every few months we take a theme or idea which inspires us and run that motif throughout our store, including the installation of a designer showroom built upon that concept

disco/deco – fall 2011

many of us were first introduced to the linear symmetry and lavish ornamentation of “art deco” when it appeared as a part of 1970s pop-culture.  however, everything from the mirrored disco balls to the bold use of graphic imagery within the “pop-art” movement borrowed inspiration from the 1920s and 30s.  both times saw bold changes in the world of design and for that reason we as designers love to mix these two periods.  forget the ugly bell bottom pants and orange shag rugs that many equate with the 1970s and focus instead on the use of exotic animal prints and glossy stacked mirrored surfaces.  the excess of prohibition certainly marries with the hedonism of studio 54.  and who could forget that the legendary tutankhamun made both his debut and encore in these periods (respectively).  this fall we are excited to explore this design nexus at space519; using this fresh new term which we coined especially for the ocassion.  disco deco – where the styles of the 70s and 30s intersect.

the disco deco room - fall 2011 designer showroom as installed at space519.

gypset – spring 2011

“gypset (gypsy+ jet set) defines an emerging group of artists, musicians, fashion designers, surfers, and bon vivants – who lead semi-nomadic, unconventional lives. they are people i’ve met – or been inspired by – in my travels who have perfected a high-low approach to life that fuses the freelance and nomadic wile of a gypsy with the sophistication and global references of the jet set.  it’s an alternative way of traveling and living that’s based more on creativity than money. instead of a luxury hotel in st. tropez or st. bart’s, you might find a gypsetter in montauk, cornwall, or in a teepee in ibiza.”  -  julia chaplin

we loved this term when we first heard it used by a designer last year.   it describes what we love most about design – mixing (price, color, period, style).

come in this spring and check out the gypset inspired room we created in our design showroom (freshly photographed by the folks at chicago home + garden).  also pick up chaplin’s new book gypset (assouline – $45) and pieces from her lifestyle inspired women’s ready-to-wear line by the same name.

the gypset sitting room - spring 2011 designer showroom as installed at space519.

circa 1900 victorian  gilded ballroom chairs, reupholstered in pin striped wool  ($995 pair), 1970s chrome love-seat upholstered in black and white chevron twill ($1895 – SOLD) , Louis XVI style side chairs circa 1950 upholstered in cotton suzani ($1495 EACH – SOLD), accordion steel tress table with glass top ($595 – SOLD), tuxedo hollywood regency style low etagere ($995), zebra print cowhide rug ($995 ), jonathan adler dragon lamp ($695), victorian propping mirror ($695- SOLD), italian porcelain retriever by vellum ($595 – SOLD), porcelain elephant by vellum ($225 – SOLD)

room is painted in cool lava (behr 180B-5). 

sixties new millenium - winter 2011

the architect's study winter 2011 designer showroom as installed at space519.

the room is painted whitestone (benjamin moore 2134-60). 

the new american prepster – holiday 2010

the american drawing room - holdiay 2010 as installed at space519.

1950’s dunbar chairs, reupholstered in graphite velvet ($2895 pair – SOLD), victorian gilded propping mirror ($895-SOLD), long marble topped gilded console ($1895 – SOLD), piano desk ebonized with high shine finish ($895 – SOLD), 1950’s eames bikini chair ($795 – SOLD) vintage large leather horse ($995 – SOLD), historic equestrian prints ($125 each – SOLD OUT), porcelain gazelle head ($250 SOLD), small crest mirror ($495 – SOLD), giant stalagmite lamp ($485 – SOLD).

the room is painted fiddlehead green (benjamin moore 2041-20) – rug is by karastan.