The value of Collaboration

Even as the Cooper Hewitt looses its way, Murray Moss in Soho takes design seriously. He even makes you want to take home an Italian sofa. (That profusion of boxy styles that has not changed since the 50's never held much appeal to the American market - trust me when I say the boxes are not revival but have simply remained the same year after year) In a new space at 146 Greens St., the Italian manufacturer Moroso has joined with domestic fabric house Maharam to stunning effect. Patricia Urquoila's sofa in a Maharam fabric dazzles, but what is most important is that you can actually imagine it in an American interior. Never, however, mistake collaboration for "design by committee." This masterpiece of design merchandising has the Moss vision written all over it.

Leadership matters

The Cooper-Hewitt used to be on my required list for every New York trip. It could be counted on to be interesting, instructive and focused on matters of design. Design matters more than ever today, but the museum has lost its way. The current exhibit "Design Life Now" is unfocused and confusing to a designer - just exactly what should the general public gain from a visit to this exhibit? Design is about making things clear, understandable, usable as well as attractive. The current show meets not a single of these criteria. In my humble estimation, what is missing is the leadership of Diane Pilgrim,under whose guidance the museum had its best years. The shows were beautiful, well conceived, and several of the seminars that I attended were excellent. And what is it with those flowers on the facade of the building. It was a bad idea when one of the decorating reality shows stuck cheap silk flowers to a bathroom wall and it is a travesty on the facade of this Beaux-Arts mansion. Is this an attempt to make the building and its contents intellectually accessible?

Brand APPLE in the BIG APPLE

It has been entirely too long since I have posted, both busy and uninspired by what I have seen around. The world, however is moving along at record pace - I finally saw the APPLE store on 5th Avenue, but rather than report what I saw, here is an article that will share the wisdom of these marvelous stores. The article shares how APPLE stores generate more than $4000/sf compared to Neiman Marcus' $600/sf.

Yes, New York in the springtime inspires. So much to see! Soho teaches us how Italian modern can comfortably take on American sensibilities and the Ed Hardy store in the gritty Meat Packing District how street style becomes not just mainstream - but luxe. Printed tattoo designs on t-shirts with a gold signature by the artist take the concept to an entirely different place than engraving the skin for life.

I was particularly impressed with the sales person in a clothing store that could make his nose piercing disappear when I expressed the slightest bit of dismay. Isn't it a wonderfull time to be alive!