MONSTER MASH PT 2.
INTRODUCTION.
Welcome to the second installment of Monster Mashup. Last month was a deep dive into anthropomorphized objects, coquette-ish aesthetics, and the creative reimagining of human mistakes. This month, we take those ideas from illustration to mood board as we slowly bring them closer to reality. In the translation from conceptual to concrete, we find more questions than answers.
The quandary we faced most often was how, in an age that thrives on newness, can we avoid making tomorrow’s trash? We know we’re hardly the first to ask such a question. Slow fashion brands have been raising this query since Forever 21 first hit malls and farm-to-table restaurants have been fighting the fast-food-ification of America for decades now. Yet, we wonder how those of us in the interiors industry are managing that same trajectory. How are we reacting to the overproduction of furniture, the waste of new construction, and the lack of soul in mass produced materials?
To our surprise, a peppy little triangle creeps into our minds at this thought. Its three bent arrows, each in an overly saturated green hue, sing out “REDUCE. REUSE. RECYCLE.” in a chorus of preschool voices. We give pause to think through this bit of 90s nostalgia, at which point we all agree this plan had its flaws. First of all, it was quite ambitious to think individual children would save the planet from systemic manufacturing waste and pollution. Second of all, the recycling system itself was a bit of a letdown. However, we think this now trite saying has some real value in it if we give it a chance. So many of our ideas around righting the industry come back to simply not making more waste at all, but rather using what we have in new ways. Whether it’s sourcing something that would otherwise never see the light of day, reviving what was once radiant, or donating scraps to a worthy cause, we have to admit we’re pretty interested in bringing back our childhood mantra.
Top Left: Knotty Wood. Bottom Left: Disciplina Collection01. Top Right: Imperfect Foods. Bottom Right: Natural Material Studio Alger.
CONCEPT 1: PREVENT
INSPIRATIONAL STAGE: REDUCE
Enough is enough. With “reduce,” we explore our capacity to make the most with the least. So often we reach new heights of ingenuity when our resources are limited, as history has proven with the transformation of overlooked ingredients into the most delectable dishes and unappealing materials into the most moving artworks. This concept begs us to embrace the imperfections of natural materials, reject homogenized aesthetics, and seek variability in life. With so much potential already at our fingertips, who needs anything new?
IN THE WORLD: INTERIORS AND FOOD
To epitomize this concept, we turn our attention to wood flooring. A knotty slab of wood is a prime example of preventing an imperfect resource from becoming an absolute waste. Despite our best attempts to predict what lies beneath a tree’s bark, there is no telling if we’ll be greeted by a clean, consistent grain or a slew of wild burls until it is too late. Should the latter be true, the material’s future is up in the air. Will it be delegated to a low grade bargain bin? Will it be scrapped entirely? Or will someone see its beauty, bucking the trend of unnaturally unmarred floors in favor of planks steeped in life and all its imprecision? We have reason to believe that the third option is due to come into fashion. In efforts to reduce their footprints, we see a number of companies favoring existing and flawed resources over the creation of new ones. Most obvious is Imperfect Foods, who revolutionized the produce industry by bringing funky ingredients deemed “unsellable” straight to the hands of the home cooks. For a more design centric example, we turn our attention to Disciplina, a Mexico City based firm intercepting broken slabs of marble on their way to the landfill. Founder Tomás Díaz Cedeño combines these pieces with scraps from other creative projects, turning them into a full collection of tables and stools. Finally, we look to Natural Material Studio, who is exploring the potential of overlooked underwater resources as alternatives to new plastics. Their research leads to Alger, a biomaterial composed of highly prevalent seaweed and algae, that can replace the use of polyester in drapery and textiles. Each display further solidifies our hypothesis that we’ve already got everything we need if we just open our eyes.
Top Left: Reclaimed Wood. Bottom Left: Michelle Dirkse Buffet Vanity. Top Right: Yinka Ilori There Is Good In All Of Us. Bottom Right: Bode + Woolmark.
CONCEPT 2: REVIVE
INSPIRATIONAL STAGE: REUSE
One lady’s trash is another’s treasure. “Reuse” is all about creating novelty out of old news. It thrives on our ability to see beyond the tired objects that surround us and into a world of possibilities from new functions to applications and sensorial combinations. This concept encourages us to recontextualize old objects, unite disparate materials, and most importantly breathe new life into discarded ideas. How would our world look if we saw value in everything?
IN THE WORLD: INTERIORS AND ATTIRE
If “Reduce” is typified through knotty flooring, “Reuse” must be reclaimed hardwood. It has lived a full life in someone’s home, office, shop, or what have you, and has the marks to prove it. While some may overlook its value, seeing only its scrapes and scuffs, a more considerate eye can spot a material that keeps on giving. A simple sand and stain transforms weathered planks into a limitless surface that can absorb and reflect any number of personalities. Its a miraculous feat to adapt with the times, especially with such minimal effort. However, as humankind beings to age well into our triple digits, it is becoming increasingly clear that we and our surroundings will have to do just that. Thankfully, a number of creatives are testing and establishing approaches to a “maintain don’t make” philosophy that relies on the restoration of parts over the generation of whole new objects. A perfect example is fashion brand Bode. The label prides itself on their use of historic techniques to convert vintage equine fabrics into strikingly contemporary suits and outerwear. In terms of interiors, designer Yinka Ilori regularly mines his Nigerian roots to find the second, third, and hundredth life of his materials. His chairs rely on heavily patterned, reclaimed textiles that not only address the environment, but tell stories of his home, friends, and society. Looking beyond the materials, designers such as Michelle Dirkse are rehoming entire furniture pieces. Her efforts to revive antiques sees the conversion of buffets into vanities with the introduction of new finishes and functional details like pull-out storage. Each example is testament to the modernity that can be achieved through heritage craft and vintage materials, making us wonder if the only newness we need is our own creativity.
Top Left: Parquet Wood. Bottom Left: Stacklab Felt Armchair. Top Right: Blue Sky Lab. Bottom Right: Livden Luna Tile.
CONCEPT 3: GIVE BACK
INSPIRATIONAL STAGE: RECYCLE
We’re better together. “Recycle” is dedicated to making a whole far greater than its parts. It seeks to pump up clout through the amalgamation of scraps, strengthening the individual pieces through their newfound collectiveness. This theme celebrates the beauty in dapples, value in binding agents, and joy in an efficient use of discards. Why seek something complete when we have all the pieces and prowess to build it ourselves?
IN THE WORLD: INTERIORS AND ATTIRE
“Reduce” is knotty, “Reuse” is reclaimed, and “Recycle” is the one and only parquet. Though exquisite in its craft, parquet is far more than an haughty status symbol. Its quilted approach allows for a variety of materials, some well matched, some overtly dissonant, to sit side by side with intention. It is a poster child for the elevation of remnants into a highly sought after aesthetic. This mindset may be old as Aristotle, but is gaining traction as creators across the globe take it on in new ways today. The most direct interpretation of this is the increase of recycled terrazzo materials, most beautifully visualized by Livden. The material is a composite of recycled glass, porcelain and consumer products, creating a wide range of chunky, variable textures. STACKLAB takes a different approach to recycling with their Felt armchair. The team partners with a nearby acoustic panel manufacturer who provides their offcuts, which is then utilized to craft an ergonomic chair that makes use of the unique shapes and materiality. Going a step further, we turn to the birth of Blue Sky Lab (BSL), a fashion brand from the minds of Chinese car manufacturer Nio. BSL exists to make use of the leftover seat belts, airbags, and chair textiles, upcycling the automotive materials into high end streetwear with added functional benefits such as their lightweight or waterproof nature. When odds and ends are positioned properly, they can be worth the world.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Where do you see the tenets of reduce, reuse and recycle in design? Join the conversation and stay tuned for the application of these concepts in our current projects.
