zim & zou's flying horse paper installation adorns Hermès tokyo window display

Selfridges' new restaurant, Brasserie of Light, offers a unique dining experience, prominently featuring a 24-ft-tall crystal-encrusted sculpture of Pegasus by Damien Hirst. This magnificent artwork, with its colossal 30-ft wingspan, soars above the dining hall, establishing the restaurant as Selfridges’ first after-hours dining destination in London. The Brasserie of Light lives up to its name through its design, which heavily incorporates luminous elements and reflective surfaces. Martin Brudnizki spearheaded the interior design, skillfully manipulating light and space to create a dazzling effect. The Art Deco-inspired space is enhanced by the strategic placement of mirrors, which amplify the volume and add to the overall spectacle. The double-height dining hall is invigorated with vibrant electric blue banquettes and mustard dining chairs, introducing a bold splash of color to the opulent setting. A substantial central bar serves as a focal point, anchoring the expansive space and contributing to the sophisticated ambiance. The culinary offerings at Brasserie of Light are overseen by chef Emanuel Machado. The menu presents a selection of refined dishes, including hand-dived scallops served with red peppers, spaghettini accompanied by lobster, and a signature dessert named Pegasus pie, featuring a yuzu coconut cloud. The restaurant is situated within Selfridges, accessible via the Duke Street Entrance at 400 Oxford St, London W1A 1AB. The article also features various dishes available at the Brasserie of Light, illustrating the presentation and variety of the menu. These include dark chocolate mousse with hazelnut praline ice cream, milk foam, honeycomb, and popping candy; shaved roots, fennel, cashew, clementine, and romaine lettuce salad; Valrhona Guanaja dark chocolate mousse with chocolate brownie, ice cream, and chocolate pearls; and Alaskan snow crab salad with watermelon, radish, and lobster dressing. The Brasserie of Light merges high-end art with sophisticated dining, offering an immersive experience that extends beyond mere culinary satisfaction. The collaboration between Damien Hirst's iconic sculpture and Martin Brudnizki's luminous interior design creates a destination that is both visually stunning and gastronomically appealing. The restaurant aims to provide a luxurious and memorable experience for its patrons, combining artistic grandeur with exquisite cuisine in a vibrant setting. #RestaurantDesign #InteriorDesign #DamienHirst #ArtInstallation #LuxuryDining #LondonRestaurants #Selfridges #ArtDeco

This article details a unique advertising campaign by Sonos, a home sound system manufacturer, which transformed a New York City subway shuttle train into a moving art installation. The campaign utilized the distinctive black-and-white cartoons of Mark Alan Stamaty, covering the entire train, both inside and out, including ceilings and seats. This initiative was part of a larger branding effort for Sonos's first retail store opening in SoHo, New York City. The project originated when Sonos, through the branding agency Partners & Spade, sought Stamaty's artistic contribution for the interior design of their new store. The store featured soundproof listening booths, shaped like small houses, each with a different interior theme. Anthony Sperduti, co-founder of Partners & Spade, a long-time admirer of Stamaty's work, particularly his children's book "Who Needs Donuts?", commissioned him for the store's design. Stamaty immersed himself in the vibrant street life and music culture of SoHo to create six detailed drawings at 25% scale, specifically tailored for the listening pods, integrating features like shelves and ceilings into his artwork. Beyond the subway train, Stamaty's artwork was also applied to various other media as part of the campaign. This included the Sonos store's windows, shopping bags, advertisements in 'T' (The New York Times fashion/interior design Sunday supplement magazine), and even billboards near Sonos headquarters in Boston. Fernando Music, managing director of Partners & Spade, emphasized the agency's belief in using design to solve business problems and highlighted the campaign's success in generating widespread media coverage for the store's opening. The campaign's overarching message was about how Sonos can transform a home with music, a concept reflected in the diverse decoration of the listening pods, each designed to evoke a different home experience. Whitney Walker, general manager of the Sonos store, affirmed the campaign's remarkable success in New York City, noting its direct benefits not only for the flagship store but also for Sonos's retail partners. This collaboration between Sonos, Partners & Spade, and Mark Alan Stamaty demonstrates an innovative approach to advertising, effectively integrating art into a large-scale commercial endeavor to create a memorable and immersive brand experience for the public. #AdvertisingCampaign #SubwayArt #MarkAlanStamaty #Sonos #PartnersAndSpade #SoHo #BrandExperience #InteriorDesign #NewYorkCity

