Tom Dixon, New York
Design Credit:
Tom Dixon
tomdixon.net
Having recognised the US’s growing interest in modern design, British industrial designer Tom Dixon has expanded his influence across the pond with a second NYC store. Couched in a four-storey townhouse on SoHo’s Howard Street, the new space showcases the artsy, experimental brand’s latest offerings to consumer and designer alike.
Rough and raw, but with more than a touch of moody glamour, the overall aesthetic is characterised by use-worn timber flooring, stripped-back brick and exposed ductwork. These offer eye-catching contrast with the smooth, liquid-like forms of Dixon’s futuristic lighting designs, metallic accessories and robust, heavy furniture.
Tom Dixon gives legs to his claim that he’d much rather do something interesting than simply advertise.
Although there’s a coherent design thread throughout, there are small rooms here and there that depart from the main brick-and-wood vibe. Vivid, high-gloss blue flooring and black sheepskin-lined walls are just some of the memorably decorative accents. And Dixon’s iconic, UFO-like sculptural lights are never too far away.
A basement space filled with an ever-rotating array of samples, swatches and prototypes speaks to the brand’s commercial audience, offering ideas, inspiration and a glimpse of forthcoming designs.
By catering to both retail consumer and professional interior design clients, Dixon has crafted a setting where products can be shown and tested in ways not possible in other retail contexts.
It’s an interdisciplinary space that combines design, warehousing and marketing – Dixon’s aim being eventually to display his collections in their entirety while also hosting and supporting brand collaborators and supporters.
It’s certainly a memorable way to shine a light on new design.
