Posts Tagged ‘Recap’
RECAP: South Loft Walk
This fall we hit quite a few Loft Tour’s across the country. The latest hot loft community we previewed is Printers Row in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood hosted by the South Loop Neighbors on Sunday, October 18th. What was Chicago’s printing hub has became the first converted commercial district to now historic residential buildings. This transformation began in 1979 and has evolved ever since. The slow growth has allowed the area to mature, turning Dearborn St. into a main vain of restaurants, bars, and shops. For the pioneers, this is a proud opportunity to show off what they have known about the landmark district all along. Here are some of them. . .
Dearborn St. toward Dearborn Station
New Franklin Building “Memories of Chicago”
Peterson Lofts “Bestiary”
- Donohue Building “Enchanted World”
Donohue Building “Vitality of Art”
Donohue Building “Rock’ n Roll Jewel Box”
- Donohue Building “Enchanted World”
RECAP: Tribeca Loft Tour
On Sunday October 18th, Duane Park, a not-for profit organization that was founded in 1994, hosted their 10th Tribeca Loft Tour. Some of the loft buildings have been around since the mid-1800’s. Many of the buildings facades and some of the core structural elements showcased these time periods. There were converted warehouses, most of which had classical elements in the Renaissance or Romanesque style, although there were a few that had a French derived Neo-Grec aesthetic. These various architectural trends from the past can be seen in the original ceiling beams, unusual window treatments, ornate columns, and vaulted detailing. The original purposes of the buildings ranged from old spice market factories, garment industrial manufacturers, paint makers, and, even, business oriented fields, such as the old American Express headquarters.
Personally, it was a privileged and treat to visit these historically rich homes that had not attempted to cover up their past. It’s not ever day that you enter someones home and see ancient paint spattered all over the wooden floors. Enjoy!
An Artist’s Loft:
Loft completed by Dean/Wolf Architects:
Photographer, journalist, and connoisseur’s Loft featuring Valerie Carmet’s lovely mosaic tiling:
Architecture designed by Acheson Doyle Partners Architects P.C & Design, construction, and contracting by European Interior Concepts, Inc.
Artists’ C. Michael Norton & Ruth Hardinger’s Live/Work Loft:
Photography by Linden Hass
RECAP: Rosenthal Concept Store Launch
Last Thursday German luxury brand Rosenthal hosted their concept store launch at The Plaza, featuring images from their EGO photography campaign shot by Karl Lagerfeld which showcases the brands innovative and design-driven tabletop culture.
According to Lagerfeld, “On one hand, I love this brand… on the other, I am also interested in the work as a link between beauty and functionality.” Rosenthal USA President Glenn de Stefano feels it’s “an opportunity to express Rosenthal’s artistry and make it accessible and available to those who understand and appreciate it” along with other esteemed stores within the Grand Concourse walls at the The Plaza.
With contemporary porcelain, stemware, tabletop, and homeware accessories that combine traditional design with avant-garde style, the 130-year old design house has collaborated on pieces showcasing an extensive list of architects and artists including Walter Gropius, Timo Sarpaneva, Raymond Loewy, Salvador Dalì, Jasper Morrison, Paul Wunderlich and Patricia Urquiola.
The event was hosted by notable interior designers Anthony Todd, Campion Platt, and Geoffrey Bradfield and drew a who’s who among the New York design community.
Photography by Patrick McMullan Company
The Best of NYIGF
At this year’s second New York International Gift Fair, it was all about functional design. In the “Accent on Design” section, the part applicable to us the most, we were overwhelmed by the innovative designs exhibited. Here is a round-up of our favorite, top three participants:
#1 – Moleskine
Just when you think this forward-thinking journal company has reached their creative limits, they present ingenuous product design. Some stand-out new products include a tear away desk calendar (pictured above), the 2010 “Color A Month” Daily Planner box set, extra large folio journals, and the 2010 Pocket Softcover Project Planner that features 54 accordion pages.
This steady favorite of ours specializes in providing a context for designers of all fields to create, develop and produce various high-quality home and lifestyle items. This “publishing house” for designers has resulted in unique accessories that mix form and function, many of which have playful overtones. Our favorite new designs they were showing include a white table that swivels, a candleholder meant for dripping wax, and a foursome of Swedish stick-back chairs.
#3 – DESU DESIGN
According to their mission, DESU DESIGN “strive to make innovative products that blur the boundary between art and design” using modern manufacturing technology to mass produce their products. Every single furnishing and accessory that they sell has a specified function. Their small products for the home feel especially custom. Our favorites: the spice rack series.
Design Resource: Santa Monica Flea Market
5/26/09
On the first and fourth Sundays of every month, Angelenos far and wide make the pilgrimage to the Santa Monica Airport, home of one of the better flea markets gracing the city. Although nobody is boarding a flight, design inspiration is sky high in this treasure trove of vintage, antique, and collectable goodies. Despite their flea market origin, with the right point of reference, plenty of these pieces can dress up any loft to designer heights.
Used and vintage Spode dishware isn’t just for the tabletop anymore.
Flea market Spode dishware.
