DESIGN FOR MEN

Big Bambú, an installation of 5,000 interlocking 30- and 40-foot-long fresh-cut bamboo poles, designed for the Roof Garden at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  The exhibit was created by twin brothers Mike and Doug Starn.  Telgraph.co.uk describes the monumental structure best as, “bamboo scaffolding mangled by a hurricane .”  The construction of the structure continues through the fall when the exhibit closes until the end of October.  You can purchase tickets to take guided tours to walk through the structure.  Without venturing up on to the paths, the bamboo poles creates a feeling of a forest through which roof garden visitors wind through.  The experience is fantastic and there are stunning views of the city.

For more information about the installation, click here.

IMAGE CREDITS: Image 1 from Telgraph.co.uk, Remaining Images by Design For Men

I had to pop in to the Hell’s Kitchen flea market while I was in New York this weekend. While I must say that the selection of furnishings and accessories was not as great as the Brooklyn Flea Market, I still found some great pieces.  Here are some of my favorite finds.  Above, this vintage desk with hutch was stunning and in great condition

1960s Steel Trunks with wood slats – there were 3 sizes at great prices – very tempting.

Industrial Fans in assorted sizes

1960s Leather Suitcase

Assorted Drawings and Vintage Reproduction Photographs – I purchased these 3 for $8

Last week, I did an interview with Dave Odegard for AOL’s Rented Spaces. Dave was working on piece about interior decorating for guys, mainly on how to transition from the “dorm room” look into creating an adult space. I jumped at the opportunity to share insight on this issue. Check out the full article, “Interior Decorating for Men, Made Easy” on Rented Spaces by clicking here.

The new Room and Board store opened two weeks ago in the U Street corridor area of Washington, DC. The building, formerly known as the R. L. Taylor Building, was  a Ford Motors showroom. Room and Board purchased and renovated the property to create 36,000 square foot of showroom space.  I was like a kid in a candy store checking out all four levels of the showroom. And of course many things caught my eye for use in projects.   Additionally, I always enjoy the power of seeing furnishings in person.  The following are some of my findings.

It is important to see and experience a piece of furniture before you buy.  I loved the Louis leather chair (above) in person but disliked the chair online.   A great contemporary take on the club chair and surprisingly comfortable.  What is also great about showrooms is how the different room scenes and vignettes  can generate ideas.   The kidney shape of the Newbury desk (shown above) in walnut worked very well in this tight corner.

The most eye catching scene for me was the living room shown above.  I loved the color scheme.  The rich camel colored Wells leather sofa paired nicely with the Noguchi table, dark charcoal Wegner wing and easy chair.    I loved the use of  clustering of the Makenge baskets as artwork.

Oddly, I was perusing the West Elm Fall 2010 Preview catalog and noticed similar bowls, see above photo.  Although, I must say that the Room and Board options are far better quality.  However the West Elm versions are much cheaper ranging from $29-99, while the  R&B baskets are $79-189.

This article barely scratches the surface of what Room and Board has to offer.  So, stop by the new showroom at 1840 14th Street, NW.  For more information check out the website by clicking here.

Typically industrial furniture is heavy but Jim Zivic Design has found a way to construct furniture that is light and effortless. Here are some of my favorites.

Bin Storage Credenza (pictured above) This piece will be great once I have an office large enough! And yes the storage bins are available separately.

Bin Storage Shelving Unit Custom

Leather Link Hammock

Camp Bed with Felt Headboard

Gem Light with Articulated Arm

Desk with Bin Storage

Hex Leg Coffee Table

Felt Zip Rug

Check out the collection on the company website by clicking here.

IMAGES from Jim Zivic Design

For over 40 years, Baxter of California, has been known for providing premium men’s grooming products.  This month, the company opened a shop on La Cienega Blvd. in Los Angeles, CA, called Baxter Finley Barber & Shop.  Named after the company’s founder, Baxter Finley, the shop showcase their products and barbers provide cuts and shaves for patrons.   The old world inspired design is masculine combining rugged features like Douglass fir flooring and exposed wood beams along with the sleek finishes including subway tile and marble counter tops.  The highlight is the restored Koken “White King” porcelain and leather chairs which are from the early 1900’s.  Kudos to Baxter for creating a refined shop that feels modern while retaining the tradition of the old school  barber shop experience.

