ronan and erwan bouroullec celebrate henri matisse with ceramic fenêtre vases

French designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec have collaborated with Finnish company Iittala to create 'Ruutu,' a collection of ten mouth-blown borosilicate glass vases. The series, which translates to 'diamond' or 'square' in Finnish, is available in five sizes and seven distinct glass colors. The design intention behind 'Ruutu' was to allow the vases to be collected and combined, forming seamless miniature installations that highlight both the strength and delicate nature of the glass. The designers aimed to craft pieces that would capture light and introduce color into a home environment. Ronan Bouroullec emphasized the intricate and precise process of creating these vases, comparing it to a theatrical production. The making of each vase involved carefully choreographed gestures by artisans, navigating the extreme heat and malleability of molten glass. This meticulous craftsmanship is central to achieving the desired aesthetic and structural integrity of the 'Ruutu' collection. Erwan Bouroullec noted the inherent challenge in shaping glass, a material that naturally favors roundness and curves, into precise geometrical forms. The choice of a diamond or square shape, despite glass's tendency to flow like honey, was strategic. This geometric form was ultimately selected because it allowed the designers to achieve their core objective: creating a shape that could be reproduced in various sizes and intermingle perfectly. This intermingling of different sized and colored vases creates a dynamic interplay of color and an intersection of volumes, reminiscent of blending liquids into watercolors. Each vase in the 'Ruutu' collection is individually mouth-blown, underscoring Iittala's commitment to traditional craftsmanship and the unique qualities that hand-made items possess. The collection embodies a balance between the designers' vision for precise geometry and the organic nature of glass blowing. The overall effect is a versatile and visually engaging series of vases that can function as standalone decorative objects or as part of a larger, cohesive display, allowing users to create personalized arrangements that reflect their aesthetic preferences and interact with light and space in varied ways. #RuutuVases #RonanAndErwanBouroullec #Iittala #MouthBlownGlass #GlassDesign #HomeDecor #FinnishDesign #ContemporaryDesign #VaseCollection

The Adagio tile project, designed by Ronan Bouroullec for Mutina, revolutionizes the use of ceramics by transforming individual modules into large-scale, fabric-like wall installations. The term "Adagio," Italian for "slowly," reflects the unhurried and intentional process behind creating these intricate designs. Each ceramic module, simple on its own, interlocks to form complex reticular structures, echoing the texture and visual depth of woven textiles. This innovative application showcases Mutina's manufacturing capabilities and Bouroullec's design ingenuity. The core of Adagio's design lies in its single ceramic module, which measures 2.7 x 30 centimeters. This minimalist form transcends traditional functional constraints of tiles, offering an architectural sleekness. The modules are double-fired as white paste ceramic and then hand-finished to achieve an ultra-glossy surface. This meticulous process ensures a lustrous sheen and a sculptural effect, with all vertical sides of the module fully covered by the glaze. The precise notch on the back of each element is key to their interlocking mechanism, allowing for diverse configurations. Adagio is available in five glossy glazes: Bianco (white), Grigio (gray), Rosso (red), Blu (blue), and Verde (green). To simplify design choices, Mutina also offers five pre-defined color combination sets: Grigio + Blue, Grigio + Bianco, Grigio + Verde, Rosso + Blu, and Rosso + Verde. These combinations ensure harmonious integration within installations, making it straightforward for users to transform ordinary wall spaces into extraordinary artistic statements. The versatility of Adagio allows for endless arrangements, ranging from highly structured and enclosed patterns to more fluid, organic compositions that appear to expand naturally across surfaces. Beyond its aesthetic appeal and innovative design, Adagio embodies Mutina's commitment to environmental responsibility. The base tile body is formulated without Volatile Organic Compounds (V.O.C.) and other hazardous substances, adhering to stringent environmental standards. Furthermore, the product's packaging is designed to be fully recyclable, ensuring that the project's ecological footprint is minimized throughout its lifecycle, from production to eventual installation. The project debuted at the Résonance exhibition earlier this year at the Centre Pompidou in Paris. This exhibition celebrated Ronan Bouroullec's significant contributions to contemporary international design. Adagio was prominently featured as an entire wall installation, serving as a backdrop for other works by Bouroullec for Mutina Editions. This display not only demonstrated the modular system's adaptability but also its capacity to integrate various color palettes and configurations seamlessly. Adagio's inclusion in this prestigious exhibition solidified its impact and led to its acquisition for the Centre Pompidou's permanent collection, underscoring its lasting value in modern design. #RonanBouroullec #Mutina #CeramicTiles #ArchitecturalDesign #WallInstallations #ModularDesign #HomeFurnishings #SustainableDesign #ContemporaryArt

