Blue Room, US
In downtown LA, British designer Timothy Oulton has transformed the historic Los Angeles Athletic Club (LAAC) with a redesign of its eminent Blue Room. From a humble start as a small family owned antiques shop into the renowned brand it is today, Timothy Oulton’s designs bring with them a history of their own. Profoundly influenced by his love of antiques, his father’s military background, and an inherent affection for British heritage, Oulton created an authentic, visionary brand, known for its modern reinterpretation of traditional designs and respect for classic heritage. Now an international brand, Timothy Oulton’s designs marry effortlessly with this exclusive LA-based speakeasy, together celebrating over 100 years of LAAC heritage with a fresh, modern reinvention.
LAAC’s original Blue Room, opened in 1912, hosted prestigious members of its influential Uplifters Club, formed in 1913, which included Walt Disney, Charlie Chaplin and Clark Gable. Having been run by the Hathaway family for six generations, the LAAC remains a cultural institution in the city. When they approached Timothy Oulton to recreate the Blue Room, it was the perfect pairing. Oulton commented on the relationship: “Heritage and authenticity are hugely instrumental in everything we do, so this was an exciting collaboration to put our stamp on such an iconic landmark. The idea of hosting, creating inspiring spaces where people can relax together and connect, that’s what our collections are all about, whether it’s in your own home or in a setting like the Blue Room.”
The four-week project to transform the fourth floor conference room into a sophisticated lounge and bar was headed up by Oulton’s team, led by Global Style Directors Danielle Monti-Morren and Raoul Morren. Work began by taking down the false ceiling to expose the pipework and spraying the ceiling black. The old carpet was lifted up and the concrete underneath was polished to achieve an industrial look. Oulton commented on the room's layout: “It's just one open plan room designed to be used as separate intimate areas or as one cohesive space if people want to take it over for a party.”
During the LAAC’s renovation, a hidden staircase was unearthed between the third and fourth floor; a clandestine passage used during Prohibition in the 1920s. Oulton continued: “We used the staircase for the entrance and we built the trick bokocase on the third floor below,” celebrating the club’s heritage by adding a sense of humour and playfulness to the project. A trick bookcase in the third floor bar now opens on to the secret stairwell, where black walls are covered from floor to ceiling with framed photographs chosen from the LAAC’s archives, each one telling a piece of the club’s history. Monti-Morren commented on the design: “Our aesthetic always begins with authenticity. We wanted to preserve the history of the club but marry it with something daring and modern. The room is a hub, a meeting place, a spot for business to happen, but also a place to celebrate.”
After ascending the secret staircase, guests walk in through heavy black drapes. The four distinct areas are designed as the corners of the room for intimacy and privacy, rather than guests meandering from one through to the next. The Blue Room's walls are all black, save one accent wall of Oxford Blue, creating a depth of coordination with the existing shutters that frame the large windows.
Upon entering the room, on the right is a quiet nook by the window, lit under the mellow glow of brass Drum and Crystal chandeliers, where guests sit in oversized leather wingchairs that offer decadent comfort around brass Drum side tables, exuding the air of a classic gentlemen’s lounge. Further along the same wall, next to the large windows, is another lounge area with the Senior Common Room sofas where Timothy Oulton’s Test Tube chandelier, made of laboratory test tubes, hangs in the foreground of Match Point, an artwork created from vintage wooden tennis rackets. From here, guests can venture over to the bar on the opposite side. Another Crystal chandelier in antique rust finish is suspended above the rustic oak Boston dining table topped with distressed aluminum next to the American lockers.
Then walking back to the entrance, in one candle-lit corner, Timothy Oulton’s Gyro lamps pervade an industrial elegance with an antique rust finish inspired by ancient navigational instruments. Oulton’s signature flair for juxtaposing the classic with the contemporary is further brought to life in the hand-softened leather Scholar armchairs and Westminster Union Jack sofa, as well as the Axel coffee and side tables, handmade from reclaimed boat wood.
With a different niche for each of those seeking refined comfort and exclusive design, the LAAC’s Blue Room is an unbeatable venue available exclusively to its members. Timothy Oulton has encapsulated the elegant blend of British and American style, creating a decadent cave revealed only to those who can find their way through the hidden entrance.
Pics: Antonio Diaz
Original BTC launch in abundance
British lighting manufacturer Original BTC launch over 50 new lights at 100% Design. As the destination to see the latest new products, installations and stimulating talk in the world of design, 100% Design showcases pieces with distinct personality in design and display.
Original BTC’s launches at the show include the multi-faceted Hatton collection of bone china pendants, wall, table and floor lights. Its largest and most technically challenging collection yet, Hatton pushes bone china to its limits, celebrating the material’s translucency, luminosity and versatility.