MONSTER MASHUP.
INTRODUCTION
We make a lot of things at GG. We have big dreams about the the many ways our designs will be used and the people’s lives they’ll change. Yet, the moment we hand them over, their futures are no longer up to us. All we can do is turn our attention to the following project and continue making.
After all, it is human nature to build the next best thing, leaving relics of our achievements along the way. However, to be human is also to deal with unexpected consequences. From novel artistry to innovative technology, every work of genius slowly unfolds to reveal unforeseen effects. Only time will tell if our actions garner us the title of hero or villain, creator or destructor, maestro or monster. While last quarter was an exploration of unabashed creation, the next three months will focus on how we manage the aftermath of our progress. Welcome to “Monster Mashup.”
MONSTER MASH
We don’t know about you, but monotony would destroy us. The unpredictability of everyday life is what gets us out of bed in the morning. That comes with its fair share of missteps though. Thankfully, this decade has seen a shift in attitude toward failure. People share their relationship blunders on social media, show up to offices with zit patches, and discuss their mental health openly. Once hidden and shameful, flaws are now badges of honor that signify a work-in-progress attitude.
Lately, this mentality is extending beyond ourselves and into our surroundings. As we face corporate restructures, devastating wars, and environmental crises, it seems mammoth numbers of spaces and objects are left in the dust. Things no doubt designed with a different future in mind, they instead become reminders of failed decisions. It is near impossible not to empathize with them and do what we can to bring them back to glory. Meanwhile, as part of humankind, we are forced to reckon with our contribution to the wreckage. This bizarre combination of compassion and critique allows us to view ourselves and our environments as equals, both living works of art.
It is the perfect breeding ground for the rise of anthropomorphism. Or more accurately, anthropomorphism and zoomorphism. There is only a thin line between pitying discarded objects and transforming them into lovable, life-like fixtures through gestural forms, animalistic feet, and decorative jewelry. In the same way, it is easy to imagine the leap from painting ourselves as monsters to literally dressing up as such. What’s left are hybrid creatures on a sliding scale from off-putting to endearing that is entirely within our control to set.
IN THE WORLD
We see these critters emerge most obviously in fashion, where designers like Beate Karlsson, Bad Binch TONGTONG, and Daniel Roseberry transform garments into horse hoof boots, octopus dresses and judgement bags. Their avant-garde statement pieces blur the lines between human, animal, and product, often landing somewhere closer to mutant in the end. Outside of fashion, anthropomorphism takes hold in furniture and decor. Brett Douglas and Chris Wolston paint faces and weave appendages into their sculptural seating, giving the impression that each chair is welcoming you in for a bear hug. The concept even sneaks up in food, such as Lucy Sparrow’s “Feltz Bagels.” The pop up art exhibit, which is modeled after a New York deli, displays felted breads, bagels and cookies replete with googly eyes and stitched mouths. Though all odd, none of these creations veer into disturbing territory.
IN DESIGN
To better understand the rich history of anthropomorphism in design, we must turn our attention to what was once the most “alive,” and yes, disturbing, of all styles: Victorian. The Victorian era shares a surprising number of similarities to the 2020s. We could dive into any of the many parallels from natural disasters to organized feminism, but most relevant to our conversation today are those of massive progress and new spirituality.
Rapid industrial gains translated into extravagant homes built too big, too fast and too poorly. Though decadent on the surface with their heavy drapes and vaulted ceilings, they were plagued with creaky floors and leaky pipes due to their shoddy craftsmanship. As the impracticality of the meandering spaces and daily maintenance set in, Victorian houses were abandoned for smaller, simpler accommodations at record rates. Lavish neighborhoods became dilapidated ghost towns overnight. This exodus happened just as a new breed of spirituality emerged. Public seances to rid homes of spirits, likely imagined due to banging pipes and hallucinogenic vapors, became commonplace. These scenes inspired Dickens to relocate ghost stories from cemeteries to ordinary homes, in particular Victorians, a trend that has carried on since.
The end result was a perception that the sprawling properties were somehow alive. Swaying doors, shadowy furniture, and breathing floors were ready to lure you in should you come too close.
Though few haunted Victorians line our streets today, we have our fair share of newly abandoned monstrosities. From defunct shopping malls to unsellable McMansions and vacant corporate headquarters, our landscape is sprinkled with spaces too ostentatious for our current reality. With housing shortages, nostalgic aesthetics, and a fascination with anthropomorphism, we wonder what a little affection could do to enliven these buildings before they fall into disrepair.
With that in mind, we imagine the transformation of a classic office building into a co-living space for today’s creative class.
We begin by salvaging the remnants. Fluorescent panels become digital skylights, pillars turn into 360 degree mirrors, and exposed pipes act as makeshift cat trees. Then there is the layout. Though more logical than the labyrinth-like halls of Victorian homes, the 90s office is also a bit of a maze. Rows of cubicles create an endless grid that can serve as a footprint for its new life. The individual workstations are reimagined as third space nooks dedicated to communal leisure activities from dining to painting to reading. The traditional felt walls are replaced with tinted glass sheets that blur and distort objects into friendly ghosts, while doors and windows encourage the uninterrupted flow from one creative pursuit to another.
As for additive cues, we consider the dollhouse-ification of corporate style. Inspiration pulls from Victorian coquettes, the 90s, and our guiding principles of anthro and zoomorphism. Drab browns and whites are swapped for pasteled rave colors and skin inspired neutrals. At the same time, furry textiles, lumpy clays and silken finishes replace slick veneers and plastics. The hand crafted decor bursts with the energy of gestural arms, wide eyes and poised feet, each piece decorated to the nines with piercings and ribbons for a dainty flair. They seem to wave and wink at the inhabitants, all of whom don disproportionate furs, claws and ears beneath their own bows and jewelry making it difficult to tell what is living or not. Whichever it happens to be, a flirtatious undertone flows from the creatures. Perhaps we’ve been listening to too much T Swift, but it seems we can all be both the sexy baby and the monster on the hill.
How does this all come together? See below and let us know your thoughts.
COLOR
MATERIAL
FORM
UNPRODUCTIVE PLAY 3.
Welcome to the final installment of “Unproductive Play.” Over the past two months we illustrated and mood boarded our way through different aspects of play. From nostalgia to rule breaking and chaotic creativity, we examined how the concept manifests in design and beyond. Today we explore the very real ways it can come to life in the every day.
The idea of making time for daily fun seems so simple. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case for us adults. Most of our days are full of projects with clear deadlines and consequences that impact other people’s lives. The same is true here at GG, aside from one project: trend research. Though we eventually tailor a portion of this work for our clients, there is still a huge amount of material left on the cutting room floor. As we stared down a year’s worth of discarded content, we were confronted with a choice. Do we sell it or do we play with it? As cool as money is, the idea of creating something without the pressure of an end goal felt far more valuable. So this blog was born. It has become a daily excuse for nutty conversations, artistic visualizations, and collaborative exchanges with the community at large. It is a playful escape available to us whenever and wherever we need it.
The desire for an escape is hardly a new concept. In fact, we’ve probably talked about it in this blog a dozen times. However, it took us til now to recognize the chasm between escapism in culture and escapism in interiors. Across food, fashion, and leisure we see an amorphous idea brought together by the single principle that it references something other than reality. It can be a surrealist video game, the 90s fashion revival or some pastel vintage cookware. In stark contrast, the home has a very narrow scope for the term. Relaxation is the resounding idea, whether that is a spa-like bathroom or a backyard oasis. It is tranquil and meditative, no matter the space.
