Login
Tinder’s new headquarters in West Hollywood, California designed by Rapt Studio could be imagined as a thoughtful response to the transformative changes that have affected the corporate workplace dynamics the last few years. The seven-story, 77,000-square-foot project, handled by the same creative consultancy responsible for developing other creative spaces for the likes of Google, Dropbox, and Vans, is imagined to reestablish the pandemic-frayed ties that bind individuals into creative collaborative teams – and by extension, between the app users they seek to support – designing a multi-level headquarters layered with a multitude of opportunities for collaboration and connection.
Rapt Studio began the project by researching existing public space typologies, from the town square to the speakeasy, that empower a progressive deepening of ties that bind workers with their work in an organic manner.
Modeled after a town square, The Commons is the largest and most expansive of the spaces, and also the entry point into Tinder’s new headquarters. The airy environment is intended to encourage casual interactions and large enough to accommodate for company-wide gatherings.
The café — or “Boost Bar” — sits on the second floor, giving employees access to the skills of an in-house barista, and in turn providing an informal space to work away from the desk.
The IT help desk is fashioned after the nostalgic memories of the neighborhood arcade.
Diffuse lighting, custom modular furniture on wheels, and walls clad in top-to-bottom whiteboards all inhabit La Galleria, a room drawing its atmosphere from the workshops and displays of an artist studio.
A custom hot-pink central table with cutouts along the edges offers a surprisingly idiosyncratic hue to the space’s otherwise muted purpose.
Floor six is dedicated to quieter activities and appropriately demarcated as The Stacks, a tranquil communal space fashioned after a library.
Deep blue hues across plush fabrics, with curvilinear walls and curtains framing windows overlooking the LA skyline give the pinnacle seventh floor a nightclub vibe. Seating arrangements are situated to encourage engagement within intimate groups – a “secret” employee getaway of sorts.
“Connection is at the heart of the Tinder brand,” says Rapt Studio CEO and Chief Creative Officer David Galullo. “To design a space that deepens connection within Tinder, we looked to the places where we typically build relationships and then mapped them onto a floor plan. The end project emphasizes how design itself can be a force of connection.”
Tinder’s new HQ shares some similarities to Rapt Studio’s previous project, The Schoolhouse, a creative office for The Google School for Leaders. Each share the goal to spur informal engagements between team members by carving out both shared and intimate spaces, and furnished to empower employees to adapt those spaces to their needs on an as-needed basis.
Creative and fun, Mizetto’s Summer 2023 Collection lives somewhere between work and play. The brand has pushed its own capabilities, exploring new materials, production methods, and functionality. Made in Sweden, the latest release includes a wood chair, a versatile table with attachments, a leaning piece, modular planters, and a trash/recycling bin. All share the qualities of clean lines and curves and leave you wanting to experience each for yourself. Known for its color combinations, Mizetto has also added five new “Nordic noir” hues: rusty burgundy, cloudy latte, forest green, latte, and dusty blue.
Lumber by Addi \\\ Photo: Jonas Lindstrom
Perhaps the most curious addition is Lumber by Addi, a piece meant for leaning, lingering, and loitering. The soft beam’s release marks the first upholstered product introduced by the brand. It’s a great answer to adding seating to small spaces, and we can’t help but note its resemblance to a dynamic piece of gymnastics equipment. A quick place to stop on the go for a coffee or email check, Lumber’s small tray-like table adds further functionality to a piece with no obvious front or back. It can even be hung on a wall for maximum space saving. Lumber’s upholstery is flameproof wool, with a cover that’s fully removable, repairable, and exchangeable. The legs are powder coated metal.
Lumber by Addi \\\ Photo: Jonas Lindstrom
Lumber by Addi \\\ Photo: Jonas Lindstrom
Lumber by Addi \\\ Photo: Jonas Lindstrom
Embrace Chair by Sami Kallio \\\ Photo: Jonas Lindstrom
A wooden chair is new territory for Mizetto, so they turned to an expert for help – Finish-Swedish furniture designer and woodworker Sami Kallio. The Embrace armchair was a result of the brand lacking seating in their own spaces, and shortly after, Kallio walked in with a fully functioning prototype.
“A few alterations later, Embrace was born; a chair that seemingly hugs its user. I love how it can be hung on a tabletop and stacked, but still provide us with all the beauty and comfort we seek in a piece of furniture,” said Rickard Muskala, founder, and chief of product development.
Kallio is also behind the multi-purpose table in the Embrace series.
Embrace Chair + Embrace Table by Sami Kallio \\\ Photo: Jonas Lindstrom
Embrace Chair + Embrace Table by Sami Kallio \\\ Photo: Jonas Lindstrom
Embrace Chair by Sami Kallio \\\ Photo: Jonas Lindstrom
Plant Here by addi \\\ Photo: Jonas Lindstrom
Playful, fun, and modular, Addi’s Plant Here gives our green friends a pedestal fitting of their mood-enhancing ways. The planter pays attention to the various needs of different varietals through its accessible design, whether you’re a balcony or office gardener. Features include a generous depth, transparent inner pot for easy planting, different heights, shapes, sizes, and colors. Combine two or more to form endlessly possible installations.
Plant Here by addi \\\ Photo: Jonas Lindstrom
Pelican by Studio Nooi
Trash and recycling bins are a necessity, but that doesn’t mean they have to look like one. Pelican by Studio Nooi turns them into minimal decorative objects with touchless interaction. Their semicircular shape allows for modular design, creating an oval when placed back to back. Pelican’s design is suitable for residential as well as commercial spaces, and comes in two sizes and a variety of colors.
Pelican by Studio Nooi
Pelican by Studio Nooi \\\ Photo: Jonas Lindstrom
Pelican by Studio Nooi \\\ Photo: Jonas Lindstrom
Pelican by Studio Nooi
To learn more about Mizetto’s Summer 2023 collection, visit mizetto.se.
