Welcome to Insta-Reporter Christine of 3 Little Monsters Design, who sent in this post on Bklyn Designs last weekend!
There was lots of fun stuff at this past weekends Brooklyn Designs 2006 Show. With over 50 exhibitors, my friend and fellow designer Ed Brant and I spent several hours perusing the latest and greatest of contemporary furnishings from Brooklyn-based designers. Here are some of my personal favorites
One could not help but notice the classic French empire chandelier upon entering St. Anns Warehouse in DUMBO at the Brooklyn Designs 2006 Show. Created by the lighting atelier of Zia-Priven Design, this 4-foot show stopper was made with over 1000 white ping-pong balls.
According to Paul Priven, this chandelier is the mini version of the 10-foot Troy ping-pong chandelier that was debuted earlier this year at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show. HmmmI should have asked Paul if they made a mini mini-version of the Troy. I would love to have one in my tiny apartment.
The Troy chandelier is part of the Couture Collection and is available to the trade only, but do check out their website www.priven.com to salivate at their gorgeous fixtures. Also check out ZIP Studio, their new retail line of contemporary table lamps and pendants available online through www.velocityartanddesign.com.
I did see some lighting possibilities for my apartment. Andrea Claires nature inspired pendant lamps were absolutely lovely.
Simple, elegant and quite affordable (the prices range from $320 -$375) these hanging pendants can be purchased directly from Andrea Claire www.andreaclaire.net or the Brooklyn-based store, Future Perfect.
I asked Andrea if she has done any custom work and she said that no one has approached her as of yet, but she is willing to collaborate. Currently her lamps feature digital shots from the Shawngunk Mountain Range, The Everglades National Park, a Miami sunset, and a graveyard in Queens NY.
The Future Perfect
115 North 6th St
Brooklyn NY 11211
78-599-6278
Pryor &Williams debuted their teak furniture and objects line at this years Brooklyn Designs. Pryor Callaway and Mark Williams collaborated specifically for this design show to create probably some of my favorite pieces from the weekend.
The line is so new that it currently consists of a saw-horse style dining table with a dark glass or corian top, a cutting board, and a collapsible serving. The simple designs are exquisitely made of solid layers of plantation grown teak and darkened bronze joinery. At the moment, only the serving tray is currently priced at $275.00.
The company is still trying to figure out pricing for the other pieces. For more information, you can contact Pryor & Williams at 718-522-2500 or check out their website www.pryor-williams.com
Brad Teasdale of Brad Teasdale Custom Mosaic Artwork had a gorgeous piece called Twilight Plum at the show. Made of kilm formed glass fused into concrete, this work of art was quite a lengthy and laborious process. I was told the fusing process takes about 10-15 hours.
Unfortunately folks, this lovely number was already sold (for $7500) by the time I inquired about the piece. But never fear, Brad specializes in custom installationsIf you are interested in his work, you can reach him at 917-362-7546 or check out his website www.bradteasdale.com
I fell in love with the two pieces from A&G design. The Kohana a boxy but well-proportioned sofa featured a cherry blossom design silk screened on ultra suede. The Side Table made with Pau Ferro wood and inlaid w/ stainless trim had built-in corner lights bright enough to provide some sexy mood lighting.
Furniture designer, Adam Almquist, the A of A&G mentioned that each piece is hand-made and takes about 4-6 weeks to be built. For more information, you can check out A&G designs website www.aandgdesigninc.com.
I was also drawn to Lisa Goldberg collection of ceramic lamps for Lighten Up Designs. The rich colorful palette reminded me of juicy gumball drops that I used to enjoy as a kid. Her lamps are handmade and can be customized to any lamp style and color combination that she offers. She currently has 10 different lamp styles and 17 colored glazes to choose from with prices starting at $280. For the Brooklyn Design show, she unveiled her latest collection featuring her hand drawn sketches of dogwood and butterflies etched on her ceramic lamps. These delicate beauties are priced at $800 and can be purchased from Clio in Soho, Nest Interiors in Chelsea, and Show in LA. You can also purchase directly from Lisa Goldberg through her website www.lightenupdesign.com
It was nice to see some familiar faces at the show this year. The girls from Decoradar, Elisheva Bieroff and Jennifer Smith released East, the 3rd of their mural paint kit series. The kit includes everything you need to paint a whimsical cherry blossom vine on your wall: paint, a brush, stencil, and artificial blossoms. The East paint kit and the first two, South and North are available at www.decoradar.com for $50 each.
