Design Video: Derek Wilson Brings Us Inside His Studio (and His Head)

Irwin Weiner ASID - Belfast, North Ireland has seen more than its share of violence and urban flight. It was devastating for the city's economy and also for its artist residents. The last five years has seen a change, however, and noted ceramicist Derek Wilson has been part of that resurgence.

There has been a boom of sorts - it was so behind other cities - with graduates staying and designers and artists setting up. There's lots of support, and it's nice to be involved in the creative resurgence.

Designs from Mr. Wilson are inspired by the colors, light quality, and industrial heritage of his beloved Belfast. Like all talented ceramics artists, his work is both highly functional and sculptural, making them absolutely ideal additions to home decor.

Watch his video interview below, and click on any of his images for more information.

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6 Favorites from Mondo Collection

 

Irwin Weiner ASID - There are so many wonderful online furniture resources that I have a tendency to be jaded. It takes some real VERVE to shake me out of my online doldrums - "Not another iconic piece of furniture from another design icon!" So it was a small delight to run into the Mondo Collection in a recent issue of Dwell magazine (in itself, also a small delight), and here are five beauties like the fab-fabric-wrapped Opium Bench (above)  that really stood out for me. Click on each photo for more product information.

Conical Desk by Nada Debs

Graphics Ceramics by Kaiser SuidanZero Bed

Beetley Bridge Chair by Jaime Hayon

Tobi Side Tables by Terry Dwan

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Great Loss to the Design World

Irwin Weiner ASID - The recent passing of Eva Zeisel is an incredible loss of talent and energy and fire for the design industry. Her work, while sometimes slyly derivative of others, was always filled with fresh twists that startled and cajoled - and her mass production of dinnerware brought modernism to America's tables, elevating our sensibilities.

Organic, sensuous, fun, and spritely - her work is now on display at a Schroeder Romero & Shredder exhibition here in New York City through February 11. Here's our Design2Share appreciation of Ms. Zeisel - she'll always be a "Designer We Love." 

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The Sweet, Artistic Life of Paula Sweet

 

Irwin Weiner ASID - Creativity in daily life? Wouldn't it be wonderful to be talented enough to hand-paint your house in a fine art style, decorate your furniture with bright colors, make your family's dinnerware, and fill your own ceramic vases with flowers from the garden? If you're Paula Sweet, you're all that and more.

We were recently guests of Paula and her husband Richard and daughter Kayla in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Their house rambles on a wooded hillside and is a mid-century modern delight, with beamed ceilings, painted concrete floors, a koi pond, swimming pool, and Paula's art studio. She's fascinated with small, curling tendrils on vines and collects them on her walks through the woods, marrying them with ceramic plaques and small studies that take up whole sections of her walls, along with bold portraits of people in her life.

Originally known for her break-out wearable art fashion - the luxurious, washable

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