#designtellingastory

“Each design is a masterpiece that re-imagines the classic design movements in a way that only DXV can.” – Veronika Miller

Cities tell stories. Through culture, lifestyle, architecture and a continuous evolution of self-expression, they are indeed the living narrative of the everyday, of history and the timeless design movements that define them.

Connect these powerful chronicles with the creative machine of DXV by American Standard and experience design that speaks beauty and relevance and that brings pure inspiration. The magic of this union was unveiled in New York City at DXV’s flagship showroom in Flatiron on September 15, 2016. As a member of the DXV Design Panel family, I was honored to be part of the celebrations.

On this day we were celebrating the bold and the buzz-worthy designs of the 2016 DXV Design Panel. Four freely-imagined creations were inspired by four iconic cities and shaped by four iconic design movements. Each was made tangible through the timeless products of DXV.

Veronika Miller, founder and editor of Modenus.com and mastermind of the DXV Design Panel empowered this year’s panelists to not only create the fantastical but to inspire, to provide new ways of looking at things, and to ‘elevate the everyday’.

The Southern classical aesthetic of Charleston inspired Susan Jamieson of Bridget Beari Designs. She reinvented the iconic Georgian Palladian architecture and motifs of the day with a gracious mix of modernized fittings. The ‘Southern Classic’ space speaks of symmetry, refined classical elements, and contrast.  

I love the graphic black and white statements of Georgian flooring and grisaille wallpaper that are invigorated with bold pops of emerald and gold. I’ll never look at subway tiles in the same way after seeing this Heritage Tile jewel-toned display that is banded with a handsome black and white Greek Key accent.

At the heart of the design is the DXV Fitzgerald Tub. Its clean architectural lines and rolled plinth echo the classic crown molding and millwork details. There is a beautiful rhythm here.

Susan’s custom vanity and hutch is a classic-modern masterpiece. 

The fluted detailing, a distinguishable motif of the era, is carved into the skirted Carrara marble front and the DXV black Pop Under Counter Lavatories accompanied by gold Randall Faucets are those that elevate. They bring a fresh creative perspective to the olde world.

The glitzy charisma of New York’s Golden Era played muse for Richard T Anuszkiewicz of RicharLiving. His masterly mix of luxury elements and materials and his modern interpretations of the Art Deco period celebrate a glamorous lifestyle in today’s world. 

The ‘Golden Apple’ kitchen design is dense with graphic reincarnations of iconic motifs and a creative layering of reflective elements. This is high-octave drama and the space re-imagines the finest in luxury living.

Fittings also contribute to a ‘nothing-but-the-best’ mindset with two large DXV Hillside Stainless Steel Sinks, the refined and tailored Fresno Faucet and the tall coil-detailed Fresno Culinary Faucet. 

 A floating feature of wine storage, an island of Macassar ebony, the La Cornue range, the commanding Raw Urth hood and luminaires of Swarovski crystal are each exceptional statements. 

In unison, they comprise a spectacular modern opulence. 

My favourite small detail is the copper niche that features the DXV Contemporary Pot Filler. I love the sparkling mix. 

Designers Beth Dotolo and Carolina Gentry of Pulp Design Studios created an eclectic and fun-vibe bath around the Mid-Century Modern Movement of Palm Springs. Their ‘Mid-Century Resort’ space-with-attitude reflects a glamorous entertainer’s lifestyle, open-plans and a strong connection to the outdoors. The feeling is fresh, dynamic and quirky with bursts of high-energy colour and organic patterns.

 “Most parties start in the kitchen, but this party starts in the tub”, says Carolina Gentry.

And that statement couldn’t be truer in this dynamo luxury space. The dramatic angular wall is clad with the luxurious Dekton ‘Aura’ by Cosentino and together with the DXV two-person Seagram tub, it sets the rhythm of line. Angular lines are repeated in other elements such as graphic room dividers that are reminiscent of Palm Springs concrete blocks.

  Another statement piece is the wall-mounted DXV Seagram Toilet, that which is treated like sculpture – a gallery piece.

The vanity area presents like a jewel box with its edgy gilded mirror featured on a backdrop of stylized ferns in wallcovering. A sense of luxury is brought in with the delicate and bold DXV Percy Wall-Mounted Faucet that connects with another angular element, the DXV Pop Rectangular Vessel Sink.

The designers blurred the lines between inside and outside with streaming light and a sexy outdoor shower. 

A wall of white rustic stonework integrates the streamlined fittings of the DXV  Rem and Percy series. Simply divine.

Contemporist designer, Genevieve Ghaleb, of XY Contemporary, was inspired by the ‘new’ Miami that is elegant and understated. Miami’s art scene and its tranquil land and water palette of muted beach wood, sand, and sea are directly translated into Genevieve’s ‘Contemporary Beach’ bath design.

