Out and About: Show House Season

Ok. I feel the need to write one last, obligatory post about my recent trip to New York. On May 20th, I headed up I-95 with design pal V. Carr of the Interior Design Resource Agency for the opening weekend of the Elle Decor Modern Life Concept House and the closing weekend of the Kips Bay Decorator Show House. Yes, I’ve posted a few blurbs here and there, but I never detailed the experience. In short, it was a blast!

Imagine two sleep-deprived designers traipsing around NYC in the pouring rain all the while giddy from various forms of caffeine. Perhaps, more accurately, we were giddy from inspiration! The show houses, though very different, offered everything from the "that’s nice" to the "whoa!" to the "what the…???"

The Kips Bay show house was a four-story, mega home complete with elevator, terraces, and spiraling staircases. It had the feel of a museum – lots of people, velvet ropes, docents, a gift shop, and unfortunately, no cameras. Contrastingly, the Elle Decor show house, located in an undeveloped part of Chelsea, occupied two modest units of a newly constructed condo building. There, we were able to view rooms at our leisure. We even made friends with the show house’s security guard, Brandon, and had a dynamo convo with designer Beth Martin.

They allowed photography (we think), so, here are just a few pics from both of our cameras:

VIP Lounge 

Unit 10B

Unit 10C

Of course, I must mention a couple of celebrity sightings including Robert Verdi, who designed a space in last year’s Kips Bay show house, and some chick from Gossip Girl or The Hills or someplace (you’ll have to ask V.) During the trip, I also had my first iced cappuccino. The jury's still out on that one. Anywho...

..til soon, NYC!

Interiors: The Other Dimension...

On Friday, I visited the Elle Decor Modern Life Concept House in NYC and left with a creative fire in my belly. Pictures, although they can be very beautiful, often fail to capture the details of a space. In fact, I would argue that it's impossible! You simply must be there to witness the subtleties, e.g., the patterns and textures, that make a room come alive. To illustrate my point, here are some abstracted photos of accessories, textiles, furniture, and even lighting used by the designers.

I found this exercise truly enlightening. After taking the pictures, I became so lost in the details that I forgot about the larger object. It was like unlocking another dimension of design!

Challenge: Use your camera or fancy phone to snap a close-up of something in your home. Feel free to email the results (desire@sukio.com). I would love to see what you come up with. Happy snapping!

Update on 5.23.2011 by Desiré

Oooh! Em accepted the challenge! See the "other dimension" of her home on Tumblr. 

Out and About: Artists in Dialogue

As a designer, I'm constantly hunting for inspiration and, fortunately, DC is a wellspring of creative fodder. Just Thursday, I stumbled upon a hidden gem at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art. The installation, Artists in Dialogue 2, is in sharp contrast with the museum's other exhibits. Though still underground, the room was bright and airy - the white walls reflecting generous overhead lighting. Stepping over the threshold, from dark to light, is an experience in itself. The installation also features some VERY contemporary works unlike the museum's more archeological pieces.

Sandile Zulu, Spinal Diagnosis--a regenerate case no. 1

The contributing artists, Sandile Zulu and Henrique Oliveira, work with atypical media to say the least. Zulu's tool of choice - fire. Who knew burn marks could be so captivating? Though Oliveira has two types of work represented, his site-specific, 3-D installations were by far the most impressive. The artist designed two large works that seemingly grow out of the walls - each constructed from old fencing material. Recycling at its finest.

Henrique Oliveira, BololôI highly recommend that you see the exhibit first hand, but don't just take my word for it. My continent-hopping, artist friend from NYC also gave it two thumbs up. Lucky for you, the show runs through December (learn more). 

via africa.si.edu and henriqueoliveira.com

DC Design: Campion Platt

Monday night, I had the pleasure of meeting architect and designer Campion Platt. Have you met him in person? Very dashing (He has the look of a 50’s movie star). However, I was most impressed by his thoughtful approach to design and versatility. The lecture highlighted the breadth of his portfolio. From country home to New York loft, contemporary, classic, big, small, Campion is a jack of all trades.

Though each unique, his designs share a common thread of customization. Campion is a true problem solver and will often incorporate customized solutions to tell a “story” – a concept that captures the essence or spirit of both home and client.

Campion shows original sketches alongside completed projects. Here, Campion designed a Le Corbusier-inspired chaise to fill a
bedroom nook.

Of all the projects presented, the White Loft living room may be my favorite. This room, featuring a contemporary palette of creams and purples, also graces the cover of his new book, Made to Order. Another eye-catcher was a Grace Kelly-inspired unit at the Manhattan House. Campion incorporated an extra long banquette swathed in his own Metro Cloth collection. Oh, the parties to be had!

White Loft Living Room

Manhattan House Living Room

Following the lecture, Campion signed copies of Made to Order with a coordinating plum marker. He joked that he often wears a purple shirt as well. Sense a theme here? As for the book, it’s beautiful. I highly recommend it. And if you’re unfamiliar with Campion Platt, I suggest you review his portfolio pronto.

Signing my copy.

Engrossed in conversation with design pal Jean Kee.

“…the ideas that form the building blocks of a successful project – like every aspect of the design process – are worthy of close consideration. And the best way to consider things, I’ve found, is to make them to order.” - Campion Platt