Octium by Hayon Studio

Jewelry is irresistible, no doubt about that.  It's shiny and sparkly and well, there's a reason why diamonds are a girl's best friend. So, it's quite a feat when a jewelry store can compete for your attention as much as the wares displayed in the cases. Enter Hayon Studio. For those of you who remember my two-part post on Jaime Hayon, you know I'm a fan and I was equally surprised and delighted by his latest project, Octium, a jewelry store in Kuwait which opened its doors in October 2009. The treasures at Octium, from exclusive jewelers around the globe, certainly deserve a place to shine and Hayon Studio delivers with a store that is decked out in luxurious materials, gleaming finishes, and eye-catching shapes cascading from the ceiling and emerging from the floor. It's as though you're inside a jewelry box nestled among all the precious metals, baubles and gems.

More About Jaime's World

Yesterday, we dove into the world of Jaime Hayon and took a look at just a few of his projects in industrial design. His expansive portfolio also includes interior design, and today I want to share three great projects, the Camper stores in London and Tokyo and the restaurant at La Terraza del Casino.

Step into the restaurant at La Terraza del Casino and you are transported to another world. It's a world of 1940's glamour with a modern twist, that's as classic as it is cutting edge. Interior Design magazine connected Hayon's design with the one and only Dorothy Draper. You'll definitely see the influence of Draper's style when you see this photo of the lobby at the Greenbier in West Virginia.

Next up, Jaime totally switches up his aesthetic with the Camper store in London. The glossy red floors, custom Hayon-style furniture and unique terra cotta pendants that were designed specifically for this project, definitely give this well-known brand a style boost. It's luxurious, but doesn't take itself too seriously.

Jaime's genius is at work again with the Camper store in Tokyo. The fantastical circus-inspired space is full of "life and light", as Hayon puts it. His intention was to create an atmosphere where people are invited to dream and discover. Elegant finishes such as the Bisazza mosaic tile floors are purposely paired with basic choices such as unfinished concrete. The beveled glass panels, that refract light throughout the space, have color filters that give them a gemstone-like quality. Also notice that there are hardly any corners! Floor-to-ceiling, the room shows off its curves and the centipede shaped table stationed right in the center of the room makes it easy to navigate the space.

Jaime's World

How do I love Spanish arstist/designer Jaime Hayon?  Let me count the ways.  1.) The Together Project with Camper shoes  2.) The Showtime Collection 3.) La Terraza del Casino.  I could go on and on and will, with a second post tomorrow focusing on his interior design projects.  Today, it's all about his products and we'll start with the chair that began my love affair with Jaime Hayon Studio.

This photo was a couple of years ago at the West Hollywood Avenues of Art and Design Walk.  The chair is part of a home furnishings collection called Showtime, which is inspired by MGM musicals.  According to Jaime, the concept behind the collection is to find a way for "things that are not supposed to match, coexist in elegance".

Now, there's Act II of the Showtime collection which includes simple, white side tables which remind me of George Nelson's beloved tulip tables.  Jaime's reinterpretation uses the classic marble top, but uses new shapes and heights. 

Another of his collections, Artquitect (below), explores the bathroom and tries to escape the "white, clinical" look, as he calls it, in favor of splashes of bold colors and treating each piece as furniture. 

I totally agree, a bathroom is often a neglected space in the home and interesting design choices are usually expressed only through wall color or tile, so by selecting pieces that look more like furniture, instead of the expected built-in vanities and cabinets, there's the opportunity to give it as much style as any other room in the house. 

And then there's the lighting.  We all know how important good lighting is, and the fixtures should be just as flattering as the light they give off.   Inspired by nature, the Funghi collection for Metalarte recreates the quality of light and textures found in the forest and explores the shapes of the wild mushrooms that grow there.  

One of Hayon's most dazzlingcollections, above is the Swarovski Sparkle Shady.  Each unique fixture is as beautiful lit, as when the power is switched off.  With a flexible system that allows you to change your  mind and your look over time, the possibilities are mind boggling.

This lamp and decorative horse head are from the Bosa Ceramiche collection

An amazing work of craftsmanship, this chair for Ceccotti is comprised of twenty-two individual pieces, of the finest wood.

Last, but not least, above is one of Jaime's latest creations, a crystal candy set for Baccarat.  His genius is showcased with unique combinations of color and materials.  His playful and feminine designs pull inspiration from everything from pineapples to golf balls.  Below is the collection on display at the Baccarat Salle de Bal, in Paris, on January 22, 2009.

Jaime says that his work as always been characterized by a constant concern for perserving and updating traditions.  "I find that doing so," he says, "clues and keys to our history are found, and that these clues are essential to understanding where the future may lead." 

To explore more of Jaime's world (and what a fantastic world it is!), I highly recommend adding the book Jaime Hayon Works to your library and check back tomorrow for my post on his interior design projects.