Our environments have the ability to transport us just as meaningfully as a video game. With such a powerful tool at our disposal, why do we limit ourselves to a sanctuary? An escape can do more than calm the nerves. It can inspire, stimulate, and entertain. Your childhood candy shop, the neighborhood bar, and a destination waterpark are equally worthy sources of inspiration. What would happen if we designed for recreation as much as we did relief?
We keep this in the back of our mind with every design. Often times it comes to life as a subtle balance to an otherwise quiet space. It may be as simple as a tactile surface or an interactive fixture that captures your imagination. Other times though, it is the heart of the project. On these occasions, we have the opportunity to consider an alternate reality through the materials, forms, and flow of traffic. We tell a Madlibs-esque story with the space, providing an inspirational structure and inviting the client to fill in the blanks with whatever activity or emotion feels right in the moment.
We keep this in the back of our mind with every design. Often times it comes to life as a subtle balance to an otherwise quiet space. It may be as simple as a tactile surface or an interactive fixture that captures your imagination. Other times though, it is the heart of the project. On these occasions, we have the opportunity to consider an alternate reality through the materials, forms, and flow of traffic. We tell an open-ended story with the space, providing an inspirational structure and inviting the client to fill in the blanks with whatever activity or emotion feels right in the moment.
Fortunately, today’s client loves a good time. As big adventurers, they collected some wild memories, with a few so influential that photos couldn’t do them justice. Over the course of 5 years, we returned to their space to update room after room, infusing each with a unique experience they sought to recreate at home. The aesthetics and functions reflect nights on the town, overseas travels and familial histories. The overall impact is an interactive journey through their lives. It is their home away from home at home.
This brings us to today’s deep dive. “Unproductive Play” comes to life in not one, but two projects done on different floors of the same house. “Little Party” and “Blue Moon” celebrate the transportive nature of design through discoverable details, immersive environments and suspended realities.
DISCOVERY
The toughest part of any journey is the first step. Through a series of delightful surprises, we craft a home that makes the first move so you don’t have to. The subtlest break in expectations, be it a disrupted pattern or a gloss change, can act as an invitation to come closer, explore further, and imagine more. From hidden experiences to stealthy surfaces, the space says let the games begin.
HIDDEN DETAILS
The “Blue Moon” powder room entrance is one of the many winks hidden throughout the home. Expertly wallpapered to matched the surrounding walls, the door is nearly camouflaged by an intricate pattern of glowing gold lines. A perfectly knurled handle is first to give the secret away, followed quickly by a thin seam in the paper, both of which beg you to reach out and discover the possibilities that could lie beyond. It is easy to miss, yet impossible to ignore once discovered.
TACTILE SHIFTS
While the powder room takes a “come and see” approach to its hidden function, this wine rack relies more on “touch and feel” aesthetics. Its purpose is obvious. Instead, the unforeseen draw is in the ripples of gloss and glitter that span its tonal backdrop. In reaching for a bottle of wine, your knuckles graze upon the surface and its seemingly flat speckles transform into bits of textural granite mica. The surprising sensation raises the question, what other gems are hidden in plain sight?
IMMERSION
Welcome to a new reality. To make each room as captivating as its source of inspiration, we use tricks of the eye to expand and isolate its space. By multiplying a detail, reflecting a surface, or removing a sense, we can transform a beautiful space into a transportive one. From expansive escapes to hidden rabbit holes, these rooms do more than soothe. To those who still play make believe as the rock and roll bassist, can can dancer, or professional somm, we welcome you step inside and let your dreams run amok.
REFLECTIVE SURFACES
The “Little Party” living and dining rooms toy with the perception of endlessness. Though unique in their personalities, they both employ reflective treatments to create such expansive spaces it is hard to imagine anything existing beyond their walls. The living room’s vintage Brit-pop vibes are multiplied ad infinitum due to a lacquered ceiling that captures every tuft and facet below. Nearby, the posh dining room pulls that same strategy to the walls where repeated gloss stripes reflect rich leathers and hammered metals on and on. They’re dreamscapes big enough for you and all of your friends.
ALL-CONSUMING COLORS
The “Little Party” powder room takes a different approach to immersion. Though it too plays with elements of reflections, the real magic comes from its repetitive use color. After a series of warm, sunny rooms, the darkened deco-inspired nook is a shock to the system. Everything from the toilet to the tiles and towels are drenched in shades of black. It engulfs you while simultaneously heightening the never-ending differences in lush textures and geometric forms. In a matter of no time, the outside world falls away and all that exists is you and your midnight speakeasy.
SUSPENSION
Nothing can break the spell. From a cell phone in a movie theater to a Disney character wearing a Fitbit, we know the tiniest detail can break an illusion. To keep you in the moment, we discard the distractions and focus on the most interesting, inspiring and interactive elements of a space. Whether that means pumping the space with intriguing textures or positioning your every whim within a five foot radius, we ensure time in each space goes uninterrupted. Join us in staying lost in the moment.
TANGIBLE INSPIRATION
The “Little Party” bar exemplifies lost-in-the-moment design. Every direction you look and surface you touch offers a new experience to keep you engaged. From shag to sheers, fur to snakeskin, and burnished brass to chrome, every detail has an equally interesting counterpart within arms reach. When the mind tires of its current visual or tactile encounter, a new one is poised for action. Boredom is not an option in this luxury, life-sized fidget spinner of a space.
ACCESSIBLE EVERYTHING
Though also inspiring, the “Blue Moon” lower living space considers suspension through a different lens. Rather than keep interest through aesthetics and materials, this does it with activities. The open area seamlessly transitions from lounge to kitchen to barre studio to pool hall, eventually leading to its hidden powder room without ever going upstairs. Must-haves like water and a washroom sit beside want-to-haves like a prized record library and whiskey collection. Nothing can break your focus once you’re in the zone.
UNPRODUCTIVE PLAY 2.
INTRODUCTION.
Welcome back to Unproductive Play. In last month’s blog we explored chaotic creation, nostalgic references, and questionable taste. Today, we transform those concepts from illustration to mood board in hopes of tip toeing closer to reality. As we have found time and time again, this exercise raised more questions than answers. It turns out, play can come to life in more ways than we could have ever imagined.
No matter which direction we explored though, one idea popped up time and time again: rules. Many, if not all of us, have fantasized of a land free from rules. We picture ourselves romping through the clouds (gravity doesn’t exist here) and bartering with last night’s painting (money doesn’t exist either) to buy hot pink unicorns (magic does exist here). Then reality sets in. There’s no privacy in the clouds! Not everyone values art! Horns are dangerous!
That kind of freedom can be overwhelming. What happens if we imagine the worst? Or can’t imagine anything at all? Could a world without rules actually be a world of terror? It turns out we kind of, sort of, love a little structure. There is something so comforting about coloring in the lines, and something so satisfying about rebelliously scrawling beyond them. To have a starting point, a proposed barrier that we can decide to obey or deny, can be a relief. From establishing to reconfiguring and breaking the rules, this month’s investigation is all about fantasy versus structure.
Top left: SCRW Stool. Bottom left: Outdoor Voices RecTrek Zip-Off Pant. Top right: CB2’s Columna Marble Table Tennis Table. Bottom right: Haworth’s Lud’O chair.
CONCEPT 1: ESTABLISH
INSPIRATIONAL PLAY: SPORTS & GAMES
A hoop is merely a hoop until rules are applied to it. “Establish” celebrates the human impulse to turn function into fun and back again through the transformation of banal objects into defined games. Whether it is elevating a net into pickleball or a closet into hide and seek, joy comes from the creation of codes and customs. This theme explores directional motions, tactile surfaces, and interactive touch points as methods of instituting rules. Anything has the potential to be an outlet for play with the right guidelines.
