Cheers to the Chaise : A Note from NYSID Professor Judith Gura

The French had a word for it --- they always do. The word on my mind today is Chaise, that symbol of comfort and indolence that dates to the 18th century, but is making a comeback in modern interiors. For those who’ve forgotten, or never studied French, Chaise is actually the word for any chair, but has come to refer to the chaise longue, a piece of furniture whose basic premise is that it’s more comfortable to recline than to sit up straight. Its origins were most likely in recline-while-dining Roman couches, but it was tranformed by skilled Rococo-era menusiers into sumptuous seating pieces with lush upholstery and feet-up elongated seating areas. Variants on the form included the veilleuse, with one high and one low end, the duchesse, a sectional unit composed of a bergère (a rounded upholstered armchair) and companion ottoman or footpiece, and of course the iconic Recamier, named after the 19th century style-setter. In more modern times, designers like Alvar Aalto, Marcel Breuer and Le Corbusier designed chaises, and the Eames “La Chaise” has become as iconic as any of its predecessors. So, new ideas notwithstanding, Frank Lloyd Wright’s pronouncement that “You cannot NOT know history” was right!

-- Judith Gura, New York School of Interior Design

NYSID Professor Reflects on Green Design

Green Design is the current buzzword, applied to virtually every design project, and many products of varying degrees of environmental-consciousness. But is the idea really such a new one? After all, William McDonough has been proselytizing the need for architects and designers to show concern for sustainable development decades… almost from the founding of his eponymous architectural firm back in 1981. His “Cradle to Cradle” book is almost a decade old.
But this kind of thinking goes back much further. More than a century ago, Adolph Loos, in his iconic essay Ornament and Crime, said that. And Frank Lloyd Wright spoke about it. Weren’t they making some of the same points? So are we finally beginning to listen?
-- Judith Gura, Professor of Design History and Theory, New York School of Interior Design

Design Philosophy of Laura Michaelides

How would you define your design philosophy?

For me, design is an all-encompassing, continuous opportunity to delight in the visual world; to learn from its riches and to reflect what I’ve gleaned from the work that I do. Every day I try to share that delight with the clients I have the opportunity to work with, and try to make each design project a pathway to learning and discovery for us both. It’s a time for my clients to learn to express who they are through their environment; for me it’s a time to learn about my clients, and to try to find the best way to help them express their sensibilities, past history, and aspirations.

Because I enjoy the visual world so much, I am able to see virtue in many different styles, and feel comfortable with both modern and traditional design vocabularies. I find that I am less interested in doing rooms in one style, and am most excited by being able to mix traditional and contemporary elements so that they complement each other. At the moment, this seems like the most modern idea.

Q&A with Interior Designer John Loecke

Traditional meets glamorous, very glamorous, in the spaces that New York-based interior designer John Loecke creates. See what this designer, who claims that "good taste not need me expensive, but it should be expressive" has to say about trends, and our very own design idol's design idols.

What do you want your clients to feel when they walk into your rooms?

I want my clients to feel at home, like they’ve stepped into a world that is uniquely them where everything is tailored to their taste. I want them to feel happy, engaged, and excited because a home should make you happy. This is different for every client, but to some degree it means design with color, pop, and a touch of unexpected whimsy.

Are you a trend follower or do you not pay attention to trends?

I pay attention to trends, but I don’t necessarily follow them. I love mixing colors, textures, and design periods. I have no rules. Rules impede creativity and result in cookie-cutter design, and that’s simply not for me.

Do you read design magazines and books? What do you read?

I am obsessed with World of Interiors and British House and Garden. Design is global, and there are so many interesting things happening outside of the US.

Who is your design idol? Why?

It’s hard to choose just one. I like Dorothy Draper for her fearless use of color and theatrical sense of design. Sister Parish for the way she effortlessly made family heirlooms feel au courant. And Nancy Lancaster’s designs are so comfortable and inviting: How could you not want to move right in?

How would you define your style?

