Keith Haring pattern on wall tiles

Blik, a maker of self-adhesive surface graphics, is launching Keith Haring Pattern Wall Tiles, a new eco-friendly take on Haring's repeating patterns.

Best known for his iconic line-drawings of radiant babies and barking dogs, Haring was fascinated by complex surface pattern and startling color combinations. The launch of the wall tiles is timed with the opening of Keith Haring: 1978-1982 at the Brooklyn Museum.

The pattern moves across two 28" x 48" tiles. The tiles are self-adhesive (no messy glue required), movable, reusable and eco-friendly (free of both PVC's and phthalates.)

Completely customizable, the wall tiles can be cut, crafted and arranged in a number of ways. Create an accent over a sofa or frame a small section of a wall, or add more tiles to the design to recreate the mural environment.

NY gift show honors four exhibitors

Four companies exhibiting in Accent on Design at the New York International Gift Fair were recognized for excellence, innovation and creativity in product design. Accent on Design runs through Thursday, Aug. 18, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

“Across product categories, these Accent on Design participants have incorporated superlative design qualities which stand above an already impressive collection,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president. “These products combine form and function with exemplary design.”

The following Accent on Design Awards were presented for Excellence in Product Design, Best Booth Presentation and Best Collection.

Excellence in Product Design:Flux (Amsterdam, Netherlands) for Flux Chair, weighing less than 10 pounds and available in eight colors, the Flux Chair supports 300 pounds and takes furniture to the 21st century with a clever combination of the practical advantages of foldable furniture and the looks of a classic design chair.  


Excellence in Product Design:Alessi (New York, NY) for Tèo, an innovation on the typology of the tea spoon, in addition to its normal function, the 18/10 stainless steel Tèo makes it possible, after tea is ready, to remove the bag from the cup and gently squeeze it, pulling it up through the hollow handle. 

Best Booth Presentation:Mio (Philadelphia, PA) for its wall to ceiling booth presentation made of its own environmentally and socially sustainable products including Paperforms, modular 3D wallpaper tiles made from recycled paper; Crystal Drop Ceiling modules made from recycled cardboard that provide a cost effective and dramatic solution for spaces that require suspended ceilings; and Nomad System, a modular architectural system made from recycled, double-wall cardboard that can be assembled into freestanding, temporary partitions without hardware, tools or damage to existing structures.  


Best Collection:Urban Butik (Montreal, Quebec) for the Born in Sweden collection which combines highly innovative design with simple product solutions. The collection includes a minimalist coat rack crafted from a single piece of rigid, powder coated steel; a streamlined, lockable mailbox in molded fiberglass features a separation lid inside that can be removed to increase storage capacity; and functional, practical and aesthetically pleasing watering cans made of 18-0 stainless steel.

The Accent on Design Summer 2011 Selection Committee members are: Miguel Calvo of Calvo.co; Ilene Shaw of Shaw + Co! Productions; Kathy Thornton-Bias of MoMA; Wilma Wabnitz of Wabnitz Editions; and Laura Young of Areaware. 

New contemporary wall designs are moderately priced

Nova introduced 19 competitively priced additions to its Art Studio collection of gallery-quality, three-dimensional wall sculpture during the Las Vegas Market this month. Starting as low as $99, the newest handcrafted additions – each signed and dated by the original artist – balance bold, colorful, retro and modern styles with more tonal, natural, metallic, contemporary/transitional designs.


These pieces, as well as many other lighting, home accent and wall décor designs, were seen in Nova's relocated and expanded space at the World Market Center, A-355. Some of the pieces in the new collection incorporate materials like glass and wood. In addition, a number of the new designs come in a set of three or four and have a variety of layout options. All of the new designs, including sets and individual pieces, can be hung vertically or horizontally.

Through recent acquisitions and ongoing product development, the company continues to expand its product line to include a complete lifestyle assortment of home accents and furnishings.

Serveware, barware, hostess gifts

Suzy Toronto Collection. New serveware designs from popular licensed artist Suzy Toronto includes tabletop for home entertaining, cosmetic bags, water bottles and gifts for girls of any age. Bright colors, fun patterns and humorous text are signature Suzy, applied to formats such as glasses, snack plates, platter, place card holder set, cosmetic bags, water bottles, luggage tags, pill boxes and credit/business card holders.

