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Brooklyn Designs

Standouts at the show, now in its fifth year, pushed the limits of traditional categories such as children’s furniture and wallpaper. - Diana Lind

For the Modernists of tomorrow
Founded by Jenny Argie and Andrew Thorton, Argington is a new furniture company dedicated to pairing young children with high design. Combining backgrounds in fine art and architecture, the couple was inspired to create a line of Modern children’s furniture after the birth of their first child. Argington creates sustainable pieces made from wood and fabrics that are nontoxic and ecofriendly, yet durable. Pieces accommodate all ages, from a bunk bed for young siblings to a high chair even a mom can sit on. Argington, Brooklyn, N.Y. www.argington.com

[Reader Service: July 2007 #215]

Oils well that ends well
Born in Des Moines, Iowa, from a long line of German carpenters, Paul Loebach combines his past with present events in his debut line of furniture. He juxtaposes the oil rig, symbol of modern commerce and capitalism, with the civility of printed wallpaper and Chippendale chairs. The Yee-Ha Wallpaper is hand screen-printed by Studio Print Works and designed in collaboration with Syrette Lew. The Chippenchair is a limited-edition work. Other pieces from his collection include the Gunshot Mirror, made of mirrored glass that is shot by a .22 rifle and inset with solid chestnut. Paul Loebach, Brooklyn, N.Y. www.paulloebach.com

[Reader Service: July 2007 #216]

Twin visions
While most exhibitors at the show are sensitive to the ecological damage that producing new furniture creates, Faust Decorative Arts’ 9' x 20' mural depicting a deforested landscape (left) brought the message home. The mural illustrates the apocalyptic feeling floating through much of the world nowadays and reiterates the company’s ironic nod to the utopian scenes customarily painted on murals. Owned by twin brothers, Faust creates custom pieces according to the vision of its clients. Faust Decorative Arts, Brooklyn, N.Y. www.f2da.com

[Reader Service: July 2007 #217]

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Doing it for themselves
After having spent a decade fabricating custom pieces for museums, artists, and architects, Zach Hadlock, along with a small group of workers, established Platform Furniture and Fabrication. With this enterprise, Hadlock extends his talents to spare interior forms that look like timeless classics. The collection of furniture includes china cabinets, credenzas, and bookcases as well as custom pieces, all in a far-ranging palette of reclaimed Douglas fir, Honduran mahogany, and aluminum, among other materials. Platform Furniture and Fabrication, Brooklyn, N.Y. www.platformfaf.com

[Reader Service: July 2007 #218]

Many layers of design
4-Pli is a four-person architecture and fabrication firm whose work includes installations in local wine stores and restaurants. Their debut at Brooklyn Designs included an array of furniture for domestic (crib, inset) and institutional (conference table, left) needs. The Puzzle Conference Table is composed of seven individual segments that link together to make a large meeting table. The segments are easily separated for use as autonomous desks, and roller-blade wheels on each leg make the sections mobile. 4-pli, Brooklyn, N.Y. www.4-pli.com

[Reader Service: July 2007 #219]

The sustainable borough
Founded by Sef Pinney as an outlet for 3D, graphic, and fiber-based creative endeavors, Elucidesign set up its product design studio/shop in Williamsburg in 2005. The studio seeks to develop furniture prototypes that prioritize functionality, ergonomics, and materials while not sacrificing sustainability. To meet those needs, the firm uses materials with low embodied energy; water-based, nontoxic finishes; and FSC or domestic woods from managed forests. Its Redpoint collection, which includes three tables, a desk, and a cabinet, is also portable. Elucidesign, Brooklyn, N.Y. www.elucidesign.com

[Reader Service: July 2007 #220]

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