Alongside Hatton, Original BTC will also launch their Cranton pendants, Chester collection of desk, floor and wall lights in satin copper, and the versatile Portable Pleat wall light. With new suspension lamps also being released from other bespoke designers including London-based design firm Lozi, 100% Design is set to be a focal point in the latest products and ranges from international talents.
A northmodern success
(Denmark) - northmodern's August exhibition served as well received business platform for design community.
First launched in January 2015, the show saw 480 brands exhibiting in a larger venue, with over 4,400 visitors, a 62% increase from the first edition.
Focussing on increasing northmodern’s international awareness gave the show a 100% increase in international visitors from January 2015 to August 2015. northmodern Fashion and Design Director Kristian W. Andersen commented: “It is fantastic to see the vision of northmodern taking shape. The ambition to include Copenhagen is being realised and we are happy to see that the industry, nationally and internationally, is behind us. northmodern is a collaboration with Design Denmark and Danish Design Center working for a broader design event encompassing Copenhagen and Denmark as a whole. This will, combined with a focus on a sharp curation and segmentation, ensure that we will continue to grow.”
Buyers and exhibitors expressed their feedback, including Section Deputy Manager at international flagship of modern living Illums Bolighus Maria Larsen: “The flow and variety of lighting, furniture and interior design brands has been well put together, and represents a wide selection of the best from both the Danish and International design scenes. We have with great success throughout the past year established several cooperation’s with new brands all spotted at the northmodern fair.”
northmodern served as a successful platform of communication and connection for all those exhibiting. If you exhibited at northmodern, be sure to get involved with darc’s post-event showcase! Contact Helen on h.fletcher@mondiale.co.uk for more information.
Kate Wilkins and Sam Neuman join forces
(UK) - London-based lighting designers Kate Wilkins and Sam Neuman combine years of collaboration to launch portfolio of projects and new web-site.
Wilkins and Neuman focus on lighting as an essential part of business identity, as in their work for Wahaca restaurant group. Aiming to bring out materiality and detail of architectural interiors and exteriors, the pair use lighting as a narrative in space. Most recently, they completed the distinctive lighting scheme for Wahaca Cardiff, involving the installation of Booo soft rubber pendants each supplied with a 2,700k 650 lumen LED with mains dimming down to 10%. Working with the colour palette and reacting to the warmer tone light waves, pendants were fitted with custom yellow and orange flexes, creating an amicable scale for dining whilst maintaining its grand size.
The studio also recently completed the lighting for award-winning Llanelly House in Wales. The building was restored for public use, incorporating retail, function rooms, exhibition space and a restaurant. Wilkins and Neuman used lighting to highlight important artworks and architectural details. They look to explore the role of lighting in conservation and historic buildings further in the future.
Previously featured in mondo*arc, Wilkins and Neuman’s installation in Gothenburg is due to move to its next home shortly. Entitled Radio Cineola - The Inertia Variations, the project inspired by John Tottenham’s poem of the same name is a collaboration with musician Matt Johnson from ‘The The’ and visual artist and film maker Johanna St Michaels. The transmission of The Inertia Variations is the first instalment for this cross-disciplinary work that will move between Sweden, the UK and the USA.
PNLD announces promotions
(UK) - London based architectural lighting design specialists Paul Nulty Lighting Design (PNLD) promote senior members.
Daniel Blaker was promoted to Creative Director, Ellie Coombs to Director, and Emilio Hernandez to Associate. These senior members oversee a lighting design team and are currently leading projects including Keflavik airport in Iceland, a roof top park and 5* hotel in central London. Phil Copland, Anna Clara Sandgren and Christina Hebert have also been promoted to senior designers within the practice.
Paul Nulty, Head of Practice commented: “Promotions are a proud time signaling maturity as a practice whilst highlighting our intent to employ, nurture and develop talent within the industry.’’ Since 2011, the team has tripled in size to 26 employees. PNLD is now in its fifth year and is known for creative design work across the commercial, residential and retail sectors.
lightjunction's brightest
(UK) - As part of this year’s designjunction, lightjunction will take more space than ever before in London next month. At former Central St Martins' building The College, Decorative lighting brands including Fontana Arte, Mullan Lighting, Brokis, and many more will transform staff headquarters with light displays.
Key new product launches include Swedish lighting brand Örsjö, presenting Pebble, Hätta and Hobo collections. Lighting and furniture brand EOQ showcases aluminium Dub Pendant Collection by Michael Young. Danish brand Wrong for HAY is to present the WH lighting collection featuring the UK launch of Turn On fixture in a concept store and coffee bar setting.
