INTERVIEW: JUDY ROSS

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INTERVIEW: JUDY ROSS

Judy Ross’s vibrant and graphic home textiles grace the most elegant homes around the world.  Her designs seamlessly integrate pattern and color with bold modernity while maintaining a quality of timelessness that can literally make a room.  No small task!  We ask the artist herself how she does it all below.
Judy Ross

What brought you to NY?
I am a native New Yorker. I was born in Queens and grew up there. When I graduated college, I immediately got my first apartment, on 11th street and Broadway in Manhattan. Then I moved to the East Village where I lived for 16 years. My mom is English so we went to Europe every summer to visit my relatives there.

How are you inspired by your travels?
I have a kind of mental inspiration wall of shapes and colors from my travels and daily life. Also, my children inspire me: their energy, innocence and love is inspiring.  Two years ago I decided to take my children with me to India to visit all the people I work with.  My relationship with all the people who make my work is on a very personal level, so it felt special to have them meet my two boys. We took a week off and hired a driver and visited some interesting places in India. The Taj Mahal was one of the stops (see picture).

What do you love about India?
I am enamored with the art and textiles of the Indian people and have traveled extensively throughout the country.  The artisans I work with take my vision and embroider it with immaculate care and love. They have become family to me and I think that is very important to me in business. I enjoy the fact that I am working with people and not a machine. Their daily life, food and their culture is a part of my life now.

What has been influencing your work lately?
My recent trip to Tulum, Mexico. We visited a small colonial town called Valladolid, which was charming. The colors of the buildings were all beautiful pastels and brights.

Any colors in particular?
Coral and Melon colors….cheerful, warm colors.

What medium do you use to design?
I like to use pen and ink. I use large brushes and work on large pieces of paper. After I get the shape and composition I like, I will think of the color ways in which to develop the design. But initially it always starts out as black ink on white paper.

Do you have a personal design philosophy?
My design sense is energetic, classic, with a simplicity that is quite sensual. My sensibility comes from my being an artist. I think less is more and there is beauty in imperfections. My work is graphic but with a painterly sense. I tend to paint compositions and then go back and simplify them to what I find essential. I strive to create timeless pieces.

What is the most satisfying part of owning your own business?
I get to do what I love to do on a daily basis: painting, drawing and coming up with new designs.

You are an incredibly busy woman, running a successful business and mothering two boys.  How do you make it look so easy?
Being very organized and having an iphone. Multitasking is my middle name.

I know you have a favorite shoe designer….
I do love Prada… and Bottega Veneta.

What would surprise people about you?
I love to go to the 10th Street baths and sit for a long while in the hot sauna. After getting really warmed up, I get the courage to throw a cold bucket of water over my head. The first one is really shocking… but after that it is easy!

CRAFT NEW YORK

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CRAFT NEW YORK

I was invited by Elissa Ehlin, founder of KILN Design Studio in Brooklyn, to the New York Craft Show 2012 at the tail end of March.  Craft New York benefits CERF (Craft Emergency Fund Relief) by donating all profits from entrance fees to the fund.  The fund provides emergency relief to artists around the country, and helps to mitigate the effects of natural devastation with preparedness resources.  In its second year running, the show features 120 internationally renowned artists exhibiting one of a kind and limited edition pieces.   Amongst all the talent exhibited, there were four artisans in particular whose work I admired.

First Row: Yumiko Kuga Ceramics.  Yumiko is a Japanese ceramist living and working in Brooklyn.  Her gorgeous organic shapes are evocative of curves found in human and plant life alike.  The dry eggshell crackle finish Yumiko uses on her Stoneware is truly unique, imbuing the vases with an air of prehistoric elegance.

Second Row: Yukako Sorai Fiber Art.  Yukako felts odd and wonderful shapes out of wool.  With a multifaceted feel for the ethereal as well as the playful, Yukako’s pieces inhabit the modern and traditional home equally well with colorful panache.

Third Row: Kiln Design Studio.  Elissa Ehlin and James Leritz of Kiln Design Studio hand-shape their one of a kind pieces out of copper.   With added layers of luscious enamel, the bowls come to life as the boundaries between form and function melt away.  To witness the fascinating process on Vimeo click HERE . We continue to carry Kiln Design Studio’s masterful creations in our store.

Fourth Row: Judith Kinghorn Jewelry.  I was taken with the incredible craftsmanship of Judith’s work.   She is a Minneapolis jewelry designer who works primarily in high karat gold, sterling silver and precious stones. Intricately textured and masterfully detailed, Judith brings the natural forms of her inspiration to life with exquisite detail.

 

DAFFODIL DAYS

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DAFFODIL DAYS

What better way to welcome Spring than with a dash of brilliant color?  As you can see, our palette is inspired by daffodil yellow and vivid ranunculus red.  Shiny glass, ceramic and metal, juxtaposed with the ethereal beauty of Spring flowers and whimsical art creates the perfect balance of hard and soft. Whether you’re updating your decor or simply want to freshen up for the season, we hope our ideas will inspire a little sparkle.