IMAGE CREDITS: Images from Baxter Finley

Watching the video on the new iPhone set to arrive just before my birthday on June 24th (pre-order or reserve June 15th).  While critics are skeptical about the new design and capabilities, I can’t help but be blown away by the innovation.   Here are some of the great new features:


- Engineered glass on the front display and the back panel
- 326 ppi retina display
- Super sleek and thinner design (the steel frame serves as structural shell and antenna, genius!)
- Video phone calls
- 5 megapixel camera
- 720p HD Video and video editing with iMovie
- Multitasking between apps and the ability to organize apps with folders (finally!)
- Ability to combine email accounts and organize messages by thread/subject
- Larger battery which means up to 40% more talk time


SIGN ME UP….check out the full video on Apple by clicking here.

Image from  Engadget

These days, it is all about the rucksack, or as mom used to call it, the knapsack. These bags are no longer just for kids transporting books to and from school. The key to carrying off the look as an adult is simplicity – avoid crazy prints and stick to the basic materials, canvas and leather. The following versions which are great for the weekend or for an overnight trip. And hay, it doesn’t hurt that they make you feel like a kid again.

Ally Capellino Rucksack in plaid (above)

Archival Clothing Rucksack in black

Makr Farm Rucksack

IMAGE CREDITS: Selectism

I love the light fixture in this great space by Asler Valero on Design Therapy from the Housing Works Design on a Dime event in New York. Clearly channeling the Frank Gehry Cloud Suspension lamp for Vitra.  Gehry came up with the design for the lamp by packing paper cups and stapling them together.

After seeing the fixture, I began making phone calls to locate where it came from. Ultimately, I discovered that similar to the Gehry fixture,  the lamp was actually  created by stapling paper plates together.   Now, I am inspired to design something for my place.

Cloud Suspension Lamp by Gehry

For more information on the Design on a Dime Benefit, click here.

IMAGE CREDITS: Image 1 from Design Therapy, Image 2 from Cosa Verde, Image 3 from Unica Home

Over the memorial day holiday, I had ambitious plans to catch up on work but I was quite distracted by the pool opening at my building.   My obsession with swimming is the inspiration for this article featuring some of my favorite pools.

1. LOHA: Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects, Jai House, Calabasas, CA, 2004.

I had to rely on my oddly photographic memory for this one…I recalled seeing this stunning home featured in Men’s Health Living Magazine, a men’s home magazine that I was sad to see dropped in 2008.  Richard Roll, a former corporate attorney turned entrepreneur/entertainment lawyer who transformed his career and his lifestyle to be more focused around his passions.  His home is an inspiration, perfectly designed to incorporate his love for his family, the outdoors, and swimming. Limited on space, the one-lane lap pool was the perfect solution for this competitive swimmer.  To read the full article click here.

2. Rem Koolhaas, Private Residence in Paris, France, 1991
Loving the rooftop lap pool (yes this is a trend) but these pools are  efficiently sized for exercise and relaxation.

3. Humberto Herbeto, Vila Castela in Nova Lima, Brazil, 2005

I am a sucker for an infinity edge pool.  Infinity edge pools appear to to go on forever, an allusion created by running off the edge – typically found in areas with cliffs or architectural cantilevers.   In this home, the pool works perfectly with the horizon and the location of the pool next to the stair creates wonderful mystery when people descend the stair.

4. Richard Neutra, Kauffman Desert House, Palm Springs, CA, 1946.

I had to include one of my all time favorite homes which also includes a fabulous pool.  Check out this recent D4M article for more info on the home, by clicking here.

5. Eddy François and Caroline De Wolf, Private Residence, Belgium

This article needed an  indoor pool and this one is a serene beauty in a stunning home in the forest.  For more photos and info, click here.

IMAGE CREDITS: In order of appearance, Image 1-4 from LOHA, Image 5 from OMA, Image 6 & 7 from Trendir, Image 8 from New York Times, Imag 9 & 10 from NothingLiving