Design with a Purpose

I would like to introduce you to the works of designer Pepe Heykoop today. The fact that he has a purpose to his design and passion draws me to his work. Pepe not only believes in sustainable design but also in sustainable communities. In pursuit of this noble cause Pepe and his cousin Laurien Meuter set up the Tiny Miracles foundation in the red light district of Mumbai, India. The objective of this foundation was to enable this community of over 700 people to be self -supporting by way of education for parents and their children, by teaching the Pardeshi community valuable skills and by creating jobs. Pepe set up his workshop in this particular red light district and creates jobs for the community. Till date they have created 100+ jobs! Their products are showcased all around the world in trade fairs such as ICFF New York, IMM Cologne, Maison&Objet to name a few and sold globally in upmarket stores.

 

Pepe’s products are as remarkable as his intentions behind his cause “Tiny Miracles”. Please join me to spread the word! Till next time…” Stay purposeful… Stay Funky”

You can find more information on pepeheykoop.nl & tinymiracles.nl

Designed Spaces...BDNY nyc,2014

Visiting the Boutique Design New York show for the second year in a row has been an incredible learning experience. Engaging with people from different continents and learning about their perspective on interior design, their work ethic etc. is always refreshing.

Besides having a much larger floor space this year, BDNY also boasted of some marvellously designed spaces. Scattered around the BDNY hall were dedicated spaces which were designed by various Interior design companies. Each space reflected a particular theme. These spaces not only provided a platform to showcase the designers flair but also was a place for the trade visitors to congregate. 

Designers Sketch 

 In actuality

CITYSCAPE BY DESIGN GROUP CARL ROSS

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Design Group Carl Ross invites you to Cityscape lounge, an urban oasis high above the hustle and bustle of the trade fair floor. In the spirit of Boutique Design’s semiannual event, Cityscape is designed in signature bi-coastal style: Slip into the bar and channel the magnetizing energy of midnight in New York City as the skyline soars above you or decamp to the garden with a kicked-back, sunny San Diego vibe, and recharge your batteries (along with your phone’s) under the branches of a giant tree. Wherever you land, seize this chance to relax, revitalize and refuel.

Sponsors:

Fairmont Designs, Interface Hospitality, P/Kaufmann Contract

Product Sponsors:

Astek Wallcovering, Gold Leaf Design Group, Neoteric Luxury, Royal Contract Lighting

Product Contributors:

el media group

 

In Actuality...

SOJOURN LOUNGE BY DESIGN POOLE

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Travel used to be a romantic venture for the privileged few. As time has passed, travel has become a more basic necessity. The faster and more direct, the better, as we seek more time to be productive with work. The Sojourn Lounge, by Design Poole, is a tribute to the warriors of travel, providing luxury lounging space and casual conversation areas with high-quality finishes and materials and unique seating choices—perfect for connecting with friends, colleagues and clients at BDNY.

Sponsors:

Architex, Ariston, B Carpet, Hubbardton Forge, Wonderly’s

Product Contributors:

el media group, US Vinyl

AND MY FAVOURITE THE STUNNING……….

Designers Sketch 

In Actuality...

LUXURY LOUNGE BY WILSON ASSOCIATES

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Enter a cocoon of luxury in this geode-like design created for our honored BDwest guests and designed by Wilson Associates as a sanctuary of hospitality. The concept of “shooting star” mirrors the meteoric rise of Wilson Associates in the hospitality design universe over the decades since its creation by Trisha Wilson. This meteor is multi-faceted, with a distinct character on the outside, and an unexpected surprise on the inside.

Sponsors:

HG Arts, Justin David Textiles, Maya Romanoff, Swarovski Lighting, Vaughan Benz, Zenith Rugs

               ** Description of the spaces courtesy bdny.com**

Stay Inspired… Stay Funky!

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”

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"

W HOTEL

While still in New York I decided to pop by the “W hotel” lounge bar. It was on located on one of the upper floors of the hotel, it almost seemed like the bar was in a passageway. I loved how they challenged the space by using dark colors and strong design elements.

There was so much movement created in the space by the way in which the lines flowed from one side to the other, connecting both ends, this way the design did not stagnate.  It was almost as if I was walking beneath the waves. I am greatly inspired by designers who can take an interior space and create architectural elements that transform a mere box into something that moves you and speaks to you.

I hope these spaces have inspired you as much as it has me….. ...stay inspired.... "Stay Funky"