Editor's Top Picks
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11 Must Have Art Deco Pieces For Your Collection
In my view, there’s just too few art deco sales on the auction block this year. The big auction houses in NY will hold theirs presumably at the end of 2013. So I’m always on the hunt for some great pieces that will hold a sufficient amount of appeal, and add some real value to my clients’ collections.
Across the pond, one of my favorite auction houses, Drouot, is holding a Sunday afternoon sale in Brussels. These 2 pieces that you’re seeing at the top, are among 15 of my TOP PICKS from their impressive collection.
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Nicolai Frahm: The Super Collector
Takashi Murakami Kitagawa – KunUniquely colored sculpture, oil paint, synthetic resins, fiberglass and stellBackground: Richard Prince, Telling It Over. Signed, titled and dated 1989 on the overlap acrylic
and silkscreen on canvas“I bought my first Murakami painting in 1997, and he is an artist that I’ve loved every single day since then.”Nicolai FrahmLast month, I attended the premier of Wanderlust at Sotheby’s S|2 Gallery, and saw a curated show unlike any other that I’ve seen before. Nicolai Frahn (famously known as the ‘Super Collector’) was the man responsible for an exhibition filled with a range of art that can best be described as “minimal, clean, Zen” to “very pop, figurative, in-your face.” So it became important for me to understand the collection by looking into the background of the collector.
INTERNATIONALISM AT ITS BESTNicolai Frahm is an influential art collector, patron of the arts, and art advisor. I understand that in February 2013, he will be opening a nonprofit art center with collector Frank Cohen in central London. The center will highlight both collaborators’ keen eye for progressive art, and will also include commissioned works by some of the selected artists that you see here. Sotheby’s Lisa Dennison describes Wanderlust as a ‘journey around the globe as seen through Nicolai’s eyes. His aesthetic is broad enough to accommodate the divergent paths of much of today’s art”. I agree. But for me, it was also a splendid journey of exceptional examples of contemporary art from various artists who managed to survived the Cultural Revolution, and came out to create something beautiful, and extraordinary: art that will surely stand the test of time.
I am here by Sun Yuan and Peng YuFiberglass, silica gel, simulacral sculptureI am here by Sun Yuan and Peng YuI am here by Sun Yuan and Peng Yu (details)Forefront: Ai Weiwei, Bamboo and Porcelain (Three Works)Bamboo with porcelain, Executed in 2008Zhang Huan, Yuan ShikaiAshes and linen, Signed and dated 2007Left: Subodh Gupta, Black ThingSteel structure, painted stainless steel pincers and plastic tiesExecuted in 2007Zeng Fanzhi, Qing Yuan Chun Xue, oil on canvasSigned and dated 2006High End Weekly™ PhotosAll rights reserved -
Top Picks from AD 2012
Top Picks from the 2012 Architectural Digest Show
Today I’m reflecting on the Architecture Digest Show that took place last week at Pier 94. Those types of fairs are informative, and excellent for product sourcing. But sadly enough, over the last few years, the AD Show have seen more misses than hits. And so it was a breath of fresh air, when this time around, I discovered a few vendors who were pushing the limits with creative ideas, and designs. No cookie cutter design, please. David Rockwell’s new textiles for Jim Thompson was one of the designs that I thought worked well with the playful, and dramatic surface of the table which was covered in a warm white wax.
Whimsy: Mark A. Perry Sculptor
The Rockwell Group’s table concept for DIFFA Dining by Design was simple and inviting, but still managed to evoke a theatrical effect.
Robert A.M. Stern’s furniture was offset by a gorgeous white-washed herringbone floor. I’m so glad that my friend Rio Hamilton brought the booth to my attention, otherwise I woud of missed it!
The large booth was a modernist dream, curated with a minimalistic approach. At the end, it did not feel cold, but instead had a zen-like feel to it.
Vibrant Hues: Luxurious Qashqai blankets from D. Bryant Archie Textiles – I’ve always been impressed with D. Brynat Archie’s striking hand-made, vibrant, yet subdued, luxurious fabrics. Her new resort collection of 100% cotton fabrics, pillows, throws and bed covers reminds me of Marrakesh. How exotic!
Top Right: Robert A.M. Stern Stern Collection
- Decorative Arts, Design, Editor's Top Picks, Features, Furniture, I Saloni, Interior Design, Italy, Lighting
Top Design Trends from Milan
I Saloni is 50 years young this year, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at the design trends that keep trickling down each year at this iconic luxury design trade show. Planning to attend? You’re in for a treat since you’ll be able to touch, marvel, and experience the world’s best furniture design.I Saloni is where you’ll find a variety of furniture and accessories – from classical to modern. With an increasing audience each year, no wonder this is the quaintessial place where you’ll find firsthand, the trendsetters of tomorrow. -
Opening Night at New York’s Design Center
The hugely successful online luxury marketplace for antiques and vintage designs, 1stDibs celebrates their 10th Anniversary by opening its first brick and mortar operation at the New York Design Center.“1stdibs@NYDC is poised to completely change the dynamic of this once design-trade only building into a progressive, multi-faceted center that promotes and encourages working designers and makes shopping the building for consumers and designers a rewarding and positive experience”.
The celebration took place on the 16th of February, at the newly curated space on the 10th floor of New York’s Design Center. Of note was a curated exhibition from Malmaison’s Roger Prigent, my former boss, and most beloved mentor (read more about Roger here 1stDibs). The Malmaison show show took place in the 1,100 sq. ft modern white cube gallery space designed for holding future exhibitions, as well as hosting lectures, books signings and special events. The space occupying the entire 10th Floor is now home to 53 dealers from all over the US as well as several international dealers from Paris, London, and Canada. -
Top Places to Shop for High-End Designs
Since its launch in 2009 ShopAD has revolutionized the way designers shop online. Although nothing beats seeing and feeling the products in real-life, wouldn’t you say?Noteworthy Mention:
Dangerous Liaisons at 301 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill, London. Middle Eastern furniture, ivory bone inlaid side tables … Simply beautiful.FR 66 – über trendy, aka the House Of True Style. FR 66, 25 Rue Renard, 75004, ParisCathy Lerebours houses a collection of NY’s finest antiques, all due to her tireless travels and acquisitions. Lerebours Antiques, 220 East 60th Street, New York, NY. Lerebours Antiaques.