Tag: Ceramics

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Design Living Uncategorized

7 Chic French Designs to “Oh La La” Over this Holiday Season

As the holidays approach, design connoisseurs have more grounds to haunt their favorite shops without a twinge of guilt. It’s shopping in the spirit of giving, correct? Whether that giving might entail oneself is a discussion for another day. But this year, we are happy to note that Francophiles will be particularly excited. Emblem Paris—a collection of four French heritage brands—has recently opened its first U.S.-based store in Soho (​​171 Spring St #2fl). 

The intimate boutique space—inspired by a chic jardin in a Parisian hȏtel particulier—showcases the exceptional craftsmanship of the Emblem ateliers: Maison Taillardat, (the brand that tasked to create set pieces for Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette movie); Maison Craman-Lagarde, a marquetry specialist and master cabinetmaker; Vernaz & Filles, specialist in custom gold leaf work and historic restoration; and Manufacture des Emaux de Longwy, the oldest ceramic factory in France.

While we would love to focus on all four houses, we decided to spotlight our favorite holiday gifts from Emaux de Longwy. The history-laden brand’s enchanting savoir-faire when it comes to cloisonné enamel on faience, or glazed ceramic ware, is completely enamoring.

Boule Coloniale + Bougie (Lemon Insect Collection) by Michaël Cailloux
Inspired by 17th century still life’s and Art Nouveau naturalism, Michaël Cailloux created a fertile body of work that includes these finessed beauties.


Pot à Bougie by Nicolas Lequeux
Nicolas Lequeux’s “Art Decool” collection showcases stylized and geometric patterns inspired by the Art Deco period, laden with warm colors that recall the vibrancy of the summer months. It notes Emaux de Longwy’s first collaboration with the designer.

Chou Vase by Pierre Gonalons
With its swirl of sherbet hues and chic French craftsmanship, the Chou vase by Pierre Gonalons is a delightful gift for art and design lovers alike. Fun fact: The vase is currently on exhibit at the Hotel de Sully (a historic mansion) in Paris, making the gift even more splurge-worthy.

City of Stars by Lukas Works
City of Stars evokes the romantic essence of art and its creation, paying direct homage to the magic of Paris and its stars. The artists’ hope was to promote the people who tirelessly fight to inspire us all through the beauty of their work despite the pitfalls of their job.

 

The Little Prince Oeufs
“The Little Prince” and “The Little Prince and the Fox” decorative eggs not only make for chic stocking stuffers but they pay homage to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s beautiful, poetic tale, immortalizing it forever in enamel.


Decorative Candles
From left to right: The falling snow on a midnight blue background that adorns the Darksnow candle by Eric Hibelot was inspired by Japanese prints, specifically those of Hasui Kawase; The perfect gift for those who appreciate enamels, the Heritage candle features a traditional display of flowers enhanced by Longwy gold; The Happy Face candle by Nicolas de Waël is alluring in its simple, joyous nature.

Bishop Stool
The hand-enameled Bishop stool, which India Mahdavi recently festooned in a gorgeous pattern, is available in two colorways: Apple Blossom and PrimaDonna.

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Design Featured

10 Favorite Finds at Cersaie 2019: The Premier Destination for Ceramic Tiles

10 Favorite Finds at Cersaie 2019: The Premier Destination for Ceramic Tiles

Cersaie, the world’s largest exhibition of ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings held in Bologna, Italy each September, showcased miles and miles of product debuts. From ceramics made to look like wallpaper, to surface coverings made of incredibly innovative materials, to fresh twists on botanical patterns, inventive mosaics, Romanesque sculptural reliefs and more, this year’s show did not disappoint. Below, are a few of our favorite finds from Ceramics of Italy, a collective of more than 200 Italian manufacturers of ceramic tiles, sanitaryware and tableware that are members of the Confindustria Ceramica (the Italian Association of Ceramics).

Ceramica Vogue. Ceramic Tiles at Cersaie 2019
Ceramica Vogue.

Ceramica Vogue debuted a new glazed porcelain tile collection by architecture and interior design firm, Marcanta-Testa. Dekorami, a three-dimensional collection of tiles, consists of three different patterns employing geometric shapes for an Art Deco-esque appeal as well as one coordinating smooth field tile. 

