DesignChain presents Rising Talent Awards China
(China) - Firmly established as a major event for the global design community, the 2019 Rising Talent Awards organised by Maison&Objet look eastwards, exploring China's fast-developing design scene.
The awards, presented by Maison&Objet's long collaborative partner DesignChain, offer emerging Chinese talents the chance to introduce their work to an audience of international professionals.
Following the success of the UK, Italy and Lebanon editions, China will showcase it's Rising Talents at Paris' Exhibition Centre in Nord Villepinte between 18 and 22 January 2019.
Fabbian - Armilla
Armilla, designed by Lorenzo Truant, is inspired by the very first Renaissance depictions of the motions of stars and planets. At that time, it was customary for people to construct marvellous models called armillary spheres comprising a framework of rings.
Lamps from the Armilla collection are available with a diameter of 36 cm, and come in the form of pendant and table lamps. The diffuser is made of glossy white glass blown on a round mould, with the metal rings inserted and carefully fixed in place using the melted glass at the end of the process. The rings have a polished finish, with gold and chrome plating. Designed to work with halogen, fluorescent and LED light bulbs (if connected to a mains electricity supply).
David Hunt Lighting - The Alchemist Collection
Having searched the globe for the finest porcelain, ceramic, marble and glass-makers, David Hunt Lighting's Alchemist Collection invokes the spirit of travel and exploration, while complementing the company's proud Cotswold heritage.
Headlining the new additions to the collection are the Nomad, Inca and Apache table lamps crafted from Portuguese Pele de Tigre marble with blue-grey veining. The Lustre table lamp is crafted from an oil-glazed ceramic and the gloss ribbed ceramic Tidal table lamp boasts a beautiful depth of colour, available in Petrol Blue or Taupe. The gloss-white ceramic Vaughn is available in two sizes and the mouthblown glass Vienna table lamps are available in a choice of two glass colourways - clear and rosebud pink - both paired with antique brass metalwork. Also, among The Alchemist Collection's new designs are the head-turning Evora and the Boavista, which features antique brass metalwork and a braided cable. Both table lamps are crafted from textured Volcanic effect glass in either gold or silver colourways.
Blom & Blom - Copperhead
The Copperhead pendant is a handcrafted lighting fixture expressing Blom & Blom’s fascination with the pure elegance of copper piping. By allowing the copper tubing to oxidize, each Copperhead acquires its own natural patina, making it truly one of a kind. As an ideal complement to the golden-red copper piping, the core of the Copperhead lamp is crafted from an innovative material made of textile waste. The Copperhead lamp is made in Amsterdam, and available in two sizes.
Kym's restaurant, UK
Leading architecture and interior design practice, Michaelis Boyd, has just completed the design of Chef Andrew Wong’s hotly anticipated new restaurant, Kym’s. Located in the Bloomberg Arcade, at Bloomberg’s new European headquarters, Kym’s is a contemporary Chinese restaurant with a relaxed yet sophisticated interior imagined by the global design firm’s London team.
Michaelis Boyd have designed the interiors for the 120-cover restaurant and bar which is spread over two floors with street level access onto the heart of the Square Mile. The design concept harmonises eastern and western sensibilities to create a vibrant and timeless space inspired by traditional Chinese motifs and materials reinterpreted in a contemporary way. The modern setting reflects and pays homage to traditional Chinese cuisine, and Chef Wong’s creative culinary flair.
The main dining area of Kym’s is a nod to the theatricality of food and fine-dining. Set on the ground floor the space features an open kitchen and statement curved bar at its heart, creating an instant energy on arrival into the restaurant. The interior design features a soft colour palette of blush pinks and deep plums, with accents of copper and turquoise mixed with dark wood and a sunken terrazzo floor speckled with green marble chips.
The exposed timber structure from the mezzanine overhead and natural plaster walls have been used for their natural subtle pink tones, while verdigris and plum tones are used in a mix of materials including leather, suede and velvet to enhance a sense of textural warmth.