IN THE WORLD: INTERIORS AND ATTIRE
As for how this applies to design, we consider the humble stool, a swivel stool to be exact, as a prime example of established rules. A stationary stool has no rules, generally speaking. It exists, one could sit or lean on it, it is fine. However, a swivel offers moments of play. It can be raised or lowered and it rotates around its center. It begs for collaboration but only in its agreed upon ways. Should someone attempt to adjust it side to side or swing it back and forth the system would break down. The rules of a swivel offer a world of possibility as compared to a static seat, yet they also create rigidity in their interactions. This tension exists in many other facets of design. We see it in the elevation of sports gear such as Moniomi’s basketball hoops or CB2’s ping pong tables. These once carefree objects get luxury makeovers with leather, marble and wood, and in turn create a new form of more sophisticated yet less practical gameplay. Gorpcore, sportswears’ outdoorsy cousin, also comes into the picture with seemingly technical details. Take the Lud’O chair for instance, whose drawstring cinch holds nothing together and serves no value outside the amusement of tightening and loosening its grip. Lastly, we turn our attention to fashion and the revival of zip-off pants. Shortening a garment appears practical til you consider where the extra material lives once it’s removed. These pants, and all the examples, raise the question: is it actually purposeful or is its purpose to delight?
Top left: Nontolo Stool. Bottom left: Mat Barnes with Smile Plastics. Top right: Stephanie Uhart's Fluff Dress. Bottom right: Molo Paper Wall.
CONCEPT 2: RECONFIGURE
INSPIRATIONAL PLAY: WORLD BUILDING
Bend, never break. “Reconfigure” embodies the spirit of redefining the rules, finding the loopholes, and most importantly making it up as you go. It finds beauty not only in one’s ability to imagine what exists beyond, but the ingenuity required to bring it that vision to life. This theme relies on adaptive forms, mash-up aesthetics, and modular components to reinterpret existing expectations. Where there is a rule, there is a clever way around it.
IN THE WORLD: INTERIORS AND ATTIRE
If “Establish” comes to life in a swivel stool, “Reconfigure” has to be a multi-directional stool. There is no right way to approach it, no exact technique to perch on it, but it does expect to be sat on in somehow. It becomes a never ending experiment, an object that begs its occupant to challenge the rules of a seat based on their mood, context, or style in a given moment. This “wing it” approach creeps into other facets of design as well. Take kitchen cabinetry for example. For decades the rule of thumb has been to match the color of each door front or, for the really wild folks, select contrasting colors for the lowers and uppers. In a quiet act of rebellion, new kitchens begin to embrace mix and match hues, unrelated materials, and disproportionate hardware for a look that feels collaged more than curated. It appears in larger scale applications as well, such as walls and room dividers. Unlike traditionally hefty or immobile solutions made from metal and glass, lightweight alternatives like Molo’s paper accordion walls can be shimmied to new orientations on a whim. This adaptive, undefined approach extends into fashion as well. Real life versions of Dr. Seuss’s amorphous “thneed,” a fictional it-is-what-you-make-it garment, take over tiktok in the forms of anything from body-sized scrunchies to Stephanie Uhart’s Fluff dresses. This begs the questions, if fluff can be a dress, what can’t be? How far can the rules be bent before they no longer exist?
Top left: Jinyeong Yeon’s Aluminum Andozied Chairs. Bottom left: Iko Iko Cord Cover. Top right: Dewi van de Klomp's Soft Cabinets. Bottom right: Beate Karlsson’s Oversized Garments.
CONCEPT 3: BREAK
INSPIRATIONAL PLAY: MAKE BELIEVE
The limit does not exist. “Break” tosses out the rulebook entirely, relying instead on intuitive invention ever so loosely based on reality. It pokes fun at utility, choosing instead to find pleasure in nonsense. This theme banks on unexpected colors, bizarre proportions, and impractical applications in the pursuit of making. In this dimension, form does anything but follow function.
IN THE WORLD: INTERIORS AND ATTIRE
“Establish” is a swivel, “Reconfigure” is multi-directional, and “Break” says f it all. In terms of a stool, this theme is a Jinyeong Yeon’s barely there piece of furniture. It is crumpled, uninviting, and teeters between uneven legs. It follows none of the rules of good design, ergonomics or construction and barely offers a real surface to sit upon. The only promise it makes is that one could take a seat if they dare, but it doesn’t guarantee a comfortable experience. All in all, it delivers more as a good story than a usable object. This rings true across a number of avant-garde designs these days. It is certainly apparent in shelving, which has gone from practical storage to decorative display and most recently into the realm of art with pieces like ven de Klomp’s Soft Cabinets. The cupboard, made entirely of soft foam, bends and droops with the weight of books, records and dishes to create a precarious if not unsafe piece of furniture. Equally intriguing is the introduction of tulle in everything from cabinets to clothing and even cord covers. These designs, traditionally intended to conceal what lies beneath, end up drawing more attention to their contents through attractive colors and ephemeral materials. Finally, we see it come up in fashion with wildly disproportionate designs. Oversized pants become shirts and gloves become trains in Beate Karlsson’s creations, all of which look almost 2D in their cartoon-like arrangements. All this makes us wonder, at what point does dysfunction actually become an asset?
UNPRODUCTIVE PLAY.
INTRODUCTION.
For those who have followed this for a while, you may know by now this blog is our personal playground. It is closer to a game than work for us. In the sake of full transparency, the only part that feels like real work is this damn intro. So in honor of this quarter’s blog topic, we will respectfully decline and move on to the good stuff. Let’s get to playing.
UNPRODUCTIVE PLAY.
We love to roll up our sleeves and get to work here at GG, but we’ve got a bone to pick with Hustle Culture. We hereby declare it the silent killer of hobbies. For years now, it hasn’t been enough to create for fun. What would’ve been an experimental pastry or pottery class vase in 2005 needed to be marketed and monetized by 2015.
This isn’t without reason. The 08’ financial crisis left many of us in need of an extra buck or thousand. Every minute of the day became a precious opportunity to better our situations. If we had to choose between losing our hobbies to another 5 hours of work or turning our hobbies into a new form of work, you can be sure we’d transform every side project into a sellable product. However, it turns out hobbies are a little less fulfilling and a whole lot less pleasurable with the added pressure of supporting ourselves.
Lately though, we see a sea change. The simultaneous burnouts of work and social media align to a rise in fewer commutes and more flexible hours, making time for a new form of escapism. The hints of such a shift emerged with the revival of second life games like The Sims and Roller Coaster Tycoon back in 2020. That continues to snowball into an even more referential, tactile, and most importantly hedonistically indulgent evolution. This new escapism is unabashed in its lack of commercial value, centered entirely on the satisfaction of doing something for the hell of it.
The result is a highly experimental, wildly nostalgic, incredibly thoughtful, and often so-bad-its good creative expression. Welcome to Unproductive Play.
IN THE WORLD.
You don’t have to look far to find signs of grown-up-kids content in culture today. Most obvious is the summer juggernaut Barbie. Though Gerwig is sure to infuse a healthy dose of cynical maturity into the beloved character, Barbie has lost none of the nostalgic luster her millennial audience craves.
Beyond film, food is another space infatuated with the old-is-new idea. Popular streetwear brand Cactus Plant Flea Market partnered with McDonald’s to release the first ever Adult Happy Meal. The limited edition, quadruple-eyed collectibles were sold alongside sweatsuits donned with the iconic Golden Arches, sending fast food lovers and fashionistas alike into a frenzy.
Most relevant to our line of work is the explosion of high end toys for the home. Leather bound basketball hoops, marble pool tables and raw wood rock climbing walls take over our feeds, cementing the “silly kids, play is for adults” mantra to come.
IN DESIGN.
From playful objects of the home, we can turn our attention to the home itself. When it comes to interior design the only style worth talking about is the highly contested postmodernism.
