Marie van der Kroft’s cabinet of curiosities

This design dispatch highlights several key happenings and product releases in the world of interior design and art, focusing on the transition into a new season. It begins by exploring RH's Fall 2023 Collection, which aims to redefine true luxury in a market often saturated with superficial claims. Gary Friedman, CEO and chairman of RH, emphasizes that true luxury stems from exceptional craftsmanship and the quality of materials, citing their use of premium European and American White Oak, Walnut, Indonesian Teak, and the detailed construction of their American-made sofas with eight-way hand-tied springs or Italian-made pieces with engineered foam and exquisite tailoring designed for longevity. The collection features global designers like Australian duo Harrison and Nicholas Condos, who contribute natural pieces in European White Oak, including sideboards, bed canopies, and day beds. British designer Oliver Oulton incorporates Belgian Flax Linens into elongated sofas, while American designer Julie Lawrence introduces organically shaped sideboards and tables made from American White Oak. The aesthetic of the collection promotes serenity through light woods and organic lines, devoid of harsh angles and vibrant colors, encapsulating the idea that luxury is defined by thought, creativity, and rarity rather than just price. Next, the dispatch turns to the art world, detailing an opportunity for enthusiasts to acquire a piece from the renowned artist Cecily Brown. For over 25 years, Brown has been celebrated for her abstract expressionist style, with her paintings, often featuring motifs of women, skulls, skeletons, and still-lives, fetching high prices at auctions. Currently, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is hosting "Cecily Brown: Death and The Maid" until December 3, 2023. This exhibition showcases fifty works from her career. For those wishing to own a piece of Brown's art, a new etching inspired by Jan Brueghel the Elder's 17th-century allegorical series, "The Five Senses," will be available at The Met Store. Edition one of twenty-five will join The Met's collection, with others priced at $8,000, with proceeds supporting the museum's initiatives. The article also introduces a new book from Bulgari, "Beyond Time," celebrating over a century of Bulgari horology. This collaboration with Assouline provides a comprehensive retrospective across 300 pages, featuring contributions from notable friends, ambassadors, and experts of the Maison. A dedicated chapter explores the brand's iconic serpent watch design, which watch collector John Goldberger notes was revolutionary for its combination of wraparound Tubas bracelet with a watch dial. Finally, as the fall season approaches, the dispatch offers a suggestion for entertaining: Sophie Lou Jacobsen's new stemware collection. Inspired by Art Nouveau motifs and the Ecole de Nancy, the collection features glasses morphed into floral designs. While playful, the set maintains an air of sophistication, making it suitable for formal gatherings. The collection is set to launch in October, and readers are encouraged to consider complementary table accessories in preparation for upcoming events. #DesignDispatch #HomeDecor #LuxuryDesign #RHCollection #ArtExhibition #CecilyBrown #MetropolitanMuseumOfArt #BulgariHorology #SophieLouJacobsen #TablewareDesign

Carpenters Workshop Gallery in London is hosting 'Run & Hide,' the first solo exhibition for Dutch designer Maarten Baas at their new London space. This exhibition offers a preview of the upcoming major retrospective of Baas's work, titled 'Hide and Seek,' at the Groninger Museum in the Netherlands. The London show highlights four significant collections from the designer's career, showcasing his unique approach to furniture design. One of the featured collections is 'Close Parity,' first unveiled during Dutch Design Week 2016. This collection comprises five furniture pieces that originate from what Baas describes as 'naive sketches.' These initial, childlike drawings are then extruded into three-dimensional forms. The design philosophy behind 'Close Parity' intentionally disregards conventional constraints such as gravity and logistical concerns, allowing the whimsical and irregular lines of the original sketches to be faithfully translated into physical objects. The resulting brass pieces retain the eccentricities and intricate details of the sketches, often appearing as almost impossible, off-balanced, and top-heavy sculptures. To achieve structural stability, heavy counterweights are discreetly incorporated within the pieces. The collection exemplifies a blend of childlike form and logic with meticulous craftsmanship and a sophisticated understanding of materials and physics, as the imperfections of the linework are rendered in pure brass. The exhibition also marks the UK debut of Maarten Baas's 'Carapace' collection. This series draws inspiration