“Don’t build anything that you cannot design brilliantly; don’t design anything you can’t build. Believe in your own handwriting.” -- Piet Boon
Dutch furniture and interior designer, Piet Boon, is involved in every aspect of the design process. This is his design philosophy which functions as the catalyst and infiltrates all of his creations. He believes design must be well thought out. This is one reason why I love his work. As a trained designer, I have worked for a few designers who didn’t think the process through from concept to completion, and thereafter: What is the intension? What is the problem to be solved? Will the object work within the space? Will the materials hold up to the purpose?
Design does not simply mean “fashionable”, “chic” or “up-to-date”. Design is to be utilized. It is about the study of people and their environments. We exist in our environments; we need and use the objects within them. Design is about the relationship between people, their objects, and the space in which exist.
Piet Boon began his career as a building contractor and in 1982 established Piet Boon Studio just outside of Amsterdam. He teams with his wife, Karin, to run a design studio -- they have a team of architects and designers. Some of his latest projects include Delano Hotel in Las Vegas, and a hotel on St Barth.
He uses natural materials, sturdy design and durable products. He believes design must be timeless and last. I have a tendency to study designer’s furniture creations. Closely. Some of my favorites:
'Heit' Swivel Chair
'Kaat' Tables
But one design that has really caught my eye is his 'Hot Kroon' chandelier.
Creepy and unsettling.
But utterly fantastic!
Available in a 5-arm or 18-arm chandelier, black or white, the fixtures are covered with polyurethane. Each one is hand created and each one is different.
An action or a movement caught in a moment and suspended in time.
Rendering of Hof Van Saksen Restaurant
Hof Van Saksen Restaurant with the 'Hot Kroon' chandeliers.Visit his site HERE. If you are drawn to his work, you will be memorized.
Top image title page of his most recent book from Amazon, the art work, I believe is by Rachel Lee Hovnanian, portrait photo from Nilson Beds, all remaining photos from his website, (two interiors of a NYC residence on 5th Ave).
12 comments:
The chandelier IS creepy, AND fabulous. I'm going to have a hard time not using "HOT KROON!" as an exclamatory when I see something I like.
David, you make me laugh!
* Oh dear! I MUST "go back"! I F*O*R*G*OT to look at your blog photos & write-up!!! Uh-huh, I did!... SOOOO sorry, but "HE" is soooo DELICIOUS I got "stuck" (happily!) on the FIRST PIC & just stopped right there, dead in my tracks!!!
THANKS for the smiles!!!
Linda in AZ *
Linda, yeah... um.... I kinda lingered on that photo of him with the shirt a bit open and loose and all, like you. I chose that one over the others to post. Take that with the fact he is not only a fabulous designer but he builds things. with his hands. hammering and stuff. and probably sweats.
I like his philosophy better than his work.
I'd very much like to see your own designs and to hear your philosophy.
One of my all time lines from a chick-lit book. He (a former boyfriend who wasn't deemed marriage material the first time around) says to her over the phone (she has left her philandering husband and now has to run her home by herself, some repairs are needed) "I have a toolbelt and I know how to use it."
Sigh.
Very interesting Soodie. The chandelier is most unique! Visiting his site right now....
Home, don't you think his philosophy can apply in a number of different areas?
And yes, every woman needs a tool belt. My mother was right: if you want something done learn how to do it yourself.
(PS my designs are tucked away in a storage unit, nothing will ever come of them. Although to be a furniture designer would be my absolute dream job and I still design but now only in my head...)
Karena... yes that chandelier is unique. Very Tim Burton-esq.
Yes, I do think his philosophy can apply to almost anything.
I have a tendency to overbuild to overcompensate for my true lack of skills/knowledge. I was absolutely blown away when I received the six-foot long teak outdoor dining table I ordered sight unseen. My husband and I had assembled eight teak dining chairs and still were able to remain married. I thought the table which said assembly required was going to put me over the edge. The simple, but strong H-based connected to the heavy top with a few well designed brass fittings. The thing went together in less than 10 minutes! Strong, beautiful, simple, light to ship, enduring. HELLO!!!!
If you build anything and haven't yet discovered the freedom of the Senco battery powered nail and brad guns, this may open new worlds. No compressor. Easy to load. Light (in comparison). Well balanced with the heft of the battery proving nice counterbalance to the working end. I call them the ultimate girlie tools.
Get those dreams out of storage, girl. My grandmother used to tell me girls needed to keep their big dreams in their apron pockets, because only men got to do such things. It was fuel to my feminist when I was so young that I didn't know such an idea/word existed.
Home I do like those power tools. Haven't been able to use them much as men always seems to nab them and exclaim that they are the ones who are suppose to use them. (They don't seem to give the same argument taking out the trash or mowing the lawn, do they...)
Glad your table turned out nicely -- must have been nice these past few days with our great weather.
I know what your grandmother was saying... Sometimes big (and reasonable) dreams exist but getting them to happen with all the other everyday responsibilities is the biggest challenge.
Hi Soodie,
Piet is really interesting.... not to mention HOT! His designs are HOT too. Love love love the chandeliers... what a unsuspected vision amongst all the contemporary angles and tailored lines of his furniture and detail.
Chloe, nice observation with the chandeliers vs. his furniture and interior details....
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