Daily Living

Desirious Furniture

Manhattan is moving west one chair at a time... For the past 10 years, DESIRON has been a must-visit destination in SoHo. For us folks who now live in Los Angeles (I'm speaking of myself, of course), we no longer have to wait for the odd trip across the country to lounge on DESIRON's hip, and oh-so-comfortable furniture. This past June the company opened their 5,000-square-foot showroom on Robertson Boulevard in West Hollywood.

With a family history in ironwork, owner and designer Frank Carfaro creates clean, simple, modern designs. The materials that go into each of his pieces are rich and varied. Ingredients include metals (of course!), as well as hardwoods in a plethora of finishes (from natural to black oxide), topped with a luxurious new textile line that includes 75 different fabrics (everything from vinyl and mohair to silk and linen). Best of all, each piece is bench-made by artisans at the company's factory in New Jersey.

Though you may not have had the opportunity to visit either of the bi-coastal locations (yet), chances are you've already experienced DESIRON's furniture, as it graces many fashionable spaces, such as Nobu and Ritz-Carlton. If not, check the company out online, or get yourself dressed up and go out for sushi.

Susan Fanfa

"Geometry is art where simplicity becomes extraordinary." Not sure who said or wrote that quote, but it's on Susan's Fanfa's website, and it does seem to capture the essence of her furniture and lighting design. A very down-to-earth and approachable person, Susan set out to create a line of furniture that is comfortable as well as stylish -- and in 1998 Susan Fanfa Design was born. In her studio in Los Angeles, she typically pairs supple woods with gleaming metals to create elegant pieces that captivate the eye. Given her nature, nothing is too precious for Susan. In fact, she welcomes the client's input, and to that end any of her items are customizable (a fact that is like music to any interior designer's ears). Though her items are available "to the trade only," Susan is so open that I'm sure she'll be straight and advise you on how to purchase her designs. (If you are a designer, a list of trade showrooms that carry Susan Fanfa products, such as Randolph & Hein, is on her website.) Pictured above: Melody Nesting Tables, and Geometric Chandelier.

Drinks, anyone?

While doing research on new products in the hip Thomas Lavin showroom in the Pacific Design Center (PDC), I came across a company that I had not heard of before: Newell Design. Based in Devner, Newell is a small studio turning out high-quality furnishings with a French Moderne/Asian aesthetic. The table I saw in the showroom is the one featured above: the Coda Drinks table in venetian red lacquer with white mother of pearl inlay. Very chic, very now, with just a hint of classic about it. I could use this table in almost any interior.

BDDW Handmade American Furniture

Founded by painter and sculptor Tyler Hayes, BDDW is a small company that makes its furniture by hand in their Williamsburg Brooklyn studio. The workshop is run by Joshua Vogel, who is trained as an architect, and insists on the finest materials and methods, such as solid domestic hardwoods, traditional joinery and hand-rubbed finishes in natural oils and lacquers. The company creates innovative pieces in many categories, including seating, storage, lighting, beds, mirrors, and tables.  Hayes is probably best known for his slab dining tables, made of found wood and manufactured bases. All items can be seen online or at the company's gorgeous showroom in Soho (they graciously hosted our launch party for Elements of Living there -- and I can attest that it is one cool space!).  Pictured above: Chocolate Harroll rug, Tripod lamp, and Lake Credenza.