While the massification of design persists with products like designer soap dispensers and garbage cans, we also continue to see the growth of design exclusivity. Treated like art, limited edition design is coveted and collected. An increasing number of designers, artists, gallerists and manufacturers continue to produce design that deserves to be treated like great works of art (from New York’s Moss Gallery to London’s Meta Gallery representing works by international designers like Studio Job, Tord Boontje or Marc Newson)...
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Closer to home, Toronto’s ROSELAND GALLERY represents designers and artists from Paris to the African continent. New pieces from their exotic yet contemporary collection will be shown at IDS 09 in February but can also be found in the Gallery this fall including the Macao Tables by FRANCOISE CHAMPSAUR and the You are Beautiful mirror by DAMIEN LANGLOIS MEURINNE... both disciples of Paris Grand-Homme, CHRISTIAN LIAIGRE.
After having worked several years with Liaigre, Langlois-Meurinne opened his own interior and furniture design studio in Paris’ hip and artsy Marais neighborhood. Made by local craftsmen using natural materials, his limited editions are functional objets d’art. Says Langlois-Meurinne, “a successful design always needs a touch of poetry, freedom and fantasy.” ...also based in Paris, Champsaur runs her own interior design firm and has worked on prestigious projects in Paris including the Café de l'Alma, the Montalembert Hotel in Paris, and the Nina Ricci store...
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Fellow Parisian Interior and furniture designer CHRISTOPHE DELCOURT has created a collection for Toronto-based, AVENUE ROAD’s own brand (the collection also includes pieces by interior design firm Yabu Pushelberg). Selected in Metropolitan Home’s Design 100, Christophe’s eponymous collection is also available through Avenue Road...
See his new work for Avenue Road at IDS 09... plus much more from the world of luxury residential furniture in LUXEHOME, a new section at IDS 09...
On Canada Day weekend, Earth Inc. (IDS alumni) launched their new series on HGTV called “Dirty Business.” This series follow the trials and tribulations of landscape designers James Dale, Joel Loblaw, Kennedy McRae and Lorne Hancock as they wrangle with weeds and clients’ expectations.
An insightful, entertaining (in one episode, Dale moons the camera in the background!) and candid view of the behind the scenes of creating an outdoor space, peppered with the hosts’ varied personalities, makes this show is a “must-see” for the season.
Dirty Business is aired on HGTV on Tuesdays at 8:00 pm.
The First Of Summer Design Events
Posted on Jun 12, 2008 by Karen | Comments: 0Categories:Exhibitor, Events
The promise of summer has resulted in a bevy of events these past few weeks. Teeple Architects, (IDS 08 Collaborations participant) held their first book launch at Pachter Residence, a modern masterpiece on a very unassuming street in Chinatown, housing the residence and art gallery of celebrated Canadian artist, Charles Pachter. Near:Far is a retrospective of Teeple’s built work from 1999-2005.
Not far from Chinatown, Roseland Gallery in West Queen West, recently unveiled the work of Chinese born, artist Zhu Lan. Zhu Lan’s most recent body of work combines her trademark explorations of abstraction and surface texture with an innovative new splash of colour. Zhu Lan’s work will remain on display until June 19th.
On the same night, Dekla (distributor of Scavolini and Agape) and the Italian Trade Commission, hosted a prosecco tasting party. Fine Italian cheeses and meats were served to showcase the varied flavours of the four separate proseccos being presented that night. Two of the proseccos were white, there was a blush and even an unexpected red! Dekla returns to IDS 09 with Scavolini as the Opening Night Sponsor.
Speaking of bubbly, Veuve Clicquot, a sponsor of the IDS 08 VIP Media room, launched “Vertical Limit”, a stunning wine fridge designed by Porsche Design Studio at the show earlier this year. This contemporary work of art, stands at approximately 6 feet tall, with compartments shaped like Veuve bottles. This limited design, one of 15 in the world contains twelve rare vintage magnums of Veuve Clicquot and was up for auction to raise money for charity.
