On a Jet Plane

Please forgive my absence over the past couple of months. So many very exciting things have happing. So while I get into the swing of being a new blogger, have just a bit of patience. It will be well worth the wait.

I am off to Miami to attend Art Basel and Design Miami. With great anticipation, it is something that I look forward to all year long. Lately, I have been having a bit of cultural wanderlust and plan to simply soak up what can at best be described as pure culture bacchanalia. From the main convention center brimming with 250 dealers, to all of the satellite fairs, and to the design district anchored with Aranda Lasch’s structure housing this year’s Design Miami fair, there is more to see than there are hours in the day.

From 38,000 feet, have a wonderful rest of the week! I can’t wait to tell you about all that is awaiting me in Miami!

Art Basel Miami Beach is open to the public December 3-6 Daily from noon-8, and 6 on Sunday.

www.artbaselmiamibeach.com

Design Miami is open to the public December 2-5 Daily from 11-7

www.designmiami.com

- Kristen McGinnis

Photography: Kristen McGinnis

Designing a Room to Inspire

While I knew that the existing knotty pine paneling would be my initial point of departure; I didn’t have to look far to find the next item that would start my creative juices flowing. On my bulletin board, I had a swatch of the most delicious silk ikat fabric saved as inspiration for a future project. I was thrilled when it became the backbone of my scheme; the perfect foil to the knotty pine. I wanted the palette to be rich, luscious, sexy and spicy; for it to be unexpected. I loved the idea of putting the silk ikat on an antique chesterfield sofa; I knew that it would be quite dramatic; little did I know that would be one of the stars of the show.

The first piece of furniture I found, indeed, was a chesterfield sofa from the 1920’s. While it eluded me on my quest in Manhattan, I found it on the way to a friend’s wedding in Connecticut. A sleek 19th century wing chair was procured from Sentimento Antiques; and I fell in love with a magnificent early William IV library table at Cove Landing. From Barry Friedman, I found a graceful bronze and parchment side table by French artist Ingrid Donat. The showstopper bronze coffee table, cast from a tree root, came from Chista.

There is a dynamic that happens when juxtaposing pieces from different eras together. I felt that these items gave me a strong base to build upon so that the rest of the room could successfully evolve.

The Hamptons Designer Showhouse this year is located at 179 David’s Lane in Watermill. It has been graciously donated by the Farrell Building company. It is a classic shingle style house located on 1.5 acres.

Hours are 11-5, 7 days a week. July 26- September 6th.

631-726-8099

info@hamptondesignershowhouse.com

-Kristen McGinnis

Watercolor Rendering: Kristen McGinnis

Hamptons Designer Showhouse 2009

This summer I had the privilege to be a participating designer in the Hamptons Designer Showhouse, sponsored by Traditional Home Magazine. The house opened the evening July 25th to critical acclaim. This is one of the most prestigious showhouses around, so needless to say I was incredibly flattered to be invited to design a room.

For those who know me personally, designing the library was a perfect fit; I am a known bibliophile, and enjoy reading and passionately collecting books. What makes this library so special is the knotty pine paneling; I knew that I could use it as my backdrop to tell an amazing story.

For the following two weeks, I will unfold the story of how this beautiful room came together; from what my inspirations were, to how I made the edit on the featured furniture, and finally to what was unveiled to be the room's true voice. You may be surprised when you find out. Stay tuned!

The Hampton Designer Showhouse this year is located at 179 David’s Lane in Watermill. It is a classic shingle style house located on 1.5 acres and has been graciously donated by the Farrell Building company.

Hours are 11-5, 7 days a week. July 26- September 6th.

631-726-8099

info@hamptondesignershowhouse.com

-Kristen McGinnis

No Discipline

Many may recognize the work of Ron Arad, and many may own one of his creations. In addition to successfully establishing himself as the standard bearer for the studio design movement; Arad is a prolific designer, designing collections for Driade, Kartell, Moroso, Alessi, and Vitra. Arad's first major U.S. retrospective opens at The Museum of Modern Art on August 2nd. It shows the evolution of a great designer whose work has transcended time; and one who has become a master of his medium. His work is bold, gestural, playful, and cerebral. He creates a language with his form that we all want to speak.

The show is centered around a massive architectural structure that ribbons itself around his work. Not only is it a showpiece of Arad's architectural capabilities, it also creates a dynamic dialog with the work on display.

Working your way around the show you will see a selection of the Paved With Good Intentions tables designed for the Design Miami show in 2005, a prototype of Moby's Trip table inscribed with working notes that become part of the work itself, and one of Arad's most iconic items of design: the Bookworm Bookshelf.

Mass produced items are shown with his studio furniture to great effect. In many cases, such as the MT chairs, they are shown back to back. In this case, the version made for Driade was the influence for his studio masterpiece.

It is clear that the chair has become the star of the show. From the early Tinker chair to the more current Bodyguard series, Arad reveals himself as an artist. You can see how the work matures once you enter the inner structure and gaze upon row after row of these icons of modern design. On their own, they command attention; and here, en masse, they demand it.

Ron Arad No Discipline at The Musuem of Modern Art runs from August 2- October 19, 2009. Ron Arad is represented by the Friedman Benda Gallery.

-Kristen McGinnis

Photography: Kristen McGinnis

Welcome

This is quite a thrilling day! I have been excited about starting a blog for quite some time, and am elated that the day has arrived.

I am an interior designer in based New York City. With a diverse background in many design disciplines, I have a unique perspective, and am excited to share it with you. I hope that you stay tuned for many posts to come.

- Kristen McGinnis

Photography: Roe Ethridge