Favourite Designers

Anwyn Walta
Theory of Design | IVOLTD1
course IVOL1_FEB16
student GSD0000LMK
Assignment 2 | Influences in Current Industry
due. 26/02/15
LINE | Greg Natale, Sydney
Greg Natale uses strong graphic diagonal and horiontal lines to great effect; the high contrast diagonal wallpaper, repeated
through the two spaces, give a feeling of energy and movement. The horizontal lines of the couch, rug and coffee table ground
the space and invite the occupant to the comfort of the chair.
The sofa’s straight metal legs, and the geometric/ rectangular design of the seat, arms and back is reminiscent of a modernist
sofa. The chair pads continuing along the entire seat and back of the chair however, together with the button grid pattern in the
chair padding upholstery is very similar to a Victorian era Chesterfield sofa. The use of luxe velvet and the sofas context with
other decorative choices indicate a Hollywood Regency aesthetic.
SHAPE & FORM | Rita Konig, London
The geometric shapes of the paintings (together with the firelace and doorframes) create a striking grid pattern that is balanced
and softened by the organic forms of the antlers, candle sconce, chair and flowers, as well as the soft organic shapes within the
paintings themselves.
The square back, padded velvet fauteuil chair is a modern version of the Georgian era piece. The open arms, velvet uphostery
and upholstered arm rests are very much like the original Rococo Fauteuil, however the loose seat cushion, straight legs and
square back indicates the later era Georgian version.
SPACE | Alessandra Branca, Chicago
The negative space around the furniture is perhaps as beautiful as the furniture itself; the furniture and lighting are offset
through the archway and provide movement, drawing the occupant to the left. The negative space itself creates an arrow
pointing left!
The curved lines of the side arm/ headrest on the chaise, together with the red velvet fabric, stright horizontal seat and straight
paw feet legs reference an Edwardian period chaise lounge. The use of a black laquer effect with gold trim, and the suggestion
of symmetry (it looks like the lounge may have a mirrored arm/ headrest on the other side unlike typical chaise lounges),
indicate a chinoiserie influence.
LIGHT | David Hicks, Melbourne & LA
David Hicks makes the most of this gorgeous well lit space, utilising the abundant natural light and adding ambiant pendant
lights; the mostly white interiors reflecting the light giving it a beautiful airy feel.
Towards the background is the mid century 1960’s Platner arm chair, distinctive with its many welded curved steel rods on a
circular horizontal frame. The plastic protective ring around the base, padding on the seat and strip of padding across the back/
arms of the chair in a single piece are also typical of the iconic chair.
COLOUR | Nina Campbell, London
The stunning use of monochromatic blues in this cool space give a tranquil, serene feel. The contrasting warmth of the timber
floor, gold frame and tiny pops of oranges and reds on the table balance the space.
The simple horizontal seat and slightly curved backrest of the sofa together with its lack of arms, very slightly curved metal legs
and rich blue velvet fabric are of the Hollywood Regency aesthetic.
PATTERN | Anna Spiro, Brisbane
Anna Spiro has mixed organic and geometic patterns throughout the spaces, unifying the contrasting pattern with her
thoughtful use of colour. Contrasting patterns continue not only through textiles but also in her placement of art, books and
lights. What could be a cluttered space is instead friendly and inviting.
The closed arm, curved block shaped back, curved seat rail, upholstered loose seat cushions and upholstered arm rests of
the chair in the mid-ground are typical of a Rococo Bergere chair. In this space the chair has been upholstered in striking
contemporary linear pattern fabric, tying the vintage piece into the eclectic bohemian design.
TEXTURE | Hare & Klein, Sydney
The many layered textures in this room combine to create an extremely inviting and harmonious space. Mixing the thick sisal
rug with the organic wall sculpture, woven bowl with coral, leather, oversize knit throw, linen couch and woven cane chair and
then contrasting them all against the hard lines of the firelace, walls and timber creates an elegant and beautiful room.
