Saturday 26 February 2011

Eye Candy of the Week – Aquariva by Gucci

 

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PRODUCT

Aquariva by GUCCI

 

DESIGNER

Officina Italiana Design & Gucci’s Frida Giannini

 

MANUFACTURER

Riva

 

TECHNICAL FEATURES

 

- MOTORIZATION

2 * YANMAR 6 LY3/UTP - 380
POWER 380 mhp / 279 kW at 3300 rpm

 

- SPEED in knots:

+ Maximum speed: 41 knots

+ Cruising speed: 36 knots

 

DESCRIPTION

I have always loved boats and yachts. I am always mesmerised by their lines, their attention to detail, and the sense of adventure that they convey, which really resonates with me. For me a well design boat is sexier than any car.   I think it is the crossover of the commodities of a house and the luxury elements of a car, all mix together that really attracts my designer eye and the fact that I love the sea more for than any highway.

 

I have previously posted some of my favourite eye candies like the Wally Hermès Yatch or the Tofinou 12 by Philippe Stark.  Today its time for GUCCI’s Aquariva, designed by Gucci’s Creative Director Frida Giannini & Officina Italiana Design under Riva’s – Ferreti Brand which are proud to unveil this exclusive made to order re-born new made in Italy icon. This initiative is one of the activities marking Gucci’s 90th anniversary this year.

 

The Aquariva by GUCCI includes tinted green hue crystal windshield, customised coverings with the classic Guccissima pattern, a particular shade of white that comes with a pilmsoll line in the fashion house’s signature red and green and its own accessory line like the silk scarf, the picnic trunk, towels, luggage, key chain, watch and deck shoes. – Of course It’s GUCCI!

 

Frida Giannini, Gucci Creative Director, said, "Over the decades the iconic Riva boat has become without doubt one of the most evocative images of Italian style, sophistication and elegance.It is a symbol of a glamorous lifestyle that sparks fond memories of La Dolce Vita - a golden age when both Gucci and Riva attracted an enthusiastic following among the international jet set.It is therefore especially meaningful in Gucci's 90th anniversary year to be able to recognise and celebrate the great traditions and values of both Gucci and Riva through the Aquariva by Gucci." – Riva Website

 

Mauro Micheli, Chief Designer of Officina Italiana Design, added, “We had to absorb Riva history to create Aquariva, but also forget it in a certain sense, in order to propose a contemporary product which would go beyond the legendary Aquarama, the best-known nautical icon in the world. In Aquariva, cutting-edge technologies have respected and maintained the charm, softness and clean lines of the shapes which are typical to Riva. If Aquarama has always been an icon, Aquariva is perhaps, becoming one, and Frida Giannini’s enthusiasm for this model confirms this.” – Riva Website

 

VIDEO

Aquariva by GUCCI

 

YUMMY FACTOR

Complimenti al cuoco!!!



MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

Thursday 17 February 2011

In Conversation with Jamie Herzlinger

imageJaime Herzlinger

 

With twenty years of design experience behind her, and offices in Scottsdale, Tucson and New York,Jamie Herzlinger is at the top of her game.

 

Jamie prides herself and her team in the ability to create elegant yet liveable and unique interiors for their clients nationwide. She achieves this through thoughtful consideration of a space's functionality and ambiance, adding elements from an array of style periods, global references, textures, colours and patterns. She states that "above all, her work is irresistibly comfortable". She  focuses most of her energy into high-end residential designs that are tailored to the clients' needs and style, but Jamie's firm also offers custom home building and is a licensed general contracting company - a truly unique asset to have in a design firm.

 

imageInteriors by Jaime Herzlinger

 

Jamie's design motto is simple, but it encapsulates her design style perfectly: "To me, a home’s aesthetic should draw on diverse influences within a particular style. One’s home should be beautiful, exciting, thought provoking and emotionally accessible."

 

In addition to her bustling design firm, Jamie maintains a blog with an intriguing approach; she guides her readers through her thought process to develop a room concept, from an intro, to materials to renderings. Her thoughts on current trends and fun finds are interspersed throughout her project concepts and progress with a light-hearted and pleasant tone.

 

Jamie seems like a very sweet and accessible designer, one that would be easy to work and bounce around ideas with. I can't wait to get to know her better and share her input on the world of design with our readers; please read on to get in on the conversation…

 

Iván Meade - What was your first experience with design?

 

Jamie Herzlinger -My first experience with design, ironically enough was when I was eight and I wanted a big girl bedroom and I insisted on designing the room and actually getting all the fabrics. Being that my family was in the garment center in New York since the 1920’s access to fabrics and sewing machines was a snap.

