Jason Phillips Design (Blog)

I met David Bromstad of HGTV's Color Splash!

2011-09-21T13:15:00.001-04:00

It's not every day you get to meet the people you see on TV. During HD Boutique 2011, a contract furniture show that takes place every fall in Miami, I was lucky enough to meet David Bromstad. Host of HGTV's Color Splash, he has become my wife's favorite artist/interior designer! It's funny, because I actually had to hunt him down after hearing rumors he was on the convention floor. I probably came across as a stalker but was sure to explain my wife would kill me if I didn't get a photo. He was very nice and I was happy to have met him. To learn more about his show, visit: http://www.hgtv.com/color-splash/show/index.html

Featured in EMERGENCE Magazine

2011-08-23T14:26:00.000-04:00

EMERGENCE is a publication put out by the University of Michigan's School of Art & Design. As my alma mater, I am honored to be mentioned. Check out my Quantum Table! Learn more about the publication on U of M's website: http://art-design.umich.edu/news/emergence

Quantum Table on Yanko Design!

2011-07-01T12:34:00.000-04:00

Boundless energy, meet function.

In physics, quantum is the minimum amount of any physical entity involved in an interaction. The transfer of energy of these elementary particles of matter is what sparked this concept. In theory, this energy can be absorbed and released, creating movement and tension.

Quantum is a dining table that interprets what the movement or path of subatomic particles might look like. Heavy gauge steel wire is hand-formed, then powder-coated black. This forms a pedestal base for a lacquered orange corian top.

Custom finishes available. Dimensions are 108x44x31"h. Pricing available upon request.

The Deception of William Murphy

2011-03-22T10:36:00.001-04:00

I proudly introduce a year-long project by NYC fine artist Jeremy Penn, titled 'The Deception of William Murphy'. Intrigued? So am I. Read about the inspiration below and be sure to follow Jeremy's work on his blog and facebook.

The Deception of William Murphy
Revealed at The Artist Project NY

In July of 2010, I received a large stack of original prison mug shots dated between 1897 and 1921. Contained in that stack was a mug shot of a young man named William Murphy. I initially found myself seduced by his gaze and later became entranced with the mystery of his life. As an artist, I am telling William’s story through my exploration of process.

With the help of the Federal Archives in San Bruno, CA, we were able to compile enough data to learn that this image is 1 of only 2 possible William Murphy’s.
One William Murphy died in a knife fight on a train. The other William Murphy sacrificed his own life in war to save the life of others.

Three questions you must ask yourself:

Which William Murphy do you believe this is?
What rational did you use to come up with answer above?
Was William Murphy predestined to be in harms way according to an ancient Japanese principle?

William Murphy Facts:

William Murphy was born in 1893 and was raised by his mother Delia in San Francisco.
At 21, William Murphy was arrested on June 4, 1914 in San Francisco for Pimping.
William Murphy’s booking number was 23826.

William Murphy’s Eyes

William Murphy had light grey eyes and a rare iris to eyeball relationship. The Japanese have a term for this called Sanpaku.

Sanpaku, meaning “three whites” in Japanese (“san”=three, “paku”=white) describes the relation of the iris to the eyeball when a person is looking straight ahead where one can see “three white” parts on the sides and below the iris.

The Japanese theory states that someone with Sanpaku eyes is imbalanced and predestined to danger.

A list of other people with Sanpaku eyes:

Abraham Lincoln (Assassinated at age 56)
John F. Kennedy (Assassinated at age 46)
Robert F. Kennedy (Assassinated at age 43)
John Lennon (Killed at age 40)
Marilyn Monroe (Died at age 36)
Heath Ledger (Died at age 28)

Al Dente Collection featured in Concept Projects Magazine

2011-02-07T16:41:00.000-05:00

Glad to be published in Turkey's premiere design magazine, Konsept Projeler (translates to Concept Projects). Special thanks to Oya Esenli, editor of the publication, for making it happen. Al Dente is the collection featured, where chromed metal rods are spot welded together in a conplex arrangement. Almost with the stiffness of uncooked pasta, hence the name. I wish I could tell you what they said, and I hope they weren't too harsh :) You can find out more about the magazine here.

