High-end design shouldn’t be so hard to buy. This was designer Gwen Carlton’s eyesight for Bespoke Global. A light designer for more than 10 years, Carlton understood that people wanted to buy beautiful, custom goods without having to jump through hoops. She created Bespoke Global, a collective of individuals that make one-of-a-kind pieces available for purchase online. At the 2012 International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) in New York, Carlton and many artists demonstrated elegant new pieces, available soon online.
Bespoke Global
The Derrick Chandelier is Kiln Design Studio’s first effort in the area of lighting. The delicate piece is made using vitreous enamel, a material used for centuries in Europe that is rarely seen today.
Bespoke Global
Carlton worked closely with fabric designer Maki Yamamoto to design the Yanagi Drum and interpret the Japanese designer’s signature look to a exceptional light fixture. Strips of lace are hand sewn onto the color and shed in an elegant knot.
Bespoke Global
Farrago Design revealed a brand new handmade camel-bone inlaid table called Rahasya. This contraption has concealed compartments for storage.
Bespoke Global
Heather Palmer brought her stunning glasswork into Bespoke Global for the initial foray into light. Palmer’s signature sea lovers are often used as accessories but make the ideal shade for a sconce or a ceiling pendant.
Bespoke Global
Gwen Carlton took a break from the show to answer a few questions.
Q. What’s the priority in your designs?
A. To make something so gorgeous that you can not breathe and your knees go weak.
Q. What exactly was your goal and inspiration for the pieces you are exhibiting?
A. After an extremely successful first year, we decided to launch a series of collaborations. It’s been thrilling for me to have the ability to design these pieces with some of the planet’s premier bespoke artisans.
Q. What iconic designer could you like to utilize?
A. Armand-Albert Rateau while he had been designing Jean Lanvin’s Paris apartment.
Q. Where is your go-to location for inspiration?
A. Neue Galerie in NYC, because you just cannot do better than the Wiener Werkstätte. With regular excursions to the Met to Go to the Verre Eglomise panels from the S.S. Normandie. When you haven’t been, then stop what you are doing and make it happen today. It will change your life.
Q. What’s a favourite piece of furniture that you own?
A. Michael Coffey Whaleback Chairs
Q. What famous figure’s home would you think your products belong in?
A. Tilda Swinton. She is fearless.
Watch more reports from the ICFF 2012