from the protective, decorative, or camouflaging shells found on animals like beetles and turtles. First presented at Carpenters Workshop Gallery New York in 2016, the 'Carapace' collection includes a desk, a cabinet, an armchair, and a cupboard, each reflecting the thematic influence of organic shells. Additionally, the show features two of Baas's renowned 'Clay Chairs.' While typically available as an open edition, a special bronze version has been created to commemorate the design's 10th anniversary, adding a unique element to the display. A piece from the designer’s celebrated 'Real Time' collection is also on view. This includes a bronze 'Grandfather Clock,' an early example of Baas’s innovative timekeeping designs. These clocks feature a 12-hour video of a man drawing and erasing the minute and hour hands directly onto the clock face. The 'Real Time' series has garnered significant recognition and is now part of numerous museum collections worldwide. Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport recently commissioned a large-scale version of this clock for its main hall, underscoring its iconic status. Finally, a prominent piece from the 'Smoke' series is included in the exhibition. In this series, furniture pieces are entirely carbonized using a blow-torch, a process that intentionally highlights human intervention and transforms perceived flaws into aesthetic qualities. These designs, which were part of Baas’s graduating show at Design Academy Eindhoven in 2002, have since been acquired by prestigious institutions such as the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Groninger Museum. The 'Run & Hide' exhibition thus offers a comprehensive overview of Maarten Baas's distinctive and critically acclaimed design philosophy. #MaartenBaas #FurnitureDesign #CarpentersWorkshopGallery #Exhibition #CloseParity #CarapaceCollection #RealTime #SmokeSeries #DutchDesign

The Bell Museum's Curiosity Shop has undergone a significant reinvention, moving beyond traditional museum merchandise to offer a curated selection of quirky and unique items. Emma Allen, the museum's director of operations, spearheaded this transformation with the goal of creating a retail space that stands out from typical museum stores. She aimed for a distinctive aesthetic and product range, ensuring visitors could find items that reflect curiosity and individuality rather than just branded souvenirs. Key to this new approach is the emphasis on items that facilitate personal expression and creativity, such as magnifiers, cloches, moss, miniature plastic animals, and faux bird eggs. These components are specifically chosen to inspire customers to create their own dioramas, a nod to the museum's natural history focus. This interactive and creative aspect differentiates The Curiosity Shop, providing an experience that encourages engagement with the products and their potential for home decor. Beyond the diorama elements, the shop features a variety of unconventional decor pieces. One notable example is a framed insect riding a motorcycle, playfully titled 'Weevil Knievel,' which Emma Allen highlights as a personal favorite. This item exemplifies the blend of natural history with whimsical, artistic flair that defines the shop's inventory, catering to those who appreciate unusual and conversation-starting decorative accents. Inspired by these unique offerings, the article presents several home decor ideas that draw from the Bell Museum's distinct aesthetic. These include Christian Lacroix playing cards, known for their fantastical illustrations, which offer a sophisticated yet playful touch to any living space. Another suggestion is 'Whales: An Illustrated Celebration,' a nature-based book by local author Kelsey Oseid, which combines artistic illustration with scientific themes, perfect for adding an educational yet decorative element. Further decor ideas include a John Derian plate featuring a vintage mushroom print, demonstrating how functional items can also serve as artistic displays. Animal print shoes, such as Ulla Johnson's leopard print mules, are cited as an example of incorporating wild, natural patterns into personal style, which can be extended to home textiles or accents. Sculptural art pieces like blue-gray coral offer an organic, oceanic touch, bringing natural forms indoors. The collection also features a gold honeybee necklace from Gumuchian, with a portion of its proceeds supporting the University of Minnesota’s bee and pollinator program. This item connects directly to environmental consciousness and wildlife preservation, reflecting a broader interest in nature. Finally, a taxidermy Abyssinian roller, with its vibrant blue plumage, represents a more traditional yet striking natural history display, echoing the museum's core exhibits and providing a bold statement piece for home interiors. These curated selections aim to help individuals infuse their living spaces with a sense of wonder and uniqueness, mirroring the spirit of The Curiosity Shop. #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #BellMuseum #TheCuriosityShop #QuirkyDecor #NaturalHistory #Diorama #ArtisticHome #Stylemaker