Postmodernism challenges everything we know about “good taste.” It prioritizes the coexistence of leftover objects and new needs at all costs, reveling in the beauty of the resulting aesthetic conflict. The jarring palettes, oversized accents, and delightfully incoherent curation is intended to honestly reflect the complexity of the people interacting with the spaces. It is an ode to the good, bad and ugly of human creation.
Though intriguing in its own right, it is far more fascinating to consider the evolution it would undergo if it were to reemerge in our era. With society’s heightened digitization, rising indoor-outdoor living and peak kitchen culture in mind, we like to imagine it taking shape as a whimsical backyard kitchen.
The first way we envision the movement is by going to the source of postmodern pride: Vegas. Architect Venturi, the originator of the phrase “less is a bore,” lauded the city as the ultimate communication tool. The neon billboards, flashing poker tables and gaudy theme-park casinos are all proudly put on display. That obvious spectacle of the those attractions is what cemented Vegas as the play place of adulthood over the competition. In today’s oversaturated content economy, attracting eyeballs has become an art form that could learn a thing or two from Vegas. However, we’re more curious about what the art of display looks like offline. Turning to our domestic playground, aka the kitchen, we can swap flashy slots for shiny appliances. We show them off not on shelves but instead nestled between rock climbing holds at precarious angles. As a little bonus nod, we can even throw in a neon light for a supernatural strip-like glow.
The second looks to the lighthearted, anti-functional furniture of the time. Milan’s Memphis Group was known for their clashing geometries, funky proportions, and oversaturated primary color blocking at a time when practicality ruled. The chaotic combinations seemingly refused to acknowledge the theory of white space. In today’s landscape of food as culture, we consider what it would look like to apply these ideas of color and form to jello, aka the least functional dish of all. A food void of nutrition, it feels as though jello’s main purpose is to delight through its unnatural colors and highly manipulated forms. Similarly to bookshelves of the past, these jiggly sculptures say balance be damned.
What would this look like all together? See below and let us know what you think!
OUR VISION.
COLORS.
MATERIALS.
FORMS.
RENEWED ROMANTICS 3.
The time has come for our third and final chapter of “Renewed Romantics.” Over the past two months we have explored themes of self expression, life cycles, and the mystery of nature. Now, we’re ready to see it come to fruition in a very real way. Though this concept seems to emerge in nearly every space we touch, no project embodies it quite like Evoke, our Andersonville tattoo studio.
It should come as no surprise that we’ve got a thing for tattoos here at GG. Though each of us gravitates toward a different style (think everything from a tessellated flower to the Morton Salt Girl), we’re all attracted to them for the same reason: their permanence. There is a romance to adorning the body, a forever evolving canvas, with an immutable image. It transcends time.
It is the same feeling that draws us to architecture. When we see a building, we don’t just see a space. We see a piece of art, an experiment in functionality, or an ode to culture. Every one is a monument by us, for us, designed to outlast us. They absorb the stories of one generation and teach them to the next through the scuffs on their floors and cracks on their walls. We’re just a blip in that ongoing cycle. We have the good fortune to live, work, and learn in these spaces for a moment, but their existence extends far beyond us.
It’s a tale as old as time, one the romantics defined best: the more we try to control a force larger than ourselves (nature, civilization, our own history), the less in control we become. So why are we still so eager to tear down start fresh? As designers, could we prioritize stewardship over destruction, iteration over invention? What would happen if we treated our spaces as living memorials rather than clean slates?
That is our goal when presented with a meaningful space. We take the time to collaborate with it, not control it. Our job is to honor its tales of the past, preserve its integrity for the future, and build its connection with the lucky few who spend their lives in it today. When someone walks its halls, we want them to feel like part of a bigger picture. To make that a reality requires some heavy research. Good thing we kind of like that over here (if you couldn’t already tell from this crazed blog). Whether it is tracking down the lineage of prior owners or analyzing the waste output from construction, we leave no past, present or future rock unturned.
Today’s project is all of that and more. This Andersonville gem is steeped in a rich history so near and dear to our own team. A once iconic drag club and fixture in the queer community, this building is the epitome of creative expression. Its legacy of passion, mystique, and individuality all remain as we worked with Evoke to usher it into a new era, and hopefully far beyond.
We present to you “Renewed Romantics” through the lens of our “Cherry Bomb” project. Below we see how this tattoo studio celebrates the many phases of a buildings life through veiled spaces, exaggerated details, and celebratory embellishments.
VEILED
As is always true with history, we will never know the whole truth. To amplify the mystery of what was, or what could have been, we embrace materials that strategically hide and reveal key aspects the building. Simply changing the position, thickness or lighting of a material alters the space’s story completely. From perforated solids to semi-transparent sheaths, we test the limits of obscurity and visibility.
PARTITIONS
The tattoo stations epitomize a hide and reveal approach. Perforated metal partitions strategically divide each artist’s workspace. Though the bulk of the screen conceals visual noise to cocoon clients, decorative cutouts occasionally reveal a sea of patterns that lie behind. Based on location, the surroundings come in and out of focus. The end sensation is an ebb and flow between control and chaos, privacy and togetherness.
PEARLS
The bathroom considers veiling through a different lens. Rather than rely on position to catch a reveal, here we opt for light. Mother of pearl acts as a cloak in flux, adopting opaque to translucent properties as its light source transforms. What may feel like a static sculpture one moment dissipates to expose a warm glow the next, shifting the visibility of the entire space with it.
EXAGGERATED
The present day is a minefield of distractions. In an exercise of clarity, we minimize the many to amplify the one. Through high contrast combinations of hue, shape and scale, we trick the eye into ignoring clutter and gravitating toward a singular, architecturally significant focal point. From color soaked surfaces to centered symbols, we experiment with the need for lucidity.
ARCHES
The entryway is a prime example of downplaying to highlight. While most of the space is dedicated to tailored nooks and micro experiences, the entry acts as a unifying statement. To tamp down on the expanse of details, we drench intricate molding, decorative paneling, and vintage furnishings in a rich black-charcoal. Amongst the sweep of darkness emerges a standout architectural feature spanning the space: creamy twin arches.
ARCS
This work station takes the opposite approach. While the prior dulls details to emphasize architecture, this area mutes architecture to highlight one detail. Living at the end of a hallway, this miniature set up could be easily overlooked. In fact, its most precious detail, a slim cathedral-esque window, was once buried in the wall and lost to history. By treating the surrounding architectural cues with a coat of alabaster paint, this black-framed gem becomes a focal point, drawing you down the hall for a closer look.
CELEBRATED
The future is inextricably linked with aging. Thrilling to some, terrifying to others, the act of maturing is often met with opposing mentalities. To play up this juxtaposition we meticulously preserve certain components while allowing others to age gracefully. This subtle shift in approach builds a beautifully quiet tension from every angle. From perfect replicas to raw finishes, we blur the lines of old and new.
TRIM
The ceiling experiments with future proofed perfection. Through careful study and craft (thanks to the team at Evoke), the crumbling remains of ceiling trim we inherited with the space are seamlessly brought back to glory. The gothic patterns and handcrafted construction perfectly mimic the original design, so much so that it is near impossible to distinguish the old from the new.
GILDING
The reception area explores a different approach to aging. Rather than resist wear and tear, it embraces time’s impressions. The sconce’s unlacquered brass absorbs every touch and reflects those interactions back through an evolving patina. The result is a kind of living document. It traces daily life in the space, inviting future generations to imagine the stories that produced its blemishes.
WHAT NEXT?
Though we’ll continue to share our “Renewed Romantics” creations with you, this is the end of its journey on our blog. Next quarter we dive into a new concept. Any ideas what it may be? Share your suggestions and guesses here. We’ll see you soon…
RENEWED ROMANTICS 2.
INTRODUCTION.
