We’re thrilled that our new collection for The Rug Company is being previewed at Decorex, 27th-30th September. Come and have a look at our rug design ‘Malachite’ and our tapestry ‘Flamingo’ on stand B63. The tapestry measures 120cm x 80cm.
Archive for September, 2009
Lacquer manufacturers
Wednesday, September 16th, 2009
Above are images showing a visit to the lacquer manufacturers in East London who produced our cabinetry for Working Title Films. I went to check the quality of the work and to make sure there were no hidden surprises. I love going to meet the manufacturers, it’s important for me to meet them at their workshops and I always feel incredibly privileged to be witnessing great craftsmanship.
September’s Brain Teaser…
Monday, September 14th, 2009
1. Name this desk, the designer and the year it was designed.
2. Who directed Working Title’s latest release?
3. Who is Creative Director at The Rug Company?
4. Who curated the V&A exhibition ‘Telling Tales’?
5. From which country do the majority of the ’Telling Tales’ designers hail?
6. Which US auction house is the premier auction house for 20th and 21st century design?
7. Who has designed a New London Rubbish Bin for the Design Museum’s exhibition ‘Super Contemporary’?
8. Which Czech architect designed the Selfridges department store in Birmingham and the press box at the Lord’s cricket ground?
Answers below…
1. The Boomerang Desk by Maurice Calka, 1969
2. Joe Wright, ‘The Soloist’
3. Suzanne Sharp
4. Gareth Williams
5. Netherlands
6. Wright 20
7. Paul Smith
8. Jan Kaplický
Suzanne Sharp – Co-Founder and Creative Director – The Rug Company
Friday, September 11th, 2009
When you were little what did you dream of being?
From a very young age I was more interested in building things than things indoors. I pasted the walls of my bedroom from floor to ceiling with pictures cut out of magazines. I was very young when I first became interested in decorating!
What motivates you?
By nature I am very optimistic, and once I get stuck into a project I do my best to make sure that it really looks amazing. The motivation is the end result.
If you had a spare five minutes what would you do?
Daydream.
How has the recession affected your approach to design?
It hasn’t really – it has confirmed my belief that quality and craftsmanship are worth paying and waiting for.
Is there anyone you’re watching?
Michael Winterbottom – he’s a film director.
What are you working on?
A tent installation for London Design Festival.
What are your current favourite materials/looks/moods?
Natural materials, bright colours, relaxed styles. I’d describe my style as sensual and comfortable. I’m interested in how people feel in a space and I like being able to move things around when I have new ideas: the rug is a perfect example of my nomadic approach to decorating.
What are you tired of in the world of design?
Copycats.
What’s your signature dish?
Spaghetti with tuna fish, capers, olives and pepperoncino washed down by a glass of cold Bramito and a rollie.
Who is your hero?
My husband.
Hacienda San Rafael, Andalucia
Friday, September 11th, 2009
I’ve just returned from a weekend in southern Spain.
The Hacienda San Rafael in Andalucia is a family owned retreat. It’s a rare success for a boutique hotel, the design is classic, charming and sympathetic. It was a pleasure to stay there and we were so generously looked after. www.haciendadesanrafael.com
Casa la Siesta, Andalucia
Friday, September 11th, 2009
Also on our travels we stayed at Casa La Siesta. I certainly slept, completely comatose, taking full advantage of late mornings and afternoon siestas. The cockerel, Eddie the horse and Buddy the donkey worked hard at welcoming guests. The owners opened this year and have created a secluded, well designed hotel, bare plaster walls and reclaimed furniture. I wish Lee and Amelia lots of luck. With a new dog and baby also planned for 2009, it’s set to be a busy year. www.casalasiesta.com
Working Title Films HQ
Thursday, September 10th, 2009
Working Title have just moved into their new 10,000 sq ft office. In close collaboration with the client, we worked on the total re-design of the film production company’s London HQ.
