DESIGN QUEST DESIGN GALLERY

From the very beginning of our existence in Grand Rapids, we at Design Quest have been fascinated by design which is so remarkable in its technical excellence, its simplicity, and its beauty, that it is art. This is the design that nourishes us, and which we wish to share.

For 35 years, we have put these art pieces in room settings, just as you would in your home. In July of 2007, we decided that it would be useful to our customers to focus on new collections and ideas by devoting space to a design gallery. We will show both the exceptional pieces and interesting ways to use them. Some shows focus on a designer, and others will focus on a product category.

- View Current Exhibit
- View Past Exhibits

CURRENT EXHIBIT

TORD BOONTJE - CASCADING GARLAND OF FANTASY - December 7, 2007 - January 31, 2008

The whimsical designs and modern materials and technology of Dutch-born designer Tord Boontje are the focus of the newest exhibit in The Design Gallery. This exhibit features Boontje-designed designs produced by U.S. manufacturer, Artecnica and includes laser-cut creations in metal, Tyvek and polyester, textiles, wall art, lighting, home decor and more.

Working on the cusp of design and craft, TORD BOONTJE, the Dutch-born, London-based product designer combines advanced technologies with artisanal techniques to create exquisite glassware, lighting and furniture. From his early projects like the tranSglass series of recycled green bottles, to ambitious recent work such as the sumptuous replica of a bough of Blossom that he created as a Swarovski crystal chandelier, Tord Boontje has sought to imbue his products with a magic and romance that transcends their function. His designs have been featured in Target stores and are also produced by U.S. manufacturer, Artecnica and Italian manufacturer, Moroso.

The Design Gallery features designs by Tord Boontje

Laser-cut metal Thinking of You vase covers with Fairy Tails greeting card on table in forground; Midsummer Light and Until Dawn Curtain displayed in background.

Tord Boontje: The Rainbow hues of the Shadow Light

This pendant halogen lamp projects multi-colored images on surrounding walls. The whimsy of Boontje's designs are highlighted here as singing birds and thoughtful squirrels perch in lofty tree branches while a curious bunny ponders a bloom.

Tord Boontje: Table Stories Dinnerware Flowing, twisting flower and petal patterns are applied to Boontje's tableware collection, called Table Stories.	Tord Boontje: Icarus Light Poetic, lightweight and immaculately white, Icarus reminds us of the human aspiration to flight: a link between us and the celestial light.

Tord Boontje: Close-up of Midsummer Light

Red/Yellow Midsummer Light featuring cascading layers of dazzling forest creatures and foliage. The recipientof multiple design awards, Midsummer Light is destined to become a design classic.

Tord Boontje: Close-up of Midsummer Light and Until Dawn Curtain

A close-up shot of the laser-cut Tyvek material used to create the white Midsummer Light. Red Until Dawncurtain in background

Tord Boontje: Close-up of Until Dawn Curtain

A close-up shot of the laser-cut Tyvek material used to create the red Until Dawn Curtain. The Elaborate flora-and-fauna panels play with light, creating intriguing shadows and textures in any environment.

PAST EXHIBITS

- DESIGN QUEST 35TH ANNIVERSARY DESIGN COMPETITION - October 18 - December 2, 2007
- LIGHT: TRANSFORMING THE ENVIRONMENT, September 8 - October 14, 2007
- WE HAVE STYLE, August 1-31, 2007
- ART PILLOWS AND PURSES, July 1-31

DESIGN QUEST 35TH ANNIVERSARY DESIGN COMPETITION - October 18 - December 2, 2007

For 35 years Design Quest has offered classic and innovative designs to West Michigan. In honor of our 35th anniversary we held a furniture design competition. There were no limitations on material or type of furniture. However, the furniture had to function as furniture. We received many wonderful, functional, all original designs. Most entries were from West Michigan, however, several states and even Malaysia were represented.

Design Quest offered $2000 in prizes for innovative furniture design and the public was invited to help award the Peoples Choice Prize during the opening reception. Special thanks to our judges: designer Thomas Newhouse, BSD, IDSA and Margaret Vega, professor at Kendall College of Art and Design.

