Idiosyncratic furniture

Cecil Higgins Art Gallery and Bedford Museum purchased a rare Zodiac settle designed by a 19th century Gothic Revivalist, William Burges. Designed for his personal residence, the Zodiac Settle (built around 1869) is an ornate canopied bench that combines an Italian Renaissance day bed with a castellated canopy.
The settle is made from painted, stenciled and gilded wood and decorated with rock crystal and vellum. The central panel features the sun on a throne surrounded by the dancing signs of the zodiac. The Settle’s other panels show the planets as musicians and female figures.
The art piece is extremely rare because it was an experiment and the design was never repeated.

Behold the world’s most expensive bed

When you live in a 20,000-square-foot mansion a regular bed is like drinking tap water or flying commercial—it’s just not done!
Stuart Hughes (the British guy that blings out multimillion-dollar iPhones and flatscreens for the uber rich and flashy) and Hebanon by F.lli Basile Interiors of Nocera Superiore Italy have designed the world’s most expensive and exclusive bed, the Baldacchino Supreme. I know this bed sounds like an awesome new pizza creation, but it’s for real.
The bed of all beds is smothered in Italian silk curtains; the canopy bed is a luxe pairing of crème and gold hand carved from chestnut, ash and cherry woods. The Parisian influenced headboard is a capitonnè, button-punctured fabric that can be customized with diamond buttons or another stone for that extra flash.
If you covet gold, I mean COVET gold then hold on to yourself— this bed is covered in gold leaf (107kg of solid 24-carat gold). Only two Baldacchino Supremes will be made at a cost of $6.4 million to start. Anything and everything can be customized on this bed, and one has already been ordered by an Italian businessman.
As you lay in your common bed tonight with no gold leaf or diamonds and dream of the Baldacchino Supreme, don’t be surprised if you wake craving pizza.

Furniture that actually is 'Made in the USA'

It’s hard to find anything especially furniture that is actually Made in the USA, until now. Pacific Hospitality Design Inc. is the first U.S. custom furniture and furnishing manufacturer to earn the license to use the Made in the USA Certified Seal. In an industry where outsourcing has become the status quo, it’s nice to see some manufacturing is still thriving in the US.
If you read the fine print on many items you buy, you’ll find phrases like designed in California or Assembled in the USA (clever marketing trickery). Made in the USA Certified is a non-partisan leader in independent third-party assurance verification for genuine ‘Made in USA’ products and services.

Furniture for the kitchen

Englishman’s Fine Furnishings, makers of European-style antique reproduction furniture, officially announced its new furniture-quality, custom kitchen line in a fully expanded showroom at AmericasMart Atlanta. The new kitchen line, named Englishman’s Kitchens & Fine Custom Cabinetry, is part of an overall showroom expansion to include a total 9,300 square feet of display space. Englishman’s was launched based upon the company’s long-standing business of building custom furniture.
“We had received many requests for custom kitchens reminiscent of our English- and European-style furnishings,” says Mike Howarth, owner and president. “Since other businesses in the Mart were not offering this type of built-in cabinetry, we knew it would be a good opportunity to create custom kitchens for designers and their clients.”

Liege ornamental carvings is my kind of wood porn

You've heard of food porn (those cooking shows you only watch when you're starving), well, for me this is wood porn.
Patrick Damiaens is the only fulltime ornamentist (the carving of ornaments in wood) in Belgium and the Netherlands who is devoted to Liége style ornaments for interieur and Liege style furniture (XVIIIe century style).
Because of the European quality standards, the originality of the drawings and the performance, Damiaens says his profession appeals to the imagination of many, including Belgian magazines and newspapers and even the Belgian Royal family.
The fabrication of Liege style woodcarving for the interior and the reproduction of Liége style furniture is done only in Belgium, and is known for its design and look, the drawings, and the carving. Damiaens says the work is not commercial, since the number of pieces of furniture produced on a yearly basis may be two or three. The main reason for fabrication is to satisfy the highest standards of craftsmanship and to keep and old tradition and art alive. For more information, see Patrick Damiaens.

