The Armani Ristorante

While I was in New York for the BDNY show in November 2013 a dear friend invited me for lunch at the Armani Ristorante, which is located on Fifth Avenue in the heart of the city.

I entered a not so posh looking elevator (which honestly I think needs an uplift). As I arrived at the top floor of the Armani building I looked over to the right and found myself intimidated by the vibe of the space, Up market, stylish and extremely classy! I must confess I felt a little less posh like the elevator that carried me there, but I tried to stay true to my calm demeanor and waited for the friendly face to come rescue me.  Of course two lattes later I was much more comfortable in my surroundings.

The concept is very clean, the colors are simple, black floors and white walls and the same scheme follows on the furniture too. But I believe there is a reason why the rest of the interior is subdued; it is because it houses one of the most spectacular staircases I have ever seen. Right in the center of the building connecting all the floors stands this breathtaking sculpture! Yes that is what it is, it’s not a staircase but a striking sculpture that seems hand crafted to perfection. The beauty is in its fluidity and abstract form, from different angles it is a different shape. It is cleverly colored white which again stands out from the black floors. It almost reminds me of a sea creature emerging from the black waters, or like the world tree from “Jack and the Beanstalk” that connects the earth to the heavens above. Ok wow, I thought this post was going to be boring, but for those who do not get me please ignore the last statement. In my defense as designers it is helpful to have an imagination when conceptualizing.

The other design element that is striking is the LED curtain that lights up the glass façade. According to me it is a remarkably clever feature because it separates the Armani building from the sea of buildings on Fifth Avenue. It can be spotted from a distance, and that is crucial for any brand to be able to stand out from the rest of the crowd.

What always amazes me is how certain spaces, even though simple, are able to create an ambience that might either intimidate you or make u feel comfortable , hence I say spaces should evoke emotion!

Until next time…. “Stay true… Stay Funky”

Art through different mediums...

Art is vital to Interior Design. Spaces seem incomplete without the use of art in one way or the other. The beauty of innovation and technology is that it helps re-invent uses for conventional elements.

Photographs printed on different mediums such as acrylic, glass and metal is a perfect example of the above. I am thankful to the brains behind creating such innovative materials because it helps us as interior designers to push the boundaries even further. The application of these photographs in interior spaces is limitless. Now not only can they be used as artwork, but also as decorative partitions, headboards, wall panels… like I said the applications are limitless.

This image is back printed on acrylic. The white areas of the artwork will be clear offering a translucent effect. 

Photographs printed directly on our silver aluminum substrate is one of my favourites. 

 

Printing on ultra clear, tempered glass is another striking application. Other applications include printing on canvas or as a wall covering. I hope you have enjoyed this post..... see you next time.. till then "Stay Funky"

If you would like more information on this product please email me at contact@funkfactoryinteriors.com 

Get Wallpapered!

Every designer has been faced with the challenge of staying inspired, I face that challenge very frequently.  When all else fails I always go back to mother nature to draw inspiration, it is the one that never lets me down.

Inspired by the lines and organic shapes the topography of our earth creates, I decided to create a map for my daughter’s room. Here is a link to the video. For those of you who do not have the patience or inclination to create such an artwork, today's post is for you.

Wallpapered.com is a company that creates wallpaper out of street maps. They can customize a map for you based on the postcode you provide, in the color and style you prefer. From modern to vintage maps, the options are vast and fascinating. Here below are some beautiful examples of what they have to offer.

 

 I plan to have a map customized for a real estate office I am designing in Dubai as part of their meeting room, so not only is it a feature but also a point of discussion.  So what are you waiting for…. Stay Unique… Stay Funky!

Fancy some Metal Skin anyone?

I would certainly love some metal skin on my furniture. There were a few times in the past I would look at a bar counter or a reception counter made of metal laminates and try to find the tacky joints where two surfaces met. Well today after being in this industry for more than a decade, I have learnt it is possible to avoid these joints and give the impression of a solid piece of metal to almost any surface in any shape. The product that makes this possible is Midas Metal. This product is extremely versatile and it can be sprayed onto any surface such as Mdf, gypsum, plastic, acrylic, stone etc. It coats the material like a skin which results in a flawless cover. The Midas surface comprises of 95% of bronze, brass or stainless steel. Take a look at the possibilities of using this product and get your creative juices flowing.

With today’s technology and innovative solutions, it is very important as a designer to keep on top of things, to explore different techniques and possibilities that will help us create better designs …while i scout for more intriguing products & spaces .….till next time you “Stay Inspired & Stay Funky!”

BLUE HILL AT STONE BARNS

Having been in Nyc for more than a week the hustle and bustle of the city certainly overwhelmed me. So we decided to travel to Upstate New York. What surprised me during the car ride was how the landscape changed from skyscrapers and crowded city lanes to winding roads and lush greenery in a span of just 40 minutes.

Blue Hill Farm at Stone Barns was where we were headed. Tucked amidst the green pastures and fields of blue hill laid this little gem. The guests of the restaurant are offered multi-course farmers' feasts featuring the best offerings from the field and market.

Since the surroundings of the restaurant were so breathtaking, the decoration was kept bare minimum. The architecture of the barn was highlighted with lighting. The main table was the centerpiece, adorned with all things natural and earthy from the farm itself, tea light candles were placed strategically to add to its magic.  

We sat below the open night sky that sparkled from the lights of the stars above, nothing but silence surrounded us as we savored the fresh produce from the farm.

What I gathered from this experience is that it is very important for a successful interior design to provide the customer with more than just a visual experience. We should focus on providing the customer or guest with a complete experience something that can be enjoyed using all our senses. Hence things such as smell & sound also play a key role, I will definitely apply this to my designs henceforth. Every experience adds to my learning in some form or the other, directly or indirectly.

Till next time….keep your mind open and stay Funky darlings! 

                                       "All pictures courtesy Keigan Soans"