Wine & Vine. Contemporary barware, accessories and hostess gifts are exclusive designs by Midwest-CBK in-studio artists. Formats include glassware, snack plates, serving dishes, wine toppers, bar towels, cheese boards and markers, cork holder, cocktail and cheese picks and wine holder, featuring tongue-in-cheek phrases such as "Aged perfectly," "Cork it," "Wineaux," "Grape therapy," "Time to wine," "Wine a little, laugh a lot" and "Wine time.

Nature's Soul. Inspirational quotes and beautiful designs lift the spirit and soothe the soul. Style is contemporarly with brushed silver finish and designs made of metal, glass and canvas. Formats include ornaments/pins/charms (all in one), angel figurines, keepsake boxes, candle holders, wish and prayer stones, photo frames, night lights and wall crosses.

All are available from Midwest-CBK. The company has showrooms in Atlanta, Billerica, Mass., Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Seattle and Toronto. It also exhibits are regional shows.

Contemporary seating, dining tables

The Su Chaise (above) and the Butterfly Tables (below) are new to the Moderna Collection by Roberta Schilling. The company exhibited at the Atlanta gift show this month. The Roberta Schilling Collection is shown in Americasmart, Building 1, Showroom #9-C-7, 9 (ninth floor).

Contemporary dining room buffet

The Mole buffet, from Roberta Schilling's Moderna collection, is made of smooth metal, exotic woods, fine leather and delicate fibers. These materials are cut into clean lines and striking shapes. Find furniture and decorative accessories for the home in the Roberta Schilling showroom in Building 1, Floor 9, Showroom #9-C-7, 9 of Americasmart, Atlanta.

Magazine rack combines functionality and sophistication

Since its introduction of eco-friendly home décor products, Oceanstar Design Group Inc. has now launched a new line of functional yet modern looking magazine racks. The contemporary espresso-finishwooden magazine rack fits  into the modern home.

Made with bentwood, this magazine rack holds magazines and books, and can complement any living room, bathroom, office, family room or bedroom with its beautiful espresso finish. This magazine rack’s modern and sophisticated design, along with its storage functionality, makes it a very popular item as a home décor product or as a gift.

The magazine rack also has cut-out carry handles on each side for easy handling and transferring between places. It is said to be easy to assemble, with and no tools required.

Oceanstar Design Group is a manufacturer and distributor focusing on eco-friendly home décor and furnishing products, with the vision to help customers live green and provide home improvement and solution.

Decorative pillows in a finger-paint motif

Kevin O'Brien Studio has released its news Finger Paints pillow collection in hot pink, blue/green, mango, aqua and orange/turquoise. The 100% cotton pillows are available in sizes 14 inches by 20 inches, 18 inches by 18 inches and 22 inches by 22 inches. The pillows are printed onto a smooth cotton ground with no print on the back. They have piped edging, a zip closure and a feather/down insert included. The original artwork is by Kevin O'Brien's son, Valentine Thurman-O'Brien.

Contemporary nesting tables by Jason Phillips Design

The Treforma collection from Jason Phillips Design is inspired by objects and the way they reflect and transmit light. The color of objects is determined by the parts of the spectrum of light that are reflected without being absorbed. Secondary attributes like glossy, sheen, and translucency are made clear by the directional distribution of the reflected or transmitted light.

Treforma is a study of diffusion and scattering; where surfaces can change in many directions, without the change in inherent nature of the components. Three tables, formed by bending tinted glass, nest together to form a single unit. Dimensions range from 24 inches by 32 inches by 14 inches tall (small) to 54 inches by 32 inches by 18 inches tall (large).

Contempo plates based on 19th century Brooklyn prints

Click to enlarge

Last week, Think Fabricate launched a new line of transferware plates at 7 W New York Tabletop Week in Gallery on Six (Suite 604). Jason Gorsline, co-founder of Think Fabricate, said “Since our first collection of furniture included a wall-mounted display cabinet, it seemed fitting that we design a special group of plates to adorn the shelves and show our connection to Brooklyn, where we live and work.”
Each of the three transferware plates features a portion of a lithographic print by Currier and Ives dating back to 1879, showing a “balloon view” of Brooklyn with its south and west waterfront in the foreground. The three details from the map used on the plates illustrate the Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Heights and the Navy Yard with Wallabout Bay in the foreground. The reverse side of the each coupe-style plate depicts the Think Fabricate logo – a composition of two overlapping heads forming a light bulb.

