Eye Candy of the Week

Product: Large Bowl / Centerpiece
Collection: Atomes D'Argent
Designer: Richard Hutten
Material: Sterling Silver
Diamater: 12.25 "
Manufacture: Christofle
Website: http://www.christofle.com/
Yummy Factor: C'est délicieux !

In Conversation with Vicente Wolf

Vicente Wolf

In the world of design, Vicente Wolf has been at the top for 30 years. From the spacious light-filled loft in New York City, where his company is headquartered, Wolf and his staff build on his passion for design that’s guided by integrity and simplicity. He maintains this focus throughout his many creative endeavors: photography, art collection, furniture design and global travel.







Wolf’s portfolio offers a snapshot of the ultimate American aesthetic, from multinational conglomerates to private homes, from hotels to restaurants.











VW Home is the luxury retail outlet where Wolf displays his own collection of sterling silver flatware, antique furniture, accessories and bedlinens that he handpicks while traveling the globe. Also at the store is upholstery, lighting, fabrics, wallpaper mirrors and his own line of furniture, designed by Wolf for the showroom.







Partnerships with other luxury brands include:











* Furniture collections for Carson’s, Casa Bique, Hendredon, Neidermaier, and Ralph Pucci



* Lighting for Tyndale and Sirmos



* Rugs for Doris Leslie Blau and Tufenkian Carpets



* Flatware collections for Sasaki



* Tabletop and bedlinens for the L·S Collection



* Crystal, china and stemware for Steuben



* Vicente Wolf’s Latitude collection of crystal vases, bowls and candle holders with Baccarat exclusively for Neiman Marcus was launched in fall of 2007







House Beautiful named Vicente Wolf one of the 10 most influential designers in the United States, and Interior Design Magazine inducted Wolf in its Designer Hall of Fame. He was selected as one of the top 100 designers in both Metropolitan Home’s "Design 100" and Architectural Digest’s "AD 100". Wolf is also the publisher or two books, Learning to See and Crossing Boundaries: A Global Vision of Design, that focuses on the many design inspirations found throughout the world – through the eyes of a traveler. He is currently planning his third book for launch in 2009.







Iván Meade - What is the best moment of your day?







Vicente Wolf - When I’m able to become a ‘vegetable’ at home at the end of the day…but due to my schedule I’m only able to do this once a week.

photo courtesy of Vicente Wolf

Iván - What books do you have on your bedside table?







Vicente - I’m reading “American Fashion: The Life and Lines of Adrian, Mainbocher, McCardell, Norell, and Trigere” right now and always favor biographies as I like the learning process about how people become who they are, as opposed to fiction which is just…fiction.

photo courtesy by Vicente Wolf

Iván - What was your first experience with design?







Vicente - As a kid redecorating my parent’s living room while they were away on a trip.

photo courtesy of Vicente Wolf

Iván - Who would you like to design something for?







Vicente - Harrison Ford. (Laughs) Really? It doesn’t matter who they are. The ideal client is one that allows you to do the best possible creative job; one who has strong powers of visualization and a common vision with me.

photo courtesy of Vicente Wolf

Iván - I read that you really enjoy traveling and use your own photography for inspiration, how does this affect the outcome of your designs?

Vicente - I think it is a subliminal inspiration, not a literal one. Any time that I can expand my vision or see things in a different way, it already alters my creative work.

photo courtesy of Vicente Wolf

Iván - From your travels which part of the world did you find the most inspiring?

Vicente - Both the Far East and the Middle East are incredibly inspiring.

Iván - There is an image of you as a child in your first book where you are sitting in your mother’s living room, the room is perfectly designed. How do you think growing up in this environment has affected your style?

Vicente - I don't think much. My mother had the same furniture in different houses until I left Cuba at the age of 15 and only until I looked at the pictures again did I realize how elegant the space was... Though I am now copying some of those furniture pieces in two jobs I'm working on.

Photo courtesy of Vicente Wolf

Iván - What project has given you the most satisfaction?

Vicente - The one that is over. (Laughs) With old age satisfaction becomes a very fleeting thing. It’s only in the instant of creating - a piece in progress at the upholsterer, or seeing an architectural detail coming to life – that I am really satisfied. I’d rather focus on that than on trying to find satisfaction in a whole job. Because the individual aspects can all turn on you at the blink of an eye. So focusing on the moment, and whatever that moment is, is the best thing for me.

photo courtesy of Vicente Wolf

Iván - What do you consider to be your greatest strength and weakness?

Vicente -

Strength: Power of visualization



Weakness: Not much patience

photo courtesy of Vicente Wolf

Iván - Is there any designer and/or architect from the past, you appreciate a lot?