High impact meets compact design in Division Twelve’s new Twigz café collection, created in collaboration with design duo Jones & de Leval. The furniture family’s throughline is a minimal frame with a small footprint, proving you don’t need visual heft to make a big impact. Twigz’s design details are ready to add plenty of interest to any small space, with both indoor and outdoor options available. Combine stackable chairs, benches, and tables to create a unique setup that’s all your own.
Twigz offers plenty of options to make it happen. Steel or upholstered chairs, round or rectangular table, and 20 powder coat colors are your creative playground. The one thing you won’t have deliberate is whether to play up form or function – Twigz does it all. Furthermore, the collection does so while being fully carbon neutral. Watch below to learn more about Twigz:
Matriarch is the sixth and final addition to the In Your Skin upholstery collection, a collaboration between HBF Textiles and product and interiors designer Erin Ruby. Aptly named, Matriarch is a twill weave with strong color combinations that evoke wisdom and experience. Visually, the twill blends bold complementary colored yarns to create a subtle melange and moire effect.
The six sensorial textiles in the woven fabric collection celebrate being comfortable in your own skin, inspired by the human experience and the ephemeral nature of life. Tactile with a handmade quality, In Your Skin looks like a residential product, yet has the durability for contract and hospitality environments. Each of the fabrics are certified Indoor Advantage Gold (SCS), woven and manufactured in the United States with wool locally sourced from the Midwest, and most patterns are made using post-consumer and/or recycled materials.
In Your Skin marks Ruby’s third collaboration with HBF Textiles. “Sometimes contract textiles can tend toward being cold or lifeless for pragmatic reasons, but this collection is so warm and tactile even with its high performance functionality. It’s full of life – imbued with optimism and aspiration, which I think will resonate within a space,” she shared.
The collaboration continues HBF Textiles’ focus on supporting women-owned businesses. “I love promoting talented female designers. It gives me a sense of pride to utilize the HBF Textiles platform to share their story and creative vision to a wider audience,” says Mary Jo Miller, Vice President of Design and Creative Direction at HBF Textiles. With like-minded mills and collaborators locally and globally, the brand continually explores the possibilities materiality can offer and how it can further connect us with other people and our environment.
Ultra Violet
Cernelion
Labradorite
Cernelion
Rose Quartz
Ultra Violet
Aura
To learn more about Matriarch, visit hbftextiles.com.
Archer Aviation and United Airlines announced a partnership today to launch a commercial air taxi route in Chicago. The companies plan to open the flight path between downtown and O’Hare International Airport in 2025.
Besides being United’s headquarters and largest hub, Chicago's airport commute makes it an ideal testbed for flying taxis. For example, the drive to or from O’Hare, in the western suburb of Rosemont, can take anywhere from 35 minutes to over an hour, depending on traffic; even in one of the city’s elevated trains, it can take around 45 minutes. But Archer estimates a flight in one of its air taxis will only take 10 minutes to travel from O’Hare to its destination at a downtown helipad. The program will initially be limited to the mainline O’Hare / downtown route, but the companies eventually plan to add smaller paths to surrounding communities.
Archer describes the upcoming route as “cost competitive” for passengers without going into specifics. But even if it’s initially limited to deep-pocketed business travelers, the program should be good for the environment. Archer’s air taxis use electric motors and batteries and don’t produce emissions. “This exciting new technology will further decarbonize our means of transportation, taking us another step forward in our fight against climate change,” said Mayor Lori Lightfoot. “I’m pleased that Chicago residents will be among the first in the nation to experience this innovative, convenient form of travel.”
The partnership is the latest in United’s aggressive investments in flying taxis. Last year, the airline ordered at least 200 electric flying taxis from Eve Air Mobility; that followed a $10 million deposit it placed with Archer the month prior.
In addition to Chicago’s (ground-based) taxis and ride shares, the city has a robust public transportation system built around elevated trains and buses, the latter of which the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has committed to converting to electric by 2040. (The CTA already deploys 23 electric buses.) If all goes according to plan, the flight path will help decrease emissions and traffic congestion, something most Chi-town residents can get behind.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/united-and-archer-will-open-an-air-taxi-route-to-chicagos-ohare-airport-in-2025-191352804.html?src=rssArcher Aviation air taxi
Rendering of a fleet of Archer Aviation Air Taxis (with United branding) taking off from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. We see one taxi taking off in the foreground with several others grounded behind it.
Comfort and high design collide in Hightower’s new Flote and Opus seating collections. Both are distinct and delightful with contemporary yet timeless aesthetics and the shared feeling of being embraced.
Flote brings the support, comfort, and easy relaxation of a pool float to its sofa and lounge. The team at Hightower went through extensive prototyping during the design phase to create that just-right sit. The Flote Sofa features a generous seat that’s large enough to seat three adults comfortably, making it a great fit for a group setting, whether that’s in a commercial or residential setting. Both the Flote Sofa and Flote Lounge bring a sense of lightness to users, with their curves, extended lumbar support, and inspired details making both easy to love.
Make Flote your own with unique seam and finish options. With the choice of an oversized welt, chunky zipper, or classic double-needle stitch, the collection can be customized to suit any space on the spectrum, from traditional to trendy.
Opus is Hightower’s contemporary take on the classic club chair that’s as comfortable as it is beautiful. Minimal and versatile, its seating can provide a sense of seclusion with its small footprint. The collection includes a chair and a lounge chair, both with a metal frame and upholstered seat and back.
Both designs feature a slender frame that adds a visual lightness, and either can be utilized in a conference room or at a dining table, complementing any aesthetic while doing so. Opus allows the rest of the space’s design choices shine while providing a classic yet modern edge. Choose from numerous finish options to make this collection work in spaces of all uses and sizes.
Bring together Opus’ simple style by taking advantage of optional contrasting fabrics on the back and seat, as well as custom frame colors. Whether it’s monochrome or high contrast, this collection makes it work and looks good doing it.