Zak Profera of Zak + Fox, known for his global explorations and imaginative designs, drew inspiration from the natural phenomena and folklore of Madagascar for his latest window treatment collection. During his travels, Profera was particularly captivated by the whirlwinds that frequent Madagascar's Indian Ocean coast during the rainy season. These natural occurrences, according to local legend, are believed to carry spirits within them, a detail that deeply resonated with Profera and sparked his creative process. This inspiration culminated in the creation of a distinctive window treatment line named "Tail of Heaven." Profera describes these pieces as embodying the essence of an apparition, twisting into a fluid form, each imbued with its own unique spirit. The design features ombré linen panels that artfully mimic the visual and ethereal qualities of the Malagasy whirlwinds, translating a natural and mystical phenomenon into a sophisticated interior decor element. The "Tail of Heaven" panels are notable for their generous dimensions, measuring 12 feet in length and 4½ feet in width. This substantial size allows the ombré effect to be fully appreciated, creating a dramatic and flowing visual impact in any space. The meticulous production of these panels takes place in Italy, leveraging advanced digital printing techniques to achieve the intricate color gradients and ethereal patterns that define the collection. Customers have a wide array of color options to choose from, ensuring versatility to complement various interior design palettes. The available colors include purple, blue, green, rose, gold, gray, and natural. Each color variant is designed to evoke a different mood and aesthetic, while consistently maintaining the overarching theme of fluid movement and spiritual essence derived from the Madagascan inspiration. The rose, natural, blue, gold, and gray versions are specifically highlighted, showcasing the range and depth of the ombré designs available. This collection seamlessly blends cultural storytelling with contemporary design, offering more than just a functional window covering. It provides a unique narrative and an artistic statement, inviting the viewer to appreciate the subtle yet profound connection between nature, folklore, and interior aesthetics. Profera's ability to translate such specific cultural and natural inspirations into a tangible and elegant home decor item underscores his distinctive approach to design. #ZakProfera #ZakAndFox #WindowTreatments #OmbreDesign #MadagascarFolklore #InteriorDesign #TextileDesign #HomeDecor #DigitalPrinting

This article details the journey of Amy and Bruce Paul in designing and decorating their 11,000-square-foot home in Rye, New York, focusing on integrating their extensive art collection into a cohesive interior design. Having previously lived in a post-modern home with traditional furnishings and a growing contemporary art collection, the Pauls sought to create a new residence where the exterior architecture and interior aesthetics were harmoniously aligned with their personal taste in design and art. Their objective was to construct a home that could comfortably accommodate their family of six while optimally showcasing their practiced and perfected collection of paintings and sculptures. The couple acquired a 13-acre estate in Rye before the 2001 World Trade Center attacks, subdividing it into seven lots and reserving a two-plus-acre parcel for their own home. They collaborated with builder Michael DiChiaro to construct a six-bedroom, seven-full-bath residence that offers views of a wooded yard, later enhanced with a pool and waterfall by Coral Sea Pools, and adorned with bronze sculptures by Mexican artist Bruno Luna. For the interior design, Amy Paul enlisted Joseph R. Stabile of J.R. Cattington, who had previously worked with them. Stabile and his team were involved from the ground up, providing input on architectural design, interior finishes, electrical layouts, and lighting selection. Stabile chose a palette of cream and gold to complement the Pauls' artwork and suggested structural modifications, such as adding a doorway to improve flow in the formal living room. Amy's primary design directive was for a "light and bright" home, which was achieved in the living room through buttery gold satin-striped fabric from Robert Allen for window treatments and crystal wall sconces by Crystorama. This room serves as a gallery for various notable