DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT: THE STACY GARCIA LIFESTYLE

I had the pleasure to personally meet Stacy Garcia, hospitality designer and rock star in the textile world at the 2015 Architectural Digest DIFFA Dining by Design show. She is just a delight to chat with! She is all smiles and very passionate about what she does. She took me into her optical and multi- layered wonderland of shimmer, stripes, and gorgeous flowers -  a part of her Paper Muse for York Wallcoverings collection. The explosion of dimension showcases her inventive use of color and pattern. Really powerful presentation.

Besides beautiful textiles, her talents are very diversified;  She also applies serious style to furniture. With Bernhardt Hospitality, Stacy has collaborated a "rugged luxe" line of furniture called The Foundry. Pairing rough torched woods with acrylic, polished chrome and gold details underlines Bernhardt's brand of chic with expertly crafted pieces. Love it!   Her inviting designs feature product with personality and aim to the sense of well-being to all who enter a hotel or home. 

Learn more about Stacy Garcia. I'm so excited to share an interview with her today!

YOUR SIGNATURE STYLE?

Our brand produces designs that all have an eclectic, well-traveled, high-art appeal. My personal style is reflected in many of my interiors, as well as, my wardrobe with thoughtfully collected pieces and a playful mixing of vintage and new.

WHAT IN DESIGN FIRES YOU UP?

My design aesthetic is inspired by couture fashion. In particular, how fashion designers create their collections. I’m lured by the idea that classic design can feel timeless, but at the same time I’m fascinated by how their designs evolve each season. It’s incredible to see the detail and level of craftsmanship that is involved.

HOW DO YOU FORECAST TRENDS?

My team and I meet once a year and we’re typically forecasting trends at least two years out. We start by taking a look at society’s drivers in art, media, and fashion. We’ll even examine mediums like politics and the environment, as many factors can have an impact on trends. We start on this more macro level and progress to a more micro level, looking at how these factors impact specific product categories within our industry. At this level, we’re really looking at the details, such as color, pattern, material and scale, and how they can be used together. When dealing with the interior world, we really want to capture the essence of evolution rather than revolution within the marketplace.

WHAT IS YOUR STUDIO VIBE LIKE?

Contained chaos?! Just kidding...kind of. Joking aside, we work in a highly creative environment with materials and prototypes scattered everywhere. We get to have fun together, even though we’re running a business.

ANY LESSONS LEARNED WHILE PREPARING/INSTALLING FOR DIFFA DINING BY DESIGN?

There was definitely an initial panic over all the moving parts when we started. The biggest lesson I learned is that I am capable of doing things outside of my comfort zone. There are a lot of considerations involved in this event. There is a lot of documentation that needs to be submitted in the early stages including a technical rider, fire certificate, inventory list and table renderings. I had to find the right vendors and partners for my installation and relied on them to guide us, as we hadn’t done this kind of install before.

ANY CHALLENGES WHILE DEVELOPING YOUR LATEST PAPER MUSE COLLECTION FOR YORK WALLCOVERINGS?

The hardest aspect for me is editing, because there is never a lack of creative ideas. This is the most selective collection that I’ve designed for York Wallcoverings. I have a very eclectic design aesthetic and that can be challenging at times. With this collection, I really wanted to merchandise beautiful textures that have global appeal, and make sure that the editing work was done for the interior designers.

SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE PARTNERING WITH BERNHARDT HOSPITALITY TO PRODUCE THE NEW FOUNDRY COLLECTION?

Bernhardt Hospitality is absolutely terrific to partner with. I look to Bernhardt as a leader in the industry–the very best in class within the scope of manufacturing companies involved in hospitality and residential design.

They were receptive to our ideas and willing to take a departure from the look they were previously offering to the hospitality market. We encouraged them to incorporate unique materials, details and finishes into our collection, such as, raw and torched wood finishes and rose gold details.

BIGGEST DESIGN IMPACT ON YOUR WORK?

I would say that the biggest design impact on my work is the appetite today for good design. People have become increasingly more design-savvy. They have traveled more extensively and are looking for ways to incorporate features of hotel living into their own homes. This trend in consumerism has ignited another spark in what we do. The design-centric individual pushes us to keep innovating. It has become our mission to transcend ordinary design.

