We had sooooo much fun with the Material Girls/Swank Lighting Design Board Contest. And we learned a few things.
Initially we thought we were going to be inundated with hundreds of entries... that was before we realized just how much work actually goes into the process of creating a design board. Well I'm sure that Emily and Lauren were already aware of this, but Doug and I just thought you slap a few couch pictures, fabric swatches, paint chips, and of course a pair of Swank Lamps on a board and take a picture.
As it turns out you professionals actually put a lot of thought and research into the job, you spend hours and hours creating a concept for the design that reflects the personality and lifestyle of the client, you spend hours and hours in stores and online sourcing products, and you spend hours and hours putting the products together with the concept onto a board for presentation to the client. WOW! You really do earn your money. Well that we did already know.
Before we get to the winners announcements, we must take the time to thank a few folks who freely contributed their time and expertise to making this contest a success.
First a big thanks to the Material Girls, Emily and Lauren, for allowing Swank to participate. And to our judges thank you so much: Julia Buckingham Edelmann of Buckingham Interiors in Chicago, Karen Olivia of Alkemie , Joe Cariati (L.A. glass artist who is creating a fabulous new line of American hand blown glass lamps for Swank), and Doug of Swank who was like a kid on Christmas morning everytime a new entry arrived. Thank you all very much.
Now the winners:
1st Place: Big Bird by Joshua
By: Joshua
Here is a design board I made for Big Bird’s big city nest. My idea was for a place where Big Bird would stay when he is in New York. Big Bird has been around for a long time, but he is still a kid, so I went for bright, primary colors, and lots of repetition through circular shapes and forms. The lamps, pillow pattern, circular shelf units, turntable, swirls in the rug, and the shape of Big Bird’s head in the painting all mirror the ovular shape of the nest, which is the focus of the room. Since he doesn’t wear clothes, he doesn’t need much storage, but things like books can be stored in the two red end tables on either side of his nest.
Here is a design board I made for Big Bird’s big city nest. My idea was for a place where Big Bird would stay when he is in New York. Big Bird has been around for a long time, but he is still a kid, so I went for bright, primary colors, and lots of repetition through circular shapes and forms. The lamps, pillow pattern, circular shelf units, turntable, swirls in the rug, and the shape of Big Bird’s head in the painting all mirror the ovular shape of the nest, which is the focus of the room. Since he doesn’t wear clothes, he doesn’t need much storage, but things like books can be stored in the two red end tables on either side of his nest.
2nd Place: Clair Fisher of Six Feet Under by Gina
Drawing inspiration from artists such as Tord Boontje and Rob Sheridan, Claire Fisher, the ever eccentric funeral home offspring, requires a bedroom that mimics a cave retreat. Her personality, a mix of whimsical (and almost bashful) self-expression, with a raw punch of opinion, calls for an extra dash of bold when creating her sacred space. It must clash beautiful with the edge. It must combine rough texture with soft undertones. It must be an artist’s vision of individuality.
The room mixes earth elements with glossy diva. There are solid pieces such as the thick mill work, crown molding and furniture accents (the Swank Amber lamps make a bold statement!). Femininity shows through the lush bedding, pillows, rugs and chandelier. The artwork hints at intangible elements. It can be switched out with new projects and favorite photography. Claire enjoys displaying a few of her own pieces (such as the pieces of her late brother, Nate) as well as some of her favorite photographers’ collections.
Ever the soulful romantic, Claire’s room is dark and cozy. She can curl up with a book, listen to music or just lay under her Boontje sculpture and dream.
The concept of Claire’s room combines pieces from the following artists and designers: Ralph Lauren, Amanda Kavanagh, Tord Boontje, Brocade Home, Rob Sheridan, Swank Lighting, Anthropologie, Shabby Chic and Jayson Home and Garden.
The room mixes earth elements with glossy diva. There are solid pieces such as the thick mill work, crown molding and furniture accents (the Swank Amber lamps make a bold statement!). Femininity shows through the lush bedding, pillows, rugs and chandelier. The artwork hints at intangible elements. It can be switched out with new projects and favorite photography. Claire enjoys displaying a few of her own pieces (such as the pieces of her late brother, Nate) as well as some of her favorite photographers’ collections.
Ever the soulful romantic, Claire’s room is dark and cozy. She can curl up with a book, listen to music or just lay under her Boontje sculpture and dream.
The concept of Claire’s room combines pieces from the following artists and designers: Ralph Lauren, Amanda Kavanagh, Tord Boontje, Brocade Home, Rob Sheridan, Swank Lighting, Anthropologie, Shabby Chic and Jayson Home and Garden.
