Black Interior Designer Showcase
More than Just an Experience
Every morning we should arise blessed with a sense of renewal. In spite of the current challenges we face today on many levels, we still seek to satisfy our search for inspiration and fulfillment… SO WE SHOP.
We have been told time and time again that the retail landscape is dramatically over stored, some say by hundreds of thousands of stores. This fact is undeniable, but finding a source for African-inspired home furnishings on a reliable basis still remains a huge challenge.
Clearly when money is no object it is relatively easier. Even then what is available is a version of products I describe as Shangri-la: poor imitations of authentic artifacts from places existing only in the manufacturer’s imagination… STILL WE SEARCH.
In the major metropolitan areas with substantial African-American populations, the task of filling this unmet need is being soldiered by forward-thinking entrepreneurs who are committed to promoting a sense of pride and awareness of the African culture. These individuals deserve our encouragement and support in their quest to advance the notion of African-inspired design.
In this article, I’ve shared with you images of our retail gallery opened in Columbus, Ohio. While at this moment we feel we are alone in the wilderness in our quest, a new-found ability to network with like souls gives us hope.
Are there any retail outlets carrying high-quality, African-inspired home furnishings? I encourage you to make us all aware of the retail/gallery owners in your city who are grass-root movers in this struggle. We would like to recognize and support them where it counts… LET'S SHOP!
We have been told time and time again that the retail landscape is dramatically over stored, some say by hundreds of thousands of stores. This fact is undeniable, but finding a source for African-inspired home furnishings on a reliable basis still remains a huge challenge.
Clearly when money is no object it is relatively easier. Even then what is available is a version of products I describe as Shangri-la: poor imitations of authentic artifacts from places existing only in the manufacturer’s imagination… STILL WE SEARCH.
In the major metropolitan areas with substantial African-American populations, the task of filling this unmet need is being soldiered by forward-thinking entrepreneurs who are committed to promoting a sense of pride and awareness of the African culture. These individuals deserve our encouragement and support in their quest to advance the notion of African-inspired design.
In this article, I’ve shared with you images of our retail gallery opened in Columbus, Ohio. While at this moment we feel we are alone in the wilderness in our quest, a new-found ability to network with like souls gives us hope.
Are there any retail outlets carrying high-quality, African-inspired home furnishings? I encourage you to make us all aware of the retail/gallery owners in your city who are grass-root movers in this struggle. We would like to recognize and support them where it counts… LET'S SHOP!
Comment
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Comment by Tokie Laotan on July 6, 2009 at 8:14am -
Hi Bill,
I travel a lot round Africa and have come across authentic designs.
I can put together a list of African design stores, if u want.
tokie
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DIGITAL HOSPITALITY DESIGN
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Welcome to the November 2009 digital edition of Hospitality Design (HD) magazine. This convenient format gives you easy access to all the feature articles and departments found in the print edition delivered directly to your inbox every month. With the Digital Edition, you can easily share articles with colleagues, make notes on pages, and save past issues for future reference without taking up valuable shelf space.
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PAD STYLE
Designer Spotlight: Movisi
Modular, lightweight furniture is the name of the game – at least the one that Movisi is playing. This design company has created a line of furniture that is fun, playful, functional and modern. All of their pieces have the same carefree appeal: they can be reshaped, moved, tossed, and interacted with in [...]Check out our Modern Furniture collection on PadStyle Shop.
Designer Spotlight: Christian Lessing
Christian Lessing creates art-inspired furniture and lighting that speak to something deeper than just form and function. For instance, the above pictured Nachtflug lamp might appear to be a contemporary and minimalist piece of lighting, but upon closer inspection, you will notice that the light spots are mapped to areal images of the world’s [...]Check out our Modern Furniture collection on PadStyle Shop.
Designer Spotlight: Hudson Furniture
Specializing in commercial and residential furniture and lighting, Hudson Furniture has its finger on the pulse of what’s modern and chic in interior design. Their focus is on enhancing the natural beauty of wood, bringing out the grain and the deep earthy tones, and mixing this with a contemporary style. Their claim to [...]Check out our Modern Furniture collection on PadStyle Shop.
Designer Spotlight: Ismail Ozalbayak
Ismail Ozalbayak is a student of design by trade and by choice. He uses simple lines and form to produce minimalist pieces that each have a unique element that sets them apart from their contemporaries. For instance, the above pictured Kubus Modular Furniture System uses the principles of interactive design and combines them [...]Check out our Modern Furniture collection on PadStyle Shop.
