I was recently critiquing a residential design and the idea of rethinking how we define spaces came up. The discussion involved thinking about other ways and approaches by which to demarcate or separate spaces outside of the typical ‘wall’. Yes Furniture can do that, but what else can? To answer this question, I present this very nice project by Mantzalin, featuring a handmade rope screen put together for a restaurant in New York. While I understand the limitations of rope in this discussion, I do, however, like the idea of exploring new approaches and materials, that can replace the typical ‘wall’.
Heres a somewhat detailed description of the project from the designer,
“Stix, a new Mediterranean restaurant in Chelsea, NYC got a full dose of atmosphere through a handmade rope lace installation by Mantzalin.Â
The screen, evoking images of grapes and olives in the maritime tradition of the Mediterranean, separates the dining room and the bar. The usually delicate bobbin lace technique is translated from fine silk thread to the larger dimension of seaman’s heavy hemp rope.Â
The 35 x 10 foot screen, attached with 150 steel anchors, was entirely handcrafted by Manca on the floor of the studio, weaving along her lace pattern and using only hammer and nails in lieu of pins.”
The design is a great fit for the space. Its aesthetic and texture add a certain character to the restaurant that I’m fairly certain would not be soon forgotten.
[via contemporist]