paintings, including works by Janet Treby, Liane Abrieu, and Russian artists. The soft color scheme is accented by silk brocade wing chairs with colorful throw pillows and fuchsia and silk rugs from China. The family room continues the luminous theme with yellow walls, a toile pattern by Antonia Vella, Seabrook wallcoverings, and similarly colored fabrics in lemon, green, and persimmon for window treatments, pillows, and side chairs. Crystal chandeliers from Murano, imported by Castilian Imports, were chosen to coordinate with paintings by Isaac Maimon and Charles Levier. The coffered ceiling in a green apple shade with cream-colored woodwork further enhances the vibrant, garden-like atmosphere. Bruce Paul's personal space, a clubby card room, contrasts with Amy's preferences, featuring dark wood paneling, built-in bookcases, a bar, and masculine fabrics. This room, separated from the family room by a stone-front fireplace, includes Biedermeier chairs with leopard-print fabric and various personal artifacts. Stabile designed the fireplace with intricately carved mahogany lions and used a Serengeti Leopard carpet to connect Bruce’s adjoining office. The Pauls' children, Joanna, Ryan, Matt, and Jason, also contributed to the design of their respective bedrooms and bathrooms, incorporating elements such as Masland Carpets, Bernhardt furnishings, and Thibaut wallpapers. The master bedroom, with its vaulted ceiling, presented a challenge in scale, addressed by Stabile using Highland Court silk brocade for a cornice "headboard" that coordinates with custom curtains. The article highlights the Pauls' passion for art collection, which began with a French artist Charles Levier painting and expanded to include works from their travels to Europe, South America, Asia, and the Southwest. Despite concerns about diminishing wall space, their quest for art, driven by personal connection and memories from their travels, continues. #HomeDesign #InteriorDecor #ArtCollection #LuxuryHome #RyeResidence #JosephStabile #CustomDesign #ArchitecturalFeatures #PersonalStyle

Shōtō, a modern Japanese izakaya located in Midtown Center, Washington D.C., is introduced as a new culinary and design landmark. The establishment, a project of the London-based global hospitality group that also manages Zuma, opened its doors for dinner service at 5 p.m. The design, spearheaded by Tokyo-based Studio Glit's Noriyoshi Muramatsu, marks his first venture in D.C. Muramatsu, known for Zuma's acclaimed interiors, has meticulously curated every detail of Shōtō, creating an atmosphere that balances luxury with a deep sense of Japanese aesthetics. Upon entering Shōtō, guests are greeted by thoughtful design elements, such as a lengthy, bronzed branch from an ancient Japanese forest serving as a door handle. The interior features an immaculate, wood-framed dining room and spa-like restrooms equipped with custom Le Labo black tea oil diffusers, demonstrating an "invisible touch" of luxury. The 155-seat restaurant showcases a symmetrically arranged sushi counter, a bar, and a Japanese robata grill, where various meats, fish, skewers, poultry, and produce are cooked over pressed Japanese white oak. The dining room's centerpiece is a massive, UFO-like sculpture made from lava stone sourced from an active Japanese volcano. This formation, comprising orange-sized stone chunks painstakingly hand-strung and suspended from the 25-foot ceiling, creates a dazzling shadow play on the floor as it is backlit, especially during sunset. This dramatic lava stone sculpture is complemented by other decor elements also sourced, assembled, or salvaged in Japan and transported to D.C. Shōtō aims to boast one of the largest Japanese whiskey selections on the East Coast, currently offering 40 rare types with a goal to expand to 100 as supply chains improve. These whiskeys are showcased like precious artifacts behind gold metal grates, greeting guests upon entry. The name "Shōtō," meaning "short sword" in Japanese, symbolizes the restaurant's commitment to accuracy and precision, evident in both its culinary techniques and design. The open kitchen and sushi counter offer diners a direct view of the meticulous work of Executive Sushi Chef Kwang Kim and Executive Chef Alessio Conti. The kitchen's textured tile backsplash features vertical rows of curved tiles, which are hand-molded and glazed casts of Japanese bamboo. Clay plates, handmade by a Japanese artist using a wood-fired ash technique, are neatly stacked on wooden shelves, further highlighting the artistic craftsmanship. The restaurant's walls and ceiling are designed with square wood boxes, creating a grid-like visual. Functional decorative elements include century-old parts of a rural Japanese aqueduct system repurposed as flower pots for cherry blossoms. Above