Holiday Shopping

I've made pacts with all of the adults in my immediate family - no presents.

Which leaves almost only "ME" on my holiday shopping list. 

I saw these at Paul Smith the other day and could not resist.

Cast from plastic bottles in colorful unglazed ceramic, these vases by Foekje Fleur are right up my ally. John was with me, so I got instant approval. It looks great in our kitchen.

Only needs a flower.

Jet Lag

My return from India and Bhutan resulted in major jetlag. Last week is a blur but we managed to take in a lot of NYC culture.                                       

                                                                                                                                                                  

Monday: I hit the ground running at the Museum of Art and Design Gala dinner at a table hosted by Kris Fuchs and Maria Sepulveda, my friends at Suite NY. It was a fun event, they kept the award ceremony short and let people have a nice dinner. The only picture I took, of Holly Hotchner, the Director of the Museum, on the big screen monitor presenting an award, does not do the evening justice. Even in my jetlag I had more fun than this. I am sorry I did not get a pic of Vladimir Kagan receiving his award, or of my fun table mates.

Tuesday: We cooked dinner for friends and had a little toast to the passing of our friend Barney Brown. The Magic will be missed.

Wednesday: I completely forgot we had tickets to the 9/11 Memorial :( But we did get some rest.

Thursday: For some reason I felt it would be a good idea to get John Jasperse tickets at BAM. John and I love modern dance, but the evening just fell apart. The Wall Street protesters held us up, we didn't have time for the adventurous meal in Ft. Greene we had planned, and we ended up sleeping through the whole dance piece. It looked interesting, between nods. Lots of fluorescent tape. The NY Times gave it a nice review. I think. The piece had very few points of engagement. As you read the review, just imagine trying to stay awake ...

Friday: John made some very hot Tortilla Soup.

Saturday: Finally coming out of the haze we caught Melancholia, Lars Von Trier's epic new film featuring a hauntingly beautiful Kirsten Dunst. I am still processing it. Scary and beautiful. I didn't immediately love it, but I woke up thinking about it on Sunday morning and it colored my whole day. It is a powerful fantasy.

Sunday: We saw a great production at NY Theatre Workshop in the hood on 4th Street. It is a stage adaptation of Once. The movie was a folk cult sensation a few years back and I love the music. Now it has been set for the stage. At $75/head, with Broadway aspirations, in this perfect little theater, with a bar set up on the stage and a dozen very talented musical performers I would say run-don't walk to get tickets for the holidays!

Thomas Dybdahl

I thought everyone knew about Thomas Dybdahl, the young Norwegian singer-songwriter. I raced to get tickets when John's brother called from Norway and told us he would be performing at the Mercury Lounge, but they were still selling tickets at the door.

It turned out to be one of those amazing NY shows where you feel very special. The Mercury lounge wasn't crowded and the music was incredible. The show only lasted an hour, but it only cost $15 and he played many of my favorite songs. Only a couple of new songs were thrown in to whet the appetite.

I love the performing arts for their temporal quality. Design is often very static, but every time music is played it is different and the audience reacts anew. Having only ever heard Dybdahl's recorded songs, the live performance took on a new life. I was surprised by the human interpretation, and I heard lyrics I had never heard before. 

Concerts like this make me realize how different design is from the other arts. I'd love to design things that engage the user like music. To design a chair that stirred emotions, that made people sway, weep, and appreciate life in all of its complexity. Many designers have tried, but it always seems sort of forced. Design as an art form has its limitations and maybe it is best to keep it simple, to restrain ourselves, to be content accommodating others. All I know is that when I put on Dybdahl, he goes beautifully with everything. He even when well with the beer stained floors at the Mercury lounge.

However, there is one more interesting design fact about Thomas Dybdahl. A couple of years ago Philippe Stark, fell in love with his music and offered to art direct the album Science. It wasn't my favorite album musically, but it had a very nice cover. 

