Poetry in Fittings

Chantal Thomass Pomes

I loved meeting some of the people behind THGParis, whom I had the privilege of meeting at the Contemporary Furniture Fair.  They really showed off where the company shines.  THGParis' bath fittings are "a subtle mix of craftsmanship, know how and a passion for creativity" three generations later.
Exquisite French innovation, the marriage of perfect partnerships, and exceptional collections have  earned THGParis recognition as the "haute Couture of bathroom fittings," earning them awards and accolades thru out the world!

Porcelain, 24 carat matte gold, silver, fine etching, and Swarovski crystal help create refinement in fittings to the likes we've never seen before.  These are no mere faucets, they are things of beauty!  Each faucet is precisely etched and meticulously manufactured.  The crystals are applied one by one with chopsticks.  Their attention to detail is unparalleled.

Monte Carlo

The marriage of fine crystal and metal creates a timeless elegance that is always in style.  The Lalique, Daum, and Bacarrat crystal collections are sublime.  Chic, modern, sophisticated, even witty, these artisanal faucets are masterpieces cut from glass.

Lalique Pomme

"Casting a piece using Daum’s exclusive process assures a rich and subtle palette of colors and a precision of contours, which would have been impossible to obtain using traditional crystal or glassblowing methods. This powerful and elegant artistic technique, more than ever before, affirms Daum’s creativity, and is among one of the many reasons why it was deemed worthy as a THG collaborator."

Daum 

 “To be aligned with such a respected and illustrious brand as Baccarat and be trusted with Baccarat’s bold signature designs illustrates our abilities as a premier brand.”

Pierre -Yves Rochon Pétale de Cristal

The future meets Baccarat crystal in the Beyond Crystal series.  An LED light shines from within and the true beauty of the material is "lit up."

If you think they are too fancy ~ think again, modern styles with equal amounts sensuality, fluidity, and sophisticated design abound.

The Métamorphose collection encompasses squares and curves, going from round to square and back to round.  The complicated design ironically evokes simplicity.  The team also incorporated carbon fiber or ceramic handles; the same used in a Chanel watch.

Studio Putman

Also under the Studio Putman line is Collection O.  It caught my attention not only because I am attracted to the "O" or circle or symbol of the infinite, but because I love the rose gold.  It is fresh and always aesthetically pleasing to my eye.  Not technically an O, it twists, it turns, it just speaks to me.

Quintessentially French is the Saint Germaine.  It seems subtly more masculine and industrial with its pewter (or black) coloration and heavy handed application.  It harkens back to the industrial France of the 1950's.

Aligning themselves with like minded artisans and brands keep THG Paris innovative and appealing to the luxury market.  While you may not be willing or able to run out and purchase them for your own home, you can certainly appreciate the aesthetic when you encounter one and know you are engaging with something very special!





This was a sponsored post but all opinions are my own.
Photos: THGParis, CLI

You had me at Hello

Authenticity in hand forged and cast bronze hardware creates patina, like a history that can be cherished and considered timeless for generations.  Anagha Dandekar found her way to hardware as a kind of happy accident while selling art in India.  She met someone who needed ironwork done and that caused her to switch gears, and a passion for hardware was created.  Not a completely unlikely route from one to the other, because the principles and integrity of hand crafting are similar.  The integrity and beauty of a hand made piece is art, be it painted or forged.

Hardware Renaissance, a fairly young company is fast becoming known for its look of traditional blacksmithing techniques.  The precision engineering allows the hardware to coordinate with commercial locking mechanisms.  They're a green company, completely committed to environmental responsibility and keeping their carbon footprint as low as possible.  Their bronze is made from at least 90% recycled material!

Everything from sand casting the molds to the forging of the piece to the application of the patina is hand done.  They even practice the lost art of hot wax application.  This creates that unique, high end, hand made quality that a larger company may seek to replicate, but really can't achieve.  The pieces are made in India and finished in Santa Fe, NM.  It is a multi-step process.  Many hands refine the piece, create texture, or in lay stones, depending on the design being executed.

The product line offers as many traditional as contemporary designs.  Mountain house, beach house, chateau, or casita ~ they've got it covered.  If they don't they'll create it!

This little company welcomes custom work, with their charges being reasonably low for a one of a kind piece.  Perfect if you need to match hardware in an existing home.  You never know when you might need a hinge, bolt, or monogrammed door knob.

Listening to Anagha speak so excitedly about the company she birthed was infectious.  Now that it is on my radar, I am adding it to my list of "go to" companies I will look towards when a hardware project presents itself.  "Great design starts at the door," and you know what they say about 1st impressions!






Photos via Hardware Renaissance, CLI.  This is a sponsored post but my opinions are my own.

The Contemporary Furniture Fair really showed its colors

Jonathan Adler for Kohler

Jonathan Adler and Kohler are bringing color to the kitchen in a unique and fun way.  The brightly colored cast iron sinks are both nostalgic and forward thinking, fresh and functional.

Bright, saturated, bold color is transforming otherwise sterile spaces.  The International Contemporary Furniture Fair or ICFF brought with it a lot of color on an otherwise dreary rainy day.

Ergoergo.com

The pixelated wallpaper pattern by Flavor Paper is definitely not for the faint of heart.  I would love this in a niche, in the back of a bookcase, or as an accent wall.  Designed by Simon Page, Flavor Paper will scale it proportionately to your space.  Their motto is, "Good design excites."  I concur.

How cute are these cubbies by Kast van ten Huis?  They actually resemble the little canal houses where they are made in the Netherlands.

I can say from personal experience, these funky chairs from innit are really comfortable.  They come in 11 colors from recycled material.

Koket features a highly edited, seductive collection influenced by fashion, fauna, design, and the decorative arts.  Their pieces tend to stop you in your tracks.

Color reform rugs, rag rugs, silk and wool rugs, they are "color proud."  I loved the original graphic rugs by Sonya; works of art in and of themselves.  Sculpture for your floor.

Polart makes furniture for indoors or out.  Team that with the illuminated accent pieces I've been seeing and you've got yourself a party.

It's a really exciting time in design.  I am always amazed at the creativity around me.  New materials and clever uses for the old.  Upcycling and recycling, inventiveness and ingenuity all converge, and when it does ~ magic happens.