Renewed Romanticism is back for more. Last month’s blog took us on a journey through individual expression, unbridled nature, and off-kilter classicism. This month we take those concepts a step closer to reality through a mood board. Once again, this adaptation proved more an inquiry than an answer to what this movement means in the real world.
In translating our illustrated environment to real objects, we grew captivated with the way people view the life cycle from bloom to decay. For so long, we as a society seemed to take comfort in the expected parts of the process and disregard the obscure. One might think this mindset would amplify in a time of turmoil, however, we see a poetic counterargument emerging. In a time when everything we thought we knew has gone out the window, is it actually more natural to fear what seems obvious and revere the mysterious?
This question inspired our exploration for the month. Each sliver below represents a unique approach to hidden beauty through the lens of three stages: birth, life and death. From anticipation to restraint to remnants, why are we allured by the tension of the unknown?
Top left: frosted glass and Acne Studio Mece Jeans. Bottom left: concrete weaves. Top right: The Rug Company Peony. Bottom right: Taracea Kobe Table.
CONCEPT 1: ANTICIPATION
INSPIRATIONAL STAGE: BIRTH
In a world of immediate and unlimited visuals, the “Anticipation” concept celebrates that which can’t be seen. It seeks beauty in what lies beneath, the elements that have not yet emerged from obscurity. The possibility of hidden beauty is what makes it so beautiful. This theme celebrates opaque layers, discoverable details, and forms that “break ground” or surfaces. Though beauty is all around us, this concept lives for the cues that hint at more.
IN THE WORLD: INTERIORS AND ATTIRE
Within design we turn to glass, in particular frosted glass, as the perfect example of beauty hidden in plain sight. A material known for its clarity is immediately distorted into a private, mysterious barricade with the simple addition of a texture. This concept of obstruction through finish and material continues in other facets of design. We see it in bleached finishes, layered textiles, and even in the above twist on fiber weaves, this time done concrete. What was once a breathable surface becomes a solid wall through one material change. However, equally interesting as the creation of a barrier is the destruction of one. Whether done through petals piercing the plane of a hand carved rug à la The Rug Company or the legs of Taracea’s table bursting through its top, the tension created between a surface and its underlying activity is undeniably beautiful.
Top left: reeded glass. Bottom left: CB2 Brace Chair. Top right: Any Parx AI concept. Bottom right: Holly Hunt Rajah wall covering.
CONCEPT 2: RESTRAINT
INSPIRATIONAL STAGE: LIFE
With the proliferation of social media comes not only an ability but a pressure to share. The “Restraint” concept begs the question: how much can be revealed and still incite wonder? For it is in the bits left out, the unspoken thoughts between the lines, that unrefined beauty resides. This concept uses bound forms, veiled partitions, and oversized silhouettes to challenge our expectations of what exists naturally, what has been manufactured, and what is left unknown.
IN THE WORLD: INTERIORS AND ATTIRE
If “Anticipation” is frosted glass, “Restraint” would be reeded. What was once a clean, clear material is worked into a decorative shape to distort and reveal what lies behind in strategic ways. Similarly, Holly Hunt’s Rajah wall covering employs surface embellishments, this time in the form of fiber “eyelashes,” to skew the surface. This type of manipulation continues across the design industry, not only through elements that mark but also ones that tether, cinch and harness their forms. For instance, CB2’s Brace chair uses flashy metal cages to bind the bulbous shape that sits within. Taking this a step further into fashion and we see Any Parx’s AI sheer, billowing garments bound at the calf to carefully alter the transparency of the textile, uncovering only as much as the designer intended.
Top left: Bitten Gold Mirror. Bottom left: Shou Sugi Ban. Top right: The Fine Line tile. Bottom right: Modern Ruins Side Table.
CONCEPT 3: REMNANTS
INSPIRATIONAL STAGE: DEATH
With the wealth of tech at our fingertips, it can feel as though no moment goes undocumented. The “Remnants” concept zeroes in on the stories lost to time, the ones that have evaded documentation. It elevates the visual marks left behind to the status of intrigue, lore, and ultimately beauty. “Remnants” honors disguised luxury, elevated imperfections, and living finishes. The gaps in knowledge are where beauty resides.
IN THE WORLD: INTERIORS AND ATTIRE
If “Anticipation” is frost and “Restraint” is reeded, “Remnants” must be antiqued mirror. Just as our present reflects our past, a mirror is intended to reflect its surroundings. However, with the addition of distress and antique, and that reflection grows cloudy and muddled. The story behind that destruction, or the creation of perceived destruction, is becoming ever popular across the whole of design. Take Bessa’s marble block for instance. What is otherwise a pristine slab of material is ruined and repaired, the brass-clad nicks becoming its focal points. In other ways, this concept comes to life through a finish rather than a form such as charred shou sugi ban walls. The concept even carries over into the classical visual storytelling practice of mosaics, however in this renaissance it isn’t the picture that draws interest but rather the history each tile had before it found its way here. Whatever the approach, the idea that these objects lived a life before, one we can only imagine, is pure beauty.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Where do you see beauty in the cycle of life? Join the conversation and stay tuned for the application of these concepts in our current projects.
RENEWED ROMANTICS.
INTRODUCTION.
Often times if one trend exists, its direct opposite does as well.
We would love to believe there is one right answer to every question and one right solution to every problem. We are human, after all. However, we know full well that the world isn’t so tidy. Rather than shy away from this messy reality, we do our best to embrace the challenge. Often times, that means accepting two opposing ideas to both be true. This is exactly what we are doing as we write this blog, which so blatantly contradicts last quarter’s theme. Partnership is replaced with self reliance, order is replaced with chaos, and the list goes on. Goodbye “Seeing Double,” hello “Renewed Romantics.”
RENEWED ROMANTICS.
Some say romance is dead, but we say it has never been so alive. At its core, romanticism is a movement of idealistic individualism. It is about pursuing your most honest, expressive path. In other words, romance is about self love more than familial, partner, or platonic love.
We’ve seen self love lauded by publications and brands alike for some time now. Whether in the form of a wellness routine or quiet quitting, people have been urged to put their needs first.
Recently though, a melange of health crises, natural disasters and threats to personal freedoms are breathing new life into the concept. What was once a lighthearted indulgence is given a macabre twist as people come face to face with their own mortality. Rather than career coaches people seek death doulas and in place of skin care routines we seek nursing routines.
In the face of mass uncertainty, people turn their attention to the one thing they can control: themselves. The self becomes the focal point as we usher in a new wave of unbridled individualism, one epitomized by the extremes of control and chaos, life and death, bloom and decay.
IN THE WORLD.
It seems that every facet of culture is digging into the beauty in life, death, and the personal stories cultivated in between. Most literal is the massive return of flowers. From rosettes on the runways to Lego’s dried floral centerpiece, the fascination with blossoms and rot is ubiquitous. Beyond visuals, the revival of poetry seen in Pattinson’s Dior recitation and the Poets in Vogue exhibition celebrates the immortal nature of linguistic expression. Lastly, we have the rising birth rate. Jokingly cited as the biggest accessory at fashion week, the current baby boom places new attention on the power of motherhood and the hope of legacy.
The leap from romanticism in culture to design is a direct line to two key eras: the 80s and the 1800s.
The most recent renaissance of romanticism in design was the 1980s, an era of dandy flamboyance. Though distinctly unique in its interpretation, this moment pays direct homage to its European predecessor. The original movement embraced a twisted reference to the past through untamed decoration. The unifying thread is a rejection of rationality in favor of subjectivity and originality at any cost.
At a moment of turmoil, it checks out that people are once again drawn to the past. The romantic ideal of simpler times, particularly ones of total release, is deeply appealing. Even so, just recreating these times is unrealistic in our contemporary time. Taking into account today’s cultural pragmatism, materials innovation, and new visualization tools, we imagine how these periods could be revived through our fresh lens.