the bar, rows of hand-blown glass bowls, crafted to resemble traditional Japanese tea kettles, are intended to hold Japanese spirits, sake, and shochu infused with fresh fruits, herbs, and vegetables. These glass orbs are interspersed with gigantic sake barrels from Japanese breweries, now serving as floating ivory artwork. The bar also features a hand-carving ice station and a bonsai tree, serving house cocktails made exclusively with Japanese spirits. A wine and sake cellar, capable of storing up to 1,500 bottles, occupies an entire wall, with sommeliers using a ladder to retrieve selections, adding to the dining experience's theatricality. A private dining room at the back features a 45-seat rectangular table under a ceiling of wavy red fabric, providing an intimate setting while offering glimpses into the glassy cellar, ensuring a unique experience for every diner. Shōtō is located in the same Midtown Center complex as Philotimo, chef Nicholas Stefanelli's Greek restaurant, which opened the previous month. #JapaneseCuisine #RestaurantDesign #LuxuryDining #Izakaya #NoriyoshiMuramatsu #DCRestaurants #SushiBar #RobataGrill #JapaneseWhiskey

The latest collection from Arte, named L’invite, draws inspiration from French Haute Couture and fashion, offering a sophisticated range of wallcoverings. This collection, showcased at HIX, features six distinct designs that blend geometric patterns, Greek scenes, and elegant plain textures. L’invite adopts a neoclassical style, presenting a modern color palette that includes soft pastels, deep blues, vibrant greens, and various earthy tones. These designs ingeniously imitate natural textiles and textures, such as rattan, delicate lace, intricately woven paper, and traditional French Toile de Jouy. Crafted for both aesthetic appeal and practicality, the L’invite collection is designed to be washable, lightfast, and highly durable. These non-woven wallcoverings are suitable for both residential and commercial applications, particularly in areas with high foot traffic. A notable characteristic of the collection is its ability to create a trompe l’oeil effect, where each design appears layered and texturally rich. This gives the illusion of tactile elements like lace, natural fibers, rattan, and woven jacquard patterns, all contributing to a dynamic interplay of color and subtle light and shadow. Among the featured designs is ‘Le Sommet,’ a playful zigzag pattern that aims to evoke a sense of height and elegance through geometric motifs inspired by various global cultures. Its color options range from muted natural shades to bold blues and deep reds. ‘Le Papier Tissé’ is another design, capturing the intricate patterns found in woven paper. It highlights the fine structure of paper strips and natural fibers, with linear details providing subtle color nuances and delicate textural interest. This design is available in a soft palette of natural hues including lavender, pistachio, honey, and eggshell. ‘Le Rotin’ offers a convincing imitation of natural rattan with a tone-on-tone pattern, blending a contemporary hand-woven aesthetic with a hint of nostalgia. The design incorporates imperfect variegation of fibers, creating a nuanced play of light and dark shadows, which is further enhanced by the colored background. ‘Le Mythe’ transports viewers to the rich historical landscapes of ancient Greece, featuring stately temples and mythical narratives. This monochrome design reinterprets French Toile de Jouy, replicating its detailed, romantic fabric print on wallpaper. ‘Le Prestige’ embodies luxury with its layered patterned design, drawing inspiration from lace and jacquard woven textiles. Despite its delicate appearance, this design is durable and hardwearing, achieving a balance between elegance and resilience. It incorporates small, geometric shapes combined with relief inks. Finally, ‘L’Extase’ features intricate, closed geometric shapes in a mobile pattern, reminiscent of fine lace, instantly conveying a sense of luxury. Arte is recognized as a recommended supplier and frequently contributes to supplier news in the industry. #Wallcoverings #HotelDesign #InteriorDesign #LuxuryDecor #HauteCoutureInspiration #TextileInnovation #HIXEvent #ArteInternational