To learn more about Flote or Opus seating, visit hightoweraccess.com.
Just because a product exists doesn’t mean you should stop trying to improve upon it. Such is the case with 3form’s Flek Pure, a 100 percent recycled material primarily sourced from 3form’s own in-house waste. Flek originally made its debut in 2019 using roughly 75 percent recycled material. Now, Flek Pure achieves 3form’s long-term goal of maximizing the amount of repurposed material used while also maintaining its translucency, unlike most recycled products on the market.
“The most exciting part of the design process was our motivation to keep innovating,” says 3form’s product development team, who spent the better part of a decade bringing Flek Pure to life. “We didn’t stop when the Flek Collection first launched because we knew we wouldn’t be satisfied until we reached 100 percent recycled material. This was a challenging, extensive process, but the result is so rewarding.”
During the manufacturing process of Flek Pure panels, internally sourced edge trimmings, returned samples, and reclaimed materials of 3form’s signature Varia resin are upcycled. These remnants are encapsulated and the pellets are carefully sorted by 3form’s optical sorter for clarity and cleanliness. The final product is a texturized, terrazzo-like material that’s sustainable and durable, as well as full of depth that allows for beautiful shadow play.
After Flek’s introduction in 2019, 3form wanted to upgrade the production process of the panels to further reflect the sustainable end product. The product development team sourced new materials and updated the supply chain, increasing Flek’s recycled content from 71 percent to 100 percent for Flek Pure applications.
From process to product, these sustainability achievements are a culmination of 3form’s nearly 20-year commitment to Align, a program of earth- and people-centric initiatives focused on three main pillars: people, product, and planet. Align effectively re-doubles 3form’s efforts to pursue environmentally and socially responsible design. Extending to all members of the 3form family, they strive to develop materials with intentionality that will empower architects, designers, and consumers to make smart choices about how they buy and build. By creating a closed-loop product, like Flek Pure, 3form raises their internal standard for future products and contributes to the restoration of our planet and the betterment of human lives. Align is the next step toward net-positive manufacturing within all 3form companies.
As architects and designers strive for higher sustainability standards in the materials they use, Flek Pure delivers closed-loop solutions to privacy partitions, room dividers, accent pieces, exterior walls, and more. Professionals can also contribute to 3form’s waste reduction. When designers order any of 3form’s Varia materials or return product samples to 3form’s Salt Lake City headquarters (using prepaid shipping labels), the materials are pelletized to be used for Flek.
Flek is part of 3form’s Varia product platform, which carries a Greenguard Gold Certification, is Declare Red List Free, and has an Optimized Environmental Product Declaration label. Flek is available in 4’x8’ and 4’x10’ panels, with 1/4″, 3/8″, and 1/2″ gauges, and a two-week lead time.
Flek Pure is a clear colorway made using 100 percent recycled content. The material’s translucent appearance offers the best of both worlds, allowing for natural light while maintaining separation and a level of privacy. Color can be added with Flek Bask (peachy gold), Flek Crescent (neutral taupe), and Flek Charge (electric yellow), as well as nine other colorways.
To learn more about the benefits and capabilities of Flek Pure or to order a free sample, visit 3form.com.
Anna Karp is CEO and co-founder of Bolster, a New York City-based firm offering in-house design, architecture, and build services. As a licensed General Contractor, she oversees the design and construction of all projects, and has completed 100+ renovations throughout New York City and in Mexico, where she’s originally from.
Anna is a trailblazer carving her own path in the traditionally male-dominated general contracting and home renovation sector. Under her leadership, Bolster has been called a “significant innovation for the renovation industry,” and uses proprietary technology and a data-driven approach to deliver beautiful, risk-free gut renovations. The team has renovated more than 50,000 square feet in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, while navigating compliance, landmarks, and the DOB to ensure projects are delivered to in-house quality standards. Bolster’s umbrella of services includes Design-Build, Build-Only, and the efficiency-conscious Agile x Bolster offering.
To ensure control quality, Anna has created a vertically integrated team of project managers, builders, carpenters, painters, and executives. As both a minority and female CEO, she has always prioritized creating a diverse and inclusive culture at Bolster, providing opportunities for females and minorities who are often overlooked in the construction industry.
Anna is also an active member in female-forward organizations, including Chief. She has served as a guest speaker and panelist at industry events and webinars where she advocates for women and gender balance in the construction industry. Additionally, Anna co-founded Chefs on a Plane, an invite-only network of New York’s Top Chefs & Mixologists who travel to Puebla for a seasonal, behind-the-scenes experience of Mexico’s culinary culture. She is also one of the hosts of “Hidden Gems”, a show for Architectural Digest.
Today, Anna Karp is joining us for Friday Five and sharing five things people should know before beginning a renovation.
Interior design awareness and the ‘renovation bug’ have had a boost during recent years and post-pandemic. Certain generations are spending more and more time ogling beautiful interiors and dreaming of ways to make their homes nicer, better, bigger, and more attractive for resale.
Renovators can be divided into two categories: those who buy to renovate, and those who already live in a property to be renovated. The latter have an advantage because they can comfortably plan their renovation and take months doing so, while the former are always against the clock. Renovating is a big commitment. If you are a homeowner who is buying with the intention to renovate, and you have the option to choose a property in mint condition and the inclination to do so, listen to your gut!
It’s an enormous undertaking, no matter how good your team is. It takes time, financial investment, and can be an emotional rollercoaster. On the other hand, if you absolutely want your vision to come true, then a renovation is in place. Brace yourself: it will be fun, however, remember that it’s a marathon – not a sprint, and start training your design and decision-making muscles!
If you’re anything like me, you probably like having your personal affairs organized and in tip-top shape – and a renovation is no different. Use the same diligence in choosing your design and build a team as you would select your personal accountant. You’ll want to check references and look for specificity in both project management and the quality of results. Having great design and a great architectural team should be a baseline – not the goal. Your mission is to fully understand that your team will be capable and available to solve any curveballs along the way.
