"M" is for Magni.

Monogram Coffee Table -above
Collette Sconce -below

One thing to know about James Magni is that 
he is a moving target. 

This designer is a one man brand with projects that run from decidedly above the curve, to the absolute avant garde.
I recently spoke to James about his love of design, where it has taken him and where he is going. 

Deneuve Bed

With the design firm, Magni Design, 

and his brand of furniture and lighting, 

Magni Home Collection, to look after and drive, life has become a whirlwind of necessity, creativity and balance for Mr. Magni. 

His newest product effort, through 

Magni Home Collection, is a comprehensive 

lighting line that is quite simply, brilliant. The subdued sparkle 

and seamless congruence makes one wish for a more perfect world. 

The Jewel sconce, seen below, 

is a miraculous metamorphosis of the Jewel series. 

(Pause for applause). 

Jewel Sconce -above
Astair Lounge -below

Gibbons Scroll Side Table 

Jim's projects always demand a certain imprint of personal style.

His edited approach may at times demand items which cannot be easily found in showrooms or shops. So, what does an industrious designer do when they cannot find the exact piece they need? 

They make it.

To wit, Magni Home Collection 

has sprung up as if from seed, to fill that gap. 

His niece, Brooke Magni, was 

drafted into the company and has brought with her a new level of service and expertise. She has since become the Director of Operations for the brand. 

The furniture, lighting and upholstery,

the mainstay of his projects, have enjoyed enthusiastic support

throughout the design industry since the launch of 
Magni Home Collection over 10 years ago. 

NoLita Sofa, Hans Console, Paris Stools

Moroccan Sectional, Jewel Coffee Table, Madison Club Chairs, Metropolitan Barstools

Mr. Magni's most recent project is outside Aspen in the East Valley area.

It is a study in architectural elegance. The organic personality of the area has dictated in a very specific way, 

the elements that have gone into the the design of the house and the beginnings of the interior work, which are now in planning.

"As an architect working as a designer 

(Mr. Magni earned a masters in Architecture from University of Nebraska at Lincoln), I am consistently challenged to rethink my ideals which instruct my design aesthetic. 

My belief in straight lines has evolved into an appreciation of amorphous and truly organic architecture and the atypical interior design that this structure will demand". 

We will all be waiting to see this finished product. The rendering (below) is in itself, a work of art.

The structure and setting, though already serene and seemingly perfect, will be taken to another level under Jim's direction.

Actually, it may have met it's match.

 

Aspen/East Valley Project

James Magni; owner
and President of
Magni Design &
Magni Home Collection

To view Magni Home Collection, please visit: http://www.magnihomecollection.com/

*The Deneuve Bed and the Gibbons Scroll Side table are Copyright protected. All images herein are the protected intellectual property of Magni Home Collection.

article by: Cearan Henley
chenley@allan-knight.com
Allan Knight and Associates

DHome Blog, Moura Starr and Les Antiques Launch at Allan Knight!

On April 18, 2011, Allan Knight combined talents with DHome to launch their 

new blog and also to help us introduce our newest lines, Moura Starr and Les Antiques.

It is rare indeed for us to see so many of our favorite clients in one place at the same time. Shelley Starr was in attendance to help launch her line, Moura Starr.  
Elaine Honea's Les Antiques line was given special attention as well-wishers, 
DHome notables and Dallas design heavyweights dropped in to see her in her new home at 
the decked-out Allan Knight showroom! Our co-hosts from DHome included 
Christine Allison, Mary Poe, Laura Kostelny, Jessica Baldwin and the blog department at DHome. 
Lights, camera.. Action! 

Joyce Fox, John Marrs and Marilyn Rolnick Tonkon

Emily Miller and
Stephanie Wiechmann

Sonia Quintero, Bonnie Slack and
Savitra Malhotra   

Ben and Elaine Goldfarb, Jac Crawford

Allan Knight, Barbara Daseke
and Cearan Henley

Gonzalo Bueno, Shelley Starr/owner of Moura Starr
and Art Bloodworth

Linda Pasley, Amy O'Connell, 
Elaine Honea/owner of Les Antiques and Ana Carty

Cearan Henley, Brett and
Lester Levy

Flowers were provided by
Cebolla, Elaine Honea and
Allan Knight

Rob Ballard and
Kurt Anderson

Thank you to Douglas Brown, Beyond the Box for the incredible catering and staff! 

Thanks also go to the DHome staff including those who helped in setting up the party! 

article by Cearan Henley

special thanks to the professional photography courtesy of Mathew Shelley

www.allan-knight.com

http://www.mourastarr.com/

http://dhome.dmagazine.com/blog/
http://www.cebollafineflowers.com/

"Theo" Throws us a curve!

~Andrew Frumovitz, the owner and designer behind Theo Fabrics and it's new furniture line is shaking things up...


We saw the images of his new pieces in L.A. during West Week and we are set to receive the first sampling of furniture in Dallas, mid-July. His fabric lines opened to rave reviews in and around Texas, earlier this year, so we have very high hopes for the sleek and streamlined elegance of his new furniture pieces.

Mixing materials seems to be the main point of departure for Theo. Bronze mixes with Zebrawood as easily as his textiles make their way up the back of his exquisitely tailored dining chairs. Andrew's take is completely fresh. The silhouettes can be sexy with curves when necessary or alive with a strong masculine sensibility, but nothing finds its way into his repertoire that is trite or at crossed purposes.

~What inspires Mr. Frumovitz?

His inspiration comes from years of experience in high end design. That, and the subtle and elegant hand, seems to have done the heavy lifting while his elevated sense of style informed and controlled its evolution. What we are left with is a stunning vision of where manufacturing is heading. "My outlook and philosophy is to incorporate the taste, warmth and joy of my clients. They are letting my pieces become the backdrop of their lives. This is something I don't take lightly"!

The textile line's success necessitated a move into furniture, which is so often the case. Even so, the question must be asked...


~Which comes first the Chenille or the sofa; or the chicken or the egg? 

Because of natural evolution, the fabric preceeded the furniture, but that doesn't mean the furniture wasn't percolating for years. Theo Fabrics was launched in 2009, which was followed fairly quickly by Theo Furniture. The two share the same identical purpose: to allow a subtle and complimentary configuration of line, form and style combined with personal comfort.

I don't know about the reader,
but I happen to like both chicken and eggs. 


~And it doesn't matter to me which came first!



Please contact http://theofabrics.com/ for more information on Theo Fabrics and Furniture.



article by: Cearan Henley
chenley@allan-knight.com
Allan Knight and Associates