Designer Spotlight: Federico Weber Design
Using a mashup of art influences, Federico Weber creates industrial pieces that would look stunning in a space that is highly interactive. His work uses the colors and depth of photography, design inspiration from the world of electronics and programming, and an eye that only someone with a passion for designing could bring to [...]Check out our Modern Furniture collection on PadStyle Shop.
Designer Spotlight: Stephen Fitz-Gerald
Stephen Fitz-Gerald is an artist, and makes no excuses about it. He calls himself a “design machine”, which is apt – most of his pieces are sculpted works of art in metal and other industrial materials. He creates a wide range of pieces, including furniture, decorative art sculptures, jewelery, and outdoor installations. [...]Check out our Modern Furniture collection on PadStyle Shop.
Designer Spotlight: jienshu
For nearly five years, Jason Ong/jeinshu has been creating furniture, sweeping up awards, and pushing the boundaries of modern design. Having won several awards upon his debut out of design and architectural training, he now works to create designs that truly take advantage of our three dimensional world. Each piece is designed to reflect a part [...]Check out our Modern Furniture collection on PadStyle Shop.
Designer Spotlight: Alvaro Uribe
Using his early education in metalwork, Alvaro Uribe has combined industrial design with the modern demands of furniture production. He has been featured in permanent collections in New York, and has collaborated with companies and designers worldwide to produce bold, innovative furniture for their commercial and private needs. Using mostly solid colors, accented [...]Check out our Modern Furniture collection on PadStyle Shop.
Designer Spotlight: Benjamin Shine
Benjamin Shine is multi-talented designer who uses his musical, artistic and sculpting skills to create work that has been hailed as ingenious, brilliant, visionary. The above two chairs are titled Loop and 40 Winks respectively, and they play with form and silhouette to create seating that challenges common perspectives. Using single sheets of acrylic, [...]Check out our Modern Furniture collection on PadStyle Shop.
Designer Spotlight: Daniel Hulsbergen
A new designer on the scene, Daniel Hulsbergen brings a deconstructed approach to his furniture and concepts. The above vase is part of a series entitled centerPIECE, which combines broken Dutch vases with traditional Dutch basketry to create a mashup of form and function. The blue and white vase, once broken, is brought back [...]Check out our Modern Furniture collection on PadStyle Shop.
Furniture Store Blog
i24R3Portable Waterproof / Wireless Speaker System from EOps
British designer Michael Young conspired with EOps and My studio to create the i24R3 Portable wireless speaker system that is perfect for indoor and outdoor use thanks to its waterproof construction. After realizing the conventional waterproof speakers were not as...The Architecture Inspired Desk by Paul Gribincea
"Aero" is a desk created by designer, Paul Gribincea. When examining the shape of Areo, it follows more closely an architectural shape than that of traditional desk design. The angles do not conform to the 90 degree angles of most...Keep 2 Green Plant Stand
The "Keep 2 Green" plant stand not only provides a place holder for a potted plant, but creates a mini-environment of conservation. It is designed to hold plants that need daily watering. The pot should have holes in the bottom...Voltaire II Traditional Armchair from Jasper van Grootel and JSPR
Jasper van Grootel, founder of JSPR put a new spin and exterior rubber coating on his "Plastic Fantastic" modernized classic furniture collection. The Voltaire II traditional armchair is available in some extremely vibrant or muted colors and features a high...The Sky Planter Up Side Down Herb Garden
The "Boskke Sky Planter" is perfect for growing those special herbs like mint and rosemary you just may need for dinner. New Zealand designers Boskke Jake and Patrick Morris want to transform the way people enjoy plants in their living...Sunflower : Another Timeless Wall Clock by George Nelson
Since 1957 Vitra has manufactured the famous wall clocks of George Nelson as well as a wide range of furniture and accessories from the world's most iconic designers. The various wall clocks of Nelson are to say the least timeless,...Designer Bathroom Radiators and Space Heaters from Caleido
Who knew bathroom radiators and wall mounted space heaters came in such modern designs and colors. The Caleido collection of designer radiators makes an artful statement from a utilitarian element that is usually anything but attractive. Choose from a variety...Tapas Colorful and Useful Office Credenzas
These useful office credenzas provide a colorful alternative to the often drab office furniture setups found in many homes. A bit of color can spruce up a room and provide a contemporary feel for an otherwise sterile room. Though "working...Omnibus Back-to-Back Settee from Vladimir Kagan
