From Frilly to Futuristic

November 21, 2009

Its always takes me by surprise when I come up with what I think is an original idea only to find out shortly afterwards that my idea has already been done. Is it totally impossible for me to have an unique thought anymore?

My apparently not so original idea was to design a long dining table where there is a transformation in style from Baroque to Art Nouveau and then ending in ultra straight and modern. I even have witnesses since I had this idea at a job site for an super exciting project I am working on and discussed it briefly with my client and Cindy Allen (who was doing a little tour of the project with me). The thought was developed even further by my client on site, when he suggested we could take a cue from the spectacular views, and base the transition on the styles of the iconic buildings visible from this penthouse in downtown Manhattan.

But just last week, as I was eagerly going through my deliciously juicy Interior Design Market Tabloid, my heart sank at page 86 and then simply dropped out of my body on page 100. I was faced with two examples of furniture using this very same inventive concept.

Feast your eyes on these heartbreakingly brilliant pieces. The first is a piece carried by one of my favorite furniture stores Property and is aptly called Evolution. It’s a storage cabinet that transforms from a carved baroque piece to an ultra modern unit. It’s an interesting piece although I am not personally crazy about the finishes. The second one (available in white or grey with silver or gold much more my color gig) is a dining table that has a split personality and transitions from Rococo to stark modern and is available from Atelier.

I think both of these pieces are really interesting but thankfully different aesthetically to what I had in mind. This leaves me willing to further explore the idea that I have tucked up in my head.

Posted by Ghislaine Viñas on November 21, 2009 | Comments (8)

November 14, 2011

In response to: From Frilly to Futuristic
MOHAMED HENDAWY commented:

WELL, First, it is a very unique idea. I love it. keep thinking, I DO love the gold and white one as it has a great contrast. I love contrast in design, but still need some work, may be the matirials or colors. Also, i need to see the top connection between both styles !! good luck

April 13, 2011

In response to: From Frilly to Futuristic
Sheri commented:

Hey, there are only two styles represented in each of these designs; your idea incorporated three. I say you should still go for it!

November 30, 2009

In response to: From Frilly to Futuristic
ghislaine commented:

chuck..... THANK YOU for your lovely note. I promise to share the table that we end up designing but dont hold your breath because it will be a while - the clients will be moving into their place in about a year and a half from now.

November 30, 2009

In response to: From Frilly to Futuristic
Chuck Hagemeier commented:

Dear Ghislaine, these are great! Especially love the first one, as its transition seems a little more graceful, especially helped by the materials used. The second one makes me think of a parent/children table, where the kid's side finishes are ultra-washable. Anyway, thanks for sharing!! And one more thing -- please post a picture of the dining table that you design. It'll be fascinating to see how you solve not only one but two transitions, and it'll also be cool to see the overall impact of the piece.

November 24, 2009

In response to: From Frilly to Futuristic
ghislaine commented:

Hello Robert - Whoa... why dont you let us know how you REALLY feel about the pieces? I do however agree that the execution of either of these pieces is not perfect. What interests me more is the concept. I continue to believe that our design world is made more interesting because of the range of different styles and interests and will continue to blog about things that interest me and will hopefully interest others out there too. Can't (and dont really want to) "please all the people all of the time."

November 24, 2009

In response to: From Frilly to Futuristic
MARCH commented:

THE PIECES ARE ONLY SOME WHAT INTERESTING. THEY ACTUALLY REFLECT THE FACT THAT THE DESIGNER COULD NOT MAKE UP THIER MIND -THUS A SCHISM IS CREATED. NEITHER PIECE ACTUALLY FLOWS FLUIDLY. MAYBE IT WORKS FOR PEOPLE WITH SPLIT PERSONALLITIES.

November 24, 2009

In response to: From Frilly to Futuristic
Pankaj Toshniwal commented:

An interesting Blend. I Like it.

November 23, 2009

In response to: From Frilly to Futuristic
Robert Mark commented:

Get a life!!!! This is pure unadulterated garbaaage. It is frustration for form. Have we nothing better to write about.