Saturday, 23 April 2011

Wall Wood Panelling

Wood panelling can be a very effective architectural element in adding instant appeal and memorability to a room.  I have to say that  even If I really like wood panelling I am not fond of the 70’s cedar wall panelling you can see far too often in homes here on the West Coast.  That’s just wood on the wall.  However, in the hands of a skilled designer or architect the results can be outstanding.

 

Here are some examples of my favourite contemporary uses of wood panelling and that clearly reflect the designers point of view and aesthetic.

 

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Via Axis Decorative Arts

 

I love the use of the round window as a focal point and the mix of a large flat panel and the grid panels next to it.  It definitely adds warmth and interest to the room, creating a solid background for the rest of the elements.

 

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Via Ike Kligerman Barkley

 

The panelling in this dining room is asymmetrical, but does not overwhelm the space as it has been painted the same colour as the wall.  I also love how the light fixture relates to the panels at the right side and center with the lower panels..

 

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Via B.Gluckstein

 

This is one of my favourite wall panelling's applications I have seen – It follows the curve of the wall playing off the traditional crown mouldings against the modern vibe of the symmetry and creates a very interesting juxtaposition.  It is classic yet is contemporary.

 

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Via Thad Hayes

 

The panelling in this room is very quiet – It reinforces the focal point in the room and as you can see the panelling doesn’t go wall to wall which gives the room added depth and dimension.

 

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Via Axis Decorative Arts

 

This wall panelling creates a resonance and a sense of rhythm that makes the space feel comfortable. It is an excellent backdrop for the beautiful collection of French furnishings and sculptures.  The panelling also gives the room ‘permission’ to not fill every wall with art, the panelling is art in itself.

 

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Via William Sofield

 

This is an example where  luxury and elegance can be found in one image at Tom Fords NY boutique.   With strong references of the Art Deco era but with contemporary design in mind, this ebony panelling is simply epic. 

 

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Via Kelly Wearstler

 

For all my Westies,  this is a wall panelling at an angle.  This panelling in bleach walnut is sophisticated and a great backdrop for the art collection.

 

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Via Barbara Barry

 

God is in the attention to detail.  The back panelling adds dimension and almost a contrast texture to the furnishings.  It is very soft and enduring – I just want to sit in that room and enjoy myself.

 

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Via Orlando Díaz-Azcuy

 

A great solution for a free standing wall – The effect of this wall panelling adds presence to the room.  It is the only strong colour in the room which makes it perfect as a focal point.  This paneling also resonates with the ceiling beams reinforcing symmetry with the fireplace and asymmetry in the room.  There is an extra panel in the left side – Did you notice that? 

 

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Via Kelly Wearstler

 

A contemporary interpretation of the traditional panelling is something you can see in any Château. The geometric elements of the panelling add the architectural voice to the room that otherwise would be unclear.  This panelling is the warm and defining backdrop for the eccentric collection of furnishings and art.



MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

Monday, 18 April 2011

Eye Candy of the Week - COPPA DELL'ETICA

 

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PRODUCT

Coppa Dell’etica

 

DESIGNER

Michele de Lucchi

 

MANUFACTURER

Studio Baccarat

 

COLLECTION

Le Coppe della Filosofia

 

LIMITED EDITION

99

 

MATERIALS

Crystal on gold plated brass

 

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

Height :
27,2 Centimeters / 10.71 Inches

Diameter :
35,6 Centimeters / 14.02 Inches

 

DESCRIPTION

I love the balance and the proportions of this piece in particular.  The delicacy of the elements are very well orchestrated.  The texture of the stair pattern on the crystal and the smoothness of the gold plated brass play nicely in a reinvented way. 

 

Michele de Lucchi has brought classic lines in a contemporary form that is memorable and classic.

 

Low stemmed bowl with cover designed by Michele De Lucchi in clear crystal on gold-plated brass. Signed and numbered limited edition of 99 copies. An exceptional collection made with the purest crystal featuring a stair pattern on the inside that magnifies the crystal's natural brilliance.

An exceptionally decorative object from a master of contemporary Italian design. – Baccarat Studio

 

YUMMY FACTOR

Bellisimo!!!



MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

Wednesday, 13 April 2011

The Indispensables

The commodities of every day life make our day easier and more enjoyable. I have mentioned before that luxury is in the things you touch and use everyday.  Someone once commented that I must have very expensive taste, but luxuries don’t have to be expensive.  Here are a few of my favourite, affordable everyday luxuries.

 

What are yours?

 

1.- THE SOAP

Soap on a Rope (Always!) – I love the smell of Verbena by L’Occitane.  It smells fresh and clean and looks great in the bathroom.

 

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2.- THE SPONGE

I like their organic shape and they last for a long time – Plus they match my sponge Bob band-aids (lol)

 

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3.- THE IRONS

Rowenta all the way – I have a team of 2 hardworking irons – The Steamium for my shirts and linens,   and the Rowneta Pro-Compact Steamer for jackets, pants and polos.  They are my loyal friends and they are always  there when I need them.

 

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4.- THE WOOD HANGER

They keep the clothes in the best shape and they look better than typical wire or plastic hangers.

 

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5.- THE COFFEE

Le Cube by Nespresso – If you love coffee and love design this is the machine for you, plus the quality of the coffee is great.

 

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6.- THE CUP & SAUCER

Jasper Conran for Wedgewood – White Strata.  Simple and nice to look at.  I like the saucer with its concentric debossed circles and the juxtaposition of the clean smooth cup.

 

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7.- THE I-PHONE

What can I say, It is my loyal personal assistant.

