We all have our addictions. My mother (an art quilter) has collected thousands of fabric swatches. My best friend, hundreds of pairs of shoes. My personal addiction is books–seemingly harmless, but terribly unfortunate when it is time to pack up and move apartments.

On this week’s Saturday-morning jaunt to my favorite bookstore (latte firmly in hand) I came across a compelling interior design book by Marnie Fogg, a lecturer in fashion and culture at the University of Nottingham in England. Couture Interiors , $35.00, Amazon.com, examines the relationship between catwalk fashion and architecture, interiors and home design products.

Fogg reveals how the fusion between fashion and interiors is the result of several modern constructs, including the speed of manufacture, consumers who are increasingly more literate in design vernacular, and the dissemination of ideas via magazines and the Internet. Today, trends in interiors change as quickly as the fashions that roll down the catwalks each season.

So what does all of this mean to you and me? Well, take a look in your closet, then look at your home. Do you see a common thread? If you favor a casual, preppy, East Coast vibe, are your interiors decked in dark, clean-lined modernist pieces? If so, consider throwing in a few more bright, classic accessories, you might discover that you feel more comfortable in your rooms.

Or, perhaps your wardrobe is filled with edgy, contemporary pieces in blacks, grays and neutrals. If your home has more flower prints than a Laura Ashley catalog, it might be time to rethink those pink, floral draperies.

In short, it is important that your home directly reflect your personality and lifestyle. If not then you might as well be a guest in someone else’s house. The expression of your personal aesthetic is important, because if you don’t feel at comfortable in your rooms, then you will never feel relaxed. And, after all, what is home for other than maintaining a genuine reflection of happiness?

–By Kate Bailey

Technorati Tags: Couture Interiors by Marnie Fogg, interior design books, fashion and interior design, fashionable interiors, new interior design books, fashion and interior design, fashion design

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The folks at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia are at it again—those talented designers never seem to stop. (I’m a big fan of the Martha Stewart Collection at Macy’s. If you haven’t seen it, it’s definitely worth a look. The tabletop is my favorite—you can never have too many white platters!) This time they’re introducing eight new lighting groups to their existing Martha Stewart Lighting collection. It’s the collection’s third set of introductions and includes mostly floor and table lamps.

As with most décor carrying the Martha name, many of the designs are based on some of her own favorite pieces. Inspiration also came from the American Beaux Arts movement and European architecture.

I always admire the attention to detail with any designs coming from this team and this new lighting is no exception. Classic lines and subtle design details combine for a sophisticated and versatile collection that would work well in a variety of settings. It’s also reasonably priced with prices starting at $99.

Here are a few more of the new lamps:

Martha Stewart Lighting is available at individual lighting and furniture galleries. Visit the Feiss website to view the entire collection or the Martha Stewart Omnimedia website for more information and local dealers.

—Jennifer Kopf

Technorati Tags: lighting, lamps, Martha Stewart, home decor

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I have discovered a favorite new website. Funky, fresh, crazy, groovy, weird, strange, and tchotchke-filled hiandlomodern.com has to be the best modern vintage places to shop in Cyber Space. Filled with some of the coolest, iconic designs from the 20th century, the site features ceramics, glass, metal, furnishings, art, fashion, gadgets, books…and so much more.

And, believe it or not, almost everything is affordable, and each item can be viewed at nearly full-page size so you don’t have to worry whether you are buying a damaged piece.
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There are too many favorites to name just one, but I know that you will find something unique and covetable for your home.

Happy Shopping!
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–By Kate Bailey

Technorati Tags: modern design, inexpensive vintage modern design, 20th century design, 20th century furnishings, vintage modern furnishings, vintage modern

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After spending several years writing about interior design, I have learned that lighting is one of the most important components of a room. The proper fixtures, placement and wattage, can create the perfect ambiance or ensure a total design disaster.

In my quest for artistic, interesting and funky lighting designs I came across the works of Dutch-born Nicolette Brunklaus, who was educated as an artist but eventually began designing interior products. In 1998 she established her label Brunklaus Amsterdam.

Her designs incorporate old themes into a new design language, creating objects that are both functional and poetic. Brunklaus notes that her inspiration “comes from imagery, scenes and stories I want to relate in my designs.” This inspiration can be seen in collections such as the Shady Tree Collection, and her popular Delight Shade Collection.

The latest collection from Brunklaus Amsterdam, Cycle of Life (which can only be viewed on her website at the moment), is “inspired by memories of the past and the way all objects go through a cycle of life.” She then shapes these memories into new forms and dimensions and translates them to innovative lighting fixtures as well as pillows (like her Yes No collection shown above), silk paintings, cushy ottomans, ceramics, and curtains.

Her pieces are truly unique and surprisingly affordable. I think you are going to love them!

–By Kate Bailey

Technorati Tags: Nicolette Brunklaus, unique lighting, art lighting, artistic home decor, unique home design, artistic objects, silk paintings, Kaboodle, Lekker Home, Dutch design, Dutch art

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This past Saturday I headed across the Brooklyn Bridge. Living in Manhattan, I don’t make this trip very often; but, every time I do, I’m reminded of Brooklyn’s fabulous offerings and I always promise myself I’ll get there more often. The purpose of my journey this time was the 6th annual BKLYN DESIGNS show held in Dumbo. As usual, this small and well-edited design show was filled with a nice selection of handcrafted, contemporary wares by those ever-creative Brooklynites. Throughout its 70 booths, designers and manufacturers exhibited everything from metallic wall coverings and concrete countertops to linen table runners and melamine platters. An additional bonus this year was the emphasis on sustainable design.

One of my favorite discoveries was Charlie C Brokate. It was Charlie’s drum lamps with graphic hand-painted patterns that first caught my eye, but it was his shades combining nostalgic images with those patterns that I really loved. Inspired by his love of vintage textiles, old photographs, and children’s book illustrations, Charlie layers his colorful gouache designs with his original pencil-drawn illustrations of images from photographs he finds at thrift stores. The results are modern and nostalgic all at once.

Get more information about Charlie and his lamps.

For an organic, contemporary look, I really liked this glass Dome lamp from glassblower and designer Williams Couig of furthurdesign. His earth-toned palette felt rich and sophisticated and the design would complement most surroundings.

Visit his site for additional lamp and pendant designs.

Check back Wednesday and Friday for more of my favorite finds from BKLYN DESIGNS.

— Jennifer Kopf

Technorati Tags: lamps, bklyn designs, dumbo, charlie c. Brokate, gouache designs, designer, modern, nostalgic, Dome lamp, glassblower, designer Williams Couig, furthurdesign, further design, new york, brooklyn

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