Tuesday, July 3, 2012

learning from history

Historically we are a nostalgic society. Throughout the course of human progress and advancements in industry and technology we still hold onto the past while looking forward. The Ancient Romans borrowed from Greece when building their empire, the European Renaissance looked to Greco-Roman history when creating new cities and art, and the founders of the United States turned to classical Greece when designing the Capitol Building.

Today, in every city you can find newly developed high-end residential towers where apartments have interior details with crown molding, baseboards, and wainscots – details that have been around in the

since colonial times. The presence of these details in an expensive condo apartment is meant to represent history, a better time, a sense of class, a by gone era that we only can imagine and make attempts to connect with while finding a place to install our new smart tv and iPhone accessible security system.

Dining room at George Washington's home in Mt. Vernon, Virginia.

Historical colors are another way of connecting with the past while designing new spaces.

Historical residence in Brooklyn, NY .

The presence of Corinthian columns refers back to ancient Rome and culture.

A newly developed residential lobby decorated with ornate greco-roman details.

We can also replicate these ornate details in our existing homes by making a visit to Lowe’s where all sizes and designs are available for us to purchase and attach to our walls.

The downside is that we can get a bit over board with the decorative details.

In colors we see paint companies offering color lines such as “Historical Colors” from Benjamin Moore or the historical colors offered at Farrow & Ball. Color is a simple and inexpensive way to update room and to have a variety of colors to test.

Farrow & Ball

Colors from Benjamin Moore

Our nostalgia also extends to furniture and furniture design today still refers to history for ideas, a connection to the past and relevancy. Furniture that is called “modern” for the most part isn’t new. The ever popular Egg Chair by Arne Jacobsen has been replicated many times over and can be purchased from a legitimate dealer or as a reproduction under another name.

The Egg Chair available from Fritz Hansen

The "Copenhagen Chair" available from Restoration Hardware.

The chandelier once graced only the homes of the wealthy and can now be found in varying forms from historical reproduction to contemporary and range in prices for different budgets.

1920s bronze chandelier in the Baroque style from 1stdibs.

Plywood black lacquered chandelier with 21 light bulbs (15 watts each) by Piet Hein Eek.

The use of colors and materials can “update” a classic look, making it more suitable for present living. Instead of bronze metal, plywood can be used and the end result can be a new idea based on historical reference. New technology such as improved lighting quality and energy efficiency also plays a role in how we design.

History is the reference, and adaptation is the creative direction. Whether a design appeals to everyone or just one, historically we have been borrowing ideas and presenting them in new interpretations since the beginning of recorded western history. Modernism got rid of the tradition of ornaments and focused on craftsmanship and truth to materials. Present day "modern" design picks up where the early modernists left off, using color and materials as the canvas and design to communicate concept.

Light fixture by Lindsey Adelman

Wiggle side chair by Frank Gehry

Wishbone chair by Toby Howes

Balloona side table (table made of 500 balloons) by Natalie Kruch

Chair by Zaha Hadid

Fractured coffee table by Matthew Hilton

Cluster chandelier by Iacoli & McAllister

Additional links:

D for Decorator by Steven Heller: http://maharam.com/stories/9

Elle Decor "Color Lessons from the past" : http://www.elledecor.com/image/tid/5747?pause=0&page=5

Arne Jacobsen: http://www.arne-jacobsen.com/en/arne-jacobsen.aspx

Sunday, June 17, 2012

knitting circles

The craft of knitting has been practiced from as early as the first millennium in ancient Egypt as a way to create textiles and clothing. Hand knitting eventually fell out of fashion with the arrival of man-made knitting machines, capable of producing large volumes at a quick pace. But the craft of making something by hand and hand-knitting would come back in fashion in several waves, including times of war such as during WWII and most recently in the early years of the 21st century.

Yarn is the most commonly thought of material to be used when we talk about knitting. Sweaters, scarves, hats, and blankets come to mind when we're thinking of someone knitting. But the craft of knitting is a weave of loops to create rows of stitches. These stitches can be guided to create patterns, effects, and shapes that can be used to for various applications. The material used will have a part in the texture of the weave and the overall effect of the finished design.

Knitted furniture is not dowdy or boring. With materials, texture of the weave and color, a knitted ottoman can be an interesting addition to the home.

CB2 offers this knitted ottoman in several colors (blood orange, graphite, and pool blue), 18"dia x 14"h. The cover is 100% cotton with a dense pellet fill and sell for $89.95.

A play in a traditional pattern is a fun way of remembering history and applying it to a modern life. This ottoman is 23 1/2"dia. x 12"h, designed by Donna Wilson and made from 100% lambs wool in the traditional Fair-Isle technique. The filler is made from recycled plastic bottles. It's offered by Design Within Reach for $585.

A knitted rug can also offer texture to your floor while keeping with its utilitarian function.

This is a close up of a cable rug offered by Room and Board. Made from 100% hand woven wool in several sizes and colors.

Some deconstructed approaches to knitting and furniture pieces can be found in the newspaper yarn creations by Studio Greetje van Tiem.

Architecture firm Tezuka Architects deconstructs the weave and the principle of knitting with their design of Woods of Net at the Hakone Open Air Museum. The outer structure is "woven" from wood timbers and traditional wood joints. The interior space comprised of a colorful woven net allowing for an interactive and engaging space.

And some artists have used the craft of knitting to create works for reaction and dialogue.

Artist Agata Olek takes crocheting to another level through her performance piece/installation of crocheted interiors, objects, and people.

And let's not forget the Knitted House at the 2006 London Architecture Biennial. Over scaffolding, a group of women knitted together various garbage bags, shopping bags, and rope.

Phat Knits by Bauke Knottnerus are large scale knits for interiors. Made from thick ropes of thread that are hand knitted with the use of two "needles" and the work of two people.

You can see a video on how they're made here.

For additional information on knitting and knitted designs:

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/search?includes%5B0%5D=tags&q=knitted+ottoman&ref=related&page=1

Imaginary Office: http://www.imaginaryoffice.se/?page_id=11

Claire-Anne O'Brien: http://claireanneobrien.com/index.php?/work/knit-stools/

Dezeen: http://www.dezeen.com/2007/10/21/yarn-from-old-newspapers-by-greetje-van-tiem/

Stitch 'n Bitch: http://stitchnbitch.org/

Lion Brand Yarn: http://www.lionbrand.com/

Textiles Art Center: http://www.textileartscenter.com/