Design Maiami 2011 - Preview

Design Maiami  2011 - one of the most important events presenting the best in modern and contemporary design starts tomorrow. As always, we are going to see some very interesting new designs and new implementations of already seen projects.

Left - part of Oak Inside exhibition. Designer Christien Meindertsma combines time-honored craft techniques with a new way of looking at traditional patterns and form. Using traditional techniques and by treating the wood with iron, Meindertsma created new color ranges and patterns interpretations that gave a whole new dimension to the Hindeloopen style.

Frank Lloyd Wright Table Presented By Mark McDonald Gallery at Design Miami/ 2011

All Ambiq By Patricia Urquiola Presented By Venice Projects At Design Miami/ 2011

Mark McDonald Gallery, specializing in mid-twentieth century decorative arts, including jewelry and furniture, has its deput  The gallery this December at Design Miami.

Crafts fashion for yourself and for your home

I like handmade decoration - it always shows personality and individuality of the interior. The same is with fashion - we cannot always make it with our hands, but artists' hands and imagination  that we have chosen speak of our tastes and give a hint  for our personality. That si why the craft trend in interior design so popular. I have found some great ideas by Marie Claire Idées - both, for your homes and for yourself:

Fall fashion - for yourself and for your home

As I have posted many times, fashion and interior design appear to be very much connected, especially in the last years. A fresh proof about that follows.

Couture & Casual: it’s the mix that counts! - this is the what - the autumn show in Frankfurt which opens tomorrow -  predicts to be the one of the most important trends:

"for the autumn/winter season, 2011/2012 – elegance meets cosiness, high-end meets casualness. Homes styled from top to bottom are a thing of the past. Today, it’s the blend that counts. The designer sofa is shown off to best effect next to a side table from the flea market. And why not combine cool materials, such as stainless steel, aluminium and leather, with knitted fabrics, wool or felt?"

The same trend appears in autumn fashion collections. too:

Akris - designer Albert Kriemler

(photos above from VOGUE)


And another trend - PURPLE again!

The September issue of American VOGUE Kate Moss wears a gorgeous purple Alexander McQueen dress. It is considered by many that it sets the tone for what to expect every Fall.

And one more

Purple Reigns in Interior Design for several years already and it obviously continues to be popular and loved by many designers, decorators and style-conscious home owners.  

"Purple Power - From aubergine to amethyst, this dynamic color can transform a space in surprising ways" writes ELLE Decor 

left - design by Jamie Drake











 below - dining room of decorator Amy Fine Collins

The image above illustrates also very well the trend about 'the mix that counts!" 
I like the freedom of mixing styles and materials, as long as it is done with knowledge and good taste and think that this trend will continue to be popular because it shows quite well the contemporary style of life and way of thinking. What do you think?

Clever recycling for better living

Recycling is one of the major trends in design and characteristic of our lives today. But it is important how do we recycle - is it worth the efforts, are the results good enough?  One great example of efficient and really useful way of recycling is what RubberRecyle are doing with their rubber mulch product - in an effort to preserve the environment, Rubberecycle manufactures a unique rubber granule product recycled from 100% scrap tires.
We can't just throw a tire away and we don't want them in land fills.And we all do our best to secure safe conditions for living and play for our children. But did you know that 90% of playground structures are considered unsafe? And it's largely due to inadequate and poor surfaces.This where Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch is most useful - available in a variety of vibrant colors, it cushions falls and minimizes dangerous playground impacts. It is safe, economical, long-lasting, loved by children and their parents and most importantly, environment-friendly - Playground Mulch tire chips conform to all CPSC safety guidelines and has earned ADA approval, making playgrounds safe for our children while preserving the environment. It is claimed to be the safest playground surfacing and is guaranteed to last a lifetime!
This is definitely a clever way of recycling that is worth the efforts and makes our life better. And it is obviously considered a good choice for the White House playground, too - have a look:

Rubber Mulch Playground at the White House

One of the most beautiful rugs collection at this year's Maison et Objet

can be seen at the Nanimarquina booth Hall 8 F36. Its name is Losanges collection by Studio Bouroullec.

We have always been captivated by the traditional Persian rug, especially by the very old kilim savoir-faire which we see as a delicate mix of rusticity and fineness. We have been lucky to see this project carried through by the craftsmen of Northern Pakistan who managed to skillfully combine thirte

en colors through the geometrical rhombus shape. As well as being crafted by hand, the Afghan wool is also spun by hand, which allows for some unique color tones to be highlighted. This subtly random technique makes each lozenge slightly different and each rug, a unique piece.

 Have a look and enjoy!

>>

Interior Design Trends 2011

Doubleface by Florian Hauswirth (Postfossil photography/Nici Jost)

Are you curious to know what do the new trends for the 2011 look like? Have some brief impression from what I have found:
According to Heimtextil Trend there will be four trend topics: 

Sobriety – a return to the essential and traditional

- short-lived, seasonal trends end and consistent value begins; the new consumer landscape is characterised by quality, longevity, sustainability and significance. Designers are researching forgotten skills and traditional craftsmanship is making a comeback;

- Serenity, Classic Modernity and Minimal Luxury trends are also part of this topic.

Mix Mash combines the high-tech with craftsmanship, new with old

UTILITY - For Utility Lux designers have taken their inspiration from standardizsed industry and commercial fitments to create a refined look.Function is first.

Industrial Facility’s
Dryerhair

Wilderness – back to where we came from
One of the best examples is TreeHotel - Treehouses in woodland setting!

Add caption

And now - Color of the Year for 2011: PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle
A dynamic reddish pink, Honeysuckle is encouraging and uplifting. It elevates our psyche beyond escape, instilling the confidence, courage and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life.I like it! And expect that it will be more popular than this year's turquoise.

















More trends and examples will follow soon - visit regularly.






I am curious - what are your thoughts?