Curiosity cabinets are experiencing a resurgence in home decor, moving from being considered an outdated furniture piece to a popular way to showcase curated home accessories. This trend reflects a shift towards more personal and considered interior styles, where individuals aim for their homes to express their unique stories and interests. Glass-fronted cabinets serve as an ideal medium to bring meaningful objects together and display them cohesively, essentially acting as an exhibit of cherished items. This approach allows for creative expression and reshuffling of contents, offering a dynamic element to home styling. To effectively incorporate a curiosity cabinet, its placement is crucial. It should be situated in high-traffic areas, such as a living room or entryway, where it can be easily admired and become a focal point. In a living room, it acts as a decorative feature and a conversation starter, while in an entryway, its often slim design allows it to fit against a wall, adding personality and a museum-like aesthetic. Other suitable locations include dining rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms, particularly for displaying items like fine china, travel mementos, handmade dishes, or decorative apothecary bottles and perfumes, which are typically found in these areas. Individuality and eclecticism are core tenets of the curiosity cabinet trend. While the furniture piece itself might be common, the selection of objects within makes each cabinet unique. It's an opportunity to showcase personal style and personality, creating a display that sparks curiosity. While maintaining a cohesive color palette or overarching interior design style to integrate the cabinet with the broader room, incorporating quirky and unexpected items is encouraged. Mixing old and new styles, such as an ornate gilded cabinet in a minimalist space or a sleek modern design in a period property, adds visual interest and avoids a monotonous look. Sentimental items and family heirlooms, usually kept hidden, can also be displayed to add depth and narrative. Additionally, choosing antique, vintage, or upcycled cabinets promotes individuality and sustainability. However, the principle of 'less is more' is vital when decorating a curiosity cabinet to prevent it from looking cluttered. Over-styling can diminish the impact of individual items and make the display appear untidy. It is recommended to select a few key pieces as a starting point and build the collection around them, leaving some empty spaces rather than cramming the cabinet full. Incorporating a variety of sizes and heights, such as larger items for visual weight and smaller pieces grouped together, helps create balance. The 'rule of threes' can be applied to arrange objects effectively. The top of the cabinet also offers an opportunity for accessorizing, such as stacking books, placing a vase of dried flowers, or incorporating plants, to add height and help the cabinet blend into its surroundings, though items on top should be minimal to avoid distracting from the main display. Varying textures within the cabinet is another important aspect for creating a visually engaging display. Mixing translucent glass pieces with solid items like books, and adding softness with plants, introduces contrast and draws the eye. Sculptural ceramics, glassware, and interesting curios contribute solid textures, while delicate linen pieces can serve as a soft base for possessions, adding visual variety. Finally, attention to finer details in the cabinet itself enhances its curated appeal. This includes using specialist finishes like gold leaf, decorative wallpapers on back paneling, or bold paint colors. Customizing the design with new hardware, such as brass handles or ceramic knobs, further personalizes the piece. The ultimate goal is to make the curiosity cabinet a truly unique and personalized expression of the homeowner's taste. #CuriosityCabinet #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #DisplayCabinet #PersonalStyle #EclecticDecor #HomeStyling #VintageFurniture #SustainableDesign