As well as office space, the building includes a screening room, meeting rooms, outdoor terrace areas, a dining room and a bar.
It was a joy to work with the entire team and I thank them for their vision, willingness to experiment and their constant supply of LA exported sweets.
Click here to see more images of this project.
The interior design brief was a design-led space befitting the leading UK film production company, a dynamic powerhouse. The building had to make use of the extensive daylight, with punches of bold primary colours throughout. Suzy Hoodless worked with specialists throughout the project to achieve a high level of both design and quality.
Wide oak boards are laid throughout the building to give a warm and more residential atmosphere. Large glass walls divide the space whilst retaining the light. The ceilings are exposed with the utilities sprayed out, an industrial warehouse feel. The pendant lighting is the iconic Glo Ball by Jasper Morrison for Flos.
The furniture is a combination of bespoke upholstery, vintage pieces found by Suzy from auctions in the US and Scandinavia, as well as pieces from contemporary British and Italian manufacturers.
Lighting was supplied by Modular, a combination of overall light as well as specific task lighting.
Suzy Hoodless worked with concrete manufacturers in Essex to achieve the colossal bespoke concrete reception desk.
Each employee had various design options in terms of both usability of their space and finishes. Each were carefully masterminded to achieve a look that was both personal to each employee but consistent throughout. Suzy Hoodless worked with west London based manufacturers Windmill Furniture on the design and production of the individual desks, all entirely bespoke.
Individual freestanding cabinets as well as built in floor to ceiling cabinets and shelving systems were designed by Suzy Hoodless and manufactured by Cumberland Construction, each individually sprayed for the relevant space.
The screening room was fitted out with bespoke screening chairs manufactured in Italy with a combination of different colour leathers supplied by leading leather suppliers Bill Amberg. Midnight blue fabric walls and black carpet complete the handsome interior.
The top floor dining room has a bespoke Italian kitchen, as well as industrial pendants, large stained oak reclaimed refectory tables and the indestructible aluminium Navy chair designed in 1944 for the US Navy.
David Oliver – Design Director
Paint & Paper Library
Thursday, September 10th, 2009
When you were little what did you dream of being?
I grew up on a cattle farm in North East NSW so I wanted to be a Rodeo Cowboy. After that wore off I dreamed of moving to New York to live with the teenage fashion model Roxane (daughter of a London playboy bunny who grew up growing vegetables on a hippy farm next door to my parents).
What motivates you?
Humour.
If you had a spare five minutes what would you do?
Surf the internet, specifically Google Earth. I love travelling and adore map reading, seeing where I’ve been want to go next.
How has the recession affected your approach to design?
I only want to manufacture and support products that stand the test of time. Quality and longevity are fundamental to beauty and comfort. With creativity comes responsibility. I’ve focussed on sourcing only the finest quality locally hand made fabrics and wallpaper; products printed to order rather than mass produced ‘by the kilometre’ then stock piled and shipped from afar. All of our finest quality paints, hand printed fabrics and hand blocked wallpapers are all manufactured in the UK and my new paint ranges being launched in US this November will be manufactured and distributed from within America for Americans.
Is there anyone you’re watching?
My two children (aged 10 and 13).
What are you working on?
Writing a new book for Rizzoli and Conran Octopus called the ‘Importance of Colour’, Fall 2010.
What are your current favourite materials/looks/moods?
Pale blue 100% cashmere walling for ski chalets (Courchevel), shagreen lined dressing rooms (Manhattan Upper East Side pre war apartments) and shaved mink beanbags for teenage girls’ bedrooms (Belgravia).
What are you tired of in the world of design?
High contrast feature walls, three lemons in a row and retail customers wanting a discount.
Has the internet affected your business?
Yes, particularly for visibility and convenience. Emails cut costs, notably postage.
Who is your hero?
Billy Baldwin for furniture (interior design)
Tom Stuart Smith for planting (garden design)
Kasimir Malevich for geometry (art)
Polly Borland for colour and light (photography)