From left to right, top down.

1.  Horn Zig Zag boxes.

2. Assortment of vases.

3. Daffodils.

4. Detail of Andy Stenerson vase.

5. Preview design from Comerford Collection’s own outdoor pillow collection.

6. Cy Twombly, Red #8

7. Sophie Cook Pod Vases in shiny yellow and matte white.

8. Black Wrinkle Vase by Andy Stenerson with Ranunculus arrangement by Sag Harbor Florist.

9. Yellow Flower Pot Lamp by Verner Panton.

Call our store for more info on the products above – 631.537.6200

AD DESIGN SHOW

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AD DESIGN SHOW

The Architectural Digest Home Design Show was held this weekend at Pier 94 in NYC. Always a good show to find resources, the MADE section is devoted to artisans and provides a venue for limited edition and one of a kind art, furniture and lighting.  I visited with some of my favorite designers and found a few more to surprise you with this summer!

From left to right starting from top:
Kanik Chung Glass (cover shot as well), DIFFA Benjamine Moore display , BDDW mattress
DIFFA Herman Miller display, DBO Home, Kenneth Cobonpue outdoor chair
Valcucine kitchen with counter cover, Artist Amy Gensler, Olampia sconce
Olampia desk lamp, Kenneth Cobonpue pendant lamp, Kenneth Cobonpue outdoor furniture
DIFFA display by Ali Tayar, with Jones Fall Furniture Co.  Zachary A. Design outdoor fiberglass furniture, DIFFA Marimeko display
Jamie Harris Studios, DIFFA Pratt display,  BDDW credenza detail
David Ling tabletop, Graphic by Heads of State for Geoffrey Keating, Keating Woodworks

PARISIAN PINK

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PARISIAN PINK

I recently visited France for Maison & Objet, the home furnishings and gift showcase, held biannually in ooh la la Paris.  The show is an opportunity to get a glimpse of what’s up and coming in the European Market and find fresh and lovely things for the store.

Paris Deco Off was also in full swing while I was there, a sister event for interior designers to view the new season’s textile and wall covering collections in showrooms scattered around Paris.  So much to see!  I invited my friend, a chocolatier, along for the trip and in between scouring the shows we did a fair amount of R&D at the most amazing artisanal chocolate shops. I decided rochers are a favorite! We were often generously offered tastings by shop owners who appreciated our enthusiasm!

The city is bustling and alive with color and style.  Shades of pink, coral, and red caught my eye over and over again bringing an air of feminine fun to the streets, exhibits, pastries, and even the Parisian subway.  There’s nothing quite like a splash of watermelon pink to make everything seem a little lighter and brighter even in wintery, drizzly Paris.

 Design Sponge and My Little Paris both have great suggestions for places to stay, shops to visit, and food to eat while in Paris.  Also Parisian Chic, the little red book by style setter and muse, Ines de la Fressange,  is full of  quirky shopping and dining itineraries that are a true insiders gift.  (You can buy this recently published book at  our store!) As far as Paris is concerned, there is always a surprise to be discovered while wandering the quaint, meandering streets of the Paris arrondissements.  What are your favorites?  Comment below!

THE INSPIRATION

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THE INSPIRATION

These are a few of my favorite kitchens and details. From left to right.

1.  I like the combination of the flush faced white and wood finished cabinets in Laurie Lieberman’s Brooklyn kitchen.  The lift-up hing detail is especially functional and aesthetically pleasing.“Space and Light, Meet Woodwork,” The New York Times, 27 October, 2011, D5.

2. The way Eve Robinson combines a vintage handcrafted feel with a modern, yet playful edge in this Watermill cottage is delightful.

3.  Again, I love the combination of white and wood finished cabinetry, all flush faced.  The white marble counter tops grounded with the blackened steel of the middle island’s base is simple and ever so elegant.  Stephanie Crafti, 21st Century Kitchens, 115.

4.  The screen inlays in the cabinetry and broad stroked use of marble embue this Manhattan kitchen with a wonderfully nuanced refinement.  Julie Hillman’s work is incredibly inspirational and I’m honored to count her as one of our customers.

5.  The straightforward design of this pantry and over refrigerator storage is exactly what I need and fits my existing layout perfectly.  The sliding panel doors are great space savers and the blackboard finish makes it easy to jot notes and grocery lists.  ”Make It Yours,”  Dwell, September 2011, pg. 58.

6.  The rich, clean lines of this mahogany kitchen by Richardson & Dondoe are to die for, no wonder, it’s the work of Seattle-based-firm Henrybuilt (see large image above).  I particularly like the simplicity and placement of the open shelving and the subtly of the hardware.