The organic minimalist curved shape of the coffee table tops are reminiscant of the modernist Naguchi table, however the
materials and the shape of the legs/ base are a more straightforward contemporary version of modernist design with straight
legs and joinery in raw timber.
SCALE & PROPORTION | Muriel Brandolini, NY
The oversize painting paired with the smaller offset painting (with accent light) are scaled against each other for dramatic impact
and balance, both in proportion to the furniture which is chosen to give maximum impact of the art.
With its geometric straight lines, hortizontal shape, small straight metal legs and lack of complex decorative adornment this four
seater sofa is from the modernist design era.
RHYTHM & REPETITION | Kelly Hoppen, London
The glass lily vases, pendant lighting, white porcelain vases and the brown cushions and couch fabric all use repetition to
establish strong sense of rhythm in this space.
The square block shape of the couch, the arms a seamless continuation of the backrest, its lack of elaborate decorative
adornment and the thick textured contemporary fabric suggests a contemporary interpretation of modernist furniture design.
BALANCE | Jonathan Adler, NY
Jonathan Adler’s space unifies bold high contrast colour, texture and pattern through a very symmetrical design, achieving
balance.
This couch’s simple rectanglular geometric shape and straight metal legs reflects modernist design, however the grid pattern
of the button upholstery and continuous fixed cushion across the seat and back of the couch is from Victorian Chesterfield
furniture design. The gold/ metallic luxurious velvet fabric, together with the context of other design choices in the room,
categorises the overall look as Hollywood Regency.
EMPHASIS & FOCUS | Brendan Wong, Sydney
The large artwork and striking green velvet chairs bring the focus of the room to the important central dining space. The vertical
lines splayed around a circular axis of the chandelier also work with the artwork and chairs to bring the focus ‘down’ to the
dining area.
The straight verticle lines of this pendant chandelier light, arranged around a geometric circlular ‘axis’, together with the use of
shiny metal and glass cylinder materials all indicate the modernist design era.
CONTRAST & VARIETY | Ryan Korban, New York
The contrast in this room is striking, between the street/ punk art and the classic furniture, the luxurious thick carpet texture
and the hard floors & table surfaces and between masculline and feminine decorative elements (ie grunge art vs. classic vase of
roses). The variety of different periods and styles of the decorative elements creates an interesting and dynamic space.
The two white chairs are Barcelona chairs from the Bauhaus era. The distinctive ‘X’ cross metal frames, similar dimension
square seat and back pads, lack of arms or other adornment and button upholstery padded leather cushions are all integral to
this iconic design.
HARMONY & UNITY | Rose Uniacke, London
Harmony in this beautiful serene space is achieved through the use of similar colours and textures. These collections of colour
(neutrals, black), texture (wall, textiles, timber, rug) and organic form (vintage furniture, lighting and decorative mirrors) unify the
space.
The eleborate, ornate crystal chandelier, with draped chains of crystal beads around a circular metal frame, layered with more
draped crystal beads in concentric outer circles finishing with a top circle of elegant metal ‘candle’ lights are typical of ornate
Renaissance chandeliers.
Image Sources
<http://www.domain.com.au/advice/creating-luxurious-home-interiors-with-greg-natale/>
<https://ritakonig.com/interior/9th-street/>
<http://branca.com/interiors/>
<http://theinteriorsaddict.com/countdown-to-wednesdays-belle-awards>
<http://mirror80.com/2012/04/a-new-take-on-80s-interior-design/>
Fowler, Jarred. <https://leahtwomey.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/anna-spiro.jpg>
<http://theinteriorsaddict.com/meet-the-finalists-for-belle-coco-republic-interior-designer-of-the-year-2015>
<http://usinteriordesigns.blogspot.com.au/2011/02/muriel-brandolini-design-in-manhattan.html>
<http://kellyhoppeninteriors.com/>
<http://exteriorideas.xyz/jonathan-adler-interior-design/>
<http://brendanwong.com/>
<http://oraclefox.com/2015/11/01/sunday-sanctuary-streetwise-pro-skaters-apartment-tour/>
<http://whoismarieturnor.blogspot.com.au/2013_02_01_archive.html>