French design duo Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec have launched a new collection of architectural glass panels, developed in partnership with Skyline Design. This collection, which debuted at NeoCon, received a Silver award in the Architectural and Decorative Glass category. The project represents a thoughtful exploration of color, light, and scale, drawing inspiration from various observations in their daily lives. The design process began with the brothers capturing photographs of their surroundings, ranging from natural landscapes to urban scenes. The aim was to distill the inherent sensations of colors and light present in these everyday moments. From a selection of eight initial images, Erwan Bouroullec utilized a custom computer script to analyze the color information. This script then condensed the captured colors into a unique base color for each panel, simultaneously transforming the rhythmic qualities of the original images into distinct patterns. A subsequent layer of translucent patterns further enhances this foundational color, resulting in a multitude of additional color variations. The patterns are delineated by a darker outline, intentionally designed to evoke the lead lines found in traditional stained glass. This technique aims to mimic how lead frames shape the visual experience of stained glass, with the lines in the Bouroullec panels subtly influencing the distribution and density of colors, creating an almost imperceptible shift. The Bouroullec brothers specifically sought to reinterpret the captivating qualities of stained glass found in medieval cathedrals. Their objective was to translate the immersive and atmospheric experience of these historical artworks into contemporary architectural glass. The complex interplay of color and line within their panels is designed to create a sensation of being enveloped within an abstract landscape, evoking a similar sense of wonder that one might experience in a medieval cathedral. Skyline Design’s digital print and manufacturing capabilities bring these designs to fruition. The panels offer considerable customization options in terms of size, scale, and color, allowing them to be adapted for diverse applications. The collection features four distinct pattern variations: Oblique Regular, Oblique Bold, Chevron Stroke, and Chevron Fill. Each of these patterns is available in four monochromatic color schemes or four polychromatic palettes. These versatile glass panels can be integrated into various architectural contexts, both internal and external. Potential interior applications include feature walls, space dividers, and stair railings. For exterior use, the panels can be incorporated into facades, railings, and canopies, demonstrating their adaptability to different design needs and environments. #BouroullecBrothers #StainedGlass #ArchitecturalGlass #SkylineDesign #ColorAndLight #DesignInnovation #InteriorDesign #ExteriorDesign

A new exhibition titled 'Exhibition in Rennes: Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec' showcases the extensive work of French design duo Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec in their home region of Brittany for the first time. The exhibition is split across three venues: Les Champs Libres, the Frac Bretange contemporary art museum, and Le parlement de Bretagne, and is conceptually divided into two main parts. The first part is a 20-year retrospective focusing on the brothers' industrial design projects. This segment features collaborations with prominent design manufacturers such as Alessi, Magis, Kvadrat, Vitra, Artek, and Samsung. Notable inclusions are their furniture and domestic items, alongside an array of archival materials. These materials provide insight into their design process, including development notebooks and scale models, offering a comprehensive look at their evolution in industrial design. One such collaboration highlighted is the 'Serif' TV with Samsung, which received the Wallpaper* award for 'Best Domestic Design'. The second part of the exhibition, titled 'Urban Reveries' and installed at Les Champs Libres, delves into the duo's foray into municipal landscape design. This section presents a collection of dioramic architectural models that envision new public spaces. These models depict unique urban patterns, including rocky outcrops, elevated sculptural streams, and meticulously designed gardens, reflecting what the studio describes as 'a wandering or urban dreaming based on a reflection of the city layout'. The exhibit aims to explore innovative approaches to public urban environments. Further installations include 'Le Kiosque' from 2015, positioned in the parliament courtyard. This modular structure, constructed from powder-coated steel with an oak interior and an overhanging roof, first appeared in Paris' Tuileries. Conceived as a movable tool to integrate art into public spaces, in Rennes, it is paired with 'Palissade', a collection of outdoor furniture developed in collaboration with Hay. The exhibition also features '17 Screens', an abstract display that explores the convergence of 3D printing with traditional production methods. Previously exhibited at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, this installation showcases futuristic constructions utilizing diverse materials such as glass, ceramic, wood, and aluminium rods. It also incorporates curtains made from cup-like mouldings by ceramics innovator Mutina and patterned textiles. This segment is characterized as an experimental and atmospheric exploration, blurring the lines between design and art. Overall, the exhibition is presented as a carefully curated blend of their established works and new, more experimental directions. It offers an opportunity to re-evaluate the Bouroullecs' classic designs while also providing glimpses into their evolving artistic and design philosophies. The show aims to offer visitors a comprehensive understanding of the duo's influential and multifaceted practice. #BouroullecBrothers #DesignExhibition #IndustrialDesign #UrbanPlanning #ContemporaryArt #FurnitureDesign #ArchitecturalModels #PublicSpaceDesign #3DPrinting #RennesExhibition

