Shopper's Diary: The Melrose Project in Los Angeles

September 30, 2010, 8:30 am

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Newly opened on Melrose Place in LA and already causing a frisson in the design world: The Melrose Project, an antiques and art collaborative curated by mother/son team Kathleen Clements and Tommy Clements (see their rug designs at Woven Accents). The Clements are known for mixing eras and styles with ease: "We're focused on marrying disparate pieces and making them work together—refined antiques mixed with primitive with industrial," Tommy Clements says. "We've rounded up pieces from our favorite antique dealers (including Lee Stanton in LA, Robuck & Co. in Atlanta, Karla Katz in New Orleans) and mixed them with contemporary furniture and art from galleries like Michael Kohn and the Rose Gallery." The vibe of the space is simple, spare, gallery-like, with white-painted cinderblock walls and sealed-concrete floors; retail and trade both welcome.

N.B. The Melrose Project will be stocking linens from New York-based Olatz—they'll be the first retail outlet to carry her covetable luxe Italian and Portuguese bedding. 

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Design Sleuth: Sandberg Raphael Wallpaper in Paris

September 30, 2010, 11:00 am

≫ Next: Required Reading: New New York from Taschen

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Like a Parisian version of the Selby, Clarisse Demory of Ensuite photographs interesting flats and residences around France; we especially like this grand yet unstudied Parisian apartment, with wallpaper by Swedish company Sandberg glimpsed through a doorway.

Above: Swedish company Sandberg's Raphael wallpaper pattern was inspired by 17th century French tapestries. In the US, Sandberg wallpapers and fabrics are available through Stark in New York

Required Reading: New New York from Taschen

September 30, 2010, 1:30 pm

≫ Next: Required Reading: New New York Interiors from Taschen

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Released more than a decade after the publication of Taschen's original New York Interiors, Angelika Taschen's update on the subject, New York Interiors, offers a glimpse into a range of residences, from lavish Fifth Avenue palaces to the raw industrial Brooklyn loft of BDDW founder Tyler Hays (shown below).

Above: New New York by Angelika Taschen; $34.19 at Amazon.

 

Above: The Brooklyn loft of artist, designer, and BDDW founder Tyler Hays centers around a concrete tub.

Required Reading: New New York Interiors from Taschen

September 30, 2010, 1:30 pm

≫ Next: Architect Visit: Nathan Gibson Judd in Australia

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Released more than a decade after the publication of Taschen's original New York Interiors, Angelika Taschen's update on the subject, New New York Interiors, offers a glimpse into a range of residences, from lavish Fifth Avenue palaces to the raw industrial Brooklyn loft of BDDW founder Tyler Hays (shown below), photographed by Ngoc Minh Ngo.

Above: New New York by Angelika Taschen; $34.19 at Amazon.

 

Above: The Brooklyn loft of artist, designer, and BDDW founder Tyler Hays centers around a concrete tub. Photos by Ngoc Minh Ngo.

Architect Visit: Nathan Gibson Judd in Australia

October 1, 2010, 3:15 am

≫ Next: Shopper's Diary: Bison Ceramics in Australia

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Canberra-based architect Nathan Gibson Judd won a 2010 Emerging Architect Prize from the Australian Institute of Architects for his fresh approach to small-scale suburban housing. We especially like Gibson Judd's reinterpretations of 1950s and 60s Australian beach houses: open-plan, light-filled structures with a holiday feel—featuring unexpected jolts of what he calls "optimistic" color. For more information, go to Nathan Gibson Judd Architecture. Photography by Brett Boardman.

 

 

Above two photos: Gibson Judd sets the stage with a bright pink entry door in the Broulee Shack in Canberra.

 

 

Above: Located in Canberra, Australia, on a small suburban site, the Butterley house (shown above and in the photos below) uses color in "a nod to vibrant eras past," according to Gibson Judd. "The dining area is backed by a brick spine wall that runs through the house, separating the living and service areas."

Above: The pink Bridge lighting fixture, designed by George Seris for Belgian lighting company Dark, "anchors the space with a vibrant glow. The found and refurbished Tulip table features a top that's colored to match an early seventies surfboard."

