Once every two weeks, T&C puts together an assortment of the best design news and happenings— everything from interior design projects that pique our interest and auctions of note, to any must-have products on the market.
Want the Best Yacht out at Sea? Call Your Interior Designer.
When Just B, then called Spica, was built in 1973 as a sturdy pilot cutter for the Dutch Ministry of Defense, its future visual delight fifty years later was unforseen. All it took was a few changes in ownership and help from the interior designers at the Wiseman Group.
For its 50th anniversary, the 59-meter conversion yacht celebrates its milestone with a fresh facelift on the inside. The Wiseman Group, a San Francisco-based interior design firm that has worked on luxury projects across the globe, turned the former military vessel into a stylish seafarer. Angular monochrome furniture, such as sofas, ottomans, and chairs, populate the several rooms of the yacht alongside contemporary artworks that are hung on the walls; but the true hero is the frequent use of wood paneling and detailing throughout the interiors. Not only does the wood paneling, whether in maple or oak, infuse warmth in the contemporary design setting (which can dangerously teeter on cold universally), but also provides a sort of connection to the past, and original interiors of the yacht. What’s particularly spectacular about the boat, both inside and out, is that it does not appear pretentious or obnoxious (unlike the mega-yachts docking in Monte Carlo). The current owners spend a few months a year living on the boat, and this is reflected in the cozy and quiet rooms, such as the lounge and library.
The original boat was built in 1973.
“The design inspiration began with Alvar Aalto’s Villa Mairea house which showcased how light is filtered through the use of slats,” Paul Wiseman tells T&C. “When we started sourcing materials, we had to consider what would be most comfortable in all parts of the world – from the North and South Poles to any other exotic location that can be imagined. The Scandinavian aesthetic met the challenge, no matter where the boat is.”
Before the present owners green-lit the renovations, Just B was dispatched from the docks of Southhampton by an American yachtsman who acquired the vessel in 1997. During that time, the yacht traveled throughout the east coast of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean. Wherever it’ll head next, will certainly be done in style.
For more information on The Wiseman Group, please visit wisemangroup.com.
What to Expect at the Design and Tiffany Sale at Christie’s Auction House
Whether you’re redoing the interiors of a whole house or just an avid collector who can never say no to rare design items, a stop at two upcoming sales at Christie’s might prove to be an early holiday gift to yourself.
The first sale, Design, takes place on December 7 and will feature over 140 design pieces from 1900 to today. Expect to see early works of American Craft by Greene & Greene and Frank Lloyd Wright, and turn-of-the-century Viennese by Josef Hoffman. For French Art Deco enthusiasts, the Jerry Moss Collection will offer pieces by leading artists such as Jean Dunand (famous for using crushed eggshell as a decorative item); and Jean-Michel Frank (the interior designer with a sharp eye for exotic fabrics like shagreen).
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT, Ceiling Light for the Arthur B. Heurtley House, Oak Park, Illinois, circa 1902.
The next day, on December 8, Tiffany will take place, and essentially celebrates Louis Comfort Tiffany and Tiffany Studios, the firms that inspired the artistry of glass making in America (a favorite of the Gettys). The auction this season offers Grapevine and Trellis arched window, for an American commission; the radiant Landscape with Magnolias and Irises window; and the vivid Medallion Landscape window.
Tiffany Studios, Grapevine and Trellis Window Circa 1910.
For more information, please visit christies.com.
Thom Browne Enters the Home Space with Baccarat
Fans of the American fashion designer Thom Browne know his work, which fills the wardrobes of the stylish and daring, but now they’ll also know him for outfitting dining tables with a surrealist touch.
Thom Browne and Baccarat unveil a special collection fit for liquid libations: four glasses, a coupe, two wine glasses, a tumbler, and a whiskey carafe. Each piece is handcrafted in Lorraine, France, by the artists of Baccarat. The designs of each piece were remade from Baccarat’s archive and have been etched with the distinctive four-bar motif of Thom Browne’s label.
The collection features a rendition of the Yacht Glass, a piece used by the Prince of Wales after the original’s 1925 debut.
For those who are currently binge-watching the latest season of The Crown, there’s a British Royal touch to it all, too. The Yacht Glass included in the collection was first created by Georges Chevalier in 1925 for the International Exhibition of Decorative Arts in Paris. Characterized by a square base, the piece charmed various influential figures, notably the Prince of Wales, who chose it to adorn the table of this Yacht.
To purchase the collection, please visit thombrowne.com.
The Spaceless Gallery Finds a (Temporary) Home At the Invisible Collection
There’s a benefit to viewing art in a stark white room as having no interior distractions lets the art do the talking, and allows viewers to engage in a piece fully. But, there’s also a great benefit in viewing art in a furnished home, especially if it’s within the Upper East Side townhouse belonging to the Invisible Collection.
A piece by Gwen Hardie sits in the back living room of The Invisible Collection’s townhouse.
The Spaceless Gallery, a European-based art gallery, is a roving entity that has found a seasonal home alongside the furniture and home goods offered by the Invisible collection. Works by Gwen Hardie, Jean Alexander Frater, Quentin Derouet, Hanna Heino, Olga Sabko, Ruan Hoffmann, and Lucian Moriyama, are placed near the clean and contemporary furniture pieces of the Invisible Collection. The works range from miniature sculptures to large-format paintings. Unlike regular stark-white galleries (though, I still love them), this method allows viewers to see how art and home decor work together in a live demonstration.
For more information, please visit spacelessgallery.com.
Holiday Essentials
December is shaping up to be a busy month; filled with dinners, cocktail parties, and holiday performances. Be sure you’re prepared.
Christofle Malmaison Silver Plated 3-Part Server
Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Speaker
Now 20% Off
Cozy Teddy Orn-A-Mint Pillow
Now 31% Off
Anthropologie Delaney Candle Holder
Style News Editor
Style News Editor at Town and Country covering society, style, art, and design.
Credit: Source link