The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show offers interior design aficionados a plethora of options for finding distinctive artisanal works. We have been talking with two of Philadelphia’s leading interior designers to gain insights on trends, and to gather ideas about how to incorporate unique craft items into a home.

In this interview, we spoke with Marcello Luzi, a partner at the award-winning design firm Weizler, Peterson & Luzi, and graduate of the Interior Design department of the Art Institute of Philadelphia. Marcello specializes in residential design and small-scale commercial projects, and was the lead designer on the Philadelphia Magazine Design Home 2012 which opened in September 2012.

What are the trends you see for 2012-13?

I see a cozy, comfortable, rustic, natural, raw, unfinished, casual, hand-crafted, special, one-of-a-kind mind set. Style, but without pretentiousness; simplicity in the natural materials used in objects and furnishings. I definitely see a trend towards showing the beauty of the source of objects (like wood) without too much decoration, and things being used more in their natural state than highly processed – and perhaps used in a new way.  People are seeking out and gravitating towards nature and the environment. Object like wood, glass and porcelain whose raw materials come from the earth but then are transformed into an object of beauty and very appealing in their warmth and humanness.

Additionally, we no longer want to be confined to one style in our interiors. As the world becomes “smaller” due to travel and technology, we are much more aware of distant places and other cultures. We have embraced many of these cultures and borrowed from their styles. Therefore we no longer want to be restricted to just one style for our homes. Eclecticism is the new style where we can take from many styles and blend them together.

How does the handmade craft item fit into these trends?

These style trends work perfectly with crafts and handmade objects. I find people wanting to get away from mass production and see them gravitating more towards special unique pieces.  Everyone doesn’t want the same exact thing their friends or neighbors have; we want our spaces to be special and uniquely ours. These artists and artisans are a way to do that.   “One of a kind” hand crafted pieces are so much more special and unique.

You’ve had a chance to preview the craft artists exhibiting at the 2012 Craft Show… 

Yes, and if I had a million dollars to spend I would go on a wild shopping spree!

If you were to incorporate one of the craft artist’s pieces into an interior, how would you do so?

I’ll offer suggestions for two of the craft artists – Justin Teilhet and Jay Rogers. Incorporating either artist’s pieces into the home is quite easy.  Beautiful objects will travel and work in a variety of spaces and styles. Here is what I recommend:

Justin Tielhet

Justin Teilhet makes gorgeous porcelain vases and vessels which are sculptural and stunningly beautiful.  Whether you use them as a center piece on a dining table, on a console in an entry foyer, on a fireplace mantle, on bookcases or in a wall display as shown on his website, they are all three dimensional art that is amazing beautiful to look at.  Placed alone as single pieces or in groups they provide lots of flexibility.  I find myself just staring at them for their beauty, simplicity and yet somewhat complex quality.  Art does not only exist in two dimensions on a wall in a picture frame, this is three dimensional art and a great way to add more interest to an interior.

Jay Rogers

Jay Rogers makes beautiful intricate wood boxes which in themselves are conversation pieces.  Beautiful to look at and often even functional with secret storage compartments these are special one of a kind hand crafted masterpieces.  Wood is transformed into something beyond its simple natural quality and yet while very intricate and seemingly engineered to a high standard the warmth of the natural wood makes a complex shape very approachable and inviting.  I would use these pieces as art, on a table, on display, in a bookcase or on a sideboard.  Some can even hang on walls and be truly functional.

Both artists’ work is unique and special and appeals to me on many levels.