whimsical chairs and a floral chandelier populate frampton co's long island exhibition

elena frampton has curated a colorful and eclectic interior for frampton co’s winter show at exhibition the barn in long island, new york. curated in partnership with manhattan-based gallery friedman benda, frampton has brought together a thoughtful selection of photography and furniture pieces with themes of warmth and contradiction in mind.

images by joshua mchugh

‘this is our first show of the year at exhibition the barn,’ says elena frampton, principal at frampton co. ‘it reflects how our sense of place has changed this past year. I sought warmth, and to create a vibrant contrast to what we’ve all been through. while this chilly time may be considered ‘off-season,’ we created this show for our hamptons-based clients and visitors, and those from the city seeking an inspirational refuge. through our curation, we are relishing in the contradictions of this moment.’

the exhibition brings together an eclectic mix of design pieces

working within this concept of warmth and contradiction, frampton curated photographs by emerging and established artists that bring bursts of color and formal idiosyncrasy into the environment. jesse frohman’s large-scale print, ‘yellow flowers, joshua tree’ is stationed as a focal point, immediately drawing the viewer’s eye with a detailed composition of washed out desert land punctuated by the intensity of yellow flowers. ‘i’ve collaborated with elena on several projects,’  says frohman. ‘she has a sophisticated sense of how to use vibrant color, and it’s never a wasted opportunity.’

estudio campana’s ‘banquete dolphins in leather’ 

‘we’re thrilled to showcase this roster of photographers this winter,’  says frampton . ‘we’ve carefully selected works by jesse frohman, craig mcdean, and joshua olley, whom I have been following for some time. i’m drawn to his work instinctually. moody and potentially dark, the work takes you to a contemplative space. it offers a deliberate counterpoint to the vivid warmth of the rest of the exhibit.’

close-up of the stuffed leather dolphins

works on view by photographer jesse olley are highly personal, centering on themes of time, place, and liminal states. ‘marguerite’s living room’ documents the palouse prairie homestead of the artists’ extended family, who have been farming wheat on the same land since the late 19th century, while ‘suppa’s farm’ is an exploration of transitory space. ‘what’s it like to experience life in limbo, knowing it’s limited?’  asks olley. ‘suppa’s farm was created to process and understand my dad’s journey from diagnosis to an untimely death, a journey that was brutal and painful but simultaneously held room for peace.’

estudio campana’s sushi IV chair

the larger scene at the barn is wrapped within a custom marigold curtain, enveloping the 25-ft high-ceilinged former industrial garage, a volumetric color study that doubles as a metaphoric warm embrace. working within a hot color scheme, frampton partnered with friedman benda, inviting in the explosive ‘sushi IV’ chair by estudio campana, alongside their fantastical ‘banquete dolphins in leather’ chair composed of stuffed leather dolphins, and an oversized, textured black lounger by marcel wanders.

close-up of the rolled, colorful felt

an omnipresence of curvilinear shapes complements the winding curtains, and abounds in a selection of one-of-a-kind ceramics, benda-sourced seating options, and most strikingly in the dancerly, modernist circular area rug from doris leslie blau, in honor of the showroom’s namesake industry titan.

an oversized, textured black lounger by marcel wanders

throughout the space, there are also pieces from frampton co’s F collection. these original designs are placed throughout the gallery, featuring a refreshed look of the relaxed tuxedo sofa, 14’, in a daring bird and floral patterned linen and trimmed with an unexpected leather fringe, among more F collection. 

arthur golabek’s custom ‘chandelier’ of violet flora

to complete the space, frampton called in hamptons-based floral artist arthur golabek to construct a custom ‘chandelier’ of violet flora, adding one last joyful punch of color to her inspired vision for living in a moment full of contrast and complexity. exhibition the barn 2021  opened on february 18, 2021.

elena frampton, principal at frampton co

jesse frohman’s large-scale print, ‘yellow flowers, joshua tree’ is stationed as a focal point of the exhibition

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom