A modern interpretation of an ancient craft passed down mother to daughter, these one of a finds were handwoven by village women just outside Kampala, Uganda.
The stepped ribs of coiled raffia over banana fiber recall the region’s mountainside farming known as “mountain terraces”.
The craftsmanship of these women provides both an outlet for their creative expression and much-needed income to educate their children. By using one of the few resources available in their remote area, they are weaving their rich cultural past with a future of hope.
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Special thanks to cristina, assistant manager los angeles, who contributed the following.
You never know who’s going to walk through CB2’s orange doors–especially in Los Angeles.
Recently Lonni Paul, LA based interior designer and HGTV Design Star runner-up, came shopping for a modern Hollywood loft she was working on.
She chose an array of merchandise for the project–city slicker and peekaboo tables, big dipper floor lamp, lounge shag rug, toro barstools, cord pillows, an abstract mobile and many tabletop items. We were anxious to see the final “reveal”–check it out below.
photo: Doug Hill
We were so impressed with Lonni’s work that we couldn’t help but ask her a few questions.
Is there an object or person that changed how you think about design?
One of my first clients had a very traditional home which is not my personal style. Working on that project made me change the way I think about design because I realized good design makes any style beautiful. Especially if you think outside the box and throw some contemporary accessories and art in the mix.
Also, Phillipe Stark is such an inspiration to me. Everything he does changes the way I think about design.
Is there something outside your field that inspires you?
Fashion and art.
What’s the most overlooked detail in a room design?
Scale. Many times people buy something for a room because they love the piece but they don’t consider how it relates to other pieces already in the room–or even the room itself.
Future trends?
I believe in the near future “green/eco-friendly” will be a necessity and the norm.
Thank You Lonni!
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Photo: Thomas J. Story for Sunset Magazine
This past summer, Sunset Magazine partnered with Modern Cabana to create the Modern Cottage event for their October annual design issue.
The pre-fabricated cottage was designed to a create living spaces that are both eco-friendly and affordable. Consisting of two units, a 10×12 home office and a 12×25 guest suite, it’s a compelling model of minimalist living.
Positioned as a breezeway connecting the two units, the deck was made from a composite material which requires no painting, staining, or sealing. Decking was also installed around the units creating a variety of outdoor areas.
Other exterior features include FSC-certified clear inland cedar and a vertical garden of succulents which creates a living mosaic of shapes, textures, and colors. The angled roof is waterproofed with recycled tire rubber and is available with an integrated solar laminate for power. Two favorite extras–a refreshing outdoor shower and a dog-house with a green roof!
Photo: Thomas J. Story for Sunset Magazine
Photo: Thomas J. Story for Sunset Magazine
Interior features include a sleek compact kitchenette using built-ins and bar-size appliances. A sliding door allows natural light in and opens to a back deck that includes a fire pit and outdoor kitchen.
Photo: Thomas J. Story for Sunset Magazine
Eco-friendly bamboo flooring runs throughout the cottage and corrugated walls enclose a corner off the office–inspired by
Mies van der Rohe’s use of industrial steel in residential buildings.
We’re thrilled that the living-area included our space saving flex sofa which converts to a bed. As an office desk, an old door with a frosted glass top was suspended from the ceiling and paired with our surf chair and trig file cabinet. For more details–including pricing estimates–check out the October issue of Sunset Magazine.
We look forward to your comments and photos if you were there!
Photo: Thomas J. Story for Sunset Magazine
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In its second year, Dwell on Design was held just weeks before our blog went live–June 26-28th–so we wanted to take the first opportunity to share our participation in this outstanding event. In addition to displaying most of our outdoor furniture and accessories, we gave directions to our new Sunset location and handed out–and ran out of!–reusable canvas totes.
“The West Coast’s Largest Modern Design Event”, conducted by the editors of Dwell magazine and held at the LA Convention Center, the event featured seminars, key-note speakers, and over 175 exhibitors focused on sustainability and innovations for the home. Off-site, self-guided tours of an exclusive collection of must-see homes in the Los Angeles area were also available.
Dwell editors talked with community leaders, builders, designers, artists, architects, craftsmen and entrepreneurs on topics ranging from future-thinking about developing successful design, sustainability, affordability and efficiency, design in the media, urban density, green entrepreneurship, historic preservation, the intersection of architecture and art direction, the growing convergence of design and food, and more.
Curated for a design conscious audience, exhibitors showcased pre-fab home options and smart building materials and ideas for kitchens and baths. Dwell Outdoor inspired with design ideas for outdoor living–including our Resort Sectional shown above–and the latest trend of vertical gardening. The Modern Family area promoted the creativity and originality behind modern design with a multitude of hands-on activities and displays geared towards children of all ages.
What were highlights of the show for you?
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