In the June issue of Elle Decor, tie-dye is featured as the one of the newest trends for sprucing up your fabric choices this Summer. Several designers have added a fresh new take on the technique with vibrant colors and interesting patterns such as the Anniversary collection of wall coverings by Amy Lau for Maya Romanoff. No longer will I make the mistake of associating tie-dye with purple haze, peace signs, and cheap bottles of Lambrusco.
One of my favorite stores for fast fashion, Uniqlo, has set a record – spending a total of $300 million over the course of 15 years for its retail flagship on 5th Ave. Uniqlo’s owner, Fast Retailing Co., is Japan’s largest apparel seller and has plans for it’s baby to occupy the retail space of 666 5th Ave. The opening of the store has not yet been announced, but I love Uniqlo’s VM standards so I’m excited to see how the space turns out!
Behold! The Standard Chair by Uhuru Design. A new take on the traditional Louis style chair, the Standard incorporates the old and the new. The backs are hand-carved, remnants from a chair manufacturer that had gone out of business. Rather than using upholstery, the designers opted for an aluminum mesh backing, and plasma-cut steel seat and legs that add an industrial edge to the classic style. This chair is so fascinating, that it has recently been included in the Brooklyn Museum’s permanent collection.
While I am pleased to start sharing my sketches with the outrageous amount of you that frequent my blog. I ask that you excuse my drafting skills. Practice makes perfect, right?
Anyway I am currently working on a sketch for a flight attendant and lives in a “crash pad” with about 5 other airline personnel. His living room is super narrow, cluttered, and filled with furniture much too big for the space available. I’ve recently turned him on to the joys of IKEA and CB2 as well as a few other stores for buyers on a budget. The furniture from these stores are best suited for tight spaces, and they look great!
I haven’t decided on the color palette yet, but I’m aiming for shades of blue, red, orange, and white. Painting is not an option, so I’m going to rely on colorful accessories and some artwork he already owns. As far as tables are concerned I was thinking about using the Peekaboo series from CB2…but after I added the Jupiter Chandelier that just seemed like too much acrylic all around.
THE DOWN LOW
LIVING ROOM: apx. 111 sq.ft.
SEATING
– Sofa: MANSTAD, dark-beige (Ikea, $699)
STORAGE:
– Media Console: BESTA , white (Ikea, 94″, $400)
– Desk: Pull Out Desk, white (Container Store, $299)
LIGHTING
– Chandelier: Jupiter, clear acrylic (Z Gallerie, $400)
TABLES
– Coffee Table: TBD
– Occasional Table: TBD
DECORATIVE
– Rug: TBD (But something natural like Jute, or Sisal)
That’s what Sony’s new waterproof, dustproof, freeze-proof, and shockproof Cyber-Shot TX5 is all about. Packed into a slim and sexy 3 3/4″ x 2 1/4″ frame, the TX5 has a 10.2 MP “Exmor R” sensor – Sony’s new technology that produces better photos in low-light conditions. The TX5 comes in 5 stylish colors and features a 3″ touch LCD, sweeping panorama mode, and HD video recording (always a plus). At $349.99 its a bit pricey for a point and shoot, but definitely worth it. So book your next adventure, and don’t be afraid to pack this strong beauty along for the ride.
You can also view the TX5 ‘s siblings, The more sophisticated TX7 and the “old maid” TX1 over at SONY STYLE.
For a full review on these lovely cams you can hop on over to Let’s Go Digital
I hate having coats “exposed” to the hallways or living room; but I also hate having to hang up the coats when I have company. Most coat racks are extremely unsightly and take up unnecessary space, but the Symbol Coat Rack by David Scott of Brooklyn based DESU Design has done away with all of that nonsense. The marriage of clean lines, practicality, and fabulous use of color makes this a must have for any modern interior. The hooks pull out individually so when not in use, it can simply hang as art.
This fabulous accessory and other goodies can also be found at Yanko Design.
Everyone needs a little steam session now and again, and with these in home spas showcased at Apartment Therapy, gone are the days of running the hot water endlessly just to steam up your bathroom to get the feel of the sauna at the local HRC. (…maybe that’s just me.) The futuristic Cube Sauna by NeoQi incorporates a shower, sauna, and and chromotherapy (fancy!) into a dimension that takes up as much space as a bathtub. Call up the zoning department and get your permit ready!
Screens and dividers are a wonderful and easy way to break up a large room, section off a little private area, and add some character to a space. In April’s issue of Elle Decor, Milly de Cabrol and Alex Papachristidis pick their favorites and offer up some suggestions to choosing a screen that’s right for you. My favorite? Naturally, the most expensive one. At $19,800, the substantial Hudson Signature Screen by Hudson Furniture, is quite a sight to behold. It is a beautiful divider that instantly adds presence to a room, as wood pieces tend to do. I’d love to see this in an office/ library with dark, rich woods, a nice leather wing chair (preferably in cerulean), and a large portrait of myself sitting in said chair with the smug look of success.
Ah, a boy can dream.
Although I hate to write, I absolutely love writing desks and secretaires. As I was thumbing through March’s issue of The World of Interiors, I came across this fabulous desk from the 1950’s designed by Piero Fornasetti and Gio Ponti. I’ve seen this desk before in other forms, but this is definitely my favorite. It is covered in a lithograph print of notes and invitations from the 19th Century. Pair it up with a ghost chair and I’ll be ready to write the next great American novel. Just like L.A. Candy…
The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago has opened up its Smart Home: Green + Wired exhibit for 2010. This year, the interior of the home has been designed by Midwest Living, and outfitted with some swanky new technology, sustainable furnishings, and plenty of character. The home was designed by architect Michelle Kaufmann of MKD and is a model of firm’s mkSolaire® designs for urban living. The exhibition is open until January 9, 2011.
I smell a field trip!
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AC of Style 