MOST IMPACTFUL TRAVEL EXPERIENCE THAT INSPIRES YOU?

My most impactful travel experience started with seventeen months filling out paperwork and planning with anticipation of adopting our daughter from Russia. I've been very blessed with three biological sons and we were called to complete our family with a little girl. The process proved quite an adventure with three trips to Moscow and Samara. The biggest inspiration of all was our new daughter.

BEST DESIGN ADVICE YOU FOLLOW WHEN YOU ARE UNDER THE GUN?

When we are up against tight design deadlines, it is always tempting to make concessions. When it comes to design and product, we have to love it!  “Meh” never makes the cut.

WHAT MANTRA HAVE YOU BEEN LIVING BY LATELY?

Stay Inspired. What else would it be?!

To connect with Stacy Garcia, 

check out her WEBSITE, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST


image credits: Courtesy of Stacy Garcia, Inc.

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DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT: Catherine Latson Organic Narratives

Natural materials take central stage in Artist Catherine Latson's work. She takes cues by nature's intrinsic properties and allows her organic materials to inform her work. What really caught my eye was the natural structure, patterns, and textures of Catherine's garment series at the 2014 Architectural Digest show.... In amazement I had to step closer to understand what I was looking at. In her garment series, she explores the language of clothing and each piece explores different personalities  - reaching corrosion, imperfection, and decomposition. Catherine Latson adds,  "these personalities are the making of good stories. Ultimately, my work is designed to complement any space that welcomes whimsical use of natural materials." 

I'm excited to share an interview with Catherine Latson today:

SIGNATURE STYLE

Weaving stories using unconventional materials in unconventional ways is, I suppose,my signature style. The Garment series explores the language of clothing. Clothing is a uniquely human experience and I want to turn that experience on itʼs head by offering unconventional versions of the packages we put ourselves in and, perhaps, too often define ourselves by. While the forms I offer are recognizably human, they are twisted, abstracted, seemingly decomposed. The materials confuse the situation even more. I want to keep the viewer guessing. I reach for the imperfect and corroded. Those are the

makings of good stories.

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

I donʼt get caught up in concept. My work doesnʼt preach. I have a penchant for the whimsical and hope my work offers something a little different.

CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS

I let my materials take the creative lead. I am drawn to organic “stuff”, to natural textures and structures. I spend much of my time gathering, dismantling, and concocting new ways to assemble the crazy things I find. I plan very little in advance. Materials are pushed and pulled until something unfolds and I run with it.

GOALS I SET

Balance. Not taking oneself too seriously.Prying myself from producing work to do the business of an artist (PR, etc.) more often.

THE 'A HA' MOMENT

I started taking notice of framed antique clothing, everything from christening dresses and wedding veils to military uniforms and undergarments. What a strange trend. While I respected the sentimentality of these keepsakes, there was something haunted about them. There was no narrative, no story, no “who”. They were shells of human stories, little souls frozen in time, stained and frayed. Thatʼs when I decided to weave stories.

LESSONS LEARNED IN THE GARMENT SERIES

Avoid fragile. Some of the most beautiful organic materials are also the most delicate. While the finished product looks great, they donʼt tolerate a lot of moving around. Mother nature wins every time. I used a pile of dry (or so I thought) seed pods in one piece. Midway through making the piece, the pods opened, releasing fuzzy, milkweed-like fluff. It was actually pretty cool, but imagine if it happened after the piece was purchased. Sell to buyers with a sense of humor.

BIGGEST DESIGN IMPACT

While the fashion industry is not a place I look to for inspiration, Alexander McQueen was a brilliant mind. He made the grotesque beautiful and broke all the rules with theatrics. He loved the mechanics of nature. He didnʼt create costumes, he created creatures. His exhibit, Savage Beauty, at the Met was breathtaking. Each piece had a haunting story. I was transfixed.

MOST IMPACTFUL SPACE

Twin Knolls. This private Vermont family retreat was designed and built in the 20ʼs by Paul Thayer (famous for the Long Trail Lodges). It is an earthy, magical place. Hearths you can walk into flank the two-story main room. Birch bark lampshades, twisted root drawer pulls and door handles, and bark covered railings, bed frames, and structural beams are just a few of the details that make this place unique. Bench swings hang inside from timber rafters. Porches wrap the place with views of the Green Mountains. Critters come and go, but we share the place on good terms. Our family has spent 50

years there and it hasnʼt changed an ounce. It is a rustic work of art. It is a gem.