During the pandemic, I chose to uphold Bolster’s Fixed Price guarantee for our pandemic-era projects. This was a very tough financial decision, however, we stood by our values in a time of major uncertainty. When vetting a design-build firm, you are not only vetting for technical knowledge, aesthetics, or what your neighbors’ or other reference’s achieved – you are testing to understand if the team leading your project is also logical and whether they understand the full meaning of accountability.
If you chose a design team and things are not going the way you planned, don’t despair. The good news is that you’re still dating. While swiping left may result in some sunk cost for your family, it’s essential to understand that you’re still in the pen to paper phase. No matter how much has been invested in the design and architectural phase, homeowners are not really in hook, line, and sinker until a permit is pulled and the general contractor ‘breaks ground.’
Once this has happened, you are married to your team, and the best way forward is always, undoubtedly ‘forward.’ So, if your gut says ‘no,’ it’s okay to pivot and find a new design team. Bottom line: it’s your home. Even if you feel out of depth in technical construction and design matters, you are still the client and the arrangement needs to feel right every step of the way. Granted, mistakes happen and challenging situations will arise, but always stay alert to see how matters are resolved. If you’re a priority, then chances are you’re in good hands.
My team is often asked if things like adding a bathroom, having an open floor plan, having an island, or removing a tub – just to name a few – are good for resale value. While these are all fair questions when undertaking a renovation, I always urge homeowners to design for themselves and plan for their own lifestyle. Once the property is sold, chances are the new homeowners will want their own style and will plan for their own needs – they may be empty nesters or they may have eight children. It’s impossible to plan for the unknown. However, if an aspect of your renovation is consuming you, the best point-of-contact for this question would be a local broker.
Great design can be achieved with very little or with a lot of aplomb. I urge homeowners to ask their design team to give them their wildest ideas. This can range from understanding what the most expensive free-standing claw foot tub is on the market to providing an outlandish design for the layout of the home. While you may not end up choosing the wildest options, the creative juices of the team will start flowing, and chances are you may learn something new.
That being said, great design can also be affordable and should be practical. So while you may be dying to have your marble’s veins meet each other at a junction in your waterfall island, you may not want to buy an entire lot – just a couple of slabs that contrast or match each other. While the tub of your dreams may be amazing, you don’t want to have to reinforce your floors because it’s terribly heavy. Finally, my favorite. While the tile industry has changed and evolved a lot in recent years, be sure that the tiles you choose are proven to be fit for purpose, and make sure you understand the alternatives. Great looks can be achieved with large format slabs, while some trendy cement tiles with geometric designs stain easily and are hard to maintain.
Astoria All-Electric House \ The primary goal of Bolster’s Astoria homeowners was to transform this 36th Street home from a multi-family dwelling to a single family home and fully replace gas with electrical. In doing so, they needed to remove the kitchen from the second floor of the original home which involved extensive layout changes. The homeowners wanted to create a more spacious and comfortable home that included an updated mudroom and terrace. Bolster also added new flooring, doors, windows, and millwork throughout, as well as new appliances.
Park Slope Brownstone Restoration \ The homeowners wanted to retain many of the home’s original details from 1903, including pier mirrors and stained glass windows, while making modern updates during the gut renovation of their 3,600 sq. ft., six bed, three-and-a-half bath landmarked brownstone. The young family prioritized layout changes to better suit their lifestyle; significant and necessary infrastructure updates (including electrical and plumbing); and other upgrades such as new floors and windows, a modern kitchen and dining room, and fresh paint throughout the home.
Tribeca Townhouse \ The homeowners of this Harrison Street townhouse wanted to update their space to better suit the needs of their young family. The primary objectives were to update the layout of the home – specifically, the bathrooms, kitchen, and bedroom – while respecting the historical language of this unique townhouse.
Harlem Passive House \ The homeowners wanted to update the layout of their brownstone, which was originally organized as an owner’s duplex on the bottom and two separate units on top, as well as incorporate Passive House elements. This unique Harlem brownstone, which is only 14-ft-wide, required a new steel staircase and a gut renovation of the entire home, including a ground-level rental unit with backyard access. The renovated home features an owner’s triplex from the parlor level up, with a garden apartment rental.
Photography by Duplex Imaging, courtesy of Bolster.
Blå Station is once again adding to the brand’s BOB Family – times three! BOB Solo, BOB Biz, and BOB Corner, each designed by Stefan Borselius and Thomas Bernstrand, have the ability to make the office a more versatile, worker-friendly space with their presence. Without further ado, let’s explore the details behind the designs.
BOB Solo
BOB Solo gives one the ability to roam about at will, thanks to a set of wheels underneath its base. Two padded screens enclose the sides of the cubicle, leaving the seat and armrests on the interior. “BOB Solo is a room in the room, a nook for privacy,” says Borselius, who together with Bernstrand created the fully independent addition. A small table in massive oak is the ideal size for a laptop, book, and documents, while smaller shelves, coat hooks, cupholders, and a foldable steel table are also within reach when needed. And if your worry is connectivity, rest easy knowing there are no extension cables in BOB Solo’s design. Instead, a detachable power bank wirelessly charges smartphones, laptops, and the BOB Light Mini.
BOB Solo
BOB Solo
BOB Solo
BOB Solo
BOB Solo + BOB Biz
For those times when you need to collaborate in the office, there’s BOB Biz. A great setup for face-to-face meetings, brainstorming, and more, the padded screens help to create an enclosed space with good acoustics where work gets done. Versatile and flexible, BOB Biz can accommodate anywhere from two people up – just keep adding sections to increase the size. The padded screens are available in both open and closed designs.
BOB Biz
BOB Biz
BOB Corner
BOB Corner is an important addition to the adaptable BOB sofa system because it now adds the ability to create 90-degree angle connections. It also allows for plants, tables, and more to be inserted into the system for better workability. BOB Corner is available as a square seat with backrests that will join together in the chosen direction.
