Get Your Glow On

[caption id="attachment_1150" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Caesarstone Concetto collection in White Quartz[/caption]

 

New Semi-Precious Stone Quartz Sets Any Room A Glow

Nothing draws attention like a glowing object. The magical, mesmerizing quality of something softly illuminated from within surprises and delights. It makes us pause to contemplate, just how the heck that happens. This Day-Glo/glow-in-the-dark novelty has found a respected place in home design. Check out some of the latest modern homes with high-gloss finishes and high-end tastes and chances are there is a room that’s got its glow on.

 

[caption id="attachment_1137" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Caesarstone Concetto collection in Brown Agate[/caption]

The concept is quite simple: All you need to create a glowing feature is a translucent material and a mechanism to light it from underneath. Caesarstone recently introduced a line of quartz called the Concetto collection made of individually-cut, semi-precious stones that have a translucent quality perfect for creating the glowing effect. The product is creating an entire genre of glow spaces thanks to the creativity of designers such as Gio Tran of Applegate Tran Interiors, Inc., based in San Francisco, California.

 

[caption id="attachment_1168" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Blue Agate fireplace designed by Gioi Tran with Applegate Tran Interiors, Inc.[/caption]

Gioi recently designed a bay area “Bling House” for a client with impeccable fashion forward, high-gloss style. One of the home’s trophy features is the glowing blue fireplace made of Caesarstone’s Blue Agate from the Concetto collection. “The idea was to create something that is beautiful even when it’s lit, says Tran. The fireplace is backlit with a sheet of LED lights for even illumination. “Blue Agate is a modern but organic natural material with tremendous depth and movement. I originally considered using recycled glass for the fireplace surround but it doesn’t offer the patterns, texture and variations in color and consistency that makes Blue Agate so striking and elegant,” says Tran.

 

[caption id="attachment_1142" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Caesarstone Concetto collection in Ice Quartz[/caption]

The glowing allure of translucent surfaces appeals to those looking for something no one else has- the must-have, tastemaking, trendsetting material of the moment. Here’s a look at some of attention-getting possibilities with Concetto.

The slabs come in dimensions of 55.5 x 119 inches and a thickness of 1 inch.  Each Concetto piece is made from completely natural stone to create unique patterns and variations in color.



Concetto is one of the latest additions to Caesarstone, which invented quartz in 1987. “We created a movement and basically shifted a lot of consumers from solid surface and granite and marble to the quartz. In the begining, people said quartz was a fake stone. Yes, it is manufactured but it is made from natural minerals to create a non-porous surface and we back that with a lifetime warranty,” says Maggie Amir, Brand Manager of Caesarstone. When Caesarstone launched to the market, it was mainly a product for kitchen countertops. Today the possibilities expand way beyond countertop to include furniture, sculpture and art. To learn more, go to  www.caesarstoneus.com.

The DNA of Design

Using the Laws of Nature for Kitchen Cabinet Configuration

[caption id="attachment_2850" align="aligncenter" width="600"] photo courtesty of Mark Rosenhaus[/caption]

We all know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder but there is at least one universal truth that most people find appealing. Geometry, as found throughout nature and enlightened by a basic math equation draws the eye—provoking admiration, envy, and awe.

[caption id="attachment_2849" align="aligncenter" width="600"] The Golden Rectangle applied to the design of this kitchen. In this photo, three glass squares and a glass Golden Rectangle surround horizontal lift-up doors. (photo courtesy of Mark Rosenhaus, CKD)[/caption]

Certified Kitchen Designer,  Mark Rosenhaus, coined the concept the DNA of Design—the perception of beauty based on proportion—and uses it as a guiding principle in kitchen and bath design. Rosenhaus is an expert on the subject, presenting his insights at designer workshops and events including the Kitchen and Bath Show. This idea of applying Mother Nature's engineering techniques to modern-day design intrigues me. I wanted to learn more about how we can all use the DNA of Design as a filter to view our own design projects. Here is my exclusive interview with Mark Rosenhaus as he deconstructs the DNA of Design. 

 

 

You say that the DNA of Design manifests itself throughout history in some of the greatest works of art and architecture. Please give us some examples.

