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TIM MURRAY
CREATIVE DIRECTOR,
HELEN GREEN DESIGN
REVEALS HIS DESIGN ICONICON
WHO IS YOUR DESIGN ICON?
It has to be the Art Deco designer Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann
Ruhlmann led the furniture design movement in Paris from
1914 until 1933.WHAT IS HE MOST FAMOUS FOR?
Ruhlmann is renowned for Art Deco furniture and interiors.
The furniture pieces designed and manufactured by Ruhlmann
were of the highest quality and the most innovative and
forward-thinking designs. They have become hugely
important pieces and collectables.HOW IS HIS WORK VIEWED AND WHAT KIND
OF IMPACT HAS HE HAD ON THE DESIGN INDUSTRY?
Ruhlmann is often coined the master of Art Deco and has had a
lasting impact on the design industry. There has been a recent
resurgence in pieces inspired by the curved silhouettes and dark,
opulent materials which he was renowned for.WHY HAVE YOU CHOSEN JACQUES-EMILE RUHLMANN?
There was a book on Art Deco interiors by Ruhlmann in the first
design studio I worked in. It was the start of my love of the Art Deco
period and my appreciation of fine furniture craftmanship. His pieces
are predominantly simplistic in form with gentle, almost imperceptible
curves. He made use of the rarest woods such as Macassar ebony,
Brazilian rosewood, and amboyna burl, usually in combination with
each other. He carefully selected these materials and combined
them to great effect yet used them in subtle ways that enhanced the
overall design (working with the form not dominating it).WHICH PROJECTS FROM YOUR OWN PORTFOLIO
DEMONSTRATE A NOD TO HIS WORK?
Many, if not all, of the projects I have worked on are influenced
in some way by his work. I am strongly influenced by his perfect
understanding of proportion and the lightness of its use. Many of
the sketches of his interiors feature slim timber picture rails and
elongated vertical proportions, a common deco design. For a
private home we are currently designing on Grosvenor Square, I am
employing a contemporary nod to this design style. A style suitable
for the property that was built in the late ‘30’s. I am also developing
a library space and desk that will be strongly influenced by some of
his iconic desk designs with the use of veneers in combination with
leather and metal.IF YOU COULD BE REMEMBERED FOR ONE
ELEMENT OF YOUR DESIGN, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Subtleness and innovation are what I strive for in my designs.
If I could design rooms and pieces that could be half as well
remembered and viewed with such enduring esteem as Ruhlmann
then I would view my career as a great success!http://www.helengreendesign.comHelen Green Design is made up of a group of talented
designers, each bringing their own multi-faceted experience
to the practice. The team is led by Creative Director, Tim
Murray, who has over 15 years’ experience in the interior design
field. Helen Green Design, which was acquired by the Rigby
Group in 2017, has become a founding member of luxury
design group Allect. Allect includes the super-prime design
and development specialists Rigby & Rigby, interior and yacht
design studio Lawson Robb and Helen Green Design.