 

imageInteriors by Jaime Herzlinger

 

Iván Meade – What has been your favourite design find?

 

Jamie Herzlinger -  My favorite design find -a stunning Bugatti small table that I found in Paris at the flea market!

 

imageInteriors by Jaime Herzlinger

 

Iván Meade - You always respect the traditional with a fusion of fashion.  I believe this is what makes your style.  How do you achieve this?

 

Jaime Herzlinger - I always respect the traditional with a fusion of fashion as I was raised in the women's clothing industry so it truly is in my blood.  I had my own fashion label line under my name, Jamie Herzlinger and sold to the high end stores across the country.  I was raised with the most stunning couture garments in the most sumptuous fabrics, so to me, I source fabric first and then go from there.

 

imageInteriors by Jaime Herzlinger

 

Iván Meade - What is your approach to lifeststyle and design?

 

Jaime Herzlinger - Approach to lifestyle and design has much to do with how the client envisions themselves in the surrounding which are part fantasy, part reality and part function for after all, what I do for a living is deliver environments that have to do with an individuals lifestyle.

 

imageInteriors by Jaime Herzlinger

 

Iván Meade - What do you look for in a furniture piece? Or, in other words, you are very selective in what goes into your designs, what makes a piece important enough to be used in your projects?

 

Jamie Herzlinger - First it will sound very cliché but it has to be love at first sight. I have actually been known to find a piece- fall in love and design an entire room and sometimes even the theme of the house or project around it!

 

imageInteriors by Jaime Herslinger

 

Iván Meade - What are you excited about right now in the world of design?

 

Jamie Herzlinger - Definitely Bohemian Chic!!

 

imageInteriors by Jaime Herslinger

 

Iván Meade - You have had many successful years in design, are there any design trends that you never want to see again? Maybe some you think should return?

 

Jamie Herzlinger - I never want to see again: English Cottage. Love to see again: Empire or Regency.

 

imageInteriors by Jaime Herslinger

 

Iván Meade - Who would you like to design something for?

 

Jaime Herzlinger - I would have to say Sting or Stella McCartney

 

imageInteriors by Jaime Herzlinger

 

Iván Meade - What is your newest venture in design?

 

Jamie Herzlinger - Every week we get calls from around the country asking us if they are able to purchase accessories and pieces of furniture from projects featured in magazines or online. So I decided with all the time I travel to make these incredible pieces available to the public without having to have a designer on board to have access to these trade only resources.

 

imageInteriors by Jaime Herzlinger

 

Iván Meade - Lastly, you have already created a stunning body of work with many mediums and styles. What would you like your legacy to be?

 

Jamie Herzlinger - I would like my legacy to be exactly the compliment of which you just bestowed on me and the highest form of flattery!!

 

I invite you visit Jaime Herzlinger’s stunning website and blog at:

 

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MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

Wednesday 16 February 2011

Eye Candy of the Week – Alessi Tab

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PRODUCT

Alessi Pad

 

DESIGNER

Stefano Giovannoni

 

MANUFACTURER

Promelit

 

TECHNICAL FEATURES

  • 10.1" capacitive Touchscreen Display

  • Auto-rotation with gravitational sensor

  • Google Android v. 2.1 Operating System

  • 1 GB internal memory

  • Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g connection

  • DVB-T with antenna

  • Integrated microphone and camera

  • HD support with HDMI output

  • USB Port / SD card

  • Rechargeable battery

  • Digital frame

  • Widgets (news, weather forecasts, recipes, clock, alarm, timer)

  • Software update via network (OTA)

 

DESCRIPTION

Some people may think that we don’t need another Ipad looking gadget around the house.   I know - I love the design of the Ipad and how innovative it is; don't get me wrong. I even wish I had one.  But, today I  found a new version the AlessiTab  designed by Stefano Giovannoni for Promelit. 

 

As designer, I love the fact that Giovannoni corrected what bothers me most about the Ipad is that it needs to lay flat – The AlessiTab has the option of different angles which definitely  enhances the experience for the user.  I feel like I am cheating on my Iphone just looking at it.

 

“AlessiTab” users can surf the net, manage their emails using the video keyboard, and make voice and video calls. It is also configured to receive digital terrestrial TV, web TV and web radio. Personal files can be reproduced in high definition through the USB port. – Alessi

 

YUMMY FACTOR

Technolicious!!!



MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

Wednesday 9 February 2011

In Conversation with Margot Austin

 image Margot Austin

 

Margot Austin's eye for beauty has influenced a myriad of today's designers, consumers and publications alike. She is recognized globally for her editorial and styling skills; tackling copy, furnishings, trends, floral and lifestyle - all the while, maintaining beautiful homes that are in constant metamorphosis and are often featured within the pages of Style at Home, where she is currently senior design editor.


Margot was raised in Peterborough, Ontario and always knew that she wanted to work at a fashion magazine. Her dream came true when she was hired at IMAGES magazine (covering fashion and beauty) early in her career. It was there that she first had the chance to style and producing beauty shoots. Her husband, Kevin, owns a magnificent home décor shop, ChairTableLamp. Accompanying him on buying trips and the purchase of their first home together swayed Margot’s interests more toward home fashion and away from runways. In 2002 Margot became a part of the Style at Home team as a senior editor and by 2003 she transformed her role into a more tactile one, becoming the head of the design department where she now styles shoots, scouts homes and "dabbles in design".

 

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IDS 2011, Style at Home/Beauti-tone booth


Aside from the legacy she has created at Style at Home, our readers may also recognize her from her appearances on the Steven & Chris Show. For all of you out there looking for a Margot Austin designed home, she currently does not work with clients, but it may be in her future - she certainly has the portfolio to back it up!


Through social media interactions with Margot I have learned about her love of French Bulldogs, travel, and all things Martha Stewart, and have also been able to convince her to do an interview for our blog. She is cheerful, witty and of course, talented and I can't wait to share our interview with her; please read on to get in on the conversation…


Iván Meade - What was your first experience with design?

 

Margot Austin – For most people it’s their first room as a kid, but I am the youngest in my family so I always shared a room. I would have to say it was my residence rooms in university. One year I covered an entire wall in magazine pages – mostly Ralph Lauren ads, Alfred Sung ads. One year I put up a giant blank sheet of white paper and provided coloured Sharpies so visitors could sign it. My favourite comments were written by my friend Neil, who shared Morrissey quotes. It still have it rolled up somewhere. Now, that said, I will never EVER forget the thrill of seeing my own home – the first one I shared with my husband – as the cover story of the April 2001 Style At Home – before I worked at the magazine.

 

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Iván Meade – What designers of past or present have inspired you?

 

Margot Austin –All the usual suspects, Barbara Barry, Steven Gambrel, Gil Schafer, Miles Redd, Darryl Carter, Thomas O’Brien, Victoria Hagan, Amanda Nisbet and so many more. I study all the contemporaries because it’s my job to be on top of what’s happening. I study the greats of the past because I will always be a history student. I am currently fascinated by the work of past designers whose rooms look absolutely of the moment today – so amazing! Among these are Mark Hampton, David Hicks, Billy Baldwin, Syrie Maugham.

 

imageInteriors by Margot Austin


Iván Meade - One of the things that I found you bring to Style at Home is that you present interior design not just as aesthetics, but as a lifestyle. How is this reflected in your design philosophy?

 

Margot Austin – Style At Home is about showcasing beautiful rooms that are really lived in. Being invited to spend time in someone’s home for a day of photography is the greatest privilege of my job. The experience has taught me what Elsie de Wolfe called “the beauty of suitability”. In other words, a home can be beautiful, but if it doesn’t suit its inhabitants then it is not a success.

 

image Interiors by Margot Austin

 

Iván Meade – As the senior design editor of Style at Home magazine, you must have seen several interior design trends come in and out of fashion. Do you have any that you miss? Or, any that you are very glad have not returned?

 

Margot Austin – We could spend weeks on this topic. Because I am so immersed I really tire of trends quickly, which may be why I am more a lover of the classics. A few pet peeves: skull & cross bones motifs, minimalism, tab-top curtains, lacquered coloured Buddhas, vessel sinks.

 

image Interiors by Margot Austin


Iván Meade - What do you look for in a furniture or decorative piece? Or, in other words, you are very selective in what goes into your designs, what makes a piece important enough to be used in your projects?


Margot Austin – The furniture mix comes down to scale and shape. I always ask, does this piece play nice with the others? Does it suit the scale of the room?

 

image Interiors by Margot Austin


Iván Meade - I noticed you have a love for all things soft, but with a rustic edge - what is it that captivates you about these characteristics in design?


