ALWAYS AUTHENTIC!

Last autumn, I had the opportunity to spend some time in Europe. One of my favourite memories was a visit to my cousin Inés Benavides’ home in Madrid and spending some time with her.  Inés is not only one of my favourite cousins, but she is also considered to be one of the top interior designers in Spain, so you can imagine how excited I was to share some time with her.

 

 

Other than securing the position as favourite cousin while enjoying my time with her, I also learned a couple of things.  Inés is not just well regarded as an interior designer  in Spain; she is also an accomplished furniture designer.   She has been designing pieces for the last 10 years with her cousin, Phil, under their firm Benavides y Camino.

 

 

One of Inés pieces “The Prensa” (Spanish for pressed, or squished) has become a signature piece for her and is rapidly becoming a staple in Spanish and European design.  Many of her design colleagues are supporting her in her venture, using the piece to inject fun and colour into their designs.  

 

 

One of the conversations we had was about something that is becoming a real problem across several industries – plagiarism. Sadly, as a result of her notoriety, people are now copying her work and taking advantage of her creativity.  With her piece, “The Prensa”, rising in popularity, it has subsequently had a tremendous rise of knock-offs hitting the market – so much so, in fact, that she had to go to great lengths to copyright the piece. 

When someone steals another’s  idea, they are completely ignoring the process that it takes to conceive an original piece. For example, the time spent sketching, sculpting and planning the conceptual stages, the cost of making  prototypes in addition to supporting the artisans that make these pieces.  

In our conversation, we discovered that we shared a similar theory that there are 3 kinds of designers out there:  (1) The designer who creates a signature piece/style and  deserves the recognition for their efforts, (2) the designer that supports and admires original pieces of works – that takes them as inspiration and re- invents them in their own way,  or uses the original pieces in their work supporting the original creators, and lastly (3) the designer who takes advantage and literally copies the work without any respect or ethics. 

 

 

 

Ross Taylor owner of Gabriel Ross has the best tag line for his business, and has been a big supporter of this movement – Gabriel Ross tag line really encompasses the real value of design  “Always Authentic” – As creatives we have the obligation to be “Always Authentic” and overall original.  This is the core of any creative business.

 

We have all seen this tragedy happen - particularly with mid-century modern classics by Eames, Saarinen and the like – but I wanted to bring awareness to Ines’s talent and spread the word about her original pieces. Like all good design, beware of knock-offs, you get what you pay for!

Support original talent, do your research and invest wisely!

MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

I’m Late For Dinner! - Benavides y Camino

 

 

Installation by Benavides y Camino

 

One of my very first entries on my blog back in 2007 was about the re-discovery of my very talented furniture designer relatives from Spain.   - THE DESIGN GENE

 

Phillippine and Inés are the creative minds behind Benavides y Camino. Their talent has been proved over the years and they have become a strong design force in Europe.  With a voice of their own and a dialogue through their designs today Benavides y Camino is sending a new and evocative message.  Always thinking forward; their furniture pieces are ahead of their time, but yet they have a memorable and timeless quality.

 

This morning I received an email from Inés in which they were presenting this installation for the prestigious “Casa Decor”  show home hosted in an XVIII century palace in downtown Madrid.  The 12,000 sq ft residence was completely revamped by 120 design professionals and over 300 exhibitors.  This is the 43rd edition that designers have been asked to redecorate a space in “Casa Decor” and it is one of the most important design events in Spain.

 

Their colourful interpretation of the servant's quarters was created in only five days and it is truly unique and original.

 

Entitled “I’m late for dinner” this installation contains hand painted murals of the butler, the daughter and the home owner which bring the space to life.  All of the pieces are part of Benavides y Camino’s new collection (aside from the antique stove).

 

 

Philippine, Inés & Ana

 

Since my last post Ana, another cousin has joined the team.  I was very excited to see her picture. Ana is the only relative I have had the opportunity to meet in person on that side of the family.  I have great memories about her and I going thorough the markets of Mexico and giving her a tour of my home town.

 

I am the proudest and furthest away relative that they have.

 

I invite you to visit their website and support their work at:

 

MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

The Design Gene

This blog is dedicated to Inés and Philippine

First of all, I would like to thank all of you who have been reading our blog. It is very encouraging and we appreciate all the positive feedback we have received. You have inspired us to update our blog two times per week .

In the last few years we have all been taken aback with how global our world is becoming and the “6 degrees of separation” between us. This entry is the result of an amazing coincidence and appreciation of design running in my family genes. Last summer I received my Architectural Digest magazine from Spain, and while I was flipping the pages a red piece jumped out at me – “That piece will fit perfectly in my new studio” was my initial thought. It’s contemporary but will still read well in my traditional space.

Iron and Laquer wood - Mueble Bar

http://www.benavidesycamino.com/

I decided to read the article to find out who the creator behind this piece was. Two names stood out in the article: Inés Benavides and Philippine González-Camino. Well, that was a bit of a shock – the last names are not that common and they rang a bell. Then I saw their picture in the article. I must say, Inés and Philippine are just stunningly beautiful and I began to suspect they were members of the family.

Architectural Digest Spain (Article)

Summer 2007

I was really excited with the find and decided to go on-line and check out their website. Following my instincs I wrote them a spontaneous email: "... maybe this is a coincidence but I think there is a history of elegance in the family that has been carried through in the designs you are portraying. I believe your grandmother the very famous and elegant Tía Beba (Aunt Beba) was my grandfather’s sister. Anyhow I just want to congratulate you for your amazing work and wish you all the success in the future."

Iron, Wengué Wood and Leather - Otto chair

http://www.benavidesycamino.com/

The next day an email was waiting in my account – It was Philippine – Yeah! She was my cousin and she was so excited. She knew who I was and was really surprised with the coincidence that we were working in design. Another email – It was Inés – what a coincidence. The connection was here to stay.

Iron and marble - Domino

http://www.benavidesycamino.com/

I'd like to share some details of their peices and my thoughts on their designs. Their pieces are inspired by their lives – what they have seen in the years they lived outside of Spain and their personal experiences. “Every place, every space, every material and form has something to teach us and for this reason, it is important to travel, to study any branch of art, architecture or design”

Galvanize iron and Iroco wood - Omega

http://www.benavidesycamino.com/

The difference in their personalities create unique results – Inés brings the rationality and practicality while Philippine leaves space for the improvisation, provoking a really strong juxtaposition. The lines of their pieces are simple, yet versatile, furniture pieces that work as a unique presence in any space.

Laquer wood - Ecco

http://www.benavidesycamino.com

All of their pieces are signed and are limited editions. Their philosophy is to create objects for small particles of creativity in the universe of creation. They have been named Mercury, Krypton, Nugget, amongst others. Function is always an integral part of their designs.

Iron and Oak wood - Puzzle

Iron and Glass - Jaula

http://www.benavidesycamino.com

As we speak, and as many of you know, Meade Design Group is working on our new studio. I would love to include this piece in my new studio design so that I can share a little bit of my heritage and family’s creativity with Victoria.

Iron and Laquer wood - Mueble Bar
http://www.benavidesycamino.com/

MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011