The Best of 2009

As the year comes to an end, we like to look back and reflect upon what was inspiring to us as individuals. So when all of the staff at GunkelmanFlesher was asked the question "What inspired you in 2009?" as you can suspect, there was a wide variety of answers. No limits were put on the inspiration, such as it didn't have to be interior design related, as inspiration comes from many places.

The staff of GunkelmanFlesher brings you "The Best of 2009"

Tom Gunkelman: Tresserra Gallery Formulas Furniture Designed by Jaime Tresserra

Last Fall while walking the streets of Paris, I came across the Tresserra Gallery and was instantly taken in by the beautiful pieces. Many of the items in the gallery were inspiring and fresh, but the one piece that truly captured me was the Formulas cabinet. It's a large cabinet that is put together like a puzzle and intricately designed with "secret" doors. On the front are numerous mathematical formulas; hence the name of the piece "Formulas". It simply, yet quite complicatedly, is remarkably beautiful.

"Full tribute to my math teacher who tormented my childhood with his cryptic and incomprehensible explanations on the blackboard, which irrevocably stimulated my artistic vocation in a definitive way"– Jaime Tresserra.

Andrew Flesher: Los Feliz Restaurant in NYC

Los Feliz restaurant is located at 109 Ludlow Street in New York on the Lower East Side between Rivington and Delancy Streets. The atmosphere is "other world-like" since it's all lit by candle. It has that tension that I love – the raw against the refined. It sums up what I love about New York – kind of gritty and at the same time sophisticated. The food is really delicious and the margaritas are made from fresh lime juice, not too sweet. They offer small plates so if you order correctly; you don't end up leaving feeling too full.

Mary Hickey – The Bell Jar Light Fixture

I feel these light fixtures bring the traditional art of blowing glass into today by producing beautifully clean shapes. They update traditional interiors or add organic shapes to modern space.

Karen McKay – knoll kids

I was excited when Knoll launched their Classic Studio Collection in kid sizes, called knoll kids. They are comfortable fun pieces that I had always imagined in beautiful living rooms. Now with some bright colors and fun fabrics they can make their way into bedrooms and playrooms. Classic furniture in every size.

Marita Simmons – Artist Samantha French

Here are a few pieces that really excite me. Samantha French's "Underwater Studies" have this wonderfully expressive way of capturing movement and tranquility all in one. I also love her restrained use of vivid color. Her use of nostalgic yet ambiguous subject allows these pieces the ability to work successfully in either a traditional home, or a contemporary one. I'm a huge fan.

Kari Solyntjes – Chanel Haute Couture Runway Show Spring 2009

Karl Lagerfeld, the genius currently behind Chanel, wanted to have his Spring 2009 Haute Couture runway collection reflect the tough economic times upon us. His inspiration was to have a "clean slate" in which we could all start fresh. He took it beyond just white fabrics and created a floral back drop in white from paper that was glass based. These intricate flowers, used to create a beautiful atmosphere surrounding the runway, as well as headdress on the models, took 40 people four months to create the 6700 camellia blossoms (the signature Chanel flower) rose blossoms and other flowers used throughout the show. Karl proved that good design is in the detail – even with something as simple as paper.

Daniel Rymanowski – The Wee House