Gunkelmans Interior Design

The Best of 2009

As the year comes to an end, we like to look back and reflect upon what was inspiring to us as individuals.  So when all of the staff at GunkelmanFlesher was asked the question "What inspired you in 2009?" as you can suspect, there was a wide variety of answers.   No limits were put on the inspiration, such as it didn't have to be interior design related, as inspiration comes from many places.

The staff of GunkelmanFlesher brings you "The Best of 2009"

Tom Gunkelman: Tresserra Gallery Formulas Furniture Designed by Jaime Tresserra

 

Last Fall while walking the streets of Paris, I came across the Tresserra Gallery and was instantly taken in by the beautiful pieces.   Many of the items in the gallery were inspiring and fresh, but the one piece that truly captured me was the Formulas cabinet.  It's a large cabinet that is put together like a puzzle and intricately designed with "secret" doors.  On the front are numerous mathematical formulas; hence the name of the piece "Formulas".  It simply, yet quite complicatedly, is remarkably beautiful. 

"Full tribute to my math teacher who tormented my childhood with his cryptic and incomprehensible explanations on the blackboard, which irrevocably stimulated my artistic vocation in a definitive way"- Jaime Tresserra. 

 

Andrew Flesher:  Los Feliz Restaurant in NYC

 

Los Feliz restaurant is located at 109 Ludlow Street in New York on the Lower East Side between Rivington and Delancy Streets.  The atmosphere is "other world-like" since it's all lit by candle.  It has that tension that I love - the raw against the refined.   It sums up what I love about New York - kind of gritty and at the same time sophisticated.   The food is really delicious and the margaritas are made from fresh lime juice, not too sweet.   They offer small plates so if you order correctly; you don't end up leaving feeling too full.

Mary Hickey - The Bell Jar Light Fixture

I feel these light fixtures bring the traditional art of blowing glass into today by producing beautifully clean shapes.   They update traditional interiors or add organic shapes to modern space. 

Karen McKay - knoll kids

  
  

I was excited when Knoll launched their Classic Studio Collection in kid sizes, called knoll kids.  They are comfortable fun pieces that I had always imagined in beautiful living rooms. Now with some bright colors and fun fabrics they can make their way into bedrooms and playrooms.   Classic furniture in every size.

Marita Simmons - Artist Samantha French

 
Here are a few pieces that really excite me.   Samantha French's "Underwater Studies" have this wonderfully expressive way of capturing movement and tranquility all in one.  I also love her restrained use of vivid color.  Her use of nostalgic yet ambiguous subject allows these pieces the ability to work successfully in either a traditional home, or a contemporary one.   I'm a huge fan.

Kari Solyntjes - Chanel Haute Couture Runway Show Spring 2009

Karl Lagerfeld, the genius currently behind Chanel, wanted to have his Spring 2009 Haute Couture runway collection reflect the tough economic times upon us.   His inspiration was to have a "clean slate" in which we could all start fresh.   He took it beyond just white fabrics and created a floral back drop in white from paper that was glass based.   These intricate flowers, used to create a beautiful atmosphere surrounding the runway, as well as headdress on the models, took 40 people four months to create the 6700 camellia blossoms (the signature Chanel flower) rose blossoms and other flowers used throughout the show.   Karl proved that good design is in the detail - even with something as simple as paper.

Daniel Rymanowski - The Wee House

Alchemy - Home of the WEE House.

I love the Wee House, it is just perfect.  

How much space do you need?  

I love prefab housing it is so clean and green...

I love the look and I would like to book one for MEE!

What inspired you in 2009?   

Good Art is Difficult to Find

That is, unless…. it comes walking through your front door. 

 

A few weeks ago we were contacted by an artist out of Canada who wanted to come do a presentation for us because he thought his work might appeal to our firm’s aesthetic.  Well, I am sure glad he did! 

 

Ken Gangbar’s body of work is absolutely amazing.  Ken is a talented sculptor.  He works with various media, including ceramic, marble and glass to develop singular organic forms that he then groups together in interesting ways to create extraordinarily tranquil and fluid installations. 

 

We had the opportunity to page through his website before his visit, and while his online gallery surely piqued my interest, seeing the individual forms in person injected a whole new energy about his craft.  Each of the forms he makes is delicate and simple and straightforward… but when grouped together they have tremendous impact.  They instantly evoke a sort of underwater experience… and you feel like you’re privy to walking amidst sea life. 

