THE BLOG

JOHN HOUSHMAND DESIGN

RACHEL LAXER’S VISION AT THE DESIGN SHOWHOUSE OF WESTCHESTER

· Uncategorized

It is always a privilege when a designer embraces our work in their distinctive vision. We are honored that the incredible talent, Rachel Laxer, chose our No. 0094 to be featured in her room design for this year’s Designer Showhouse of Westchester.

Rachel explains in her own words how she decided that JOHNHOUSHMAND was the right fit for her canvas.

“The concept of “relaxed elegance” is how I think about design. I am always drawn to spaces with light, so the JOHNHOUSHMAND coffee table seemed to be the perfect anchor for the sunroom. His use of amazing woods juxtaposed with the clarity and strength of the glass, is unique. This is a room to drink coffee in the morning and, at the end of the day, kick off your shoes and go barefoot for an evening martini. It is all about understated luxury and the use of organic, natural materials.”

Experience this amazing room in person, while also benefiting Cerebral Palsy of Westchester! Take a short trip to Scarsdale, NY and be inspired by the Rachel Laxer and JOHNHOUSHMAND collaboration!

The Designer Showhouse of Westchester

Location:
2 Cooper Road
Scarsdale, New York

Open Daily:
Thursday, May 2nd – Sunday, June 9th, 2013

Showhouse Tours:
Tuesdays- Friday: 10am – 4pm
Saturdays: 10 am – 5pm
Sundays: 11 am – 5pm

CLOSED MONDAYS

$30 per person – Includes Showhouse Journal

Children under 6, infants, strollers and pets are not admitted.

For Information and Directions: http://www.cpwestchester.org/designerevent.htm

SOUNDS OF BRAZIL

· Architectural Designs, Events, Features, Tree Travels, Video

Who cooler than Cortney and Robert Novogratz to bring the vibrancy of Brazil to life through their newest product launch at CB2! Last week’s opening of the “Brasil Collection” features the colors, energy and spirit inspired by their home in the rainforest.

But what about the sounds of Brazil? The Novogratz commissioned SOUNDWALL, the John Houshmand and Ed Potokar partnership, that brings music into the 4th dimension. A dramatic 10- foot ficus tree was installed in the storefront window. Nestled in the serpentine curves and vine ladened crevices of the tree are protruding branches that are individually programed joysticks. When manipulated they chime out with the music of marimba and bomba drums, flutes, along with clarinet and oboe-like reeds! The perimeter is constructed as if one was standing on a deck suspended in the canopy. Each post is topped with river-smoothed stones that also facilitate the melodic instruments of this musical culture.

Come stop in the CB2 SoHo store and be teleported to the lush Brazilian rainforest as you peruse the vibrant textures and patterns of the Novogratz’s new collection.

Now if only you had a caipirnha in hand!

CB2 SoHo
451 Broadway between Canal and Grand
New York, New York 10013

PLATINUM BLONDE

· Uncategorized

You know the saying… gentlemen prefer blondes. We’re not sure we’re really down with that, but of course we’re pretty excited about the latest edition of our No. 0237.3 dresser. She’s got a custom bleached spalted maple body, with a bleached front insert spalted maple microslab. A true platinum blonde!

We’d like to imagine that Marilyn Monroe would approve it!

PORTAL TO INSPIRATION

· Uncategorized

0205.7_and_0205.8_BLOG1.jpg

Walk with us through a JOHNHOUSHMAND portal into another level of design possibilities.

There is nothing we like more than to realize your – and our – design fantasies.  We cherish and respect the practicality and classical features of design; however, we aspire to bend the mind and stimulate creative freedom.  Thinking far outside the box is what gets us up in the morning, and keeps us up late into the night.

When asked by a dynamic friend of our studio for our take on the stunning entrance door to a New York City penthouse, we knew it was an opportunity to flex our creative muscle in a subtle, yet powerful and impactful way.  The result is our No.0205.7 and No. 0205.8 Black Walnut doors that measure in at a looming 9 x 3 foot per panel.  Their simple elegance is enhanced with hand carving to highlight the wood’s natural character and grain.  Deep, chocolate brown radiates warmth, welcoming you to the home and embracing you when you leave.  Such ethereal beauty will transcend generations to come, as these doors are truly heirlooms.

Take your imagination for a walk with JOHNHOUSHMAND and see what we can dream up together.

 

ANTICIPATING THE THAW

· Uncategorized

Sleeping giants, soundless whispering winds, dormant heartbeats and fields of pure white are what our winter wonderland in the Catskills look like. While we love the snow for its striking beauty and stillness, we are awaiting with bated breath the life that comes when the last chill of winter dissipates, and the spring thaw begins.

In anticipation of the winter melt, while the geese fly back north, the rabbits begin to frolic, and the bears sleepily awake from their hibernation, grab your spring boots and jackets and take a trip north to visit our facility come snow or sunshine. We are located a mere 3 hours northwest of New York City and with spring on the way, we are preparing for a host of new installations and projects that are currently drying in our kilns.

Let’s collaborate this vernal season to create something fresh and inspiring. Come explore where the magic happens and learn more about our capabilities. Feast your eyes on our monumental hoop barns stacked high with character grade wood and explore our 12,000 square foot workshop where our trees are reincarnated into works of art and innovation.