“Look at the symmetry of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man, follow a seashell's spiral, count the seeds clockwise and counter clockwise on a sunflower and a pineapple, marvel how proportion and placement highlight details of Notre Dame Cathedral. When you look closely at our fingers, face and a beautiful body, you will find similar geometry as well as in so many other objects throughout the universe from the microscopic to the telescopic," says Rosenhaus.

 

You refer to this geometric configuration as the Golden Rectangle. Please explain.

"The Golden Rectangle is where the width is 62% of an object’s height.  The arithmetic is derived from what is known as the Fibonacci Sequence: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89… whereby adding two consecutive numbers equals the third; and dividing any number by the following number produces 62%. With practice, the trained eye will discern and enjoy the 62% proportion compared to almost any other dimension. DNA is the building block that determines preferences for all nature’s living organisms.  Interestingly, the DNA helix module has the same proportions as the Golden Rectangle, therefore if it’s in our DNA it stands to reason we have a predilection towards Golden Ratio relationships."

[caption id="attachment_2851" align="aligncenter" width="600"] photo courtesy of Mark Rosenhaus, CKD[/caption]

 

"We all know that a skinny cabinet is neither the best shape for function nor looks good. Using the Golden Ratio takes the guess-work out of sizing cabinets and answers the question of why one design is more appealing than another," says Rosenhaus.

 

How does one find the Golden Rectangle in icons of world design?

"Without even knowing the proportions of a Golden Rectangle, we are aware of it.  A Golden Rectangle is comprised of a square and a smaller Golden Rectangle. A face with proper proportions will just naturally be more attractive, as will art, architecture and music. Additionally, animals and plants are also created with Golden Rectangle proportions.  But, and it’s a big but… perfection in anything, including proportions are rare— in nature and man-made. The benefit of recognizing this proportion will enable you to augment a subjective reaction with an objective eye to determine why you like or don’t like what you’re looking at."

[caption id="attachment_2854" align="aligncenter" width="600"] photo courtesy of Mark Rosenhaus, CKD[/caption]

In the photo above, each upper cabinet is a Golden Rectangle of varying sizes yet the same proportion. The diagonal lines cross in the center of the middle of the cabinet, right where the eye wants to go.

 

Why do we do this?

"Our subconscious, natural instinct is to look for objects having Golden Proportions.  Honed over the millennia, we have learned how to accentuate appealing features.  Our face is a prime example: as in repainting the eyebrows higher on the forehead to delineate a more visually pleasing Golden Rectangle encompassing the width of the mouth. In art, as in life, we want people to feel comfortable being with us.  Beauty and familiarity create the first and lasting impression."

Rosenhaus cites the works of Piet Mondrian as an example:

[caption id="attachment_1784" align="aligncenter" width="400"] photo courtesy of Mark Rosenhaus, CKD[/caption]

"To understand how Mondrian applied the concept of the Golden Rectangle in his art, start with the red square, which is 62% of the width and height of the main portion of the painting; then follow the curving movement of the blue areas leading to the yellow and beyond."

 

Two designs Rosenhaus calls 3 dimensional Mondrian

[caption id="attachment_2840" align="aligncenter" width="600"] photo courtesy of Mark Rosenhaus, CKD[/caption]

Notice the geometric proportions of this kitchen cabinet configuration: Golden Rectangle, squares and double squares—our most pleasing shapes—in a spiral arrangement.

[caption id="attachment_2861" align="aligncenter" width="600"] photo courtesy of Mark Rosenhaus[/caption]

"The spiral movement of the composition begins at the focal area recessed cabinet with three frosted glass panes that are the same proportion as the door itself. They lead to the increased depth double square horizontal lift-up doors; across to the Golden Rectangle; down to the horizontal cabinet and wind around to the final square and knob as the period."

 

Why and how is the Golden Rectangle proportion an aid in kitchen design?

"Proportion and placement are at the forefront of better compositions.  The Fibonacci Sequence is a great tool in figuring cabinet sizes which create vitality and movement to avoid monotony and predictability. Adjacent cabinets must be as rhythmic as notes in a musical score.  The number of doors or cabinet sizes in the arrangement of 1-2-3; 3-2-1 or 1-2-3-2-1 create familiar progressions that are livelier than having all the doors the same size."

[caption id="attachment_2853" align="aligncenter" width="600"] photo courtesy of Mark Rosenhaus, CKD[/caption]

In kitchen design, proportions create a natural balance. The dimensions need not be perfect as our eyes make adjustments to feel most comfortable. The 27" wide cabinets are approximately 62% of the 42" square center cabinet. Using stock size cabinets, the impression of a Golden Rectangle is delineated by the square 27" x 27" pair of doors topped with a 27" x 15" flip-up door. Bearing the same proportions as the Taj Mahal highlights their importance in kitchen design.

[caption id="attachment_2842" align="aligncenter" width="600"] "The 62% Golden Rectangle applied in the design of this kitchen: the glass is proportional to the width and height of the door. The upper square glass and door fit into the lower Golden Rectangles," says Rosenhaus. (photo courtesy of Mark Rosenhaus, CKD)[/caption]

 

You don't have to wrap your mind around the mathematics of  Mother Nature's geometric ratio to get it right with your kitchen cabinet configuration. Just remember this basic idea of the Golden Rectangle: width is 62% of an object’s height and you'll create a composition that commands attention and leads to the focal point. To learn more about Rosenhaus' DNA of Design, click here to view his online slideshow.

 

Concrete Design: The Unconventional Potential in Home Interiors

[caption id="attachment_1057" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Concrete Bath Tub by Swiss company, Dade Design[/caption]

Concrete, once relegated to industrial and commercial use, commands new respect as a go-to material in home interiors. Lately, the cement and water mixture is one-upping other decorative surfaces for its ability to take on any shape, finish and function. Designers call concrete liquid stone, a material with the pliability of clay and the durability of stone.

[caption id="attachment_1054" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Concrete sink from the Wave Collection by Dade Design[/caption]

Imagine taking your favorite color play dough, mixing some really cool decorative doodads such as shells or glass rocks, the possibilities are limitless. Now, sculpt that embellished play dough into anything you want and let it cure for a rock solid surface that doesn’t stain, mold or rot. That is the allure of decorative concrete and why concrete’s unconventional uses include household countertops, sinks, tubs and all things in between.

[caption id="attachment_1075" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Concrete kitchen countertop by Dade Design[/caption]

 

Concrete also scores points with consumers interested in sustainable products. There is an unlimited supply of concrete unlike marble, granite, or other surfaces made by Mother Nature. This year, The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) singled out “the contemporary application of cement,” as a trend gaining traction.  Concrete compliments perfectly au-courant design styles such as Nature in Design, Monolithic Design and the Industrial Luxe look, able to meld its raw, natural properties with these aesthetics much like a chameleon.  I sought out some of the tastemakers in concrete design to check out creative uses of concrete.



I discovered the Swiss company Dade Design whose  Designer Phillip Bruni is crafting modern design pieces for the home including sinks and tubs out of high-quality concrete.

“Our creations are developed in perfect symbiosis between Austro-Italian design and Swiss engineering and craftsmanship,” says Bruni.

[caption id="attachment_1076" align="aligncenter" width="560"] concrete sink in wave cubed design by Dade Design[/caption]

Dade’s signature collection, The WAVE fuses soft, sinuous shapes with straight, geometric borders.  “The intriguing appeal of WAVE is not only very inviting, it is also ergonomic and comfortable to lie in,” explains Bruni.  A black center seam accentuates the design and points out the symmetry and harmony within the object. The seam is optional and doubles as a design accent dividing the bathtub into two pieces for easy transport and installation. “Each half mounts together on-site making WAVE a bathtub for both new construction and existing houses,” explains Bruni.



The sinks and tubs are available as free-standing or as built-ins with either a varnish coated finish for a matte look, a silicon coating or no surface treatment.   Wave Cubed is a more linear, cubic version of the series. It combines the sinuous inner shape of the wave-series with flat sidewalls.

[caption id="attachment_1036" align="aligncenter" width="560"] award-winning concrete countertop design in Shutt by Hyde Concrete[/caption]

Hyde Concrete, winner of the 5^th Annual Decorative Concrete Countertop Award by The Decorative Concrete Council also caught my attention for its award-winning outdoor kitchen countertop. “ We are seeing a lot more creative use of concrete in design including stained or polished floors, countertops, vanities, bathtubs, decorative wall panels and fireplace surrounds,” says Designer/Owner Gregory Hyde Hryniewicz. His award-winning outdoor kitchen design includes cabinets made of decorative Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) panels and custom concrete countertops with embedded conch shells.

