Friday Favorites 1/27/2012

Debbie Hagan, Managing Editor
A few weeks ago, I received a catalog from  Kenneth Cobonpue and was completely blown away by this chair called Bloom. What an extraordinary bloom it is, too–a cardinal hibiscus.  Imagine yourself in the conservatory, curling up in this giant flower.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Cobonpue

The Bloom is handmade from a microfiber with hundreds of fine running stitches radiating from its center. It is attached to a resin top, which is affixed to a steel base. It’s available in this muted red, as well as yellow, green and black.

Kenneth Cobonpue is a rising  player in the international design field. He studied industrial design at Pratt Institute in New York, and worked in Italy and Germany studying furniture making. In 1996, he returned home to the Philippines and set up his own furniture design and manufacturing company. In 2005, he won the prestigious Design for Asia Award and is known for his work with woven fibers, using local craftsmen to weave organic materials.  Cobonpue’s indoor and outdoor furniture can be obtained through Janus et Cie at the Boston Design Center and Mis en Scene in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Stacy Kunstel, Homes Editor
I first met Michelle Hatch, former accessories designer, at the New York International Gift Fair last year and immediately loved her pillow collection. Embellished with tiny nailheads and Swarovski crystals, these gorgeous accent pieces on linen follow geometric patterns as well as seaside or customized themes. I recently spied in the studio of designer Tony Cappoli a few custom pieces that Michelle had created for his new South Boston showroom. If you’re headed to NYIGF this weekend, Michelle and her pillows will be on Pier 94.

Photo courtesy of Michelle Hatch

Jared Ainscough, Assistant Art Director
More wood–just keeping with a theme!–and more unusual. I’ve been seeing a ton of bentwood popping up in modern interior design. This office chair is a variation on that–taking the idea of bentwood and turning it on its ear. This 1940s chair is available through Andrew Spindler Antiques and Design in Essex, Massachusetts.