The annual 1000 Vases exhibition in Paris, founded in 2018 by Francesco Pirrello, celebrates the vase not merely as a container for flowers, but as a standalone object of art. Pirrello's vision for the exhibition prioritizes unique pieces from independent and emerging artists, asserting that a truly good vase does not require flowers to demonstrate its aesthetic merit. This perspective was inspired by his friend Roberto Baciocchi, an Italian architect and avid vase collector. Initially conceived to feature a large quantity of works, symbolizing abundance and diversity much like the '1000-sheet' delicacy of mille-feuille or the fables of 1001 Arabian Nights, the exhibition ultimately adopted a 'less is more' approach, showcasing around 100 items. This adjustment aimed to allow visitors to appreciate each piece individually and engage with the artists. Pirrello observes that contemporary vase-making trends show a predominance of women artists and a preference for ceramic materials, noting that vases are accessible, affordable, and easily incorporated into any space, referring to them as "democratic objects." This year's 1000 Vases exhibition, running during Paris Design Week until September 8, highlights the works of eight participating artists, each bringing a distinct perspective and technique to the art of vase creation. Chous Ceramics, a duo from Sparta, Greece, presents hand-built sculptures that explore balance and tension, drawing inspiration from nature and Greek ceramic history. Their predominantly beige vases are characterized by voluminous bases and open, elegant rims. Belgium-based artist Dietmar Michiels, born in 1988, works with ceramic sculpture, employing coiling, plating, and throwing techniques with porcelain and glaze to create imaginative, creature-like pieces often accompanied by conversational titles. His work draws from everyday inner experiences, the mystical, historical art, the occult, and various cultural identities. Hellen Song, an artist from Shanghai now based in Toronto, uses ceramic vessels to delve into themes of the human condition, philosophy, and nature, often influenced by the supernatural and Impressionistic mark-making. Her exhibited stoneware vessel, with its blue and white tones, evokes a seascape, representing a range of emotions through the metaphor of water bodies. The collaboration between French artist Coco Brun and Mexico City-based Sten Studio yields the 'Mistico' vase, a geometric, multi-colored piece made from red travertine, Venetian marble, and pink onyx. This work pays homage to Meso-American culture, with each color carrying symbolic meaning related to rituals, fertility, and the balance of masculine and feminine energies, inspired by Meso-American architecture. Norwegian artist Karin Amdal presents 'Pluss', a pair of smooth, round terracotta pots designed to form a 'plus' sign when combined, showcasing her style of creating simple yet characterful pieces that often incorporate extensions or words. Amdal's inspiration stems from nature and everyday life, with her pieces designed to be open to interpretation and evoke a smile. Magdalena Zarychta, a multidisciplinary Polish artist specializing in decorative and stained glass, showcases her (COM)PRESSION vase. This hot-formed, blown glass object is hand-shaped, embossed, and features botanical markings, symbolizing traces of the past akin to fossils. Istanbul-based artist Sara Montazeri's coral reef-like artwork, crafted from stoneware clay, pays tribute to the 13th-century Sufi poet Rumi, incorporating his words "You are my soul and my world" in gold Farsi script, blending tradition with modern organic design. Finally, New York City-based writer and artist Emily Tate Moreu, inspired by ancient Greek pottery, creates minimalist, thoughtful pieces that explore the philosophies of form and human interaction, including greige vessels, abstract sculptures, and a stoneware candelabra. #VaseExhibition #ArtisticVases #CeramicArt #IndependentArtists #ParisDesignWeek #ContemporaryDesign #HomeDecor #SculpturalVases #DesignTrends