BOB Corner
To learn more about BOB Solo, BOB Biz, and BOB Corner, visit blastation.com.
Coil + Drift have recently relocated to Upstate New York, opening their doors to a new 3000-square-foot studio within the Catskill Mountains. Nestled two hours north of New York City, the space houses an office, showroom, and state-of-the-art production facility where all of Coil + Drift’s lighting fixtures are now produced by their in-house production team.
Founder and designer John Sorensen-Jolink established Coil + Drift in New York City back in 2016, but in 2021, moved the studio to the Catskill Mountains to immerse the team in the wild landscape that inspires much of his material-forward designs. A former dancer-turned-designer, Sorensen-Jolink designs objects that are grounded in human connection and spacial awareness, with a deep reverence for nature.
Visitors to their new studio showroom can view a series of new additions to Coil + Drift’s existing collection. The highly popular YAMA table lamp is now available as a floor lamp in a new tarnished nickel finish. The Atlas series has also been expanded to include a new mobile-like chandelier, and the June Floor Mirror has been introduced in a new ebonized maple finish.
Photos by Zach Hyman.
The new Design En Rogue Architecture collection from S. Harris, part of Fabricut since 1954, translates a story many modern design lovers can appreciate – that of the Bauhaus school – into pattern and texture on fabric.
We got a sneak peek at the new designs that will be launching later this spring.
Known as a place as well as a method of teaching in pre-war Germany, the avant-garde Bauhaus brought together beauty and function, mass production and artistic vision, and disciplines from art to architecture. It was something never before seen, but has inspired creatives ever since.
The Design En Rogue Architecture collection unites designs based in organic and industrial art with those of architecture, taking inspiration from the Bauhaus artists who first introduced the world to this study of color, form, shape, and silhouette.
“This collection is full of highly structured textiles with a feminine essence – textiles that strike a chord.” said Jodi Finer, S. Harris Creative Director. “They’re movement-centric, statement-oriented, and evoke positivity. Inspired by the notion of moving forward through constant change as the only stabilizing force, we continue to test limits.”
You’ll find ten patterns in the Design En Rogue Architecture collection: Walker Fields, Isle of Capri, Senicio, Vastu, Off the Cuff, Sheeler Modern, Abstract Lines, Nouvel, Piston Mini, and Usonian.
A modern take on the classic floral print, Walker Fields found its inspiration in the wild landscapes of Walker Canyon and the Temescal Mountains in Lake Elsinore, California. A super soft alpaca fabric provides a subtle background to the brighter embroidery.
On the coast of Italy you’ll find Capri and its breathtaking scenery that overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. Isle of Capri brings to life the island’s landscape that’s scattered with luxury hotels and impressive yachts. It features intricate embroidery on an alpaca-blended wool.
Ahead of his time, artist Paul Klee was a master of color, shape, and form through his use of complicated geometries. Senecio is modeled after Klee’s 1922 portrait “Senecio,” alternatively known as “Head of a Man Going Senile”. Senecio is available in four colorways – American Blue, Amour, Java, and the aptly named Klee – that highlight the angles and perspective of the portrait.
The ancient Indian practice of vastu shastra is a way of organizing the home through architecture and planning of the space. The goal is to fill a home with good energy and positivity. Vastu takes its cues from the role of geometry within these principles. Choose from Citron, Natural Black, Mineral, and Pebble colorways.
Taking advantage of a more abstract interpretation of geometry, Off the Cuff showcases repetitive lines and closed, curving shapes. There’s a feeling of movement and energy that brings this fabric to life. Available colorways include Abyss, Citrus, and Shipwreck.
The work of modern artist Charles Sheeler depicted the American Heartland, where machinery and factories changed the landscape of work. Sheeler Modern borrows from the complex nature of modern machinery and translates it into a composition of shape, value, color, and repetition.
Abstract Lines combines detailed embroidery with an energetic color and soft, alpaca-blended wool. Flowing lines are embroidered in metallic purple thread that makes both the pattern and bright-yellow background pop.
Featuring a geometric pattern in metallic cut velvet, Nouvel offers texture and depth. Inspired by French architect Jean Nouvel, who is known for using contrasting forms to create visual interest, Nouvel plays with shadow, light, and positive and negative spaces. Nouvel is available in Boysenberry, Honeycomb, Passion Plum, and Tamarindo.
A smaller version of the Piston pattern at S. Harris, Piston Mini features the same rounded, expressive geometric shapes. Made of 100% cotton, this fabric is ideal for use in bedding and draperies. It is available in Pink Sun and Sand Castle.
Usonian looks to Frank Lloyd Wright for its name and design. Mimicking Wright’s use of minimal details and utopian principles, its boldness is a surprise and a delight. Choose from New World Blue, Red Tribune, and Terracotta.
Great design starts with a story. Born in metropolitan America at the turn of the 19th century, S. Harris continues to celebrate its roots in pattern, color, texture, and innovation. Every collection is designed as a love letter to the natural world, a tribute to history, the romance of travel, and a platform for storytellers. The brand’s pursuit of progress is alive in every fabric, wallcovering, trim, and accessory they make.
Explore Design En Rogue Architecture, launching this spring, and the full catalog of fabrics, trimmings, wallcoverings, and finished home goods at at fabricut.com/sharris.
Color is a very subjective quality in the eye of the beholder but leading materials manufacturer 3form continues to prove that it has its finger on the pulse when it comes to creating and curating colors that the design community is looking for. For its 2023 Color Collection, the brand is adding 10 new pastel hues to its permanent color system, offering new ways to brighten up commercial environments. “Color is at the core of what we do, and this collection allowed us to be more introspective about the meaning of color in our lives,” shares Ryan Smith, 3form’s Chief Creative Officer.