Textiles, whether brought back from international travels or sourced from local designers, offer a unique way to introduce narrative and texture into home decor. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, textiles carry the stories of different times and places, making them cherished keepsakes. The article explores various methods for displaying these pieces, moving beyond common applications like pillows to highlight more creative and impactful design solutions. One effective approach is framing. Designer Christina Bryant, founder of St. Frank, advocates for framing textiles, particularly in acrylic box frames, which accentuate the handwork, three-dimensionality, and texture of the piece. This method also encourages sharing the textile's history and craftsmanship. An example showcases a framed scarf in a Houston living room designed by Meg Lonergan, demonstrating that not all textiles are raw fabric swatches. Another innovative use is transforming a textile into a headboard. Frances Merrill of Reath Design illustrates this by backing and upholstering an African textile with light padding, creating a comfortable and visually striking headboard. This method offers a distinctive alternative to traditional headboard designs, adding a personal and artistic touch to a bedroom. For those seeking a less permanent or upholstery-intensive solution, spreading a textile across the seat or back of a couch offers significant visual impact with minimal commitment. Textile designer Nathalie Farman-Farma of Décors Barbares, for instance, uses a vintage curtain to adorn her couch, achieving a dramatic effect without the need for professional upholstery. Similarly, Rebecca Atwood uses one of her original designs to enhance the back of a sofa, contributing to a calming room aesthetic. Smaller textile pieces can be repurposed into functional and decorative items such as poufs. Sally Breer of Co-Mingle Design utilizes kilims to create plush poufs, serving as additional seating and injecting color and pattern into a living room. Other small-scale upholstery projects mentioned include covering the seat of a chair, the front of a dresser, or the top of a bench. Textiles can also function as unique window treatments. Sally Breer suggests using vintage textiles for windows, especially those with unusual shapes or walls that need artistic enhancement, given their often-idiosyncratic sizes. This approach turns functional elements into decorative focal points, as seen in a stately living room with black and white Roman blinds. Finally, a simple yet impactful method is to hang textiles directly on the wall. British interior designer Abigail Ahern recommends draping a textile over a pole and mounting it, instantly transforming it into a piece of art. This technique, she explains, can make a space feel warm and cozy by elevating the textile to an artistic display. These diverse strategies allow textile enthusiasts to integrate their cherished pieces into their homes in creative and personalized ways, enhancing both the aesthetic and narrative of their living spaces. #TextileArt #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #TextileDisplay #FramedTextiles #HeadboardDesign #FurnitureAccents #WindowTreatments #WallHangings

Metaphor Interior Architecture, a Jakarta-based interior design consultancy, services clients globally. This firm, composed of creative individuals, aims to provide optimal design solutions, specifically focusing on The Zora Kanade cluster. Christine, a senior associate, spearheads the design for Kanade Type 12. She reveals that her prior work on the Samasana Club House at The Zora provided a foundational understanding of the developer's design aspirations for the Kanade Cluster, which she extended to its three show unit houses. Her approach to the design brief involved analyzing the high-end target market and varied price points of the three housing units to determine appropriate interior design concepts. This led to distinct designs for each show unit, all incorporating a Japanese sensibility tailored for a modern, affluent demographic. Christine explains that the Japanese philosophy is translated not through direct imitation, but through the principle of 'balancing,' akin to Zen philosophy. This balance is evident in the harmonious use of colors, materials, and room composition, which collectively contribute to the desired ambiance. Elaborating on design balance, Christine highlights that each room's decor aligns with its function. For instance, a spacious area between the living and dining rooms demonstrates their strategy for balancing different zones within a single space. They also collaborate with Henco Home Decor to supply custom-designed furniture. Regarding color palettes, earth tones like brown or gray form the base, augmented by accent colors such as burnt orange, teal, and combinations thereof. While orange might not be traditionally Japanese, teal and olive are chosen for their natural associations, reflecting leaf colors. These accent colors are strategically employed to infuse a modern and luxurious feel into the Japanese aesthetic. Acknowledging the Japanese preference for simplicity, Christine clarifies that the target market's demand for luxury necessitated a nuanced approach to color, resulting in a unique modern atmosphere. The three show units, contrary