In mid-2008, Ashley Turen innocently applied paint to a vintage leather jacket in a hot summer’s day fit of wardrobe revamping. Friends and family began to request more and more of her hand-painted designs, and soon the Tisch graduate opened her eponymous downtown boutique. Turen can also customize pieces. Equipped with a large book displaying all sorts of possible embellishments, she guides clients through a collaborative process to create one-of-a-kind garments.
Tag Archives: design
Contemporary Art at the Industry Gallery
Unique, funky, and contemporarily-hip are a few words to describe this one-of-a-kind Industry Gallery in the Northeast.
With industrial materials like recycled glass, aluminum, and carbon fiber, artists from all over the world create new and innovative works to redefine the relationship between art and design.
The gallery holds single-artist exhibitions to highlight the works of each international artist who is selected for his or her unique insight and ability to illuminate broad spectrums of international design.
This is definitely the new destination for contemporary art connoisseurs, collectors, curators, or art lovers. Click here for more information.
Savvy Snoot
Making consignment shopping cool, Savvy Snoot presents an ever-revolving inventory of designer furniture and accessories at their two hip, relaxed and easy to shop Atlanta locations. Picking only the best of the best from local consigners, Savvy Snoot is a spectrum of design styles featuring photo worthy vignettes that pair turn-of-the-century bookcases with traditional sofas, modern lamps, and original art by local artists. The urban-eclectic mix of consigned goods is fused with found objects from national shopping trips and custom furniture pieces that capture the Savvy Snoot “collected look”.
Never knowing what you’ll find behind the doors, Savvy Snoot transforms cast-off pieces into trendsetting must haves making the wildly popular locale the perfect spot to find one-of-a-kind pieces to complete a design or become the inspiration to the decor of a room.
Savvy Snoot has three locations:
Midtown at 1080 Brady Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30318, 404.355.1399
Historic Alpharetta at 30 North Main Street, Alpharetta, Ga.30009, 770.442.1315
East Cobb Merchant’s Walk at 1311 Johnson Ferry Rd, Suite 540, Marietta, GA 30068, 770.977.1339
Visit savvysnoot.com for more information.
Design Philadelphia October 7-17
Design Philadelphia
October 7-17
Design Philadelphia is marking its sixth year with a city-wide celebration honoring the historic role of design in the region while showcasing the creative innovation yet to come. They will be teaming up with The University of the Arts during the nation’s largest festival of its kind. They aim to celebrate and promote Philadelphia as a design capital and destination.
Nearly 500 artists, professionals and students alike, will be represented in practically every design discipline, including automotive, product and interior design, graphic design, architecture, multi-media and urban planning. Events planned for Design Philadelphia 2010 include exhibitions, lectures, workshops and demonstrations to help shine a light on the city’s design scene and history.
http://www.designphiladelphia.org/
AIC Rocks Mummies to Matisse
Majestic lions guard the entrance where a slew of steps will pump up your heart rate and Greek columns will draw your eyes up toward the heavens: The Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) has an entrance that serves as its own destination. But inside, the museum guards treasures that could take weeks (or months) to truly appreciate. Yep, thousands of pieces to gawk over that span over 5,000 years of artistic creations from Africa to around the world, and back again.
This is the art museum for all personalities: classic, modern, kinky, crazy, beautiful and scary – it’s all here. From Van Gogh, Chagall, Matisse and Picasso – there’s enough European Impressionism to tempt the craziest of Thomas Crown affairs. Past Europe, dig into mummies and ancient Egyptian collections like the coffin and mummy of Paankhenamun – dating back from the Dynasty 22 (c. 945–715 B.C.) – no big deal. Far more than just framed pieces and mummies, African masks, Iranian tiles, statues, headbands, photography, jewelry – it’s all here.
Interior and furniture designers tend to freak over the miniature rooms which allow guests to geek out over period rooms from around the globe, like the French Provincial Bedroom of the Louis XV Period of the 18th century.
Bottom line: This is a must see – especially with the Modern Wing addition (only an extra 65,000 feet more to discover!)
Simply Divine at Devon Seafood
In the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast and two blocks of the Magnificent Mile, Devon Seafood is the 
MidWest’s answer to the freshest daily catches, delicate flavors and all the wine you could want. With over 600 wines and Champagnes on the menu, including plenty of rare boast-worthy bottles, there’s absolutely no risk of not finding the perfect accompaniment.
Whether it’s Maryland style jumbo lump crab cakes, ahi tartare with fresh asparagus and herbs or scrumptious Georges Bank scallops, Devon Seafood has been mastering its changing menus since opening in 2006.
The chic interior competes with the “oohs” and “ahhs” gushing about over the cuisine. Looking like it could very well be an interior design boutique or hipster furniture shop with its lush velvet chairs, feather covered lamps, stone covered walls and perfectly colored wood floors, guests work up an appetite just by checking out the place’s digs.
When the plates arrive, however, it’s all about the catch of the day and yet, you’ll probably be back for the catch of tomorrow as well. For that, one has to thank executive chef, Scott Barrows. Thank you, thank you very much.
5. DC’s Design Best at Design House 2010 April 10-30
The annual DC Design Home brings together Washington, DC’s top interior designers to use the best in today’s home renovation and design in order to transform a house for people to see. This year’s house is the famous Beaux Arts home, once home to Ambassadors of Mauritius and Uruguay and the site of President Truman’s inauguration party.
With over 10,000 square-feet, nine bedrooms, and ten bathrooms, there is plenty of room for each designer to showcase their talents. In fact, each designer redesigns a specific area of the house, so each area will be unique. The house will definitely be interesting to walk through.