Above: "The green of the cabinetry helps bring a sense of the garden into the interiors," according to Gibson Judd.

Above: A bookcase sliver holds a collection of cookbooks.

Above: The "snappy and funky living room" features simple and robust materials—polished concrete floors, metal bookshelves, a brick wall.

Shopper's Diary: Bison Ceramics in Australia

October 1, 2010, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Lighting: David Trubridge Coral Pendant in Colors

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Yet another reason to contemplate a trip to Sydney: the newish Bison Ceramics store, spotted a while back on Decor 8 (with images by Australian photographer Jillian Leiboff). Founded by principal designer Brian Tunks (a student of classics who developed a fascination for pottery during Greco-Roman excavations in the Middle East), Bison has an environmentally noble mission. "Our aim is that your Bison will last a lifetime," Tunks says. "We use recycled packaging materials and we pay a premium for renewable energy to run our kilns and facilities." Made from Australian stoneware clay, the pieces are available in a range of vibrant colors and simple shapes. Online ordering is available; prices start at AD $27.50 for a coffee & tea mug; go to Bison Ceramics for more information.

Lighting: David Trubridge Coral Pendant in Colors

October 1, 2010, 8:30 am

≫ Next: Furniture: Jardan in Australia

≪ Previous: Shopper's Diary: Bison Ceramics in Australia

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New Zealand designer David Trubridge has added color to one of our favorite lighting fixtures: the bamboo plywood Coral Pendant (see it in situ in Francesca's house). The Paint Coral Pendant features a natural bamboo finish on the exterior with a choice of six vibrant painted colors on the interior. The lights ship flat packed and come with 6 feet of wire, a canopy, and instructions for assembly; Y Lighting is offering the 23.5-inch-diameter size for a special introductory price of $449 (down from $520) through December 31, 2010 (two larger sizes are also available).

Above: The Coral Paint Pendant in Westside; $449 at Y Lighting.

Above: The Coral Paint Pendant in Wham; $449 at Y Lighting.

 

Above: The Coral Paint Pendant in Flamingo; $449 at Y Lighting.

Furniture: Jardan in Australia

October 1, 2010, 11:00 am

≫ Next: Designer Visit: Diane Bergeron in Melbourne

≪ Previous: Lighting: David Trubridge Coral Pendant in Colors

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Founded in 1987, family-owned Australian furniture company Jardan has showrooms in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane; all pieces are made by a team of craftspeople in Melbourne. Their pieces have a distinct Aussie vibe, with color featuring large in their upholstery selections; their manufacturing process is endorsed by the Green Building Council of Australia.

Above: The yellow Arana chair features a recessed steel swivel base.

Above: The new Archie line features American oak frames and feather and down wrapped cushions.

 

Above: The Nook sofa features American oak legs and feather and down wrapped cushions.

Above: Clementine is a line of American oak veneered case goods.

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Designer Visit: Diane Bergeron in Melbourne

October 1, 2010, 1:30 pm

≫ Next: Office Visit: Alex Scott Porter Design in New York

≪ Previous: Furniture: Jardan in Australia

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Spotted recently in Living Etc.: The Melbourne residence of Diane Bergeron, an American textile designer who relocated to Australia with her husband and two children a while back. Bergeron's design philosophy—"If you stick to a neutral backdrop, shots of brights can boost new life into a space"—is on full display in her own home, a two-story, converted midcentury warehouse, with an office/showroom on the ground floor (Bergeron runs her own design studio, Diane Bergeron Interiors, and reps several lines of boutique fabrics). See the entire suite of photos at Living Etc.

Above: A carpet by Madeline Weinrib anchors the living room.

Above: An original steel door, factory lights, and rolling ladders preserve the industrial warehouse vibe.

Above: Bergeron conceals under-counter clutter with simple linen panels.

Above: The upholstered chair is from Diane Bergeron Interiors.

Above L: Bergeron's design studio features ceiling to floor bookcases. Above R: A bolt of fabric functions as art in the studio's entryway.