Also at hand at the show was Jenny Argie of Argington, the very stylish and modern childrens furniture company. She wanted to give a shout out to AT and let everyone know that her collection has expanded to include a toy box, a booster seat, a toddler bed, and a twin trundle bed. She also emphasized that she paid attention to the feedback that she received from the AT community when she was featured a year and a half ago and now all the furniture pieces are made from Baltic birch plywood allowing for much lower price points. Check out Argingtons aesthetically pleasing but very functional childrens furniture at www.argington.com
Copyright © 2007 Apartment Therapy
I was pretty unimpressed with the show in general. I'm looking forward to ICFF, though. I was rather surprised with the Zia Priven Lighting. I thought it would look nicer in person (I'd seen it in HOME magazine before) but it looked sort of cheap. I'm sure they're nice people, but I wouldn't spend that sort of money (so much!) for lights that looked a little too "hand made" if you know what I mean.
That said, I'm really looking forward to ICFF!
Anneliese :)
That is surprising, Anneliese. I find their lighting to be of superior quality. I am an interior designer for a very reputable firm in NY and have worked with Zia-Priven many times in the past. I have always found the quality to be exceptional.
We are currently specing their lighting for a very large, high profile hotel, so I personally went to the show with my associates to see the new line. We were overwhelmed with the beauty and quality. In fact we decided on the spot to go with them for the new project, hands down.
We had to practically fight our way into the booth, simply because it was so crowded with people, oohing and aahing. I did not hear one person mention anything about it looking "cheap". Just compliment after compliment.
Did you know that the metal work done on their lighting is made by the same Master craftsman that does all of Campion Platt's lighting? He happens to be one of the biggest and most influential Architects in the business known for his master of design and quality (and extremely high prices). There was nothing "handmade" about it. My clients would never stand for that.
And, yes, they do happen to be very nice people. Always a pleasure to work with and always willing to go beyond the norm to make their clients happy. They have always exceeded our expectations, which are extremely demanding.This is why I feel the need to step up and defend them.
It seems rather peculiar that you would single them out, out of all the companies at the show. Yet, not a single mention about anyone else, very strange. I suspect you have some sort of ulterior motive to make such a ridiculous comment.
I am a big Zia Priven fan. We're arranging to interview them, the interview will be posted on my blog early next week. They are a great group of people and their lighting is unique and fun!
I didn't attend the Brooklyn Designs show so I appreciate the coverage, Christine - the virtual tour is great!
Holly
Andrea Claires lighting looks a lot like the work of Dutch designer, Nicolette Brunklaus.
www.brunklaus.nl/
Holly
Love, love, love Zia Priven! Gorgeous and well made- own one of their pendants and love it more each day, everyone comments on it! Can't wait to read the interview on decor8- Holly, love your site too.
jennifer
Thank you Jennifer - what a nice thing to say. I do my best!
I'm very excited to feature Zia Priven, and flattered that they agreed to the interview. Their designs are exquisite. They are going to be at the ICFF, space 936. I won't be there, but if anyone reading this is going, you should visit their display.
Oh, before I go, I plan to post the Zia Priven interview on either May 24 or 25, so please visit my blog on those dates to check it out.
Here's their website if anyone is interested in viewing more of their quality lighting.
http://www.ziapriven.com
Best,
Holly
Great review, Chris.
I think my favorites are the Troy chandelier, Twilight Plum, and Kohana.
The Troy chandelier looks fun, and it certainly can draw a lot of attention in a room. Although the design is not the traditional "classic," what makes a classic is, of course, You. I think what did it for me is the picture on Zia Priven website, with a HUGE (ten foot) Troy chandelier! I liked it! How was the rest of the Zia Priven showcase?
In picture, I am a bit weary about the Babylon highchair, because it looks like it may have no base support to prevent tilting on the side.
I liked the grain of the Side Table, but my first impression of the design gave me the chills because I think it reminded me of an arachnid. Setting my transient pseudo-phobia aside, it is a cute table.
Thanks for your kind comments,Holly. I had a blast going to the Brooklyn Design Show. Anyway, I'm a big fan... I'm so addicted to your blog.
Christine