Gold Log Stool Featured on Vogue.com!

2011-01-19T11:19:00.001-05:00

Very excited, as usual, about new press. This time, Vogue.com was kind enough to think to us when picking their top 10 products. The Gold Log Stools are designed by Jason Phillips Design, manufactured by Phillips Collection, and can be purchased at places like The Future Perfect in New York City (and online, click here). Thank you Vogue! Read the article here.

2011 Catalog | Jason Phillips Design

2010-12-06T12:34:00.000-05:00

Well, here it is!

The 2011 Catalog is complete and sent off to the printer. I wanted you all to be able to see it, so I made a digital version of it.

Click on the Blurb widget on my blog (top left corner) or click here

Phillips Collection "Obsession"

2010-11-12T12:18:00.000-05:00

Have you been to The Peephole? If not, I implore you to do so! The official blog of the amazing Fashion Snoops site (click here), they recently were too kind to post/profess their love for Phillips Collection. A snippet:

"I become obsessed when good people meet great design and this is exactly the case at Phillips Collection. Jason Phillips, son of owners Mark and Julie, has a phenomenal brain for merging art with functional home decor and while "snooping" around (since that's what we do best) I found his Blog :) I won't give away the secrets of what is to come just yet (as everyone loooves to make a knock off these days) but here is a look at their newest designs for Fall 2010...."

Take some time to read the full article (here) and to learn more about Fashion Snoops and The Peephole in general :)

Peace, Love, and Happiness

2010-11-04T16:47:00.000-04:00

I've been accused of doodling (by my teachers fifteen years ago!) but it is often where I start my design process. Peace, Love, and Happiness is a series of floor-standing sculptures that will be going into production end of this year. Look for a bit of T.L.C. early 2011 :)

New Designs - Fall 2010

2010-10-27T10:31:00.000-04:00

Holey Console Table is a study on matte vs glossy finishes. The form resembles a liquid metal, and the center compartment allows for safekeeping of your most precious items.

Rock'n Chair is a pure white form, amorphic and dynamic, balanced and whimsical. More details to follow.

Sweep Low Table takes generous curves and a sleek profile to make a sophisticated statement indoors and out. It's sister piece, the Swept Side Table (below), is finished in pure white and looks great repeated or standalone next to a lush sectional.

Jason Phillips Wins Pinnacle Award!

2010-10-27T09:46:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to our own Jason Phillips for winning a Pinnacle Award. The Burled Metallic Bowls are the top accessory of 2010! Jason is one of the 16 winners honored with Pinnacle Design Achievement Awards by the American Society of Furniture Designers - 15 in product categories and one in the new Green Leaf Award category. This was the 15th year ASFD has presented the awards. Jason was honored in the Accessories category with his burled bowl design. The burled bowl comes in silver leaf, gold leaf and wood finishes, as will as two shapes.

Whirl Shelving Unit donated to The University of Michigan

2010-10-20T09:14:00.000-04:00

Very exciting for me to announce that my Whirl Shelving Unit is permanently on display at my alma mater, The University of Michigan. If you find yourself in Ann Arbor, do stop in to the School of Art & Design. The piece was donated this year after it was part of an exhibition at the Slusser Gallery. It is located in the lounge, greeting all incoming freshmen as they enter the gallery to get their computers :)

On a side note, my experience at the U of M was extraordinary. From their concentrated curriculum to their digital media centers, it was a playground for young designers. If you are looking for an amazing college with everything you need to graduate with high credentials, look no further. More information on the university can be found here.

Jason Phillips Featured in Gulf Interiors Magazine of the UAE!

2010-10-05T16:58:00.001-04:00

Well, they got the headline right, but I'm not sure it's me that deserves the recognition. For those curious, the article can be found in the latest issue of Gulf Interiors Magazine. You can read it directly from their website at www.gulfinteriors.com. Text reads:

People want a sense of familiarity in what they select, but it’s very interesting because the companies that excel in that are really stepping towards contemporary, so my hope will be that the market is trending toward contemporary. But it’s very interesting to see what companies are doing – they are going outside of the box and everybody is realizing its time to change, time to reach more people. There is something for everyone these days: design within reach. You can achieve looks that in the past were only achievable if you had a lot of money. So I really like where things are going; wall colors are playing a huge role in the way a room looks these days. It's not just neutrals with heirloom pieces, it’s bold colors on the walls with all your accessories in white – people are doing fun things and they’re experimenting – it’s a fun time in design.