This past Tuesday, “Vertical Limit” was bought by auction for $100,000 with all proceeds going to benefit ongoing research at the McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine. The McEwen Centre's ultimate goal is to accelerate the development of better and more effective treatments for life-threatening conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease and spinal cord injury. The McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine is fully affiliated with University Health Network.
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Erratic spring weather doesn’t mean that outdoor space has to suffer too, especially with the addition of transitional furniture into the market. When the sun’s shining, pull it all outside and when not, bring it back in.
In Milan last month, Italian plastic furniture/lighting manufacturer SLIDE (represented by Company B) introduced three new products designed by Dutch superstar Marcel Wanders (who by the way is about to launch 4 condo projects with YOO (Philippe Stack’s condo design company)… CHUBBY is the plastic mass market version of the Crochet Chair he created in a limited edition of 20 and showed with DROOG a year and a half ago…working inside and out, this version also has an ottoman – Chubby Low, that resembles a large smoothed stone… also in plastic, Marcel’s Bachus winerack holds up to 40 bottles of wine (or pool-side coolers!)…
French designer Jean Marie Massaud has expanded on his Missed Tree Collection vase series for Serralunga (represented by Innovativa) - now in a variety of plastic and steel, when warmer temps persevere, move your trees outside… closer to home, Andrew Richard Designs launched his new collection of outdoor seating this spring. It might be a little heavy to drag in and out with the rain, but not too worry, the modern stainless steel Cabo series can be left out all winter.
We also just heard that the hottest trend in outdoor living, is the outdoor shower. While it may bring back memories of Irish Spring commercials, Delta’s stainless steel LockwoodTM shower, and handshower offer a great way to wash that lake sludge or pool chlorine off lake/poolside without dripping all over the floor. And if the summer weather seems nowhere in sight, do like the Romans and invest in a few heat lamps…
Palette Industries Prototype Goes Into Production
Posted on May 21, 2008 by Karen | Comments: 0Categories:Exhibitor
Many IDS fan cite the Prototype exhibit as one of their favourite show features. For those of you unfamiliar with Prototype, this exhibit is a juried selection of work by designer-makers of items for the home that are either not yet in production, experimental works or limited editions. This area provides designers an opportunity to test and show their products to the design trade, peers and general public.
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We’re thrilled to announce that Palette Industries’ Dharma chair received such an enthusiastic response at IDS 08 that they’ve decided to go into production with 100 limited edition pieces. Nathan Tremblay, Co-Director of Palette Industries explains that their IDS08 experience allowed the opportunity “to bring the Dharma Lounge to the forefront of Canadian design …by simply having had the opportunity to showcase our work to such a large audience was the most memorable part of the show for us. The Dharma Lounge received high accolades …creating much fanfare at our modest corner of the Studio North "Prototype" plinth. We were grateful to have the media, industry, exhibitors and public leave us with their kudos and not to mention thousands of fingerprints.”
Tremblay explains that the inspiration for the Dharma lounge grew out of the idea of using text as both structure and decoration simultaneously. Embracing the Buddha’s wisdom of living in the moment, Palette Industries chose a proverb that is universal to everyone - “Stand, Forget, Breathe, Acknowledge and Observe” - obscure yet powerful.
We would like to congratulate the Palette Industries team and we look forward to seeing future products. If you are one of the many who loved this design and would like to have one of your own to leave your fingerprints on, go to the Palette Industry website to pre-order the Dharma chair.
IDS 08 Window Competition Winner: MAGIC PONY
Posted on May 12, 2008 by Karen | Comments: 0Categories:Show Updates
Early this year, we challenged a select number of retailers and art galleries with store fronts to create a window in celebration of design. We were excited to see everyone involved rise to the challenge. It was incredible to see so many interesting windows around the city just before the show.
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We’re happy to announce that the winner of this year’s competition is Magic Pony. Magic Pony is an art gallery/boutique specializing in limited edition pieces, located in West Queen West. The winning window was created by Toronto artist and OCAD graduate, Tania Sanhueza. Her work is largely made up of sculpture inspired by the life of the animal and plant world. According to Sanhueza, her “New Year’s” window for Magic Pony was a reflection on the past and a celebration of the overwhelming healing force of nature. She used the mushroom as the ultimate symbol both of decay and restoration, as it transforms the trappings of death into new life.