Curiosity cabinets have a rich history, originating as an aristocratic pastime to entertain guests and demonstrate social standing through collections of oddities and keepsakes. Today, these cabinets continue to be a unique way to store and display personal treasures, ranging from antique chests to modern arrangements. The key to a successful curiosity cabinet lies in personalization and thoughtful consideration, transforming a mere storage unit into a distinctive feature of a home. Jill Franks, an interior designer at Freemodel, emphasizes that even with a trendy cabinet, the selection of pieces is what truly creates individuality and transformation. To begin styling a curiosity cabinet, it is recommended to clear the space completely and organize items into large, medium, and small categories. The process involves strategically placing larger items first, ensuring a balanced distribution across shelves to avoid any single area appearing too heavy. Subsequently, medium and smaller items are arranged, and height can be added using platforms for smaller pieces or incorporating elements like branches in vases. Creating the desired mood is another critical aspect of styling a curiosity cabinet. Lighting plays a significant role in establishing ambiance; gentle, hidden lights can illuminate small spaces, while sconces might be used for larger areas. Franks suggests experimenting with arrangements and being open to changing pieces if the look and feel are not quite right, sometimes finding that "less is more." Homeowners should also consider rotating items to maintain a dynamic display rather than a static one. Personal mementos and art with a story are essential for infusing the cabinet with meaning and personality. This involves sifting through personal belongings for items that evoke special memories, such as old family photos, sculptures from antique stores, or artisan crafts from travels. The narrative behind each item adds a layer of depth and interest to the display, making it truly unique to the homeowner. Books are also valuable additions to a curiosity cabinet, providing both visual appeal and a sense of intellectual depth. They can be stacked vertically or laid horizontally, with small treasures placed atop them. Franks suggests experimenting with displaying books by their bindings or with pages showing, depending on the desired mood. Pairing books with related mementos can further enhance the thematic coherence of the display. Finally, Franks encourages homeowners not to adhere strictly to conventional design rules, but rather to prioritize what makes them happy. While foundational design principles can be helpful, rigid adherence to concepts like grouping items in threes is not always necessary. Varying the number of items per grouping and ensuring shelves are not uniformly styled can create a more organic and visually engaging display that reflects the unique character and collected history of the homeowner. #CuriosityCabinet #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #StylingTips #Personalization #HomeOrganization #CollectibleDisplay #DesignStrategy

The Frick Collection, housed in a 1914 limestone mansion in New York City, has undergone its most extensive upgrade in nearly 90 years, allowing visitors for the first time to explore the private second-floor suites of the Frick family. Previously, the museum primarily showcased its collection in the grand first-floor rooms, but now the more intimate, domestic-scale spaces—comprising about 10 rooms and several passageways that once served as bedrooms and sitting rooms for Henry Clay Frick, his wife Adelaide, and daughter Helen—have been converted into galleries. This transformation offers a unique perspective on the collection within a historically preserved domestic setting. Selldorf Architects completed this comprehensive renovation, which opened in April, revealing the grand architectural style and personal living spaces of the early 20th-century industrialist family. A notable artistic feature on the second floor is an enchanting ceiling mural along the corridor, contrasting with the formal interiors. This hand-painted work by John Alden Twachtman depicts cerulean skies and landscapes filled with monkeys dressed in Chinese costumes, engaging in human activities. This playful design is a nod to French Rococo traditions of singeries and chinoiseries, with a particularly charming detail being a monkey lighting candles for a floating lantern near the entrance to Adelaide’s bedroom suite. The mural's commission highlights the pioneering work of Elsie de Wolfe, considered America's first interior decorator. De Wolfe, at the beginning of her career, boldly pitched her services to Mr. Frick in 1914, emphasizing her expertise in detail and understanding of women's spaces, which she argued male decorators often overlooked. Her persistence led to her being hired, and she subsequently created the iconic Boucher Boudoir. This room, a vibrant display of 18th-century French exuberance, features eight cherub-laden panels painted by François Boucher, depicting the arts and sciences. After previously being displayed on the museum’s main floor, the Boucher Room has been meticulously restored to its original location adjacent to Mrs. Frick’s bedroom. This boudoir, serving as Mrs. Frick's private sitting room, is celebrated for its complete ensemble, including its corner location with windows offering views of Central Park and 70th Street. Another significant area now accessible is the beloved breakfast room, where the family shared their first meal of the day. This room, facing east, captures the morning light, creating a warm