Inspired Interiors :: Adding Art to the Home

One of the things I’m really looking forward to doing when I move is the decorating. I have so much art to hang and there’s so much gorgeous empty wall space for me to work with. Lately I’ve been obsessed with gallery walls, their compilation of collections; an amalgamation of sizes, shapes, and mediums and I long to create one in the main living area. In my opinion, art is the personal touch that makes a house a home.

Art is perhaps the single most reflection of one's self in a home. Highly personal, whether paint, photography, or mixed media, a piece of art can serve as an accessory or a focal point.  Art adds color, personality, sophistication, even whimsy. It completes a space and is the perfect solution for those who want to add color but are afraid of bold paint or don't want the hassle of wallpaper.  A wall filled with art, whether a large painting or a gallery, is a wall that tells a great story. But this takes time. It takes a while to grow one's art collection - piece by piece. 

Many are intimidated by the process, worried that they'll buy the wrong thing, or haven't a clue where to start. Art shouldn’t be complicated. It should speak to you, whether it’s a photography, oil painting, watercolor or sketch. And art isn’t limited to just those items. You can add flags, old maps, posters, lithographs. You can frame old magazine covers and children’s art. I’m a huge fan of the latter!

Art needn't be expensive. But it should come from the heart. There's no right or wrong piece to purchase; beauty, after all, is in the eye of the beholder. The best places to start are by visiting craft fairs, art exhibits, tag, yard and garage sales, flea markets and antique shows. Galleries, even coffee shops, boutiques and salons have pieces for sale, often done by locals. Don't worry about whether you're making a good investment or not - if something speaks to you and you like it, it's a good investment!

Look for pieces that fit in with your existing decor. It's also ok to separate the two. Garage sales and consignment shops are great places to start, so are local design stores and boutiques. Another great way to source art is when you travel. I love picking up pieces from places I've been to. Not only do they make the best souvenirs but they're perfect reflections of one's lifestyle. If you have children, you have a budding collection right at your disposal! (Read here about displaying children's art elegantly in your home.)

Don't just focus on the main living areas - the dining, living and bedrooms, think about every room including kitchen and bathrooms, even hallways. Below are some examples of ways to hang and display art throughout your home. (Hover over each image to enlarge.) 

I’ll be sharing the process of adding art to my new home… so stay tuned!

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Some tips on hanging and displaying art:

• A large piece is a great way to accent a room. It can anchor or fill a wall. That said, don't hang a small piece on a large wall unless there are others that will be hung with it. 

• Consider hanging artwork on bookcases, or placing them on the shelves.  

• To create a gallery wall work from the middle on out. If you don't have a lot to work with center what you do have in the middle of a wall, so that the room doesn't look off center or unbalanced.

• Group by frames

• Group by color

• Group by black and white

• Group by subject matter

• Mix frames and art

• Do include children's art

• If you're coming up short, think of printing one of your own images. We all have phones and they all have images on them. Have fun. You could curate your own in-home gallery!

• Shelves are a great way to display art either neatly lined up side by side, or layers by size

• Places art on mantels

• Install shelves specifically for showing art and photography

• Do use caution when placing art in kitchens and bathrooms, the steam from both could ruin the artwork. Best sticking with framed images in these rooms, as opposed to images on canvas. Wipe down your frames from time to time.

• Use particular caution in kitchens that aren't well vented - grease is carried in the steam and can place a film on everything. When hanging art in these rooms, be sure to show those that can easily be wiped down.

Image credits: Architectural Digest,. Bre Purposed, Country Living, Design Hunter, Domino, Elle Espagna, Home Edit, Life on Virginia Street, Luxe, New York Magazine, Sniply,. Style Curator, The Cut

Seating Arrangements :: Crushing on Velvet

I’ve long been a fan of this gorgeous, soft and supple fabric. A few years ago I took note of its beauty and elegance on furniture and was not surprised, therefore, when I started to notice more and more, specifically for seating, inside the home. Its luxe fibres elevate the overall formality of any space, even those that aim to be casual and relaxed. I noted that these incredibly soft fabrics are best left to those homes or rooms without children, and wonder if, now that my own children are older, that the time might be perfect to transition from the couch dressed in a white cotton duck to one robed in velvet.