3rd Place: Margaret Russell of Top Design by Lana
I chose to design a bedroom for Margaret Russell, a judge on Top Design, and editor of Elle Décor magazine.
When I think of Ms. Russell, I think glamour, luxury and comfort. As editor of an interior design magazine, she is constantly immersed in the best design, and I think would want a room that is worldly, sophisticated and modern, yet not trendy. I suspect she might be interested in a little edginess and/or something unexpected. And I think she would demand superb function, as well.
I chose a color scheme of lavender, cream, and bronze, with shots of black for depth. I think this would flatter her skin tones, and her wardrobe as well, since she often wears black. I’ve designed a room that combines a mix of modern and classic, with good art and luxurious materials. I think she would like a serene, calming room, but not a boring room.
1. The room starts with the wall behind the bed – with a floor-to-ceiling panel of antiqued mirrored squares.
2. The headboard would be custom made by Indulge, and covered with cream-colored linen. An upholstered headboard makes for comfort while reading in bed.
3. The bench at the foot of the bed is covered in the same linen combined with a cream silk mohair.
4. Matching bedside tables are fully slipcovered with the same cream linen as the headboard, and the skirt is banded with a thick stripe of lavender silk. These slipcovered tables would be quite functional as they are large in size and there is hidden storage space.
5. A pair of lavendar Seguso Swirl vintage Murano lamps (with lucite bases and finials) from Swank Lighting sit on the bedside tables.
6. A solid lavender silk bolster pillow, edged with bronze silk is placed below the bed shams, and the bedcover is cream linen and drops to the floor with simple corner pleats. There is no footboard to interrupt the drop of the bedcover. The sheets are embroidered with Margaret’s initials in bronze.
7. Drapes are floor-to-ceiling bronze-colored silk, just breaking on the floor.
8. Across the room, an acrylic desk is topped with
9. a Modernist adjustable brass table lamp (both from 1stdibs.com) and
10. a 19th century gilt Italian chair covered with Black Mu ikat fabric, from Madeliene Weinrib.
11. The rug is from NyingZemo through Rugmark.
12. A Line Vautrin mirror is from 1stdibs.com
13. An Elliott Puckette painting
14. An arrangement of lavender roses
15. A small framed modern painting in a black/cream palette
When I think of Ms. Russell, I think glamour, luxury and comfort. As editor of an interior design magazine, she is constantly immersed in the best design, and I think would want a room that is worldly, sophisticated and modern, yet not trendy. I suspect she might be interested in a little edginess and/or something unexpected. And I think she would demand superb function, as well.
I chose a color scheme of lavender, cream, and bronze, with shots of black for depth. I think this would flatter her skin tones, and her wardrobe as well, since she often wears black. I’ve designed a room that combines a mix of modern and classic, with good art and luxurious materials. I think she would like a serene, calming room, but not a boring room.
1. The room starts with the wall behind the bed – with a floor-to-ceiling panel of antiqued mirrored squares.
2. The headboard would be custom made by Indulge, and covered with cream-colored linen. An upholstered headboard makes for comfort while reading in bed.
3. The bench at the foot of the bed is covered in the same linen combined with a cream silk mohair.
4. Matching bedside tables are fully slipcovered with the same cream linen as the headboard, and the skirt is banded with a thick stripe of lavender silk. These slipcovered tables would be quite functional as they are large in size and there is hidden storage space.
5. A pair of lavendar Seguso Swirl vintage Murano lamps (with lucite bases and finials) from Swank Lighting sit on the bedside tables.
6. A solid lavender silk bolster pillow, edged with bronze silk is placed below the bed shams, and the bedcover is cream linen and drops to the floor with simple corner pleats. There is no footboard to interrupt the drop of the bedcover. The sheets are embroidered with Margaret’s initials in bronze.
7. Drapes are floor-to-ceiling bronze-colored silk, just breaking on the floor.
8. Across the room, an acrylic desk is topped with
9. a Modernist adjustable brass table lamp (both from 1stdibs.com) and
10. a 19th century gilt Italian chair covered with Black Mu ikat fabric, from Madeliene Weinrib.
11. The rug is from NyingZemo through Rugmark.
12. A Line Vautrin mirror is from 1stdibs.com
13. An Elliott Puckette painting
14. An arrangement of lavender roses
15. A small framed modern painting in a black/cream palette
Congratulations to our lucky and very talented winners. Your lamps will be shipped out next week and we really hope you will forward us photos of how you use them.
And a HUGE thanks to all the other talented designers who submitted entries. Your prizes will arrive soon.
Enjoy!
Ed at Swank