New traditional. I love mixing vintage or antique finds with the latest and greatest innovation. Design is about collecting things you love, things that are useful and have meaning for you. Your home should be functional, but it should also express who you are as an individual.

What are key components every room must have?

In-floor outlets: They give you the freedom to pull furniture away from walls and arrange a room however you wish--and without having lamp cords visible. Good lighting: A well-balanced light plan (one that includes a mix of overhead, ambient, and task lighting) gives a room life and ultimately makes the space more functional. Properly sized furniture: So many things available today are the wrong size or scale for today’s homes and apartments. Overstuffed and oversized is not always the best solution. Buying a piece of furniture is no different than buying a dress, suit, or pair of shoes. You wouldn’t buy something that doesn’t fit your body, so why buy something that doesn’t fit your living room? Buy furnishings that fit!

click here to visit Mr. Loecke's website for projects and contact information

In Good Company. VERANDA'S Editor-in-Chief and Celebrated Panelists Discuss "The Value of Quality" @ D&D's Fall Market

An amazing audience of 130 people came together this past Wednesday to kick off the D&D's Fall Market with an engaging panel discussion: exploring the especially relevant topic of "The Value of Quality." Moderated by the highly esteemed and delightful Dara Caponigro, the new Editor-in-Chief of VERANDA, panelists Meg Touborg, Richard Mishaan and Victoria Hagen discussed the importance of authenticity, craftsmanship, quality and the eco-smart perspective that accompanies investing in timeless design. Thank you to Dara and our panelists for an engaging and enlightening morning keynote.
(Photo Credit: Carla Popolillo. L-R: Victoria Hagen, Richard Mishaan, Dara Caponigro, Meg Touborg)

praise for KIPTONART RISING

Hosted by the ever sultry and sophisticated Andrew Martin showroom this past Tuesday, the KIPTONART RISING 2011 finalists were recognized at a snazzy art event, held here at the Cohen Design Center's D&D Building. To learn more about our favorite advocate for emerging artists, Kipton Cronkite, and the 20 celebrated finalists, check out kiptonart.com, or click here to read Elle's praises for this "art angel" and his exciting and important cause.


(above: 'Broadway, NYC 1979,' photograph, Maxi Cohen)

Fall Market at the D&D

for more information and for a complete schedule, visit www.ddbuilding.com

Scott Salvator Featured on Decorati

Esteemed Interior Designer Scott Salvator was recently recognized by decorati.com in an interview in which the New York City-based designer dishes on his inspirations, the changing social media climate and what he always puts into his spaces.

http://access.decorati.com/2010/09/28/a-thread-of-glamour-scott-salvator/

Some design is never out of date…..

Some design is never out of date…..new students at NYSID are just starting to learn the basics of the Greek and Roman classical orders. They really get caught up in the idea of recognizing Ionic and Corinthian columns, caryatids and gargoyles, on the buildings they walk by and never looked at closely before.

How many of us are too busy to stop and look carefully at what’s around us? In New York or anywhere else, notwithstanding the bad design we gripe about, there’s plenty to admire if we take the time for a closer look.

The Metropolitan Museum isn’t looking its best these days, with all the restoration going on. Same for the Public Library. But landmarks like these, Grand Central Station and others remind us just how beautiful historicist design and architecture are, even in this 21^st-century-modern world.

Judith Gura

D&D FALL MARKET October 6 & 7, 2010

Consuming Passions. In art, architecture, design... lifestyle. Consumer's choices in the industry of luxury comes from a variety of inspirations and origins. Trace the trends and learn how to read your clientís passions with our keynotes' media insight. View the new fall introductions in our open houses and showroom programs. Fall Market at the D&D will show you all you need to participate and prosper.

