Apparatus Studio in Milan
Once again I was wowed by the simply stunning showroom of Apparatus Studio in Milan. Their new pieces, the gorgeous chandelier my favorite, fit seamlessly with the rest of their collection. These boys are incredibly talented.
Formafantasma
A standout at this year's Milan Designweek, Studio Formafantasma's lighting at the Krizia Foundation is almost ephemeral, yet with a powerful presence.
Toogood + IKEA
Georgia O’Keefe at Brooklyn Museum
Change Underfoot
Not So General Store
Los Angeles design district has been blessed with a fresh new destination - Not So General - a showroom and store by Paul Davidge who has honed his eye at Christies. Not So General is showcasing a variety of exciting brands from the East Coast and Europe. I will make it a must for my more adventurous clients, to discover new talent such as Gemans Ermics, Moving Mountains and Early Work.
Casa RJ by Archiplan Studio
Archiplan Studio's beautiful renovation of a several hundred years old building in Mantua, Italy carefully preserves the original structure and historic detailing, whilst layering minimalist modern spatial elements and furniture. I love the soft palette and poetic equilibrium of new and old.
Brian Thoreen at Patrick Parrish
New York gallery Patrick Parrish is currently staging an exhibition by the talented Brian Thoreen. The Los Angeles based artist is showing "Unsettled" a limited edition series of dynamic furniture in rubber, bronze and mixed marble, on view until March 25.
Inbani Origin
Innovative Spanish brand Inbani's collection Origin is a collaboration with South Korean designer Seung-Yong Song. Sculptural vessels and seemingly simple case goods take inspiration from ancient crafts, albeit executed with modern precision