I think we are all looking for a new identity. But I think the world is so flat and so much smaller than it once was that overarching trends will no longer exist. There’s never going to be another movement like Bauhaus or French Colonial – there is too much appeal and people are allowed to like 'only black' and other people are allowed to like 'only luxury' or 'only traditional', so it’s an exciting time.

America is still trying to figure out its identity because we’re only 300 years old so compared to Europe where Spain, for example, has its own really detailed and catalogued history and evolution of style we are sort of a hybrid, a melting pot, we’re very trend-oriented. Sensibilities overseas are a bit more time-tested whereas we jump at whatever is the new fad. The idea in the US is to be open to change, to be open to evolution, it’s an industry-rather than consumer-driven market in the US.”

The Jason Phillips design philosophy

Jason sums up his approach as minimalist. “For me a successful design is where I can strip away a lot of the embellishments and the things that lavishly dress it up. There is something very classy about just using a few pieces.”

His inspiration is to create the kind of piece you would see in the Museum of Modern Art, and he believes in doing art for art’s sake. “We have an extruded aluminum table designed by a famous artist and all it says is: ‘the end table to end all end tables’ and to me that is a cultural pop-art statement that is art to me and anyone that’s seen it has smiled.”

His ultimate luxury would be to own a loft in Manhattan overlooking Central Park with 15-foot ceilings with only one piece of art on the wall: “A very special piece that I connect with and maybe a water feature bringing in the senses. It’s not about cluttering a room, in my own mind I think a room should make you feel good and I like cleaner environments with less distractions so I can really relax.”

Although, I don’t think Jason does much relaxing, since his first piece – the Red Wedge coffee table – became commercially available some three years ago he has done about fifty pieces for the current collection and is in talks to develop a rug and lighting line.

“For me right now, I’m still young I need to think out the career I want, I’m still very much involved in the family business this is a perfect outlet for my designs but I would also like to get in to other companies.” Jason’s collection has evolved in Phillips Collection, but his new design renderings have been getting global attention on blogs and magazines and he is definitely out to establish himself through the company he founded in 2008: Jason Phillips Design. Jason says that he spent a lot of time absorbing and it took him a while to discover his style. He notes that developing his technical proficiency on the computer added real impetus to his work. “I was a decent hand renderer but I am colorblind so I have certain limitations, but once I became a whizz on the computer I got my hands to do what my brain couldn’t on paper – it’s a whole new world.”

Going forward Jason is keen to welcome opportunities, but is conscious of being selective and making decisions that make sense when it comes to longevity in his career. “I don’t want to be a rock star with my ten seconds of fame, I want to have some meaning behind what I do.”

And before he makes it all sound too serious, Jason notes that he’s not trying to make a huge statement on society. It is about product not about changing the world, but Jason wants to communicate a story and get people to understand his aesthetic and appreciate it. “There is nothing more rewarding and fulfilling to a designer than to have people appreciate what you do, and I got a taste of that and now I am hungry for more.

Jeremy Penn’s “War Child” wins Peacemaker Award for The Peace Project!

2010-09-07T18:00:00.000-04:00

Please join me in congratulating Jeremy Penn, an amazingly talented fine artist in New York, for not only his recognition in The Peace Project but for taking top honors with the Peacemaker Award! We are thrilled on his behalf and know this accomplishment is worthy of only the most groundbreaking, establishment-shaking creatives of our generation. Great work, Jeremy!

To learn more about the project and the award, please click here.

University of Michigan | 4th Annual Alumni Show

2010-07-13T15:15:00.004-04:00

Whirl Media Center is currently on display at the Slusser Gallery in Ann Arbor, MI. As part of the 4th Annual Alumni Show, The University of Michigan School of Art & Design will have the piece on display through August 9th, 2010. Stop by the gallery if you're in the area, visit the online gallery here, and even purchase a copy of the book here!