 

 

Here is an example of his work:

 

My absolute favorite installation was done at the Se Hotel in San Diego.  Ken created a dramatic wave-like pattern with his fin-shaped forms in the Lobby space.  The white pieces were made from honed calacatta marble, and the brown pieces were made from glazed ceramic… the entire piece was lit from above, and the finished piece is so exquisite, it completely sets the tone for the rest of this beautifully designed hotel.  Maybe a trip to California is in order?!

 

Good art truly IS hard to find, and is why it is so thrilling to be introduced to talented people like Ken.  Not only does “out of the box” work like his give me something to think about, it jump starts my creativity as well.  Take a moment to visit his wonderful website and look around.  I’m sure you’ll be inspired too! 

 

http://www.kengangbar.com/

Happy Holidays –

 

submitted by Marita Simmons

Feeling a Little Brassy

Brass finishes have been slowing gaining back popularity.  I know what you are thinking, and that was my first reaction too...all i could think of was the shiny brass hardware and finishes of the 80's.  Fortunately this a a whole new refined brass it is rubbed, antiqued and aged, allowing for a more subtle and elegant version of it predecessor.

Lately I have been seeing it everywhere in magazines, catalogs and every time I search for a new product. Andrew Flesher was ahead of the curve using an aged brass finish in his own home a few years ago in as shown in the photo above.  Here are a few other products I have noticed.

Lighting:

  
Furniture:

Accessories:

So take a chance and add a little brass in your life.

by: Karen McKay  
   

 

Creating a "Baby"

For the past three years I've been working on a really great project in Deer Valley, Utah.  I'm working with clients that I have worked with in the past and this will be the third house I have done for them.   With each new project we know each other better and that makes the process so much more enjoyable for both of us, because we have grown to have a mutual trust and understanding. 

We're in the stage of the building process where things are starting to come together and the house is really starting to look like a house.   If you could relate the building process to being pregnant, the house would be in its third trimester.   Even though I've never been pregnant, I often relate to the building/design process as having a baby.   You create, and wait to see your efforts come to fruition - often times it takes about the same amount of time for furniture to arrive as it takes to have a baby!

On this project I've been involved from the very beginning, working with Hagman Architects out of Aspen, CO.  The concept of the house, which is set on a breathtaking lot, is that there were old stone structures or "out buildings" that were connected by vintage industrial glass structures.  In the photos where you see plastic, there will be Hope's window walls.  In fact, two entire sides of the living room are floor to ceiling Hope's window walls, and on the one side there will be a glass bridge that connects two of the stone "buildings".   There will be another Hope's structure with glass on three sides that houses a glass staircase.  The interior furnishings will be a combination of clean classic antiques mixed with more transitional pieces and a lot of natural "un-worked" materials.   The house will have color (European yellows, greens, blues and burnt oranges) in its furnishings and fabrics to stand up to the strength of the natural stone and wood that will run from the exterior through to the interior.   As beautiful as natural materials are, they have a tendency to "eat" up color.

I've included some "ultrasounds" if you will, and can't wait to show you photos of when the "baby" is born.  

 

 

Submitted by Andrew Flesher  

'Tis The Season

 

After the rigors of “Black Friday” shopping are done,Saturday and Sunday are usually spent bringing out the Holiday ornaments that have been carefully packed with tissue paper in boxes in the attic or basement!

If you haven’t gone through the paces yet, here are a few of my favorite thoughts for added touches:

·    Add “fresh” to your treasured pieces. Place fruit in an antique Imari or modern white bowl (oranges, Granny Smith apples or Bosc pears) for color. Tuck lemon leaves or boxwood sprigs among the fruit for softness and contrast of color.

·    Bring together your collections to make a larger statement. A multitude of varying sizes of candlesticks placed in the center of the dining room table provide a simple but creative look and beautiful flickering light. Tie the thought together by using the same color of candle; the shape does not have to be the same.

·    Don’t forget fragrance! There are tantalizing natural oil scents that speak to the season. Try an Agraria Bitter Orange diffuser on your entry table. It comes on a lovely piece of mirrored glass.

And finally…hang a huge bunch of mistletoe with a 3” wide double-faced satin copper-toned bow from your entry fixture and give your favorite loved one a wonderful kiss!

Merry! Merry!

 

Submitted by Mary Hickey