 

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8.-THE PEN

Yes, I am pen hoarder according my wonderful team.  I usually have 2 to 3 Micron #3 pens with me.  Hey! you never know when you will need to sketch something or sign an autograph.

 

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9.- THE WATER DECANTER

You need to keep hydrated why not doing it with a little bit of style.

 

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10.- THE SHEETS

White Frette – I swore they put some sort of drug in them – Once you sleep in them you can’t replicate the experience with any other kind of linens.

 

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MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

Tuesday, 5 April 2011

Eye Candy of the Week – Foscarini Diesel Glas Lamp

 

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PRODUCT

Foscarini Diesel Glas Table

 

AVAILABLE AT

Gabriel Ross

 

MATERIAL

Blown glass and metal.

 

DIMENSIONS

  • Length: 55 cm
  • Height: 59 cm

 

DESCRIPTION

I have been looking for a task lamp for the longest time and yesterday I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered the Diesel line while I was visiting Gabriel Ross in town.  I like the simplicity of the lines and the retro vibe of these lamps, but what I really like is the taupe glass and how the light glows within the glass. 

 

Glas takes the familiar image of industrial lamps used in warehouses and factories worldwide. A reinvented icon in the light of a new contemporary lifestyle, transformed into a precious and personal entity, transported into a timeless dimension. By day, by night: Glas is a lamp with a double life. When it is off, the superficial chrome-coloured vacuum metallisation finish reflects the surrounding environment and objects like a mirror. When it is on, it emits a warm beam, with a retro feel, which is both directed and diffused. This characteristic underlines the passage from the technical nature of metal to the artisan craftsmanship of glass. Placed on a table, oriented with a counterweight, Glas transforms a home or public environment into a creative laboratory, a fascinating workshop of new trends. – Foscarini

 

YUMMY FACTOR

Tasty!!!



MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

Monday, 28 March 2011

Art in Bloom 2011 – “Design Fit for a King”

This year Meade Design Group have been very fortunate to be invited by the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria to reinterpret an art piece of their permanent collection in a botanical extravaganza as part of their annual exhibition Art in Bloom.

 

This is The Word, And I Am King ... by Theresa Victoria Wylde

 

Leading creative professionals in the field of design were selected to celebrate spring creating unique floral interpretations.  We were assigned a stunning  oil painting in canvas by Theresa Victoria Wylde (circa 1909) entitled “This Is The World, And I Am King…”  (127” height X 137.5 width). Our interpreted  title for the exhibit is  “Design Fit For A King”.

 

Description

The central figure is a young girl with long wavy black hair who wears a purple gingham dress with a purple over-dress; she is sitting in a forest by a stream, holding an apple(orb) in one hand & a foxglove(septre)in the other; she has a 'crown' of evergreen boughs with cones in her hair; a squirrel sits nearby, watching her.

- Art Gallery of Greater Victoria

 

We were inspired by the description of the painting and we also wanted to display all our strengths as a multidisciplinary design studio.  We designed 3 pieces for the installation.  The first idea that came to my mind when I saw the piece was “ethereal” – I wanted to create an installation that was light and complemented the painting.

 

The first piece we designed was a massive Plexiglas cube to encase the antique chest that was below the painting.  As an interior designer I felt that the scale of the chest was not big enough to hold the visual weight of the painting, so we corrected the proportions and the scale of the chest with a new Plexiglas structure making the chest look like an archived piece.  We also incorporated a modern interpretation of some of the elements of the painting with contemporary graphics. Our design complemented the William Morris wall paper  showcasing our strengths in Graphic Design.  Natashita brought to life our ideas choosing an opalescent metallic vinyl that complemented the colour scheme of its surroundings.

 

Varias 2011 240

 

The second piece we designed was a Plexiglas plinth that mimic the proportions of the chest. We cover the face of the plinth with the same vinyl we used in the cube below to continue the flow.  As for the 3rd piece we designed the flower vase which references the foxglove flower in the painting. 

 

Art in Bloom 2011 Victoria BC

 

Artist Statement

We were inspired by the strong vertical line created by the foxgloves held by the girl in this painting. We wanted an organic, linear form to overlap the painting asymmetrically to create a strong, contemporary vignette that still works with this traditional piece.

We used a combination of anemones, tube roses, double tulips, mosses and greens accented by drumstick alliums and fuchsia trachelium. We wanted to build up a woodland feeling with berries, mosses and greens, but still have interesting forms and textures with more exotic accents. This is reinforced by the golden graphic that has been applied to the acrylic base which encases the trunk.

 

 

Art in Bloom - Tulips, Amarntus

Mini Flower Bouquets

 

Art in Bloom 2011 - Meade Design Group

Art in Bloom Victoria BC - Setup

Here is Echito our flower arranger extraordinaire.

 

Art in Bloom Victoria BC - Setup

Adjusting last minute details.

 

Art in Bloom Victoria BC 2011 - Meade Design Group

And here it is the complete installation.

“Design Fit For A King”

 

We want to extend our gratitude to Plexiklass, Rook and Rose, Brenda Marks – Kravet, and Garside Signs and Displays for all their help, patience and guidance to make this project come together.

 

If you are in Victoria don’t miss the hottest ticket in town!

 

Art in Bloom 2011 - a week long celebration of fine art and all things botanical. The bi-annual fundraiser heralds the beginning of spring to Vancouver Island, and supports exhibitions and programming at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Art in Bloom highlights the talents of local and international artists, writers, floral designers and garden experts.

 

Art in Bloom 2011 Logo



MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011