Designer’s Pick – Orrefors Glass

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Why not add a touch of elegance to your decor by incorporating a stunning glass design from the Orrefors collection? Showcasing the essence of classic Scandinavian beauty, these glassware assortments feature both utility glass and glass art, all made from polished crystal. The history behind the collection dates back to 1898 where, in Smaland, Sweden, expert Orrefors glassmakers worked alongside some of the top designers in the area to perfect their craft while developing new and innovative techniques and designs. Today the Orrefors team is made up of five designers, each of whom works to interject their own creative vision into the timeless and well refined collections that Orrefors is known for.

Look and be inspired by how the crystal glass adds a layer of sleek sophistication into each of these interior spaces.

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Designer’s Pick – Mark Voris

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Mark VorisMark Voris

This beautifully painted landscape rendition showcasing the aura and richness of Tucson, Arizona is this week’s “Designer’s Pick.” I have not always been a fan of the western type of art, but the hand of Mark Voris captured my eye because of its unique “Van Goghesque” painting technique.

An international artist born in Franklin, Indiana, Voris later moved to Arizona in 1925 where he attended the University. Soon after graduating, he started to display an interest in various artistic outlets including printing, photo engraving and advertising. Through trial and error, Voris became a self taught well respected artist. The above painting is one from his collection that was designed using an impasto technique, a process in which paint is thickly laid on the surface of the canvas leaving the knife and brush strokes visible and layered with texture. We’ve also included a few more pieces from his extensive collection that display the same layered painting technique that the artist has become so famous for.

Mark VorisMark Voris

PALETTE TRENDS: Vibrant Colors

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We have been gathering our fabrics and we are back with something great this month. We are featuring a mix of Manuel Canovas’ newest collection that lightens up our design world. Indeed, a strong statement is a palette of vibrant colors one next to another. This composition is made of equally saturated colors, any of which can dominate the palette. Its success is in the repeated use of all the colors in small amounts. For example by adding a large sofa in the fuchsia geometric fabric the palette becomes harmoniously fuchsia with a colorful framework. The options are endless! In the printed designs of head designer Ariane Dalle the Uzbekistani women are working on their embroideries in the process of suzani making, everything from carrying seeds, hand weaving and nursing their children is depicted, as if paying homage to the labor of the women behind a craft which is basic yet becomes a sophisticated way to dress up our homes and ourselves. Dale’s designs celebrate the art of fabric making with a wide cultural perspective and a refined French spirit. This ensemble reminds me of certain indigenous cultures I have visited whose bold use of color in their elaborate prints and weaves embodies the artistic nature within humans that transcends culture, language, education or technology. Color is dear to my heart because it can express a range of things from; geography, affluence, to personality and emotions. The indigenous people of San Cristobal, Mexico and Antigua, Guatemala (pictures below) engage colorful designs in their clothes and accessories in their everyday life, which are amazingly similar to those from Asia proof that we are undeniably connected thru color, art and nature.

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  1. VOYAGE EN CHINE, TURQUOISE /MANUEL CANOVAS
  2. KERALA, ROSE INDIEN /MANUEL CANOVAS
  3. EBBTIDE /SHERWIN WILLIAMS PAINT
  4. MONCEAU, TURQUOISE /MANUEL CANOVAS
  5. NURA, CITRON /MANUEL CANOVAS
  6. FABULOUS GRAPE /SHERWIN WILLIAMS PAINT
  7. FOCH, CARDINAL /MANUEL CANOVAS
  8. BELLA, AQUA /MANUEL CANOVAS
  9. EXUBERANT PINK /SHERWIN WILLIAMS PAINT

 

RESORCES:

Michele Nessen Mikulskis

http://lifepart2.com/day-of-the-dead-in-chiapas-near-san-cristobal-de-las-casas/

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/14149516

http://www.tropicaldiscovery.com/regional_info/antigua_tours/vacations.php

http://www.traveljournals.net/pictures/7605.html

http://mexicotoday.org/culture/san-cristobal-de-las-casas

James Emil Bisttram

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James Emil Bisttram, a native of Hungary, moved to New York City with his family at the age of eleven. Growing up as a commercial artist, Bisttram began to tailor his craft, creating a unique and identifiable style after years of studying successively at the National Academy of Design, Cooper Union, the Art Students League and the New York School of Fine and Applied Art. His works are a mix of dynamic symmetry and creative compositions reflective of the cosmic abstraction trends of the time heavily influenced by artist such as Picasso and Kandinksy. Each piece of art would make a beautiful addition in any home where classic art is treasured.

Florence Broadhurst

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For this week’s, “Designer’s Pick” we’re introducing the works of Florence Broadhurst, an artist, painter and wallpaper designer extraordinaire! Famous not only for her creative collection of works, but also for her over the top, charismatic and fearless lifestyle. She will be forever remembered in the design world for her hand painted prints and patterns that were used to create a complex and eccentric line of fabrics and wallpaper. Born in rural Queensland, Australia in 1899, by the time of her death, the multitalented artist had lived and worked in Australia, Asia and Europe. Broadhurst started her career as a singer, traveling abroad to perform, but later switched paths in 1933 and moved to London where she took on the task of running a dress salon. After spending several years there, Broadhurst eventually returned home to Australia and grew to developed a deep passion for the art of pattern and print-making. Her passion lead to her opening her own wallpaper business where she crafted hundreds of luxuriously rich patterns, each complex in design and slightly eccentric in style. She worked, continually expanding her assortment, up until her death in 1977. Today her story continues through Wilson Fabrics and Wallcoverings where her collection has been launched in the US, Europe and Asia.

Designer’s Pick – Alex Turco

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Born in Udine, Italy, Alex Turco is an innovative artist known for his striking floor to ceiling decorative panels that ingeniously combine the art of photography with the skill of multi-media graphics. As the son of a painter, Alex was always encouraged to explore his artistic passions and refine his skills and techniques. Having experienced some commercial success, he opened a flagship store in Miami’s Design District in 2009. This is where we, the team at Avanzato Design, first came face to face with the beauty in his elegant works of art.  Having recently used his pieces in a conceptual design for the W Hotel residence in Miami Beach, we found that his illustrations created the perfect accent to our styled interiors by adding a hint of magic and innovation. In the master bedroom we featured a purple monolith stone design and in the guest bath a stunning Celestine agate stone.

PALETTE TRENDS: Prestige Of Linen

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The fabric we have chosen for this month’s palette trends is a concept that takes you back to the origins to spice up a room with African patterns, deep colors paired with earth tones, on beautiful linen and cotton fabrics. Linen is reflective of a natural look, and it is not understood by everyone as it tends to have a worn look that is hard to imitate by other natural fibers. It has a beautiful earthy feel to its natural or dyed yarns, and it is known for its ability to stay fresh in hot weather, but it has a down side commitment is required since it wrinkles easily.

“Linen enthusiasts” appreciate the complex work that goes into producing it. Its hand has a specific characteristic that is less coarse today than it used to be (which is greatly appreciated) but still defining and even imitated, the weave of linen is copied by less wrinkly fibers to achieve the look and prestige of linen. It comes from the versatile flax plant, one of the oldest plants known; consequently linen is also one of the oldest fibers used after leather and wool, essentially because man went from hunting, to shepherding, to planting.

Linen is perceived as a vestment of purity. Used by many ancient priests probably because of its cleanliness and resistance to germs. Proof of this are the mummies of Egyptian pharos which were found with intact linen fabrics while other fabrics disintegrated or rotted away. It was so treasured in Egyptian times that it was valued as currency. Linen’s history, unmatched qualities and symbolism render it a fabric of stature today, and in times to come as it is written in the book of revelation that those going to heaven are dressed in fine linen, so it is safe to assume that there is a textile industry in heaven and therefore interior designers for all!

