We all have traits, habits and idiosyncrasies that we picked up from our parents.  Some of these are bothersome (embarrassing?) and we expend quite an effort to remove them from our personal repertoire.  Others we fully embrace as a sort of family honor.  One of these later traits I picked up from my mother.

Growing up in Omaha, Nebraska my mother always had a funny way of driving around town.  She never seemed to take the fastest or most direct routes to places.  We were always driving down residential streets when the faster thoroughfares paralleled us just a few blocks over.  When I was old enough to realize this, I finally asked my mom why she wasn’t taking the more traditional route.  She just said, “This way is much prettier and it gets us there just as fast.”  Well, I doubt it got us there “just as fast” but it definitely was prettier.  While throngs of cars clogged 72^nd Street (the ultimate offender to my mother’s aesthetic standards), we would pick our way through tree-lined streets, past beautiful homes, parks and smaller commercial areas.  As a child, I didn’t truly appreciate the “scenic route” but I’ve noticed that I have embraced it as an adult.

I started taking the scenic route in college when I would run errands in Lincoln, Nebraska.  The habit then intensified once I moved to Seattle (why take I-5 to the airport when the Alaska Way Viaduct bisected downtown and the waterfront and led to the tree-lined 509?).

Now that I am in San Francisco, taking the scenic route is de rigor.  Unless it is an absolute necessity I never take Highway 101.  The 280 is far prettier when going up and down the Peninsula.  I would much rather cut through the Presidio when traversing the north part of town and I try to take Skyline Boulevard and the Great Highway to the west whenever possible.  Taking the scenic route probably isn’t faster, but it is better.

What is with all of the gray?  I don’t know about you, but we get several catalogues a week where there is a very monotone look.   It has made us in the design studio ask:  What is the right amount gray?  Is gray the new neutral?  Can gray feel warm?  How does gray fit with brown?  Is there is a renewed interest in shabby chic?

For us, the answer lies in moderation and eclecticism.  Gray in the right warm tone can be a bridge between different gradations of brown, black, white and most of all color.  This is why we have developed new finishes that also act as that same bridge.   Kiwi as a burst of color, Cinnamon and Espresso that straddle the spectrum of brown and black and finally Meringue that blends both brown and gray. 

We don’t think that shabby is back.  Design history teaches us that in times of economic stress, think Charles and Ray Eames and Russel Wright, good design that generates ­­well priced products of enduring  appeal that not only serve a function but transcend trendiness are always welcomed in the market.  In our studio, we understand people are looking for something unique, products they won’t see in their neighbor’s house-something that looks found.  Sometimes that means bringing in accents in different tones, materials, and colors. 

One thing we know for sure is that people want their homes to be sanctuaries in their stressful lives.  When people make purchases they want to feel confident that those purchases will last well past the next turn of inventory at their shopping mall furniture store.  They want products that are, well, created to be classic.

October 18, 2010

Selamat Designs just returned from the Casual Furniture Market in Chicago.  We were there introducing our new outdoor collections (http://selamatdesigns.com/products/outdoor/) to an entirely new group of buyers: pool and patio stores, sun and ski chalets and landscape designers and architects.  We saw some interesting product and met many small business owners such as ourselves.  In additional to our exciting new introductions, some of the products that we really liked were from Mad Mats, Jardin de Ville and Emu.                   

The one thing that really struck me was how much of the product at the show looked similar.  While  materials suited for outdoors is fairly limited (although expanding every day) designs using these materials are endless.   However, it did make me wonder, “how many of these vendors are actually designing these products and how many are just PICKING them out of a factory style book?” 

Those of us who design our own products are committed to an individual creative process; from the initial inspiration to final product quality control.  In our company, for instance, Anna likes to sketch, Randy works in CAD, Shannon looks at images and architectural details and Thatcher draws inspiration from talking to customers and sales personnel.  We believe that consumers want products that are functional, unique and well made.  We strive to deliver those traits to our customers.

We are happy to introduce our blog, Sketches from Selamat Designs.   This is an opportunity to have an ongoing conversation with our customers, colleagues, and the design community.  Both Thatcher and I, as well as guest contributors, will contribute bi-monthly additions to Sketches.  We invite people to join the conversation.

Our company is built on simple ideas: inspired design and lasting products.  Thatcher, a 7th generation Nebraskan brings a sturdy and practical eye to design and product development.  His roots are planted in open spaces, harsh weather and the rush of college football on game day.  Me, however, being born and raised in Hawaii and the San Francisco Bay Area bring a more free spirited approach.  I feel a connection to the Pacific, the smell of the chaparral and the diversity of Asian influences.  In combination, this company is who we are as a couple and family.  We see ourselves in our products.

Selamat Designs is as much about our family as our three children.  We bought the company 5 months before our first daughter was born and just like her (now almost 6), it is almost unrecognizable.   We are now a family of five and Selamat Designs has grown too with the introduction of many new furniture models and accessories.

We look forward to sharing our Sketches…..