Brussels-based artist Eléonore Joulin transforms everyday foods into a unique collection of ceramic home goods, including lamps and vases. Her work draws inspiration from various edibles, resulting in sculptural pieces that are both artistic and functional. For instance, she crafts a 'Cabbage House' by layering crinkled ceramic cabbage leaves to form a dwelling-like structure, and creates a 'Sausage' lamp by twisting a long ceramic sausage into a sculptural, worm-like form. Many of her creations are equipped with a bulb and cord, converting items like a wedge of blue cheese or a large pickle into functional lighting fixtures, demonstrating a playful approach to design. Joulin's creative process often begins with extensive experimentation with different metallic oxides and chemical compounds to achieve specific textures and colors. She notes that the combination of titanium and iron oxides, for example, produces a range of beige to brown tones, which inspired her exploration of bread-like textures. This meticulous research is crucial to her work, as she is currently focused on developing the perfect glaze to replicate the appearance of a French brioche in her ceramic pieces. Her artistic practice highlights the intersection of culinary aesthetics and ceramic craftsmanship. Beyond the 'Cabbage House' and 'Sausage' lamp, her collection features a 'Leek vase' designed to resemble a sliced leek, and a 'Morbier cheese' lamp that captures the distinctive blue pockets of the cheese. Another notable piece is the 'Big Pickle' lamp, which transforms a common condiment into an oversized, whimsical lighting element. These designs are a testament to Joulin's ability to infuse humor and unexpected beauty into functional household items, challenging conventional notions of art and utility. Eléonore Joulin's work will be featured in a group exhibition at La Corvée in Paris, opening on June 7. Her designs blend art, craft, and functional design, offering a fresh perspective on how everyday objects can be reinterpreted through ceramic artistry. Her approach not only creates visually engaging pieces but also invites viewers to consider the unexpected beauty and utility that can be found in common forms and materials. #ceramics #EleonoreJoulin #food #lamps #light #sculpture #homeDecor #ceramicArt #functionalArt

Mathieu Lustrerie, a French lighting company, crafts an intricate sea-urchin inspired chandelier, drawing inspiration from 19th-century German artist and biologist Ernst Haeckel’s marine-life drawings. Régis Mathieu, the head of the family-owned business, was particularly impressed by the modern feel of Haeckel's designs, noting that even Gustave Eiffel was influenced by the same artist. This inspiration has led to a collection of light fixtures that resemble corals, jellyfish, and a bejeweled sea urchin, echoing the natural motifs and fluid lines characteristic of the Art Nouveau movement. Mathieu highlights the significance of Art Nouveau, a period where the advent of electricity allowed for new lighting possibilities beyond flames. The company, founded in 1948 by Henri Mathieu, is now seeing Régis’s daughter, Inès, gradually taking over. Mathieu Lustrerie is renowned for restoring and reissuing chandeliers using traditional techniques, including the recent restoration of over 70 fixtures in Paris’s Notre-Dame Cathedral following the fire. The company operates a workshop and gallery in Paris, along with an atelier and lighting museum in Gargas, Provence, where Mathieu’s personal collection is housed. The sea-urchin chandelier, a centerpiece of their new collection, requires three to four months to produce. Due to its complex design, the company can only manufacture a maximum of ten such chandeliers annually, with each priced at approximately $55,000. Every artisan involved in its creation custom-makes their tools for specific tasks like carving and chiseling. Mathieu humorously suggests the piece would be fitting for Louis XV's table. The manufacturing process begins with initial sketches, which took the Lustrerie team nearly a year to refine into a working prototype, addressing production challenges and finding solutions for any issues. Following the design phase, the chandelier progresses to shaping. This involves 3-D printing pieces that are then used in sand casting. Molten bronze is poured into these molds, taking on the desired shape. Once the metal solidifies, the parts are meticulously tested for a proper fit. The crown consists of five solid sand-cast bronze elements, while the central orb is formed by joining two hollow half-spheres. Artisans account for metal contraction during cooling, as the pieces are not computer-generated. Next, using 18th-century chiseling techniques, craftsmen carve light-reflecting details into the bronze, creating a contrast that either rejects or catches light. The pieces are then buffed and polished to remove imperfections and achieve the desired shine. Gilding is achieved by immersing the metal in a custom corrosive electrolyte bath, allowing Mathieu to mix and control the final shade of gold, ensuring a unique patina. The chandelier is then meticulously studded with 800 individually placed semiprecious stones, sourced by Mathieu himself, through which light will disperse. Clients can request custom color combinations for these stones. The final stage involves assembly, where electrical components, including LED lights at the bottom and behind each stone, are installed. Electrical tests are conducted to ensure functionality. The finished sea-urchin chandelier, weighing around 155 pounds, is designed to appear as if floating when suspended. Mathieu personally designs the chain to conceal cables and a special canopy to hide the transformer, completing the illusion of weightlessness. #MathieuLustrerie #ChandelierDesign #ArtNouveau #LuxuryLighting #FrenchCraftsmanship #BronzeSculpture #SemipreciousStones #Handcrafted #HomeDecor

