comme des garcons; constant inspiration…

via lotta agaton

color saturation; clergerie for spring 2 0 1 2…

adore the muted, raw laces with the rich colors…

photo vis robert clergerie

thinking about antiques; leather upholstery…

i have an antique settee from one of my grandmothers that experienced an unfortunate meeting with mauve chenille;  i’ve been ruminating on how to reupholster it, as it’s going to make it’s way into our dining room/home office as seating around a 48″ dining table…

originally, i though i would use the ubiquitous moody shade of belgian linen, but then seeing these pictures of antique pieces covered in leather, made me consider something with a bit more edge…

i am normally more of a brown leather gal, as it pertains to such things as boots and bags, but all these pictures are getting me into the idea of buttery soft black leather instead… a little tough, but very soft, comfortable, and maybe just a little less expected?

i also thought that if i had the dark wood work refinished in some kind of grey/drift-woodish color, that perhaps i could do a sort of cognac, carmel leather… additionally, i like that the entire settee could just be wiped down and red wine, coffee or salad dressing couldn’t destroy my investment in one fell swoop…

photos via designoform, decorpad, sfgirlbybay, and flikr…

classics updated; wooden bikes…

 yesterday i saw this sick bike, designed by David Qvick, on remodelista, and it made me want to ride in the city, despite the fact that i’m terrified… matt and his cousin ian and i have long talked about designing a wooden bicycle, but i love the sleek combination of wood and black metal shown here… also makes me crave spring even though winter just arrived…

ma soeur; youthful beauty…

a friend just sent me this photo, of my gorgeous sister and our friend colin, taken about 20 years ago… seeing it made me cry… funny how one image can bring back so many years of memories…

photo sally durea

copper pendants; lighting love…

i discovered this image a couple days ago and have been haunted by this room; normally i’m not into the somewhat predictable use of mid century modern pieces, however this room doesn’t seem like a cliche… it’s so nice and clean and bright feeling… in particular i’m completely obsessed with the style and placement of the pendants… the room wouldn’t be anywhere near as good without them… i’m also on a mad hunt for pendants for our kitchen, so if anyone knows where these came from, please let me know!!

image via emma’s blog, via another lovely scandinavian blog, designoform

metal industrial chairs; occasional seating…

 

just discovered this little metal industrial chair while looking for extra seating for a client… so clean and simple and i adore how it’s so light on its feet like a giacometti sculpture…

moody palettes; mysterious space reveals itself…

i find myself being completely drawn in by the moody jewel tones and the cool concrete walls of this renovated bunker in berlin… christian boros and karen lohmann’s space is making me want to abandon my 1940′s country house in the pursuit of urban simplicity…

photos via elle deco espana and elle decoration

random inspiration; mobile creation…

the idea of creating mobiles has been very appealing to me lately…

image via remodelista

happy new year from materia designs!

happy new year to all of our devoted readers, clients, friends and family…

we are looking forward to a prolific and creative year full of

health, happiness and inspiration!

photo alexis steeves