Velvet elevates the ordinary. It adds texture, depth, richness and color to any space. The rich jewel tones add warmth  and sophistication to even the most relaxed of styles. It is a texture that lends itself to any setting and instantly transforms - making the most ordinary of spaces seem extraordinary. Velvet I do believe, is totally crushing it in the home. With a soon to be 14 year old still at home, is this a wise decision, I wonder?

Seating Arrangements :: The Velvet Touch, is it for you? Image via My Domaine

Seating Arrangements :: The Velvet Touch, is it for you? Image via Worthing Court

Seating Arrangements :: The Velvet Touch, is it for you? Image via The Fox & She

Seating Arrangements :: The Velvet Touch, is it for you? Image via The Style Files

Seating Arrangements :: The Velvet Touch, is it for you? Image via Lonny

Seating Arrangements :: The Velvet Touch, is it for you? Image via Decor Pad

Seating Arrangements :: The Velvet Touch, is it for you? Image Pinterest

Seating Arrangements :: The Velvet Touch, is it for you? Image via Architectural Digest

Seating Arrangements :: The Velvet Touch, is it for you? Image via House and Home

Desired and Inspired :: Little Black Houses (for you and me)

Little Black Houses - MarikaMcMeel

I have a relatively new obsession. I am just mad about dark colored houses. Whether deep charcoal grey or black, these unfussy homes are about as sophisticated as they get. They offer an understated elegance, a subdued glamour and blend into their settings seamlessly, whether coastal, urban or suburban. In fact, they almost seem to enhance the landscape that surrounds them. The color suits both large and small, modern and traditional. Dark colors add drama and depth and beckon you to take them seriously,  a message that you’re not afraid to be noticed. Not everyone can pull off a black home. I find them to be handsome and bold, do you?

Little Black Houses - AD Décoration

Little Black Houses - Image via Remodelista

Little Black House - Image via The New York Times

Little Black Houses - Image via Houzz

Little Black Houses - Image via Posh Home

Little Black Houses - Original Source Unknown 

Little Black Houses - Image via Chic et Deco

Little Black Houses - Original Image Source Unknown 

Little Black Houses - Image via Style Juicer

I think I have a particular fondness for those houses with white trim. I think the white accentuates the black even more, making it seem all that much more dramatic. Yet there's the classic side to it as well - black and white will forever be classic colors, and there is a part of me that does embrace the traditional, even if the architecture might not be.

Book Review - The Decorated Home, Living with Style and Joy

It's a sunny 85 degree day in June and I finally have some time to sit down and savor THE DECORATED HOME: LIVING WITH STYLE AND JOY. As I recline on the couch on my 3-season porch, the leaves on the branches sway in the gentle breeze - I glance up to spy a couple of gigantic yellow butterflies fluttering in the distance and a couple of squirrels chasing each other up a tree. I have a lemonade on the ground next to me (the coffee table is too far a reach!) and Meg Braff's book on my lap.

The images in THE DECORATED HOME: LIVING WITH STYLE AND JOY are as refreshing as a cold bowl sherbet on a hot summer day. Her use of vibrant pastels, bright blues, yellows, greens, pinks and corals not only evoke a sense of calm, but instill a sense of understated sophistication. Her designs are all elegant, are approachable, friendly, liveable and without pretension. 

Everyone wants a house filled with grace and charm. Throughout the book Braff shares her inspirations and advice on creating spaces that are livable and attractive, maintaining both form and function. She explores the key elements of her look—color and pattern—and how to employ them for maximum impact.

Known for her use of color, especially those "offbeat enough to catch your eye" Braff has an affinity for layering several hues together, as we see throughout the many pages. Of the belief that all variations needn't match exactly, she often pairs unexpected colors together to create a great impact. She considers green a neutral - a color with which all others can be paired, like a garden in full bloom, but admits to favoring one color in particular.

“However, if I had to align with one color, it would be blue. I am captivated by many shades of blue, from the soothing, expressive Prussian blues in Henri Matisse paintings to the intriguing, muted tones of the French artist Roger Muhl...

Blues evoke the ocean and air; similar to green, it takes on a neutral quality because it works so well with other colors.”

— Living with Style and Joy, Meg Braff

Braff is a huge fan of pattern, which she infuses with her love of color, often layering and marrying several patterns together to create rich and storied spaces. 

“While there is no exact formula, layers of pattern work best when you mix scales. A small ikat on a lampshade next to a chair covered in a larger pattern creates a mix that’s visually intriguing. Aim for interest at different heights in the room; don’t concentrate all the pattern at eye level or on the the floor.””

— The Decorated Room, Meg Braff

Throughout the book she shares her inspirations - her love for detail, antiques, pattern, texture, Chinoiserie, as well as tips for selecting paint color, shopping, styling, and organization.  She also shares the essential elements to creating stylish bedrooms, inviting baths and breakfast rooms, and offers up suggestions for creating chic outdoor spaces.  She also shares with us the importance of finishing touches - the little extras that elevate a room’s decor from good to great.

“Coco Chanel once advised, ‘before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.’ You should do the same when decorating with pattern. Like fashion, pattern benefits from a good edit.”

— Living with Style and Joy, Meg Braff

All of her advice comes together in an overall theme of gracious living that will be warmly welcomed by readers looking to impart polish, color, and grace to their home. Lushly illustrated with vivid images of Braff’s lively work, THE DECORATED HOME: LIVING WITH STYLE AND JOY is an inspiring, idea-filled resource for both novices and experts alike.

Born and raised in Mississippi, interior designer Meg Braff has been praised extensively for her ingenious use of color and pattern. Now based on Long Island, Meg Braff Interiors is known for its work intop resort locations including Bermuda, Palm Beach, the Hamptons, and Newport. Braff also owns her own design shop in Locust Valley.

THE DECORATED HOME: LIVING WITH STYLE AND JOY
Rizzoli International Publications, Inc.
300 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010
Tel. (212) 387-3400 Telefax (212) 387-3535

Decorating Like Dorothy Draper :: A new furniture line is revealed

When one thinks about the iconic designers who not only left their imprint on the history of interior design, but a legacy so rich and colorful that they continue to inspire today a select few come to mind. Among these legends we remember fondly Nancy Lancaster, Sister Parish, Albert Hadley, Elsie de Wolfe, and Dorothy Draper. 

Dorothy Draper is best remembered for her use of bold prints and bright colors, her dramatic interior color schemes, and trademark cabbage-rose chintz. She offered shiny black ceilings, acid-green woodwork and cherry-red floors. Her style was dramatic, edgy, choosing to work with contrasting color schemes, and combining varying fabrics and patterns such as stripes and floral often anchored by oversized details and numerous mirrors. Her work was sought after for homes, hotels, restaurants, theaters, and department stores, much of which survives today, in the lobbies of apartment buildings, hotels including The Carlyle in New York City, and the Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

Founded in 1923, the first interior design company in the United States, Dorothy Draper & Company is still in operations today under the guise of legendary Carleton Varney who has headed the company for 50 years. The firm has several locations internationally including New York, Palm Beach, London, and White Sulphur Springs.  

“Be bold, go vibrant, and think happy colors!” says Carleton Varney. To showcase the newest items, Mr. Varney designed a room based on Draper’s actual bedroom at The Carlyle Hotel in New York. The Collection reflects the classic Dorothy Draper style featuring her signature Neo Baroque design and over scale elements.

For the past two decades Kindel Furniture has been recreating the iconic designs from Dorothy Draper’s extensive volume of work which includes dining, bedroom and occasional furniture and a complete upholstery collection of chairs and sofas. The collection speaks to the high style, customization and quality that has become synonymous with the Kindel brand. The newest collection debuting most recently at High Point maintains Draper’s penchant for the bold and colorful. Kindel offers over 25 painted lacquer color choices to honor the Dorothy Draper aesthetic, in addition to customizable colors.

Mrs. Draper believed “You may concentrate on appearances all through the rest of your house, but in the bedroom comfort should be supreme.” The Tuxedo Park Poster Bed, designed in the style of Mrs. Draper’s personal bed, is the highlight of the room which also includes new additions to the Dorothy Draper Collection: The Carlyle Desk in Rosewood, Dorotheum Love Seat, Mark Drinks Table and the Camellia Double Bench. The room also features Dorothy Draper Fabrics & Wallcoverings as well as Mr. Varney’s lighting designs from Dr. Livingstone, I Presume. Custom colors are available on the Dorothy Draper Collection and Mr. Varney selected a custom green lacquer for the iconic Pinwheel Chest. The color matches his Braziliance fabric originally made famous in 1942 by Dorothy Draper in her decoration of The Quintandinha Resort in Brazil. (All images shown below)

The Collection can be viewed at Kindel’s New York showroom at the New York Design Center, 200 Lexington Avenue, Suite 801.

The Dorotheum Love Seat by Kindel Grand Rapids. Decorating like Dorothy Draper

Espagna Bunching Chest, Robins Egg Blue, Gilt. Decorating like Dorothy Draper. 

Pinwheel Chest in Brilliance with glazed gold accent. Decorating like Dorothy Draper 

Lilly Chair. Decorating like Dorothy Draper

Trellis Screen White, Robins Egg Blue  - Decorating like Dorothy Parker

Floral side chairs. Decorating like Dorothy Draper

Arrowhead Chinoi chair, Windsor Stripe. Decorating like Dorothy Draper.

Channel Back Lounge. Decorating like Dorothy Draper.

Cafe side chair - Decorating like Dorothy Parker

Camilla Double Bench, White Summer Daisy, Aqua. Decorating like Dorothy Draper

About Kindel Grand Rapids: Kindel Grand Rapids is an American, luxury furniture brand that includes Kindel, Karges, and Councill. Based in Grand Rapids, MI, these companies are committed to bench-made methods and hand craftsmanship and today are uniquely positioned as the preeminent source for luxury furniture made in the United States. The Kindel Furniture brand, known for 100% American-made furniture, has been in operation since 1901 and in Grand Rapids since 1912. The company enjoys a reputation for superior execution, hand craftsmanship and timeless design. The brand’s many partnerships and collaborations include furniture collections with Dorothy Draper and Company, The Winterthur Museum, Robert A.M. Stern Architects, Tudor Place and multiple interior designers in their Designer Artist Series.

The Seaside House :: Living on the Water

I can think of no better time to curl up with a book about magnificent homes on the water than now, in the midst of a midwinter snowstorm. Although Spring is just days away, the landscape beyond my window is reminiscent of a scene at Christmastime with a foot of crisp white snow blanketing everything within my view. A thick layer of ice lies above the snow keeping even the hungriest of squirrels and fox at bay. Nary a bird - cardinal or robin - to be seen on the many bare trees in my backyard. When in bloom the trees form a natural screen, shielding me from neighbors and passersby.

But now the veil is lifted and I can see miles away... On a clear day I can see the large ferries carrying cars and passengers on the Long Island Sound. But today everything is white, the sky, the ground, and everything in between. As I open the book I am transported to summertime and reminded why I have chosen to live in my oh so very tiny home... I have chosen it for its location, its proximity to the water and the many small beaches that line my town's edge. There is something about the water... there is something about living on or near the water... It instills a sense of calm. It brings one closer to nature. It inspires. It invigorates. 