Kelly Wearstler's Spode plate wall at the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica, CA.
Kelly Wearstler creatively mounted Spode plates on the outdoor wall of the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica. Buy your dishes cheap at the flea market and spend your money on a great handyman to hang them instead!
Antler plaques were aplenty at this Sunday’s flea market, priced at $75 for the smaller ones and all the way up to $250 for the larger vintage plaques. However, the real find was this old buck trophy head. One of his antlers was slightly broken, but he was in overall great condition, and only $75! According to interior designer Thom Filicia, the taxidermy look works in any home that knows how to balance it out with some refined lines and sophisticated touches. Purse designer, Carrie White, certainly applied Filicia’s school of thought after buying the stag’s head for her own home!
Vintage horn plaques found at the flea market.
Flea market stag's head.
Page featuring stag's head from Thom Filicia's book, STYLE.
Stag's head featured in Carrie White's hallway, mounted on what will be her wallpaper for that space.
Anthropologie may be the first store that comes to mind when searching for cool, antique looking hardware for your home, but the flea market is an equally great resource for much cheaper prices. The market had everything from etched glass doorknobs to vintage iron hooks, perfect for adding function to that fashionable loft kitchen!
Bins of used and vintage hardware at the flea market.
Bins of new hardware (made to look vintage) at Anthropologie.
RECAP: Rona Landman’s INSPIRED Launch
Interior designer Rona Landman celebrated the launch of her new furniture line, INSPIRED, with a private preview last Wednesday at Lampworks. The collection, which consists of 40 pieces, draws inspiration from various designers including Karl Springer and Vladimir Kagan and features materials in the vein of mid-century trends.
Functionality and style are incorporated with exotic woods, metals and parchment finishes. One signature piece is a set of three nesting tables reminiscent of neo-classic style. The curved dark wood legs and exterior frame of each table showcase a burled Maple inset.
For the more modern home, a pair of circular silver metal end tables is an updated take on Campaign style furniture. They feature four legs in a bamboo motif and a circular banded top that showcases a vibrant blue platform. A rectangular zebra cushioned stool, set on graceful curving gold-toned metal supports on each end, would fit both classic and contemporary designs, while a goat hair bench would satisfy a more unique taste.
Custom sizing is available on a number of pieces along with a variety of finishes. Custom pieces carry an unusually fast lead-time of about eight weeks.
The evening paid tribute to Furnish a Future, NYC’s only free furniture bank for formerly homeless families and individuals transitioning out of the NYC shelter system. Select styles from the INSPIRED line will be displayed at Lampworks through August.
RECAP: DWR Design Challenge
2/13/09
Last night we went to DWR’s Upper West Side studio to see the results of the Nathan Thomas Design Challenge. DWR partnered with Housing Works and tasked Nathan with creating a warm and welcoming personal work space using items up for auction with the thrift shop.
Using his signature skills in altering designs, a DWR dining table turned into a geometrically eye-pleasing lucite topped desk, and a plain wall bearing chalkboard paint was transformed into a chalk mural accented by the phrase “Trust Me” in neon, resonating with today’s environment, or lack thereof. A personal favorite was the hand painted wine bottles leftover from gatherings at the designer’s apartment that he had jazzed up with a raw zipper and white poppies. Other great pieces included the hot pink duct taped antique mannequins and the over-sized brown medicine jars with single banana leafs placed in them.
Check out DWR’s Workspace Sale here.
For more on Nathan Thomas, visit his website Nathan Thomas Studios.
Read our interview with Nathan Thomas here.
Posted by Erin Ryder
RECAP: Issue Two Launch Party
11/3/08
The celebration of our second issue continued on with Aqua, where LoftLife hosted a party on Friday, October 10th following the anniversary party with Space Modern (even more photos still to come!). Guests gathered on the roof and took in the view of midtown Atlanta while sipping on cocktails from Partida Tequila and the Taste Network, served by the Liquid Chefs. The building was a fitting setting as it is also home to football star Gibril Wilson, who was featured in the magazine.
Aqua Midtown
20 Tenth Street
Atlanta, GA 30309
Posted by Erin Ryder
RECAP: LOFTS WITHIN REACH
10/15/08
A few weeks ago LoftLife partnered with DWR in Atlanta for “Lofts Within Reach” to celebrate our Winter issue. Four panelists and a studio full of loft dwellers talked about the distinguishing characteristics of a loft and intown living. Guests discussed the upcoming Castleberry Hill Loft Tour (CastleberryHill.org) , in the Landmark Historic District on the southwest edge of downtown, where former warehouses have found new lives as live/work lofts, cutting edge art galleries, shops and restaurants – with the best of each on display this past weekend (more photos to come).
Speakers tackled the design challenges of open plan living, offering ideas on storage solutions in addition to discussing the current multi-use furniture choices that are readily available. The event was genuinely educational amidst an energetic atmosphere that spread from speaker to participant.
Bottom line: we can’t get enough! Which is why this event marks the beginning of a new LoftLife community series that we plan to continue on a regular basis.
Posted by Erin Ryder
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