The color of the plates is the same blue that is featured in the Think Fabricate logo. Susan Doban, co-founder of Think Fabricate, explains, “It’s a bit more intense and rich than a traditional Wedgewood blue, giving the historical imagery on the plates a more modern appearance. In our interior design and architectural projects, we often find that the right color can make an important impact and breathe new life into a historical space.” See Think Fabricate on Facebook.

Contemporary, RTA sofas shown at High Point market

Eurø Style, a high-fashion RTA wholesale furniture manufacturing company, unveiled a new sofa collection designed by well-known New York furniture designer Stanley Jay Friedman at the High Point Market. The Bella Sofa Collection’s distinctive looks combine comfort, function and style.
All Eurø Style product collections are available from the company's U.S. warehouse or by container direct from the factory.
Director of product development and president Trig Liljestrand says, “Stan’s passion for quality and craftsmanship coupled with his firm understanding of the Eurø Style brand makes him our ideal partner – we believe the Bella Collection will become a staple in the new smaller living spaces.”
Eurø Style is a wholesale ready-to-assemble (RTA) furniture company with factories in Italy and East Asia. The company’s high-style products are sold at promotional and medium price points.

2010 ICFF EDITORS AWARDS

press release

NEW YORK, NY, MAY 16, 2010 The much-anticipated 2010 ICFF Editors Awards were bestowed in 16 categories. The ICFF Editors Awards Ceremony took place during the 22nd annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) tonight at the ICFF Exhibitors Reception at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. This year's ICFF Editors Awards Committee: Arlene Hirst, Anniina Koivu of Abitare, Jessica Johnson of Azure, Stefano Casciani of Domus, Sam Grawe of Dwell, Gilda Bojardi of Interni, Chantal Hamaide of Intramuros, Susan S. Szenasy of Metropolis, Benjamin Kempton of Wallpaper*.

The winners circle:

Body of Work
Blu Dot, Booth 1808

New Designer
Objeti, LLC, Booth 1657
Studio Dunn, Booth 1972

Craftsmanship
Cocochi Design, Booth 832

Furniture
Mabeo, Booth 1112

Seating
Arper spa, Booth 1406

Carpet and Flooring
Ardeco Interier Sro, Booths 1166, 1372

Lighting
Peter Stathis & Virtual Studio, Booth 2542

Outdoor Furniture
Snow Peak, Inc., Booth 1400

Materials
Triple Pin Blue Denim Tiles presented by Material ConneXion, Inc., Booth 1348

Wall Coverings
Timorous Beasties, Booth 1236

Accessories
Kikkerland Design, Inc., Booth 1836

Textiles
Dana Barnes Design, Booth 1767

Kitchen and Bath
Axor, Booth 1704

Multiple Production
Tom Dixon, Booths 1804, 1900, 2000

Design School
MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art), Booth 1178

Booth
Molo, Booth 1204

The ICFF is produced and managed by GLM, LLC. Metropolis sponsors the ICFF. International sponsors include: Abitare, Domus, Frame, Interni, Intramuros, and Wallpaper*. The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA), and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) provide approval.

Contemporary portable lamps with red, black shades

Nova’s Brim floor and table lamps have bright-red shades and brushed-aluminum finishes. The table lamp is 28 inches tall an includes a 14-inch by 14-inch by 10-inch V shade. The floor lamp is 62 inches tall. Each design takes a 100W bulb and features a 3-way rotary switch.

The Brim Arc lamp is 81 inches tall, with a 76-inch span. It has a white marble base, a brushed aluminum stem with a three-way rotary switch and a red shade.

The Ibis Arc lamp comes in red and black. It is 85 inches tall with a 66-inch span. It includes a foot dimmer switch.

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Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.

Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.

Elegant table lamp

At the High Point market, Selva introduced its Philipp Selva Home Lighting collection of portable lamps and fixtures. Selva Co., founded in 1968, also carries bedroom, dining, occasional and accent upholstery furniture. Based near Verona, Italy, the company has a distribution center in High Point, N.C.

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Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.
Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer or designer to order this item for you.

Furniture from award-winning designer

Jason Phillips of The Phillips Collection was named product designer of the year in the 2010 ARTs Awards competition. A sample of his designs is below.

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Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.

Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer or designer to order this item for you.

Contemporary furniture

New furniture from Roberta Schilling is made of smooth metal, exotic woods, leather and fibers. The pieces make up the Moderna collection.

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Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.

Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer or designer to order this item for you.