ambiance, and showcases the domestic routine of the Frick family, where meals were brought up from the lower-level kitchen by a waiter. To commemorate these enhancements, the museum is hosting the exhibition "Vermeer’s Love Letters" throughout the summer. This exhibition reunites the Frick’s masterpiece, Vermeer’s "Mistress and Maid," with two special loans: "The Love Letter" from Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum and "Woman Writing a Letter" from the National Gallery of Ireland. Displayed together in a single gallery for the first time, these three works offer a fitting tribute to the newly refurbished Gilded-Age museum. #FrickCollection #NewYorkCity #MuseumRenovation #ElsieDeWolfe #InteriorDesign #GildedAge #VermeerExhibition #ArchitecturalHistory #ArtCollection

For over 250 years, Royal Copenhagen has been a brand recognized for its timeless porcelain, elegant table settings, and deep-rooted Danish design tradition. The brand's iconic blue patterns and impeccable craftsmanship have graced dining tables and display cabinets across generations. Now, as Royal Copenhagen celebrates a landmark anniversary, it is embarking on a bold new direction by venturing into the world of interior objects. This expansion is spearheaded by the Kontur collection, which represents the brand's first foray beyond traditional tableware and into home furnishings. The Kontur collection draws inspiration from the dynamic movement of ocean waves, translating this natural phenomenon into solid, sculptural forms. The design also subtly references the trio of waves featured in Royal Copenhagen’s logo, which symbolize Denmark’s major waterways: the Sound, the Great Belt, and the Little Belt. The collection features a variety of pieces, including a vase, a dish, a bonbonniere (a small ornate box for sweets), and a limited-edition lamp. Each item is characterized by its soft, undulating lines and the brand's distinctive blue hue. Each piece in the Kontur collection is meticulously crafted in Denmark, combining centuries-old techniques with modern manufacturing applications. Creative Director Jasper Toron Nielsen highlights the use of Royal Copenhagen’s signature underglaze spray-painting technique, which is employed to adorn the porcelain and create a rich depth in the design. This hand-sprayed technique results in a layered blue hue that mimics the natural gradation of water from shallow to deep, ensuring that no two objects are identical. This attention to detail and traditional craftsmanship imbues each piece with a unique character. The limited nature of the Kontur collection further enhances its appeal; only 250 pieces of each item are produced, making every object a rare and collectible work of art. This exclusivity underscores the collection's significance as a pivotal moment in Royal Copenhagen’s history. With Kontur, Royal Copenhagen is not merely diversifying its product range but is building upon its established legacy. Nielsen emphasizes that the collection is a natural extension of the brand's heritage, given its profound connection to the ocean and its iconic blue color palette. Kontur introduces depth and a playful element to the brand's universe. This move signifies an exciting yet carefully considered evolution for Royal Copenhagen. The brand is expanding its presence from the dining table into the broader living space, all while remaining true to its foundational principles. The Kontur collection embodies a new wave of artistic expression, bridging the brand's rich past with innovative future possibilities in interior design. #RoyalCopenhagen #KonturCollection #HomeFurnishings #InteriorDesign #DanishDesign #Ceramics #Vase #Lamp #SculpturalDesign

Fashion designer Mary Katrantzou, known for her distinctive prints and previous studies in architecture, has launched her inaugural interior design collection in collaboration with Villeroy & Boch. The collection, titled 'Victorian,' features ceramic wall and floor tiles that draw inspiration from both Villeroy & Boch's extensive 200-year history and Katrantzou's own design heritage, particularly her earlier collections focused on themes of collecting and Victorian ornamentation. The tiles showcase a unique blend of digital and traditional screen-printing techniques. Their design centers on a repeating motif of colorful, varied butterflies enclosed within frames styled to resemble postage stamps. This intricate detailing reflects Katrantzou's signature aesthetic, which often incorporates wild prints held together by a sense of studied symmetry. The collaboration brings together Katrantzou's fashion sensibilities with Villeroy & Boch's expertise in ceramic production. The 'Victorian' collection is a testament to the seamless integration of fashion and interior design, offering a sophisticated and visually rich option for contemporary spaces. The use of butterflies, a recurring motif in Katrantzou's work, adds a delicate yet vibrant touch to the ceramic