Reclaimed, restored and reborn

I’ve always like the idea of using something you don’t need to make something else you want. Call it recycling, upcycling or green—I call it smart.
Old bowling alleys are disappearing all over the country, but what happens to the long, beautiful heartpine wood lanes? I’ve read articles of people salvaging the wood to make countertops, and frames but Counterevolution has taken it one step further. Craftsman, Jim Malone has created three contemporary fine furniture lines out of these old lanes. Modern Rustic and Industrial Green series feature tables, seating, kitchen and desks. The Buffalo Greens series includes wine racks, lazy susans, clocks and jewelry. Malone has also done some beautiful commercial installations.
Its furniture fit for a kingpin! Go green!!

Moser to make furniture for Simply Ming television show

Thos. Moser, designers and builders of hand-crafted wood furniture, will once again partner with chef Ming Tsai to handcraft a table and chairs for the set of his public television cooking show, Simply Ming. The cherry Meridian round dining table, designed by David Moser, is the newest addition to the Meridian collection and is an adaptation of the existing Meridian trestle table. Tsai will use it to dine with his guest chefs in the last segment of each show, as well as to help display the food they have prepared to the viewing audience.
The Meridian 48-inch tabletop accommodates up to four. The dining chairs feature a fine radius of the chair’s underside, the inverse matched radius at the top of the leg, and the optical correction effect at the termination of the chair’s crest. The single back slat is a first for David and accentuates the chair’s sleek lines. The Meridian collection will be available in ash, and cherry and includes a coffee table, dining sideboard, rectangular dining table, hall table, chests, and stools.

Acimall reports positive industry numbers in Q2 2010 survey

The second quarter 2010 brought significant signs of recovery, though highly diversified, among the companies included in the statistic sample selected by Acimall, the Italian woodworking technology manufacturers’ association.
The periodical survey indicates the industry has grown by 69.8 percent from the same period during the previous year. Orders from abroad recorded a 63.6 percent increase, with an even stronger trend on the Italian market, which was up by 83.3 percent.
From April to June 2010, prices recorded a slight increase (up 0.4 percent), while the period of ensured production was 2.2 months at the end of June. Looking at turnover, there was a massive increase over the first quarter (up 70.5 percent).
According to the quality survey, 44 percent of interviewed companies indicate a positive production trend, 52 percent stable and 30 percent reported a decrease. Employment is considered stationary by 83 percent of the sample, falling by 8 percent and increasing by the remaining 9 percent.
Available stocks are stationary according to 65 percent, decreasing according to 22 percent and growing according to the remaining 13 percent.
The forecast survey outlines possible trends in the next few months: after the positive rebound of orders, a period of stability is expected to consolidate the results obtained in the first half of the year.
Foreign orders will grow according to 30 percent of the sample, while they are expected to stay at the same level according to 48 percent. The remaining 22 percent predict a drop. The Italian market is expected to remain stable according to 61 percent of the interviewees, shrink further for 22 percent and expand for the remaining 17 percent.

Building a furniture brand

Convincing someone to invest in a quality piece of furniture is no easy task. Stores like Ikea and low-cost imported furniture are seductive to cash-strapped consumers and have helped create a throwaway culture.
Mark McKelvey, a Maine woodworker who lost his shop to arson in 2009 understands fine furniture is a hard sell and is now promoting Maine woodworkers online. His non-profit Web site, www.MaineFurniture.org was founded to add value to Maine’s custom woodworkers and furniture makers. “I found it very difficult to promote my business without spending thousands, and thousands of dollars in website design and maintenance, magazine ads, and trade shows.”
McKelvey’s community-based marketing strategy is simple — promote and brand Maine’s woodworking talent. Potential customers can browse different shops, read bios, look at pictures, watch videos and visit a shop’s Web site, if they have one.