Office Visit: Alex Scott Porter Design in New York

October 3, 2010, 11:05 am

≫ Next: Architect Visit: Turnbull Griffin Haesloop in Northern California

≪ Previous: Designer Visit: Diane Bergeron in Melbourne

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Architect Alex Scott Porter grew up in New York City but spent summers at a farmhouse in Maine, eating vegetables from the garden, drinking from a gravity-fed water tap, and bathing in a nearby lake. These rustic experiences have had a lasting effect on Porter's architectural approach; in her designs, she strives to create a built environment that is in harmony with nature, using materials that are environmentally clean and natural ventilation whenever possible.

We recently caught up with Porter and asked her for a list of her favorite sustainable design books; to see her work, go to Alex Scott Porter Design.

Above: Sustainable Living: 25 International Examples, by Dominique Gauzin-Muller; $79.95 at Amazon. "Inspiring examples of how green architecture does not have to be reductive and austere."

Above: Building Envelopes: An Integrated Approach, $16.47 at Amazon. "This book describes a number of sustainable envelope case studies. Where a lot of publications gloss over the technical aspects in favor of flashy photos, this book uses simple diagrams to convey the underlying principles of energy efficiencies."

Above: The Green Studio Handbook, by Alison Kwok and Walter Grondzik; $43.23 at Amazon. "This book sets up a nice reference outline for approaching a project in a sustainable manner, from siting to alternative energy options."

Above: Architectural Detailing: Function, Constructibility, Aesthetics, by Edward Allen and Patrick Rand; $35.15 at Amazon. "Although this book is not explicitly about sustainable design, it does a great job of illustrating the essential patterns of construction that will last, which to me is paramount to sustainability."

Above: In Search of Natural Architecture, by David Pearson; $25.37 at Amazon. "This book examine the sustainable aspects of vernacular architecture from around the world. It also offers powerful examples of how architecture affects spiritual well being."

Above: Hot, Flat, and Crowded, by Thomas L. Friedman; $10.88 at Amazon. "Friedman presents a convincing argument for why we need to embrace green design now; I wish everybody would read this book."

Above: LEED Materials: A Resource Guide to Green Building, by Ari Meisel; $26.40 at Amazon. "In a marketplace where many materials are advertised as green, this book is helpful in separating out those that actually are."

Architect Visit: Turnbull Griffin Haesloop in Northern California

October 4, 2010, 3:15 am

≫ Next: Accessories: Rotzo Log Holder from Civico Quattro

≪ Previous: Office Visit: Alex Scott Porter Design in New York

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Founded by the late Bay Area architect William Turnbull (who worked with Charles Moore on the iconic Sea Ranch development on the Pacific Coast), San Francisco firm Turnbull Griffin Haesloop, under the leadership of partners Mary Griffin, Eric Haesloop, and Stefan Hastrup, continues to specialize in simple, vernacular structures "rooted in the environment, with particular attention paid to topography, microclimate, vegetation, and solar orientation," according to the firm. Go to Turnbull Griffin Haesloop to see more of the firm's work.

Above: A Sea Ranch residence features two structures connected by a deck.

Above three photos: Another Sea Ranch residence features a built-in dining area off the kitchen.

Above: A guesthouse in a Sebastopol residence.

Above: A recent project south of San Francisco focuses inward on a manmade pond, garden, and pool. Large sliding glass doors open directly out to the pond and terrace.

Above: Despite the hot climate, the house is not air-conditioned, but passively cooled with a combination of overhangs, shades, and operable windows.

Above: The house features many green building materials, including high fly-ash concrete, formaldehyde-free casework, and denim insulation.

Above: All the main rooms open to the outdoors for a seamless indoor/outdoor feel.

Accessories: Rotzo Log Holder from Civico Quattro

October 4, 2010, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Walls, Windows & Floors: Striped Rugs from Oliver Yaphe

≪ Previous: Architect Visit: Turnbull Griffin Haesloop in Northern California

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Based in Vicenza, multidisciplinary design studio Civico Quattro designs interiors, porcelain pieces, glassware—we especially like the studio's Rotzo Log Holder. Made of waxed natural iron with a reclaimed wood base, the log holder measures 40 by 28 by 16 cms and is €360 directly from Civico Quattro.

