News And Updates
Next Tuesday, December 4, DWR on Tremont Street will be hosting an auction to benefit Artists for Humanity, a Boston-based non-profit.
“DWR Boston is excited to introduce Artists for Humanity’s latest venture, a ‘green’ furniture line using junk mail to create tabletops and wall art. As part of the project, the Boston Studio challenged the participating teens to incorporate re-claimed DWR catalogs into their design. Artists for Humanity (AFH) partners these talented inner city kids with design professional mentors and encourages them to conceptualize, create and market individually assigned projects. The Studio is taking part in its first ever AFH design challenge and auction. The results will be unveiled during this inspiring event. Select pieces will be auctioned the same night, and 100% of the proceeds will benefit Artists For Humanity.”
RSVP to boston@dwr.com by November 30.
Design Within Reach
519 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02116
617-451-7801
Last year, I told you about a proposed skyscraper that would be taller than the Hancock tower. I knew that Steve Belkin, the only person to submit a proposal for the site, would incorporate the adjacent office building, 133 Federal Street, that he owns into the project.
What I didn’t know was that Belkin’s adjacent building is the Blue Cross Blue Shield building, built in 1960 by Paul Rudolph, one of America’s foremost Brutalist architects. As things stand now, Belkin has been given the right to tear down the BCBS building as soon as early next year.
Jason Hart of CUBE design + research has created an interesting proposal to preserve the BCBS building while allowing for the new tower to be built. He has created modernpreservation, a flash movie showing his ideas. I particularly like the idea of preserving the exterior of the building and melding it into the facade of the tower.
Take a look and let us know what you think!
Last month, Dabbieri’s Sonciary Honnol teased us by saying she was going to have a contest on her blog, but that we’d have to wait for it.
Now, the wait is over! Just go to the contest page and enter your email address to win. It’s as simple as that.
Good luck!
Joe Varnum has been my friend since I first moved to Massachusetts over 20 years ago. After serving in the Navy and working in technology, he recognized his creative side and went back to school; he is currently in the Graphic Design/Photography program and UMass Lowell.
The Lowell Friends of Photography are a “group of students, alumni, and faculty at UMass Lowell who share a common respect for the photographic arts.” They have created a 2008 calendar of the group’s photos, and one of Joe’s photographs, “Home”, is there for July. Congratulation, Joe!
This weekend, skip past the mass-produced nonsense and get your loved ones some truly unique gifts.
Crafts at the Castle 2007, now in its 22nd year, will bring “150 of the top craftspeople and designers in the country for this annual major cultural event in Boston.” Meet the artists and see (and buy!) their handmade clothing, jewelry, art and more.
Not only will you find great, unique gifts, but you will also be helping charity: 100% of the ticket proceeds goes to “Family Service of Greater Boston, boasting over 170 years of serving families and communities in Greater Boston… 100% of the ticket proceeds directly benefit programs for children, youth, and families struggling with emotional, psychological, and economic effects of poverty, abuse and neglect.”
Local designer Linda Garriott will be showing off her custom rugs at booth #216 – be sure to say hi when you’re there.
Crafts at the Castle 2007
Opening reception Thursday 11/29 5:30-9:00
Friday 11/30 – Sunday 12/02
Hynes Convention Center, Exhibit Hall B
High end modern baby furniture manufacturers are quite common these days. However, it’s still not everyday that you come across products that look great and are well made. Ooba changed that. This Chicago based company started by Scott Wilson struck a cord with their Nest Collection 2 years ago. The line was featured in design publications and even picked up by Design Within Reach as part of their now defunct DWR Jax collection.
It is with great sadness that we announce that Ooba will soon be closing its doors. My suggestion, go out and snatch one of these cribs up before they’re all gone. Because let’s face it, there’s a lot of horrible nursery furniture out there.
On Wednesday night I was lucky enough to get into two great events in the city.
First, at Arclinea, was the launch party for Color Space Style, a new guide for interior design. I got there early and stayed only a few minutes, but I had the chance to meet Mimi Love, one of the authors.
I picked up a copy of Color Space Style at the party. It’s very compact, yet very thorough; I showed it to one of my professors, a licensed architect, and he was impressed by how much was in it. It’s available on Amazon
I stayed at the party for only a few minutes, because I had a ticket to the New England Design Hall of Fame awards induction and gala at the State Room.
Talk about packed! A sold out crowd of architects, designers, students and other industry people gathered together for a cocktail/networking party. That was followed by dinner and the awards ceremony.
The ten inductees – Richard Bertman; Lee Bierly and Christopher Drake (left); Celeste Cooper; Jeremiah Eck; Richard FitzGerald; Graham Gund; William Hodgins (above right); James Volney Righter (above left); and, Charles Spada – were quite gracious, of course, when they went up to accept their award. Let’s hope I’m as gracious when I’m inducted into the Hall of Fame in 30 or so years!
A big thanks to Katie Damman, Marketing Director for New England Home, who was kind enough to send me a few photos from the night.
First off, thank you to everyone that entered the DesignBoston giveaway of an AppleTV from Tech Superpowers. Without entries, picking a winner wouldn’t be much fun!
Enough of the chit-chat, you say. Let’s see who the winner is. Without further ado, a big congratulations goes out to Tina McCarthy!
Congratulations, Tina!
A new interior design book (available now on Amazon
The first confirmed launch event for the book will be at Arclinea tonight. Unfortunately, no times were posted for the event. If you know when to show up, leave a comment!
Back in September, I had a chance to discuss sustainability with some GM reps and sit in the new Chevy Malibu Hybrid. Acknowledging the last generation was too tame, Chevy has dubbed the new Malibu’s ad campaign “The Car You Can’t Ignore“. I was quite pleased to see that because, well, it’s true. For a car that starts in the high teens, it’s quite impressive, from its design, to power, to fit-and-finish.