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June 2007
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"Form follows function - that has been misunderstood. Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union."

-Frank Lloyd Wright

(click image for Cortona)

Reflections on a Design Pioneer
American architect and designer Eliot Noyes made his mark on the world in a manner that is still felt today. Recently, Peter Lawrence at Fast Company interviewed Gordon Bruce, an industrial designer who works internationally as a design consultant and is the author of the book, Eliot Noyes, Phaidon Press, 2006. Mr. Bruce worked for Eliot Noyes from the late 60's until Noyes's death in 1977.

Eliot Noyes was born in Boston, in 1910. He began his career as an architect working in the office of Marcel Breuer and Walter Gropius. He was the first Director of the Industrial Design department at MoMA in the 1940s. From the late 1950s until his death in 1977, Noyes was Consulting Director of Design for IBM, Mobil Oil, Westinghouse and Cummins Engine Company, while working with a wide range of other firms.

Read Mr. Bruce's interview to get a long-term employee's memories on how the design legend thought, worked, and achieved the monumental success that he did.

Leland International captures Gold!
The Valeri collection won Gold in the Best of NeoCon competition. The collection's International styling is based on a minimalist rationale. Designed for comfort, Valeri's small scale footprint is proportioned to accommodate users of all sizes. .

The jury weighed in and their consensus was:
  • Simple, clean, beautiful, elegant, comfortable!
  • Lightweight, good price, well made.
  • As green as possible, committed to sustainability.
  • Non use of chrome!
  • Minimal use of materials.
  • Small footprint, nice stitching, beautiful from all views.

HBF Textiles introduces new Barbara Barry Collection
Framework, Barbara Barry's newest textile launch, was introduced at NeoCon by HBF Textiles. Framework features 58 sku's, six classic upholstery designs, three elegant drapery patterns and one sumptuous multi-purpose fabric.

Impressive is the color continuity from her 1996 collection to today, where her signature palette has remained constant and sophisticated. Colors such as Mist, Algae and Earth have evolved into deeper or brighter shades now referred to as Mercury Glass, Lawn or Darjeeling respectively.

In addition to her color continuity Barbara has a strong affinity to textural qualities over patterned designs. This is evident in Framework with luxurious fabrics woven in linen, silk, rayon and wool. As Barbara summarizes her concept, "Color and texture are the starting points for me to realize a space or project into reality and the Framework Collection has both. When you handle this line, feel the weight of the cloth in your hand. Let your eyes soak in the depth of hue. It is an artist's palette with which you can create works of art."

Best of NeoCon 2007
For a complete list of 2006 and 2007 winners of the Best of NeoCon competition, join Contract Magazine's Network. Use the site as a resource all year long for new product introductions. Designers: become a member. Manufacturers: enter the Best of NeoCon.

All the best,

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Bill Meyer
Contract Specialities, Inc. (CSI)

phone: 954-389-1295