NEW YORK— Architectural Digest's Home Design Show last weekend presented the home as a canvas for great art and innovative products. More than 300 companies presented the best in home furnishings, kitchen and bath accessories, flooring, and wall coverings. Complimentary consultations and design seminars were also available.
"The 2008 Architectural Digest Home Design Show showcases high design brands across every home category—from furniture, accessories, lighting, and wall covering, to appliances and building materials. Last year, the show attracted more than 25,000 attendees, and we are set to surpass that in 2008," said Giulio Capua, Architectural Digest VP and publisher.
"The reaction we're seeing this year confirms that the show is a destination for people seeking that one perfect piece to enliven a room, or the inspiration to redesign an entire home."
Innovative newcomers invited interest among attendees to the show. South African artist, Kenneth Maloney presented 3D dimensional light-box paintings inspired by architecture in Umbria, Italy. A first-timer at the show, his unique pieces attracted many enchanted spectators.
Made out of sculpted polymer and illuminated from behind, Maloney's pieces drew you in, tempting you to touch the lifelike description of an ancient architecture. Each piece is based on actual places Maloney visited around the world then re-created from his memory alone.
The series portrayed Umbria's Middle Ages fortresses and castles and the eurhythmy of its courtyards. Even though the pieces are limited editions of 100-200, each piece is individually painted and is one of a kind.
Maloney's artistic expressions were realized through a hidden wish. "Seven years ago when I was in Turkey I asked the Lord, 'When I am old I want to sit on my stoop and paint,' and he gave me this" said Maloney. "I never painted before. I manufactured garden pots," he said, laughing.
Maloney said his art pieces are timeless yet based on the angle or the time of day and night of which they are viewed. During the day the colors jut out but in the evening, the illumination is what makes the pieces alive, adding atmosphere and creating another dimension.
His next series called "The Jerusalem Range," is scheduled to come out in next 4-5 months, is scheduled to be exhibited in Long Island.
Mythic paint was introduced in November 2007 by a six-year-old company that originated as a college-funded paint research project at the Hattiesburg campus of Mississippi State University.
Mythic™ paint is a non-toxic, ultra low odor paint that provides the durability and coverage of premium paint without the off-gassing volatile organic compounds (VOC's) and cancer-causing toxins that emit years after drying.
"There are no solvents or petrochemicals in this paint—the paint label has no warning on it" said Bob Jessop, trade show coordinator for Mythic, "We are the only paint company that is offering a totally non-toxic ZERO VOC paint that is in a full range of colors—1232 standard palette colors to be exact."
"There are companies that have low VOC or Zero VOC but still have toxic and solvent issues. The only thing that is exempt is water; everything else that is in paint has to evaporate into the air and is considered pollutant. We have zero pollutants, which means no solvents. It is non-toxic which means it is 100 percent safe; there is nothing that is going to affect you."
Luke Hoffman, a contractor from Pennsylvania who stopped at the Mythic booth, knew all about the affects of VOC's toxins. Even though he always wore a VOC mask while on the job he was poisoned by paint toxins and went through two years of therapy to heal.
"Toxins grab a hold of your fat cells and once your body is full of them, they have no place to go but to your brain … I didn't know my name, that's how bad it was," said Hoffman.
"Three research professors and one guy from our company that created the resin, a polymer that doesn't require solvents to come together and create a film. Because there are no solvents in Mythic, the paint is extremely strong and dries to a final film," said Jessop.
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