Gunkelmans Interior Design Blog

With all the do-it-yourself shows on HGTV it's no wonder most people have the impression they can create a beautiful home all on their own, even if they've never done as much as pick up a paint brush.  You would be amazed at the number of clients who have called us frustrated that they tried to do a project by themselves after seeing it look so simple on TV, only to end up with a torn up home and worse off than before they began.

On these "reality" home shows, many of them have major crews behind the scenes working around the clock on the home.   Those projects where "the designer" and the homeowner miraculously transform a house overnight with a mere 2 or 3 people working on it just isn't so.  It gives many people the false impression that transforming your home will only take hours.

Which brings me to another point of the design aesthetic on most of these TV projects. Design is something that is created to reflect your lifestyle,  your tastes, your world.   It's not about the latest "cool countertop (or insert what ever just-viewed object), because I saw it on HGTV".   It's not about making your house a home on the weekend, and it certainly is not a design contest to be won by elimination.

True professional designers are trained to help you create the look you want to have in your home, that fits your lifestyle.  Your life isn't throw-away and your home design shouldn't be either.  It's not about how much or how little something may cost, as good design can be in many price points.  A professional can help you get the most out of your dollars spent, and not give the false impression that it can all be done in 48 hours.

Submitted by Tom Gunkelman

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

Alchemy – Home of the WEE House.

I love the Wee House, it is just perfect.  

How much space do you need?  

I love prefab housing it is so clean and green…

I love the look and I would like to book one for MEE!

What inspired you in 2009?   

That is, unless…. it comes walking through your front door. 

A few weeks ago we were contacted by an artist out of Canada who wanted to come do a presentation for us because he thought his work might appeal to our firm’s aesthetic.  Well, I am sure glad he did! 

Ken Gangbar’s body of work is absolutely amazing.  Ken is a talented sculptor.  He works with various media, including ceramic, marble and glass to develop singular organic forms that he then groups together in interesting ways to create extraordinarily tranquil and fluid installations. 

We had the opportunity to page through his website before his visit, and while his online gallery surely piqued my interest, seeing the individual forms in person injected a whole new energy about his craft.  Each of the forms he makes is delicate and simple and straightforward… but when grouped together they have tremendous impact.  They instantly evoke a sort of underwater experience… and you feel like you’re privy to walking amidst sea life. 

Here is an example of his work:

submitted by Marita Simmons