And so on this brutally cold March afternoon, I set aside all my worries of work and projects and deadlines. I give into the confines of my home, comfortable, warm, safe from the elements, and pour over the stunning pages of The Seaside House: Living on the Water, savoring each and every image. Of course, one needn't a snow day to appreciate and to be inspired by the stunning homes. A shady porch, a breezy patio, a stunning balcony, a relaxing bedroom all offer the perfect setting... a glass of wine, a lemonade or warm cup of tea as you savor each beautifully photographed home - interior and exterior. 

For those who dream of a house on the water, whether it is an ocean, lake or river, The Seaside House: Living on the Water, brings us there - if only temporarily, offering everything from clean, modern beach houses to traditional style cottages. These breathtaking homes will inspire you and anyone who loves a water view. We are given a privileged sneak-peak inside the homes of Martha Stewart's Seal Harbor, Maine residence and Giorgio Armani's Antigua Getaway. In quintessential communities such as Block Island, Nantucket, Malibu and Harbor Islands, these homes have been decorated by such revered designers as Steven Gambrel, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Celerie Kemble and Ken Fulk. 

The Seaside House: Living on the Water by Nick Voulgaris III, Rizzoli NY 2017

The Seaside House: Living on the Water by Nick Voulgaris III, Rizzoli NY 2017

The Seaside House: Living on the Water by Nick Voulgaris III, Rizzoli NY 2017

The Seaside House: Living on the Water by Nick Voulgaris III, Rizzoli NY 2017

The Seaside House: Living on the Water by Nick Voulgaris III, Rizzoli NY 2017

Nicks, Voulgaris III is the author of Hinkley Yachts, a restrospective on the iconic yacht builder. His forthcoming books include the legendary boat company, Chris Craft and the New York Athletic Club. Nick is the proprietor of Kerber's Farm, an historic farm and retail brand located on Long Island. He lives in New York's West Village with his English Labrador, Charlie, and in the summer aboard his sailboat in Shelter Island. Douglas Freidman is a New York based fashion/interiors photographer whose work has been published in Harper's Bazaar, InStyle, ElleDecor and Vanity Fair, among others.

I received a complimentary edition of The Seaside House: Living on the Water by Nick Voulgaris III, Rizzoli NY 2017.
The thoughts and views are solely my own.

Pantone's Color of the Year gets a Green Thumbs Up!

Green is the color of color of balance and harmony, growth, spring and renewal. It renews and restores depleted energy and serves as a sanctuary from the stresses of modern living. As green is a combination of both yellow and blue, it encompasses the optimism of yellow with the calm and insight of blue. It also reflects a love of nature. 

Green is everywhere and is, in fact, the most common color in the natural world, second only to blue as the most favorite.  The color green has been shown to have many positive effects on the body. It stimulates the pituitary gland and relaxes the muscles. It is at once calming and stress-relieving yet also invigorating. With this in mind, if green is your color, there is just so much you can do with it. With so many varying shades ad hues, there's something out there for every personality and style preference. Below are 10 images illustrating just how versatile this color truly is - from stately manners, to SoHo studios. 

Pantone's Color of the Year gets a Green Thumbs Up! 
Image via French by Design

Pantone's Color of the Year gets a Green Thumbs Up! 
Image via Dom Info

Pantone's Color of the Year gets a Green Thumbs Up! 
Image via South Shore Decorating

Pantone's Color of the Year gets a Green Thumbs Up! 
Image via Apartment Therapy

Pantone's Color of the Year gets a Green Thumbs Up! 
Image via House Beautiful

Pantone's Color of the Year gets a Green Thumbs Up! 
Image via Apartment Therapy

Pantone's Color of the Year gets a Green Thumbs Up! 
Image via Elle Decor

Pantone's Color of the Year gets a Green Thumbs Up! 
Image via The Roost

Pantone's Color of the Year gets a Green Thumbs Up! 
Image via Amo Decor

Pantone's Color of the Year gets a Green Thumbs Up! 
Image via Sketch 42

For more Green ideas hop on over to my Pinterest page, Green with Envy!