[caption id="attachment_1033" align="aligncenter" width="560"] award-winning concrete countertop design in Shutt by Hyde Concrete[/caption]

This is just a sampling of concrete's creative potential that I've culled together. I wanted to show you two ends of the design spectrum:  modern sculptural designs and whimsical, colorful, embellished looks. Because concrete can mimic so many looks: the veining of marble, the patterns of granite, the polished patina of metals; it works with any style and can be an affordable alternative.

Shining the Light on Beloved Delft Design

My first experience with blue and white ceramics was my grandma's tea set that she used to serve me hot cocoa during our "tea time." The stark white cups with their swirling blue designs all classy, dainty, and elegant epitomized everything a little lady is supposed to represent.  Maybe it was my Southern upbringing but the blue and white designs known as Delft, seemed to be a requisite pattern in home design where I grew up.

[caption id="attachment_1012" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Vintage Delftware tea set photo from Rubylane[/caption]

Though I'd like to lay claim to discovering its virtues, the Dutch own that distinction. Dutch potters in the late 1500s began handcrafting the blue and white stoneware depicting scenes from the Dutch countryside. Revered by both royalty and the masses, Delftware was quite popular from the 1600s to 1800s until mass production brought about its devaluation and demise.

Today, Delftware is enjoying a renewed appreciation for its timeless, trendless, universal appeal thanks to modern day artisans such as Jacco Maris, a lighting designer whose most recent creation is the Montone Chandelier in Delft.

[caption id="attachment_1010" align="aligncenter" width="560"] stainless steel Montone chandelier handpainted in Delft, designed by Jacco Maris with LED light bulbs available from Global Lighting[/caption]

"In Holland, the first thing you associate with ceramic is the tradition of Delft design. Fireplaces, floors and walls would be covered in Delft tile. The memories are an intimate part of growing up Dutch," says Maris, who etches his Delft patterns on white-coated twisted stainless steel strips that give the Montone Chandelier its sculptural shape. The name Montone is Italian for ram and evocative of the chandelier's shape.

[caption id="attachment_1008" align="aligncenter" width="560"] delft pattern handpainted by Dutch artists Ben Quaedvl and Frank De Wit[/caption]

The Delft version of the Montone is the product of a collaboration with two Dutch artists Frank De Wit and Ben Quaedvl. The entire light is created by hand in the Jacco Maris studio located in Breda, the Netherlands. The Montone chandelier is available in oval, round and triangular shapes.

Maris says his Montone chandelier in Delft can work in either a very traditional setting or a very modern one. "The chandelier merges these two styles with the painted surface of Dutch imagery and bent metal. The light is a dramatic statement. It can become the focal point of the room, like a piece of sculptural art," says Maris.  Much of Maris’ work aims to evoke an emotional response that taps sentimental attachments to sensory experiences.

"There is great pride in The Netherlands for our heritage and when we can integrate a traditional design with modern materials it allows us to understand our traditions in a whole new way. For people outside of the Netherlands and Europe the light is a magical design statement, and people seem to appreciate the unique shape and fluidity," says Maris.

[caption id="attachment_1006" align="alignleft" width="336"] Jacco Maris, Lighting Designer[/caption]

 

Lighting, once an afterthought in home design, is now a defining feature in living spaces. Maris sees the Montone Chandelier as a sculptured light design that defines or redefines a space immensely. "We believe in harmony where classic design meets modern design. The Montone can influence a very classical interior and bring a more modern touch to the total atmosphere. Lighting should contribute as much to a space on as when it's off, " says Maris.

The Montone chandelier is available in North America from Global Lighting.

What's having a moment in home decor typically tracks what's trending in fashion as well. The New York Times  recently did an article on Delft-ware inspired couture from fashion houses such as Prada, Valentino and Rodarte hitting the runways recently. The crisp, eye-catching, whimsical Delft designs touch something visceral in us that keeps it forever in style.