Design Buzz: Bespoke Global Debuts Be:Sotted at ICFF
Author:Lindsey ShookLighting designers Gwen Carlton and Pippa McArdle introduced their design collective, Bespoke Global, to the masses just one year ago at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF). This year, the duo returns with the premier of their newest collection, Be:Sotted.
In collaboration with some of the world’s top Bespoke artisans, including Kiln Design Studio, Farrago, Maki Yamamoto and Heather Palmer, the exclusively designed collection goes on display this week at the 2012 ICFF at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York.
The duo’s unique marketplace concept was established to blur the line between furniture and art by pairing clients with renowned artists for the development of one-of-a-kind pieces for the home.
In celebration of the home goods purveyor’s first anniversary, we’ve put together our top five favorite shop picks from the their well-edited collection.
1. Rock-a-Bye
Crafted from fine exotic hardwood, Michael Coffey’s Aphrodite Rocking Lounge Chair is sleek and curvaceous all at once. The lounge chair – shown here in African Mozambique – was originally designed in 1978. Today, Bespoke Global offers the unique rocking chair models in various hardwoods and finishes.
2. Shimmering Light
Gwen Carlton’s Oyster Reef chandelier is sure to add a glimmer to almost any room. Each hand-polished brownlip oyster and bronze Swarovski crystal light fixture is made for custom configuration, size and finish, and is wired to specification and design.
3. Artist Exclusive
This Green Honeycomb vase was handcrafted by San Francisco-based ceramicist Andrew Dewitt for Bespoke Global’s “Artist Exclusive” series. Part of the new collection, Be:Sotted, the high-fired stoneware vase is impressive. Standout details include a slightly flared swan neck and large honeycomb pattern that accentuates the variation in the matte green glaze.
4. British Influence
The first design in Richard Wrightman’s line of campaign-inspired furniture, the Chatwin Lounge Chair with Ottoman is perfect for stylish relaxation. Based on an original design built in the 1890s by the Indian Army Corp of Engineers for the British Army, the chair features English leather bridle straps for support, a slung seat cushion and reclined backrest pivot. Shown in solid oiled Walnut, brown waxed hide and dark chocolate, though various finishes and materials are available to order.
5. Decorative Precision
Handmade in traditions that can be traced back to the tenth-century Byzantine Empire, the Derrick Table Mobile by Kiln Design Studio is a little work of art. Featuring extraordinary balance, the stylish-yet-delicate mobile rocks back and forth on a precision balance. Shown in copper, enamel, walnut and brass; made-to-order mobiles are available in custom colors and finishes.
