|
Fabien Baron's in SeasonIt's pretty much like clockwork. April brings crocuses, and May brings another Bernhardt Design collection for the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York. We'd be bored if Bernhardt's introductions weren't so dazzlingly fresh. After successful collaborations with Ross Lovegrove and Christian Biecher, the company teamed up with Fabien Baron, who made his mark as creative director at Harper's Bazaar and as image-maker for image-conscious Burberry, Balenciaga, and Giorgio Armani.
Baron has also designed rugs for Elson & Company and furniture for Dune in recent years, but his fashion ties remain tight. And he still creates furnishings like a fashion designer: determining the silhouette, then styling with materials and color. The pieces in the Fabien Baron collection cut a svelte figure worthy of the pages of a glossy magazine, and the palette packs a visual punch. Simple, saturated hues and strict planarity give the collection's three chairs, three tables, and modular lounge an updated de Stijl flavor. Cyan, magenta, yellow, and black—taken from CMYK, the proofing palette used in graphics—color the upholstery, table undersides, and painted frames. For a more classic look, the frames can be left as natural wood, too. 58 West 40th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10018; 212-997-6600; bernhardtdesign.com. |
|
Their name is mudJean Wolff started out making lopsided pinch pots as a child, eventually moving on to coil versions she lightheartedly describes as "intuitively tribal for an 8-year-old" and more serious high-school ceramics projects at Detroit's Center for Creative Studies. After a detour into painting and printmaking at college and graduate school, she returned to the medium of clay—teaming up with her husband, Andru Eron, to found Mudra Studio in 2001. Wolff explains that mudra is Sanskrit for an identifying symbol, sign, or seal. Mudra Studio is also a play on mud, what ceramic tiles are made from, and Ra, the Egyptian god of the sun.
Whimsy informs not only the name of the company but also the look of its colorful, boldly patterned line of low-fire red and white earthenware tiles. "They're supposed to be fun, something that touches mid-century modern but isn't completely retro," says Wolff. The designs are influenced by a range of sources: historical tile, vintage textiles, Turkish kilims, tree bark, and industrial materials. Wolff's work tends to be geometric; Eron, an artist with a background in computer graphics, opts for a more sculptural approach. Aesthetic notwithstanding, all the tiles are handcrafted, and some feature hand-carving and hand-applied glazes. Custom designs and glazes also available. 705 Driggs Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211; 866-238-2097; info@mudrastudio.com. |
|
Manuel CanovasAmong the new collection's silks, velvets, and sheers in vibrant colors, we favored fabrics with an exotic feel. Fantasia is the funkiest damask we've seen in some time. Suzani, a bold and busy medallion pattern, was inspired by 19th-century embroidery from an ancient bazaar in Afghanistan. 111 Eighth Avenue, Suite 930, New York, NY 10011; 212-647-6900; manuelcanovas.com. |
|
Herman MillerFabric introductions for systems and seating offer premium quality at an affordable price. Featuring unpredictable patterns and subtle textures, the new line is made exclusively from recycled polyester. 855 East Main Avenue, P.O. Box 302, Zeeland, MI 49464; 888-443-4357; hermanmiller.com. |
|
Dedar
Brio takes the squiggle to new lengths. The scriptlike pattern, available in five colorways, is rendered in velvet relief on a moiré background. 1694 Chantilly Drive, Atlanta, GA 30324; 800-493-2209.