French designer Mathieu Lehanneur has unveiled "Petite Loire," the latest addition to his 'Liquid Marble' series, at the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire Centre D’Arts et Nature. This installation is a prominent feature of this year’s International Garden Festival, which is subtitled 'Gardens From the Coming Century.' Lehanneur’s work challenges conventional perceptions of water features by presenting a seemingly fluid body of water crafted entirely from solid green marble. The inspiration for "Petite Loire" directly stems from the French river Loire, which Lehanneur describes as a force that shapes and nourishes the landscape, flowing perpetually without pause. The artist aimed to capture an ephemeral moment of the river's gently rippling surface, freezing it in time. This is achieved through a single piece of hand-polished green marble, meticulously sculpted using 3D software to mimic the organic flow of water. The installation is designed to offer visitors a unique sensory experience. Lehanneur envisions that upon entering the Château gates, visitors will encounter what feels like a magical, almost forbidden, portal. Despite its solid marble composition, the artwork evokes a sense of liquidity and evanescence, creating a striking contrast between the perceived fluidity and the material's inherent solidity. The work is positioned a few dozen metres above the natural river level, cutting into the garden's surface to reveal a fluvial relief that is both vertiginous and navigable. "Petite Loire" embodies a simple yet elegant concept, characteristic of Lehanneur's design approach. His ability to transform everyday elements into sophisticated artistic statements is evident in this piece. The installation not only serves as a visual spectacle but also encourages contemplation on the nature of water, time, and the environment. Its inclusion in the International Garden Festival, with its future-oriented theme, suggests a forward-thinking perspective on integrating art and nature. #MathieuLehanneur #LiquidMarble #ArtInstallation #ChaumontSurLoire #InternationalGardenFestival #GreenMarble #FrenchDesign #Sculpture #ContemporaryArt

London-based designer John Booth has launched his Tributes collection, featuring 10 unique, hand-painted ceramic vases of varying sizes. This collection translates Booth's distinctive colourful and abstract illustrations into three-dimensional forms, marking a continuation of his artistic practice that bridges two- and three-dimensional designs. The name 'Tributes' is derived from Asha's 1990 rave track, 'JJ Tribute,' a personal nod to his brother's musical preferences. Each vase in the collection is meticulously handmade by Booth in his Hackney studio. The process begins with hand-rolling clay slabs, which are then cut into the desired face shapes using a paper template. Following a bisque firing, the abstract facial details, characterized by their vibrant colours, are carefully painted onto the ceramic vessels. A clear glaze is then applied to finish each piece, enhancing the colours and providing a smooth, durable surface. Booth emphasizes that his illustrative drawings are always the foundational step for his designs, influencing both his two-dimensional artworks and his three-dimensional creations. He notes a natural progression in his work from drawing a variety of objects, including sofas, shelving units, and vases, to then exploring the feasibility of bringing these drawn concepts to life. This approach highlights a continuous feedback loop between his drawing practice and his design output. The designer's academic background in fashion print at London's Central Saint Martins has significantly shaped his collage-style aesthetic. His studies involved extensive experimentation with dyeing fabrics and various printing techniques, fostering an appreciation for mixed materials and layered designs. This influence is evident in the textural and visual complexity of the Tributes collection. After graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2009, Booth contributed to academia by teaching at his alma mater and at Westminster. His professional journey includes collaborations with notable fashion brands such as Ashish, John Galliano, Zandra Rhodes, and Christopher Shannon. More recently, he partnered with fashion house Fendi to create hand-drawn accessories and garments, further solidifying his reputation for abstract styles and bold colour palettes. Booth's preference for manual techniques is a defining characteristic of his work; he explicitly states that he does not engage with digital tools in his creative process, underlining his commitment to a handcrafted approach and a deep enjoyment of colour combinations. #HomewareDesign #Ceramics #Vases #JohnBooth #HandmadeDesign #AbstractArt #CollageStyle #LondonDesign #Craftsmanship