Margot Austin –I think this stems from the main project on my mind over the last few years, which is our century home in Tweed, Ont. It’s an Edwardian home in a small rural town. We live there in a very relaxed way, so soft rustic pieces with a bit of history are absolutely right. I’m a believer in architecture and sense of place informing decorating choices – remember: suitability. If I had a city loft I would do something entirely different – likely Scandinavian.

 

imageInteriors by Margot Austin


Iván Meade - I have also noticed your love for all things French bulldog, and I loved your blog entry (http://www.margotaustin.ca/blog/french-bulldog-tea-light-holders.html) in which you argue with yourself about the appropriateness of this, or any, tendency to go overboard with a motif or theme. I think we all have this inner battle from time to time. Where and how have you let yourself indulge in your love of French bulldogs when it comes to design? (aside from how often it appears to be a surprising conversation starter with colleagues!)

 

Margot Austin – Good design always requires restraint. One simply can’t indulge every whim and come up with a room that looks like anything except a dog’s breakfast (pardon the pun). You have to learn to say “No” to many things. I have two very treasured French bulldog objects – one is framed artwork by Hugo Guinness. It was a gift given to me by someone I worked with on a shoot whose work I admire – I was floored. (As an aside, this week in NYC I met the guy who owns the dog in the Guinness piece – amazing no? I blogged it.) I also have a tiny French bronze sculpture of a Frenchie. It is a very fine piece that was given to my husband by a fellow antique dealer. The two live very happily together on my mantel in Toronto. Each is tasteful and of great quality, which is why they are keepers. Oh, and I have personalized stationery with a French bulldog on it, which I had to order in a hurry so that I could write a thank you note to Martha Stewart for granting me an interview last spring! Our brief moment of bonding was 100% thanks to our mutual love of our French bulldogs.

 

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Iván Meade - What are your 3 best styling secrets?


Margot Austin - 1. Every room has stuff that needs to be corralled on a tray. 2. All cushions must have down and feather fillers. 3. Branches cut from your backyard and placed in a ceramic vase are an economical (hello, free!) way to perk up a room.

 

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Iván Meade - As a blogger myself, I was very excited to find your blog and to see the personal side of your knowledge and opinions in interior design. How has the creation of your blog benefitted you?

 

Margot Austin – I’m sure like all bloggers would say, I’ve really been astounded by the connections I’ve made. My personal blog at margotaustin.ca is tiny compared to most, but I do get readers from all over the world, which still amazes me. This week I was at the gift show in New York and a lady came up to me in the press office saying she reads my blog and loves it. I couldn’t believe it – I had one of those moments where I looked behind me and said, “Who me?” The blog is a creative outlet. The line between my work and personal life is pretty blurry, but I would say my Style At Home blogging – which I’ve just started – is a little more official in nature. Like most people, I’m learning as I go. Suggestions welcome!

 

imageInteriors by Margot Austin


Iván Meade - Lastly, your work has done wonders for the interior design industry in Canada. What would you like your legacy to be?


Margot Austin –Legacy? Wow, that’s a question. I guess I’d just like to be thought of as a supporter of the industry and a person who strives to live by The Golden Rule.

 

I invite you to visit Margot Austin’s website at:

 

MARGOT AUSTIN

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MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

Sunday 6 February 2011

Eye Candy of the Week – Galet USB Key by Christofle

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PRODUCT

Galet USB Key

 

MANUFACTURE

Christofle and Lacie Galet

 

FINISHES

Christofle Silver

 

SPECIFICATIONS

D. 1 1/2" (3.9 CM)
H. 0 1/3'' (0.92 CM)

 

CAPACITY

4 GB

 

DESCRIPTION

My mother used to say that real luxury is in the things that you touch every day.  The sheets you sleep in, the pen and paper you write on, the door knob of your home and so on.  I grew up with this phrase almost embedded in my brain and every time I possibly can, I endeavour to have all the things that I touch in my every day life be beautiful or stimulate my five senses.

 

While searching for this week’s Eye Candy of the Week I came across this USB key – It is made of silver, one of my favourite materials, and its design is so simple yet stunningly functional.  I have always admired the company Apple and their approach to aesthetics, and I wonder why other technology companies don’t follow this same path: to create beautiful objects for our every day life. 

 

Sharing the same creative passion and demand for perfection, Christofle and LaCie have joined their talents to introduce a precious gem that is the keeper of all your memorabilia – Galet, USB key.  With its beautiful pebble figure and magnificent shine, the Galet is sure to be an object of your affection. - Christofle

 

What are your favourite every day objects?

 

YUMMY FACTOR

Smooth and Long Lasting!!!



MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011