The 2010 exhibition has a theme — Interstices: the Space Between. The interstices could be a time, an interval, a place, an age, an event or an idea (real or imagined.)

Encompassing both Slusser Gallery in the Art and Architecture building and Work Ann Arbor on State Street in downtown Ann Arbor, the exhibition runs from July 16 - August 9, with an opening reception on July 23 during the Ann Arbor Art Fair.

LVDC + VERANDA = The Art of Design

2010-07-07T14:29:00.004-04:00

AUGUST 4, 2010 10:30AM
Building C, LVDC Seminar Room C176

In celebration of VERANDA's Art of Design Awards, Las Vegas Design Center at World Market Center Las Vegas will host an exclusive day of events during Las Vegas Market. The event will kick off with a screening of the Art of Design Awards Film, and a panel discussion on redefining luxury moderated by Carolyn Engelfield, VERANDA Editor-at-Large. Panelists include Art of Design Award recipient Jason Phillips, Suzanne Kasler, Bobby McAlpine and Roger Thomas.

Immediately following the panel discussion, stay for a book signing with Bobby McAlpine featuring his new book The Home Within Us. The title explores 25 structures and is the perfect book for anyone wishing to be inspired by the poetic design of a romantic home.

Participating showrooms will host special events throughout the day, including:

Safavieh Presentation and Luncheon, "The Art of Designer Rugs"

12:30 - 1:30PM

Safavieh Showroom, A101

Please Join Safavieh for lunch and an exclusive presentation by designer Suzanne Kasler of her new rug collection for Safavieh Couture. Stop by to view the newest trends in area rug colors, weaves and patterns from the company's design partners: Kasler, Thomas O'Brien, David Easton, Jamie Drake, Thom Filicia and more. Presentation to begin at 12:30 with light lunch to follow.

Cocktail Reception

5:00 - 6:00pm
Phillips Collection Showroom, A202

Join VERANDA 2009 Art of Design winner Jason Phillips in his showroom for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Featuring contemporary designs with an organic sophistication. Come discover why every piece is a conversation.

*These events will being held during the biannual Las Vegas Market and only available to members of the trade. Las Vegas Design Center is closed to consumer and the general public during Las Vegas Market.

See the article from the LVDC here.

New Designs - Summer 2010

2010-06-22T13:08:00.009-04:00

I wanted to share some exciting new designs I've been working on.

Hope some of these strike a chord....

That was the point :)

Skeletal'd & Skeleton'd Console Tables

Simplify'd Dining Table

Ring Stepped Fountain

Fondue Fountain

Clovitos Wall Tiles

Spare Change Dining Table

Stack'd Stones Dining Table

Staircased Buffet

Sy'd Sofa

Tall Stepped Fountain

Setting up for a Phillips photo shoot!

2010-05-07T14:43:00.001-04:00

We have been working hard on the 2011 Catalog and as you can see from the spy shots we are developing retail and end user merchandising looks to help push our sense of where modern furniture is heading and how to integrate it into your current look. Doesn't this scream understanded, organic classiness!?

More shots, catalog layout sneak peeks, and other goodies will be posted soon so be sure to check back in.

Spread in THINK MAGAZINE - ISSUE 004

2010-04-28T13:13:00.001-04:00

This time I will let the article speak for itself rather than paraphrasing myself (sort of strange to do anyway!). Thanks again to the fabulous Jacqueline Carlisle and her amazing team at www.thinkmag.net

See the entire issue and all backissues here: http://www.thinkmag.net/issue/004.html

A surprise visit from Angelo Surmelis

2010-04-17T14:08:00.001-04:00

GeoTagged, [N35.95483, E80.00201]

We were thrilled to have star designer Angelo Surmelis come through the Phillips Collection showroom. Come find out what he flipped for. Standing From left to right is Jason Phillips, Angelo Surmelis, Julie Phillips and Mark Phillips. IHFC C202.

