Market

edited by Alexa Yablonski -- Interior Design, 6/1/2002 12:00:00 AM

Dna: Particularly suited to the home office as well as midsize businesses that don't subscribe to the sprawling, corporate-campus typology, the Dna system by Richard Holbrook comprises fashionable and flexible furniture with reasonable pricing and a quick turnaround (10 days or less). A broad range of mobile and wall-mounted desks, chairs, tables, storage units, partitions, and accessories is available. 24 North Marengo Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101; 888-710-8048; www.tekniondna.com. circle 329

Interlübke: Designed by Rolf Heide, the Travo chair has the kind of strong, clean lines that beg for the appellation good bones. The chair is available with or without arms, in a selection of finishes. 145 Ringstrasse, D-33378 Rheda-Wiedenbrücker, Germany; 49-52-42-12-232. circle 330

Cabot Wrenn: Executives in search of signature seating are apt to like Edge, an updated swivel-tilt chair. Designed by Terrance Hunt, it offers high design with synchro- and knee-tilt for comfort and multiple back heights. P.O. Box 1767, Hickory, NC 28603; 828-495-4607; www.cabotwrenn.com. circle 331

Haworth: The newest line from the Art Collection is Q-bic, a family of chairs, sofas, and tables. The upholstered pieces' voluptuous silhouettes encourage lounging. 1 Haworth Center, Holland, MI 49423; 616-393-3000. circle 332

AGI: The company's three most recent collections, all by David Allan Pesso, chart a new direction. Among them, the surprisingly sleek Grand Salon line has a freshened-up tuxedo/club feel. This modular lounge system is also graced with angled aluminum feet and slightly tapered back cushions. 217 Feld Avenue, P.O. Box 7929, High Point, NC 27264; 336-434-5011. circle 333

Keeping Up With Corian

Corian continues its migration from the kitchen and bath, with striking results. This year's Salone Internationale del Mobile played host to many memorable designs utilizing this versatile high-performance acrylic. Among the most spectacular was Emmanuel Babled's Hypnos collection for Baccarat, a company that's been working overtime to increase its hip factor. Babled designed a series of very modern clocks, bowls, and vases that pair mesmerizing (and flawless) cut-crystal elements with monolithic Corian bases of opaque, saturated color. "Corian is an interesting hybrid between a natural and synthetic material," explains Babled. "It has a modernity with its acrylic feel and color possibilities. On the other hand, it's timeless, with the mechanical resistance and the weight of stone." Designers John Beckmann and David Serero were also attracted to Corian's dual nature. "It's as soft as ivory and very organic," Serero says. But the pair ultimately chose the material for its technical advantages. The dramatically draped shape of Serero and Beckmann's Una table is made possible by Corian's receptivity to thermoforming. "Our idea for the table was to take a single sheet of material and form it so the folds have some kind of structure." Serero notes. (The folds create legs as well as pockets for stashing magazines.) Christian Ghion, too, realized the potential of thermoforming Corian in creating the welcoming, cupping curves that distinguish Cappellini's Shadow chaise lounge. Baccarat, 625 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022; 800-845-1928; www.baccarat.fr. circle 321

John Beckmann and David Serero, 55 Washington Street, Studio 511, Brooklyn, NY 11201; 718-923-1853; www.degrezero.com. circle 322

Cappellini, 35 Via Marconi, 22060 Arosio, Italy; 39-031-759111; www.cappellini.it. circle 323

Sina Pearson: The glorious color, luminescence, and lightness of Indian garments inspired the Indian Brights collection of four fabrics. Indian Mirrors mimics the appearance of a lightweight, quilted silk but is durable enough for upholstery. Another favorite is Kashmir, which combines chenille, rayon bouclé, and high-luster mercerized-cotton yarns for a sumptuous sheen. 150 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013; 212-366-1146; www.sinapearson.com. circle 324

Manuel Canovas: Part of the designer's 2002 collection, super-size print Andalouse packs a pretty punch. Available in both cotton and cotton-linen in a selection of colorways. Cowtan & Tout, 111 Eighth Avenue, Suite 930, New York, NY 10011; 212-647-6900. circle 325

