Steven Alan Home Shop

Earlier this week we stopped by the new Steven Alan Home shop in Tribeca, and absolutely loved it. From candles and tea to blankets and towels, there is really a great selection of home products and gift items. We also really loved the West Coast feel of the store, and that the majority of products are made either on the West Coast or in Brooklyn.

(all images via stevenalan.com)

The Wool House Exhibition:

Just before Easter we were excited to see the Wool House exhibition at Somerset House, London.  This exhibition was created by an organisation, called the Wool Campaign, which was launched by Prince of Wales to bring the awareness of the wool industry.

This particular showcase, focusing on the use of wool for interiors, fashion, and crafts, has demonstrated the diversity of this material through texture, colour, and finishes. Wool is a natural and sustainable fibre that offers us great quality.

There were so many great designers that had stand-out interior installations. Josephine Ryan’s “Natural Room” really had a balance of traditional crafts and artisan elements. Anne Kyyro-Quinn’s “Modern Room” had a modern twist to wool with its bold, vibrant colors and intricate finishes; such as felted wool and manipulated wool to create three-dimensional surfaces. Donna Wilson’s “Nursery” installation used her quirky cushions and blankets to create and fantastical ambience perfect for any child’s room.

Architectural Digest Home Design Show

Last Friday we went to the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, which was packed. We haven’t seen crowds like that in a long time. There was a great high energy vibe. Here are two of our favorite companies that were at the show:

Fiyel Levent Atelier is pleased to introduce their newest collection, the Hikari Lamps, that reference both the past and present of Japanese art and design. The five intricately patterned pieces are made from laser-cut paper, custom machined brass hardware and metallic cords.
According to company founder and head designer, Fiyel Levent, “The continued use of paper is reminiscent of old world and new world Japanese design. The work of the mid-century Japanese artists Shigeru Ban, Noguchi and Japanese-American sculptor Ruth Asawa, as well as my own travels and studies served as inspiration for the patterns I created for the lamps.
Locally made in Brooklyn, NY, the patterns for the Hikari lamps designed by hand with ink, and then the paper is laser-cut. The metallic cords were specially chosen to complement the brass hardware.  Available as a ceiling pendant or a table lamp that can sit on a table or hang on a wall hook.

Oborain, maker of the first modern pre-fab outdoor shower, has launched its newest design, the Cove.  Unlike the company’s original design, the Fjord, this piece comprises of Cedar clapboard, inspired by the traditional beach houses found up and down the Eastern seaboard.  As with the rest of the collection, the Cove shower is hand-crafted in Massachusetts.  It is available in a number of sizing options, incorporates the highest quality stainless steel frames, an Ipê or Ash shower deck and is offered with either a Hansgrohe Croma Green shower pipe or Axor Citterio Thermostatic shower pipe.
Since its launch last year, Oborain has shown a desire and commitment to using sustainable materials as much as possible.  With that, in addition to the standard Dark Red Meranti, they are now offering the Fjord with bamboo cladding and sustainably harvested American Ash shower decking for a more eco-friendly shower package.

Abbot Kinney in Venice, CA…

Abbot Kinney is home to LA’s most eclectic retail scene, with its laid back, Californian vibe, it houses a great mix of independent designers and off beat labels, all with a passion for design: Here is our list of favorites from a recent weekend trip:

A&R

Leading interior brands, with great modern design, are housed together in this bustling bright store. We loved the Pantone range of folding chairs and the great gift selection including Hay and Clara von Zweigbergk’s Keleido Trays.

Colcha

Sue Cowie has been in business with Colcha for 8 years. Well put together, with a friendly feeling, the store has a great mix of bespoke/art pieces and favorites like John Robshaw and Roberta Roller Rabbit. There is also a great pillow wall, decorative accessories, furniture, and art.

MilkMade

Fantastic lifestyle store, MILKMADE, is a select shop that “seeks out the most exciting and relevant creative movements & makers in lifestyle, fashion, and design”. Just up a few steps, this little haven had a very considered collection of fashion and lifestyle items for the well turned out. Our favorite was a denim Remi Relief  hooded parka with a floral lining, genius.

The Stronghold

Walking into Stronghold reminded us of walking onto the set of Broadwalk Empire. Originally a work-wear brand, revived in 2006, Stronghold still manufactures all of its products in the U.S.  Standing for quality and authenticity, Stronghold stocks the house label as well as an edited collection of classic US brands like Pendleton, Russell Moccasins, White’s Boots, American Optical sunglasses, and Stetson hats.

FireFly

This very busy lifestyle store had an urban feel and demographic, housing a little bit of everything. It is definitely worth a look inside.

Tortoise General Store

This amazing Japanese housewares and concept store is a must see, we spent hours in there looking at the carefully considered and curated items on sale. Dedicated to introducing and exhibiting works by Japanese artists, or artists using traditional Japanese techniques, TGS has a wonderful atmosphere of respect for craft and function.

Chariots on Fire

Just having opened in December, this stunning and selective store houses jewelry, ceramics, and is expanding into home with Apothecary; a mixture of local and international artists and designers. The curating was excellent here.

Will Leather Goods

Established by the Adler family, Will Leather Goods creates “handcrafted, timeless leather-goods of extraordinary beauty, durability and functionality…respecting the excellence and integrity of American Authenticity.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves- amazing product!

General Store

This was definitely one of the favorites. With a great So-Cal feel, General Store is a contemporary life style store housing organic, natural, and locally supportive, product lines from local designers and artists. A great selection of books, fashion, home, and bath products can all be found displayed on long tables in their airy light store: Terrariums, mixtapes, textiles from Rachel Craven & StudioPatro,  rattan baskets, some wonderful up-cycled vintage, tie dyed blankets, leather handmade sandals and baggu bags, Lostines boards, We wanted everything.

New York International Gift Fair 2013:

Walking the gift fair this last week was inspiring as ever, also humbling seeing how many smaller designers have made it through the recession and are still able to wow us and reinvent in so many ways. Here’s our view, if you are not mentioned and you know we love you, sorry, there is just so much to fit in:

Aesthetic Movement had a great stand this season, very busy which was great to see as ever.  Their jewelry selection was amazing and Virginia Johnson’s new ranges were brilliant,  we had to tear ourselves away to focus on home….Teroforma, Chilewich and of course the much loved Bellocq get a big thumbs up.
Klein Reid had amazing new decorative pieces, with walnut and porcelain, they were stunning, clever and we all want a piece for our birthdays.
Love thy Beast utilitarian dog accessories were one of our distractions too, clever uses of cardboard and stripes, great combo!
As always, John Derian’s stand was amazing.  The merchandised combinations show retailers how to really do it properly. Areaware’s Jacob Wasserman, hit the nail on the head with his new “Made in the USA “ Star Spangled Spatula. And Harry Allen continued to inspire with wit and kitsch charm. AKMD’s stunning origami bowls in brass were on show at American Design Club’s booth. Rifle Paper Co’s stand was so beautiful.  The range has expanded and is as on brand and as beautiful as ever, we want it all. Lostine’s American made, cutting boards were lovely, we adore their new pieces. Coral and Tusk had a terrific expanded line of product on show, including new badges and stationary. And last but certainly not least John Robshaw’s booth, as always, was so inspiring and a lesson to all those out their trying to do a similar thing, this man is the master!

(all images taken from instagram)