Fine Irish Design by Joseph Walsh

The fine craftsmanship and perfected woodwork of Joseph Walsh has always been highly inspirational throughout my design studies and career. "The Formations Furniture Collection" by Joseph Walsh is a study in billowing, undulating forms. These works by the Irish designer include sleek bone-like chairs and tables as well as a sinuous wooden ‘erosion’ table. Walsh's work possess a modern and contemporary aesthetic while also capturing the naturaly sense of wood as a material.  “I am seeking to emulate nature’s forms with a timeless presence as though they have evolved like a formation or erosion.”

Julian Mayor at ICFF 2012

London based designer Julian Mayor showcasde a new collection of furniture and lighting at this years International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York at the 21st Twenty First Gallery last week. Much like the construction of origami using specific paper folds, the sheet metal is heated then folded and weld in place to create the furniture forms."The Mirror Table and Fernando Bench were developed on a computer and with scale models, but the physical making process of folding and welding adds a layer of depth to the construction. The heat distortion of the manufacturing process allows light to pool in swirls on the surfaces.

Fold Your Own Lamp at MOTO

A fold your own lamp designed by Elaine Fortin and Virginia Lamothe at Biped, showcased at this years MOTO by Domison Design exhibition being held last weekend in during Design Week in Toronto. The laser cut and perforated steel "Comet  Lamp" is sold flat and is up to the user to fold it into the desired shape. It can be folded into a sphere or more randomly into an organic, abstract shape.    Comet was part of the MOTO exhibition which showcases the works of cutting edge designers from Montreal and Toronto, Canada. The temporary installation presents the works of cutting edge designers from both cities. Envisioned by My & Thien, the team behind Montreal-based design studio Periphere, this temporary exhibition aims to bring the two distant creative platforms closer.

The Comet Lamp designed by Elaine Fortin and Virginia Lamothe

Designers at the 2012 MOTO Exhibition

Lighting by David Trubridge

New Zealand based designer David Trubridges flatpack lighting designs were an eye catcher at this years International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York. Trubridges ideas come from "wild places,
edges of turbulence and renewal, where seas break on beaches and headlands, where land and air meet on mountain ridges". Trubridge is a strong advocate for issues of environmental awareness, world-wide social inequalities, and pollution. He believes that design has a key role to play in reshaping our lifestyles and the way we do things, so as to become more sustainable. He makes forms of elemental simplicity with an optimism for a sustainable and enriching future, through the use of low impact natural materials and processes.

Spectacular Stairs

Stairs are the name given to a construction designed to bridge a large vertical distance by dividing it into smaller vertical distances. Stairways may be straight and round, or may consist of two or more straight pieces connected at angles, but why does this mean that stairs have to be a boring constructions in the middle of our homes, shopping centre’s and hotels. As a major focal point in any space, designing a stairs which draws attention to itself for all the right reasons is a massive part of a design when building or recreating an interior of any space. You don’t always have to conform to the standard wooden step and handrail stairway, incorporate a design and finish which works with the style of the interior. Here is collection of some of the most unique and stylish stairs from buildings and homes around the world.

Spiral Staircase designed by Patrick Jouin

“Floating” stairs designed by Florence architect Guido Ciompi for The Gray Hotel in Milan, Italy.

Stairs at the Longchamp Store in New York City.

Stairs designed by Gabriella Gustafson and Mattias Ståhlbom in a private residence in Stockholm

 

Ribbon Staircase designed by HSH Achitects



Future Maker Results 2012

This years Future Makers Awards were announced at an award ceremony which took place on Tuesday at The Sugar Club in Dublin. With a total prize fund of €30,000, the Future Makers Awards & Support reward the next generation of Irish designers, helping them develop an exciting future in the craft and design industry. Future Makers promotes and distinguishes craftsmanship and excellence in design for creative students and graduates at a critical stage in their career.
 The overall winner of the future maker awards went to a gifted young Irish fashion designer whose stunning creations have been worn by singer Lily Allen, Grammer award winner Esperenza Spalding and Kathyrn Thomas. Natalie Coleman from Monaghan received the overall Future Makers Award of €5000 for the distinctive dress designs from her “All the Jewellery I Never Got” collection which is playfully drawn from images of jewellery she has never received.

Dress designed by Natalie Coleman

Other Future Makers Awards & Support winners announced by the Crafts Council of Ireland include:
Kate Cronin of Klickity, for design excellence. Kate impressed the selection panel with her design skills and desire to expand her work to develop a successful range of contemporary light fittings and products.

Lighting designed by Klickity

Fellow Malthouse designer Jennifer Slattery, textiles designer, for excellence in design development.

Table runner designed by Jennifer Slatery

Kate Murtagh Sheridan, ceramicist, for her experimentation with process, technique, colour and form.

Ceramics designed by Kate Murtagh Sheridan

Theresa Burger, jewellery student, for her large, geometric bangles made using 3D rapid prototyping techniques and inspired by the Zulu people of Southern Africa.

Rings designed by Theresa Burger

Along side another Malthouse Designer, Kathyrn Payne for her furniture,lighting and jewelery design.

Lighting designed by Kathryn Payne

Highlights from the ICFF 2012

This years International Contemporary Furniture Fair is currently under way in Newyork City this week. For those of you who havent been lucky enough to have the chance to be there, here is a glimpse of some of the designs trending at this years show.

The Hyphae Light designed by Nervous System

The Mood Broom designed by Peteris Zilbers

The Stickbulb Light designed by Rux Design

The Aurrelia Lamp designed by Qisdesign

Chandelier designed by Benjamin Rollins Caldwell