Craftspeople gathered to share the ins and the outs of their art with visitors at the Michigan Design Center on July 23. Experts from Baker Furniture, Hickory Chair and Waterloo Metalworks offered live demonstrations of hand-painting, finishing, blacksmithing and other skills, while presentations in Decoroom, Ann Sacks, Kravet/Lee Jofa/Brunschwig & Fils and Robert Allen introduced attendees to handcrafted tile, hand-knotting and tufting techniques in floorcoverings, as well as creating custom drapery and furnishings.
Designer Furniture Services provided a live upholstery demonstration.
John Kiryanoff, Master Finisher at Baker Furniture, demonstrates hand-finishing techniques.
Dyan Lowery adds hand-painted details to Hickory Chair's Klismos End Table.
The programming also included a panel with John Kirianoff, master finisher at Baker Furniture; Andi Kubacki, co-founder of Detroit Wallpaper, Co.; Danny Lowry, hand-painter at Hickory Chair; and Genevieve Sylvia, senior designer at Pewabic Pottery. “Many of the custom furnishings found throughout our showrooms are handcrafted by skilled artisans, employing techniques passed down through generations,” said Susan Todebush, vice president and general manager of Michigan Design Center. The event was the third installment of the Design Center’s Summer Event Series. The fourth and final event, “The Art of Design,” will be held on September 10.