Karim Rashid and Design on Demand

The biography section of Karim Rashid's website says he's designed and produced over 2000 items. Seems like a lowball figure to us. 

He's worked for Prada, Timex, Umbra, Issey  Miyake, Prada, Nambe, Magis, Mikasa, Edra, Frighetto, Herman Miller, Foscarini, Artemide, Idée, Bozart, Shiseido, Giorgio Armani, among many others who recognize that demand for Rashid's brightly colored designs has only grown with his continued exposure.

Whether the world will tire of his work remains to be seen, and based on his past, plans and present projects, it seems the last thing this design maven fears is overexposure. Rashid's projects have snuck into all facets of life: store spaces, hotels, clothing, furniture, and lighting. He's made trash cans, dog bowls, salad forks, spice shakers, even manhole covers. His books include "Evolution" [Universe Publishing, 2004], "The International Design Yearbook" [Laurence King Publishing, 2003], and "Karim Rashid: I want to change the world" [Universe, 2001]. As if that's not enough, in an interview with Pure Contemporary's Caroline Barry recently, he said he's working on a new, entirely different book, a dictionary of 2000 new words like Designocracy, blobject, technorganics and pleasurtronics.

Like most designers, Rashid recognizes that our world is chock full of poorly designed objects that people accept and use.  He offers some examples, "Everything from the awful newspaper boxes on city streets, to the awkward bathrooms on airplanes, to the ubiquitous ugly garden furniture, to depressing office spaces, to the horrific conference rooms, to the poorly designed public transit, to the automobile (which is strictly style with no content and irresponsibly killing this earth). I could go on and on."

Stay tuned, give him some time and he'll probably tackle every one on this list, and then some.

Janette Laverrier Sees Success at 94

For anyone moping about hitting your 40th birthday -- and worried that you aren't where you wanted to be in life, take a page out of Janette Laverrier's book (the actual one is by Yves Badetz), The 94-year old Swiss born designer, has lived about 20 Lifetime episodes (wars, children, divorce,) and is finally seeing the success she deserves.

With a show in London, highlight in March's Wallpaper*, Badetz' book, to cite just the last 12 months. Designs she created in the 60's have been dusted off and given a resurgence by famed London designer and gallery owner Rabih Hage. Thank God good sense, like good designs, prevail or many of us would never have seen the work of this Bauhaus-nurtured woman.

For all things contemporary, visit PURE CONTEMPORARY.

Bullish on Modern Classics

Got a turn-of-the-(last)-century Le Corbusier LC4 Chaise? That classic, along with 20th century British, American, Scandinavian and Italian furniture may be a sound investment, says the Zurich-AMR Art & Antiques Index.

"This year we've been monitoring trends in the alternative investment markets and our forecasts show that 20th century furniture should continue to be lucrative for investors this year," said Kris Coombes of Zurich Private Clients.

For all things contemporary, visit PURE CONTEMPORARY.

Jet Blue Ribbon

Apropos of good companies, it's hard not to be impressed with JetBlue. During January's rash of storms in New England, CEO Dave Neeleman donned protective gear and grabbed a shovel to help his employees dig out at Logan. Wonder which B-schools would ever even think to suggest that management should do what they ask employees to do?

For all things contemporary, visit PURE CONTEMPORARY.

Steelcase Work Environments

Apparently designing great work environments is not the only thing Steelcase does well. In an era when most people hate the daily grind called work, Steelcase chief designer, James Ludwig, very notably singled out the company's work culture in an interview with PURE CONTEMPORARY's Caroline Barry.

For all things contemporary, visit PURE CONTEMPORARY.

Fool's Wood? Paper Chairs

Think you've got a good deal on a bentwood piece? Make sure to look twice. In all likelihood those inexpensive pieces of furniture are made of paper not wood. Paper is printed with a wood grain and pressed into the classic shapes. It's amazing how many people are fooled into thinking its the real thing. By the way, it's not just as bentwood that paper is appearing. Some manufacturers cut corners by mixing like wood and paper. Tops of tables and fronts of case goods may be wood, but the sides and backs and legs are paper. In incredible hutzbah, manufactures photocopy the intricately inlaid wood patterns of high-end lines onto paper. It's amazing that there is such a huge market for these rip off artists. How much of it is the public choosing to buy an inferior product versus unwittingly being duped?

For all things contemporary, visit PURE CONTEMPORARY.

Upscale Garage Doors

Nestled in Amish country, about 70 miles south of Cleveland, is the Michelle Kwan of upscale garage doors. Noted for both technical achievement and innovative style Wayne-Dalton is the superstar in the home builders world. Contemporary and modern lovers should note that W-D has an extensive line of custom doors. Wood or steel, paneled or not, windowless to windowed, and about a zillion colors to choose from -- you shouldn't have any problem finding a door that suits your style. On their website is a great flash app that lets you try different doors with different home styles. Their version of contemporary is a little dated, but kudos for the effort.

For all things contemporary, visit Pure Contemporary.

Ostrich Leather Chairs

A hundred years ago ostriches were farmed for their luxurious feathers to create opulent boas, trims for dresses and plumes for hats. A couple world wars and the stock market crash pretty much killed the ostrich feather industry, and the big birds' allure was going the way of the dodo. Fast forward to the late 80s when ostrich became the lean red meat and hides became coveted.

As their feathers were the pride of the plumes, ostrich hides are distinct for their natural quill textures, durability and softness. California designers Cosi & Richie have taken a classic-styled modern chair and packaged it in ostrich leather, for a real feather in its cap.

For all things contemporary, visit Pure Contemporary.

Mislabeled Label Chair

Costume designer, Oscar winner ("Chicago") and this year's nominee ("Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events") Colleen Atwood's gorgeous modern home is featured in the The New York Times. Tucked behind a pillar are two Gerard van den Berg chairs. The chairs were mislabeled by the Times as being American Rag's -- instead of Label's.

For all things contemporary, visit Pure Contemporary.