PURE CRAFTSMANSHIP AT CONSUMER INSPIRATION DAY
ETC DESIGN CENTER EUROPE
Last Sunday ETC Design Center Europe opened its doors again for public on the spring edition
of the Consumer Inspiration Day. Although outside it was freezing, visitors could warm themselves inside
with al the beautiful, new collections of the Masters of Interior! LEEM WONEN was especially warmed up
by the the high level of craftsmanship and the passion for materials.
Ancient arts
The stand of De Toekomst Verlichting on the first floor is always an eye-catcher. This time my eye catched a pair of stunning, purely handmade hanging lamps from the Italian label Cangini E Tucci, of which De Toekomst Verlichting is an exclusive dealer in the Netherlands.
The glass of these lamps is mouth blown according to the old Venetian art. Model Mico is then processed on the inside with a blunt wooden stick, giving each lamp a unique shape. Model Zoe is special because the chalice continues on the inside and the whole lamp consists of one piece of glass.
More lamps from Cangini E Tucci can be found on the website of De Toekomst Verlichting.
Original designs
Every edition Rapture Interior Luxury surprises visitors of ETC Design Center Europe with new interior pieces. Last Sunday, designer Hans Pols showed, among other things, a set of elegant side tables named Yves; a design inspired by the previously released tray, made of brass, which combines very nicely with the matt black.
The collection of Rapture Interior Luxury has a touch of glamor through the use of shiny materials, but the overall appearance remains ‘easy’, modern and informal.
“In April we are going to Milan Design Week for the first time, where we will probably get a lot of inspiration. Because we like to look at our designs from the perspective of art, we are especially curious about Rossana Orlandi’s gallery, but also about labels like Baxter and Laura Meroni “, says Hans Pols. LEEM WONEN is already looking forward to the next Rapture collection!
Experienced professionals
The Belgian label Arte is known for its wall decorations made of special materials. At this edition they presented their spring collection, such as the Timber, the Paleo, the Artisan and the Atelier. Each one brings an ode to traditional craftsmanship. Made by experienced professionals and manufactured with pure materials; from minerals to leather and from wood to tropical plants.
Authentic, distinguished and durable and yet also very modern, given the geometric patterns used in this collection. Perfect squares, upright beams; on every wallpaper a playful and rhythmic whole is created where you first see depth and then again volume.
In collaboration with Moooi Wallcovering, Arte also published ‘Extinct Animals’, inspired by newly discovered sketches of extinct animals. A ‘moooi’ signal to the planet occupants!
Fair materials
One of the newcomers at ETC Design Center Europe is Monde, who struck me with its brand-new, not yet officially launched furniture collection. This collection of tables and wall furniture was designed by interior designer Harrie Hunnekes. “Monde asked me to design a contemporary total concept that is accessible to a wide audience. For that I used both oak and walnut.
On the furniture, two layers of oil have been applied that have been manually polished to a ground color of water stain. These layers of oil are dried with a LED lamp, which considerably speeds up the production process. We produce in our own country,” says Hunnekes.
Striking are the bases as well as the facet sides that you not only see on the door panels but – if you look carefully – also in the rest of the design.
Monde can be found online via www.monde.nu.
Traditional techniques
One of the guests of this Consumer Inspiration Day was artist Milla Novo, who is known for her exclusive ‘wall hangings’ within the high-end interior design industry. The roots of Milla Novo lie with the native inhabitants of Chile, where the Mapuche community still uses traditional weaving techniques. Milla Novo now also brings this beautiful heritage to Europe, in the form of her large macreamé tapestries.
Sebastiaan van Soest from Goudleer-Atelier van Soest was also present. Van Soest is the only gold leather maker in the Netherlands and the second generation who keeps the old craft of gold leather alive. His mission is to revive gold leather and give it a modern application and appearance. In September, Van Soest’s work can also be admired at the Masterly The Hague art festival.
As usual, I was short of time and eyes again! But fortunately the summer edition is already planned and on Sunday 19 May. Until then?
