DESIGN FOR MEN

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

John Beck, owner of John Beck Paper & Steel, is a humble craftsman based out of  Edwardsville, IL.  Beck has channeled his passion for welding and working with his hands into a successful business.  He is doing what he loves and I must say that I am loving what he is doing.   Here are some stand out stars from his work.

Furniture

ANTI-TRUNK (pictured above) 1/8” steel sheet construction, hand painted, distressed and waxed. You can choose the number.

LIMITED EDITION TABLE Sheet Steel Construction, Solid Wood Core

DESK 3 Steel tube frame with glass top

ADJUSTABLE SHELVING UNIT Steel frame w/ adjustable steel shelves

Kitchen

ADAM ISLAND Steel sheet top, under counter storage with built in cutting board and knife storage

Lighting

LIGHT ONE & MINI LIGHT ONE Steel tube / with wire mesh shade / 30W Edison style bulb

GREEN DEPOT CHALKBOARD PENDANT This steel sheet lamp shade can be written on to send a message.

Custom Projects John Beck will do just about anything custom including exhibits, signage, work stations,  furniture, and lighting.  At Treo Salon, JBPS designed the monolithic bar with backlit logo, pendant fixture, as well as the cutting station in the rear.

Transformations The team at JBPS also transforms vintage finds into functional furniture.  The stunning table above was created using steel frame, reclaim wood drawers turned, and glass top.

Sliding Doors 2” steel frame, sheet steel insert panels.  Includes hanging track and wheels.

IMAGES FROM John Beck Paper & Steel

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

Lighting is incredibly important in creating the right mood in a space.  At the moment, I am into sleek, simple lighting.

[Noguchi Akari ] I have always been inspired by the lightness and warm glow provided by the Akari illuminated sculptures of Isamu Noguchi.  I enjoyed learning more about Noguchi and the Akari collection in the article Sculpted Light in Modernism magazine.  Akari or light in Japanese refers to both weightlessness and illumination which certainly describes Noguchi’s fixtures.  The stunning photograph above  is  Noguchi with his first light sculpture, Column of Light in plastic and metal (1950).  You may also know Noguchi for his iconic glass coffee table of 1944 for Herman Miller.  The Akari model “D” is my favorite of his light fixtures, the 75D is shown left.  The pendant glows softly and appears to float and I love seeing installations where his various ceiling lamps are clustered.  To purchase lighting and furniture by Noguchi, check out the Noguchi Museum Store.

[ Edison-Era Lightbulbs ] Did someone say that industrial is in?  Form and function unify to create an warm lighting experience  in these Edison-Era lightbulb pendants.  I have noticed the trend for more paired down pendant lighting in bars and restaurants for a while now. 

These Ferrowatt pendants (above) caught my eye in the April 2009 issue of GQ.  Ferrowatt provides reproductions of the original bulbs invented by Thomas Alva Edison.  I am dying to use these fixtures over a bar or some other really creative installation like in the library-esque Used Book Cafe below, I spotted in Architectural Digest Espana.   In addition to the Edison pendants, I also like the table lamps shown above from Acquire of Boston.

[ Photographer's Light ] Inspired by the vintage photographer’s lights, this Ethan Allen photographer’s light provides a flexible lighting solution for many environments.  While I would love to find a vintage photographers light, this one is a great alternative.  And the pricing is reasonable at $549.

[ Industrial Pendant ] The CB2 Industry Pendant is one of my favorites on the market at the moment.  Partly because the price is great at $200.  Reminiscent of old warehouse pendants, this oversize gem features high-gloss black steel and diffused lighting.  I think it works great in a dining room or over a desk in a home office.

Consider the impact of lighting in your space.  These decorative and functional fixtures add sparkle and warmth .  And I love the idea of blending the softness of Noguchi’s iconic fixtures with the hard and industrial.

Recently I teamed up with interior designer, Melinda Cabanilla to makeover the condo of a local attorney and entrepreneur on Museum Way in Boston, MA.  Busy with work, our client had little time to do much of anything with the place.  And he really wanted to transform his space into a bachelor pad.  We were happy to help and perhaps you can gain some pointers from the design.

Accent Wall The client was resistant to repainting the entire apartment as the paint job was new.  While painting is an expensive way to transform your space, sometimes repainting the entire place isn’t necessary.  The beige color throughout was not our favorite but we compromised suggesting accent walls to expand spaces.  The accent wall color in the bedroom is a deep gray.  Note: an accent wall doesn’t simply have to occur on one wall – we chose to paint both the wall behind the bed and the adjacent wall gray.

Display your collectibles We encouraged the client to display his collection of taxicabs.  The client also felt strongly about displaying his degrees and professional photographs in his office space.  We accommodated his collection with an array of floating shelves.  We loved the taxi cabs as they added a personal touch and also provided great pops of color in the space.

Tasteful Artwork We guided the client in selecting pieces that were romantic rather than erotic.  Often guys get carried away with imagery that they find appealing but don’t consider how a date might feel.    The client liked Jack Vettriano’s work and went on a buying spree of framed canvas prints.  The result is a cohesive collection of art throughout the home.  The message is romance not sex.  My favorite placement of art was in the dining area of the living room where Vettriano’s Elegy for a Dead Admiral hangs over the table.

Entertain, Entertain, Entertain While this piece of advice has nothing to do with the actual design, we encouraged the client to show off his new and improved digs by invited people over for cocktails.  And if not just to show off the new space, to take advantage of the stunning views.  Every time I visited I was mesmerized, see for yourself below.  For more images of this project, please view my portfolio.

1.  Build Up! In a small space, it is important to think vertically to maximize storage space by adding shelving above and concealed storage below.   I used pieces of walnut veneered plywood as shelving above the bed and added white shelving in the closet.

2. Accent wall Many people think that light walls will always make a space feel larger; this is a common misconception, try an accent wall in a deeper tone, like the silver color I used – this dark color recedes and makes the room look larger.

3. Don’t be afraid of drapery The largest challenge in this space is the door leading to the deck.  The drapes allow privacy when needed and adds drama to the space.  I love the grommet style but others work just as well.  Drapery looks best when there is volume, so I always grab additional sets (in this case 3) but that is up to you.  These curtains were $40 for a set of two from IKEA.

Previously there were sliding doors on the closet, which can drive one crazy when one needs to reach something quickly.  The solution: the same curtains used on the other wall in an off-white that matches the wall for a clean look. [more...]