Something old, something new

Sotherby’s is featuring a cutting-edge, contemporary exhibition on the spectacular grounds of Sudeley Castle (across the pond) from May 28 to August 1, 2010. However at this exhibition you can touch and buy the art.
The selling exhibition arranged in association with Carpenters Workshop Gallery, is showcasing a series of one-off and limited edition pieces by contemporary artists and designers. The exhibition follows in the footsteps of previous successful outdoor shows by Sotheby’s at Chatsworth House in
Derbyshire (Sotheby’s Beyond Limits sculpture exhibitions at Chatsworth are now in their fifth year), and also at Isleworth in Florida since 2003. In contrast to Beyond Limits, which focuses on monumental sculpture, the Sudeley exhibition presents design pieces with a utilitarian aspect.
The works can be used as functional lifestyle objects or simply appreciated as works of art with profound aesthetic appeal.

Putting the ‘love’ back in loveseat

Martini (check)
Soft music, low light (check)
Drunken special someone (check)

Loveseat signed by Hugh Hefner?

Attention all you groovy cats even if you were born in the decade of greed, you can still own a piece of the 1960s’. “The Hef,” an iconic sofa will set you back a mere $15,000.
But can you put a price on mojo? Apparently you can.
Each sofa is covered in gray mohair, with nail head detailing, rosewood side panels, down-wrapped 2.0 density foam seat cushions and all-down back cushions. Playboy founder Hugh Hefner’s signature is under the cushions and sewn as a permanent label. Only 50 loveseats will be made and can be found through HazelnutNewOrleans.com.
Is mohair stain repellent?

Blurring the boundaries

Paging Brad Pitt…

“Furniture Futures,” the first in a series at the V&A is tapping influential designers and industry heavyweights to discuss how contemporary furniture is blurring the boundaries among art, craftsmanship and design.
The event coincides with the growing awareness of furniture as an expression of contemporary culture, and is structured around three main themes: Creative Directions, Changing Practice, and Promotion and Communication. Additional topics include whether furniture is a new art form; what role new materials and sustainability play in making and design; and whether individual creativity or collaboration in the key to innovative practice.
The Symposium will be held September 18, 2009 and is part of the London Festival of Design.

An ode to breezy summer days

After working in the world of loveless high-volume manufacturing, New Zealand native Jolyon Yates wanted to create some soulful and distinctive low-volume furniture.
In 2008 he started ODE, a venture that specializes in one-off distinctive, eco-friendly furniture.
I especially love his Breeze or Savannah Rocker. Its flowing surfaces lead the eye on an easy journey into a slower era. The Breeze is sculpted from Birch Plywood and stands approximately 1,000 mm tall by 520 mm wide by 1,000 mm deep. It’s finished with a strong satin lacquer to draw out the subtle natural colors of the wood.

Not your father's Murphy bed

When you live in a small space it must take on multiple personalities during the day.
A Murphy or hideaway bed is one way to incorporate another personality into a small space. Thankfully they’ve come a long way from a small wire-frame mattress hidden in a closet.
This new generation furniture trend is all about stylish storage. The functional and luxe Habersham Augustine bed with bookcase is the Ferrari of Murphy beds. The design clearly conceals your sleeping quarters and will leave guests wondering, “Where do you sleep?”
The Augustine bed comes in various hand-painted finishes to match almost any décor.

A royal “garage sale” of sorts

Rich people are just like us. They like to get rid of stuff, but instead of having a garbage sale (typo stays), they opt to sell their unwanted treasures at auction.
According to an article in the Telegraph, four items (fine furniture and accessories) purchased after Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953 are up for grabs. The items include a pair of giltwood chairs, green silk screen, table and a pair of cabinets. All the furniture is from the Victorian period.
The standout piece is a gilded center table made from amboyna wood and was specially made for Queen Victoria. The table is stamped with the Queen’s crown, the initials VR 1866 and Windsor Castle – Room 243.
The auction will be held May 29 at Moore Allen & Innocent in Cirencester, Gloucestershire.