The new collection is inspired by the four seasons and the emotions they evoke, like the blues of a winter day and the purple tones found in spring. To begin the process of expanding its color system, the design team at 3form first laid out swatches of current colors in order to identify missing colors. They noticed an opportunity to introduce soft, subtle versions of their saturated tones and, in the end, settled on 10 new hues: Lavish, Graceland, Alta, Smolder, Honeycomb, Rhubarb, Talc, Cedarwood, Adobe, and Comet.
The colors can be applied to 3form’s Varia, Chroma, and Glass platforms that can be constructed into partitions, wall accents, reception desk wraps, ceiling features, and more for public spaces like offices, hotels, schools, hospitals, and wellness centers. The translucency of 3form’s materials brings the colors to life, especially when natural light, which gradually changes throughout the day, diffuses through.
Lavish
Lavish
Graceland
Graceland
Alta
Alta
Smolder
Smolder
Honeycomb
Honeycomb
Rhubarb
Rhubarb
Talc
Cedarwood
Adobe
Comet
Comet
For more information on 3form’s 2023 Color Collection, head to 3-form.com.
We came, we saw, and we talked. A lot. Seeing the newest products and innovations at KBIS 2023 did not fail to impress, and we’re already looking forward to what’s to come in 2024. Our DMM Talks Lounge, put on in partnership with Modenus Media, was packed every day. Attendees enjoyed panels on everything from creative collaboration to the rise of generational living. If you weren’t able to attend the show, or too busy to sit in on the discussions, you can now listen to all of the conversations on the KBIS website.
We also want to thank the sponsors that helped make the DMM Talks Lounge possible:
Signature Kitchen Suite
Wellborn Cabinet
Fisher & Paykel
nobilia
Moen
SPACE10 is looking a little different since we visited it last. The Copenhagen-based research and design lab recently unveiled its redesigned headquarters completed in collaboration with architecture and design studio Spacon & X. While two levels of the three-floor building will remain the same, with the basement as a fabrication laboratory/tech studio and the top floor as a workspace for the SPACE10 team, the main floor has been fully transformed into a community-centric space, even more so then before. New additions, including a public library with a take-a-book-leave-a-book system, foster an environment that’s conducive for community exchange and creative ideation.
Inspired by the concept of a newsstand, the public library with its modular racks and displays will feature 100 books, magazines, and titles for kids – all hand-selected by the SPACE10 team, as well as input from guest curators and the community. This selection will change throughout the year with new, relevant titles. A book exchange is also available where guests can simply leave a book and take a different one home. The racks, made from locally-sourced organic wood, wool, and Danish-produced aluminum, add a delightful pop of color to the white tiled space.
Our methodology has always centered on involving people in research and design processes in order to continue to diversify our perspectives and create solutions that truly matter for the many. We learned in a recent SPACE10 survey that 87% of our community follow us for ‘inspiration and new ideas’, while 59% want to be part of a ‘like-minded community.’ This felt like an opportunity to provide the community with a physical space that can be used for research, discussions, and meetups, and share books we at SPACE10 find inspiring and that are shaping our own conversations and projects. We want to foster spaces where people and ideas can meet, and what better than a library to provide serendipitous encounters and conversations on a daily basis.
– Kevin Curran, Spatial Design & Partnerships at SPACE10
Next to the library is a kiosk where visitors can check out and purchase local drinks and snacks while they enjoy the space. Guests can also buy a souvenir from a curated selection of design objects including stationery, homewares, toys, books, and SPACE10 merchandise.
The rest of the space will function as usual. A program of events, always free to attend, will continue to highlight new guests and cultivate a space for discussion, conversation, and inspiration. The gallery area will host two exhibitions a year, with this year’s The Ideal City 2040 installation currently on view through spring 2023. Around the floor, various seating options, from window stools to reading nooks, allow guests to relax, enjoy a coffee, work, study, or check out the books from the featured library.
Photo: Emilia Staugaard
Photos by Seth Nicolas unless otherwise noted.
Height-adjustable tables are hardly anything new. These days, they’re found beyond contract spaces in many home offices and lauded for their flexibility in providing variety and comfort to those needing to maximize their productivity. However, they are sometimes a bit of an eyesore, require access to power or feel to cumbersome to adjust manually, and they often take up a lot of space. Herman Miller’s latest offering, the Passport Work Table, takes away these pain points and adds in much needed flexibility and adjustability for those looking to level up their productivity, whether at home or in the office.
If Goldilocks were to test today’s office desk solutions, she would say that the Passport Work Table was “just right” in terms of footprint and space. The surface is large enough for your essentials (laptop, notebook, a drink of choice). Any larger and you start to impede on the flexibility of the table to fit in small spaces or the mobility of it to maneuver around the home, the latter aided by the single-column base and lightweight construction. Accessories like bag hooks and privacy screens can be added if those types of needs are necessary in a specific office (or section of the office) but they don’t increase the table’s footprint.
While there are times a larger work surface is needed, there are perhaps even more occasions when a user just needs to carve out a small space that can be easily put away afterwards (like in a home) or pulled up for an impromptu meeting (like at the workplace). The Passport Work Tables’s small size is, indeed, its biggest flex for today’s hybrid work environments.
Passport is available in two sizes: one with a height adjustment range of 12” with a 22×16″ work surface, the other with a height adjustment range of 18” and a 27×20” work surface. At a starting price of $600, Passport also offers a wide range of finishes, colors, and additional customization through accessories which help to create the perfect work desk for any office style.
For more information on the Passport Work Table, visit hermanmiller.com.
This post contains affiliate links, so if you make a purchase from an affiliate link, we earn a commission. Thanks for supporting Design Milk!
If you’ve spent any amount of time on social media the past three years, chances are you’ve run across the cookware brand Our Place. Founded in 2019 by Shiza Shahid, the direct-to-consumer brand has grown from its start-up days to now opening up their second Los Angeles retail location in West Hollywood. After the success of their Mythology-designed Venice location, Our Place turned to Ringo Studio to create a new store on Melrose that complements their designs and ethos. Alongside visually delightful product displays and a color palette that matches the colors of their popular pans, the space includes the Building a Bigger Table Room that exudes their mission to “welcome everyone to have a seat at the table.”