The White Couch :: Your Blank Canvas to Design

One size fits all - While we won't typically say this of most furniture, we can go out on a limb and say that this is indeed true for the white couch. For those who might think it too "vanilla" or bland, I'm giving you reason to look at it from a different perspective - to think otherwise. While many prefer to stick with monochromatic, neutral design, there are many out there raising their fists, shouting quelle horreur! Color, pattern and texture lovers cover their eyes, shudder at the thought of something so, so.... white! But white is the perfect platform for all color.

Think of the couch as your canvas where you begin with a flat clean surface and add color and texture with layers of paint. Only in lieu of paint you add your color and texture using other means... lush colorful pillows, blankets and rugs... Bright (or subdued) hues on walls, ceilings and accessories - vases, flowers, poufs, furniture, curtains and artwork. There are so many ways to add color and texture, if you so desire. Whether you prefer a quiet neutral space or one that is energetic and colorful both can be enhanced by a simple white couch. 

And finally you might ask yourselves, is white really that practical? Yes, indeed it is! Not only is it incredibly adaptable, which is perfect if you tend to like to change things up from time to time, but it suits a myriad of styles from contemporary and urban to traditional. Formal and stylized, streamlined with clean lines or casual and relaxed with removable slipcovers (practical for homes with young families) the white couch proves to have a powerful and timeless presence in the home. 

The White Couch :: Your Blank Canvas to Design. Image via First Dibs

The White Couch :: Your Blank Canvas to Design. Original source unknown

The White Couch :: Your Blank Canvas to Design. Image via Veranda

The White Couch :: Your Blank Canvas to Design. Image Heidi Wasserman

The White Couch :: Your Blank Canvas to Design. Image via Tumblr

The White Couch :: Your Blank Canvas to Design. Image via Tumblr

The White Couch :: Your Blank Canvas to Design. Image via ElleDecor

The White Couch :: Your Blank Canvas to Design. Image via First Dibs

The White Couch :: Your Blank Canvas to Design. Original image unknown

The White Couch :: Your Blank Canvas to Design. Image via Veranda (Vincente Wolf Interiors)

Style Spotting :: Tassels

Tassels - I've been noticing them for a while, quietly entering the scene, then BAM! taking the fashion world by storm. Maybe you've seen them too - maybe you haven't. But I assure you now that I've pointed them out to you, you'll start to see them all over the place. ALL over the place!

It wasn't even all that long ago that I started to notice these tassels all over the place - on clothes, shoes, bags, jewelry... at first I wasn't so sure... but then I started to fall in love... A huge fan of boho chic, I started to see these tassels on clothes that I was drawn to. And then one night I headed over to a dear friend's house for cocktails and dinner and she had this incredible necklace with miniature tassels all over it... At that point I saw them everywhere! They're fun, youthful, whimsical - they make you smile... they remind you not to take anything too seriously! We all need a good dose of that from time to time.

Tassels en Vogue :: The Entertaining House
Image via Vogue/Tory Burch

A fun tassel-clad straw bag carried by a Tory Burch model a couple of years ago- There's something about a straw bag and tassels! 

Tassels en Vogue :: The Entertaining House
Image via Life as Mama

Anyone can have tassels on their bags... This fun DIY version is a more budget friendly version!

Tassels en Vogue :: The Entertaining House
Image via Tumblr

The Boho style embraces the tassel - These dresses can be found in all styles in all price ranges. There's something for everyone and every budget!

Tassels en Vogue :: The Entertaining House
Image via Soludos

I just about died when I saw the above espadrilles for the first time. It was a Sunday afternoon and I was at an event hosted by a local restaurant when I looked down and saw these shoes on a woman sitting next to me. I told her how much I loved them and now I am sharing the love with you. You can find them at Soludos. Aren't they fab? And they're under 100 clams to boot! 

Tassels en Vogue :: The Entertaining House
Image via Annie Bing

Mad Mad Mad about this dress... 

Tassels en Vogue: The Entertaining House
Image via The Fashion Medley

Even more Mad Mad Mad about the pants!