Sandra Apperloo, a Dutch ceramic artist operating under the name The Pottery Parade, creates distinctive ceramic pieces from her studio in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Her work is characterized by its playful and endearing nature, incorporating quirky faces and various patterns. Apperloo's ceramics are crafted entirely by hand, making each piece unique and imbued with its own personality. The artist has a particular fondness for colors and patterns, with a notable preference for pastel shades. She integrates tiny sculpted eyes and unique painted freckles into her designs. A key aspect of Apperloo's creative process involves continuous experimentation and trying out new techniques, which she views as vital for the evolution of her artistic expression. Apperloo's approach to creation is largely spontaneous, as she typically begins working on a piece without a preconceived plan or design. The shape of the ceramic object is often determined during the making process, as she allows her intuition to guide her in shaping, sculpting, selecting colors, and applying patterns. This method helps her maintain an open-minded perspective and encourages her to explore new artistic possibilities. Her creations are designed to evoke positive emotions in viewers, aiming to bring laughter and inspire daydreaming. Apperloo hopes her work provides a pleasant distraction from daily routines, leaving observers with warm feelings and stimulating their imagination. She finds immense satisfaction in the outcome of her work, particularly when unloading her ceramics from the kiln and observing how each character develops. Currently, Apperloo's product range includes various items such as pots, bud vases, bowls, and dishes, with ongoing exploration into new ideas and forms. She emphasizes that handmade ceramics inherently possess imperfections, which she considers an integral part of their character. This perspective is communicated to potential buyers, advising them to carefully review product descriptions due to the unique nature of each handcrafted item. Her work can be further explored and purchased via her website and Instagram presence. #Ceramics #FloralArt #CeramicArtist #HandmadeDecor #DutchArt #HomeDecor #ArtisanCrafts #UniqueVases #ThePotteryParade

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

This article details the comprehensive restoration of Marcel Breuer’s "House in the Museum Garden," originally designed for a 1949 Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) exhibition. The house, intended as a prototype for a well-designed, moderately-priced modern home for the average American family, was purchased by the Rockefellers in 1950 and reconstructed on their Kykuit estate in Pocantico Hills, New York. In 2007, the property was transferred to the National Trust, initiating its meticulous restoration by a team from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. The original design by the Bauhaus-trained Breuer aimed to offer an easily replicable blueprint for modern living, contrasting sharply with the post-World War II proliferation of vernacular-style tract housing. Philip Johnson, founder of MoMA’s Department of Architecture and Design, championed Breuer’s design as an ideal suburban home. While the house was initially an exhibition piece, its subsequent use as a residence over six decades led to numerous modifications, including the addition of a garage extension and the extension of a kitchen wall to the ceiling. The original construction also lacked essential plumbing and electrical wiring, which were later integrated. Furthermore, key elements of Breuer's design, such as flagstone flooring and outdoor spaces, were not fully reconstructed during the initial move. The restoration effort, led by Kykuit’s Senior Curator Cynthia Bronson Altman and Staff Architect Kimberly Miller, aims to balance historical accuracy with the practicalities of a functional residence. This involves reinterpreting certain aspects, such as replacing plywood bathroom walls with more durable glass tile. The team relies on MoMA registrar documents, black and white photographs (and a few color ones by Ezra Stoller), and extensive research to guide their work. Their attention to detail extends to paint colors—scientifically analyzed to match Breuer Blue, chili-pepper red, Navajo white, and milkshake—furnishings, and even fabrics, with some drapery fabrics being custom-commissioned. The popularity of mid-century design has facilitated the acquisition of reissued iconic furniture pieces, including Breuer’s nesting bent-ply tables, the Wassily lounge chair, and Saarinen Grasshopper armchairs. Structurally, the house features Breuer's distinctive butterfly roof, a direct counterpoint to traditional high-pitched roofs. This design not only creates a striking visual but also allows for adaptable interior spaces, including a double-height area capable of accommodating an additional story. Breuer's "bi-nuclear" layout was designed to evolve with a growing family, separating the master bedroom suite from the children's bedrooms, bathroom, and playroom. The house’s flow of space and use of materials are highlighted as significant design elements. Finishes on ceilings, floors, and walls extend outwards, enhancing the sense of spaciousness. The interplay of natural materials such as cedar siding, bluestone flagging, steel for the exterior staircase, and large glass expanses define its aesthetic. The restoration team also addresses unique design choices, such as the "delicate railing of tension cables," which serves as a contrasting element to the architecture's perceived weight. Future plans include reconstructing the outdoor spaces and sourcing additional period furnishings, such as a raffia rug for the living room, to further enhance the authentic feel of the space. #ArchitecturalRestoration #MarcelBreuer #MidCenturyModern #MoMAExhibition #RockefellerEstate #BauhausDesign #HomeDesignHistory #InteriorDesign #HistoricalPreservation