Decadent furnishings and lighting create a welcoming atmosphere with crushed velvet seating by the bar, stained walnut, brass and leather Utility dining chairs by Neri&Hu; while brass and holophane glass wall sconces project intricate shadows onto the textured walls. Low backed banquette seating runs the perimeter of the restaurant, enclosing the restaurant space as ‘the stage’. Custom antique glass mirrors reflect the bustling activity from within the kitchen while the white Carrara marble tables allow the colourful food to take centre stage. The bar for counter dining is also made from white Carrara marble and is clad in a large panels of dramatic verdigris copper.
The semi-circular sunken bar is covered in reclaimed turquoise roof tiles and is positioned beneath a dramatic cherry blossom tree that has been centrally located so it can be viewed in the round. A copper bar top reflects the weeping pink blossom overhead and the bar stools feature comfortable cane backs and deep plum leather seats.
A raw milled steel staircase with oak treads curves around the bar with the majestic bespoke cherry blossom tree at the centre casting soft shadows onto the natural plaster walls and across the dining space. Signifying female beauty and female power in China, the tree represents the yin element to the yang of the present day corporate City of London, helping to harmonise and balance the interiors.
The curved sweeping staircase connects the bar and restaurant with the mezzanine level, offering views over the restaurant and provides an alluring backdrop for passers-by and guests to enjoy. The upper floor has a notably more intimate and epicurean feel. A row of finely ribbed velvet fixed seating overlooks the theatrics of the main double height restaurant space, directing focus with the aid of dining shelves cantilevered from the steel balustrade.
A backdrop of antique and stained oak custom mirrors, half-height oak paneling with natural woven paper inlay, perforated copper and handblown turquoise glass lantern wall lights all create a more intimate dining ambiance in this upstairs space. A luxurious soft linen curtain can also enclose the mezzanine space for private dining or events, providing an added sense of exclusivity.
Lighting design was carried out by Jon Daniels of into Lighting, with decorative lighting specified including:
Meet and Greet - Cestita Miguel Milá. 1962 from Conran | Wall lights - Scoville wall light in perforated brass from Pooky | Ground floor - Brass and Holophane Glass Wall Sconce from Felix Lighting | Dimming System – Mode Lighting, Tiger
The Light Yard - The Orbital Floor Lamp
Handmade in Derbyshire, the industrial inspired Orbital Floor Lamp is perfect for any contemporary or classical residential environment.
Made from hot rolled mild steel it is available in a natural raw steel or patina "oxidised" finish for a more natural rustic look and is supplied with hand blown distorted teardrop shaped 6 watt LED light bulb.
The Rosseau, Canada
The Rosseau, a JW Marriott Resort and Spa, first opened its doors in 2008 in the heart of Muskoka’s Cottage Country.
Ten years on The Rosseau decided to modernise its look by commissioning VISO and it’s long-time collaborator mackaywong to design and fabricate a range of luxury custom lighting fixtures for the resort and spa.
Feature pieces were designed for the common area such as the living room, Muskoka room, library, Lakes Lounge and lobby areas.
The aim of the project was to showcase the lavishness of the JW Marriott brand whilst paying homage to the Muskoka guest experience of a rich escape in nature.
VISO and mackaywong accomplished this vision through their lighting design which used the natural shapes of antlers, beehives, fireflies, and abstract leaves. Most of these light fixtures have been finished with brass and reflective material to give the resort the JW Marriott feel.
The guest experience was a top priority for both the hotel management team and for the design and installation teams. To limit the amount of time the team needed to install the fixtures, detailed installation guides were created by VISO to improve the efficiency of the install and help limit the overall cost of the project.
“Mackaywong and VISO have a long history of collaborating successfully on many unique projects,” said Neda Misaghi, project designer at mackaywong.
“We find that VISO is well-versed in translating design intent into a final product that is well engineered and often better than we could have dreamed it to be. The custom ceiling light fixtures in the JW Marriott The Rosseau’s public lobby spaces give a sense of scale and ‘wow’ factor and have helped to completely transform these spaces.”
Working closely with the JW Marriott management team, mackaywong and VISO were able to design and fabricate beautiful lighting fixtures for its common areas, a solution that delivers on the initial brief of an elevated guest experience and translating the natural beauty of ‘cottage country’ into the interior design of the hotel.