DESIGN ADVICE UNDER THE GUN 

Ask yourself if you want to be working for someone who has you under the gun.

MANTRA OF LATE

Seek quiet and simplify. It is such a noisy world. Everyone is talking. We need to turn off the machines and listen.

Thank you Catherine!!

You can connect with Catherine Latson on her WEBSITE

Image credits: Catherine Latson

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DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT: Fractals in 3D Printed Textiles, Bradley Rothenberg

Fractals exist all around us and are now emerging in décor, and fashion. From nature to air bubbles, fractals are self-similar patterns formed from complex equations that repeat itself at different scales from the microscopic to the cosmic. Their complex and repetitive geometric shapes make us want to gaze for hours...

Architect Bradley Rothenberg has become an authority on fractals and its application in fashion using 3D printing. Rothenberg added, "We started using fractals because we wanted to create a new way of making interlocking textiles. Fractal's seemed to have a lot of potential because the same geometry could repeat & interlock with itself, while changing scale creating a textile that could have different performance characteristics throughout." 

 LINDSAY IN OUTFIT, INSTAGRAM

The fractal nature of a snowflake was realized in Victoria Secret's Fashion show. Victoria Secret and Swarovski went to Rothenberg with 3D printing Specialist Shapeways to create the Snow Queen's fractal snowflake-inspired corset. 

SNOWFLAKE "FABRIC SWATCH" 
PROTOTYPE, BRADLEY ROTHENBERG STUDIO

The end result was a textile that grew out of an organization of small textile-like snowflakes to larger structural snowflakes. The 3D printed lingerie was made out of nylon and coated with thousands of gorgeous light catching Swarovski crystals.

Rothenberg added, "The biggest challenge was coming up with the joint that allowed the snowflakes to interlock with one-another -- we didn't want to add an additional piece that was external to the snowflake to allow them to connect to each other, rather, we wanted the connection to happen from one snowflake arm to the next -- We went through several iterations of this joint to really get it to work & not look like an add-on to the snowflake."

I am so happy to share an interview with Bradley Rothenberg today...

YOUR SIGNATURE STYLE

I wouldn't necessarily say we have a signature style--We try & develop a specific methodology unique to each project we do.  With that said, however, we are focused on pushing the boundaries on what is possible.  To do this, we are trying to develop innovative  uses for existing materials & techniques --such as 3D printing textiles.

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
Collaboration & a good idea can come from any person & in any place.

CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING ACCOMPLISHMENT
In nearly every project, there are unforeseeable & unpredictable challenges that force us to come up with creative solutions quickly & they have to work. In my opinion, this is the most interesting part of being a designer.

LESSONS LEARNED ON ANY OF YOUR PROJECTS

On every project we evolve as a studio.  Each project provides knowledge that helps the next.

BIGGEST DESIGN IMPACT

I hope it hasnt happened yet.  So far, to date some of the 3D printed textiles have had the largest impact.

MOST IMPACTFUL SPACE THAT INSPIRES YOU

The space inside a 3D printer / Outer Space

BEST DESIGN ADVICE YOU FOLLOW WHEN YOU ARE UNDER THE GUN

Duck.

MANTRA YOU HAVE BEEN LIVING BY LATELY

Coffee.  Coffee.  Coffee.  By Aram Saroyan.

MANY THANKS, Bradley!!

You can connect with Bradley Rothenberg on his WEBSITE

Image credits: With thanks to Bradley Rothenberg 

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All A-Buzz: Hexagons in Home Design

I was a math major in my college days ( I know...big snore) but I had the opportunity to study pattern which was very interesting. The hexagon was one of my faves.... It is a graphic and powerful shape and has been popping up a lot in home design lately. A popular trend one would say...

J'adore the new Modern Vintage collection of upholstery textiles from Carnegie Fabrics. Carnegie nods to traditional tapestry detailing by hiding the warp thread. This technique allows the cluster of hexagons to look crisp and modern. 

I also love love love the handbag, I want one!