Runners up of the competition were Petroff Gallery and Urban Barn.
We thank everyone who participated and voted online. We are looking forward to what everyone will do for IDS 09.
Designer Profile: Allan Chan
Posted on Apr 25, 2008 by Karen | Comments: 0Categories:Designer Profiles
What are the 5 things you can’t live without?
Ray Ban aviators, good sushi, my sketchbook, black Converse All Star Chuck Taylor, hockey.
How did you get into design?
Was very into art and drawing in highschool, natural evolution into design. Went to University for it, undergrad in Landscape Architecture and Masters in Architecture
Who or what inspires you?
Adolf Loos, Mies van de Rohe, Rem Koolhaus, Bernard Tschumi, Charles and Ray Eames, Marcel Duchamp, The Futurist manifesto
What do you consider good design?
Good design is something that is thought provoking, changes the way you think, and absolutely functional.
What “trends” are you loving or hating right now?
Loving: Green movement, Attention to colour, Rapid Prototyping
Hating: Knock off furniture, CNC production for the sake of CNC production, Damask patterns everywhere, The return of the acid wash jeans
Are there any other designers that you would love to collaborate with? Who and why?
Tokujin Yoshioka because of his wacky innovative use of industrial materials for installations and furniture, Irwin Hauer if he were still alive because of his mind blowing use of volume and material to create those amazing screens
If you were not a designer, what other profession would you most like to do?
Photography
What advice can you give to any designers out there wanting to start their own thing?
Patience, patience, patience. Make sure you have the right clients to start with, otherwise it’s an uphill battle.
10 Innovative Designers Continue To Make Waves
Posted on Apr 09, 2008 by Karen | Comments: 0Categories:Exhibitor, Magazines
It’s been a couple of months since the show and we’re excited to see that our 10 Innovative Canadian designers continue to receive the recognition that they deserve. Via Rail wrote an extensive article covering all ten designers. You can read the article here.
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In I.D Magazine’s "New & Notable" section of the January/February issue, Ober Arbel’s latest work for Bocci, featuring lighting that resembles barnacles, a complex system that wraps porcelain skin around frosted Pyrex, was mentioned. The same issue also showcased IDS08 Trade Day Speaker, Arne Quinze's colourful office as one of the top 40 most creative spaces around the world.
Innovative Canadian designer, Loyal Loot has also been featured as one of the picks on Domino Magazine’s website for the “Under $100 – Affordable eco-friendly home accessories.” This list was compiled by celebrity design blogger, Grace Booney of Design*Sponge, who has also been named in Time Magazine’s “The Design 100” list who names the people and ideas behind today’s most influential design.
If you are traveling to NY for the ICFF next month, look out for Studio North alumni Rollout Custom Wallpaper, Hut J, Pascale Giardin, Tsunami Glassworks and Geoffrey Lilge who will be making an appearance there.
Suite 22 Interiors Unveils New Showroom
Posted on Mar 27, 2008 by Karen | Comments: 0Categories:Exhibitor, Events
Last Thursday, Suite 22 Interiors unveiled a brand new 6,000 SQ foot showroom. Sprung from a free space made available by family business, SitConf, younger son and owner Robert D’Ulisse recognized a need to cater to young, design savvy, condo dwellers. The showroom provides a beautiful atmosphere that showcases Italian furnishings that are sleek, modern and clean. Multi-functional pieces are designed with the condo-dweller in mind, maximizing on space and design.
What sets Suite 22 Interiors apart is its ability to customize every single piece to cater to an individual’s personal taste. Armed with the capability to customize each piece’s wood finishes and with over 100 different fabrics and leather choices, buyers need not be afraid of seeing the same furniture at their contemporary’s homes. According to D’Ulisse, they are currently upholstering some stools in soccer jersey for a customer whose brothers play soccer for a European team!
Suite 22 Interiors is located at 223 Signet Drive, Suite 2 in Toronto, Ontario.