The store is designed as a one-stop shop where customers can check out the brand’s cookware, tableware, and kitchen tools up close. The home-like atmosphere features curated product vignettes that make each piece stand out, almost like a sculptural piece of art.
While the brand started with just one product – the Always Pan – they’ve expanded their line to include the newer Mini Always Pan, Perfect Pot, Mini Perfect Pot, Ovenware Set, dinnerware, drinkware, serveware, and kitchen tools.
The Building a Bigger Table Room features curvy lavender fabric panels that hang from the ceiling, mimicking the curves of the wavy dining table. Mirrored walls give the appearance that the table spans into infinity, thereby making enough room for everyone to have a seat.
To see more from Our Place, visit fromourplace.com.
Photos by Jenna Peffley.
This post contains affiliate links, so if you make a purchase from an affiliate link, we earn a commission. Thanks for supporting Design Milk!
Off in the southwest, the last colors of sunset lit up the rim of the sky, as a crescent Moon and two planets lined up above. It was a gorgeous scene, but one that everyone was ignoring. Instead, all eyes were focused on a bright patch of artificial light on a barrier island a couple of miles away. The lights there were focused on a small, slender needle—small enough to be hauled to the launch pad by a pickup truck.
For years, the Electron rocket and the company behind it had been stuck in limbo at the Virginia launch site, waiting on various approvals—for regulatory agencies to share enough paperwork with each other to convince everyone that the launch was safe. Then weather and the end-of-year holidays kept pushing the launch back. But on Tuesday, everything went as smoothly as it is possible to imagine, and the Electron shot to orbit almost as soon as the launch window opened.
The launch is critical for Rocket Lab, which in some ways invested the future of the company in its Virginia operations. But it's also critical for the launch site, which is billed as a spaceport but hasn't seen much traffic leaving Earth.
When it came time to design their new office in Poznań, Poland, FORMSON hired Polish design studio SPACELAB, led by architect Agnieszka Deptuła. The main source of the design’s inspiration came about on a visit to the company’s headquarters where they spotted bins of silicone spatulas that FORMSON manufactures. Seeing the identically shaped kitchen utensils all together gave them the idea of mounting thousands of them on different walls as three-dimensional advertisements using their own products.
FORMSON, known for their colorful kitchen equipment, carried the same vibe into their office space with the use of PANTONE colors. While the entry and staircase leading to the office is monochrome, vibrant colors greet guests as soon as they step inside.
At front and center is a vibrant structure in PANTONE 2117C with a red ‘Hello’ behind a sea of matching spatulas jutting out from the wall.
The purple-blue hue shows up throughout the office, interspersed with black and white stripes, and electric PANTONE Living Coral 15-1646.
SPACELAB made use of another product made by FORMSON – perforated trivets – hung on the walls in the conference room. Used in a repeat pattern, the item becomes part of a dramatic backdrop that would never lead one to think they’re anything but a wall covering.
The colorful bathrooms are given the same playful treatment with the PANTONE colors continuing on along with white square tiles and black grout.
Photos by MOIZ.
The Design Milk X Modenus Talks Lounge, also known as the #dmmtalks Lounge, is back at KBIS with a schedule that’s jam-packed full of presentations and conversations covering design business, social media, and trends. Also returning are the popular BrandTalks that give exhibitors an opportunity to speak about the vision and mission behind their brands, as well as introduce audiences to new products and innovations. We’re excited to dig into these hot topics at the Kitchen & Bath Design Show January 31st to February 2nd, 2023 in Las Vegas with our partner, Modenus. If you’re not already signed up to attend the show, you can register here. Check out what’s in store for the Lounge located in the North Hall at N1577 below!
9:15 AM
KBIS Newbie Kickoff: What Not To Miss at KBIS 2023 – RSVP HERE
KBIS 2023 is a big show, and we invite you to start your experience in the #dmmtalks lounge to learn about major show highlights, cool new pavilions and exhibits, and VIP opportunities for you to benefit from as influencers.
Presenters: Modenus Media CEO, Veronika Miller + Principal at White Good, Sherry Qualls
Sponsored by Signature Kitchen Suite
10:30 AM
The Design – Build Collaboration: Pitfalls, Processes, and Profits – RSVP HERE
The relationship between the designer, builder, and the client is critical to the success of every design build project and communication is at the heart of every successful relationship. Join LuAnn Nigara as she moderates a rock star line up to discuss best practices between designers and builders.
Moderator: LuAnn Nigara, Keynote Speaker, Author + Podcast Host at The Well Designed Business
Panelists: Brad Leavitt, President AFT Construction, Susan + Paul Kadilak, Owners Kadilak Homes + Hosts Renovation Rekindle
Sponsored by Signature Kitchen Suite
12:00 PM
Efficiency is Beautiful: Essential Automation for Design Firms – RSVP for Lunch
If you’re saying or doing anything repeatedly, there’s a potential opportunity for automation. Learn how to implement key automation – for marketing, sales, and operations – and sleep well knowing the work is getting done.
• 3 categories of automation that are useful to almost any design firm
• What can be automated… and what can’t? How to quickly tell the difference
• How to actually make it happen – from tech to internal process
Presenter: Nicole Heymer, Owner + Creative Director Glory and Brand
Sponsored by Signature Kitchen Suite
1:30 PM
BrandTalks: Wellborn – Meet The Brand
Each 15 minute presentation is followed by an opportunity to ask your most pressing questions and meet company leadership face-to-face.
Sponsored + Presented by Wellborn Cabinet
2:00 PM
BrandTalks – Fisher & Paykel: Kitchen Perfection – RSVP HERE
Learn about Fisher & Paykel’s design philosophy and their latest initiatives around sustainability, the connected home, and Kitchen Perfection. Each 15 minute presentation is followed by an opportunity to ask your most pressing questions and meet company leadership face-to-face.
