SPOTTED: BEYOND THE CROWDS AT WANTED DESIGN
Friday night's opening gala at Wanted Design (11th ave @ 28th St) was a swarm of activity, bodies and new design. The beau and I arrived shortly after the opening time and were faced with a mass of folks who intended to get inside as quickly as possible (either to get out of the cool temperatures or closer to the open bar, or both). The showcase was impressive, and featured a nice array of designers presenting everything from bathroom fixtures to re-purposed furniture, denim jean tailoring, jewelry, and more. My favorite items from the evening were furniture/interior pieces (typical) and moved me for various reasons.
One new wallpaper pattern from Jill Malek, Voyageur, is a representation of flight patterns across the US. Stunning in its busy-ness, the yellow-gold hue lends a fun, mod personality to it, which I think could work really well in a variety of interiors, especially a child's room or workspace. www.jillmalek.com
I was moved by the simplicity and forms of the Secto design pendants, which are handmade in Finland. Simple and natural in their state, these birch lights immediately reminded me of hoop skirts and french panniers. I find the form appealing, and think this style would work wonderful in over a long dining table in a farm kitchen. www.sectodesign.fi
Debra Folz, who hails from Boston, introduced items from her Pleat collection, including stools and chairs. According to her video, she intended to create structures that celebrate the fabrics upon them. She mentioned that the fabrics are polyester, are pleated in Paris, and treated to be stain resistant which I think would need to be a necessity for anyone in this day and age. www.debrafolz.com