Kurosaki in NYC

Teruo Kurosaki is a friend of mine from Japan. I always refer to him as a design impresario, which he is. For years he owned a store in Japan called Ideé - they produced my Daylight lamp and were one of the original distributors of my REALITY series. 

Last night we had dinner at Momofuku with his nephew, Coby, designer Stephen Burkes, and Coby's girlfriend, Carrie. 

Kurosaki has been a mentor and supporter to many product designers. These days he is less involved in design, and more involved in design culture. He is working on the branding and design direction for some big developments in Tokyo and Hong Kong. It was nice to meet his family, and good to see Stephen, who in addition to being one of NYC's finest designers has a show up at the MAD that he curated called "Are you a hybrid?"

Rhodie Warriors

Last weekend John and I decided to add some large Rhododendron Maximum to the border around our yard - for privacy sake. On Thursday morning I used the truck - one of its few useful missions so far this summer - to pick up three 7-8' tall native Rhodies.

Please note the new wooden rails on the truck bed, they are another small design project a long time coming, but they look great and are very useful when carting large plants around.

The atmospheric photos are thanks to dirt on my iphone lens.

Here is John with one of the new additions.

The first planting presented the biggest struggle. We discovered three large rocks right where we wanted the shrub - strategically placed to block out the neighbor's driveway. We wrestled the rocks and won. Ben obviously does not see what all the fuss was about.

And those three big, flat rocks that we removed will turn into next weekend's project, as we expand the rock garden that runs along the base of our rock wall...

Organized Foliage

Memorial Day weekend in Bedford has been a nice re-entry from Japan. Honestly, I had a great time in Japan, and I have a feeling everything will work out fine. People are hopeful, life goes on. I'm afraid my posts might have been overly-dramatic. In any event, it is nice to be home.

On Saturday John and Alfredo trimmed our new hedge, behind the pool, for the first time. I'm sorry that I did not take a before shot, but I like this picture because the hedge still has some growing to do, but even so one can see how structural the hedge will be when it fills in.

One of my first rules of design is Order equals Beauty.

It applies to most artistic pursuits. A grade school music teacher once asked my class what music was - we were stumped - the answer was "organized noise." That definition blew my little mind - so accurate and brief, yet so broad in its implications. Under the definition, the new hedge is "organized foliage." Architecture is "organized building materials", industrial design could be organized "form and function." As soon as man gives order to something it becomes more considered, and when that consideration is perceived by others, it is pleasing. Of course there are a billion different ways to organize things, and equally as many interpretations, but that would require more than a blog post to explore.

I've been watching these European Hornbeam saplings grow for two years, and that has been exciting, but the reality of the transformation, from a few disheveled plants to a new architectural element behind the pool, is more beautiful than I could have imagined. Special thanks to the landscape artists, John and Alfredo - for imposing order, for cutting it so level and perfect, for taming nature, and for speaking to me through the new hedge.

Ben's Bridge

Back to reality. The ICFF is over and we spent the weekend in Bedford. We recently completed a small design project that has been years in the making. We always had problems with our doggie door. It was great at letting the dog come and go, but it also let cold air and water in. So I devised an air trap of sorts, a double doggie door/covered bridge that will hopefully take care of the problem. We had the roofer give it some shingles while he was re-shingling the house last month, and Ben has figured it all out.

Free Fallin'

On my way to the second installment of Wagner's Ring cycle, Die Walküre, at the Metropolitan Opera I passed this guy in the corridor between the F and the 1 subways at 6th Avenue. His version of Tom Petty's Free Fallin' gave the Robert Lepage production at the Met a run for its money - at least in terms of the expense to pleasure ratio. I even loved the lampshade money funnel.

The Bronx Blooms

Thursday night my partner John, a professional horticulturist, and I were invited by his employers, Adam Rose and Peter McQuillan, to attend the annual plant-sale fundraiser at the New York Botanical Garden.

