DESIGN FOR MEN

Sophisticated photography for racquet sports enthusiasts.  Often I suggest that men incorporate their passion for sports into their space.  These photographs by Elliot Wilcox are a great way to do just that.  Additionally, the abstract and architectural quality of the work makes it accessible to a much broader audience.  According to Danielle Frost of Bau-Xiphoto:

Elliott Wilcox is an emerging British photographer who has recently been the recipient of several awards including a Judges Award at the Nikon Discovery Awards, a New York Photo Award in 2009 and the prestigious Lucie Award for the Discovery of the Year at the International Photography Awards. Another exciting highlight of his career was being made a finalist in the BBC documentary show, School of Saatchi, following high-profile art collector Charles Saatchi on his quest to find the next big artist.

Elliott’s photographs empty tennis, racquetball and squash courts. In photographing them absent of the fast paced action we are so familiar with, these environments reveal themselves in a new light. The resulting images, with their bold colours and structural lines, recall abstract modernist paintings.

Real Tennis 11- Edition of 10 + 2 A.Ps (pictured above)

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Real Tennis 04- Edition of 10 + 2 A.Ps

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Real Tennis 12- Edition of 10+ 2 A.Ps

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Squash 01- Edition of 10 + 2 A.Ps

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Real Tennis 17- Edition of 10 + 2 A.Ps

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Special thanks to  Danielle for submitting this great work.  Each photograph is 30 by 40 inches.  For additional information, contact Bau-Xiphoto by clicking here.

Images from bau-xiphoto

I am really enjoying the new direction of West Elm in their Fall 2010 catalog.  The design team has integrated some of the vintage elements while preserving the West Elm look.  The result feels more like what a home should be, a mix! I always love to see a product catalog that is inspiring from a design standpoint.  And it helps people envision a space that doesn’t feel like it came straight from a catalog.  I stopped cold when I saw the above image.  I love the gallery of frames and the wallpaper.  After doing some digging, I located the wallpaper which is “elizabeth on shimmer” from the eco-friendly madisonandgow.  Here are more new West Elm items that I love.

Woven veneer pendant

Jigsaw Spin Bookcase (L) Wood & Resin Boxes (R)

Tripod Table

NICE JOB WEST ELM!!

Images from West Elm

Factory 20 is a design collective located in Sterling, VA focuses on providing an eclectic mix of art, furniture, lighting, and beyond.   I love the attention to detail in their styling and the consistency and sophistication of their photography.  The following are some of my favorites items in their current inventory.  Above, the 1950s Scolari Vintage Brass Chandelier is stunning! No wonder it is sold!

Custom Early Century Shop Desk

USA, 1920s, Custom Early Century Shopkeepers Writing Desk and Storage. Custom made for a bookseller’s shop in Boston. This piece was created to display rare books and for bookkeeping. Solid old growth oak. Open-backed for wall placement. One of a kind.

Victorian Eastlake Pier Mirror Cabinet

USA, c.1880s. Impressive High Victorian Pier Mirror Foyer Cabinet, Solid Walnut Construction. Designed in the fashionable Eastlake style.

Paul Laszlo Brown Saltman Desk

USA, c.1940. Paul Laszlo (attr.) for Brown-Saltman. Bleached Mahogany Students Desk. Very Good Condition. Early Modernist Form.

Artist Atelier Modular Steel Drawer Unit

USA, c.1940. Artist Modular Storage Wall Units. Atelier Organization, Infinite Drawers. Two Units Pictured, Two Units Available.

Vintage Spun Aluminum Beehive Lamps

USA, 1940s, Vintage Beehive Spun Aluminum Tripod Floor Lamps. Fully Adjustable. All Aluminum Construction. Newly rewired with vintage braided cloth wire.

Images and Product Descriptions by Factory 20

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This weekend I stopped by Marshall’s for workout clothes.  Instead, I found this table lamp with a Jonathan Adler-esque base on sale.  I loved the the base but despised the crazy hot pink zebra lamp shade.  I thought, I would buy the lamp and grab another shade.  Then, I thought, there are ton of lamps here…so I started trying out different ones and settled on this off-white one from another clearance lamp.  Another customer said, “Wow, I would have never thought to do that” so I thought I’d share.  While I feel slightly bad for switching the shades.  My guilt was overpowered by my cheapness.  Rather than spending even more on another shade, I walked out the door with a great lamp for only $20.