Participating designers for this year include Andrew Law, Barry Dixon, and Victoria Sanchez. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Children’s Hospital of the Children’s National Medical Center.
5. Premier Arts & Crafts at CraftBoston April 9-11
CraftBoston is New England’s premier exhibition and sale of contemporary art, craft and design. This year’s show will feature 200 of the most outstanding artists of our time, showcasing one-of-a-kind and limited edition pieces. Additionally, CraftBoston features work by emerging artists from leading schools and universities, an artist mentor program, an educational lecture series, and informational booths promoting non-profit craft organizations.
Or you could be a VIP and shop CraftBoston before we open to the public. Follow the yellow brick road to a celebration with delightful cocktails, sumptuous hors d’oeuvres, and a field of creative CraftBoston artists featuring the newest and finest in contemporary craft. Glide through the show to the sounds of jazz with a cocktail in hand and bring home some fine craft.
Bahdeebahdu, Need We Say More?
Bahdeebahdu is an explosively imaginative studio for design and the development of art, sculpture and furnishings. Bahdeebahdu is unlike any other gallery in the area, showcasing the works of Philadelphia’s favorite “Luminary” Warren Muller. Muller creates functional lighting sculptures by following the mantra “everything is up for grabs.” Found, recycled and salvaged objects turn into light sculptures that are featured in this gallery, along with various places around the city like theatres and restaurants.
Bahdeebahdu also houses works by interior designer RJ Thornburg, Muller’s lifetime partner and self-proclaimed Fabulist. RJ has been designing for twenty-five years and has left his fun and easy-going design mark all over Philadelphia (from bakeshops to internationally renowned hotels).
5. Pier Antiques & Fashion Alley is NYC’s Largest Show March 13-14
Antiques 
and fashion are two of the best exhibition markets and so when New York combines both of them under one roof, the result is massive. The Pier Antiques Show & Fashion Alley features over 500 shops and galleries showcasing major designers and decorators from all over the country. In its 35th year on the Hudson River, The Pier Antiques Show is New York City’s largest antiques, art, style and collecting event. Find everything from jewelry and vintage designers to ceramics, folk art, furniture and more in one weekend.
Walk Amongst Greatness with the Frank Lloyd Wright Tour
Oak Park, just a quick jaunt on Chicago’s green line train, is like walking into a Hallmark movie. It’s so charming and beautiful here that the hustle and bustle of Chi-town seems light years away. In addition to the picturesque main brick streets, mansions and bistros, this is also the hometown of architectural genius Frank Lloyd Wright.
Year round, Chicagoans 
and tourists alike gather for a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and several other of his architectural designs. Wright’s home, where he lived from 1889 to 1909, will inspire even the most apathetic of design lovers. Its facade and interior design make most gawk in awe, and suddenly everyone can’t help but snap away a hundred photos.
Custom private tours are also an option at the house, educational programs and year round special events take place so be sure to check the calendar before your visit. The Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust also has a museum and gift shop so don’t worry, you don’t have to leave empty handed.
Insider’s Tip: Advance tickets are highly recommended. Purchase tickets here or call 1.800.514.ETIX (3849).
1. Miami Art Basel: Most Important Art Show 12/3-12/6/09
The Art Basel Miami Beach is deemed the most important art show in the United States as well as a cultural and social highlight for all the Americas. That is quite a description to live up to, but year after year this art show does.
As a sister to the world’s most important art show, Switzerland Art Basel, Miami Beach brings it all: top galleries, special exhibitions, parties, and crossover events from the worlds of music, film, architecture and design. With so much going on and so many quality works of art on display, it is no wonder The Art Basel Miami Beach is a favorite meeting place for the international art world.
Wolfsonian Museum Boasts a Provocative Collection
It’s housed in a grand Art Deco building in the heart of South Beach, but what’s inside the Wolfsonian Museum is a design 
collection that’s unlike the Miami architecture, spanning from the late 1800s to the mid-1940s and featuring European and American pieces.
The multi-level structure is a vast wonderland of art, furnishings, objects, and memorabilia to suit any art lovers’ taste. Collector Micky Wolfson has amassed a thinking man’s collection focusing on the thought-provoking era of Decorative and Propaganda Arts. The Museum’s exhibitions and programs are an extension of the permanent collection’s theme and explore the important role of design during the industrial age through social, political, and technological topics.
Skyscraper Museum
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The Big Apple is known for rich culture, plays and its high-rise buildings. The Skyscraper Museum explores the ever changing skyline’s history, investment in real estate and design. The museum has many different exhibits including a commemoration of the original World Trade Center. The museum has also created the panels that are shown at Ground Zero. Showing the past, present, and future of New York is the museum’s goal, and they have succeeded.
Koo de Kir
Think Warhol’s Factory Girl without the high drama! Koo de Kir, from the French “Coup de Coeur,” translated to “a strike to the heart,” offers the modern space to show off functional art that would complement any home. The lifestyle shop offers modern home furnishings and accessories designed for the urban lifestyle. Since opening in 1997, this boutique shop has been catering to the city’s biggest trendsetters. Because your home is an expression of who you are, the folks here hope your experience both in the store and on the website “inspires you to think, dream, live laugh and love in an home imbued with a sense of style.” Check out the website at koodekir.com.
Zinc Details
Take one step inside this unsuspecting gem, and find a trove of hidden treasure – a veritable mish-mosh of furniture and home accessories destined to become modern classics. The owners travel the globe to find these new design classics so you have a chance to get that chair or table while it’s still affordable – and before it ends up in a design museum!