Thai designer Ango introduces a customisation service, specialising in bespoke lighting installations for residential and commercial projects, while lighting brand Serralunga’s releases portable lantern Honey designed by Raffaella Mangiarotti.
If you’re taking part in The London Design Festival exhibiting at designjunction, Tent London, 100% Design or Decorex International, be sure to get involved with darc’s pre-event showcase! Contact Helen on h.fletcher@mondiale.co.uk for more information.
Artemide extends Japanese duo partnership
(France) - Designers Motoko Ishii and Akari-Lisa Ishii continue collaboration with Artemide for ‘Light Trend’ at Maison & Objet 2015. Following the success of previous exhibitions in 2013 and 2014, French & Japanese mother and daughter lighting design team present the latest trends in lighting with Artemide products.
In the context of M&O’s evolution and new target marketing, the fair expanded its Light Trend area dedicated to thematic exhibition of lighting design, which will be strategically placed in the centre of the project hall. Light Trend, of which Ishii and Ishii’s thematic exhibition is a part, aims to present the latest technologies in lighting, integrate light and fixtures in space and share experiences with international leaders in the decorative field.
This year, marking M&O’s 20th anniversary, Ishii and Ishii selected exclusive lighting materials, light sources, artistic applications, and control technologies to demonstrate the essentials under the sub-theme of happiness in effective lighting. The design duo chose happiness as a theme for their lighting exhibition due to the impact of this year as UNESCO’s year of light so far in the ability of light art and technology to boost spirits and environments.
The booth will consist of seven rooms, each of which has a different approach to the pursuit of happiness. Visitors can walk through these to experience diverse expressions of light, giving them the opportunity to know and reflect on what light can do for one’s happiness in the field of space design. This is made possible by Artemide, which is providing the following products to the installation: an Acoustic Light suspension Eggboard designed by Giovanni Giacobone and Massimo Roj; Phillipe Rahm’s conceptual suspension Spectral Light; four white CATA spots designed by Carlotta de Bevilacqua; and one white PICTO 70 spot designed by Artemide’s development studio.
Andrew Orange at Decorex International 2015
(UK) – Confirmed as speaker during Decorex seminar programme, Andrew Orange presents ‘An LED Survivors Guide’. A series of seminars will be delivered by notable figures across design, interiors, lighting and other creative sectors. Take a look at who will be giving insight into the world of lighting.
The Languages of Light - A creative approach to residential lighting
The talk will introduce The Languages Of Light, Light IQ’s Creative Director Rebecca Weir’s inspirational and visual book to the creative process of lighting the home. The philosophical and human-centric approach incorporates a journey through understanding light as a basic tool, unveils the emotional and physical responses to light, case studies and light effects. Lighting principles and practicalities are illustrated through photography, with the fundamentals of lighting clearly conveyed, showing how contemporary technology can assist in driving the creative process. This new book will serve as a resource for interior designers, architects, property developers, landscapers and the homeowner looking for the confidence to integrate contemporary lighting practice into their projects.
An LED Survivors Guide
In the fast-paced world of LED lighting, designer and supplier of classic and contemporary lighting, Andrew Orange, of his brand House of Orange, will discuss the difficulty in keeping up with constant developments in lighting technology. He provides essential tips on lighting in the LED era, reviewing the changes, fittings, fixtures and the impact of new technology on today's lighting schemes. Topics include: Where to illuminate? What light for which job? What colour of light do we use? Where do we position the lighting source? How do we select the correct type of source? How do we control the source?
If you’re taking part in The London Design Festival exhibiting at Tent London, designjunction, 100% Design or Decorex International, be sure to get involved with darc’s pre-event showcase! Contact Helen on h.fletcher@mondiale.co.uk for more information.
Super Brands London: Lights to look for
(UK) – Super Brands London 2015 to showcase international design talent from contemporary and cutting-edge brands, and an array of national pavilions.
Super Brands London Founder and Director Jimmy MacDonald commented: “Throughout the year we work actively to handpick a diverse selection of brands who highlight current global design trends, each presenting a distinctive temporary showroom space within Super Brands London.”
Brands showing for the first time at Super Brands London 2015 will include an array of lighting and interior brands, including Neo/Craft. “This year, Super Brands London will be the place to see a selection of the world’s most progressive brands, with a bolder and more diverse showcase than ever before.” MacDonald continued.
Also exploring the synergy between design and food, albeit more subtly, London-based Swedish design studio Cate&Nelson has designed and curated the central Swedish Pavilion & Design Café at Super Brands. An inspiring place among the bustle of the London Design Festival, it will be a place to relax amidst Cate & Nelson’s pick of Swedish designers, brands and emerging trends from the likes of Atelje Lyktan and Zero Lighting.