Consider 80s dandyism to start. In reaction to stripped down punk aesthetics, New Romantics celebrated brilliant colors, ornate silhouettes, and a gender bending approach to self expression. This moment in time also ushered in the classic rosette in brooches, headpieces and decor too. Taking this to the extreme, we can imagine a world in which this simple object is cast in metal as hardware, sprouted from cakes as decoration, captured in decay as arrangements and woven into rugs as silken centerpieces to create a 360 degree world of rosiness.
Which leads us 1800s romanticism, a movement built on pushing layered colors, dramatic forms, and historical references to the extreme. This era questioned an individual’s ability to reign supreme over themselves and their environments, leading to an interesting push and pull of tamed and uncontrolled nature in every aspect of design. With our lockdown-inspire return to nature, we see that tension boil up once again as people bring the outdoors, or at least references to it, inside the home. To imagine romanticism’s exaggerated approach in today’s context, we can take a traditional idea like landscape murals. Using a combination of classical techniques and new tech, a painterly mural becomes a nude-toned wall to wall laser cut tiled mosaic disrupted by off kilter arches gilded in liquid metal, turning every aspect of the home into a wild homage to natural history.
So what would this new take on romanticism look like to GG? See below and let us know what you think.
OUR VISION.
COLORS.
MATERIALS.
FORM.
SEEING DOUBLE 3.
Welcome to the third and final installment of “Seeing Double.” After two months of conceptual illustrations and theoretical mood boards, we’re ready for some concrete application. This month we bring that idea to life through a current project. In order to do that, we turn our attention to the best place on earth: home.
We’ve encountered a lot of homes in our time. Big and small, formal and chill, we’ve seen it all. Take our team for instance. When asked what a dream home would look like to each of them, we got everything from “a giant closet, no kitchen” to “a tiny pastry kitchen in the middle of an art gallery” to “a pottery studio with a bed.” Honestly, we love that. We love that this space is so deeply personal that no two individuals, couples, or families have the same vision. Even more than that, we love that people trust us with seeing their unique vision and translating that into a tangible space.
At the end of the day, everyone just wants to be reflected in and served by their home. It is a place to feel understood, supported, and free, no questions asked. In fact, we’re pretty sure that’s all everyone wants in every aspect of life. It is what people ask of their partners, colleagues, parents and children: to be seen. If every relationship is seeking that on some level, it only makes sense to expect that from the spaces we spend time in as well.
If we know that to be true, then why are we as designers so often putting our own style and signature before the needs of our clients? Why can’t we step aside, forgo our stamp or fingerprint or whatever we like to call it, and make the space a complete reflection of the client? A spatial twin with you will?
That goal is at the core of every project we take on. We spend an extraordinary amount of time getting to know our clients so that they don’t have to change to be comfortable in a home, we change the home to make them feel comfortable and seen. We want someone to walk in a space and see themselves, not Goesling Group. In order to do that, we have to really know them. Often this comes with the added challenge that two (three, five, ten) people living under the same roof are not the same. They might differ in their styles (clean, crisp modern versus vintage all the way). They could differ in how they use the space (the dining table is for Michelin quality meals versus an ongoing jigsaw puzzle area). Or perhaps they differ in who they imagine using the space (holiday host extraordinaire versus homebody).
Our project today is no exception. In fact, those differences are more exaggerated than most. In this home we are merging a mechanic’s dream workshop with a host’s ideal guest house. We are facing one pillar of ultra masculinity and another of hyper femininity. How do we find their middle ground, or a hybrid, that allows them both to claim this space as their own while also feeling at home together?
Enter “Seeing Double” in action by way of our “Fast Lane” project. Below we break down the many ways this project embraces doubles, dichotomy, balance, and duplication in the home.
COUNTER BALANCE.
First and foremost, this home is dedicated to celebrating the unification of two distinct yet complementary personalities. Those opposing forces inspired an approach to the home that feels like fraternal twins: connected in their communication yet confident in their individual passions. With that in mind we explore the two most extreme expressions on personal passions, both of which effortlessly weave in femininity and masculinity throughout.
AUTO MOTION.
The car workshop most obviously celebrates machinery. The tools are quietly tucked away behind a sea of polished concrete, raw steel, powder coated finishes and gleaming stainless steel. These materials are also home to integrated lighting that gets tucked into sharp ceilings. Each of these straightforward, functional choices help to bring attention to the main focal point: our client’s carefully crafted creations. The soft curves of the cars and fluid lines of the motorcycles contrast the flat, masculine surfaces in a highly dimensional way.
FEMININE NATURE.
The primary bedroom is a retreat inside a retreat. It celebrates softness and tonal textures, highlighting femininity in an oversized hand cut silk rug, pebbled leather surfaces, and embroidered bedding. That delicate nature is juxtaposed by the strict angles of a custom headboard and dynamic seating. Integrated auto-inspired lighting is balanced with twin pendants that produce a soft light for early bedtimes looking out onto nature.
DOUBLE DUTY.
Duality comes in many forms. From multipurpose materials to duplicated objects, the idea of doubles came through in a variety of ways throughout the home.
TWO IN ONE.
A large scale mirror acts as a backdrop to this natural finished oak coffee bar. That same mirror acts to conceal a TV living immediately behind it, that acts as a central point in the home for guests gathering around watching F1 races on a Sunday morning, only to then disappear when not in use.
TWO BY TWO.
As this bathroom proves, sometimes more is more. Two sconces, two floor to ceiling mirrors and two faucets turn a singular space into a celebration of partnership.
DISTANT REFLECTIONS.
A key component to “Seeing Double” is literal reflectivity. Mirrored surfaces and metallic finishes turn simple spaces into never ending environments.
SMOKE AND MIRRORS.
The bunk room is one of the smaller rooms of the house. Not only do these six bunks create a repetitive expanse, but the custom wardrobe embraces smoked mirrored fronts to trick the space into feeling larger than it truly is.
METAL MIMICRY.
The kitchen is a series of reflections. Reflection in the high-polished stainless hood vent cover, reflection in the mirrored glass fronts on the double upper cabinets hugging the vent hood, and finally reflection in the extruded metal shelving flanking the window.
WHAT NEXT?
Our hope is that this adventure expands your horizons while we expand ours. As we continue “Seeing Double,” we turn our attention to next quarter’s focus. Any guesses? What are you seeing in the world around you? What motif do you find coming up time and time again? What influences you? We want to know what you’re obsessed with. Let’s see if our paths align…
SEEING DOUBLE 2.
INTRODUCTION.
Welcome back to "Seeing Double." Last month's blog brought us to an imagined world of altered authenticity, duplicated objects, and reflected surfaces. This month we ground that idea in our design reality by going from illustration to mood board. As is true in our daily projects though, sometimes a mood board can create more questions than answers. We use this medium as a method of exploring potential paths, testing out aesthetic limits, and proposing new ways to combine old ideas.
This mood board was no exception. In that translation from a conceptual illustration to a practical mood board, we were struck by the fact that while pairs should create balance in the physical world, they often cause just as much disruption. What is about duality that demands equal parts comfort and confusion?
That one little inquiry became our inspiration (or, if we are being entirely honest, our obsession) for the month. Below are three distinct ways we responded to that idea through the lens of three iconic duos: the Wiliams Sisters, the Olsen Twins, and the Shining Girls. From sporty to classic to horrific, how do these duos toe the line between balance and disruption?
Top left: bookmatched marble. Bottom left: Marni X Carhartt. Top right: Serena Williams in Off White. Bottom right: colored grout.