Walls, Windows & Floors: Striped Rugs from Oliver Yaphe

October 4, 2010, 8:30 am

≫ Next: DIY: Painted Logs as Decor

≪ Previous: Accessories: Rotzo Log Holder from Civico Quattro

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Raised in a family with a long history in the carpet business, Toronto-based sisters Katherine and Ali Yaphe continue the tradition. Ali's Toronto showroom Y&Co specializes in textiles and carpets, including pieces from her sister Katherine's line called Oliver Yaphe (Oliver was the family dog). Katherine's designs include a series of children's rugs, a contemporary line of hand-knotted Tibetan wool rugs made in Nepal, and a collection of cotton chenille flatweave rugs hand-woven in India.  All of the rugs can be ordered through Oliver Yaphe directly and are easily shipped to the US.

Above: The hand-knotted wool Margot Stripe Rug; from the Contemporary Stripes Collection; $70 per square foot.

Above: The hand-knotted wool Ali Stripe Rug from the Contemporary Collection is $70 per square foot.

 

Above: The cotton Ellis Stripe Flatweave Rug is available in three sizes; the 5-by-8-foot size is $960, the 6-by-9-foot size is $1,296, and the 8-by-10-foot size is $1,920.

Above: The cotton Nate Stripe Flatweave Rug is available in three sizes; the 5-by-8-foot-size is $960, the 6-by-9-foot size is $1,296, and the 8-by-10-foot-size is $1,920.

DIY: Painted Logs as Decor

October 4, 2010, 11:00 am

≫ Next: Tabletop: Tea Mugs from Spartan in Austin

≪ Previous: Walls, Windows & Floors: Striped Rugs from Oliver Yaphe

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Spotted on Pao Note: A stack of logs (with the ends painted in an array of colors) adds a colorful note to an otherwise monochromatic living room.

Above: Photo via Pao Note.

Above: Pantone's palette of clear, bright shades would be a good choice for this project; to order a selection of sample pots, go to Pantone to locate a dealer.

Tabletop: Tea Mugs from Spartan in Austin

October 4, 2010, 1:30 pm

≫ Next: Steal This Look: Wayne Pate's Office in Brooklyn

≪ Previous: DIY: Painted Logs as Decor

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An easy way to brew a cup of tea using loose leaf varieties: the Tea Mug with Infuser, $20 at Spartan Shop in Austin, Texas.

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Steal This Look: Wayne Pate's Office in Brooklyn

October 5, 2010, 3:15 am

≫ Next: Lighting: New Industrial Task Table Lamps at West Elm

≪ Previous: Tabletop: Tea Mugs from Spartan in Austin

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A while back we bookmarked Brooklyn artist Wayne Pate's home office, featured on Design Sponge (also see Sneak Peek: Best of Offices for more inspiration); here are some ideas for creating a similar look.

Above: Wayne Pate's Brooklyn workspace.

Above: The Vika Amon/Vika Lerberg 59-inch-wide work table features steel legs with a particleboard top; $59.99 at Ikea.

 

Above: White powder-coated metal Tolix Chair; currently on sale at Pottery Barn for $199 (down from $250).

Above: The Classic Clock by the Howard Miller company (founded by the son of Herman) was inspired by the mid-century industrial clocks that George Nelson designed for the company in the 1950s. The clock is framed in spun nickel with a glass cover and features a simple, bold san-serif typeface that can be easily read from a distance. Runs on one AA battery; the Classic Clock is $55 at DWR.

 

 

Above: Hector Bone China Table Light Original BTC; $225 at Horne.

Above: Beechwood and horsehair Table Brush from Iris Hantverk; $50 at Design WIthin Reach.

Above: Westcott 24-inch Stainless Steel Ruler with hole for wall hanging; $8.20 at Amazon.