|
|
KnollTextilesA beefed-up gros point with a three-ply yarn construction, In the Loop presents a bulky, invitingly tactile face. This blend of wool, rayon, and nylon really takes to neutrals, but it receives saturated fuchsia, periwinkle, and papaya equally well. 105 Wooster Street, New York, NY 10012; 800-343-5665; knolltextiles.com. |
|
Bergamo FabricsAncient mandalas, coins, and stone carvings gave rise to the Artifacts collection by Lori Weitzner. A double-cloth reversible silk moiré, Shino interprets a 16th-century Japanese ceramic technique that renders the background shiny and the pattern matte. 979 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022; 212-888-3333; bergamofabrics.com. |
|
Hélène Dashorst Textile DesignFor textiles with a twist, go Dutch. Neon, fringe, and shimmer have all found their place in this company's collection. Stip, a cotton-linen blend in three colorways, plays it safe without sacrificing playfulness. 36F Onderlangs, 1097 ZK Amsterdam, Netherlands; 31-20-693-9229; hdtd.nl. |
|
Sahco HessleinIn 2003, Ulf Moritz garnered Architektur & Wohnen magazine's award for designer of the year, besides launching another stunning collection of fabrics. Gasp-worthy introductions include Bolero, with oversize ruffles, and Dragon, with novel plastic flower appliqués. Ponpon features multicolored polka dots. 979 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022; 212-888-3333; sahco-hesslein.com. |
|
KinnasandThe new Scandinavian Voices collection, by Andrea-Hinekoa Rueger and Bettina Göttke-Krogman, builds upon this 200-year-old Swedish company's reputation for distinctive upholstery fabric, carpet, wall coverings, and amazing sheers. A cotton-polyester blend that lets the light in, Ultra shines a fair amount itself. Paula J, P.O. Box 196, Milford, MA 01757; 508-473-1550; kinnasand.com. |
|
Larsen
Clearwater, a discharge-printed cotton velvet revived from company archives, came out in 1978. Nevertheless, the rippling pattern still seems, er, current. 111 Eighth Avenue, Suite 930, New York, NY 10011; 212-647-6900.
|
|
DyadThe concept of wrapping informs Ori, one of Douglas Fanning's new tables. Made of hand-formed fiberglass over a molded-wood base, Ori (meaning blanket in Japanese) curves up and over the lap of the sitter. The 16-inch tea height is suited for sitting on the floor, while the 29-inch version accommodates standard dining chairs. 14 Verona Street, 3E, Brooklyn, NY 11231; 718-797-2030; dyad.com. |
|
TruckChildren who like Legos and Tinker Toys will love the TrucKids collection. Thanks to intuitive joinery, youngsters can easily assemble and reassemble the furniture for themselves. FriendStool, made from recovered and recycled wood fiber, packs flat for storage. The same goes for the other four pieces in the line. 145 Hudson Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10013; 212-274-9204; the-truck.com. |
|
VeykoThe Lowrider series of tables is sure to cause a stir. A frame of brushed stainless steel, insets of Corian, and sinuous lines make for undeniable sex appeal. 216 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19123; 215-928-1349; veyko.com. |
|
MKS DesignAdam Simha's latest, the 7-12 lounge, secures his title of steel specialist. Beautifully rounded corners and a finely textured powder-coat finish distinguish this piece, whose sheepskin cover adds a soft touch. 84 Rice Street, Cambridge, MA 02140; 617-876-0103; mksdesign.com. |
|
Michaelian & Kohlberg
Gio joins the Dekyi line of rugs woven from nubby Tibetan fleece—combed, carded, spun, and dyed by hand. Designed by Teddy Sumner, Gio's asymmetrical pattern was inspired by painter Hans Hoffman. 578 Broadway, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10012; 212-431-9009.
|
|
LolahThis Canadian company continues to expand on its successful ICFF debut in 2002. Adapting the shape of last year's Cache hope chest by shortening the dimensions and adding legs, Sam Kump's Spoc bench offers both seating and storage. Spok's molded-birch plywood gables are wrapped in a surface of rift-cut walnut or white-oak veneer. The legs come in solid walnut, oak, or satin-finished steel. 2265 Royal Windsor Drive, Mississauga, Ontario L5J 1K5, Canada; 800-850-1491; lolah.com. |
|
Material FurnitureSmart design for the spatially deprived makes us happy, so we were downright ecstatic over Christopher Douglas's Flipper screen. Its circular cutouts close for privacy or open to form shelves. Plus, the whole unit can be folded up and stashed away. 2520 SE 50th Avenue, Portland, OR 97206; 503-231-0617; materialfurniture.com. |
|
Lawson-FenningFurniture designers Glenn Lawson and Grant Fenning have developed a different kind of nesting table. The Nesting Demi side table pairs expertly with the Lowe bench, both in electrostatic-coated MDF. 174 Delacey Street, Pasadena, CA 91105; 626-432-4867; lawsonfenning.com. |
|
VIEW ALL GALLERIES