CONCEPT 1: HYBRID
INSPIRATIONAL DUO: THE WILLIAMS SISTERS
In a world that wants things to feel neat, tidy and all the same, the “Hybrid” concept is here to defy expectations. It centers around a single entity composed of two distinct elements. Though unified from afar, the two are full of differences that command attention. This space celebrates hybridized styles, natural imperfections, and high low contradictions. Though we see potential for balance, more often than not we get a beautiful collection of subverted expectations.
IN THE WORLD: INTERIORS AND ATTIRE
Within design the clearest example is in bookmatched marble. Across two nearly identical slabs of stone, the real focal point is the seam. That small decision highlights the fact that this single surface is actually two individual pieces. This approach of celebrating the junction seeps into other areas of design from colored grout to multifunctional furniture. When it comes to fashion, things are a little less literal. Brands like Gucci, Marni, Dior and most recently Tiffany's are playing up the intersection of high and low through sneaker and streetwear collaborations. Even less obvious, though equally poignant is the collision of fashion and sports. From the Williams Sisters femme glamour on the clay to courtside basketball attire turning into the new runway, these two disparate spaces have come together in the ultimate show of hybridization.
Top left: GG’s “Make You Better” waterfall counter. Bottom left: Edward Wormley sofa. Top right: Louis Ghost Chair. Bottom right: The Row blazer.
CONCEPT 2: INVISIBILITY
INSPIRATIONAL DUO: THE OLSEN TWINS
“If you know, you know” is the mantra for the "Invisible Dichotomy" concept. It is all about blending two elements into one until only the whole is recognizable. Though unique behind closed doors, the public image is a united front. This concept so expertly weaves opposing forces of old/new and masculine/feminine that the resulting rebelliousness is easy to miss. Despite being satisfied with the big picture, the knowledge that it is made up of two leaves us wondering where one ends and the other begins.
IN THE WORLD: INTERIORS AND ATTIRE
While "Hybrid" is a bookmatched wall, "Invisibility" is a waterfall island. The fusion of separate slabs into one continuous surface is the epitome of two becoming one. However, the more exciting expression of this within interiors is tête-à-tête furniture. The symmetrical merge of separate objects into a single piece with no beginning or end is a prime example of the concept. Beyond the home, the extension of two separates into one is expanding in fashion as gloves stretch so long they become shirts, shoes grow so high they become pants, and coat pockets expand so wide they become backpacks. This same principle translates to silhouetting as well with the blurring of traditionally gendered forms into androgynous pieces.
Top right: Gucci Twinsburg. Bottom left: Brizo faucets. Top right: flanked marble walls. Bottom right: Fendi metaverse.
CONCEPT 3: CLONE
INSPIRATIONAL DUO: THE SHINING GIRLS
The "Clone" concept boasts that one of these things is just like the other. It exaggerates the idea of mimicry, one duplicated into two. Though clearly two entities, the similarities are so eerily identical that it is difficult to accept as reality. This idea toes the line between comfort found in symmetry and unsettledness in replicas. Our escapist love for unnatural perfection is at direct odds with the challenge it poses to authenticity, making it the scariest yet most satisfying direction of them all.
IN THE WORLD: INTERIORS AND ATTIRE
If "Hybrid" is bookmatched and "Invisibility" is waterfall, "Clone" is a set of flanked marble accent walls. Intentionally duplicated for an indistinguishable statement. A similar tactic of nearly identical repeats throughout the home can be seen in repeated wall mirrors, inverted tile patterns, and most importantly, doubled faucets, pendants and refrigerators. As for fashion, duplicates are front and center in Gucci's Twinsburg runway, which lead the way for a resurgence of twinswear for siblings, friends and mainly couples. Stepping beyond the physical realm, twinning with one's avatar takes replica attire to the next level with brands from Fendi to Burberry digitizing cult classics and new separates for gamers and metaverse users alike.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
How do you see doubles coming to life? Join the conversation and keep an eye out for the application of these ideas in our current projects.
SEEING DOUBLE.
INTRODUCTION.
Trends get a bad rap. Most often people hear the word and think of TikTok dances and butter boards. Despite having a team of many ex-dancers and even more current food lovers, we aren't particularly interested in these fads because that is all they are, fads.
At Goesling Group (GG), our definition of a trend goes much deeper. We are interested in the major shifts happening in culture from mindfulness to extremism. Key social, technological, environmental, economical and political changes across the world act as our inspiration to identify how people will feel and what that means to our industry. Every new kitchen layout and must-have color is rooted in these larger human experiences.
We are well aware that this work can feel abstract and even mystical at times. Those are fun traits for a tarot reader, but aren't ideal when it comes to information that could future-proof your brands and spaces. We think it's time we start sharing our research in a way that is understandable, engaging and useful.
Throughout the year we will explore four global trends and their impacts on how we live. Each quarter will be a deep dive into one of those movements, from the events driving that shift to the design details that will support our new needs.
As we introduce this sister branch to GG Interiors, it only seems fitting to kick off our trend cycle with a theme we call "Seeing Double."
SEEING DOUBLE.
We have a few pillars we live by here at GG: transparency, creativity, and most importantly authenticity. It informs how we work and communicate on the daily, but it also informs how we think about the future. We are obsessed with the evolution of authenticity over time.
For the past decade people and brands addressed this idea mainly through customization. Custom colorways for your sneakers, custom configurations of your sofas, and custom lighting scenarios that reflect personal styles and needs.
Lately though, we’ve seen a distinct shift in the conversation around authenticity. As financial and emotional stress swells across the globe, people don’t only seek new ways to reflect their true selves, but question what true even means. Whether silly or serious, chaotic or calculated, one underlying idea ties together the unique ways people challenge authenticity: the number two.
Twins, reflections, doubles, call it what you will. We are testing the limits of authenticity and reality by duplicating our images, belongings and surroundings in an effort to find ourselves. Welcome to the Great Reflection.
IN THE WORLD.
In the most obvious way, we see it in digital avatars. However, look a step deeper and you'll find doubles popping up in a myriad of fields. Fashion's Alessandro Michele brought Twinsburg to his last Gucci runway, an entire collection dedicated to the chic twins of the world (or in the more likely application, best friends who subscribe to the "twinning" approach to dress). In dining, we have seen the return of sampuru, or the Japanese art of fake plastic food replicas, which is lauded not for its perfection but its ability to precisely mimic imperfection. The National Gallery of Art even has an entire show called "The Double" to explore why the concept of duplication and comparison bubbles up so regularly throughout history.
If we see this all around society, why not prepare for its impact on design?
In order to do that, we've got to take a look back to move forward. Let's dive into a time equally obsessed with challenging authenticity - the era of pop art. The 50s and 60s brought us the likes of Andy Warhol of course, but also the advent of Mid Century Modern (MCM), a recent darling of the interior design world. Both of these movements forced conversation around the truth from two completely different perspectives, one through mimicked production and one through honest materials.
Though still relevant today, we are not interested in recreating either of those movements. Instead, we consider how their guiding principles could be applied to a contemporary landscape. With our cultural strain, rapid technological advancements, and global fusions of taste, these old ideas can take on a new life.
Take pop art, a style built on the replication of spontaneity, collectibles culture, and humorous commentary of consumerism. Today though, we're less taken with canned soup and more obsessed with all the logos, everywhere. Mix that together with a touch of today’s technology and you could get a very chic critique on logomania, perhaps in the form of a room full of 3D printed trophies dedicated to the top fashion brands of the day.
Then we have MCM, a movement built on clean lines, modern materials, juxtaposed color and an outside-in approach. The proliferation of screens in our hands and homes has us pining for the luxury of tactility, a feeling only further exacerbated by Covid’s virtual push. Taking advantage of material innovations, we can envision a world of variations on leathers, woods, and stones that exaggerate surface textures in an ethical way.
So what would this new 60s twist on duality look like to us? Take a peek below and let us know what you think.
