The Kitchen as Installation Art

Irwin Weiner ASID - Just when you think you've seen everything, along comes the 2009 Rotating Kitchen installation art project from German artist Zeger Reyers. The following "working copy" video is something fun to watch - but click on and slide the view bar at the bottom of the video to quickly advance the video so you can see a faster progression of time as food is prepared and served from this working kitchen, followed by mayhem and destruction as the kitchen slowly rotates 360 degrees. Why? Because it can be done . . . and it's a wonderful statement about how natural forces can impact our ordered domestic lives. Needless to say, don't try this at home.

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This Man Lives a Steampunk Life

Steampunk Workshop

Irwin Weiner ASID - Based on yesterday's post regarding human bones and interior design, I'm still not in the mood to switch gears and go to a lighter design topic. Instead, I'm all set to wax poetic about steampunk and design. Think Victorian meets High Tech, and you've got the idea. There's a dark, industrial vibe about steampunk accessorizing, fashion, and design. Folks like Boston area's Jake Von Slatt have added a touch of this dark romance to their everyday lives by accessorizing modern gear - from cars and guitars to computers and lighting - with elaborate ornamentation suitable for a Jules Verne novel. Visit Jake's Steampunk Workshop website for more of his exciting work, and enjoy this MAKE Magazine video about Jake and his fascinating steampunky life. This is a great example of what I love about design; if you truly love something, add it to your decor and surroundings. Design without passion and personality is without a soul. Why bother?

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Modern Style Homes Deep in the Heart of Texas

Sago International

Irwin Weiner ASID - There's a lot to be said for recycling old urban core properties and turning them into livable spaces. Inner city homesteading has been chic for years, and the trend isn't going away. The allure of provenance about old spaces attracts both do-it-yourself homeowners and speculators/builders who want to make something new and imaginative from the old and discarded. This video shows you some of the recycled and brand-new contemporary homes in this year's Austin (Texas) Modern Home Tour. You'll come away with an appreciation for the clever design going into residential architecture. I particularly love the Sago International home on a one-acre lot, creek facing, on Vireo Cove (featured near the end of the video, and exterior view in top photo); the thrust concrete deck is a thing of beauty, and the interior spaces are clean and open.  

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Mario Buatta Song Celebrates an Interior Design Legend

Chester Higgins Jr. / The New York Times

Irwin Weiner ASID - One of the most memorable interior designers ever to grace the New York - nope, let's call it global - stage is Mario Buatta. I want to see encore after encore of his work. His room compositions are always balanced, luxurious, colorful, and tasteful yet daring. I'd love to be as accomplished as this design master someday. You'll love our featured video, with a slideshow of his design work - and "The Prince of Chintz Song," written and performed by Christopher Mason at the Metropolitan Club on March 9 to celebrate

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