Sheila Coombes: The latest collection from this British designer includes many seductive patterns in dreamy colorways. We most liked Hari—a striped linen in candy colors—and Donatella, a subtle paisley (shown). Sanderson, 979 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022; 212-319-7220. circle 326

Brentano: Designed by Iris Wang, the Silk Road collection includes an organic, interlaced pattern called Caftan. The blend of viscose and polyester performs well while looking luxurious. 1451 Paddock Drive, Northbrook, IL 60062; 800-338-7210. circle 327

Osborne & Little: The Modello collection's four upholstery fabrics share a sharp, contemporary look. The cut-velvet selections are real standouts—we especially love the contrasting color and texture of Piolo (top left). 979 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022; 212-751-3333; www.osborneandlittle.com. circle 328

Business Casual

Nine years ago, Barbara Barry presented her first furniture collection for HBF, a line well suited to Armani-clad entrepreneurs. Now debuting: Barry's latest outing, which is remarkably less buttoned-up and more downtown. Of the collection's four lines, the Drape seating series is the most hip, making use of a rather modest material favored by mid-century modernists. "Working with plywood was a challenge because it seems like such a 'butch' material," admits Barry. But trips to the factory revealed wet plywood to be as pliable as a fabric and capable of taking a shape that, Barry says, "speaks to and invites the body." The most elemental pieces in the line feature maple or walnut veneer; added cosseting can be found in upholstered versions of the Drape chair, sofa, ottoman, and love seat. Barry's other seating collection, Scoop, mimics the form of a cupped a hand. Two lines of tables complement the seating options: the Hourglass series, distinguished by bases of interlacing steel filaments, and the Oval Egg series, which shares the designer's penchant for simple geometry and rigorous lines. "We've tried to create something contemporary," she says, "that also transcends the moment." P.O. Box 8, Hickory, NC 28603; 828-328-2064; www.hbf.com. circle 334

Into the Matrix

Lighting distinguished by style with staying power is the specialty of the Bay Area's Neidhardt. The company's newest collection, Matrix, comprises five pieces destined for the tag modern classic. These mild-mannered fixtures, rendered in walnut with bronze-finished detailing, are most notable for their innovative shades. After outfitting San Francisco's Parker Meridien with some 3,000 lamps, designer Frank Neidhardt identified a few drawbacks with custom shade fabrication. "Traditional wire frames inherently have problems. Because of the small gauge, they are never perfectly round, they sit crooked, and they're hard to replace," Neidhardt says. His modern versions, made from perforated paper slipped over a Lexan tube, eliminate many of those concerns. The two-material structure, which sits squarely on brackets, is remarkably sturdy and resistant to dents. And since the exterior textile slides easily on and off, says Neidhardt, "Replacement is a charm." Floor, table, and ceiling lamps are available, as are a sconce and pendant. 2851 Spring Street, Redwood City, CA 94063; 800-978-8828. circle 335

Sterling Example

Interior designer Peter Carlson created CL Sterling & Son lighting in response to a perceived lack of appropriate products on the market. "There weren't a lot of lighting options," Carlson laments. "For the bathroom, there was Urban Archaeology and Urban Archaeology." And so he designed two collections offering a number of startlingly chic but unobtrusive fixtures. The Archer collection is graphic and architectural; Brockway has a clean-lined vintage feel. "The pieces are neutral, without a lot of bells and whistles," he explains. What the lighting lacks in design derring-do is more than made up for in craftsmanship. The products are both cast and machined, resulting in a luxurious weight and heft. Furthermore, Carlson says, the fixtures are "idiot-proof." Back plates mount to the wall, so the fixture becomes a decorative cage that's easy to install and re-lamp. This combination of good looks and practicality caught our attention—and Albert Hadley's, too. The legendary designer just placed his first order. 162 Joshuatown Road, Lyme, CT 06371; 860-434-3744; www.clsterling.com. circle 336