Note Design Studio dreamed up the POV candleholders. Simplistic lines that create a three-dimensional hexagon. Very distinct.

POV candleholders (terracotta on the left and petroleum on the right)

Try a hexagon pocket to store your favorite things. Ampersand has created Wallpockets, inspired by clusters of barnacles, that utilizes space in an unique way. I like how the wall becomes dimensional and textural!

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MoD Must Haves: Architectural Wood Clutches by Tesler & Mendelovitch

MoD Must Haves

stylish, modern, novel 

for fashion lovers

I'm in love with these architectural wood skin purses constructed from 100% wood by textile designers Tesler + Mendelovitch. The duo who researches and experiments with a wide range of materials have created an innovative textile that has the properties, texture and appearance of wood; yet it is flexible. They call it "wearable wood." The material informs its geometrical, clean-lined shape.... the detailing is beautiful and sculptural. They have approached fashion in a fashion forward and thoughtful way using technology and scientific methods. 

Great White  -  Americano -  Rose

It's a clutch that makes a statement! Every clutch is hand-made by the designers and is extremely versatile, light and designed with intricate calculated patterns....and so easy to open, grasp and hold under your arm. 

Because they are one-of-a-kind wooden clutches, there is a limited supply. The designers assure that they are made to last! You can purchase them on the Tesler + Mendelovitch website. 

You can also connect with Tesler + Mendelovitch on social media: 

FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, TWITTER.

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STRUCTUREbags Giveaway winner is....

And the winner of the...

is.....

Sarah Daniele of mydomadesign

Congrats Sarah!



MoD Must Haves: Fashionable STRUCTUREbags

Organic Canvas Line - Totes 

Two year ago, Brenda Guyader, an engineer-turned-bag designer, began designing eco-friendly, patriotic and stylish bags for women called  STRUCTUREbags.  I really love the collection's clean lines and eye-popping contrasting colors and fun, mod patterns.  The bags wonderful attention to detail is also not surprising coming from an engineer.  Their Organic Canvas Line are made from 100 percent organic cottons and hand-crafted at their founding location in West point, NY.  I love that these bags are made in the USA and that the company is devoted to giving back to military families...............and a lucky MoD Design Guru reader!

  

Did someone say prizes? 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lets learn more about STRUCTUREbags shall we?  I was in touch with Brenda, the founder and designer at STRUCTUREbags and she takes us behind the scenes of her designs ....  

Organic Canvas Line - mini totes



What made you leave engineering and start your own bag business?

I truly love being a structural engineer. There is something so rewarding about knowing you've solved a problem for a client - either an architect or an owner - that will save them time, money or both, all while keeping the users safe.

But when my husband and I made the commitment to support his career as a football coach and we decided to start a family, engineering had to step to the side.  It is certainly not gone, but with the addition of a child to our family, income could not replace the feeling of watching and teaching our daughter as she grows.   

STRUCTUREbags gives me the chance to use all my training and professional experience in one place, while staying close to my family and creating a company that gives back to the things our family believes in.

Camo Line

What inspires your designs?

When I was a design student at Cal Poly I did a presentation on architect Louis Sullivan. His design philosophy of "form follows function" stayed with me.

As an engineer, my finished product was a structural drawing.  Together with talented CAD designers, we created beautiful works of art everyday!  I love the look of modern prints and contrasting fabrics.  The products I make are scaled to give proportions that are both functional and beautiful.

When I am living life with my daughter, I am always finding inspiration in the beauty that surrounds us: elegant structural connections, bright, linear architecture and unexpected touches in nature.  I am all about marrying the hard and soft, the fun and functional.

Organic Canvas Line - Sachets

 


What is your fave design?

Organic Canvas Line - Wristlets

I find a special use for each of my designs! But, my go-to bag is without a doubt the Element Pencil Wristlet.  I love its versatility and styling. I love how it holds just what I need when I want to scale down, but tucks in nicely when I am heading out for a longer trip.  I love its simple, yet dynamic design. I currently rotate between the Navy Tri with red and the Digital Camo. 

Are you lovin' these colorful bags as much as I do? 
Good luck on the GIVEAWAY, great gift for the upcoming holidays or just a little somethin' just for you!

You can connect with STRUCTUREDbags on their WEBSITE, FACEBOOK and TWITTER.