to having a common thread, are each designed with distinct interior concepts to cater to their specific target markets. For example, the Type 12 unit targets a mature clientele prioritizing luxury, while Type 8+ and Type 10 units are designed with younger families in mind, featuring more youthful aesthetics. To ensure each unit resonates with potential buyers, the design process incorporates diverse consumer style preferences. These customer needs are then translated into unique designs for each unit, varying in color and overall concept. Material selection prioritizes both aesthetics and ease of maintenance, with choices like solid surface, marble, or laminate ensuring durability and practicality. #InteriorDesign #JapaneseDesign #LuxuryHomes #MetaphorInteriorArchitecture #HomeDecoration #DesignPhilosophy #ColorPalette #MaterialSelection

The 2022 Joint Annual Meeting of the Entomological Societies of America, Canada, and British Columbia showcased a juried art show centered on the theme "Entomology as Inspiration: Insects through art, science, and culture." This event brought together over 40 entries, creating a platform where science and art intersected. Attendees cast their votes for their favorite pieces, with the top honor, including first place in the three-dimensional art category, being awarded to "Entomological Vase," a creation by independent artist Sarah Ritchie from Alberta, Canada. Sarah Ritchie's "Entomological Vase" stands over 2 feet (63.5 centimeters) tall and is the largest in a series of similar vases she has produced. The vase is adorned with nearly 40 sculpted insect "specimens" around its circumference. This intricate detail serves as an homage to natural history collections and underscores their role in advancing the understanding of biological diversity and taxonomy. Ritchie's artistic focus on insects and arthropods stems from a long-standing interest in under-appreciated taxa. Her background as a wildlife educator involved outreach programs with various animals, including reptiles, bats, and invertebrates, where she observed the positive impact of demystifying these creatures and shifting public perception. She found that art serves as an effective medium to engage people with insects in a more approachable way, transforming potential dislike into appreciation through abstraction. Her experience in archaeology also influences her work, as she integrates her passions for both art and science. Ritchie, largely self-taught in ceramics, transitioned her hobby into a full-time career supported by online communities. She values the ability to combine her interests in the natural world and science communication, reaching a broad audience through her art. The bilateral symmetry and relatively flat profile of arthropods make them ideal subjects for her figural ceramic technique, allowing her to accurately depict a wide range of species inspired by real pinned insects. During her presentation at the 2022 Joint Annual Meeting, titled “Bug mugs: Promoting insect appreciation through ceramics,” Ritchie highlighted art's potential as a powerful tool for communication and education. She emphasized how art can bridge the gap between the scientific community and the public by fostering relational values with insects, which can then support scientific goals such as public awareness, education, and conservation. Ritchie advocated for greater interdisciplinary collaboration between artists and scientists, recognizing that many artists share a profound interest in biological sciences despite lacking formal backgrounds. Such partnerships could create numerous new opportunities for outreach and public engagement. #EntomologicalVase #ArtShow #JointAnnualMeeting #SarahRitchie #InsectArt #ScienceCommunication #CeramicArt #Biodiversity #Entomology

Hermès has unveiled a new wallpaper and outdoor fabric collection, "Sur les Toits" (On the Roofs), which draws inspiration from the architecture of its flagship Paris boutique on Faubourg Saint-Honoré. This collaboration features the work of French architect and illustrator Thibaut Rassat, who was tasked with creating designs that capture the essence of Parisian rooftops. Rassat’s creative process involved extensive observation of the store's architectural details, such as railings, arches, and blinds, leading to a design that aims to elevate the viewer’s gaze from street level to the Hermès roof garden. The initial design for "Sur les Toits" was crafted using Chinese ink with a brush and then blue ink, imparting a holiday-like ambiance. The pattern is available in both close-up and panoramic versions, depicting an imaginary city characterized by bright façades, terraces, and balconies. Florence Lafarge, creative director of textiles at Hermès, explains that the collection offers four distinct