Some spaces perplex even me. The idea of letting it all hang out is hard to swallow prompting people to store most of their items out of site.  This apartment featured on OWI is all about exposure.  The consistent use of wood shelving throughout cohesively ties all of the rooms in the home together.  Additionally, the minimal furnishings prevent the space from feeling cluttered.  Essentially the items on the shelve function as artwork in the space.

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The living area / office combo features blinds lining the entire window wall, creating a nice screen adding even more texture to the exposed brick walls.

The barn door is propably one of the largest that I’ve seen creating more of the feeling of a portal at the door. Although I am a bit confused about why there is a skateboard in the middle of the room.  I always find it odd when just one element in an organized space is out of place.  But perhaps the owner uses the skateboard as transport from room to room.

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The detail of the accentuated edges of the shelves creates a nice slated wall at this platform area.  We find the same shelving in the kitchen/laundry as well which feels quite industrial and intimate.

The bathroom is definitely my favorite space tying in the shelving with the wood slats of the tub surround.  And I love the use of steel for the tub even though it makes me feel like I would be bathing in a large sink.  Nothing in this home is expected and clearly there is a little something to letting it all hang out.

Images from OWI, photography by Vercruysse Frederik

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Color me inspired by Workstead, a New York based design studio led by Stefanie Brechbuehler and Robert Andrew Highsmith.  They are focused on creating dynamic environments that are environmentally responsible.  The images included are of the inspiring East Village Apartment completed in 2009.  The warmth of the space is overwhelming achieved with the use of walnut in furnishings mixed with the deep gray sofa, all against somber white walls.

Although, not a part of the above project, I love the sliding kitchen in Brooklyn, NY.

As if interior design wasn’t enough, Workstead does virtually all things design from architecture to lighting.  My favorite, the industrial 6 arm chandelier below, also available in a 3 arm.

IMAGE CREDITS: Workstead

Since I saw the Excel floor lamp in the April issue of Details, I have been pining over it and the rest of the collection including the table lamp and chandelier are also great. The fixtures were designed for Roll and Hill by Rich Brilliant Willing, a studio composed of a trio of designers in Manhattan.   The floor lamp comes with a hefty price tag ($2000) so I have of course been locating cheap alternatives.  Here are some of my favorites:

West Elm Loft Floor Lamp ($150) Task Lamp ($80)  Can someone say knock off?  These are surprisingly similar to the Excel floor and table lamp.  I am certainly not complaining because I love the prices!

CB2 Beacon Floor Lamp ($250) – adding a touch of a 1940s spotlight

CB2 L_MP Floor Lamp ($200) Brought to CB2 by Italio design team A/R Studio
IMAGE CREDITS: Images 1 from Rich Brilliant Willing, Images 2-3 from Roll and Hill, Image 4 from West Elm, Image 5-6 from CB2

The best thing about the summer is all of the fabulous sales!  RCKDNY, one of my favorite stores in D.C. is currently having a sale on Essential upholstery pieces by Gus Modern.  I am really digging this new sectional from the Richmond collection (above).

IMAGE CREDITS: Gus Modern

Simply put…Awesome!  I recall loving my race car themed childhood room.  But this room designed by Kate Dixon of Artistic Living Spaces for the Symphony Designer Showhouse in Kansas City takes the cake (sorry mom).   The circus themed room features her son as the ringmaster and the space somehow marries fun and sophistication.   I love all of the clever storage solutions found in custom components from the ferris wheel to the awesome bed.  I wouldn’t mind having that bed myself.  Check out the full article on Design Sponge by clicking here.

Adorable and inspiring…what an great way to start the weekend!

Photography by Chad Jackson, Images from DixonStyle

Gus Modern is one of my favorite brands in modern furniture and accessories.   I am loving these limited edition upcycle ottomans, which are upholstered in re purposed fair trade coffee bags.   Available to my D.C. readers at RCKNDY or click here for other dealers.

IMAGE CREDITS:  Image 1 from Gus Modern, Image 2 from RCKNDY