It is a great party in a beautiful setting. If one is open to beauty there is no better place to find it than in the garden. Unlike the design world, which for the most part is static and unchanging, much of the magic in a garden comes from transition, and early spring at NYBG is a time of great anticipation, spring buds are popping and the whole summer lays ahead.

A few celebrities were in attendance including Martha Stewart and Sigorney Weaver, which is always fun, but the stars of the garden were the plants. The plant sale is a feeding frenzy, with NYBG patrons snapping up all of the fine specimen plants to benefit the Garden. Almost everything was gone before I arrived, but we somehow managed to invest in six new blueberry bushes.

We also took a walk through the new Azalea Garden.

We ran into our friend Tony Bielaczyc, the Deputy Garden Editor at Martha Stewart Magazine and host of Homegrown on Sirius radio (on left), with Kristin Schleiter, the Curator of Outdoor Gardens, and Tony's partner Kevin.

Gregory Long, the NYBG President, and John.

In addition to the plant sale, the Antiques Garden Furniture Show which is on this weekend is open for a preview at the party. My favorite piece was this rusty fountain head from R.T. Facts in Kent CT.

Love to Japan

John and I were supposed to be skiing in Japan this week, but the tragic events there prevented our travel. My work has brought me to Japan many times, I love the people and the country, and my thoughts go out to them.

A couple of times I hit the cherry blossoms just right. In April 2004 my friends Dara and Sojiro took me to the spa, and on our trip home we crossed a bridge in Tokyo, and this scene unfolded on either side. Hundreds of cherry trees dropping their petals.

That night, I celebrated with a huge group from Idee under the cherry trees in the park. Teruo Kurosaki was there, as well as Casey Lurie and Colleen Murakami. This is not a great pic but it captures the spirit.

My thoughts go out to all of my friends in Japan.

May Spring bring cherry blossoms, renewal, and hope for happier times to come.

Memphis with Murray

Today I had a lunch date with Murray Moss, who wanted to go to "that Memphis restaurant on Lafayette." Where? The Noho Star, of course.

I have been to the Noho Star a few times over the years, but never taken notice of its historic design value. It was in fact completed in 1984 and is pretty Memphis-y, right down to the little laminate hostess stand. It is a time capsule.

Lots of things discussed, including his upcoming Arthur Show on March 3rd.

Lunch with Murray is always fun.

Design Dinner

The design world has provided me with some great friends. Last night John and I had David Weeks, Suzanne Tick and Terry Mowers over for dinner.



John made "Malfatti," ricotta and chard gnochi, from a recipe he had pulled from the NY Times magazine ages ago. Having folks over is a great time to use all the beautiful things we have collected - note our amazing Harri Koskinen hurricane lamps.

The dinner group had all contributed to our apartment re-design. We have a new David Weeks lamp in our living area and a Suzanne Tick designed (Terry Mowers procured and installed) carpet in the bedroom. And nothing says thanks better than a plate of Malfatti. Pics of the new space are coming soon - it was just shot for Plaza magazine.

Unfortunately David's wife Georgie couldn't make it because of the snow. David, Georgie and I started planning this dinner back in April when we were stuck in Italy due to the Icelandic volcano. Remember that? Well, from ash to snow ...

HAD HOLIDAY PARTY

I'm still off-gassing from the Caipirinha-fueled festivities last night. At the airport on the my way to Japan, listening to some woman schedule a facial peel for January.

But Holiday time at Harry Allen Design is in full swing. The apartment is done, and we worked an ambitious Brazilian theme for the holiday party. So many great friends and work associates showed. More pics of the apartment later.

Mike Boylan, my head Industrial Designer, and his date.

A lineup of interns past and present in the new lounge area.

Michael Reynolds (in the middle), Eric Hoffman (far right), and guests from Bhutan. No holiday party would be complete without a variety of interesting party crashers. I feel a trip to Bhutan coming on.

DB Kim was in the house.