 This is a space of warm minimalism and high function. The bath and its custom amenities were designed for a man – clean, straightforward, and simply luxe. But with every clean line, the designer brings in the curves for a well-balanced yin/yang setting that which can be enjoyed by either gender.

 The DXV Lyndon Freestanding Soaking Tub is ‘curvaceous and sexy’, according to Genevieve. I agree. Bringing in sleek curve and a finishing touch of sparkle is the DXV Contemporary Tub Filler. It’s the perfect accompaniment and it completes the focal point like the cufflinks to a tailored suit.

 I love the custom concrete double vanity and in-shower sink shaving station of sand tones. Paired with the beautifully-proportioned Percy Collection Faucets, the scene is truly one of thoughtful minimalism.

 This a space of pure and unfettered luxury with a mindset towards having all the needs and wants at one’s fingertips. So of course, this space is equipped with a built-in wine fridge and Miele coffee machine.

 “Every city provided us with a feeling that we had arrived - that we had been transported to a time and place, that, while familiar, held excitement and adventure. It’s like surrounding yourself with the things you remember that effect you and inspire you.”- Veronika Miller

As exuberant visual statements of the Classic and the Golden Era and clean expressions of the Modern and Contemporary movements, each design paid homage to a city tale along with its rich history. But each evolved, connected, and brought a relatable message forward. Each was a masterpiece that elevated the everyday. 

At the heart of any wonderous creation is emotion. And whether the creation is an object, a place, or music, its power lies in the ability to connect and to stir. Such power can foster well-being, provoke thought or bring tears. I’ve felt it all, looking deep into the thick and multi-hued oil swirls that seem forever animated within my favourite art piece. Memories and experience are brushed into each leaf and cloud. The artist and I shared the same vista and perhaps even the same day. It must be so because the way the sun turned the leaves golden on that late summer day created a special and ‘once’ time.

Art by Pierre AJ Sabourin : En Plein Air Landscape Artist 

Experience is what life is made of, and the artist can continue to document its richness for all to take part. I feel that today the art world is continuously honing its communication skills by engaging its audience through the crafting of experience. We find installations that are expressly designed to interact with the human component or ones that completely immerse the spectator in its poetry. There may be a larger message, a new idea or simply the desire to evoke happiness within the art. Whatever the motive, the effect can be powerful and memorable. 

The mantra, ‘design telling a story’ is one that’s been resonating with artists for some time now. It’s one that has steadily seeped into the mindset and expectations of the general public. People are seeking more from design. They’re interested in the story that lurks within. It’s human nature, is it not? Creators at this year’s design exhibitions each seemed to have a story to share. But they didn’t stop there. The overarching message was not just about the story. No, it was also very much about the experience of design.  

All’ombre della luce (In the shadow of light), by maker, Ritsue Mishima paid homage to the artistic heritage of  the iconic champagne house, Maison Perrier- Jouet. It made its debut at Design Miami and amid all the colourful and fantastical works, it seemed to me a pure and elegant haven. I wanted to spend some time there to quietly absorb the ambience and creative narrative, preferably whilst sipping on some bubbly. Mishima’s creation is an experiential one that invites contemplation and reflection. The delicate choreography of glass spheres and their exaggerated reflections on surrounding surfaces is an ode to the rays of the sun dancing on enchanting vineyards. Here, the fine art of glassblowing parallels the art of blending. The two protagonists of the story are indeed light and shadow. The beauty of creativity and nature couldn’t be more coherent than through the streams of rising bubbles in golden champagne. 

The Anemone pendant by Veronese came to life through human touch at New York’s 2016 ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair). The delicate live-glass creation is an experiential luminaire. Inspired by the sea anemone and its poetic movement with the ocean currents, the pendant can change its flow and vary lighting effects. A multitude of hand-shaped Murano glass flags can be lulled back and forth with gentle hand caresses. It’s fascinating that the lamp continues to shift and take on a life of its own long after the final touch of the creator’s hand.

Meystyle transformed some walls of the ICFF into works of visual experience with its remarkable LED wallpaper. Connecting the touch of the hand with technology is the magic in today’s craftsmanship. LED lights are fully integrated into the handmade rolls of art and each design is a tantalizing display of light and form that seems ready to burst out into three-dimensional reality. The latest ‘Poems’ collection is one lovely and tangible sentiment. Capturing a moment of beauty as inspired by an element of nature, each design, and its experience are defined by a short poem. 

And a spectacle of interactive couture was exhibited at the ManusxMachina show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The “Kaikoku” Floating Dress by Hussein Chalayan is a fascinating piece of fashion technology and poetic gesture. The cast fibreglass garment of gold metallic pigment is embroidered with Swarovski crystal and pearled paper “pollens”. ‘The dress is operated via remote control and is made to be entered from a rear-access panel. The experiential ensemble symbolizes new beginnings. During a peak moment, all the pollens are released into the air and swirl around the wearer.