Design Debate

Today is such a peaceful and beautiful May morning I wanted to bring something equally serene to inspire us. I came across on my internet adventures contemporary artist Benoît Trimborn . The French architect brings to his huge oil paintings a detailed perspective, very calm and considered. He sees himself as not having a message to convey but instead presenting nature accurately so we might pause, appreciate, think.  Trimborn categorises his work as 'contemporary impressionism', perhaps that is because of the relatively ordinary scenes he picks and the quality of light he manages to convey.  Living within the landscape as you can't fail to do in Cornwall, makes you effected by the seasons. The light at different times of day comes with the realisation that you can never really see the same view twice. Nature is always moving, growing, highlighted at different times in different ways. Trimborn's work provides a moment of calm for a busy week...

Designer Michael Anastassiades presented at FuoriSalone 2018 this beautiful installation of delicate links alight. The London-based artist is interested in the relationship between jewellery and lighting. His new collection Arrangements hangs elegantly with glowing geometric forms. Jewels after Jewels after Jewels is the title for the piece and I think he has successfully created that sense of balance and delicacy you find in jewellery but with the scale needed for an impactful installation.  Arrangements is a modular system of glowing LEDs that can be combined in many ways. The suspended forms feel quite calming and sculptural, a lovely way to re-imagine the chandelier. Originally found at MoCo Loco .  Some photographs are by Germano Borelli.

Oh I love this brand, I just want to handle these bottles! A brave choice for this Greek food company, the spacing of the logo continually changes.  ODE comes from the ancient Greek meaning a lyrical stanza, the designers wanted that same kind of poetry and rhythm in their design. Treating the packaging like art, framing the product in innovative ways. The colour palette is earthy and vibrant paired with crisp white. A touch of gold, a little twit of wood some dense colour, lovely. A recent winner of the Dieline Packaging Awards . 

When it comes to room dividers I would normally favour the traditional screen. Perhaps adorned with elegant botanical forms, lacquered like the Chinese or a Seventies twirly wicker triptych. When it comes to modern designs I hadn't really explored what's out there. This morning I found a divider that looks pleasing to unfold - and it tidies away to the thickness of a book. This space-saver is ' Softwall ' by Molo, freestanding and flexible using honeycomb geometry. Perfect for privacy and a really pleasing backdrop - the wall becomes a piece of sculpture wherever it unfolds. Alongside Softwall Molo have created Softseating, magnetically connecting seating that is surprisingly strong. I love the golden brown colour. Although there is a real feel of the Scandi about it, Molo are actually based in Vancouver, Canada and are headed up by Stephanie Forsythe and Todd MacAllen. 

Welcome to the Ad Hoc chair, a wonderful combination of chaos and balance. The linear laid back design is so pleasing, like a stretched scribble. By Spanish designers Viccarbe, each chair is individually constructed with cast brass and with the option of being lacquered.  Something about the form of the chair feels geographic, undulating landscape contained in a box. Like a slice of geology. See more at Haute Living .  

Today is the first official day of Spring, and I can just about believe it. Yes we had snow only yesterday but today despite the cold breeze there is a real optimism in the air. The sun is vibrant and the birds are in fine voice. As such I thought I would bring some elements of Spring to Design Debate today, to get us in the mood. Above: Spring Vista, a poster for the   Long Bay Youth Symphony Orchestra , Valentino Spring/Summer 2018 Couture , Chanel Spring 2015 Couture - Animated 3D Paper Garden , Giambattista Valli Spring 2018 Couture . Above: Spring garden Alphabet by Sarah Walsh , Spring 2016 Haute Couture Ralph & Russo ,   Spring 1904 Russian Avant Garde artist Kazimir Malevitch , The Awakening of Spring a travel poster by A A Moore, 1926. Above: A refreshing way to display flowers , Vintage Japanese travel poster , The Arrival of Spring a blown glass sculpture by Peter Layton .

  Oh I am enjoying the curves, texture and lighting in this Paris hotel - the new and chic Hôtel National des Arts & Métiers. From the corrugated walls, to the plush velvet chairs, and those earthy hues! A little bit of glam for you to peruse on a Tuesday afternoon.  See more at Yellow Trace .