Vicente - There are so many, but David Hicks comes to mind first.

Iván - and those still working?

Vicente - It would have to be Philippe Starck.

photo courtesy of Vicente Wolf

Iván - What are you excited about right now in the world of design?







Vicente - I think that the global political and economic situation is overshadowing anything that really is coming down the pipe in a design perspective. The sense of green is no longer a luxury, but a necessity; I really don’t feel that there is that much breaking ground at the moment. It never does when things are tough. During tough times we tend to look to the past to feel more comfortable and secure.







Iván - What is your newest venture in design?







Vicente - We’re working on five hotels and this summer sees the launch of the latest items in my furniture collection. Another fun venture for me is working with my good friend Preston Bailey on creating amazing destination weddings around the world.







Iván - Lastly, you have already created a stunning body of work with many mediums and styles, what would you like your legacy to be?







Vicente - He tried.

To see more of Vicente Wolf stunning body of work please visit

http://vicentewolfassociates.com

http://vicentewolfblog.com/

Vicente Wolf Fabrics by Kravet

Vicente Wolf Area Rugs by Tufenkian Carpets

Vicente Wolf (Neiman Markus) by Baccarat

Vicente Wolf (Traditional Home) by Baccarat

www.baccarat.com

Future Forecast

Wall Sconces will be everywhere this year. An elegant way to bring extra light and style into your space.

Cabouche Piccola
Designer Patricia Urquiola



Cavalli
Designer Arteespaña



1957
Designer Janne Kyttanen



Library
Designer Arteespaña



Angle Lights
Designer Tom Dixon



Ventoux Single Arm
Designer Jonathan Browng

John Wigmore Sconce
Designer John Wigmore

Eye Candy of the Week

MS-1 Plant Stand

Product: Architectural Pottery
Collection: Vessel
Designer: La Gardo Tackett
Retailer: Feel more Human
Website: http://shop.feelmorehuman.com
Yummy Factor: AAAAAAAAh !

TH-3 Planter

TH-2 Planter

MS-3 Plant Stand

G-21 Planter with S-2 Base

Product: VesseL® USA Inc. has reissued Architectural Pottery's most popular designs.

These award-winning home and garden planters, containers and sculptures have become icons of mid 20th century design.

In Conversation with Lana Lounsbury

I first met Lana Lounsbury during a visit to the Robert Allen showroom. It was great to meet the designer I have always been compared to (being that we are both young, up-and-coming designers) she was very pleasant and impeccably well dressed, I was pleased to be in good company. Aside from the occasional designer event, it wasn’t until a couple of years later that I really had the chance to reconnect with her at the Evening with Barbara Barry event presented by Kravet during IDSWest.

We got to talking and I thought she would make a great candidate for an interview on my blog; I invited her to our studio and between sharing new product finds and discussing current trends I had the opportunity to ask her for her opinions on design today and discover what influences her design choices.

Lana Lounsbury - Interior Designer

http://llinteriors.ca/

Iván Meade - What was your first experience with design?

Lana Lounsbury - I designed and made shoes out of egg cartons and paper when my mom wouldn’t buy the ones I wanted in the store when I was about 7 years old . One pair turned into a full line of shoes , I think I made about six in all.

photograph courstesy of Lana Lounsbury

Iván - Who or what has influenced your style?

Lana - Architecture has influenced my style. Mies van der Rohe. Although I don’t really do hard edged modern I am very influenced by him. Painters...Modigliani. I like his colours and the odd kinds of poses and exaggerated stances that he uses.

Iván - How did your company start?

Lana - Right out of school I started my own company .

Iván - One of the first things I heard about you as designer was that you were very organized. I think it’s important for us to show people that in our industry we are capable to run any project. How has being organized helped your business?

Lana- Yes. I think my business stands out because of it.

photograph courstesy of Lana Lounsbury

Iván - What is your design process?

Lana - I have to see the place first, then I walk through it in my head and imagine what it could be like...everything melts away, the cat, the ugly wallpaper and I imagine what it could be. And then from the imagined picture I pull out the hard elements, furniture layouts, architectural elements, colour, special relationships and start working it into the floor plans, colour boards and samples.

Iván - what do you consider to be your greatest strength and weakness?

Lana - My greatest weakness is that I’m a little bit impatient. And I think my greatest strength is that I love it. I actually really love doing it.

Iván - do you think Victoria is ready for a change? Where do you see things going in the next ten years?

Lana - I look to fashion for that. It’s opened up a lot and there isn’t one particular style or look. I think that’s what’s going to happen with design. There is no right or wrong. It’s just good design. Not so much based on trends but what is suitable for the site and for the client and is designed well. There is no hemline anymore.

photograph courstesy of Lana Lounsbury

Iván - has technology affected your design?

