Lighting at New York Design Week 2012

I love hanging planters, hanging kitchen baskets and no surprise here, hanging pendent lighting.  We saw some lovely pieces during New York Design Week 2012.  At this time, lighting is not a huge category for us here at Nannie Inez so there were many items that we purely just admired.  Like the work of Lindsay Adelman.  Her pieces are like gifts from God.  She had an amazing exhibit at Future Perfect and ICFF.   It was great to see work from one of our favorites,  David Trubridge (above) at Dwell, Wanted Design Event.  David is one of those designers where your not sure what you love most... his work or his story.  Perhaps the two are one in the same?

Tom Dixon is an English designer that focuses on furniture and lighting.  I first saw his collection some years ago at a small design event in London around Ladbrook Grove.  His presence in the market grown significantly since then and I think we will be seeing a lot more of Tom Dixon in the US.  When you entered his London Underground exhibit during New York Design Week, you were met by a room completely covered with intricate shadows cast by his pendent lighting.  It was beautiful.  

Patrick Townsend created a delicate but impactful chandelier from candelabra bulbs and a powder coated steel inner frame.  The Stellar pendent was inspired by naturally occurring patterns of energy and seeing it in person, the chandelier definitely created a sort of cosmic peaceful feeling.  The Stellar piece is beautiful evolution of his previously designed 'Orbit' chandelier.  

This stunning circular tiered chandelier was designed by Paul Loebach.  Made of polished satin brass and LED lighting 'Halo' was one of my favorite pieces.  It is super sleek and modern but still warm and inviting.  The attention to detail and the components of this piece were so well done that Halo created a a feeling of pure luxury.   

So it's obvious that good lighting is essential to creating a desirable environment.  At a basic level, it starts with turning off harsh overhead lighting and switching to more subtle bulbs and fixtures but the sky is the limit.  People throw figures like $16,000 around like it's nothing when referring to lighting.  If I had to make a fashion comparison, lighting is like the 'It Bag' of interiors.  The good news is, you can start small with lamps and bulbs and build your way up to a chandelier that stirs an emotion and sets the perfect mood.  The good news is that unlike fashion, good lighting is an heirloom and you will enjoy it for the rest of your life. 

New York Design Week 2012

Late last night I returned to Austin from my beloved New York with a head full of design inspiration.  I was exhausted but I couldn't sleep for  thinking of all the amazing pieces I had seen over the past couple days while attending Design Week 2012.  Every year around the middle of May, New York is buzzing with design shows happening all over the city.  ICFF is held at the Javits Center where you can find designers from all over the globe and there are tons of off site shows as well.  I do my best to go with a plan of attack and of course I inevitably find out about some things just a bit too late.  Not to worry, there was plenty to see.  

 The weather was amazing and it made for the perfect day to visit many of the design exhibits around NOHO.  The picture below is from one of my favorites, Once Removed where a group of designers created items inspired by personal photography.  

We do love our geometrics at Nannie Inez and we have a huge thing for hanging pendents.  Stay tuned for our post highlighting our favorite pendent lighting from design week.   

Okay so let's get down to what's what here. 

1.  Innit Designs Acapulco Chairs

2.  Grow House Grow Table Linens

3.  Blu Dot

4.  Debra Folz

5.  Lladro  by Jaime Hayon

6.  Blu Dot Side Table 

7.  Flavor Paper Dia Del Los Muertes in Dumbo Wallpaper

8.  Blu Dot Outdoor Mesh Seating

9.  Tanihata Geometric Screen

10. Once Removed Noho Exhibit

11.  Annie L and Valerie G, Hanging Rocks Exhibit

12.  Hey Hey... it's Debra Folz again

13.  Design Bitches, Bench 

14.  Jonah Takagi, Traces Mirror

Amazing Ad Campaign, Cobra Beer

 

Okay, so it's no surprise that India has a special place in my heart.  When I saw this video by Cobra Beer I flipped!  It is amazing!!  In the states, all things American Vintage are really in right now.  Every photograph appears to have been snapped with a Polaroid, beards are back, horn rimmed glasses are a must, old Motels are being transformed into a chic urban oasis... you get the point.  It's taking something deeply rooted in your culture and making it cool again.  Well, this is the feeling that I get with the Cobra Beer Ad.  It's taking a classic icon, The Indian Railway Service, and showing it in all it's glory (or lack there of) with the crowds, heat and a little bit of chaos and making it very cool.  If you have ever taken a train in India, you see this ad and it makes you feel a sense of pride.  You get a feeling like, Yeah, I've done that!  Wow, it would have been so much better with a Cobra Beer.  Job well done!