If you’re taking part in The London Design Festival exhibiting at Tent London, designjunction, 100% Design or Decorex International, be sure to get involved with darc’s pre-event showcase! Contact Helen on h.fletcher@mondiale.co.uk for more information.
Flos illuminates Torre Velasca
(Italy) – Flos stands as technical sponsor of Opening Velasca, redevelopment project of Milan’s Torre Velasca. Promoted by Italian financial holding company Unipol Group, the project serves to refurbish the skyscraper, enhancing the value of one of Milan's best known symbols.
Flos, together with other Italian design brands, was selected by project designer Piero Lissoni to light the penthouse event space, exhibition and public areas involved. The square in which the tower is set will be open to the public for the entire duration of Expo 2015. Here visitors share a space that has promoted an important cross-cultural debate in international circles spanning architecture, engineering and culture.
The result is an urban garden created under the metal structure that will support the scaffolding used for the refurbishment of the tower's exterior: an oasis of calm featuring beds of green herbs interspersed with tall plants. To light up this area around the perimeter of the building, Flos selected one of its most eclectic lighting fixtures, the May Day lamp designed by Konstantin Gric, a perfect fit for the industrial scaffolding aesthetic and the refined furnishings.
Inside the tower, a new exhibition space was designed by Piero Lissoni for exhibitions, conferences and talks on the subject of architecture and design, with the aim of reviving the building and giving a new boost to cultural debate in the city. Flos used the brand's architectural collection, Running, designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in 1954, to light the space, creating an ambient light in reference to the Milan design scene of the period.
Lissoni, with Flos’ support, completed Opening Velasca with the interior decoration of the top floor, featuring a space for exclusive events with a view of the city. For the interior lighting of the penthouse apartment, Flos chose iconic lamps created by classic Italian designers such as Achille Castiglioni, which are juxtaposed with contemporary designs like the IC Lights family by Michael Anastassiades (2014).
In a stylistic amalgamation of classic and contemporary, Flos brought light to an iconic Milanese building, giving guests the opportunity to experience its city’s culture and heritage over the period of Milan Expo 2015.
Not to be missed at 100% Design
(UK) - 100% Design announces designers, installations, and collections featuring at this year’s event.
Multi-disciplinary creative and designer Ilse Crawford will open 100% Design with her headline talk about design that engages with the senses, from the Danish concept of 'Hygge' to being driven by the human emotional side of design. Crawford will head up a programme of talks about how life can be influenced by design through the senses.
In the meantime, working with the largest of possible canvas at Olympia London, Studio Design UK has once again partnered with leading contemporary crystal manufacturer Lasvit and UK materials company Camira to create a suspended lighting sculpture installation to be featured at the entrance. Further to this, Original BTC will be showcasing a new china bone collection, Hatton, which uses highly skilled process to create multi-faceted forms exploring the material's luminosity.
For 2015, the show will thrive in its new venue for four days in September. Register to attend now to avoid missing out!
Warm/Wet room at LDF
(UK) – Istanbul-based Tabanlıoğlu Architects showcases installation with artist and industrial designer Arik Levy at inaugural Somerset House ‘10 Designers in the West Wing’ during London Design Festival 2015.
Tabanlıoğlu Architects said: “We are thrilled to partner with such a talent for our first London Design Festival; Levy is a long-standing friend of Tabanlıoğlu Architects and we are excited at this opportunity to work closely with him at what is sure to be a thriving hub at the heart of this year’s festival.”
Tabanlıoğlu Architects involvement in London Design Festival and partnership with Levy creates a striking installation in a two-room space, involving the creation of Levy’s lowered ceiling of light made of LED strips – an extension of his eponymous Fractal Projects – and simultaneously, a multi-faceted kinetic object placed underneath Tabanlıoğlu Architects’ reflective surface. One room will host a dense layer of light reflected in the floor, creating the warm room. The other will be more sparsely lit with opaque qualities over a solid pool - an shifting metal platform that holds dispersing water drops, evoking a wet cooler sensation for the viewer.
The collaboration uses diverse mediums of light and solid, dry and wet, warm and cold, in an interdisciplinary cooperative effort between architecture and art.
Levy commented on the collaboration: “I was delighted to be asked to work with the Tabanlıoğlu team on this prestigious project. Our disciplines merge perfectly and our installation will reflect themes that are consistent throughout both our bodies of work to create a striking collaboration that will be one not to miss.”
Transition; Warm/Wet will be on display as part of the 10 Designers in the West Wing at Somerset House during London Design Festival from Monday - Wednesday, and also on Sunday.