For a Full Schedule of Events and Programs visit www.DDBuilding.com

Judith Gura, NYSID

The new term is under way, and I asked the first-year students in Historical Styles class to write a paragraph on why they want to be designers. I was struck by how many used the word “passion” in describing their interest. Isn’t it nice to think that people enter this profession with such enthusiasm? On the other hand, they have no idea what they’re getting into. Many seem to think it’s all about shopping for beautiful things – little do they know that it’s also about staying up nights to finish assignments, learning about specifications and codes, and cramming for the NCIDQ exam. And out in the business world, they’ll face the day-to-day routine of collecting samples, writing up orders, juggling budgets and dealing with temperamental clients. On the other hand, they can still get excited about helping to improve people’s lives by making their environments more comfortable, and more beautiful. I think most of them will be pleased with their career choice.

Here are some of my favorite comments:

“I think that to create spaces is to be one part of society and one part of history.”

“To me, design is a creative form of expression.”

“There’s no more meaningful medium in which to explore the creation of beauty than in the spaces we inhabit.”

Judith Gura, Professor and Coordinator of Design History and Theory Program
New York School of Interior Design

Jason Nixon's Little Black Book for Fall

Jason Nixon, Global Lifestyle Editor for Delta Sky magazine and creative director of John Loecke, Inc. (the interior design company founded by his partner, John Loecke), is a prolific writer and commentator on style, design, fashion, food and travel. He always has his finger directly on the pulse of current design trends and directions -- so GoDesignGo asked him about what he sees in the cards for this coming fall.

As a commentator and arbiter of style, fashion, travel, art...what are your must-haves, must-dos, and must-sees this fall.
Lord, I can't own up to being a style arbiter but that's very flattering and would make my Mom proud. But here's what's in my little black book for the season ahead: I am all about my vintage Go-Go's T-shirt from their Vacation tour back in the 1980s and am thinking to use it an inspiration for my bathroom and make it all very Cypress Gardens chic, but with a Schumacher wallpaper for extra oomph. I am so not into permanent tattoos but am having a whole "henna in Jaipur" moment that mixes gorgeous henna tattoo-like images with the jewel tones of that iconic Indian city. Think big, exploded graphics in shocking pink, acid green, and purple upon pillows and on sofas. And I am into Hendrick's gin and saving up money to purchase an MG convertible next summer and reupholster it in a fabulous ikat print from Lee Jofa. And I am throwing lots of Sunday night dinner parties that spill over into movie night with all of us cozied up watching Pedro Almodovar flicks and Douglas Sirk stunners like "Imitation of Life." And I am totally digging Michele Oka Doner's thorn-like sculptures and fish tacos from my local watering hole, Enduro, in Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn and Popeye's biscuits. And it's all about The Greenbrier, from start to finish.

If you had an extra $10000 to splurge on something for your house right now, what would you buy?
That's an easy one! I would totally build a yurt in my backyard crafted entirely of Manuel Canovas' Calypso indoor-outdoor fabric in some bizarre color, and I'd welt it in an equally nutty tone and would move in and sip lots of martinis and put faux fur rugs on the floor and have a big YSL-at-his dacha moment. I just love those Japanese fish swimming to and fro and fro and to on that Calypso print--it's so Japanese and yet wonderfully graphic and a bit trippy. Any chance you might know a good yurt-maker?

Jason Oliver Nixon
Creative Director
John Loecke Inc.
www.johnloeckeinc.com
jason@johnloeckeinc.com

AND

Global Lifestyle Editor
Delta Sky magazine
www.deltaskymag.com

Christopher Grubb on Bedroom Must Haves

Los Angeles-based designer Christopher Grubb, of Arch Interiors, gives us his design tips on how to make your bedroom beautiful and a sanctuary for yourself.

"The bedroom is the room that one can spend more hours in than the entire home. It should be a sanctuary. A place of repose and rest. Five must haves for me in designing the bedroom for our clients:

1.) Always start by making the bed the focal point of the room. Be it a great upholstered headboard, a more contemporary built in around the bed, a found object like antique gates or an antique four poster bed, it should be the main consideration in designing the room..
2.) Black out lined drapery are also a must for darkening the room for a good night’s sleep for those who like to sleep in or nap during the day.
3.) A bedroom must also feel like you are enveloped in comfort so a great grass cloth or other texture provides a sense of being cocooned.
4.) Luxury linens are a must have to feel as pampered as possible and a small refrigerator in the closet minimized trips to the kitchen.
5.) Always have scented candles, preferably of a scent that is calming versus stimulating.
6.) One NOT to have if possible is a television. The bedroom is for sleeping and it’s proven those who simply go to bed and do not watch television have a better nights sleep."

