Countdown to the darc awards/decorative!
(UK) - 200 entries for this year’s darc awards/decorative were received along with 6,000 votes from independent architects, interior designers, lighting designers and product designers.
Hosted by esteemed product designer Job Smeets and held at the iconic London nightclub Fabric on Thursday 31st May 2018, the darc awards/decorative are the only international awards that celebrate and focus on decorative lighting within interior design, covering all areas of hospitality, commercial projects and private residential projects, as well as the latest product designs from the past twelve months. And to make sure the right people win, we use a peer-to-peer voting system so you can be sure that the darc team’s ‘favourites’ are not guaranteed winners!
If you are a designer, this event is for you and changes the dynamic of traditional awards where you have to buy a ticket or wait to be invited by a manufacturer – something that is out of the grasp of many junior designers and small practices.
We also take a much more relaxed approach to the traditional awards ceremony – theres no dress code and no table plan. Instead we bring you a night of entertainment, creative light installations from our sponsors, some of the finest street food London has to offer…and lets not forget about that free bar!
If you’re a manufacturer, the best way to get involved in the awards is to become a sponsor. You can read more about the benefits of sponsoring the darc awards decorative here plus further information on how you can get involved in the next event.
ICFF announces 2018 Editors’ Award winner for lighting
(USA) - ICFF New York announced the winners of its prestigious Editors’ Awards (May 21, 2018) recognising the best and most innovative designs at the event.
Over 800 booths were considered for awards in twelve product categories: Accessories, Carpet/Flooring, Furniture (collection), Galleries/Artists, Kitchen and Bath, Lighting, Outdoor Furniture, School Design, Seating, and Wall coverings. In addition, the judges selected winners for the Emerging Designer and Best Booth categories.
“The Editors’ Awards recognise a very high level of design excellence and creativity, which is why we always ask some of the industry’s most influential media and editorial professionals to serve as judges. Their measured and thoughtful consideration ensures we are truly recognising the ‘best of the best’ in luxury design,” said Kevin O’Keefe, ICFF group show director and senior vice president, Emerald Expositions.
The 2018 Editors’ Awards winner for Lighting was PELLE for their collection Beam and Glow, a series of vertical and horizontal structures that combine vibrant colours with formal minimalism to create an immersive lighting experience.
The media professionals serving as this year’s judges were:
- Annie Block, deputy editor, Interior Design
- Emma Harris, assistant editor, darc magazine
- Pei-Ru Keh, New York editor, Wallpaper
- Paul Makovsky, editor in chief, Contract magazine
- Madeline O’Malley, associate market editor, Architectural Digest
- Peter Sobchak, editor, Canadian Interiors
Archilume – Alto
Defined by a strong upper conical shape, Alto’s form finishes at its base with a jewel-like transparent element reminiscent of a craftsman cut diamond. Alto emits a flattering warm light that is free from glare owing to Archilume’s signature application of total internal reflection optics. This design, incorporating the latest warm dimming LED technology, transitions from a colour temperature of 3000°
Alto can hang as a single element or be grouped to create an inspiring installation on a grand scale. Alto is fully compatible with Archilume’s canopy system for expanded creative lighting expressions.
Lee Broom takes Observatory to NYCxDesign
(USA) - British designer Lee Broom will present Observatory, his new stellar-inspired lighting collection at this years NYCxDESIGN.
For the entire week of NYCxDESIGN, the showroom on Greene Street will be transformed into an Observatory showcase. In signature Lee Broom style, visitors will be taken on a journey through the collection with the new lighting pieces taking centre stage, drawing viewers to observe the culmination of a collection which was two years in the making. Visitors to the show will be able to interact with the designs closer than ever before.
In a significant departure from the conventional design week model of previewing new designs several months before they go on sale, products from Observatory will be available to purchase immediately in-store and online.
Following Broom’s milestone 10-year anniversary in 2017, this year’s launches see the focus return to lighting, which the brand is renowned for. Observatory is Broom’s most progressive work to date where celestial designs play with proportions of vertical and horizontal space, sculptural, spherical form, and the refraction and reflection of light.
Observatory features LED lighting systems and bulbs custom-designed and developed in-house. Displaying new finishes such as polished chrome, and new interpretations of materials used in past collections, Observatory marks a new direction for the brand.
Lens Flair, a new spherical lighting piece, will also make its debut at Lee Broom’s flagship New York showroom at 34 Greene Street in SoHo during NYCxDESIGN on 17 May 2018.
Inspired by telescopic lenses and the art of horizontal and vertical refractions, Lens Flair is a piece of two halves, seamlessly combining the solid and the transparent. A detailed cross-cut lens emits a soft deflected light, which is juxtaposed by contemporary solid casing in brushed brass or matte black finishes. The beautiful new piece is available as a Pendant Light and Table Lamp, measuring 16 inches in diameter. Lens Flair makes a bold statement by itself, or multiple pendants can be hung to create a celestial installation.
In addition to Lens Flair Broom will also showcase four new lighting collections that were presented during Milan Design Week: Eclipse, Orion, Aurora and Tidal.
Following the launch of Observatoty during NYCxDESIGN, Broom will tour seven North American cities with the new collection, presented by key dealers in Boston, Toronto, Dallas, Chicago, Seattle, Vancouver and finishing the tour in Los Angeles in June to coincide with the LA Design Festival. This tour expands on the success and growth of the Lee Broom brand in the US market since the opening of the showroom in New York in 2016.
