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From significant business changes to noteworthy product launches, there’s always something new happening in the world of design. In this weekly roundup, AD PRO has everything you need to know.
Trends
Farrow & Ball Shares Its 2021 Color Trends
Paint aficionados, prepare yourselves—Farrow & Ball has shared its 2021 trend predictions. “2021 is a bit of a landmark year for color trends and home trends in general,” Patrick O’Donnell, Farrow & Ball’s international brand ambassador, says to AD PRO. “This is a year for turning back toward perennial favorites that have never failed us, a year for creating a sense of calm in the home—shades like Preference Red No. 297 and Tanner’s Brown No. 255, for example, create a very rich, warm feeling.”
In addition to those hues, the company has included India Yellow No. 66, Jitney No. 293, Treron No. 292, Sap Green No. W56, Ultra Marine Blue No. W29, and Stiffkey Blue No. 281 in their forecast. “Farrow & Ball paints are eco-friendly and built for longevity, and we’ve seen a desire from clients for timeless aesthetics that will age well,” O’Donnell says. “I think there’s a bit of something for everyone in our trend palette: Connection to nature, tones with personality, and hues that unify a room’s design.”
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Good Works
New Prizes Debut From the Female Design Council and Pratt Institute
The Female Design Council Grant is debuting in tandem with “Evolved Resolve,” an exhibition curated by FDC founder Lora Appleton that features furniture, art, sculpture, lighting, jewelry, and ceramics at the LA Design Festival, running this week. The yearly juried grant consists of two $2,500 sums that will be awarded to a “Black woman-led design studio or individual,” with the goal of “providing emerging designers with the financial resources to bring their idea into prototyping and or production,” the organization says. This year’s grant is offered in partnership with Incollect and BZIPPY.
Pratt Institute is also launching the Interior Design Diversity Fund. A group of designers—led by founding donors Elena Frampton, Bella Mancini Design, Kathleen Walsh Interiors, and Paris Forino, among others—have offered seed money to create a scholarship for a student for the fall 2020 semester. They are now working on creating an endowment, with the goal of collecting $100,000 by October 15.
Formica’s 2021 Student Competition Is Officially Up and Running
Formica’s annual student design competition is back in action and now accepting entries for its 2021 edition. Architecture and interior design students are encouraged to submit furniture design concepts that incorporate at least three Formica products; winners will win cash prizes and have their work showcased at the next edition of NeoCon.
Product Launches
Workstead Goes in a More Pattern-Happy Direction
New York design studio Workstead is best known for its streamlined lighting fixtures and modern-but-warm interiors. So its latest collection, one of several the brand is rolling out this year in celebration of its 10th anniversary, represents a delightful aesthetic departure. In collaboration with Schumacher, Workstead has released Shaded, a series of three sconces, each wrapped in one of the textile house’s signature fabrics. The pieces were photographed against coordinating patterned backdrops, making a compelling case for matching wall covering to light source.
Artist Mickalene Thomas Creates a Rug for Henzel Studio
Artist Mickalene Thomas has created a bespoke rug for Henzel Studio. “This rug by Mickalene is a stellar example of how [our] media can be further utilized as a vehicle for contemporary art beyond traditional norms,” Joakim Andreasson, curator of Henzel Studio’s collaborations, says to AD PRO. “The rug complements the language of Thomas’s art installations that use textiles, wallpaper, furniture, and decor, further blurring the boundaries between fine and applied art.”
Yves Delorme Shares Its Fall-Winter Collection While Marking Its 175th Year of Business
Luxury linen company Yves Delorme is marking a big anniversary this year, and doing so by doubling down on its commitment to sustainability. Now in its 175th year of operation, the brand is out with a new line of organic cotton linens. “Our world, our garden, is at the very heart of who we are,” company president Amaury Fremaux comments to AD PRO. “As such, we have decided to commit further resources to the preservation of this marvelous world we all share. To launch this engagement, our Fall-Winter 2020 Collection will be entirely produced with organic cotton or supima cotton in order to reduce our environmental footprint.”
In other market news of note, cement tile company Tesselle, which is based in Southern California, is out with an exciting new collaboration. Teaming up with Palm Springs–based artist Jim Isermann, the brand is launching a particularly appealing new collection.