Tassels en Vogue: The Entertaining House
Image via Land of Nod (Sold out)

A fun way to add some color, whimsy and decor to a child's space...

Tassels en Vogue: The Entertaining House
Image via Anthropologie

Or to a bedroom... perfect for a pre-teen, teenager and anyone who's young at heart!

Tassels en Vogue: The Entertaining House
Image via Dolce & Gabbana

But don't just listen to me... Tassels have taken the runway by storm... Dolce & Gabbana seem to love them as well...

Tassels en Vogue: The Entertaining House
Image via Vogue/Missioni

And they aren't the only ones... this Missioni top is featured in their 2017 Cruise Wear line... (Caring for this seems a bit daunting!)

Tassels en Vogue: The Entertaining House
Image via Tommy Hilfiger

This maxi dress and Boho Chic necklace by Tommy Hilfiger is FUN FUN FUN!

Tassels en Vogue: The Entertaining House
Image via Kenzo

Kenzo's tassel is slightly more sophisticated.... 

Tassels en Vogue: The Entertaining House}
Image via Stylelovely

There is nothing about this look by Style Lovely that I don't like! Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to find some patches and tassels!

Design for Delight :: WilsonArt Chair Design Competition Embraces Creativity and Craftsmanship

My day of design with my #designhound peers was sponsored in part by WilsonArt. Each year WilsonArt Challenges is hosted at a different American Design school – one that encourages innovative thinking and unique approaches. Each year a winning entry and five runners up are on display at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair at the Jacob Javits Center in New York. All aspiring furniture designers should take note!

When I was in my late teens, many thousands of years ago, i had a summer job with a very eclectic group of kids. Working with me was a young man, a few years older than I. He was Indian and spoke with a very prominent English accent. He was a student at Yale University and whenever he introduced himself he would say "My name is So-and-so, and I'm going to be a furniture designer." He overly enunciated the word furniture in an upper-crust sort of a way, and for this we all mocked him, in a kind, teasing manner. I was curious. It seemed so esoteric to me. Meantime, as I was preparing to enter my Junior year in college I was clueless as to what I wanted to do with my life, and with the pressure to declare a major I opted for English. I was told that if I could write well, I could do anything. Now it seems I've almost come full circle. I hadn't thought of So-and-So the Furniture Designer until I sat down to write about the WilsonArt Challenge.  

Wilsonart is a leading manufacturer of decorative engineered surfaces and has - for more than a decade - hosted a unique challenge, which is incorporated into college curriculums. This challenge was created expressly for the next generation of designers to go above and beyond form and function. They must seek to encapsulate a story and project an emotion with their body of work, all the while celebrating the versatility of laminate. In essence, the story is told through creating something seemingly as simple as a chair. As you read on, however, you'll notice there's nothing simplistic about the competition, the students or their chairs. There is a stipulation, of course! Sponsored by WilsonArt, the students must use WilsonArt Laminate to answer their specific design challenge. 

This year "designed for delight" was their prompt to amuse and engage their audience with their chairs. I strongly encourage you to read the descriptions and inspirations behind each concept!

Stephen Marchio of the College for Creative Studies was chosen as the competition’s winner for his design, “Prelude.” The winning chair is a visual statement on craftsmanship. The form embraces the tension between construction and deconstruction, between fine craftsmanship and that which is “malfatto” or “badly made” in a playful sense. 

Back to the Future as a design concept: this chair projects into the future of a skilled designer's life while simultaneously honoring all the little steps they took to get there. The chair's form and concept are based on the idea that a maker often looks back on his or her work, perhaps beginning from childhood, and they feel a sense of progression. As the maker ages, their skills and abilities expand with them and suddenly their standards for quality change. 

The Prelude chair is a playful statement; simultaneously coming together and pulling apart. The form embraces the tension between construction and deconstruction, between fine craftsmanship and that which is "malfatto" or badly made in a playful sense. The name Prelude means "primary and this 12th year's competition winner is at the beginning of his career as a creative visionary. 

