Of course, my main reason for writing this blog is lighting, but shows such as BDNY offer other products beyond lighting. Likewise, New York is New York is New York. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to see the new production of “X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X” at the Metropolitan Opera. Very good, with amazing vocals provided by Leah Howard as Betty Shabazz. Even though the ending is known to all, in this telling, it was riveting. I was very interested in the retrospective of the work of Judy Chicago at The New Museum. I especially enjoyed her earlier work, but was somewhat unaware of her pieces dealing with childbirth, “The Birth Project.” The collaborative fiber/needlework pieces were stunning. I love theater. My wife and I were able to see the original production of “Sweeney Todd” MANY years ago, so I thought it would be fun to see the most recent production. It was excellent. I also saw the just opened, “Harmony” (Very Good!) The soon closing, “Here Lies Love” (some of the most inventive staging I’ve seen in years) and the hottest show on Broadway, “Merrily We Roll Along” (a mesmerizing revival of Steven Sondheim’s first theatrical failure.) Dinners at Shuka, Le Rock and Claud were uniformly excellent. Most importantly, here are a few non-lighting things I found of interest.
The Klein Kitchen & Bath showroom in the Flatiron design district showed a kitchen with tinted glass upper cabinets. We’ve moved from cabinets, to no upper cabinets, then a rebuke of that shift. Could this be the next option? I found it interesting.
I suspect I don’t think much about doors and wall systems, but the showroom for the Italian firm, Rimadesio is elegantly beautiful. As we live in a world with more “open-space” design, there is an inevitable desire to cordon ourselves for privacy or quiet. Done tastefully, a space can look right, even with the addition of such grand architectural elements.
Everyone and every space needs a jolt of color. The Dinosaur Designs showroom is a reprive to a world of beige. Glass bowls, drinkware, plates, vases and equally colorful rugs allow this space to explode with possibilities. Need to differentiate a room? Check out these options!
https://www.dinosaurdesigns.com/
There is a class of “full function.” smart, high-end toilets offered today by both Kohler and Toto. The Kohler Numi was perhaps the first to gain my attention. It is a beautiful piece. Their subsequent designs are equally intriguing. Toto, on the other hand is offering very pedestrian designs with the same features. They appear clunky and oversized. Smart toilets are substantially more expensive than “standard” toilets and for that reason, I believe Kohler has the right idea. Combine the higher price with higher style to make the cost more palatable. I’ve learned from friends in the plumbing business that Toto quality is superior to Kohler. I suspect that might be better debated on an episode of “Firing Line.” At this juncture, I think Kohler is approaching smart toilets correctly. As the technology becomes common, opinions might change.
Textured wall coverings are not new, but I am still drawn to them. Dimense Décor Gallery showed a nice cross-section of patterns, colors and options.
This was unique. SG Tree Art Rugs showed rugs made from strips of leather shaped as a slice of a tree trunk. Yes, a niche market, but really beautiful work.
Ceramic Tile
There are a lot of tile showrooms in the Flatiron Design District. All were also represented at BDNY, so I had a double helping of influence.
Tilebar showed their new collection of high-gloss, bold color tiles. These reminded me of the walls on my elementary school building, constructed in the late 50s. Placed pell-mell across the surface of typical brown bricks were these highly glazed, colorful anomalies. I loved it. Thinking back, I wonder if this was done to help kids realize they could be diamonds in the a field of chaff, or just some yeoman laborer trying to make mundane work more fun.
The windows of Artistic Tile were dressed with mannequins using tile and mosaic as clothing. This was a nice way to help people understand the flexibility of tile as a wall or floor covering. Tile can be a media used in places beyond those currently considered.
The new Botanicus collection designed by Allison Eden for Akdo is a colorful arrangement of glass mosaic arranged in a floral pattern. An entire wall has been completed in their showroom and it was such a bright spot, it was impossible to ignore. This would certainly enliven any residential space.
A trip to New York can be inspiring and exciting. I always come away exhausted, but replenished. I hope this short recap can help as you consider your next project, with or without lighting.
Lighting by Jeffrey 