One of the coolest debuts at the dwell on Design Conferences and Exhibition in Los Angeles last month (June 7-8) is hopefully going to set future trends for economical, eco-friendly housing. HOM Escape in Style is a line of home design products created by top-notch designers, who reimagined the concept of manufactured houses and the accompanying furnishings, lighting, textiles and accessories.

The HOM designers wanted to usher a connection with nature in a way that was cost-effective, low-impact on the environment and stylish. It is difficult to call these residences “pre-fab” because there is such an incredible focus on the craft and materials used.

Furthermore, these residences are not just slapped together from sub-standard materials in a factory in China, but rather carefully built and transported by expert teams in North America (thus eliminating the extensive carbon footprint transportation cost across the ocean).

There are three different models:
1,000 square foot, 2 bedroom/2 bathroom
2,000 square foot, 3 or 4 bedroom/3 bathroom
3,600 square foot, 4, 5 or 6 bedroom/4 bathroom

Lead time is only 3 to 4 months from time of purchase, and you can purchase one for the reasonable price of $200/square foot (depending on options). Additionally, the factory process means equals a more environmentally conscious end product than traditional construction, and also limits the waste, material and labor requirements of traditionally built houses.

The concept of living lightly on the land, with style, and close to nature, is further emphasized by the additional accessories and custom finishes, including furniture lighting, textiles and accessories made from natural, non-toxic and sustainably-derived materials.

Designed to sit lightly in the environment the homes incorporating a foundation system that doesn’t affect the natural terrain, and offers homeowners flexibility to move the HOM to another site.

At this point you may guess that I am incredibly enthusiastic about this type of housing option for the market, simply because I have seen way too many ugly, sad and depressing tract homes sprawling across the cities, towns and suburbs of our country.

It is time that designers of affordable homes begin to take responsibility for crafting more sustainable residences that tread lightly on the land while offering a connection to the outdoors. Living in a comfortable, good looking home shouldn’t just be reserved for the privileged, it is a right for all.

–Kate Bailey

Technorati Tags: HOM, Dwell on Design Conference 2008, best prefab, affordable housing, well-designed prefab homes, affordable sustainable homes, new HUD housing

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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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On Sunday, the weather cooperated a bit and I made it over to Brooklyn to attend The Fourth Annual Renegade Craft Fair. Started in Chicago by crafter Sue Daly, this fun show took place at the McCarren Park Pool in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood. (additional shows will be held later this year at Chicago’s Wicker Park and at Fort Mason’s Festival Pavilion in San Francisco) Brooklyn’s event featured handcrafted goods from over 200 talented and completely creative craftsters.

A little bit of everything was at the show. For the fashionistas, there was a lot of jewelry, plenty of totebags, and multitudes of clever t-shirts and onsies. Always a sucker for letterpress, I took the opportunity to stock up on cards and stationery.

Designs ranged the gamut, but one big trend was owls and birds–the passion for these feathered friends just doesn’t seem to be ending.

Here are some of my favorite decorative finds:

handcrafted and handpainted Glazed Porcelain Plates from kg+ab

Custom Printed Window Shades by Addie Gartland of Drink and Dream

ted lights: custom tea lights available in singles or groups from domestic construction

Kitsch-Plates—switch plate covers, tissue box covers, and night lights découpaged by hand with vintage wallpaper by Fondue Art + Design

Letterpress Photo Mats by Sycamore Street Press

These are great–you adhere your photo to the mat, cut your mat to the desired size, and frame.

Typographic Neighborhood Posters by Jenny Beorkrem of Ork Posters

Jenny currently has designs from New York, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. This blue and white one is soon going to be hanging on my wall!

Just a few other things that really made me smile:

Handprinted Vintage Hankies by Bird & Banner -they even do custom invitations printed on hankerchiefs!

Needle Felted Birds handcrafted by Lauren Alane—So cute!

colorful Straw Flower Jewelry made with vintage craft straw by Cathy of California

handcrafted Tin Bird from Bossa Nova Baby

And, one of my very favorite things was this clever Postcard Machine:

Watch her piece on You Tube to see how it works. Hilarious!

Most of these clever crafters sell their pieces through Etsy, a great website that provides a marketplace for all things handmade. Visit their website and spend some time exploring the offerings of hundreds of creative folks. You’ll be amazed!

—Jennifer Kopf

Technorati Tags: Renegade Craft Fair, handmade, craftsters, crafting, letterpress, Brooklyn, Etsy, wall art

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It’s getting hot out there…really hot if you live on the East Coast, blazing hot if you live on the West Coast, and, unless you are situated in the far reaches of Alaska, then you know that the next few months bring very little reprieve. What’s a girl to do?
Central air conditioning is only truly necessary in areas where the damp, muggy heat can quickly turn you into a sopping mess, within five minutes of getting dressed. For the rest of us, those who live in drier areas, a swamp cooler can often provide help, but they are not exactly stylish and can quickly ruin your decor.
My favorite alternative is a cool (no pun intended) contemporary ceiling fan. Not heavy, ornate wooden styles from the ’80s, but rather the latest renditions from some very talented designers. Many of the newer models are Energy Star certified, which means that you are helping to maintain a greener earth.

Cirque Ceiling Fan
G2Art.com
Price Upon Request
A gorgeous, sculptural piece with large and small blades and low energy consumption.

Artemis Ceiling Fan
G2Art.com
Price Upon Request
Winner of the Good Design award from the Chicago Athenaeum, the organic blade shape creates zero noise. The fan, designed by Mark Gajewski of G Squared, is crafted from recyclable materials.

Pensi
ModernFan.com
Price Upon Request
Spanish designer Jorge Pensi created a fan with minimal design and incredible performance. Part of the collection from The Modern Fan Company, the Pensi model reveals curved molded blades and an optional light.

Acero Fan
$345.00
RestorationHardware.com
Another winner of the Good Design award from the Chicago Athenaeum Museum, this retro-industrial style fan also includes a reverse direction to recirculate warm air during the wintertime.

Rocket Remote Fan
FanWorksOutlet.com
$653.00
I am a big fan (sorry I had to…pun intended) of retro design, so this is definitely one of my favorites. 1950s styling meets modern amenities such as remote control and integrated lighting

–By Kate Bailey

Technorati Tags: fans, stylish fans, ceiling fans, chic ceiling fans, Modern Fan Company, Restoration Hardware, G2Art, smart ceiling fans

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