Artist Decorated Eames Chairs For Auction Benefit Operation Design

above: Ideas Are Cheap Eames Chair by Joe Iurato

If you're like most design lovers, you either own or have always wanted to own a molded Eames Plywood Chair. Well, now's your chance to have a very unique one and benefit a good cause, all at the same time. From May 11 Through June 1st, the Public Works Department is featuring Eames Inspiration, an online ebay auction of customized Eames molded plywood chairs to benefit Operation Design.



Curated by Billi Kid and Luna Park, each chair has been decorated by various street and graffiti artists and the reserve price is set at $1,000 each. The chairs will also be featured in the windows of Barneys New York on Madison Ave and 61st.

Here's a look at all the chairs available for auction.

Left: Aakash Nihalani and right: Billi Kid

Left: Blanco and right: Cake

Left: Celso and right: Cern

Left: Damon Ganandes and right: Darkcloud

Left:David Cooper and right: Elbow-Toe

Left: James and Karla Murray and right: Joe Iruato

Left: Matt Siren and right: NohJColey

Left: Peru Ana Ana Peru and Skewville

Left: Sofia Maldonado and right: Stikman

Left: UR®New York and right: Veng


some detail shots for you...

above: detail of Elbow Toe's On The Wings Of Desire Eames Chair

above: detail of Sofia Maldonado's Caribbean Clouds Eames Chair

above: detail of Joe Iurato's Ideas Are Cheap Eames Chair

above: detail of UR® New York's Nyc Layers Eames Chair

above: detail of Matt Siren's Skullboy Takes A Seat Eames Chair

above: detail of Damon Ginandes' Awaiting Eames Chair

above: detail of James and Karla Murray's STORE FRONT: The Disappearing Face Of New York Eames Chair


Start bidding here.


About Operation Design:

Operation Design offers students direct interaction with professionals and challenges young people in public schools, grades K-12, to put their creativity to practical, important, and real use.

Operation Design organizes architects, graphic artists, design professionals, construction professionals and related professionals to work with public school students to create motivating and inspiring spaces and projects.

Operation Design is an independent 501c3 not-for-profit organization based in New York City.

Pieces Of You. Tasteful Custom Mosaic Portraits.

Okay, so having a giant portrait of yourself is a bit narcissistic. It is, however, a tradition that goes back centuries. Now, there's another way to immortalize yourself or a loved one in lieu of the traditional Sargent-like oil painting or the scary Sears Portrait Studio-style, shown below.



The Sicis Art Mosaic Factory, with showrooms all over the world, create stunning mosaic 'everything' from high-heeled bathtubs to lighting, mannequins and wall art. And now they offer tasteful custom mosaic portraits made from photographs.




The portraits comes in four standard sizes, and custom sizes are available. Two frame types are offered and you can choose a monochromatic or black and white portrait against a variety of colored backgrounds.



Several different colors and finishes are available for the backgrounds, as you can see from the options below:



The pieces are wonderful likenesses and are not garish as so many mosaics can be.









All images courtesy of SICIS.

The Sicis custom mosaic portraits are offered in New York, Paris and Milan.

Where to find SICIS Portrait:

Sicis Showroom a New York

Sicis Showroom a Paris

Sicis Showroom a Milan


See their mosaic Pin-up girls, rugs, and furniture here.

See their high heeled mosaic bathtbs and lighting here.

A More Expensive Option-Gemstone Portraits
If you'd like another unusual custom portrait option, albeit a very expensive one, check out these mosaic portraits made with real gemstones, like the diamond one of Jay-Z shown below.

Mosaic Portraits Made From Real Gemstones: The Ultimate Custom Luxury

Looking for an incredibly personal and decadent gift to give someone special? How about a custom portrait made of diamonds and sapphires and set in 18k gold? Too much? Okay, then how about some semi-precious stones set in sterling silver? Either way, Gemstone Creative of the UK can make it for you.

Whether it's a photo, artwork, a company logo or anything special to you, they will turn the image into a very valuable and unique piece of art. Talented and skilled artists and craftsmen hand-set gemstones to recreate the image in a bespoke wall mountable piece for you.

Here are some examples of their work:

Marilyn Monroe:


Jay-Z:


Queen Elizabeth:


David Beckham:

President Barack Obama:

Tiger:



Almost any kind of gemstone can be used from diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and rubies, to semi precious stones such as amethysts, peridot, tanzanite, and quartz. All the stones are brilliant cut (round) so as long as the stone can be properly cut to size and ordered in volume (if applicable) then there should not be any problems.



Since each piece uses anywhere from two to tens of thousands of 0.25ct gemstones, the final price can not be determined until the type of gemstone and required quantities are decided on along with the precious metal they are to be set in.



As you'd expect, precious gemstones will be more expensive than semi precious stones, and 18k gold will be more costly than sterling silver. The prices are based on current market values and hence will fluctuate accordingly. They will provide you with a final price prior to starting any work on your design, and upon acceptance of this, payments will take the form of three separate installments.

All of the pieces are produced in London, England, where many of the world’s best jewellery craftsmen are located and having them made here ensures the highest level of workmanship. In fact, all the members of their team are based in or around London which prevents lag time delays occurring which is crucial for a business where each piece can take months to produce.

The Artists
Adrian Firth, Tessa Hunkin, Claire Milner and Ed Chapman, some of the world's most acclaimed mosaic artists, have all been commissioned to produce international mosaic projects at the highest level. They have honed their expertise in the ancient and delicate art of renovation of intricate mosaics in landmark cathedrals and important cultural heritage sites, as well as developing contemporary installations in public and private spaces.

The Process:

above: clockwise from upper left, Byzantine mosaic as inpiration, peacock artwork, peacock set in gems and detail.

The Craftsmen:



detail of the final product:


Their craftsmen have between them over 100 years experience in creating magnificent pieces of jewellery for acclaimed designers, celebrities, royalty, and private clients. Each Gemstone Creative piece is intricately assembled, and depending on size will use anywhere from several thousand to tens of thousands of gemstones which are all individually set in precious metal, be it gold, silver, or platinum. Gemstone Creative has spent a considerable amount of time sourcing, developing, and perfecting the artistic process.

The final product:



Ethical Sourcing (No blood diamonds!):

They only source quality gemstones and precious metals. Their suppliers follow the guidelines laid out by the Responsible Jewellery Council which is committed to promoting responsible ethical, human rights, social, and environmental practices in a transparent and accountable manner throughout the industry.

All their suppliers are members of the following trade associations:
• British Jewellers Association (BJA)
• International Coloured Stone Association (ICA)
• London Diamond Bourse and Club
• World Federation of Diamond Bourses


As far as how long it takes to get your custom product, it entirely depends on the size of the piece and the materials it is made from. Our smallest piece, 20cmx20cm, will take approximately 2-3 months to complete and this may increase slightly as the size of the piece gets bigger.

Gemstone Creative is an ambitious collaborative project that has opened a new chapter in the history of mosaic art. The idea is the brainchild of co-founders Sarah Sultman and Mark Hirschel who have spent over one year attentively assembling a team of renowned mosaic artists, specialist jewellery stone setters, and skilled craftsmen whose combined talents have made it technically possible to create complex, contemporary, luxury mosaic pieces.


Gemstone Creative

Special thanks to Luxury Launches!