Commune Design

I would like to introduce you to one of my favorite interior design firms. They go by Commune.

Interior designers are often criticized for being over indulgent, filling their clients homes with too many objects, over decorating, and making projects about their own egos and not their clients' comfort and self expression. This is a firm that defies the stereotypes. Commune takes a totally new approach to interior design. Each of their projects feels current, and old at the same time. And they somehow manage to infuse each one with their own identity as well as their clients'. They use a mix of modern and vintage elements, but keep it practical and comfortable. The look is always stylish, but never trendy.

To the right are pictures of their work, including a Los Angeles residence which was recently published, and the best place to stay in Palm Springs - The Ace Hotel. See more of their work at communedesign.com.

Trend Watch

Here's an interesting trend; ombrè! An ombrè is a visual effect that is characterized by a shading or graduation of color. We're seeing it in clothing at the moment, as well as in hair styles. The clothes, while sometimes not flattering to the figure, are beautiful. It’s sort of a tie dye reference without looking hippy-ish. The effect can be achieved in different ways but the most common is by carefully dying fabrics more heavily in one area and graduating toward lighter dying in others. Typically the fade goes from top to bottom, but it could also go side to side, or in stripes and other patterns. It can be as subtle or rapid as the designer chooses.

I haven’t tried it myself, but it seems as though the look is easy to create for hair. If you already dye your hair, you simply let it grow out. If you don't dye your hair, there are tips online to help you get the look. I can't decide how I feel about the hair look. At best it has that carefree confident feeling of a natural beauty. At worst it looks like you're letting yourself go. Be careful with this one.

The clothes can be seen just about anywhere. Seriously, you can go to Alexander McQueen or Target (See the McQueen sport coat to the right).

The look is entering the interior design world as well (See the side table below from J. Robert Scott). Look for ombrè fabrics on upholstered goods and draperies, and ombrè paint jobs too.

In case you're not sure what to get me for Easter......

I'd like to drop a not-so-subtle hint here. I just discovered the most amazing light fixtures. Look closely. These puppies are made from recycled bicycle parts. The unique beauties are made by Mexican American artist Carolina Fontoura Alzaga.

Alzaga obviously took inspiration from traditional French crystal chandeliers for the design, but fused them with...well....trash, or used bike parts. She sees the juxtaposition as a sort of bourgeois meets every-man collaboration. Putting utilitarian objects on display, and bringing the privileged to an ordinary level. But most of all she is bringing awareness to bicycle culture, and the importance of moving about with our own two wheels. In fact, part of the proceeds go to bicycling organizations in Mexico City.

You can purchase the chandeliers on Alzaga's website. They start at $750, and top out at $4200, which is reasonable considering all of the workmanship that they appear to require.