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This Summer at Las Vegas Market, artist and product designer Austin Allen James unveiled his new collection of art, case goods, lighting, and soft goods with Stylecraft. This week we caught up with Austin for a wide-ranging conversation about the intersection of art and functional product design, how you know when the work is finished, the pursuit of universal beauty, and why he is glad he didn’t know anything about the business of art and design before committing to it.
Online shopping and cheaper, faster shipping options have facilitated the rise of DTC brands, and with online shopping continuing to grow, it makes sense that DTC would grow, too.
Jennifer Farrell, a renowned celebrity designer and television host, has captivated audiences with her shows and designs for over two decades. She gained national recognition as the host of the long-running series Find & Design and currently hosts popular shows like Million Dollar House Hunters, Find Me a Beach House, and Most Amazing Homes.
Wendy was an early adopter of Houzz, advertising on the platform as far back as 2015. She still attributes much of her success to Houzz, and specifically being an early adopter. For a designer getting started today, they may not have as much success on the already saturated platform. It may behoove them to get experimental and trailblaze a newer platform. Find the place in the Wild West that doesn’t already have a populated boom town and become the mayor.
With timeless track arms, durable upholstery, and legs available in either a wood or metal finish, The Fantasy Sleeper Sofa Bed comes in Full XL, Queen and King with one of Luonto’s best selling mechanisms.
In a survey conducted by consumer experience and insights firm WD Partners last year, more than 71% of respondents said they shop secondhand at least once a month. Some 11% do so daily. (I’m thinking most of those folks are collectors or resellers themselves; some might be people with shopping addictions.) But another 26% shop secondhand weekly and 33% do so monthly. Their reasons vary: Some like the fun of seeking out “treasures.” Others want to save money and still others like the sustainability of buying used items or, in the parlance of auto dealers, preowned products.
My current favorites are the Sare Floor Lamp and the upcoming MetLife table. My favorite interior design project was a residential home in Bebek, Istanbul. I designed it during covid, and despite the dreary circumstances, I felt proud to create designs that reflect a more positive and fun world. That project makes me happy every time I see the images.
Companies like Estonia-based Raiku have a solution for the luxury packaging industry that sits at the intersection of these issues. Their compostable packaging is designed with luxury products and consumers in mind and doesn’t end up in landfills. I spoke with one of Raiku’s co-founders, Karl J Pärtel, about the barriers manufacturers face in adapting compostable packaging, creating a luxury product and addressing the urgency of environmental issues.
Tulipa is inspired by Tulips for their translucent and colorful petals. The Tulipa Collection makes a statement with curved pink and green glass shapes that alternate colors and adorn the center column. The column features a downlight with integrated LED lamping and a frosted glass diffuser.
This week we talked to Stephanie Stroud, the area manager of Ferguson’s Los Angeles and Santa Barbara showrooms about the latest trends in lighting for kitchens and baths. From channeling old world, royal estates, to combining minimal styles from around the world, and embracing nature with eco-friendly and biophilic designs, these lighting trends encompass a diverse range of styles and themes.