  1. TALISH, FIG LINEN /KRAVET
  2. EVERGLADE, ROAST LEATHER /LARSEN
  3. ART OF DESIGN, CORAL CAPRI /KRAVET
  4. ANOLA, MAZE 10% LINEN /KRAVET
  5. SOHO, POTIRON /MANUEL CANOVAS
  6. 28931, 1619 /KRAVET
  7. LIMA, PIMENT-SAFRAN /MANUEL CANOVAS
  8. JENTRY, CLAYPOT / KRAVET
  9. CEYLON KEY, SPUNGOLD /KRAVET
  10. INTERNODE, PAPRIKA /KRAVET

 RESORCES:

http://www.die-leinenweber.de/linen-cultural-history-en_10.html

http://www.ulsterlinen.com/2.htm

Ceramic Artist – Erin McGuiness

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For this week’s “Designer’s Pick” we’re introducing California based artist Erin McGuiness, an accomplished sculptor recognized for her elegant hand-coiled vessels made from a mixture of stoneware and porcelain.  Each piece is a one of a kind work of art built up using a method of design called “coil building,” a process in which thin pieces of clay are flattened out and stacked vertically to create the forms of each vessel. Her collection includes beautiful showpieces that are made to be cherished by those with a deep appreciation for beauty, history and art.

Ferdinand Cheval

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In 1879, at the age of 43, a postman by the name of Ferdinand Cheval began an exceptional undertaking that would greatly influence his life, and subsequently the course of art history. During one of his many travels throughout France, he stumbled upon a small stone that, due to its unique shape and form, captured his attention and sparked his imagination. Thoroughly intrigued, Cheval began collecting these rocks, wheeling them back to his garden. These stones were eventually used as the foundation to one of the most extraordinary works of architectural design ever conceived.  Equipped with no previous design experience, Cheval worked by trial and error to build this stunning work of art now known as the “Palais.” Influenced in design by the Assyrian ruins and Aztec temples, Cheval used local lime mortar and pure ingenuity to create a dramatically styled design overflowing with imagination and creativity. It’s hard to believe that such a remarkable undertaking was a result of one man’s labor of love.

In 1969, the Palais was declared a national monument in France. To this day, it continues to be an inspiration to architects and artists from around the world as many travel far and wide to catch a glimpse of its beauty.

PALM BEACH FAIRY

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Can’t believe January is almost over! After all the little things we do in order to transition into the new year; attending parties, family gatherings, setting our schedules, cleaning out and setting new goals, we hopefully still feel the refreshing spirit of starting with a clean slate. If taking time to slow down is on your new year’s resolution list, let us introduce a great fabric scheme to spend some quality time with.

This month we are delighting in a wonderfully soothing colour palette. We are using lilac to evoke tranquility, it is a consistently cool restful hue throughout the chosen silks, velvet and patterned fabrics coupled with ”the green fairy” also known in French as “La Fée Absinthe”. This notorious elixir of absinthe wood, anise and spices, is a natural spirit yet is also intoxicating and esteemed as a bohemian beverage. Designers of every kind are captivated by the depth of its light green shade, well illustrated in this beautifully white-embroidery on silk (#6) as well as hints of it in the embroidered linen (#7). Other shades of green help ground the palette with a lighter willow shade and a deeper green-tea silk, interestingly both are colours found in our lush Florida vegetation. The clean whites give an airy “Palm Beach” look; fabulous, fresh, and sunny. Perfect for taking time off to indulge.

  1. SOLANGE, PARME /MANUEL CANOVAS
  2. VERSAILLES VELVET /KRAVET
  3. PAVILLON SILK, GREEN TEA /KRAVET
  4. CHARLES, LILAS /MANUEL CANOVAS
  5. COUTURE HERRINGBONE, WILLOW /GLANT
  6. STARS, ABSINTHE /MANUEL CANOVAS
  7. BEAUREGARD, ABSINTHE, TURQUOISE /MANUEL CANOVAS