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

This article explores the growing trend of designer ceramics as significant style statements within contemporary homes, moving beyond their traditional role as mere containers for flowers. It highlights how a carefully selected vase serves as both a functional display for blooms, whether fresh, faux, or dried, and a decorative piece in its own right. The piece identifies prominent figures and brands that have influenced this shift. Anissa Kermiche is cited as a key influencer, whose viral designs, characterized by a witty and stylish interpretation of the female form, have gained significant traction on social media and attracted an A-list following, including celebrities like Gigi Hadid and Gwyneth Paltrow. The article also acknowledges the continued relevance of historic design houses such as the Italian brands Seletti and Fornasetti. Seletti's pop-art inspired pieces have achieved widespread popularity on Instagram due to their distinctive offerings, while Fornasetti's collection of whimsical pottery has garnered a new generation of admirers. Henry Holland, formerly a fashion designer, is also noted for his successful pivot to ceramics, creating a mood-boosting line of boldly striped vases and matching candlesticks following the closure of his fashion label in 2020. The article then curates a selection of vases catering to diverse tastes and aesthetics, ranging from irreverent, conversation-starting pieces suitable for a gallery setting to more minimalist vessels that emphasize natural materials. Glass designs in various hues are also featured. Among the specific recommendations is Anissa Kermiche's 'Love Handles' Ceramic Vase, praised for its versatility and signature design, ideal for styling with various botanicals or as a standalone piece. Henry Holland Studio's Green And White 'Profumo' Vase is highlighted for its distinctive silhouettes and ripple-like designs in a sophisticated color palette, reflecting the designer's ability to blend fashion and interior aesthetics. Jonathan Adler's 'Scala' Vase is presented as a classic investment piece, embodying the designer's eclectic style with gilded accents and a '60s glamour influence through its concentric, geometric patterns. The Ginori 1735 Ming Porcelain Vase is showcased for its luxurious Italian craftsmanship, featuring Ming-inspired blue florals on a leaf-green base, making it a beautiful piece that complements spring flowers. Astier de Villatte's Flower Pick Artichoke Vase is recommended for displaying single blooms in an artistic and whimsical manner, drawing inspiration from traditional tulipieres and employing artisanal ceramic production techniques dating back to the Middle Ages. La DoubleJ's 'Ciccio' Mini Striped Murano Glass Vase is noted as a vibrant, hand-blown Murano glass piece, perfect for small buds and evoking the colors of Italy. Fornasetti's Face-Print Vase, featuring the iconic face of opera singer Lina Cavalieri, is described as an eccentric and spotlight-stealing piece. Seletti’s 'Love In Bloom' vase, a literal interpretation of a heart-shaped vase with openings resembling arteries for single stems, is presented as a unique and decorative item. Finally, Georg Jensen's 'Bloom Botanica' Vase, a polished stainless-steel piece inspired by sculptural floral works, and Liang & Eimil's 'Pokal' Vase, a vibrant, reeded glass design inspired by Venetian glasswork, are included for their distinctive appeal. #VaseDesign #HomeDecor #DesignerHomeware #CeramicArt #InteriorStyle #LuxuryVases #HomeAccessories #ContemporaryDesign #DecorativeVases