Above: Brass and Steel Scissors, handmade for generations by a family in India; 6-inch size is $18 and the 9-inch size is $21 at Spartan in Austin, Texas.

Above: Wayne Pate Toparie silkscreen; 18 by 24 inches; $55 from Good Shape Design.

Above: Powder-coated steel Knodd bin with lid; 17.25 inches tall, $24.99 at Ikea.

Lighting: New Industrial Task Table Lamps at West Elm

October 5, 2010, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Storage: Standard Coat Rack by John Green

≪ Previous: Steal This Look: Wayne Pate's Office in Brooklyn

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West Elm nails it with these new Industrial Task Table Lamps; the lamp comes in the colors shown below (black, red, and turmeric) for $59; the polished nickel lamp is $79. 

Storage: Standard Coat Rack by John Green

October 5, 2010, 8:30 am

≫ Next: Tabletop: Wooden Tabletop Pieces by Teroforma

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UK-based industrial designer John Green has garnered notice over the past few years for his simple, inventive furniture and accessory designs (see the Pantone Wallstore for Seletti). His latest project, The Standard, is a modern coat stand "designed around a standard replacement hardwood broom handle" (it had its debut at the recent 100% Design Show in London). The Standard Coat Rack is designed to be flat-packed in a one-meter postal tube and self-assembled. Green is currently seeking a manufacturer and distribution for his coat rack; given his earlier successes, we predict it will be on the market soon.

Above: The fully assembled Standard Coat Rack.

Tabletop: Wooden Tabletop Pieces by Teroforma

October 5, 2010, 11:00 am

≫ Next: Shopper's Diary: Labour and Wait Opens in Shoreditch

≪ Previous: Storage: Standard Coat Rack by John Green

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Teroforma was founded by the husband/wife team of Andrew and Anna Hellman with a simple aim: to make thoughtfully designed objects for the table. The duo has collaborated with 22 artisans and designers from 14 countries and built a range of products, including an appealing line of handcrafted wooden tabletop pieces available at Velocity Art and Design.

Above: The Loft Condiment Set of table tools by Norwegian industrial designer Thea Mehl is handcarved from fallen Pennsylvania hardwoods (the utensils’ shapes are "directly influenced by Mehl's memory of her grandfather’s model plane propellers") Made at Blueberry Hill Treeware in Pennsylvania by Bill Baumgartel, a master woodworker and a juried member of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen, the Loft Condiment Set includes a jam spoon, chutney fork, and a spreader; $50 for the set.

Above: The Avva Serving Boards are crafted with New England beech wood sourced by Armster Reclaimed Lumber in Connecticut from fallen, urban-salvage, or reclaimed wood. They are crafted at Breakfast Woodworks in Guilford, Connecticut, by master woodworker Ken Fields and treated with a simple food-safe wood oil. The Avva Serving Boards come in three sizes: the small size is 7 by 12 inches ($50), the medium is 12 inches square ($70), and the large is 9 by 12 inches ($90). 

Above: The Avva Salt and Pepper Mills by Norwegian industrial designer Thea Mehl are made at Blueberry Hill Treenware in Pennsylvania by Bill Baumgartel; $82 for the set.

Shopper's Diary: Labour and Wait Opens in Shoreditch

October 5, 2010, 1:30 pm

≫ Next: 10 Easy Pieces: Office Wastebaskets

≪ Previous: Tabletop: Wooden Tabletop Pieces by Teroforma

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Just opened on Redchurch Street in London: a more spacious outpost of Labour and Wait, our favorite purveyors of well-made, timeless household essentials. Founded by Rachel Wythe-Moran and Simon Watkins more than a decade ago, Labour and Wait has grown to include an outpost at the Dover Street Market and several concessions in Japan, as well as the original shop on Cheshire Street (now only open on Sundays). Go to Labour and Wait for more information.

Above: School Slate; £9.50, comes with felt eraser and chalk pencil.

Above: Bread bin red oxide brown with white lettering; £60. 

Above: White Dustpan and Natural Bristle Brush; £28.