The recent publication of The Way We Live in the City, (the fourth collaboration by Stafford Cliff, former creative director of design for Conran Design Group and Gilles de Chabaneix, a prominent design and lifestyle photographer) is a wonderful visual reference to the 2008 Grace McNamara Inc. (GMI) trend SimpliCity. An exploration of how we live with—and often attempt to escape from—frenetic urban environments, the five chapters detail different aspects of city living. City Homes looks at how urban topography impacts living spaces; City Spaces investigates how to balance function and aesthetics in limited square feet; City Surfaces examines the unique colors, textures, and materials specific to certain cities; City Detail focuses on the personal items used for decoration; and finally, City Life is a loving photo essay on the joys and inspirations of urban living.

It’s a book that captures the glamour and the compromises of city life in equal measure, from sleek, elegant lofts to cluttered artists’ havens. The Way We Live in the City By Stafford Cliff & Gilles de Chabaneix Published by Rizzoli International Publications Inc. ISBN: 0-8478-2820-4

Faux Bois Defined

One key material moving the SimpliCity trend forward through 2008 into 2009 is faux bois. Faux bois, which literally means false wood, is an important design element that allows urban interiors to reference craftsmanship, authenticity, and an idealized vision of “country living.” Rustic finishes are used in open, lofty floor plans; the natural and the artificial combine in ways that teeter on the edge of surrealism. Instead of a nostalgic take on country, it’s a futuristic version of rural life. Formica® has long been produced in various collections of faux wood-grain patterns, and there are certainly thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of homes across the US that still have fauxwood paneling in basements and family rooms. But earlier this year, Formica Limited introduced its Veneer collection of 30 new designs that include exotics, straight-grain, bird’s-eye, and other unique grain patterns. And, in keeping with the wood-treatment trends that have been increasing over the past 8–12 months, the Veneer collection comes in a choice of either a Wax finish, a soft, low-sheen option, or Pur, a smooth, lowluster look.

Unlike many of the faux-bois products on the market, the Formica Veneer collection used recycled real-wood veneers from sustainably managed forests, so you can have all the rusticity you desire without chopping down a single new tree. www.formica.co.uk Another recent faux-bois introduction came from Chilewich, shown at both ICFF in May and NeoCon in June. Mimicking the look of plain-sawn wood, the Chilewich Woodgrain collection includes both floor mats and woven vinyl yardage. The colors, Pecan, Dirftwood, Sand, and Tan, look “woody” in the deeper tones and more like a subtle moiré fabric in the lighter tones. www.chilewich.com But let’s not forget Martha! A long-time proponent of faux bois in all its forms, the new Martha Stewart Collection for Macy’s features a Faux Bois collection inspired by pieces she used at her Skylands home in Maine. Sheets, towels, and bath accessories are part of her latest wood grain boosterism. She also sells faux-bois wrapping paper and ribbon through her Martha Stewart Crafts website, and has included several tutorials about faux bois in her magazine throughout the years, some of which are still available on her website. And finally, here’s a link to keep up-todate with all that’s good with wood: itsknotwood.blogspot.com.