Very few furniture designers have left such an indelible mark as German born Vladimir Kagan. His iconic works have made a lasting impression on the modern furniture industry, an industry he helped define in a career that spanned six decades....Elegant Dining Tables by EmmeBi Furniture
EmmeBi Furniture showcases it Italian heritage in the Brando model. The elegant dining tables are available in 25 colors where pictured here is white which creates a stunning display. A statement is made in the design by the thick and...Tall Storage Cabinets by Duccio Grassi
Called "Code", these tall storage cabinets were created by designer, Duccio Grassi. The focus of the design was to create a casual storage space that offered lots of available space for putting things away. The doors are designed to be...Overlap Serving Tray : Breakfast in Bed or Laptop Computing on the Sofa
I really need this! For anyone who has struggled to find the right serving tray for breakfast in bed, or the prefect laptop workstation for use while relaxing on the sofa, OFFI has the answer. The "Overlap Tray" is versatile...Juicy Salif Citrus Squeezer from Alessi and Phillipe Starck
The Alessi Italian Design Factory is famous for those cool kitchen accessories that make the simple things even more simple and of coarse stylish. The "Juicy Salif Citrus Squeezer" is literally on standby to assist in your citrus juice needs....Double Walled Espresso and Drinking Glasses from Bodum
Double walled drinking glasses from Bodum are as functional as attractive. The space between the two layers of Borosilicate glass acts as an insulator and keeps the hot and cold preserved for your enjoyment. Visit danskdesign.nu to purchase your Bodum...Turno Round Coffee Tables with a Dutch Design Influence
Whether square or round coffee tables are a better fit in front of your sofa, you have to admire the cool look of "Turno" from Jules & Jeremey. The two-tone wood look hearkens back to Dutch design specially the combination...DECORATING DIVA
2009 Christmas 12 Days of Design Notebooks {Days 10-12}
12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 10} 12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 11} 12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 12} All images copyright of respective owners. Related posts:2009 Christmas 12 Days of Design Notebooks {Days 4-6}2009 Christmas 12 Days of Design Notebooks {Days 1-3}2009 Christmas 12 Days of [...] Related posts:2009 Christmas 12 Days of Design Notebooks {Days 7-9}
12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 7} 12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 8} 12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 9} All images copyright of respective owners. Related posts:2009 Christmas 12 Days of Design Notebooks {Days 4-6}2009 Christmas 12 Days of Design Notebooks {Days 1-3}2009 Christmas 12 Days [...] Related posts:2009 Christmas 12 Days of Design Notebooks {Days 4-6}
12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 4} 12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 5} 12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 6} All images copyright of respective owners. Related posts:2009 Christmas 12 Days of Design Notebooks {Days 1-3}2009 Christmas 12 Days of Design Notebooks {Days 7-9}2009 Christmas 12 Days of [...] Related posts:2009 Christmas 12 Days of Design Notebooks {Days 1-3}
12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 1} 12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 2} 12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 3} All images copyright of respective owners. Related posts:2009 Christmas 12 Days of Design Notebooks {Days 4-6}2009 Christmas 12 Days of Design Notebooks {Days 7-9}2009 Christmas 12 Days of [...] Related posts:12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 12}
DESIGN FOR THE BEDROOM Alahambra bespoke bedding – Bespoke by Matouk DESIGN FOR THE STYLISH HOME OFFICE Tiered “Spikey Flower” blue lamp from Lealand Eve. DESIGN FOR THE WALLS Decorative ceramic wall art “Paolo Crisante Imperial” collection from Vietri. DESIGN FOR THE TABLE Taika dinnerware designed by Klaus Haapaniemi and Heikki Orvola for iittala. DESIGN FOR THE LIVING [...] Related posts:12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 11}
DESIGN FOR THE BEDROOM Coventry bedding collection in Turquoise from Amy Butler Designs DESIGN FOR THE STYLISH HOME OFFICE Collect bookcase at Bodie and Fou. DESIGN FOR THE WALLS LuLu Mirror from Patagonia Trading Company. DESIGN FOR THE TABLE Incanto dinnerware collection from Vietri. DESIGN FOR THE LIVING ROOM Richly [...] Related posts:12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 10}
DESIGN FOR THE BEDROOM Luxury bedding “Murano” collection – Signoria Firenza DESIGN FOR THE STYLISH HOME OFFICE Butterfly Mirrored Desk from The Platts Collections DESIGN FOR THE WALLS “Say it Again” painting by Heiner Meyer. DESIGN FOR THE TABLE Barbara Barry “Curtain Call” design for Wedgewood dinnerware and tabletop. DESIGN FOR THE LIVING ROOM Paris sofa with [...] Related posts:Green Christmas Gift Guide 2009
