Designers Call Blog

Design Meets Fashion: Black Modernism

Sara — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:19:32 +0000

Like most New Yorkers, when I lived in New York I became accustomed to wearing all black. Sleek, timeless and easy, it took over my wardrobe. I never let it infiltrate my home, always imagining that an entirely black room would look too Gothic and dreary, but after seeing this indoor/outdoor kitchen and dining space, my mind has been changed. When done in a modern style, black interiors are incredibly cool and anything but dismal.

(Images via Garden & Home & Rue Magazine.)

History Lesson: Race Antelope Chair

Michele — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:00:02 +0000

Ernest Race (1913-1964) was an English textile and furniture designer. He is best known for his BA3 aluminum chair (1945), and the Antelope Chair. The Antelope was designed for the Festival of Britain in 1951, where it was used at cafes and restaurants along the South Bank. The design features an enameled bent steel rod frame and a molded plywood seat. The legs are finished with ball feet, alluding to molecular chemistry and nuclear physics, reflecting post-war public interest in these areas of science. The Antelope Chair also won a silver medal at the 10th Milan Trienale in 1954.

(Images via remodelista, V&A, modern room, etsy)

Weekly Wrap Up: San Francisco, the Arco Floor Lamp, & Dog Prints

Michele — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:30:15 +0000

Monday’s History Lesson: Arco Floor Lamp
Wednesday’s Design Meets Fashion: Dog Prints
Friday’s Destination: San Francisco, CA

Destination: San Francisco, CA

Michele — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:00:26 +0000

The San Francisco bay area is a fantastic place to find bargains on great pieces of furniture, and visiting places like the Alameda Flea Market and the Alemany Flea Market are fun ways to spend a weekend if you’re shopping. If your time is limited to surfing the web, San Francisco is the kind of place where you can usually find great items for sale on craigslist. Check out some of these gems listed on craigslist this week:

Cappellini S-Chair by Tom Dixon, $650

BoConcept Carmo sofa in Ice Goya, $2600

Drexel 1960s 33” High Dresser, $395

(Images via craigslist)

Design Meets Fashion: Dog Prints

Sara — Wed, 09 May 2012 16:29:35 +0000

When I first saw this wallpaper by Lisa Bengtsson Tillsammans at the modern Scandinavian store Huset in Venice, I thought, “Could the dog really be the next horse?” Whereas horse prints stem from a more elitist equestrienne love, a passion for dogs is much more mainstream, down to earth and–at times–comes with a dose of humor that is oftentimes needed in the world of décor and fashion.

And much like the horse printed blouses and dresses that were so popular just a few months ago, dog prints are certain to take over the style world, at least until a new animal rears its head.

(Images via Huset & Queen’s Wardrobe.)

History Lesson: Arco Floor Lamp

Michele — Mon, 07 May 2012 16:00:08 +0000

The iconic Arco Floor Lamp was designed in Milan in 1962 by brothers Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni. The design was inspired by a streetlight, providing overhead lighting without ceiling suspension. It is characterized by its sweeping arch shape covering 8’, polished stainless steel shade, and substantial Carrera marble base. The base features a hole to accommodate a broom handle for easy moving. The Arco is a popular choice in modern rooms, but is versatile in any space. With the large reach, it can be positioned anywhere overhead light is needed- over a dining table, in the living room to anchor a seating area, or even in the nursery.

(Images via Côté Maison, DWR, Gracious Home, domino via desiretoinspire, pinterest)

Weekly Wrap Up: Tiny Florals, Dorothy Draper, and Palacepapers

Michele — Fri, 04 May 2012 18:50:05 +0000

Monday’s History Lesson: Espana Bunching Chest
Wednesday’s Design Meets Fashion: Mixing Tiny Floral Prints
Friday’s Destination: Palacepapers, Cape Cod, MA

Destination: Palacepapers, Cape Cod, MA

Michele — Fri, 04 May 2012 16:00:55 +0000

As a child, my family vacationed on Cape Cod, the beachy peninsula of eastern Massachusetts, in the summers. We rented a house on the beach that had wood paneling on all the walls, and I remember rinsing the sand off in the outdoor shower after hunting for shells and sea glass on the beach. I can imagine Casey Gunschel being constantly inspired as a child growing up in this beautiful place. Casey is a fine artist with a passion for interiors, and she is the owner and designer of wallpaper and fabric company, Palacepapers. Casey is dedicated to traditional craft, and she and her team of artists silkscreen Palacepapers designs by hand onto natural fiber textiles and paper. “Inspired by a collective fascination with the natural environment, fable illustrations and antique maps, each Palacepapers hand-drawn design lends an original and sophisticated approach to wallpaper and textiles.” Love it.

The Palacepapers collection is available through trade-only showrooms. If you are interested in purchasing any of these gorgeous products, contact us.

(Images via Palacepapers)

Design Meets Fashion: Mixing Tiny Floral Prints

Sara — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:21:51 +0000

With a family that comes from Kashmir, I’ve long been exposed to incredible Indian/Pakistani prints worn or styled together, but I’ve never tried it myself. When I saw this beautiful outfit I wanted to give it a try, not to just in my personal style but also at home. There is something luxurious and charming about mixing tiny floral prints together and I think the best way to do it is to not over think it; choose colors that complement each other and prints that are slightly different sizes.

(Images via North Hawaii & Pinterest.)

History Lesson: España Bunching Chest

Michele — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:00:15 +0000

One of my memories of my grandmother’s house when I was growing up is of a shiny black dresser she had in her bedroom. When I lifted the drawer pulls and let them fall back against the wood they had a very specific sound, and I remember running my fingers along the wavy lines of gold on the drawers. I also remember she kept some hats in the bottom drawer (my real reason for raiding her bedroom!) When I got older and became interested in design, I realized that dresser was (could it actually be?) a Dorothy Draper creation. No one in my family seems to know where it is now, so I’m not sure I’ll ever find out if it was an authentic DD- but the memory is wonderful (and oh, those hats!)

From the 1930s to the 1960s, Dorothy Draper was arguably the most notable interior decorator in America, and the España Bunching Chest is one of her most well-known designs. Originally created at the request of the Spanish government to raise the profile of Spanish design in the international market, this chest of drawers is known for its sleek lines and glamorous style. It features cherry wood construction with a lacquer finish, and a routed gold-leaf pattern repeated on each of the drawers. Solid brass ring pulls finish the piece beautifully.

(Images via Elle Décor, Coddington Design, Cote de Texas, 1stdibs)