Design Calendar: May 10–May 31, 2012
London's calling with a garden party, New Yorkers can marvel at the Kips Bay show house and Californians get an inventive treat
Those in the U.K. looking for that extra special thing to add to their home can check out the Clerkenwell Design Week to discover products straight from the showroom. On American shores, the San Francisco Bay Area's Maker Faire encourages creative tinkering. Below, our five picks from around the world of things to do this spring.
SHOWHOUSE — May 16–June 14, 2012
Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse
The Aldyn Residences, 60 Riverside Blvd., Riverside South, New York City
If you're a design enthusiast or just a serial show house attendee, be sure to check out this year's Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse. In years past, the show house was in an Upper East Side townhouse, but this year two duplexes in a glassy Upper West Side high-rise building were selected to undergo the impressive interior makeover. See how 30 interior designers transformed the space to showcase the latest trends in fine furnishings, art and technology.
Funds benefit after-school and enrichment programs of the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club.
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday 11 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday, 12–5 p.m.
Cost: $30
Purchase tickets online
Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse
The Aldyn Residences, 60 Riverside Blvd., Riverside South, New York City
If you're a design enthusiast or just a serial show house attendee, be sure to check out this year's Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse. In years past, the show house was in an Upper East Side townhouse, but this year two duplexes in a glassy Upper West Side high-rise building were selected to undergo the impressive interior makeover. See how 30 interior designers transformed the space to showcase the latest trends in fine furnishings, art and technology.
Funds benefit after-school and enrichment programs of the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club.
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday 11 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday, 12–5 p.m.
Cost: $30
Purchase tickets online
FESTIVAL — May 22–24, 2012
Clerkenwell Design Week
Crown House, 151 High Rd., Loughton, U.K.
Clerkenwell Design Week is a three-day design and architecture festival; more than 60 design showrooms will open their doors, including Cappellini (photo), and many will stage exclusive product launches and talks with designers. The festival will take place in the historically creative town of Clerkenwell, and a tiny traveling pop-up theater designed by Aberrant Architecture will pay tribute to the town's theatrically rich roots. Site-specific installations will be on display in buildings typically not open to the public, including the Farmiloe Building, a former warehouse for lead and glass merchants, and the House of Detention, a subterranean Victorian prison.
There will also be an area exhibiting home products launched at the April Milan furniture fair.
Hours: 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Register online for free entry
Clerkenwell Design Week
Crown House, 151 High Rd., Loughton, U.K.
Clerkenwell Design Week is a three-day design and architecture festival; more than 60 design showrooms will open their doors, including Cappellini (photo), and many will stage exclusive product launches and talks with designers. The festival will take place in the historically creative town of Clerkenwell, and a tiny traveling pop-up theater designed by Aberrant Architecture will pay tribute to the town's theatrically rich roots. Site-specific installations will be on display in buildings typically not open to the public, including the Farmiloe Building, a former warehouse for lead and glass merchants, and the House of Detention, a subterranean Victorian prison.
There will also be an area exhibiting home products launched at the April Milan furniture fair.
Hours: 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Register online for free entry
FAIR — May 19–20, 2012
Maker Faire
San Mateo Event Center, 1346 Saratoga Dr., San Mateo, California
Now in its seventh year, the Maker Faire is a hands-on, two-day interactive event celebrating the intersection of arts, engineering, technology and the DIY spirit. Put on by Make magazine, this year's Maker Faire highlights include a Coke Zero and Mentos show (if you don't know what happens when you combine the two, warning: Don't try it without some research first), lock-picking workshops and an expo hall displaying innovative robotics, electronics and applied kinetic arts. There will be plenty of do and see for budding inventors, and for anyone with a curious spirit.
See the complete program guide
Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Cost: Starting at $27.50 for adults
Purchase tickets online
Maker Faire
San Mateo Event Center, 1346 Saratoga Dr., San Mateo, California
Now in its seventh year, the Maker Faire is a hands-on, two-day interactive event celebrating the intersection of arts, engineering, technology and the DIY spirit. Put on by Make magazine, this year's Maker Faire highlights include a Coke Zero and Mentos show (if you don't know what happens when you combine the two, warning: Don't try it without some research first), lock-picking workshops and an expo hall displaying innovative robotics, electronics and applied kinetic arts. There will be plenty of do and see for budding inventors, and for anyone with a curious spirit.
See the complete program guide
Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Cost: Starting at $27.50 for adults
Purchase tickets online
GARDEN TOUR — May 19–20, 2012
Trade Secrets Garden Tours
Millerton, New York; Falls Village and Lakeville, Connecticut
Nothing says spring like gardens in full bloom, and for the past 12 years, the annual Trade Secrets Garden Tours and sale has brought garden lovers to the grounds of upstate New York and Connecticut. Discover rare garden plants and explore four sprawling, idyllic gardens.
Saturday's sale offers a day of pure plant treasure hunting and a special talk from Marina Marchese, owner of Red Bee Honey, about sustainable honey farming. Sunday's garden tours will feature gardens at Trade Secrets' founder Bunny Williams' and John Rosselli's Falls Village home, Jack Hyland's and Larry Wente's 41-acre estate, Richard deBart's and Debra Blair's Linden Hill Farm and Robert and Jane Keiter's Hawk Hill Farm.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Women’s Support Services.
Hours: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cost: Garden sale, $35; tour, $60 in advance. One ticket grants entry to all four garden tours. Purchase tickets online
Trade Secrets Garden Tours
Millerton, New York; Falls Village and Lakeville, Connecticut
Nothing says spring like gardens in full bloom, and for the past 12 years, the annual Trade Secrets Garden Tours and sale has brought garden lovers to the grounds of upstate New York and Connecticut. Discover rare garden plants and explore four sprawling, idyllic gardens.
Saturday's sale offers a day of pure plant treasure hunting and a special talk from Marina Marchese, owner of Red Bee Honey, about sustainable honey farming. Sunday's garden tours will feature gardens at Trade Secrets' founder Bunny Williams' and John Rosselli's Falls Village home, Jack Hyland's and Larry Wente's 41-acre estate, Richard deBart's and Debra Blair's Linden Hill Farm and Robert and Jane Keiter's Hawk Hill Farm.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Women’s Support Services.
Hours: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cost: Garden sale, $35; tour, $60 in advance. One ticket grants entry to all four garden tours. Purchase tickets online
Chelsea Fringe
London
Whether you're interested in guerilla gardening or are just curious about the history of horticulture, the Chelsea Fringe festival will have something for you. Aiming to harness and spread some green cheer in its debut three-week event, this entirely volunteer-run initiative will have plenty of garden-related activities to choose from, taking place all around London. Some highlights include guided foraging walks, edible-garden workshops, avant-garde art installations and the miniature art creations of the Pothole Gardener (photo).
See the full schedule of events