BACK TO BASICS

These days there are many design companies that aim to be environmentally-conscious. Many of them design and manufacture furniture with respect to the organic forms of trees, showcasing the inherent grain of wood using traditional joinery techniques. Here is a collection of contemporary pieces that incorporate glass, plexiglass or metal with natural wood: a beautiful union of opposites!

3/4" starfire open glass box low-table with black walnut slabs. John Houshmand.

Solid slab wood dining table with plexi base. Hudson Furniture Inc. (Hudson Furniture Inc. is a NYC based company specializing in furniture made from salvaged & wind/storm damaged trees (none of the trees are harvested from old growth forests).

Rose Dining table: solid claro walnut top with solid silicon bronze base. Hudson Furniture Inc.

Knight dining table: claro walnut top with handmade cast bronze base. Hudson Furniture Inc.

17ft solid claro walnut slab top with tapered metal legs. Hudson Furniture Inc.

Teak Root end table: organic teak root with 3" plexi top. Hudson Furniture Inc.

 Maple side table with glass legs. John Houshmand.

Petrified wood stools. Hudson Furniture Inc.

Hudson Furniture Inc.

Hudson Furniture Inc.

PLAY OF LIGHT

A Trompe-l'œil of light: 
Norwegian designer Daniel Rybakken's project Daylight Entrance replicates daylight on the dark staircase walls in an office building in central Stockholm, Sweden. The walls of the staircase are lined with solid surface material; recesses were milled out from behind the material to accommodate panels of LED lights. Lighting the walls from behind, these panels create patches of light on the walls as if cast through windows.
Not only is this a beautiful art installation, but it also creates a positive sensation of sunlight which can be very refreshing - especially for people in dark winter climates.

Hong Kong studio Davidclovers and Los Angeles artist C.E.B. Reas have created a shop front in Hong Kong where LED lighting pulses through patterns cut in the surface of two large Corian doors. The project is called Yud Yud and consists of doors that are puckered in the middle by a diamond-shaped relief and squiggles that are milled out of the surface, illuminated from behind by pulsing LEDs.  An interesting visual play, two and three dimensions are blurred by etching an otherwise matte Corian facade. A material that appears dense at times is transformed into a translucent, pulsing surface where etched lines glow and then fade away.

Another fascinating combination of Corian and light is Missoni's collaboration with Dupont Corian. The Corian Loves Missoni collection includes these glowing cube-shaped stools made from transluscent Corian and carved with a wave pattern.

Bright Woods’ collection of illuminated chairs and coffee tables are a combination of wood and natural resin strips. The glowing resin layers flash a number of different colors including pink, orange, purple and white. A beautiful and interesting fusion of organic curves and natural materials with futuristic style! Designed by Giancarlo Zema for the Avanzini Group.

Swedish designer Torbjorn Lundell's light-emitting textile GloFab uses light directed through fiber optic cables which are woven together to create a range of effects. 

SHIMMER & SHINE

Lacquered walls are glamorous and add an unexpected touch to your home. Deep, moody colors look fantastic when lacquered as they reflect light and take on a very rich feel. Shades of eggplant, emerald green, black and bright palettes look fabulous when applied on your walls in a high gloss finish. In combination with velvets, silks or other beautiful textiles a room can take on many textural and visual facets.
Jewel-tones are fabulous: one comes to think of the rich palette of 17th century Dutch Baroque painting or the bright hues of Salvador Dali's work. Colors reminiscent of French ultramarine, lapis lazuli, Chinese vermilion, Prussian blue, Indian yellow and crimson will add glow and rich luminescence to walls.

Miles Redd design. Traditional elements such as black and white marble floors and blue and white porcelain takes on a very modern feel against the high gloss cobalt blue walls. The leather on the white-painted bench and stools add extra shine to a hallway that pops with color and texture! 

Another traditional room is modernized with tangerine-colored high gloss walls and ceiling covered in metallic wallpaper. (Canadian House & Home, January 2010)

A library in rich black makes the art and books the main attraction.

Johannes Vermeer

Salvador Dali

The peacock blue of the walls (Farrow & Ball's Hague Blue) are beautiful against the orange, green and gold of the furniture and accessories of the room. Miles Redd design.

This vermilion red wall is a great match with the contemporary artwork. The designer wanted his small one-bedroom Nolita apartment to feel like an Opium den. He accomplished this by the daring and bold, high gloss red which is sure to stimulate the senses. Nick Olsen design.

Elegant structure against deep ultramarine lacquered walls. Christina Murphy design.

Salvador Dali

This spectacular table by Moura Starr will add high gloss glamour to a dining room (Pantella lacquered crystal table).

Beautiful combination of texture: high gloss walls, clear acrylic coffee table and rich velvet seating. Amanda Nisbet design.

Eight table, Phillip Michael Wolfson design.

Glossy vinyl wallpaper will create the same effect as high gloss paint. Rob Southern design.

Johannes Vermeer

Phillip Jeffries Ltd. Lacquered Effect wallcovering collection creates an illusion of a glazed wall.

A spectacular combination of high gloss walls and ceiling.

OFFICE SPACES

We are currently in the process of redesigning our Interior Design office and are thinking about how to most effectively use the space as well as create a pleasant work environment that promotes creativity.  


The home office is a room where most of spend many hours sitting at a desk and working by our computers. Creating a blissful and comfortable home office is important and should reflect your taste and personality as well as the design of the rest of your home. 
Incorporating personal touches, comfortable seating and soothing colors can transform a technology-driven space into a stylish room. A beautiful bouquet of seasonal fresh flowers along with carefully chosen light fixtures adds glamour and elegance. Creating one accent wall with wallpaper or painting the walls in a unique color is a great way to personalize the room. Another important element is storage - why not display your books and objects in an unusual way? A unique book shelf, mirrored-back shelving or beautifully lit bookcases will draw attention to a collection or one-of-a-kind objects. Comfort is key - an upholstered armchair could act as a desk chair, and a few stylish occasional chairs for guests will make your office a relaxing place you will never want to leave!

Display your books and treasures in an unexpected way. 

Add glamour to your work space with a sparkling crystal chandelier or dramatic 'pops' of color and metallics. Mirrored surfaces reflect light to enhance the space.

The display of unique sculpture or art pieces will define the space and reflect your individuality.

Above: Khloe Kardashian's home office designed by Jeff Andrews. Mirrored surfaces, smooth leather and deep eggplant tones make this an intriguing and sensual space.

Above: Mydna bookcases designed by Joel Escalona.

Above: Book case by Harris Rubin.

Above: Wallpapering an accent wall creates added interest (Madeline Stuart design).