January Digest: What Will Remember Designers About the First Month of the Year

We are launching a new section where designers and architects will share their impressions of the past month. The first January results were shared with us by Olga Shapovalova, Margarita Rasskazova, and Anna Shalaeva.

Olga Shapovalova Designer Founder of O-Deco Studio

Design of the Month

Impressed by the Baccarat la Maison collection, which was presented at the Maison & Objet exhibition in Paris. Particularly struck by the crystal bar designed by Jacques Grange.

Jacques Grange's Design BarBook of the Month

The New Paris: The People, Places & Ideas Fueling a Movement. A fresh look at Paris by Lindsey Tramuta. Having read only half of the book, I booked a ticket to Paris.

January Trip

Liked winter in Sochi. Visited there for the author's supervision of one of the projects nearing completion.

Exhibition of the Month“Viva La Vida. Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera” at the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow. More than ninety works by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera from early to late periods: paintings, drawings, lithographs. The exhibition is running until March 12.Diego Rivera “Portrait in a Hat”Diego Rivera “Hammock”Diego and FridaFrida Kahlo “Bus”Frida Kahlo “Broken Column”Frida Kahlo “Still Life”Frida Kahlo “Portrait with Monkey”January Impression

Was inspired by the exhibition of Archip Kuindzhi at the Tretyakov Gallery. It will remain open until February 17, and a great album with reproductions can be purchased as a memory.

Tretyakov GalleryJanuary Article on Our Website

Enjoyed the article about an apartment in an old house on Khitrovka. It looks striking.

Also, a post with my tips on how to spend time in Paris was published in January. Don't miss it!

Design: Maria Pilypenko

Margarita Rasskazova Designer, Architect Founder of Margarita Rasskazova's Workshop

Thing of the Month

The teapot with glasses from Ferm Living — finally, they arrived at my home. I am absolutely thrilled!

Book of the Month

“Wild Robot” by MIF Publishing. A children's book that adults will also find interesting to read. Looking forward to the second part.

Trip of the Month

To Tsarskoye Selo. Not to the palaces, but through the town itself. Snow-covered streets, cozy two- and three-story houses, parks, and quiet.

Exhibition of the Month

Due to my own guilt, I didn't make it to the exhibition, but I really wanted to visit “The Unexpected Malevich” at the Russian Museum.

Kazimir Malevich 'Athletes'January Impression

Traditionally every year I am inspired by New Year's St. Petersburg. It’s not about the decoration, but the atmosphere, colors, and light of the city. It always leaves a strong impression.

January Article on Our Website

About 12 harmful habits in cleaning. I love topics related to cleaning and tidying up — I write about it in my Instagram from time to time.

Anna Shalaeva Designer Works with private and public interiors

Design of the Month

A wall carpet-mirror. Yes, wall carpets are trendy again, judging by the Maison & Objet exhibition. It’s a great art object: vibrant, stylish, and functional.

Maison & Objet ExhibitionBook of the Month

I wanted to start the year with an atmospheric, cozy book, and my choice fell on “Hygge, or Cozy Happiness in Denmark” by Helen Russell. It was interesting to read about Danish society, life, and daily routines.

Trip of the Month

To Paris. In November, I saw the poster for the exhibition of Egon Schiele and Basquiat and fell in love with it. I combined it with the design exhibition Maison & Objet.

Museum of the Month

Burdel Museum — atmospheric but not particularly popular in Paris. Cozy studio rooms, a backyard with sculptures, and exhibits you can touch. The display of Vera Mukhina’s works was a bonus.

January Impression

The exhibition of Egon Schiele and Basquiat at the Louis Vuitton Foundation — a cosmic building designed by Frank Gehry was recently opened. I came on the last day of the exhibition and stood in line for 2.5 hours, but it was worth it! These artists lived at different times and in different countries, but they had a lot in common: at least, expressive style and tragic death at age 28.

January Article on Our Website

The problem of ecology and conscious consumption is now relevant. Therefore, everyone should read the article “Big Picture: How to Help the Planet Right Now.”