tiles. The 'postage stamp' framing device not only enhances the vintage appeal but also creates a sense of curated artistry within each tile. This approach allows for a playful yet elegant aesthetic that can transform a variety of interior environments, from modern minimalist to more traditionally inspired settings. Katrantzou's background in architecture likely contributes to her understanding of spatial design and how patterns interact within a built environment. Her ability to translate intricate textile designs into durable and functional ceramic surfaces demonstrates a keen eye for material application and aesthetic coherence. The collection is designed to be versatile, suitable for both wall and floor installations, providing designers and homeowners with a comprehensive solution for creating cohesive and visually striking interiors. The palette, while incorporating vibrant butterfly hues, is anchored by classic tones, ensuring the collection's timeless appeal and adaptability to different decor styles. The partnership between a renowned fashion designer and a historic ceramics manufacturer highlights a growing trend of cross-disciplinary collaborations in the design world. These collaborations often result in innovative products that push the boundaries of traditional design categories. For Villeroy & Boch, the 'Victorian' collection introduces a fresh, contemporary perspective to its established product line, while for Katrantzou, it marks a significant expansion of her creative repertoire into the realm of home interiors. The collection stands as a fusion of historical reverence and modern artistic expression, offering a distinctive option for those seeking to infuse their spaces with unique character and a touch of vintage-inspired elegance. #MaryKatrantzou #VilleroyBoch #VictorianTiles #CeramicTileCollection #InteriorDesign #FashionDesigner #ButterflyMotifs #VintageInspired #WallAndFloorTiles

Dennis Zongker, a professional woodworker and owner of Zongkers Custom Woods in Omaha, Nebraska, has created an Art Deco style jewelry cabinet that exemplifies exceptional craftsmanship in veneering, turning, marquetry, and furniture design. The cabinet, which measures 36-1/2 inches wide, 26-1/2 inches deep, and 69 inches tall, is a tribute to the elegant furniture styles popular during the Art Deco movement of the 1920s. Zongker's previous work includes an Art Deco music box that won the grand prize in the 2023 Veneer Tech Craftsman’s Challenge, showcasing his consistent dedication to this style. The design draws inspiration from renowned designer Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann and the broader Art Deco movement, which spanned from 1919 to 1939 and significantly influenced art and culture across Europe and the United States. The jewelry cabinet is constructed using four distinct species of hardwood and veneers: American holly, Macassar ebony, Gaboon ebony, and bubinga burl, with cherry hardwood serving as the substrate. This piece features a single outside drawer, 24 internal drawers, and a concealed compartment, all meticulously integrated into the overall design. One of the most notable and challenging aspects of the cabinet's construction was the creation of its delicate tapered legs, which are crowned with elliptical finials. Zongker spent several weeks developing a method to combine diamond shapes with elliptical rings for these finials. He utilized solid Gaboon ebony for the larger segmented components and American holly for the thinner rings. Each finial incorporates eight elliptical rings, with four facing right and four facing left, all precisely cut at 30-degree angles. The process of segmenting and gluing these pieces, particularly the smaller rings, required significant precision to ensure alignment, while turning them on the lathe was described as the more enjoyable part of the process. For the longer segmented legs, Zongker faced the challenge of working with Gaboon ebony, a costly material. He created a jig for his table saw to cut 22-1/2-degree angles for the 32 isosceles triangle pieces needed. American holly, cut to 1/16-inch thickness, formed the 32 rings for the legs. The assembly involved using large rubber bands and small bar clamps to secure the glued holly and ebony pieces. Following this, a piece of holly was attached for the foot of each leg using a mortise and tenon joint. In the construction of the main carcase, particular attention was given to the alignment of the Macassar ebony veneer. Zongker acquired a large flitch of veneer to ensure that all grain patterns matched seamlessly, emphasizing the importance of matching grain edge-to-edge and along the length. The lower carcase features a large radius cove, crafted from solid cherry hardwood, chosen for its smooth grain and small pores that prevent telegraphing through the face veneer. This cove was created using a table saw technique involving repeated shallow cuts. The cabinet's door is adorned