• First Prize - Dr. Seuss Modular Bookcase, Spencer Clark
  
• Second Prize - Caldera Chair, Cameron Van Dyke
  
• Third Prize - Everything is Rounded, Noor Ashikin Zakaria
  
• Honorable Mention - Adrift Sofa, Alexander T. Kallio
  
• People's Choice Award - Tolima Chair, William Oltman

The Design Gallery featuring The 35th Anniversary Design Competition

The inaugural design competition was a great success with 30 accepted entries from all over the United States and one international entry from Malaysia.

Opening Reception: October 18, 2007

Guests peruse the submissions during the opening reception and then cast their vote for the "People's Choice" Award.

Dr. Seuss Modular Bookcase, 2007 First Prize Spencer Clark Maple Grove, MN MDF with maple and oak veneer, maple edging	Tolima Chair, 2007 People's Choice Winner William Oltman Grand Rapids, MI Molded Plywood

Caldera Chair, 2006
Second Prize

Cameron Van Dyke
Grand Rapids, MI
Fiberglass

Everything Is Rounded, 2007
Third Prize

Noor Ashikin Zakaria
Puchong, MALAYSIA
Recommended fiber glass or any suitable plastic

Adrift Sofa, 2005 Honorable Mention Alexander T. Kallio Rockford, MI Cherry, steel, canvas	Dining Chair Torben Krontoft Grand Rapids, MI Cherry and Cane

Orange Coffee Table, 2006

Joshua Watson
Kalamazoo, MI
Baltic Birch Plywood, Bronzed Glass

LIGHT: TRANSFORMING THE ENVIRONMENT, September 8 - October 14, 2007

An examination of the design and design process of Pablo Pardo, one of the U.S.’s premier contemporary lighting designers. The interpretation of light in its many forms, refined design solutions, and a distinctive timeless style; these are the underlying elements of Pablo's design mission.

At the forefront of American lighting design, Pablo's designs exemplify an uncompromising devotion to simplicity and usefulness, fusing the highest technical sensibilities with the most appropriate material pallet to create unique and precious designs that transform any environment.

Featured lighting by Pablo: Ventana Wall Light, Sail Table Lamp, Ilene Table Lamp,
Bel Occhio Table/Floor Lamp and Tube Top Table and Floor Lamps.

Lighting by Pablo: Gloss Table and Floor Lamps.

Lighting by Pablo: Umbrella Table and Floor Lamps in Foreground. Piccola Table, Sophie and Isabella Lamps,
Lighthouse and Elise Tube Lamps on display shelves in background.

Lighting by Pablo: Colorful Gloss and Bel Occhio stand out.

WE HAVE STYLE, August 1-31, 2007

We Have Style, an exhibit of unusual designer tables including a hanging Tarzan table, a fondue-by-candlelight Hobo table, a tied C.I.A. table and more.

DESIGNER TABLE TARZAN: Even in the tree tops, we have style.
The story: Tarzan is in love. Flowers. Poetry. Exotic bird song trilling through the rustling leaves. A brilliant macaw flashes red and blue through the intense green overhead. The enchanting aroma of ripe fruits fills the warm air. So much to love.

On the Menu:
- pomegranate wine
- avocado
- shrimp
- grapes, banannas, raspberries

Designer table- Tarzan: Even in the tree tops, we have style.

DESIGNER TABLE HOBO: Even under a bridge, we have style.
The story: Our Mr. Hobo is a gentleman of limited means but considerable style. You will notice that even under a bridge, he is able to assemble a pleasant table with carefully chosen newspaper tablecloth, wine bottle vases with torn magazine flowers, a cozy and very efficient stove made from a gallon can, and a charming candelabra made from a graceful branch, long pins and candle stubs. His few posessions include two white plates and two wine flutes.

On the Menu:
- wine
- french bread
- wild greens (Purslane and Lamb's Quarter)
- cheese fondue
- mint herb tea

Designer table- Hobo: Even under a bridge, we have style.

