Back Bay’s Thos. Moser will put its own mark on Boston Design Week with a free event.
Handily, Boston Design Week coincides with the time of year when many people move into new homes or, after a shut-in winter, ache to reimagine their living space. One event, Crafting an Environment, at New England-founded furniture maker Thos. Moser’s Boston showroom, offers a look into some of the basic tenets of design via a panel discussion featuring several Boston-based designers. Note that title, though: crafting — not creating — an environment. The difference is not just a buzzword, as everything from a burrito to a beer is supposedly “crafted” nowadays, but a more thoughtful approach to living.
“It’s quite a provocative title,” says Adam Rogers, Thos. Moser’s director of design and product development, who heads the panel. “It’s certainly based on Moser’s approach to making and designing furniture. It’s about basic ideals and identifying those principles in design. My perspective is that simplicity in general is at the base of good design. In my case, in my work, that’s simplicity of form,” adds the Boston-based interior designer.
Simplicity sounds simple, but simplicity, as evinced by Japanese design culture, takes immense self-discipline. As covetous creatures, humans are wont to like-want-buy with very little thought in the process. Homes become stuffed and lives stifled: “Simplicity is an art. Identifying a few objects that speak to you, things of value and meaning that establish a certain feel or vision is key,” advises Rogers.
It’s the opposite of disposable culture that grew from 1950s mass consumerism. Before that, household items were handmade and valued, passed on through generations.
“Interestingly, these are values understood by the millennial generation. They will pay more for a pair of shoes that are well made or a table that is handcrafted. Like our design principles, it’s a process of careful selection instead of being inundated with superfluous materials.”
Along with Rogers, Crafting an Environment features Orange Street Design Studio and Richard Watson proprietors Brooke Richard and Laura Watson, as well as designer and KnollTextiles sales representative for New England, Mai Nguyen. “We share like-minded design ideals and we want to talk about why being more selective is important and why it works,” says Rogers.
Crafting an Environment
Thurs., March 27, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
This is a free public event, but space is limited.
RSVP via phone or email: thosmoserpr@whitegood.com
Thos. Moser Showroom
19 Arlington St., Boston
617-224-1245
www.thosmoser.com