Lana - Definitely. I do drafting and everything on the computer now. Also the technology that is available to clients has really changed and it's important to keep educated, and when that knowledge is too expansive then I need to know who the new leaders in that technology are to consult on that project.

Iván - do you think there is too much technology in the home with all the tv and sound systems and controlling the entire home with one remote control?

Lana - Never too much! Some people love gadgetry for the sake of it, some people require it for their lifestyle, and some hate it. With all of the choices available many people really need help navigating them and it's become a part of the design process.

photograph courstesy of Lana Lounsbury

Iván - Do you consider being young in the business as advantage or a disadvantage?

Lana - I consider it an advantage because I want to think positive, but it can be disadvantage. I have been chosen and not chosen for projects for the same reason .

Iván - What is the most unusual request you ever had from a client?

Lana - Probably to do with pets. I have done elaborate dog baths in mudrooms with special showers.

Iván - Living on an island, we have a limited access to a lot of goods. Do you find yourself relying a lot on custom work for your designs?

Lana - Yes, sometimes it’s just not feasible to ship in items from all over the world. I also like custom made pieces because there is a lot of pride in it; pride of design, pride of workmanship and then pride of ownership in having something unique.

Iván - What would be your dream project?

Lana - I guess a fantasy would be to do a house on a small island, like one of the islands around Vancouver Island where the landscape dictates the architecture .

Iván - Do you prefer residential or commercial design?

Lana - I really do like residential. Even though it’s a bit more high maintenance, I really enjoy the interaction and relationship with the client that you don’t get with commercial work .

Iván - How do you help your budget conscious clients achieve an expensive look without breaking the bank?

Lana - It’s about mixing. You can invest in one well-designed piece and then mix it with other pieces. If you are careful you can do it.

Iván - what do you think most Victoria homes are missing?

Lana - Fun!

photograph courstesy of Lana Lounsbury

Iván - What project or piece are you most proud of?

Lana - Not one project really stands out. I strive to make each project my next pride and joy.

Iván - Recently we both had the opportunity to attend a dinner in honour of Barbara Barry, what was your impression of the event?

Lana- I think I was star struck for the first ten minutes. I was impressed with how seriously she takes all her clients and how important each project is.

To see more of Lana's work please visit:

http://www.llinteriors.ca/

My Design Guru

Who is the design Guru?
He is your online source for all your design dilemmas.

Simply e-mail the Guru and he will impart his design wisdom. From the correct colour choices to creating a focal point, the Guru knows all. Answers to the Guru’s favorite questions will be printed on the blog so that all may benefit from the Guru’s style savvy…

Contact the Guru at
guru@meadedesigngroup.com

Icons of Design - Christian Dior

Christian Dior began his fashion career in 1947. Realizing the world was ready for something new after the war he delivered his “New Look” which featured soft, rounded shoulders and cinched waists with flowing skirts. By 1953 he had taken on future design icons Yves St. Laurent and Pierre Cardin as assistants.

Christian Dior

Dior was one of the first in the fashion industry to expand his brand and begin marketing furs, socks, ties , perfumes and clothing under the Dior name. After his death, the house was taken over by St. Laurent until 1960 when Marc Bohan took the helm bringing his particular conservative style. John Galliano then took over design duties in 1996 and has infused the House with whimsy as well as his impeccable romantic style. Luxury, romance and clean lines define this style…here a few items we feel epitomize the feel of Dior…

Christian Dior - Boutique
http://www.dior.com/

Here is our collection of items that we think would fit right in at Christian Dior' apartment.

Sunset Mirror shown in shiny white.

http://www.wandrlust.com/

The Bergen Chair from Norwalk shows the classic mixed with a modern twist.

www.norwalkfurniture.com

Some organic accesories such as the Ginko Trivet by Michael Aram will add the unique touch to the room.

http://www.michaelaram.com/

A traditional Louis XVI chair is always welcome.

A mirrored dresser evokes the style and luxury of days gone by…

http://www.chintz.com/

The Alden sofa from Restoration Hardware demonstrates clean tailoring.

www.restorationhardware.com

Louis Side Table. Neo Baroque side table with turned legs.

http://www.wandrlust.com/

A polished nickel Remy floor lamp will bring something unexpected to the space.

The grace of this chandelier comes from the simplicity of a beautiful form that marries well with the bold treatment of the wrought iron that shapes it.

http://www.wandrlust.com/

Arabian Horse Statue in Black Marble and Painted Iron

www.wandrlust.com