A chair with Daddy issues

Meet Daddy’s chair, a Danish modern recliner with a sense of humor. Designed by De Vorm, Daddy’s chair is a bold, sophisticated armchair with a steep recline. The low-slung chair was designed with an optimal angle to be the perfect reading chair.
Unlike a real daddy, this armchair features no-sag springs and foam cushions which can be covered with any fabric. The design is available with no armrests and a couch can be created by attaching two or more chairs to one another.

Magical table expands at the push of a button

I remember my Mom wrestling with extra dining room leaves for every major holiday. Besides being a hassle to install, it was always a chore to dig them out of the storage closet. Those days are over for anyone who can afford The Fletcher Capstan Table, a round table that can double its seating capacity at the push of a button.
What makes this table so very amazing is that it stores its expansion leaves within itself. According to DB Fletcher Design, the table can go from seating six people to 12 in a matter of seconds. When small, the top is made up of six pie shaped leaves, and an outer skirt in the manner of a drum table. Under this first layer lie two more layers of leaves, the first strata made up of six arrow-shaped leaves and, under that, a large star shaped leaf. The table operates electrically from a small remote, and bases can even be made to vary in height.
The motors controlling the mechanism run on low voltage, which can be supplied from a re-chargeable battery housed within the table’s base. This battery is easily removed for re-charging and installation of the second supplied battery.

For yacht installations (I told you it was pricey), the table can run on its own batteries, or be connected to the ship’s electrical supply.
All tables are individually designed and built, and each is one numbered.

Furniture Buying Index rises to 58

The Furniture Buying Index inched up two points this month to a reading of 58 as of May 1.
“We will have to continue to watch the index in the coming months and hope that this trend continues,” Britt Beemer, chairman of America’s Research Group, said.
“Hopefully the index will continue to rise and will get above the 70-point level by the end of the year.”
The Furniture Buying Index is compiled each month by America’s Research Group from interviews with 5,000 to 8,000 consumers across the country.

Extreme makeover: Adirondack furniture

This is not your traditional sitting by the lake Adirondack-style furniture.
The Adirondack Museum asked six modernist and postmodern architects and designers and six Adirondack rustic furniture makers to create a new, modern aesthetic. The results of the collaborations have reinvigorated rustic furniture trends using traditional methods and materials.
The "Rustic Tomorrow" collection features a desk by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill consulting partner David Childs that was built by Wayne Ignatuck with red oak salvaged from his yard and walnut castoffs from a nearby farm. A table by Shope Reno Wharton Associates’s Allan Shope was constructed in black walnut by Judd Weisburg, according to Interior Design magazine.
Other contemporary designers include, Michael Graves, Nils Luderowski Architect and Dennis Wedlick Architect, and 20th Century Fox art director Thomas Cardone, according to Interior Design.
This exhibit will travel to:
Munson-Williams-Proctor Art Institute, Utica, New York — February 14 through April 19, 2009.
D. Wigmore Fine Art Inc., New York, New York — April 22 to May 6, 2009.
"Rustic Tomorrow’s" one-of-a-kind pieces will be sold at auction to benefit Adirondack Museum on May 6.

Fine furniture maker relocating to N.C.

No, the headline is not a typo. Ava Design, a start up high-end custom furniture manufacturer is relocating from New Jersey to North Carolina not China or the Philippines--North Carolina.
Owner, Matt Carfaro plans to start production during the first week of June in a former Belmont textile mill and display furniture at a South End showroom, according to the Charlotte Observer.
North Carolina has lost tens of thousands of furniture-making jobs over the past decade, mostly to Asian countries where labor is cheaper. The N.C. Commerce Department estimates the state now has 1,450 furniture companies employing 63,300 workers.
However, Carfaro wants to tap into a trained labor force. More than 65 experienced cabinet makers have applied for 15 jobs he plans to fill. In the future, he hopes to employ 35 to 50 people.
Ava Design is focusing on capturing the boutique furniture trend niche. The heirloom-quality furniture is made from American walnut and American white oak, and consoles, dining room tables and small tables can run from $600 to $3,600.
Made in the U.S.A will cost a bit more, but you get what you pay for.