Broom says: “I am excited to show our new lighting collection in New York, which is very special to me and a source of inspiration for many of my designs. NYCxDESIGN always has a great energy, and New York has become important to our business as we have seen rapid growth in the US since opening our permanent showroom in SoHo. I am very much looking forward to touring the US and Canada in May and June to show the collection to the wider North American market.”
Join us at Clerkenwell Design Week, London for darc thoughts
(UK) - The darc team present #darcthoughts: lighting interiors at Clerkenwell Design Week, London
darc’s Editor Helen Ankers will be discussing the importance of decorative lighting in interior design and architecture with a panel of industry experts, who will consider why lighting should be one of the first considerations when working on a project, whether commercial or residential.
The talk takes place at LIGHT, Thursday 24 May at 11.45am and will feature Jo Littlefair, Paul Nulty and Jennifer Pakuls.
Jo Littlefair is Director and Co-founder of luxury interiors studio Goddard Littlefair. A designer-at-large, she draws inspiration from her travels and passion for new and exciting experiences. Jo’s curious, observant nature sees her seek evolutions in consumer, industry and design trends, looking for new ways to innovate and rise to challenges, while locating the best cutting-edge products and finishes, ensuring ongoing uniqueness.
Paul Nulty started his career within the lighting design industry eighteen years ago. In 2006 FX Magazine named him one of the top six young lighting designers to watch, and in May 2011 Paul proved them right by setting up Nulty. Paul is a prominent industry commentator and has appeared several times as an expert witness. He’s written many expert articles for industry magazines and presented seminars at a number of prominent events worldwide.
Since graduating from St. Martins eleven years ago, Jennifer Pakuls has spent her time specialising in lighting sculptures for public spaces and high-end residential properties. Fascinated by the transformative quality of light, the way it interacts with different materials and how it affects our experience of a space, she produces one off, large scale sculptures as Director of Sculpture + Collectables at Haberdashery.
Join us at ICFF, New York for darc thoughts
(US) - This week the darc team present #darcthoughts: lighting interiors at ICFF, New York.
Deputy Editor Emma Harris will be discussing the importance of decorative lighting in interior design and architecture with a panel of industry experts, who will consider why lighting should be one of the first considerations when working on a project, whether commercial or residential.
The talk takes place on Sunday May 20, at 3.30pm and will feature Leon Jakimič, Paris Forino and Renee Joosten.
Leon Jakimič was born in Liberec, Czech Republic in 1975 to a glassmaking family and in 2007 he founded Lasvit. The company manufactures unique works of glass, including bespoke glass art installations, designer lighting and other collections, as well as architectural glass elements. Over the course of ten years Jakimič has built Lasvit into a multi-national company.
Paris Forino established her design studio in 2012 after building a body of work for ten years with designers and architects in Sydney and New York. She has steadily gained a reputation for understated elegance fulfilling commissions for homes, multi-family residences, luxury hotels, furniture and furnishings. Function, context and harmony are touchstones in her work, combining tradition with modernity.
Born in the Netherlands, Renee Joosten received her BA in Interior Design from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in The Hague. Today she is Lighting Director at ICRAVE and has fully integrated the company’s interdisciplinary approach to sculpting impactful environments. She has an in-depth understanding of interior and lighting principles and brings projects from conceptual ideas to successful implementation.
Decorex returns to Syon Park
(UK) - Decorex returns to the historic location of Syon Park for the 41st year.
Decorex is the opening destination of The London Design Festival, and will run from the 16 to the 19 September 2018. Building upon the successes of its 40th anniversary edition in 2017, this year the show will explore 'The Blank Canvas' as its theme. Offering a ‘carte blanche’, the concept will explore how an empty space can celebrate a new beginning, a chance to create something beautiful. Highlights will include an array of interactive feature areas and an inspiring seminar programme with talks from some of the industry’s key influencers. Decorex will also celebrate luxury British craft and applied arts through Future Heritage, an exhibition of some of the best emerging talents in the UK with new work created especially for the show.
Simone Cenedese - Android
The glass factory Simone Cenedese, founded on Murano – off the north coast of Italy – in the 1970’s, is today a true expression of the island’s famed glass art. Android is tailormade with an emphasis on glass and simplicity, perfect for a residential or a hospitality space in need of a little traditional sophistication.
Razetti - Porto Cervo Rosso
Razzetti established themselves through ceramics. Their art now lies in manipulating porcelain, the result of which is their internationally renowned line of chandeliers Porto Cervo Rosso. The fixtures comprise an iron frame adorned with porcelain roses, each handmade by a team of female ‘fioraie’ artisans.
Liqui - Splice
The strong geometric lines of Splice make it very suitable for any modern interior and the bright colours are fresh and vibrant. Splice is also available in white or, if you prefer, a sophisticated black. In addition, there are various special editions including the alternative Willow Pattern print and several metal shades.
Mineheart - King Edison
The King Edison grande lamp fixtures are available in both chrome and ghost and are the epitome of English creatives Mineheart’s dedication to traditional craftsmanship and shrewd eye for contemporary design.
They feature internal chandeliers that only reveal themselves when lit, a striking focal point in any space.
Concept Verre - Circe 39
Glass is the central pillar of French firm Concept Verre’s fixtures, each light is designed and manufactured in their Nice workshop. In Circe 39 they play with the transparent and reflective nature of glass as a means to create a fixture of strength and grace, all of which strive for originality and exceptional quality.