Also of interest, Maison Matisse has partnered with Cristina Celestino for a beautiful new capsule. Featuring irresistible fabrics and artful caning, the partnership makes for a must-shop line this fall.
Business
Three Textile Brands Unite As California Collective
Why go it alone? That was the thinking that prompted three women-led textile brands to join forces this week under the banner of California Collective. Brook Perdigon Textiles, Lake August, and Rule of Three were competitors before; now, they will share resources and a sales representative in hopes of offering a more bespoke shopping experience for their designer customers. A seeming win-win for everyone involved.
Tori Jones Launches Namesake Studio
Design-world insider Tori Jones has branched out on her own. After more than a decade working as an editor, stylist, art director, and more, Jones launched the Tori Jones Studio website last week. The new firm offers interior design, styling, branding, and marketing, as well as a freshly stocked online shop, where Jones puts all her design hunting experience from her magazine market editor days to use.
The stock, most of it vintage and antique, ranges from a cheerful, cherry red foot stool for $75 to a pair of Poul Henningsen pendants in Yves Klein Blue for $725. Timeless, stylish, and fairly priced, the shop is poised to become a go-to resource for designers looking for something unexpected.
Openings
What’s New, What’s Next Continues on As a Virtual Success
For the design industry, September means it’s time for What’s New, What’s Next. This year, the New York Design Center event has been focused on a digital transformation. “In developing WNWN, it was important to us to create a virtual event that brought the same excitement and spirit of celebration as the physical event,” states Jim Druckman, president and CEO of the New York Design Center. “And I think what we’ve accomplished in the first two weeks of What’s New, What’s Next does just that. Programming consisted of insightful panel discussions, energetic virtual showroom tours, one-on-one conversations with craftsmen and artisans, an exciting partnership announcement with the Black Interior Designers Network, a sneak peek at this season’s latest book debuts, and so much more, with more to come.”
Alix Lerman, chief marketing officer at the New York Design Center, adds, “And still to come, Baker, celebrating its 130th anniversary this year, will invite renowned designers Thomas Pheasant, Laura Kirar, and Nicole Hollis to join a conversation with AD PRO on the legacy and power both brands have had on the industry on October 1.” That of course is certainly something we won’t miss.
Knoll Refreshes Its New York Showroom Presence
Knoll has unveiled a newly refreshed presence at Manhattan’s beloved D&D Building. “New York–area designers have a special passion for low-key luxe materials and finishes,” Knoll design director Benjamin Pardo, who oversaw the project alongside Barbara Reimelt, says to AD PRO. “Our D&D experience is designed to deliver their bold vision with unsurpassed customization of furniture forms that complement architectural space.”
Hires
Schumacher Names New Design Director
Schumacher has named Cristina Buckley as its new design director. “I am thrilled to be joining the design team at Schumacher, where I began my career in textiles many years ago,” Cristina Buckley says to AD PRO. “It is an honor to have the opportunity to be part of one of the most iconic design houses in the world of fabric and wallpaper, and I look forward to contributing to the next generation of Schumacher product.”
Pam Marshall, vice president of design, added: “I worked with Cristina at Schumacher as she began her career in textiles. What was immediately apparent was that this was not just a job for her, but a true passion for design, for color, for interiors, and all of the things that feed their creation. This mindset, plus a unique ability to create compelling stories through design and color, will be key in the development of exciting new collections.”
ASID Announces Its 2021 Board of Directors
ASID has announced its new board, with Kerrie Kelly as incoming chair. “As I celebrate my 30th year of ASID membership, I am honored and excited to lead the American Society of Interior Designers’s board and serve our industry during such a unique time in our history,” Kelly comments to AD PRO. “Designers are inherently collaborators and creative problem-solvers, and I look forward to working with our members as we shape this next moment in the interior design profession.”
All About Arts
Striking Mobile on Track for Museum Installation
The San José Museum of Art has announced a new commission by artist Pae White. Speaking to AD PRO, White comments: “I have long been interested in the relationship between the viewer and the artwork. . . . [This piece,] Noisy Blushes, encourages engagement, unfolding in myriad ways, and giving visitors opportunities to contemplate the artwork from multiple [vantage] points. . . . The artwork offers fresh ways of seeing. . . [while] hopefully providing a flicker of optimism in these challenging times.”