Apparatus opens third showroom in Los Angeles
(USA) - Founded by LA native Gabriel Hendifar and Jeremy Anderson, Apparatus established its headquarters in New York, expanded its base of operations to Milan, and has found its way back to LA with a third showroom.
It took the company fourteen months to renovate the 5,000sqft warehouse on McCadden Place – a former television production studio surrounded by showrooms for antiques brands JF Chen and Blackman Cruz, and art galleries Ralph Pucci and Regen Projects.
The showroom makes good use of natural light with rows and rows of clerestory windows 15ft above the ground. It exhibits lighting from Apparatus' full range, including collections inspired by the Wiener Werkstätte art movement, alongside pieces from JF Chen, Robert Moreland and Amir Nikravan.
Post Oak Hotel, USA
Renowned design and architecture firm Gensler and Czech glassmaking company Lasvit, teamed up to enhance Houston’s Post Oak Hotel with beautiful glass installations.
The hotel stands tall surrounded in a canopy of post oak trees and cascading fountains. When approached by Gensler, Lasvit wanted to incorporate this beautiful scenery into their three installations.
Upon entering the hotel, visitors are faced with a grand chandelier adorned by mesmerising Bohemian crystals designed by Libor Sostak. The three-story installation features 15,719 glass bubbles and organic shapes, 1,428 LED lights and 738 Swarovski crystal balls.
“Each of these Bohemian crystal glass components captures light in an enchanting way, enlivens the lobby, and sets the stage for the rest of the luxurious experience throughout the hotel,” says Gail McCleese, Interior Design Director of Gensler.
Lastly, inside the hotel’s grand ballroom Lasvit created a 12 ring-shaped chandelier of minimalist Bohemian perfection made with nearly 16,000 crystal prisms, which shine brighter than diamonds. Each piece beautifully projects a rainbow spectrum on the surrounding walls.
Sollos selected by Luminaire for new LA showroom
(USA) - Sollos, by Jader Almeida, has been selected by Luminaire, the celebrated American design multi-brand retailer, to personalise a part of their new showroom in Los Angeles on Nov 28.
The founder of Luminaire, Nasir Kassamali, met Almeida during Milan's Design week last April, and was fascinated by the high-quality design of Sollos’ collections. As a result the Brazilian design company received premium exposure on the second floor of Luminaire's new 6,000 square metre LA showroom.
Sollos will feature their multi-award-winning historic products as well as some more recent proposals.
“We are honored to have been chosen by Luminaire, a highly respected brand in the American market and known throughout the world for its pursuit of excellence," comments Almeida.
"We are proud to share this space with top brands and to bring our vision of contemporary design to the West Coast, with elegant, timeless pieces characterised by fluid lines and a light, essential design”.
Sollos is present today in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the United States.
Yellow Goat Design - House of Cards
A clever assemblage of individual ACM pieces with LED bi-pins produces something quite Jenga-ish - but be assured this design won’t topple your design tower. The modern, unique look is game for any space and adds a statement that guarantees you the winning hand.
Pariente Ventures launches Rondopro smart desk lamp on Kickstarter
(Middle East) - Rondopro - a lightweight, motion-sensitive, modern desk lamp - has been launched on Kickstarter by Pariente Ventures.
The smart lamp has a minimalist design and motion detectors that turn the lamp on when the user's movement is detected. It also automatically adjusts the amount of light it gives off depending on how well lit the room is.
“As a designer I’m impressed by precision,” designer and company founder Dvir Pariente said. “I planned for limitless movement, and an easy assembly.”
The lamp is designed to achieve that limitless movement thanks to its circular hub hinges, which give it full rotational capability within its space.
The Rondopro lamp uses a high-power, low-consumption LED light that produces 650 lumens of light or more (equal to nearly 60 watts), but only uses about five watts of electricity - adding up to savings over time.
It is manufactured with high-grade aluminium, die-cast milled with exact precision CNC (computer numerically controlled) factory parts and coated with high-end finishes.
“It was only natural for me to design in aluminium,” Pariente said. “For me nothing beats the qualities you can achieve with it.”