Sponsored + Presented by Fisher & Paykel
3:00 PM
Behind the Curtain with Claire Jefford: Pricing Projects: Disclosing Design Fees & Deliverables – RSVP HERE
Posting a pretty picture on Instagram is one thing, but the actual process and documentation created for implementing a client project is something no one really shows you. And whether designers are charging an hourly or a flat fee to their clients, how do they come up with these numbers? Here you’ll get a rare peek ‘Behind the Curtain’ of Kitchen and Bathroom projects by well-established designers. We’ll be reviewing three custom projects, sharing details of the scope of work, design proposals, presentation slides, and fee structure.
Moderator: Principal at Claire Jefford Inc. and Interior Design Business Coach
Panelists: Jennifer Stoner, Principal Jennifer Stoner Interiors, Sheri Bruneau, Principal Sheri Bruneau Interior Design
9:15 AM
Influencer Breakfast: Top Tips For Maximizing New Ideal Client Acquisition While Avoiding Social Media Burnout – RSVP HERE
Do you find yourself feeling burnt out being on social media? Attend this one hour talk with Leslie Carothers, founder of Savour Partnership and the #designwealthcommunity on Facebook, and get her top tips on proven strategies for new ideal client acquisition – while minimizing the time you spend online.
Presenter: Leslie Carothers, Principal Savour Partnership
Sponsored by nobilia
10:30 AM
Diversifying Income Streams by Creating New Profit Centers – RSVP HERE
Increase the bottom line with new profit centers found within your existing business infrastructure. Diversifying your services, adding new products, and finding hidden revenue is the best way to hedge against any downturns in the marketplace. We are creatives folks! Let’s get creative with not only what we can offer our existing clients but appeal to new prospects too by getting them engaged with your brand even if they are not currently in the market for a larger ticket sale. Success these days is often defined one client at a time.
Presenter: Cheryl Clendenon, Principal In Detail Creative Group
Sponsored by nobilia
12:00 PM
Creative Collaboration for Diversifying Your Design Business – RSVP for Lunch
Navigate today’s working challenges by creating collaborations to diversify your design business. We’ll discuss how aligning with kitchen and bath retailers and skilled tradespeople can build powerful relationships that could create significant revenue streams.
Presenter: Wendy Glaister, Principal Wendy Glaister Interiors
Sponsored by nobilia
1:30 PM
BOSS Academy Roundtable with Claire Jefford – Establishing Trust with Clients: Solid Relationships are Everything – RSVP HERE
When clients aren’t fully invested in you and your design ideas, it’s because there is a lack of trust. The best clients are the ones who fully trust you, don’t push back on your fees and design ideas, nor do they demand changes to your contract. The sooner you can successfully establish trust, the more enjoyable the design experience is for everybody – including your trades and staff. Here we’ll share actionable items, starting with a well-thought-out website and various touch points throughout the working relationship to ensure you only work with clients who value you as a respected Interior Design BOSS.
Moderator: Claire Jefford, Principal at Claire Jefford Inc. + Interior Design Business Coach
Panelists: Nicole Heymer, Owner + Creative Director Glory, Ariana Lovato, Owner + Principal Honeycomb Home Design
3:00 PM
BrandTalks – Moen: Around the Globe to Your Kitchen – RSVP HERE
Go behind-the-scenes with Principal Industrial Designer Jessica Birchfield to explore how firsthand trendspotting and research informs the design of Moen products. Uncover the style inspiration that led to their latest kitchen faucets, including the use of unique materials and industrial-inspired elements.
Sponsored + Presented by Moen
3:30 PM
Happy Hour – The Rise of Multi-Generational Living – RSVP HERE
Between the pandemic and anxieties of inflation and an uncertain economy, many are making the practical choice to combine households. But what does this mean for home design? Join us to learn more about how flexibility, accessibility, and a balance of private and common spaces must be considered to support the well-being of all who occupy a home – and how to support these needs in a way that still allows for beautiful design.
Moderator: Pamela McNally, SVP Marketing + Digital NKBA
Panelists: Sydney Marshman, Occupational Therapist and CEO Happy At Home Consulting, Patti Carpenter, Trend Forecaster + Principal Carpenter + Company, Danielle DeBoe Harper, Senior Creative Style Manager Moen,
Jessica Birchfield, Principal Industrial Designer Fortune Brands
Sponsored by Moen
9:15 AM
BrandTalks : NKBA Design Bites – Behind the Scenes
10:30 AM
Designhounds Influencer Meetup – RSVP HERE
You see them everywhere at KBIS, Modenus Media’s Designhounds have been scouring trade shows around the world in search of best in class design trends and innovations since 2011. Join us for Donuts + Coffee to learn what it takes to be a Designhound and what’s next for the network of over 700 design influencers that have joined the ranks of the most successful design influencer program in our industry.
If you’d like to attend the show, you can register here.
The trend of furniture designed with soft volumes that we’ve been seeing throughout the past year doesn’t show any sign of moving on just yet. The aesthetic even translates beautifully to the contract world, case in point is the Oru collection. Designed by Patricia Urquiola for Andreu World, the influence of elements from the 1970s and Japanese design create a feeling and mood that’s bold and iconic. Throughout the collection of chairs and tables you’ll notice the ongoing use of three feet supporting each piece of furniture, showcasing topnotch craftsmanship.
The Oru collection was created for both casual and formal work settings, while remaining flexible, adaptable, and comfortable. In all, the series includes two types of chairs as well as coffee, dining, meeting, and auxiliary tables. The furniture all shares the same characteristic wooden structure that features rounded, soft geometries.
The Oru collection has received the Best of Year award from Interior Design Magazine in the category of best contract seat. The Oru table was also a finalist for the awards in the category of best table for contract.
To learn more about the Oru Collection, visit andreuworld.com.
FreshRSS 