It's All About Style

IT'S ALL ABOUT STYLE

By Elayne Stuart

I'm often asked what style do I have in my home.  My personal taste is

Contemporary.

Having said that it's important to point out that it's not so much about

what period furniture or decor I have, but, rather what you, the client,

likes.  I've designed the interiors for client homes and offices ranging

from Art Deco looks to Country French to ultra Modern. I've done everything

from revamping one room that needed "redecorating" to working with

Architectural Plans for a New Home.  Whether I'm working on a Beach cottage

on a Caribbean Island, a condo in an Urban Setting, a large home with lots

of gardens, an office interior, or something completely different....it's

all about creating a partnership between the client and me; creating

interior spaces that are beautiful to the eye and functional for the users.

It's all about what's YOUR style.



Elayne Stuart

esdesign@cox.net

www.stuartleffdesign.com

GoDesignGo Welcomes NYSID Professor Judith Gura

Godesigngo.com welcomes NYSID design Professor and author Judith Gura to the fold! She will share her insights on design history, education, and reemerging stylistic trends in recurring blog posts.

As a new school term begins at NYSID, I find myself thinking about how to tell new students why they need to learn design history. I explain that design is a continuum, and that you need to know what happened in past eras in order to understand design today.  It’s easier with pictures – I show them the Parthenon next to the White House, and a Greek Klismos chair next to Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair, and they can see how historic forms influenced what followed them, centuries later, and even today.  As we study the traditional period styles through history, students want to know what style we’re living with now…. but I say that it’s too soon to tell. Wait a decade, and we’ll be able to put a label on it. In the meantime, we can reflect on the rich heritage left to us by the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. (And we can see Neoclassical influences in new furniture designs, as well as rare treasures, at the Winter Antiques Show at the Park Avenue Armory this weekend).

Judith Gura

Area Coordinator, Professor of Design History and Theory

New York School of Interior Design

DCOTA'S DesignHouse is Now Open Take a Look!

DesignHouse, the model penthouse of 14 rooms, ranging from grand entrance foyer, to kitchen, family room, wine cellar, balcony terrace, and master bedroom suite, has been created within the DCOTA building.  The nine thousand square foot show house highlights the newest and premier product available in the marketplace, as seen through the eyes of the industries most creative minds.

Photos by Troy Campbell Photography

This Week's Top Posts

Go Design Go is your must read destination for design scoop, to the trade resources and Cohen Design Center events. Want to know what people were following this week? Check out our round up of popular posts below:

Welcome to GoDesignGo - Your Passport to the World of Design

Welcome to GoDesignGo, our new blog that  will pull back the curtains of the Cohen Design Centers providing access to the word’s best designers and highest quality home furnishings merchandise in a one stop interior design resource for luxury home design solutions.  We hope to revolutionize the online experience of the entire design community by creating an online passport to the world of design where both consumers and interior designers can go for home design inspiration, aspiration and information. GoDesignGo will not only showcase the incredible array of merchandise available at The DDB, PDC, DCH and DCOTA, but will be a fun and imaginative platform from which we’ll bring you the latest and greatest from the world of interior design.

The design community is spreading its wings to unprecedented dimensions.  With GoDesignGo, we offer you the opportunity to explore design in real time in a plethora of fascinating ways --from the best in luxury home furnishings to the latest trends in the worlds of design, art and landscape architecture to a behind the scenes look at the Centers’ high profile seminars and market events and Q and A’s with the world’s most talented designers.

Like any blog, however, GoDesignGo is about community; the project will amount to nothing without the support of our users. Ultimately, it is your input that will shape the evolution of GoDesignGo, and it will be your feedback that will have the greatest influence when we make decisions concerning the future direction of the blog.