Alejandra Bucco designed the Pie Chair.

While I appreciate the art, construction and aesthetic of Prelude, a professed foodie and often-times food writer and critic, this chair immediately captured my attention. I could envision it in a family den, playroom or even in an urban cafe. Whimsical, it sparks immediate conversation. Bucco's chair is inspired by "the delight we find in eating something sweet. Baking homemade treats has become synonymous with a gesture of love toward those eating." Bucco is interested in the nostalgia associated with treats, such as pie, that have strong ties to family, home and passing traditions from generation to generation.

Kiho Jeong imagined the Root Bench. His idea was influenced by trees, playgrounds and children. "They perch, drape, curl up in on and in between all the branches and above ground roots. Children take forms and repurpose them to fit their bodies and their imagination." Jeong says his chair mimics the slants and bends that are created by the trees which invites the sitters to discover their own favorite pose. Much like the growth of trees, the form of the chair, or bench, is asymmetrical and highly irregular; these hallmarks in nature are not common in chair design. 

Adam Whittaker created En Throne, a bold and uncomplicated piece. His chair simultaneously infuses the sculptural, the graphic and the playful. The name he chose is a play on words. "En Throne" is derived from the Japanese calligraphy practice of drawing an Enso - a circle drawn in one fluid brush stroke. It symbolizes strength and elegance. The word throne was chosen because the chair is a noble seat that frames the sitter. His chair was creates a sense of wonder - it is imposing yet alluring. Whittaker says "I want the viewer to be filled with anticipation as they approach it and feel joy as they're encompassed by its grandiose form and intense blue." 

S1. Designed by Scott Pancioli the S1 chair strikes an elegant pose, sophisticated in design with great attention to detail. The restrained form is a combination of two element; the grey seat bucket and the set of turned wood legs. The maple seat pan, wool upholstered cushion and spun legs encapsulate the warmth and simplicity of Scandinavian design which the birch backrest finished with charcoal laminate compliments the seat. Much thought was put into the design and angles of the chair which make it incredibly comfortable. 

Zachary Boomer created the Geode Chair. A Geode is a rock that's filled with crystals and the chair pays homage to the surprise cluster of crystals found when opening a geode. Using a single shade of purple laminate, a compound, multi-faceted seating surface is created. Just as crystal reflects light, this chair uses light to create the effect of a color gradient through the use of just one color.

The concept was developed as a device to draw people in and inspire them to consider the material in a whole new light - literally. The color was chosen with its historical reference to the dyes and luxury associated with purple, and therefore refers to the most regal of statuses.  The chair is created largely from expanding foam and the only actual footprint of the sitter is surfaced in laminate.

About Wilsonart

Wilsonart, a world leading engineered surfaces company, is driven by a mission to create surfaces people love, with service you can count on, delivered by people who care. The company manufactures and distributes High Pressure Laminate, Quartz, Solid Surface, Coordinated TFL and Edgebanding and other engineered surface options for use in furniture, office and retail space, countertops, worktops and other applications. Operating under the Wilsonart®, Resopal®, Polyrey®, Arborite®, Ralph Wilson® and Durcon® brands, the company continuously redefines decorative surfaces through improved performance and aesthetics. For more information, visit www.Wilsonart.com or connect with them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About The College for Creative Studies

Located in the heart of Detroit, the College for Creative Studies (CCS) educates artists and designers to be leaders in the creative professions. A private, fully accredited college, CCS enrolls more than 1,400 students pursuing Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degrees. Students in the BFA program can major in Advertising: Copywriting, Advertising Design, Crafts, Entertainment Arts, Fashion Accessories Design, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interior Design, Photography, Product Design, and Transportation Design, in addition to a dual major Art Education program. Students in the MFA program can major in Color and Materials Design, Interaction Design, Integrated Design, and Transportation Design. The College also offers non-credit courses in the visual arts through its Continuing and Precollege Studies programs and opportunities for youth through its Community Arts Partnerships programs.