 

PROJECT: i love Henry

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PROJECT: i love Henry

Henrybuilt kitchen shown above.  After 17 years I’ve finally decided to renovate the kitchen of my Bridgehampton 1929 American Foursquare. When we originally bought the house in 1995 the kitchen was finished in awful 1970′s vinyl tile and Formica.  Given our budget at the time we did the most essential updates we could afford, like pulling up the vinyl flooring to reveal original hardwood planks and replacing the distressed and dated cabinetry with simple wood cabinets.  We decided against upper cabinets to keep the look as minimal and simple as possible. (See photos below.)

Having become accustomed to a more modernized kitchen with lots of amenities at my previous residence, I’m feeling cramped in this more traditional and scaled down venue.  It’s clear an overhaul is in order.  I’m ready for a real grown-up kitchen and I’m in dire need of more space; more counter space, more storage space and more space for hanging out with friends and family.  Since the house itself is an antique.  I’d like the kitchen to reflect some of this detailing while integrating a clean modern aesthetic and functionality.  How to do this seamlessly is going to be the challenge.  I’m leaning towards flush face cabinetry with blackened steel hardware detailing to create a handcrafted modern look.  As a longtime HenryBuilt fan, I would love to fuse the signature sophisticated design, material use and clever storage layouts with my own unique style leanings to create a great kitchen.

To assist in the process I’ve enlisted the services of Peg Fruin, winner of HCG’s Innovation Design Award, Summer 2011.  Peg is the owner and operator of Hampton Design Interiors, a design firm specializing in state of the art kitchens and bathrooms.  Peg is an expert at space planning and a master at conjuring up storage out of thin air.  With her design expertise and space saving tool savvy I’m excited to get started on this project with her.  Keep a lookout for an upcoming post where Peg reveals some of her tricks of the trade.

I’ve posted some preliminary layout and design ideas I’ve had as overlays on the pre-existing kitchen above.  Hope you enjoy!

 

JODY MORLOCK

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JODY MORLOCK

We’re delighted to announce Jody Morlock’s new collaboration with Lior Lev Sercarz!
Work from her new “Human Animal” series is now available in a limited edition biscuit tin. Spice master Lior Lev Sercarz has created La Boite a Biscuits (the cookie box) and offers 2 seasonal biscuits collections a year (fall-winter and spring-summer). Each collection has 5 different flavors using nuts, fruits and spices of course, in a decorative tin. The biscuits feature flavors from around the world and some even have a savory note to them.

Jody and Lior’s  collaboration “Human Animal” collection includes includes hazelnuts, dark chocolate, Szechuan pepper, hibiscus, and Marcona almonds (yum!).

Together, they chose 6 pieces for the collection. One art piece decorates each biscuit box. Inside each box you will find a print of one of the other 5 pieces as well as a small booklet about about Jody’s work.

You can order the tins here:
View more of Jody’s art at our store at 2442 Main St. in Bridgehampton.

ANDY STENERSON

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ANDY STENERSON

We’re huge fans of local craftsman Andy Stenerson. His colorful creations fuse form and function with whimsical pattern work and organic elegance. Andy’s formal design education began at the Institute of Art in Cleveland and continued at the California College of Arts where he happened upon glass blowing as a 3D elective class. The medium had a magnetic effect for Andy and he soon became thoroughly enamored with the process.

Upon graduation he apprenticed for John Lewis and became adept at large scale cast glass and foundry work.  A few years later Andy found himself partner in Brooklyn based glass business A Happy Medium with Kim Petro.  With a growing family and space at a premium he moved his family out to the East End in 2002.  Andy now does custom glass blowing out of his Amagansett studio.

Much of his work is based on the shaping and molding of pattern and texture into gorgeous household items such as lighting, vases, and decorative objects.  What makes Andy’s process particularly uncommon in this day and age is the handmade murrini cane he uses.  These vibrant canes are sliced and pieced together to shape unique patterns in his glass creations.

Pictured above are individually hand blown glass ornaments.

Visit our store to see more of Andy’s one of a kind pieces.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Need help choosing that perfect gift for a special someone?  Check out our assortment here.  Cozy wool blankets in elegant graphic designs straight from England, a set of hand carved wooden bowls or perhaps a hand dyed velvet pillow!  All of our products are chosen with the utmost attention to craftsmanship and design quality.  Call 631.537.6200 to speak with a salesperson.

1.  TEAK BOWLS, $42  2. HAND DYED VELVET PILLOW, $210  3. WESTERLY THROW, $350  4. MOTHER OF PEARL BOXES, $275 – $365  5. COURT LURIE PAINTING, $350  6. WALNUT & HICKORY BANGLES, $180  7. OBERTO GILI BOOK, $97  8. STAINLESS STEEL ENAMEL BOWLS BY PAUL SMITH, $59 – $99 9. OBLIQUE VASE, $506