Awaken to the possibilities this season with JOHNHOUSHMAND.

What are you working on?

· Uncategorized


What are you working on this Friday? Following the CreativeMornings Detroit presentation, John will be available to discuss new topics of inspiration! Come and share your ideas and projects with us.

Sponsored by our friends, the incredible team at Doodle Home, the presentation will be hosted at the DH’s swanky, headquarters at the Madison Building in the 5th floor auditorium. Admission is free, but be sure to rsvp at the Eventbrite page as seats are limited.

Doors will open at 8:30 am and the program begins promptly at 9:00am. John will be available until noon!

If you cannot make it to Michigan, never fear! CreativeMornings makes it their mission for everyone across the world to participate in their monthly creative conversations. You will be able to find John’s address on the CreativeMornings’ vimeo page.

General Information Overview:

When: Friday March 1, 2013. Doors open at 8:30 am

Where: Madison Building

1555 Broadway St., 5th Floor Auditorium

Detroit, MI  48226-2160

RSVP: Go to www.Eventbrite.com for the CreativeMornings/Detroit presentation sign up.

HELLO DETROIT!

· Uncategorized

Are you going to be in the Detroit area next week, Friday March 1, 2013? Come join us in person for the March edition of CreativeMornings Detroit to hear John’s featured presentation on the topic of “Reuse”.

Sponsored by our friends, the incredible team at Doodle Home, the presentation will be hosted at the DH’s swanky, headquarters at the Madison Building in the 5th floor auditorium. Admission is free, but be sure to rsvp at the Eventbrite page as seats are limited. Open seating registration begins on February 25th.

Doors will open at 8:30 am and the program begins promptly at 9:00am. There will be a Q & A after John speaks, and additional time to meet and greet.

If you cannot make it to Michigan, never fear! CreativeMornings makes it their mission for everyone across the world to participate in their monthly creative conversations. You will be able to find John’s address on the CreativeMornings’ vimeo page.

General Information Overview:

When: Friday March 1, 2013. Doors open at 8:30 am

Where: Madison Building

1555 Broadway St., 5th Floor Auditorium

Detroit, MI  48226-2160

RSVP: Go to www.Eventbrite.com on Feb 25th for the CreativeMornings/Detroit presentation sign up.

RESPITE FOR THE CULTURED SOUL

· Architectural Designs, Features, Furniture Designs, Hospitality Design, New Products, Uncategorized

Are you visiting Manhattan soon? Come for a feast of the senses at  Lincoln Center and be blown away by the grace of virtuosos like Joshua BellEmanuael Ax and Wynton Marsalis. After a wonderful evening for your cultured soul, expand your tastes and dine at the new Marcus Samuelsson destination restaurant, The American Table at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall.

We were thrilled to partner with the renowned firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro to create custom pieces for this groundbreaking restaurant. Created from a single, high character 13’ black walnut slab, No. 0239 is a banquet table to seat symphony and theatergoers while they indulge their taste buds. On warm spring and summer nights when the outdoor dining space is open, No. 0173.12No. 0131.7 and No. 0131.10 will be a big hit, as couples sip on their pre and post-show cocktails.

After a mega-dose of culture, open your palettes to flavors that reflect the American cultural landscape, while also experiencing the true sophistication of American design and craftsmanship.

Come, take a seat at our table and see what inspiration will form!

TIPPY TOES TABLE

· Uncategorized

A thousand pounds balanced on the head of a pin? The concept alone defies gravity… yet, leave it to JOHNHOUSHMAND to defy gravity.

Table No. 0103.9 was commissioned for a family in the Bahamas. They were enchanted by the sleek elegance and cool touch of the aluminum, but wanted the elegant live edge “curtain legs” of No. 0103.4 on an 8-foot dining table. Baffling to think of that much weight from a colossal slab bearing down on such slim legs.

Quite a balancing act! Like a graceful ballerina, she stands en pointe on live edge, black walnut curtain legs. Although, delicate in appearance the cascading, high character curtain legs support the abundant weight of the cast aluminum slab on the tips of the refined live edge. Strong and beautiful, this piece will be cherished in it’s new home in the tropics.

Stay tuned to see what magic we can whip up next…oh, also…it really only weighs 400 pounds.





JOHNHOUSHMAND presents No. 0103.9



CONNECTIVITY – VIP CORPORATE CHALLENGE

· Architectural Designs, Features, Furniture Designs, Hospitality Design, New Products

STYLE AND SUBSTANCE

0186_A_BLOG

A new client came to us with a corporate challenge. She had fallen in love with the No. 0186 dining table (shown above), but needed a fully functional conference table for 11 VIP airport lounges across the country.

Always striving to make our clients’ vision a reality, we brought a business savvy piece to life with the No. 0030.14.

STYLE AND SUBSTANCE

It is the perfect culmination of style and substance.  We installed data power boxes at points of critical usage to serve travelers’ technology needs.  Frequent fliers and jet setters charge their electronics while simultaneously connecting them with nature.  It is a fine and fair balance we hope allows them to refresh on a level beyond the plug in.

Moreover, we found a clever way to hide dangling cables by integrating a blackened steel chase under the slab and along the coordinating legs. These hidden details keep the table streamlined and refined.

Challenge us. Push the envelope. Take us on!

STYLE AND SUBSTANCE