Ceramica Bardelli. Ceramic Tiles at Cersaie 2019
Ceramica Bardelli.

One of our favorite new porcelain tile collections, Lines by Ceramica Bardelli, is simplicity at its finest. Available in only two sizes (23.6” x 23.6” and 23.6” x 47.2”), and two finishes, designers have a choice between a concrete-like look or a brick-like feel that recalls the texture and irregularities of handmade designs. A decorative version features a satin brass or steel inlay.

Ceramiche Brennero.
Ceramiche Brennero.

Ceramiche Brennero’s Mineral collection of iridescent porcelain stoneware was a showstopper. Produced in four different sizes with varying metallic effects, these tiles are perfect for contemporary spaces with a bit of an edge. Mineral is available in four luminous colors inspired by the sheen and tone of different metals.

Metamorfosi.
Metamorfosi.

The Metamorfosi collection of porcelain stoneware tiles from the eponymous company, offers designers a chance to be playful and create inventive installations. Designed by Stefania Fasciano, the dimensions and colors allow for a variety of expressive, eye-catching combinations suited to one’s taste and/or for one striking focal wall.

Francesco de Maio. Ceramic Tiles at Cersaie 2019
Ceramica Francesco De Maio.

Puntini, by Alessandro Mendini, was the last design project created by the late, iconic designer for Ceramica Francesco De Maio. The hand-decorated collection of colorful tiles offers a poetic, soul-like appeal that caters to whit and whimsy. The optical collection of tiles come in an 8” x 8” size and are suitable for application to both floors and walls.

Atlas Concorde, ultramarine Marvel Dream tiles.
Atlast Concorde.

Atlas Concorde’s Marvel Dream collection of porcelain wall and floor tiles includes a breathtaking ultramarine hue that is hard to take your eyes off. It mimics the unmistakable allure of the most beautiful marble blended with lapis lazuli’s depth of color.

Ceramica Francesco de Maio, Cersaie. Palm and cactus tiles.
Ceramica Francesco De Maio.

Ceramica Francesco de Maio is making a reappearance for their spectacular new botanical tiles. Cactus, a hand-decorated majolica suitable for wall and floor applications, and Palm (right), another gorgeous large-scale tile, each brought in droves of passersby with their unique, verdant appeal. Palm’s tropical allure stems from a pattern of interspersed light and dark green fronds. The new designs are from the company’s Verde Verticale collection.

Fap Ceramiche
FAP Ceramiche.

While we already touched on the botanical trend all over Cersaie, FAP Ceramiche’s Foliage White Inserto tiles must be mentioned. The subtle beauty of this design, which forms part of the brand’s Nux collection, is enhanced by the company’s ability to reproduce the veining effects of stone.

Florim and Rubelli's new porcelain tile designs.
Florim.

I Filati di Rex, the new collection from Florim in collaboration with Rubelli, presents a stunning grouping of nine surfaces all made to appear as if the most luscious fabrics and wallpapers grace the wall. Using Rubelli’s fabrics as inspiration, the gorgeous patterns are translated onto large porcelain slabs. Shown here: Lady Hamilton in Cipria (left) and Vague in Scarlatto.

Ragno.
Ragno.

Ragno’s new Resina collection is comprised of six colors: three warm hues including Rosa, Terracotta, and Avorio, and three complementary cool shades. The Struttura 3D Wall pattern is shown in Terracotta (above right) while Decoro Bricks is shown in an eye-catching blend of warm and cool colors that includes Avorio. With all the fun and flirty patterns that lined the aisles, this collection was an under-the-radar favorite.

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Categories
Book Club Culture

10 Spring Reading Recommendations From Downtown

Photo courtesy of Pexels

Photo courtesy of Pexels

During the fall and winter seasons, you are most likely doing all of your reading indoors, commute included. When the weather gets warmer in New York, reading is something that many people choose to do outdoors, whether at the beach, at a park or on a rooftop. In turn, Downtown has some books to recommend to its readers:

1) Beachside Bohemian: Easy Living By the Sea – A Designer Couple’s Refuge for Family and Friends by Robert Novogratz, Cortney Novogratz & Michelle Billodeau

Well-known to reality TV watchers of HGTV, Robert and Cortney Novogratz known how to redesign living spaces of all kinds. This hardcover book offers up plenty of design tips, no matter the size, locale and/or climate of your home.