Hitomi Hosono's latest solo exhibition, 'Brook Street: An Artist's Eye,' showcases 30 new ceramic pieces within the historic London showroom of Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler. This unexpected pairing brings contemporary botanical ceramics into a space known for its classic English grandeur, a Mayfair townhouse dating back to 1723. The exhibition, held in association with Adrian Sassoon, strategically places Hosono's works among antique furnishings, often near windows overlooking a lush garden, creating a dialogue between crafted and natural beauty. Hosono's work, while deeply rooted in her Japanese upbringing with its delicate leaf and cherry blossom motifs, also draws inspiration from British influences. A significant example is her 'roses and pansies bowls,' which were inspired by a Colefax and Fowler fabric pattern from 1845. This particular series marked a technical and aesthetic departure for Hosono, as these bowls close inward, offering a sturdier, more tactile surface meant to be touched, contrasting with her earlier, more outward-emanating designs. She expresses a desire for people to experience the softness of the porcelain, akin to touching flower petals. The exhibition also features a tropical-themed series, initially created for last year's Jerwood Makers Open, with energetic patterns of hibiscus, coral, mangrove, and banana leaves. The vibrant colors in these pieces are achieved by mixing pigment directly with porcelain powder, a technique Hosono employs to preserve the intricate lines of her designs, as glaze would obscure them. Her use of the term 'delicate' for her work is an understatement, given the extraordinary level of detail and precision involved. Hosono's artistic process is meticulously labor-intensive. It requires months to perfect plaster molds of tiny leaves and flowers. She then uses modified, sharpened dental tools to add intricate detail to each component before individually applying them to a clay surface. Some pieces are so fragile that they cannot be shipped internationally due to the risk of damage. Notably, in her 'dew drop bowls,' each water droplet is individually carved, a detail she acknowledges might not be immediately noticed but is essential for the beauty of the final work. For the first time, Hosono's drawings are also on display, a decision influenced by Philip Hooper, design director of Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler. Hosono initially resisted this, considering drawings part of her creative process rather than finished products. She uses drawing to understand the structure and beauty of plants, viewing it as a form of anatomical study. She emphasizes that her ceramic representations are not exact replicas but are based on her memories and interpretations of botanical forms, leading to fantastical yet authentic results. She embraces the individuality of her artistic vision, as seen in her distinctive banana leaf pieces. The influence of the Perrier-Jouët Arts Salon Prize, which Hosono won in 2013, is evident in grape-patterned vessels that pay homage to the champagne house's Art Nouveau heritage, and in the overall adventurous and free-spirited nature of the collection. As a member of the Arts Salon, Hosono now contributes to selecting new winners, acknowledging the Salon's role in broadening her artistic horizons and providing a source of inspiration through its gatherings of creative influencers. #CeramicArt #HitomiHosono #LondonExhibition #InteriorDesign #BotanicalArt #ContemporaryCeramics #ArtAndInteriors #SibylColefaxAndJohnFowler #AdrianSassoon

The 'Vase with Stone' project, a collaboration between designer Martín Azúa and Marc Vidal, integrates craftwork and natural elements without artificial intervention, emphasizing the intrinsic honesty of both materials and artisanal techniques. This collection extends Azúa's earlier work from 1998, where he explored the interaction of porous ceramics with natural elements by submerging them in a river to absorb natural stains. In this current iteration, the project highlights the capacity of an organic component, specifically raw stones, to engage in a dialogue with a traditional craft process. The design methodology involves shaping the ceramic while it is still in its plastic stage, allowing the raw stones to interact with and deform the material. This interaction results in unique forms where the stone appears to exert its force directly on the ceramic surface, creating distinctive indentations and warps. The intention is to showcase an unrefined beauty, celebrating the inherent characteristics of the materials rather than imposing a completely controlled design. The raw stones used in the project are sourced from Colera on the Costa Brava and Catalonia, regions known for their natural landscapes, thereby linking the objects to their geographical origins. The vases are crafted from a highly porous white clay, a material choice that enables the observed distortions. This porosity also means the vases are not intended to hold water for fresh flowers, as they would act as filters. Instead, their purpose is purely decorative, serving as aesthetic objects that highlight the interplay between natural and crafted forms. The focus is on the beauty derived from their unrefined appearance and the narrative of their creation. Each vase in the collection is individually signed and numbered, reinforcing its status as a unique piece of art. They are delivered accompanied by the specific Colera stones that were instrumental in their formation, further emphasizing the direct connection between the natural element and the final ceramic form. This practice ensures that each owner receives not just a vase, but a complete narrative of its making, including the natural artifact that shaped it. The project demonstrates a philosophical approach to design, where natural processes and material properties are given prominence. It explores themes of collaboration between human craft and nature, the beauty of imperfection, and the potential for objects to tell a story through their form and origin. The resulting ceramic vases are sculptural pieces that stand alone as beautiful items, inviting contemplation on the balance between deliberate design and organic influence. #MartínAzúa #CeramicVases #RawStones #Craftsmanship #NaturalDesign #ProductDesign #SculpturalArt #Designboom