Not sure what John and Jeff are checking out, but May, despite being that hardest worker of the evening, is the zen cleaner.

Shirley Hong, HAD Studio Manager, and Jason Spangler, head Interior Designer.

Alfredo shook it up at the Caipirinha bar.

Ben was on dropped-ham patrol.

Without May and Casey there would be no holiday party. They have been at it, as a team, working the holiday party for five years.

Diego Costa played Brazilian tunes. Yes, it was a full on production with live music, ham, pernil, rice and beans, a lovely kale salad, tropical/Christmas floral arrangements, and John and I sweating it out in the kitchen.

Sending out lots of love to everyone this holiday season.

Harry Allen's 10 Favorite Things

For their Fall/Winter 2010 catalog, Steuben asked me to create a list on things that I love . It was hard to list only 10, but I had no choice. It ended up being sort of a strange mix. What can I say, I have a broad range of taste.

Apartment Distress

Just a little clean up in the New York apartment. We needed it - hiding wires, moving the TV out into the living area, and a cabinet for all of the AV equipment. However, with less than a week till the Harry Allen Design Holiday Party, the apartment is in a bad way. I always underestimate the mess. Stay tuned for the finished product.

Rory hard at work painting

The new TV wall.

FYI, we went with the 20, painted the whole room, and the blue is really very purple. It is maybe "a bit too much of a commitment" (John's words), so I think we have to change the color! If you don't experiment a little you get nowhere, but I hate when this happens.

This AV cabinet really cleaned up a corner.

Pratt Paper Pucci + Areaware Holiday

Yesterday, I overheard someone refer this to as "Event Season." I always just called it "The Holidays," but whatever the season, there is much going on. Last night I went to two parties.

First was the opening of "Pratt + Paper & Ralph Pucci" at the Ralph Pucci Showroom.

Sorry, I don't have all the details, but that just means you should stop by, see the show, and ask some questions. Pratt students, across a variety of design disciplines were asked to work with paper. It was a competition, and the work was displayed on and around a new Ralph Pucci mannequin. All of the white paper constructions, in the white gallery, on the white mannequins - stunning. I am sure Mr. Pucci had a strong influence on the outcome. He gathered an illustrious group of judges including Anna Sui and Jens Risom, provided the space, and inspired great work.

I LOVED the exhibit. Rarely do you see such professional student work - I have judged a lot of student competitions and there are usually quite a few half-baked entries. Likewise, when I am asked to critique classes, most students just don't understand the level of professionalism needed in the design world. Who doesn't have great ideas, it is how they are presented that makes all of the difference. None of that here. The entries are complete and very well executed. Paper was the perfect medium - easy to work with and very pretty. It made me want to do more work with paper - such a humble, substantial material. I like shows with a common denominator - when everyone is asked to work in the same medium you can really see the ideas more clearly.

No sleeping in the East Village tonight as the apartment is under construction. More on that later - what a mess. I stopped in Brooklyn on my way North. Areaware held its annual holiday party in their new space - much saner rent, and much more organized. Congrats to Noel and Laura for pulling it together.

My new matte black piggy is delicious!

The new Areaware space is in the same building as Stephen Burks' Readymade studio. And here he is with David Weeks, Noel Wiggins, owner of Areaware, and Jason Miller.

It seemed no one wanted to have their pictures taken, but I managed to snap this of two more of my favorite people in the design world, Alisa Grifo of Kiosk and Ross Menuez, of Salvor.

The party was still going when I crept out at 10:30. There was traffic on the Whitestone Bridge, but I was in bed by midnight.

Shout Out to Mom

If people ask me how I became a designer, I often credit my Mom, the artist, and Dad, the engineer. Together they were a parental perfect storm for my design talents. And Mom is still at it. Here she is, Lea Allen Gebauer, at her group opening last Sunday night in New Canaan, CT. The show was entitled Farm, and she showed two paintings she had done of her sheep.