Market

Sheila Kim -- Interior Design, 2/1/2004 12:00:00 AM

Wink, wink

As founding editor of glossy mag Wallpaper, Tyler Brûlé nailed the mid-1990's zeitgeist: stylish retro design for the jet set, presented with a sort of sly knowingness. Now the CEO of design agency Winkreative, he's bringing that same savvy, mod, international flavor to Bernhardt Textiles, which is launching a collaborative brand called Winkraft.

The inaugural collection, Alp Maritim, features six soigné patterns in eye-catching graphics and punchy colors. Swiss textile designer Caroline Flueler contributed her expertise to the fabrics, constructed of fine-gauge mercerized cotton and cotton bouclé. "The palette balances American and European sensibilities—a little bit neutral, a little bit zesty," says Bernhardt Design executive vice president Jerry Helling, who serves as the brand's creative director.

Available in six colorways, the fashion-forward patterns include St. Moritz, a slopes-worthy zigzag; the striped Lugano and Interlaken; Zurich, a textured solid; and small-scale checks Bern and Luzern. Up next? Pillows, bags, and other accessories—for world-weary travelers and design-loving homebodies alike. 1839 Morganton Boulevard, P.O. Box 740, Lenoir, NC 28645; 877-639-0728; bernhardttextiles.com. circle 313

Vital signs

An NBBJ principal who's lent her visionary touch to more than 15 hospital projects, Interior Design Hall of Famer Rysia Sucheka has strong, uncompromising opinions about health-care environments. "Distinctions shouldn't be made between patients' needs and those of basic humans," she explains. "Nor should aesthetic standards diminish when you enter a hospital."

With that in mind, she joined forces with Carnegie to devise an inspired collection of fabrics targeted to the health-care market—but equally suited to residential or hospitality settings. The three serene, neutral patterns share an appealing hand-sketched quality. Made of 100 percent Trevira CS polyester, Free Fall has an overscale dot motif. An abstracted leaf design distinguishes Between the Light, in 100 percent Avora FR. Frameless features a staggered stripe in Avora-polyester. The high-performance textiles are durable and easily maintained, ensuring that their beauty and spirit endure. 110 North Centre Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY 11570; 516-678-6770; carnegiefabrics.com. circle 314

John Houshmand

This artist's debut collection of tables, seating, shelving, and headboards pairs rough-hewed domestic and salvaged wood with super-sleek glass and steel. Free-form cocktail and side tables come in spalted maple. The low glass-topped conference table features blocky legs of extinct pine. 481 Greenwich Street, 3C, New York, NY 10013; 212-965-1238. circle 315

Vitsoe

Thanks to its timeless visual appeal and easy reconfigurability, Dieter Rams's 606 Universal shelving has remained in continuous production since 1960. The modular system includes steel shelves as well as complementary tables, desks, and cabinetry in beech veneer or lacquered fiberboard with anodized aluminum detailing. Back panels are of lacquered MDF. Moss, 146 Greene Street, New York, NY 10012; 866-888-6677; mossdna.com. circle 316

Contract comes home

As contract textiles continue to make a beeline for the high-end residential market, the ever innovative Designtex responds with a debut collection. Available in nearly 100 colorways, Designtex Home's 10 offerings were conceived with comfort in mind—from the pattern names to the restful hues and the high-touch textures.

Standouts include cozy Ninfa, a free-form plaid in a cushy cotton-silk blend. Patelin, which means village in French, is a ribbed chenille with a plush hand. The luxe Lorien, a blend of linen and viscose, comes in a selection of earthy neutrals. And the 100 percent silk Remeo—especially suited to drapery applications, courtesy of its lively shimmer—is named for the Latin phrase return home. 200 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014; 212-886-8100; dtex.com. circle 317

Nienkamper

Charles Godbout and Luc Plante's winkingly clever Folder table distinguishes itself with a handy recess for stashing magazines, remote controls, and other easy-to-misplace gizmos. Finished in maple, cherry, or walnut, the molded-plywood top comes in a variety of sizes and configurations, including rectangular and square versions. 257 Finchdene Square, Toronto, Ontario M1X 1B9, Canada; 800-668-9318; nienkamper.com. circle 319

De Sede of Switzerland

An homage to Vassily Kandinsky's gestural, avant-garde oeuvre, the DS-255 armchair exhibits space-age curves and flair to spare. Available as a low-back seat or tilting recliner, the chair swivels on its anodized-aluminum base for maximum cosseting. The leather upholstery comes in 60 standard colors as well as custom-dyed options. 1200 Summer Street, Stamford, CT 06905; 203-353-8114; desede.com. circle 320

Jump Designs

The Circle Leg table's jaunty base is built of interlocking disks in inch-thick laminated acrylic. Color options are nearly endless, ranging from fluorescent pink to emerald green. After choosing among clear and frosted finishes, opt for a monochromatic look, or alternate between hues. 614 Steward Avenue, Jackson, MI 49202; 734-822-4400; jumpdesigns.com. circle 318

Ahrend

Bas Pruijser's gangable Ahrend 22 worktable is height-adjustable, thanks to electric cranks hidden in the extruded-aluminum legs. Wood-veneer tops come in black ash, beech, maple, or American cherry. Legs are available in a variety of finishes, including soft black, metallic anthracite, and pearl blue. 157 Chambers Street, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10007; 212-619-0060; ahrend.com. circle 321

HAG

Personalize your perch with IndiPrint, a process that grafts graphics—text, pictures, logos, patterns—onto a polyurethane-polyester blend. This option is available for the H03 350, H04 Credo 4400, Capisco 8107, and H05 5500 office chairs as well as the H05 5370 side chair. 108 Landmark Drive, Greensboro, NC 27409; 336-668-9544; haginc.com. circle 322