with a marquetry motif featuring simplified roses and butterflies, executed in a minimalist style to harmonize with the Art Deco aesthetic. This marquetry employs only three veneers: Gaboon ebony and American holly for the butterflies and roses, set against a bubinga burl background. Inside the cabinet, a simplified design is present, with Gaboon ebony inlays on an American holly background. Both the back of the door and the face of the hidden internal door feature diamond-shaped inlays, mirroring those on the cabinet's exterior. These inlays were precisely routed into dadoes to match the veneer thickness, cut with a specialized jig, and then fitted using a straight chisel before being glued and pressed. The external lower drawer is crafted from solid Macassar ebony with hand-cut dovetails, while its dividers are made of ebony with lap joints, resting on a solid American holly bottom. The 24 interior drawers are made from soft heavy curly maple and feature lap corner joints, secured with custom-made ebony dowels. These dowels, created using a dowel maker tool, are 3/16-inch wide and 3/4-inch long, specifically designed to complement the Art Deco style of the cabinet. #ArtDeco #JewelryCabinet #Veneering #FurnitureDesign #Woodworking #Marquetry #CustomFurniture #WoodCraftsmanship #FineWoodworking

This article offers a virtual tour of seven remarkable objects from the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, providing a "Museum Moment of Zen" during its temporary closure. The selected items showcase a diverse range of design periods, materials, and cultural influences, highlighting the museum's extensive collection. Each object is presented with detailed descriptive text, often including its historical context, designer, materials, and any notable characteristics. The featured items begin with a "Leopards lounge and explore" wallpaper from the late 1960s, produced by Philip Graf Wallpapers Inc. This piece, likely intended for a young girl's room or a powder room, features glamorous magenta felines. Next is the "Kinetics" mural design from James Seeman's 1971 Kaleidoscope collection, which may have been inspired by the emerging barcode technology and received multiple awards. The article then presents a fantastical glass birdcage designed by Charles Lin Tissot in 1959. Created in collaboration with Venetian glassworkers, this fully functional birdcage incorporates ancient artistic techniques with modern twists, featuring sliding doors, perches, swings, and a feeding bowl. Further into the virtual exhibition, the article showcases 19th-century French architectural staircase models crafted by the compagnons, a guild of traveling craftsmen. These walnut and beechwood models represent the masterworks produced by apprentices after years of study during their "tour de France." The Compagnonnage system, dating back to the Middle Ages, continues to be active in France today, now including women. A more contemporary piece is the "Rainbow Sprinkle Drum" stool from 2017, designed by Fernando Mastrangelo, which is decorated with real rainbow sprinkles coated in resin for durability. The tour continues with a pattern from the "Casa Hermosa" collection of wall coverings and coordinated fabrics, which debuted in 1995. This collection, a collaboration between artist Nancy Glenn-Nieto and designer Marcie Vesel Bronkar, draws inspiration from Nieto's Mexican heritage and pre-Columbian art. Another textile design, titled "Four Seasons," was created by Luba Krejci in 1964, reflecting her efforts to revitalize lace-making traditions in Czechoslovakia. Finally, the article presents photographs by Thérèse Bonney, an American journalist who documented Parisian architecture and design from 1925 to 1935. Her collection, featuring everything from trompe l'oeil storefronts to stylish furnishings, includes over 4,000 digitized images available through the Smithsonian Libraries, offering a historical perspective on design. Each description emphasizes the uniqueness and design significance of the object, providing a glimpse into the museum's diverse holdings and the stories behind them. The collection covers various design disciplines, from interior decor and architecture to furniture and textiles, highlighting the breadth of creativity and craftsmanship preserved at the Cooper Hewitt. #DesignDestinations #CooperHewittMuseum #VirtualTour #HistoricalDesign #InteriorDesign #TextileDesign #ArchitecturalModels #FurnitureDesign #DesignHistory

