What are our favorite, beautiful WestEdge Design Fair discoveries? For its ninth iteration, WestEdge Design Fair brought together a variety of exciting voices from the design community. Bold brands and exciting creators helped transform the Barker Hanger into a place for engagement, entertainment and inspiration. This year, the fair hosted two spaces for demonstrations and discussions that kept crowds buzzing. And the exhibitors did, as well — including an iconic photographer, impactful ceramics, creative furniture, statement lighting and even an alluring selection of jewelry. Read on to discover what caught our eyes.
WestEdge Design Fixtures: Pops of Color
Designer Julia Wong was on hand with her Hudson House Lounge. The exhibition was designed to showcase the design mogul’s transformation of a 1925 residence in Hancock Park into a space where the community can gather to celebrate architecture, film, fashion, wellness and more. And Wong was on hand to explain her thoughtful reimagination of the property. She showcased her use of leading brands such as lighting from Lutron and appliances by Monogram. But we had to stop and stare at these Guise fixtures (pictured) from Kallista. Their refined shapes and unexpected pops of color at the handle were an ideal reflection of the energy Wong has brought to the project.
WestEdge Art: Making History
From culture to politics, the 1960s were a transformational time in the United States. And award-winning photographer, film director and author Lawrence Schiller was there chronicling the moment. His famous subjects range from Muhammad Ali in the boxing ring to Paul Newman and Robert Redford playing ping-pong. What’s more, he also captured important images of leaders including both Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy. And, perhaps most unforgettably of all, he photographed iconic beauty Marilyn Monroe in the buff. Today, Schiller also advises and represents both individuals and brands about preserving and sharing their own photographic histories, as well. It was a true thrill to be in the presence of the artist and the examples of his work remain luminous. See more by visiting Lawrence Schiller Photography.
WestEdge Design Ceramics: Impressive Display
It was one of the WestEdge Design Fair’s most eye-catching booths. But the presence of SEVA Ceramics felt less like a product showcase and more like an art exhibition. SEVA invites those experiencing its works of art to embark on a whimsical journey through a ceramic wonderland. Their wall sculptures, art objects, vases, lighting and other creations are inspired by the beauty of nature. However, they also seem to reflect creative minds at work. So SEVA could be a great place to seek out anything from a gift for a creative friend or an artist to create a custom installation for a public space.
WestEdge Furniture: Table This Discussion
Another brand that had onlookers’ mouths hanging open with wonder was Sisyphus Industries. Shaped in the tradition of Buddhist mandalas, the tops of their tables feel like portals into worlds of wonder. Under a transparent surface, a metal ball rolls serenely through the sand — creating beautiful patterns that replace those that came before. They have already mesmerized museum-goers around the world as pieces of kinetic sculpture. And now design lovers can bring a version to their homes. Owners can use an app to adjust the color and speed — choosing from over 1000 designs or even creating their own.
WestEdge Design Lighting: Statement Pieces
Lighting from Studio M can add a special touch to any space. That included the WestEdge Design fair, where their scintillating illuminations were appreciated throughout. Studio M was helping to illuminate minds, as well — joining forces with aspire design and home to present a panel addressing The Great Design Divide: East Coast Elegance vs. West Coast Chill. Moderated by aspire’s own Paul Hagen, the panel considered design gestures often associated with each coast, the language we use to describe them, how they’re represented both in design spaces and in culture more broadly — plus strategies to channel these coastal vibes each to please clients. Looking poised and offering fun and insightful opinions, the panel included Rafael Kalichstein and Joshua Rose of Citizen Artist, John Ike of Ike Baker Velten, and Kerrie Kelly of Kerrie Kelly Studio — whose team also designed the space where the discussion took place.
WestEdge Outdoors: Hot Stuff
WestEdge is far from the first design festival to feature an “outdoor” area. But they are often just a corner demarcated by some green carpeting with kicky touches like miniature picket fencing. However, at WestEdge, this area was actually outdoors. One could follow the flow of attendees through the Barker Hanger’s massive doors to an area celebrating brands that brave the elements. Among our favorites was Vlaze showcasing ADAPT, a modular range of outdoor kitchen cabinetry that homeowners can customize to create the ultimate outdoor food prep spaces. Designed to incorporate grills, refrigeration and everything else necessary for outdoor dining, their rich colors called out from across the lot. We were intrigued to discover that the same company makes the long-lasting and unmistakable signage for the Paris Metro and the London Underground.
WestEdge Design Accessories: Thinking Big
Design industry shows are inherently tactile experiences. A brand representative can shout the praise of their product over the phone or send a hundred colorful images. It will never be the same as feeling the way a chair cradles the body or brushing one’s fingertips over the surface of an intriguingly textured ceramic. But if there was a place at WestEdge that everyone wanted to touch — and try on — the offerings, it was Vilaiwan Fine Jewelry. Maximal is a wholly insufficient way to describe these unique jewelry pieces. Exuberantly colorful and explosively joyous, they beckoned visitors back time and again — posing with wrist-engulfing cuffs and sculptural necklaces, wondering: “Can I pull this off?” And did we head home with a not-so-little brooch to commemorate all our lovely encounters at WestEdge Design Fair? Keep your eyes peeled at future aspire events. You can’t miss it.
Opening photograph courtesy WestEdge Design Fair. Other photography by Paul Hagen.
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