ADE: An Essay on Modern Glamour

A recap of my POV

Residence by Kelly Wearstler

When asked to label my aesthetic of choice, I’m quick to reference the modern glamour movement. I knew my taste in design was unusual, a hodgepodge of many styles, but it took research, reflection, and a book before I could properly name it. Barring the occasional departure (like yesterday's post), it's what you see here on Sukio. Modern glamour, a way to define the indefinable.

So, what is modern glamour?

Many would simply describe it as a new take on an old idea, i.e., "modern" as in new, current, or fresh - "to modernize". But my MIT-trained brain always views things differently. To me, modern glamour is merely the intersection of two contrasting styles: the sleek, clean, and edgy vs. the fanciful, decadent and exquisite. It is the delicate balance between the two that makes a space interesting and relevant.

Residence by Shaun Jackson

In short, modern glamour is controlled eclecticism. It's a style that allows designers to unexpectedly integrate, marry, and juxtapose the best elements of the design world, creating something wonderful in the process. But like all attempts at eclecticism, the task is tricky and can be downright daunting for many. Marian McEvoy may have put it best in her forward for "Modern Glamour: The Art of Unexpected Style":

It’s easier for a decorator to assemble a room in which everything matches than to concoct a space in which nothing matches but everything makes beautiful sense all together.

While experts like Kelly Wearstler can mix and match using natural intuition, others may opt for a more structured approach. Metropolitan Home’s "Glamour: Making it Modern" boils things down into a list of essential concepts (scale, palette, luster, antiques, Asiana, and multiples) and objects (staircases, fireplaces, drapery, chandeliers, mirrors, and daybeds). Helpful guidelines, but like rules, meant to be ignored from time to time.

Residence by Lee Ledbetter

The gist…

Modern doesn't mean austere or sterile and glamour doesn't mean frilly or overworked. It's a style that marries multiple ideas, viewing traditional notions of glamour, its shapes and textures, through a sophisticated lens. Mixing old with new, feminine with masculine, it conveys artful expression by way of interior design, creating not just a room, but a statement. It respects luxury and craftsmanship but sneers at the ostentatious. Modern glamour is powerful, not delicate or precious, and the chosen aesthetic of movers and shakers everywhere.

Ready to join the movement?

Images: kellywearstler.com, Elle Decor, Architectural Digest

ADE: Dear Green, I’ve Moved On

Well, not entirely. The last name Greene makes it difficult to altogether abandon the color. Besides, I still really love it – especially the emerald-y, color-of-the-year-like tones. But while researching a recent blog post for the Interior Collective, I became enamored with bright shades of blue!

Perhaps I'm simply being contrarian. Pantone announces 2013's Color of the Year (i.e., emerald green) and two months later I completely switch gears. Coincidence? Hardly. I like being ahead of the trend rather than riding its wake.

While I love the old, I'm always looking forward to the new! And there’s something very new about this color’s brilliance. It's fun yet rebellious, a showstopper yet tame enough for the less daring among us. Confident, bold, and bordering shades of royal... It's cobalt blue, Sukio's Color of the Year!

Interiors, fashion, art - it works everywhere! Am I the only one? Or is cobalt blue just the kick in the fanny 2013 needs?

Images: Marie Claire US, Kelly Wearstler, Vogue UK, Bence Bakonyi

ADE: Bringing Up Zoey, an iPad Story

With the iPad accounting for nearly 90% of tablet sales on Black Friday, I thought I'd add my 2 cents. And, as always, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Lili Radu iPad clutch. Love the tassels.

Since the debut of the iPad, I’ve secretly longed for one. I remember watching a special episode of Charlie Rose where he giddily breezed through app after app while interviewing NYT's David Carr and WSJ's Walt Mossberg. I wanted one. I really, really wanted one. After all, I love both design and technology. But I didn't want what could amount to an expensive toy. It seemed nice, but I couldn't quite prove that it was worth my while (and money).

Then, this summer happened. As I became busier and busier, I started looking for ways to improve productivity and reclaim some hours in my day. Naturally, I took to Twitter: iPad for productivity? So far, I have 2 resounding "Yes's" and 1 "kind of" (tweet, tweet).

Taylor Sterling carts hers around in Juicy Couture. More tassels.

Still not convinced, I bought a second laptop to get through proposal season, all the while hauling around files, paper scraps, and notebooks. It would take several more weeks before reconsidering an iPad purchase. During that time, I would contribute to four proposals, Amtrak up and down the coast, start more projects, and spend hours stuck in commuter traffic. I finally reached my limit.

iPad and chic stuff of Gaia Repossi

Purchase made. I named her Zoey after my Sony Vaio Z-series dream machine, Zo. During my time with Zoey, I discovered something that no amount of research or Charlie Rose interviews could provide. It's not simply about doing more work in more places. The iPad makes doing work more interesting. Editing photos and writing blog posts have become a new experience. Reading boring documents is suddenly a little less boring. In short, it's not always about what your doing, but how you're doing it.

But enough of my jibber jabber...

What do you think?

Images: Lili Radu, Juicy Couture, The Coveteur

A Designer's Eye (ADE) focuses on training and refining my artistic eye; developing my instincts; learning to trust them; and sharing what I find.

On Trend: The Bold Black and White Stripe

Black and white striped blazer on the streets of Paris Fashion Week. Image: Phil Oh

I never write trend posts (like never ever) but it's hard to ignore a trend as popular and pervasive as the bold black and white stripe. I first took notice last spring when Taylor Tomasi Hill sported striped Celine pants during Milan Fashion Week. Somehow a pattern associated with cabana tents and jailhouse jumpsuits became a chic fashion statement. Of course, stripes have been around forever. The key difference: thick, substantial, vertical bands. There’s nothing subtle about the new stripe!

Taylor Tomasi Hill turned heads in her black and white striped Celine pants. Image: grazia.it.

After appearing in the New York Times, this living room designed by Harriet Anstruther appeared on Pinterest boards and Tumblr blogs everywhere. Image: Henry Bourne

A boldly striped dress and clutch from Marc Jacobs Spring 2013 collection. The new stripe made a strong showing during Fashion Month. Image: Kevin Tachman.

Bloggers swooned over the striped sofa in Alice + Olivia’s showroom. Image: Alice + Olivia

 Your thoughts?

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ADE: More Mood Board Inspiration

As mentioned many moons ago, I love big, beautiful mood/inspiration boards. They’re a great way to translate our stream of consciousness into something tangible. Or, on the flipside, can help ignite or inform the creative process. Here are some mood boards that inspired collections for next spring. I always find it interesting to peer inside the minds of design’s top talent. Got a favorite?

1. J. Mendel

2. Joseph Altuzarra

3. Bidhu Mohapatra

Ready to create your own mood board? Erika of Small Shop shows you how in 5 easy steps!

Images: Eli Schmidt, ioulex and Anna Moller
Hat Tip: T Magazine