The article highlights Mark van der Gronden's Krattenkast, a line of storage furniture made from repurposed industrial crates. These units, first showcased at the Milan show, feature steel frames produced by Dutch contract furniture manufacturer Lensvelt. The design incorporates plastic industrial containers of various shapes and sizes as drawers, which are then integrated into the steel framework. The Krattenkast is characterized by its robust construction, simplicity, and its use of repurposed materials, aligning with principles of sustainable design. A notable aspect of the furniture is the deliberate randomness in the variety of crates used, which depends on the availability of materials from recyclers. This approach results in a diverse palette of colors and designs for each unit, ensuring that no two Krattenkasts are identical. The article emphasizes that the collection of crates continuously varies, leading to an endless number of different models and colors, contributing to the unique aesthetic of each piece. The steel frames are designed to accommodate these varied crates, allowing for flexible configurations. For instance, a cabinet with three or four crates can achieve the same height as one with five, due to the indiscriminate stacking and varied dimensions of the repurposed containers. This modularity allows for adaptability in terms of size and appearance, making each Krattenkast a distinctive item. Comments from readers discuss various aspects of the product. One comment questions the pricing, suggesting that the cost seems high for repurposed materials and a design that might not be entirely original. Another comment points to a similar design by Mauricio Arruda, suggesting a lack of unique identity for the Krattenkast. A third comment mentions a prior sighting of a similar design in 2006 by Christiane Hoegner, questioning the true pioneer of this concept. A final comment posits that designs utilizing recycled products are difficult to 'own' as intellectual property, implying that anyone could replicate such a concept, while still acknowledging the sweetness of the overall idea. These comments reflect a broader discussion on originality, pricing, and the nature of intellectual property in sustainable and repurposed design. #FurnitureDesign #SustainableDesign #RepurposedMaterials #IndustrialDesign #Krattenkast #MarkVanDerGronden #Lensvelt #StorageSolutions

The luxury boutique Browns, known for its fashion-forward approach, recently unveiled a dynamic furniture installation at its East London outpost, Browns East. This collaboration features the work of the acclaimed Belgian design duo, Muller Van Severen, celebrated for their interactive and colorful designs. Browns East, which opened in October of the previous year, is characterized by a flexible, modular interior designed by Brinkworth, allowing for continuous evolution through curated installations from various fields including fashion, art, and design. The entrance space of Browns East has previously hosted diverse installations, such as Travis Scott’s Ksubi collaboration and a sustainable Vetements Christmas tree crafted from recycled socks, underscoring the boutique’s commitment to interdisciplinary creative expression. Muller Van Severen, a duo frequently featured in design publications, brings their distinctive aesthetic to Browns East, transforming the retail environment into an engaging artistic display. Co-founder Fien Muller explained that the intention behind the installation was to evoke the ambiance of their own studio. The curated selection includes existing, purchasable pieces from their collection developed for the Antwerp-based label Valerie Objects. These pieces are notable for their playful forms and vibrant hues, such as jagged cutting boards, minimalist standing lamps, and colorful seating options. The designers approached this installation as an opportunity to reinterpret their existing works, utilizing them as tools to craft a new and unique composition within the retail setting. The installation's design uses furniture objects in an artistic context. For instance, the cutting boards are arranged to form a 'background,' while the curving standing lamps act as 'lines on a drawing,' showcasing the duo's witty and artistic approach to design. Muller Van Severen is well-regarded for creating pieces that encourage interaction and offer multiple functionalities, blurring the lines between art and utility. Examples of their work include cutting boards that serve as both wall sculptures and functional kitchen tools, the 'duo seat + lamp' from 2011—a minimalist metal frame design integrating a standing lamp with soft leather chairs—and the 'rack + seat' from 2012, which combines deckchair-like seating with stacks of colorful plastic shelving. Fien Muller emphasizes that this interactive element is a natural outcome of their collaborative design process, reflecting a continuous dialogue about the potential and versatility of an object. The partnership with Browns East not only creates a visually stimulating display but also initiates a broader conversation about the boutique's expansion into the realm of design. The installation is on view until the end of June, offering visitors an immersive experience that merges retail with contemporary art and design. #MullerVanSeveren #BrownsEast #FurnitureDesign #ArtInstallation #RetailDesign #BelgianDesign #InteriorDesign #ValerieObjects #CreativeCollaboration