DESIGNER TABLE C.I.A.: Even under wraps, we have style.
The story: This C.I.A. (Counter Intelligence Agency) table could have been arranged by an undisclosed agent. I believe I was invited...requested...required to show up... will we eat?... talk? ...with someone important... who is listening... There are so many glasses... Why is there a wire coming out of that flower?

On the Menu:
- vodka
- lentil mash with small bones
- hard tack
- mystery dessert

Designer table- C.I.A.: Even under wraps, we have style.

ART PILLOWS AND PURSES, July 1-31, 2007

Unique designer purses and pillows made with unusual materials and techniques including: Felt pillows by Anne Kyyro Quinn of Finland; Woven pillows by Helene Vonsild of Denmark; Wrist purses by Inge Lindqvist and Karina Noyons of Denmark; Wood purses by Shinichi Miyazaki of the United States.

Inge Lindqvist and Karina Noyons
Inge Lindqvist, a Danish textile designer, and Karina Noyons, a jewelry designer, are the creators of the Wrist Purse. The Wrist Purse, made in Denmark of 100% wool, is the hands-free solution to carrying a cell phone and various small necessaries.

Wrist purse by Inge Lindqvist and Karina Noyons.

Anne Kyyro Quinn
Anne Kyyro Quinn is an internationally acclaimed fabric designer, now based in London, born in Finland, who sculpts industrial felt into a stylish array of home accessories, including throws, runners, and pillows, all cut, sewn, and finished by hand. Inspired by organic natural shapes, such as leaves or stones or rippling water, and expressed with Scandinavian simplicity, her play of light and shadow on an off white pillow delights both the hand and the eye. Bold colors, dramatically outlined with raised black and white edges, express humor and strength.

Felt pillows by Anne Kyyro Quinn.

Detail on felt pillow by Anne Kyyro Quinn.

Felt pillow by Anne Kyyro Quinn.

Helene Vonsild
For many years, Danish master weaver, Helene Vonsild, has created fabrics for Kvadrat, the Danish fabric mill which supplies the best Danish furniture manufacturers with exceptional quality upholstery fabrics, locally sold by Maharam. This year, she launched her own line of pillows, showing them at the Formland Fair, Herning, Denmark, in February, and receiving the "Formland Design Award".

The fabric that Helene Vonsild created for her pillows is quite remarkable. She weaves with two warps, and pulls the top warp together, creating a corrugated effect. Because she has planned her thread colors so precisely, the corrugation looks blue on one side, and brown on the other. As you walk past her pillow, you feel that is is changing color.

When we met Helene Vonsild in February at the Formland Fair, she told us that she was able to produce small samples of her fabric, but that the strength required to pull the top warp was such, that only industrial machines could make fabric larger than 12 inches.

Color-changing pillows by Helene Vonsild.

Color-changing pillows by Helene Vonsild.

Shinichi Miyazaki
Shinichi Miyazaki was born in Tokyo, Japan and earned a BFA in painting from Tokyo National University of Art and Music in 1965. He moved to New York in 1967 and worked as an assistant to sculptor Minoru Niizuma and as a model builder for Isamu Noguchi. He continued to paint but began working more and more with wood, in sculpture, furniture design and fabrication, and fine interior woodworking. In 1984 he moved to Massachusetts to refocus his attention on wood. He resumed work in sculpture, furniture and cabinetry, all out of which the handbags evolved.

Traditionally in Japan there was little distinction between fine art and beautifully crafted functional objects. Miyazaki is inspired by Inro, the exquisite carrying bags of wood, metal or laquer that have been used in Japan for centuries. As in many Japanese art forms, Inro embodies craftsmanship, functional; design and attention to the natural world in a harmonious whole. Miyazaki's desire is to, in some way, translate this harmony of elements into objects for our time and place. Handbags are a natural form for a sensuous material like wood with its appeal to touch as well as sight.

Wooden handbags by Shinichi Miyazaki.

Wooden handbags by Shinichi Miyazaki.