Feature in April's Issue of Florida Design Magazine

2010-04-09T15:44:00.001-04:00

Pick up a copy of the latest issue of Florida Design Magazine and flip to page 50 to read the article on me, or just click on the image above to make it high res! Even if you did the latter, please do support your favorite shelter publications by buying them off the newsstand!

Join me at the Pacific Design Center 4/22/10

2010-04-09T14:29:00.000-04:00

I will be joining an esteemed panel at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles as part of VERANDA's The Art of Design Award that I won in 2009. There will be a preview of the 20-minute documentary on the winners and then a panel discussion moderated by Carolyn Englefield, Editor-at-Large at VERANDA. you Find out what design icons like Ralph Pucci, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Richard Hallberg, and Windsor Smith think about where luxury is heading.

WHEN: Thursday, April 22, 2010 from 11:00am - 12:30pm
WHERE: Blue Conference Center, B259, Pacific Design Center

Thanks to the sponsors for making this event possible: DEDAR, Francois & Co, and Dennis & Leen

More details on the award can be found here: http://www.veranda.com/artofdesign

Published in BOOK OF THE YEAR : VOLUME TWO

2010-03-12T14:26:00.000-05:00

I was really excited to find not only my DISH TABLES published in DESIGN AND DESIGN.COM's BOOK OF THE YEAR : VOLUME TWO, but also two works from by brother-in-law and fellow artist, Jeremy Penn (see his amazing work here and follow his blog here). Other great designers published include Joel Escalona and Dima Loginoff. Congrats to all of us!

Phillips Takes Home the Gold for the Silver....

2010-02-18T16:54:00.001-05:00

Yeah, yeah, we win a lot of awards, but we can't help but brag on ourselves for some of the recent success. There has been a lot of hard work being put into various sales and design outlets and recognition like this deserves a blog posting :)

At the recent Las Vegas Furniture Market this Feb, the World Market Center unveiled the INSPIREDESIGN Show, catering to the contract and hospitality world. A distinguished panel of judges, including D.B. Kim and the editorial team from INTERIOR DESIGN announced the winners of their inaugural INSPIREDESIGN Design Excellence Award, which amogst the winners was the Silver Leafed Resin Console I designed. I cannot take too much credit for the work as it is nature that made this piece what it is. I simply thought how nice it would look dressed up. What I can take credit for is the way we are pushing the boundaries on what resin really is and why it is taboo. We are using post-consumer recycled composites with less toxic glues to create durable, repeatable works of art that are less prone to breakage, work outdoors, and can acheive any finish imaginable.

Learn more about what we are doing to be eco-friendly here: http://www.phillipscollection.com/green.php

Featured in Korea's MARU : Interior Lifestyle Design Magazine

2010-02-17T15:19:00.000-05:00

My first double-spread and I'm loving the international exposure. A special thanks to the Editorial Team over at MARU for their interest and support. Find CA Press online at http://www.capress.co.kr to learn more about MARU (International Magazine of Interior & Lifestyle Design), CA (bimonthly journal of Contemporary Architecture), and CONCEPT (monthly magazine of Architecture & Concept). My feature, in their February 2010 Issue (Vol. 95), can be found on pages 106 - 109, and describes:

"Jason Phillips is a 25 year old designer living and breathing furniture design in North Carolina. 'There are a lot of great new designers out there - what makes me different?' Clouds Seating Collection project was inspired by the soft forms of cumulous clouds that form in the sky. Continuum Table is a new design for 2010 that offers an interpretation of the spaghetti-like folds in the space/time models of our universe. Crackle Collection inspired by a liquid metal technique but executed in a resin composite for production purposes. Martini Table is a whimsical but also very purposeful table that articulated from dining height (30"h) to bar height (42"h) as the situation demands. Note that the base reflects into the cone and created an olive reflection. Planks Outdoor Seating carved pieces of teak wood are assembled to create this flowing bench. Starfish Table over 150 steel curves hold together the two surfaces of the starfish table. The top is a tinted glass that is machined into a beautiful geometry and the bottom is an identical shape but finished in black lacquer. Wire Chair is limited production seating collection created from hand formed and welded steel rods that are then cleared and ultimately chrome-plated.