2) Salad For President by Julia Sherman

A unique cookbook, Salad For President is a wonderful collection of inventive recipes and conversations with architects, musicians and all sorts of artists. Artist spaces all over the world are visited by Julia, as Laurie Anderson, photographer Willie Wegman, The Boredoms’ Shinji Masuko, and ceramicist Yui Tsujimura all participated.

3) Hal David: His Magic Moments: There Is Always Something There to Remind Me by Eunice David

Hal David co-wrote some of the biggest love songs of all time, including “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head,” “What The World Needs Now Is Love,” “There Is Always Something There To Remind Me,” and “To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before.” Hal’s wife Eunice has written a book in tribute to her late husband, offering insight into how some of his biggest hits were written and what it was like being married to the legendary lyricist.

4) Lonely Boy: Tales From A Sex Pistol by Steve Jones

It is often said that without The Sex Pistols, there would be no punk rock, and as the founding guitarist of The Sex Pistols, a lot of rock music’s roots go back to Steve Jones. In this memoir, the host of Jonesy’s Jukebox covers all facets of his life — he has done plenty as a musician, producer, actor and host since the Pistols disbanded for the first time in the late 1970s — and fortunately, for our entertainment, he writes just like he speaks.

5) Meat On The Side: Delicious Vegetable-Focused Recipes For Every Day by Nikki Dinki

Chef Nikki Dinki has a major fanbase as a result of her many appearances on television. But unlike many chefs, she has a wonderful story about learning how to eat well. Meat On The Side isn’t preaching for anyone to become a vegetarian — quite the opposite — but it does show how anyone can easily start eating more vegetables and wind up loving it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SodcS-WDroY

6) Toys “4” Cheap: The Magic Of Toys Will Shut Up Your Child by Asterios Kokkinos & Jimmy Hasse

Asterios Kokkinos is a prolific podcaster and writer, and this faux-catalog has hundreds of jokes within its 56 pages. Anyone who read toy catalogs — or even classified ads — during their formative years will love the attention to detail shown in Toys “4” Cheap. As an aside, Asterios’ followers on Patreon can get a podcast made exclusively for them.

7) From Cradle To Stage: Stories From The Mothers Who Rocked And Raised Rock Stars by Virginia Hanlon Grohl

As the mother of Foo Fighters founder (and Nirvana drummer) Dave Grohl, Virginia Hanlon Grohl helped raise one of rock’s biggest names. For this book, Virginia speaks to the mothers of Dr. Dre, Amy Winehouse, R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe, Maroon 5’s Adam Levine, The Beastie Boys’ Mike D, and the Haim sisters, sharing a lot of heart-warming tales in the process. And of course Dave wrote the book’s foreword.

8) Total Excess: Photographs By Michael Zagaris edited by Dagon James

California native and photographer Michael Zagaris photographed nearly every big name in rock that came through San Francisco in the 1970s and 1980s, including The Clash, The Grateful Dead, Blondie, Eric Clapton, and Led Zeppelin. This collection — which awesomely-features Lou Reed on the cover — contains a lot of previously-unseen work and is said to be the first in a series of collaborations between Michael and Reel Art Press.

9) The Complete History Of Black Sabbath: What Evil Lurks by Joel Mciver

Black Sabbath may have recently wrapped its farewell tour, but the British quartet remains popular as ever in 2017. This coffee table book looks beautiful, containing over 150 photos within its glossy pages. The whole pre-farewell history of Black Sabbath is tracked in What Evil Lurks, which contains a foreword from Machine Head’s Robb Flynn.

10) Slayer: Repentless #1 by Jon Schnepp & Guiu Vilanova

If Black Sabbath isn’t as heavy as your metal goes, then check out the debut comic from the band Slayer. The story was based on Slayer music videos. Available in print, Kindle and comiXology formats; beyond this comic series, the band will be on tour with Lamb Of God and Behemoth this summer.