colorways, each representing a different time of day. These include a sandy, light-filled option evoking full sun, and an intense blue version that captures the twilight, as the sun sets and shadows emerge. In addition to "Sur les Toits," the collection includes "Quatre Cavaliers," a more abstract and sketch-like interpretation featuring knight chess pieces overlooking the store and its roof garden. This design is available as wallpaper, a panoramic mural, and as either a jacquard or cotton-printed fabric. Thibaut Rassat, known for his Instagram feed (@thibautrassat) which juxtaposes detailed architectural sketches with minimalist geometric lines, finds major inspiration in cityscapes. His passion for architecture, cultivated over eight years as a practicing architect and a longer career as an illustrator, drives his creative approach, focusing on how cities are built up layer by layer. Hermès has a long-standing tradition of collaborating with artists, and creativity remains central to the brand. Lafarge noted that drawing has always been a significant aspect of the fashion house’s identity. Upon encountering Rassat’s work, she was particularly impressed by his mastery of composition and color. The new collection is part of a broader range of furnishing fabrics and wallpapers, which also incorporates a chevron floral print designed by graphic artists Anne Roussel and Veronika Wildgruber, and a tropical pool scene by artist Kevin Lucbert. Lafarge emphasized the importance of highlighting handcrafted drawing techniques, with each design revealing the use of a specific tool like a pencil, felt tip, quill, ballpoint pen, or watercolor. This approach aims to bridge the creative universe of the illustrators with Hermès, constantly seeking new narratives to convey through their textile creations. #HermesCollection #WallpaperDesign #FabricDesign #ThibautRassat #ParisianArchitecture #InteriorDesign #TextileArt #LuxuryDecor #ArchitecturalIllustration

Kazuhiro Yamanaka has introduced 'Tsubomi,' a novel paper lamp that transforms from a vacuum-sealed flat pack into a self-supporting light fixture. This innovative design follows his previous creation, 'Lamp in the Pizza Box,' showcasing his continued exploration of lighting solutions that are both compact and aesthetically intriguing. The name 'Tsubomi' is derived from the Japanese word for 'bud,' reflecting the lamp's blooming action as it transitions from its compressed state. The Tsubomi lamp is engineered to unfold and stand autonomously upon the introduction of air through strategically placed holes at its base. This process eliminates the need for an internal structural support system, emphasizing the inherent strength and flexibility of the material. The lamp is crafted from a specialized plastic compound, reminiscent of the traditional paper used in Japanese Shoji screens. This material choice not only provides durability but also contributes to the lamp's distinctive visual quality. When folded, the paper material exhibits natural wrinkles, which become more pronounced and visually appealing once the lamp is illuminated, adding depth and character to its appearance. A central concept behind Yamanaka's design is a challenge to conventional notions of beauty, suggesting that imperfection, as seen in the paper's wrinkles, can possess its own unique charm. The Tsubomi lamp can be produced in a plain white finish, allowing the natural texture and light play to dominate, or it can feature a grid pattern. These grids serve a dual purpose: they highlight the wrinkled texture and introduce a subtle tint to the emitted light and the surrounding surface, creating various atmospheric effects. The design also offers versatility in form, as its lightweight nature allows it to maintain diverse shapes depending on the degree to which it is opened. The aesthetic principles underpinning the Tsubomi lamp are deeply rooted in Japanese cultural heritage, specifically drawing inspiration from the traditional Shoji screens. These screens are integral to Japanese architecture, serving functions as doors, windows, or room dividers, and are known for their delicate paper construction and ability to diffuse light gently. By incorporating similar material qualities and design sensibilities, Yamanaka successfully blends contemporary functionality with traditional Japanese aesthetics, offering a lighting solution that is both modern and culturally resonant. This project underscores the Tokyo-based designer's commitment to creating products that are not only functional but also embody a thoughtful connection to their cultural origins and a fresh perspective on design imperfections. #KazuhiroYamanaka #TsubomiLamp #PaperLamp #LightingDesign #JapaneseDesign #ShojiScreens #FlatPackDesign #ProductDesign #SustainableDesign