Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/809106
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF SCHWUNG HOME (SCHWUNG HOME WORKSHOP); COURTESY OF RH (REMAINING) Design of the times: Rudi Nijssen and Dominique Sente (below, from left) collaborate on their new collection for RH at their Poland-based firm, Schwung Home (left). The company's name is German for "energy" or "momen- tum." bottom: Glass- globe mobile eight- arm chandelier in lacquered burnished brass, RH Modern ($4,995). IT TAKES TWO THE HUSBAND-AND-WIFE DUO BEHIND SCHWUNG HOME ARE DESIGNING FOR THEMSELVES— AND THE FUTURE. BY OUSSAMA ZAHR Looking at Dominique Sente and Rudi Nijssen's first collection for RH (formerly Restoration Hardware)— a dazzling set of light fixtures made of hand-blown glass globes, lustrous brass, and streamlined retro forms—you could almost guess that her background is goldsmithing and his is antiques. And you'd be right. You might also guess, based on how well the pieces fit into RH's sumptuous aesthetic, that the brand was heavily involved in their creation. And there you'd be wrong. "One of the most amazing parts of our collaboration is that RH gives us carte blanche," says Nijssen. "There are no limitations." RH has been seeking out—and promoting—independent artisans at a time when consumers have become more interested in craftsmanship. Nijssen and Sente are married and work out of their firm, Schwung Home, in Poland, where a six-month creative process takes them from mood boards and sketches to the final prototype. RH isn't even involved until they present the finished design. "Our only desire," says Sente, "has been to create pieces that will escape trends, pieces with an architectural and poetic vibe. Part of the source of our inspiration for this collection was the décor of some movie sets—mostly from the '60s and '70s." While Sente has helped Nijssen with previous RH collections that have borne his name, this is the first time they share equal billing. Says the couple, "Two can do better than one—like our icons, Charles and Ray Eames!" 1300 N. Dearborn St., 312-475-9116; rhmodern.com . "OUR ONLY DESIRE HAS BEEN TO CREATE PIECES THAT WILL ESCAPE TRENDS." —dominique sente 120 MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM SPACE OBJET