Yayoi Kusama, Princess of Polka Dots

While recently in London, we planned to spend the day with friends. As tends to happen in London, the dismal and wet weather dictated that we choose an indoor activity. Lucky for us London is choc-a-block with many of the best galleries and museums in the world. On this day we all agreed to see the Hirst exhibit at the Tate Modern, despite our mixed opinions of the authenticity of his work as art. The Hirst exhibit was predictably stirring and I am happy to have experienced his work, even if it’s only value to me is ammo to gain points in Trivial Pursuit. The real discovery that day was of artist Yayoi Kusama whose work I only recognized from collaborations with Louis Vuitton.  Yayoi Kusama is a contemporary artist who began her studies in Japan, but developed her vision while living in New York in the 60's as an unknown member of the avant-garde art scene that included modern American art giants such as Warhol and Judd.  

While her body of work is impressive in both it’s power and diversity, it was her personal story that stoked my curiosity to understand the narrative behind it. Her ability to explore several mediums including painting, performance, and sculpture to name a few, is the communication of an unfiltered life defined by continuous reinvention.

I absolutely LOVED the mirror/infinity room.  It was dark and completely covered in colored bulbs hanging at varying levels.  The bulbs slowly changed color and appeared to go on for infinity.  It was visually all consuming.

 Despite personal battles throughout her life she has survived as one of the most influential and dynamic artists of the avante garde scene.  If you find yourself in London this summer and in need of a creative jump start, I suggest you make your way over to the Tate Modern to see Yayoi Kusama's impressive body of work. 

On exhibit until June 5th, 2012. 

My New Favorite Space

I've got to be honest with you about something... I love interesting, beautiful things but I have a natural tendency to want to 'keep' or 'save' things.  I might buy a new piece of clothing and keep it in the bag for 2 weeks... saving it somehow?  My Numero Uno on the other hand is the exact opposite and I love that about him.  I will come home to find an entirely rearranged home with old things being made new again.  Recently I returned home to find this new little corner.  

I love it!  The table is a vintage find that was in storage.  I bought the wooden owl about 2 years ago and it was in our closet, I was apparently saving it for something!  I almost forgot we had this vintage Interior Decorating book.  It's an amazing 70's decorating book that I found on ebay sometime back.  Guess where it was... in a box in our closet.  Now the Pigeon Toe handmade ceramic vase was definitely NOT in a closet.  It is one of my favorites.  Never mind that you can find this lovely at Nannie Inez.  It was a lovely surprise to come home and find this new little corner and a simple reminder to use the things that you love.  Even a small space that reflects your personality can bring extra joy into your home. 

Klein Reid

 

Klein Reid Prime Collection... have I told you lately that I love you?  The Teddy Vase and Emily Bowl are 2 of my favorites.  They are beautifully handmade in NYC and perched on a lovely hand turned walnut base.  Oh and did I mention the walnut is harvested from low risk forests and meets FSC standards?  Find these little lovelies at Nannie Inez, good living 

A Walk to the Design Museum

In the previous post I mentioned that I love the whole experience of visiting the Design Museum.  This includes walking over Tower Bridge.  I am still in awe of this architectural gem.  I know that people have their favorites, Brooklyn Bridge, Golden Gate, but this one just really does it for me. 

A walk to the Design Museum includes not only the Tower Bridge experience but also a closer look at the Gherkin Building design by Norman Foster.  This happens to be another of my favorites.  You can see it here, just past the bridge.  

So if you are walking to the the museum from West to East you will see the Tower of London, a historic castle on the North Bank of the River Thames.  It is mind boggling to see a proper castle in the heart of a city, albeit a very old city.  But this trip what struck me was not the castle and not specifically the Shard building designed by Renzo Piano but seeing the 2 together.  What an amazing juxtaposition of old and new.  I look forward to seeing the Shard building once complete.
Visiting the Design Museum gives the opportunity to see some really amazing London sites.  Maybe you are like me and complain of these 'touristy' things but secretly rather enjoy them.