ECO BEDDING Anna Sova organic bedding and linens. Sova is one of our favorite eco-designers and we love showcasing her beautiful, environmentally friendly, and luxurious linens and bedding. ECO DECOR Organic decorative Hemp linen pillow with down and feather filled insert (Wonderland collection) beautifully hand screen printed using [...] Related posts:12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 9}
DESIGN FOR THE BEDROOM 2010 Colorful Past Trend “Suzani” patterned bedding from Natori DESIGN FOR THE STYLISH HOME OFFICE Henna accent table from Snug Furniture. DESIGN FOR THE WALLS “Mrs.Wrapper” Korean Dress Mixed Media Art from Jung Jong Mee. DESIGN FOR THE TABLE Hand-beaded Indian table linens-personal shopping [...] Related posts:Holiday Decoration Inspiration & Entertaining {Best of the Web}
Nest by Tamara Matthews-Stephenson Hostess with the Mostess by Jennifer Sbranti Food and Fun blog by Jeanne Benedict Beautiful Christmas cupcakes and Mini-Christmas Cakes from Cakes by Robin. Holiday table setting article from interior designer Catherine J. Avery. { STYLE & DESIGN – BEST OF THE WEB} Back by Popular Demand What is The Decorating Diva.com’s [...] Related posts:HGTV Blog
5 Handmade Stocking Stuffers
Ready or not, Christmas is coming. In fact, it’s almost upon us which, of course, means there are stockings to stuff. I searched the blogosphere and found 5 cute (and easy) crafts that you can quickly create to fill ‘em up. Brenda Ponnay of the Alpha+Mom blog says these adorable snowglobe soaps ”are just about as easy as making a [...]White vs. Multi-Colored Christmas Lights: The Debate Continues on Rate My Space
There’s quite a colorful debate cooking on the HGTV facebook page today: “White holiday lights versus colored holiday lights: Which are superior?” You inspired us to dig into Rate My Space and the many merry pictures uploaded from homes across the country. How delightful to find RMS user joebucs32’s Christmas pictures from Chicago. Seems like he decorates [...]Favorite Holiday Fireplaces
You’ve been sharing your gorgeous holiday homes on Rate My Space. I can’t get over how creative everyone is, so I thought I’d share a few of my favorite fireplaces this season. First, this is one of my favorite Christmas songs. Second, what an adorable idea and easy to recreate with an framed chalkboard. Paint yours [...]It’s the most wonderful time
The holidays truly are the most wonderful time of the year. Once you get past all the stress and rushing about, then you can enjoy family, friends, decorating, and celebrating. If your shopping isn’t finished, consider giving some Christmas decorations as gifts. This button pillow is the perfect holiday accent. These star ornaments can adorn [...]Take the HGTV Dream Home 2010 Tour
If you have the itch to hit the road, but no time or money, try clicking through the virtual tour of HGTV Dream Home 2010, located in lovely Sandia Park, N.M. Even if you’re not a fan of Contemporary Southwest architecture, you’ll find something to ooh and ahh about in our special online presentationStreet Fair Finds – Part 1
Last August I wasn’t thinking about hanging stockings by the chimney with care. Back then, I was enjoying warm weather, sunshine and anything that involved eating outside, which is how I found myself at one of the ubiquitous street fairs around the New York City. Italian sausages, fresh lemonade and grilled corn rounded out my [...]Entertaining Gift Ideas
After making a list, and checking it twice, I realized that there are still some rather large gaps I need to fill on my gift list. I still need a few hostess, party and teacher gifts. These reindeer place card holders make a perfect hostess gift, while your teacher might like the stainless-steel snack bowl with [...]Winner Anouncement – HGTV’s angelo:HOME HolidayGift Giveaway
Congratulations to Carrie McDougall, the winner of HGTV’s angelo:HOME Holiday Gift Giveaway! Carrie knew exactly which Angelo Surmelis chair she wanted to claim as her prize – one of the fan favorites, the Hepburn in black-and-white vine fabric. We’ve asked her to snap a few photos once the chair finds its way to its new [...]Could You Be the Next Design Star?
Do you think you have what it takes to host your own series on HGTV? Here’s your chance to be on Design Star! Mark Burnett, executive producer of reality competitions such as Survivor and The Apprentice, and his production team will be producing season five of HGTV Design Star. “The Mark Burnett team is extremely creative and [...]DIY Cake Plate Centerpiece With Glittered Pinecones
I love estate sales, digging through other people’s garages, cabinets and basements is how I spend most Saturday mornings and I ALWAYS bag a bargain. My latest find was an assortment of cut glass plates, small bowls and candlesticks. Just decorative tchotchkes on their own but I have bigger plans for them: They’re going to become [...]© 2009 Created by Alicia Valair on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
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