2019
design lovers enjoy a moment of levity.
Some of 1stDibs’ most popular pieces are as fun as they are beautiful. These designs do double duty, providing entertainment when it’s needed and contributing to the carefully calibrated vignette when it’s not. This is functional décor at its finest.
Interior by Frampton Co
Something to lighten the mood? Chess is having a moment, thanks in no small part to the delightful streaming series “The Queen’s Gambit” and its compelling style. This minimalist mid-century set in leather and nickel is by Carl Aubock, who also created gorgeous designs for Hermès and Pierre Cardin.
Something to lighten the mood? Chess is having a moment, thanks in no small part to the delightful streaming series “The Queen’s Gambit” and its compelling style. This minimalist mid-century set in leather and nickel is by Carl Aubock, who also created gorgeous designs for Hermès and Pierre Cardin.
From Introspective
In his workshop in Vienna, the fourth-generation artisan crafts the most covetable creations.
Seller Spotlight
Lars Triesch can trace his history as a collector to one life-changing moment. In 1998, at age 18, he became the proud owner of a 1956 Chevy Bel Air — a signature piece of American mid-century iconography. Years later, on a visit to California, he found himself charmed by the legacy of the important design movement — and a seed of inspiration was planted.
Flash forward to 2010, the year Lars broke ground for his own gallery Original in Berlin in Alexanderplatz in Friedrichshain — which was once East Berlin. Stocking rare pieces by Gio Ponti and Charlotte Perriand, as well as American classics like Daniel Wenger’s 1970s Lotus lounge chair, Triesch prides himself on his extensive and diverse inventory. “I usually go with my taste,” he says, explaining his buying strategy, “and that’s always changing.”
With his holistic take on preserving a design era as multifaceted and innovative as mid-century modernism, Lars offers his clients an extensive network of craftsmen, architects and designers alike. These days, having made a name for himself, his comprehensive design expertise is internationally valued, not only by collectors but also by the top auction houses.
Hoping to elevate the state of play with unusual at-home entertainment? These pieces will surely get the party started.
Delightful Diversions
We caught up with a few of our most fun-loving designers to see how they inject a sense of playfulness into their client's spaces.
Delightful Diversions
"Creating a space like this one takes a well-trained eye and the ability to walk a fine line between too much and just enough. I describe my playful aesthetic as always elegant, but with a wink and a smile."
— Courtney McLeod
“I always say be curious and brave with color. The key to using it is that you can use it boldly as long as you use it elegantly. This is an artistic play on a functional playroom.”
— Brigitta Spinocchia Freund
“We always start by listening to the client's aspirations and inspiration for a room — whether it’s a place in nature, a color, a literary reference, and from there. We build a narrative that supports that vision, but never lose sight of having the space be fresh, updated, and always functional.”
— Fawn Galli
“We designed a meditation space in a service apartment. These meditating pods are our original design and were inspired by a quote from Bodhidharma, “To seek is to suffer. To seek nothing is a bliss."
— Chris Shao
“Homes are meant to be fun! They should be places where we express our passions and enthusiasms without fear of judgment. They should celebrate who we are, and be infused with joy. Be playful! Don’t be afraid to break some rules! Imagine you are a mixologist dreaming up the perfect cocktail just for you.”
— David Carter
"What makes this grand sitting room uplifting is the enveloping color and material curiosities. It's a deep dive into a primary palette of satin, silk velvet, and striped linen, with elemental materials like plaster, rock crystal, and specimen marble to keep your eye dancing."
— Miles Redd & David Kaihoi
“The sitting area in a bedroom allows me to create an intimate space reflecting my client’s style, with color and details that add delight without fussiness. Bedrooms should be as inviting during the day as it is at night!”
— Katie Ridder
“In this room, we made the fireplace a focal point. The shapes in the bespoke carpet, the colors throughout the room, and the reflective, unusual fireplace all achieve this. The wall color is both fun and warm, and it pulls together a busy space with many different elements — and we upholstered the sofa in a 'honey monster' fabric, adding to the fun.”
— Rachel Chudley
"Like most things in life, creating a fun design is all about balance. Ensuring those playful elements are irreverent and erudite as well as joyful. That it might look frivolous but it’s full of craft and quality.”
— Martin Brudnizki
