17 January 11
Teched up furniture
Keeping gadgets charged up when you are on the move is a universal pain, not least because of the trail of flexes it involves. Help may be at hand – courtesy of Powerkiss, whose approach is about imbuing furniture with wireless charging capabilities. Its technology consists of a charging transmitter integrated into the furniture, and a charging receiver that is plugged into the device. To charge a phone, simply attach the small receiver stick to the phone and place it on the surface of the enabled furniture piece. The proximity allows the resonating coils in each part to work together to charge the phone. Powerkiss's charging packages have been integrated into meeting and coffee tables by Martela and the technology is also available for public use at Helsinki's airport. Currently limited to mobile phones, laptops and other devices will be supported in the future. Powerkiss ultimately hopes mobile phone manufacturers will enable their handsets with wireless charging capabilities, so eliminating the need for the plug-in receiver. It is seeking partners in the mobile technology world as well as interior architecture, car design and furniture. Watch this space! www.powerkiss.fi (Source: Springwise)
17 January 11
Table talk
Internationally renowned architect Renzo Piano collaborated with New York-based Hudson Furniture to create this covetable walnut dining table. Hudson produces sustainable furniture designs through it's own and collaborative collections. With a design philosophy born out of a fundamental respect for the natural forms of trees and their inherent grain patterns, it uses traditional joinery techniques and hand rubbed oil finishes. Hudson is New York's only repository for legally harvested petrified wood – which has the visual characteristics of wood but the feel of stone, representing a dynamic fusion of two traditional materials into a new organic composite with exciting possibilities. www.hudsonfurnitureinc.com
17 January 11
Breaking the mould
Traditional ceiling mouldings and skirting boards have been ripe for a revamp. Cue Solomon and Wu – who are on a mission to bring the best elements of contemporary design to these traditional internal features. Reinterpreting their wealth of detail, with hidden meaning and context… the new styles are more suited to contemporary residences, dominated by a more minimalist aesthetic. For the London-based studio, beauty is in the subtlety. Breaking the line at the bottom of a room the contemporary skirting boards and the asymmetric faceted surfaces of the ceiling roses create a refined way of introducing a contemporary element to a room. Jake Solomon and Michael Wu have worked together for the past 10 years, and their aim was to create a collection of moldings and skirtings that belong to the world we inhabit today. Constantly innovating in design and manufacturing, developing new processes, their long term goal is to create a new industry standard, bridging the divide between construction, architecture and design. www.solomonandwu.com
21 October 10
Hooked!
Hook Me Up is a clever rethink of the humble coat stand, designed by Danish design team FurnID for Fredericia. A single element hooks together to become a chain – its strong graphic expression making the product both simple, yet powerful. Designed to hang from the ceiling, the aim was to keep the floor free, yet create a product which can be used by everyone, tall and short. FurnID also designed a rather stylish daybed which fuses Danish design and Arabic cultural heritage. Dekka – which means "a seat for more than one person" – was inspired through an encounter of contrasts: soft and hard, light and dark, ornamentation and minimalism. Set within a solid aluminium frame, the asymmetrical hexagon pattern can be upholstered in leather or wool – resulting in a dynamic work of design. www.fredericia.com
21 October 10
Concrete cloth
The Romans may have invented it, but concrete didn't officially come of age until the mid-18th century, when a British engineer perfected the first modern formula for this now ubiquitous material. Concrete is now undergoing something of a renaissance; more than 200 years and many variations later, it has undergone yet another transformation – this time in the form of a groundbreaking cement-impregnated flexible fabric known as Concrete Cloth. Voted 2009 material of the year by Material ConneXion – the innovative material comprises impressive technology, developed by the UK-based company Concrete Canvas, founded by architects Peter Brewin and William Crawford. Its unique flexibility, enables it to be molded, folded and draped to suit a variety of needs. With the simple addition of water, Concrete Cloth can be used to create safe and durable structures for commercial, humanitarian and military uses. Genius. www.materialconnexion.com
17 January 10
Trad with a twist
Richard Hutten took a traditional carpet design, with fairly typical motifs– and by altering its pattern, transformed it into a contemporary and pleasing piece of design. While digital technology may have been vital to realising the 'Playing with Tradition' design, the carpets are nonetheless hand-woven on looms, using local materials, and most importantly, respecting the dignity of the labourer. www.mintshop.co.uk
14 January 10
Objects as jewels
We've heard of wearing your heart on your sleeve – so why not micro pieces of furniture or shoes? Finch makes avantgarde accessories out of lost and found objects. Dented silver, worn chrome and scratched brass sit next to military button; neon plastic riveted to old sixpences; lockets made from spoons. The handle of an antique coffee pot becomes a bracelet. A pocketwatch case becomes a ring. In a world of same-y trinkets – Finch takes recycling to a whole different level, creating uniquely wonderful creations in the process. www.finch-uk.com
14 January 10
Everyday luxury
Spooner + Watts re-imagine everyday objects in luxurious leather – transforming the functional and keeping the throwaway. Cake boxes, paper bags, even the humble hanger – have all been given the leather treatment, while interiors projects include curtains and vintage school chairs. Every item is made to order, by hand. Thankfully, a shop is now in the pipeline. www.spoonerandwatts.co.uk
14 January 10
Plug-in perfume
The Ancient Egyptians were the first society to use perfume creatively. Fast forward a few thousand years, and we're still deploying perfume to create ambience and atmosphere. Lifestyle scents company Boadicea the Victorious has just launched the Aromarizer – a device which disperses high quality oils to suffuse the air with soothing, delectable odours. Over 20 aromas – for home, hotel or office – can be swapped, depending on the mood or occasion. "Fragrance is like a subliminal background noise… making people feel instantly calm and at ease," says creator Michael Boadi, who spent two years formulating the solid aroma gel, that slots into a sleek chrome pod – and is now working on a version to plug into the car cigarette lighter socket. "The right scent can boost brain power, allowing you to drive more carefully or work more efficiently. www.boadiceathevictorious.com
15 October 09
Space enhancer
With so many household gadgets going interactive, why not the walls themselves? Domestic environments – and our lives within them – are set to radically change – with haptical and tactile qualities playing a bigger part in generating more holistic experiences. Eltopo's Liquid Wall both adds to an interior, while also interacting with the space's inhabitants: instead of simply being a room divider or restrictor, the liquid wall is a veritable space enhancer. Mmm! www.eltopo.de
15 October 09
Got it covered
With an understanding of style, layout and mood... Esti Barnes creates fluid, sculptural floor coverings, with a distinctive use of colour, texture and graphic forms. Established 10 years ago, her award-winning design firm, Top Floor is renowned for its rugs and carpets that are suitable for both residential and commercial applications. www.topfloorrugs.com
28 July 09
Cuts and slits
"Men tend to build protective walls" says Polish artist Jerzy Goliszewski, referring to metaphorical walls which he explores in his "Dimensions" work by creating an actual wall named Kai – created with fractures and cuts to represent the small part of our interior we let people see. Nice. www.jerrygolliszewski.com
24 July 09
Compact kitchen
With living spaces getting smaller in the world's more densely populated cities, innovations like Petr Kubik's Electrolux Futuristic Dining Table are becoming ever more prevalent. People are turning to more compact designs and all-in-one innovations to make life simpler, quicker and more space efficient. Kubik's kitchen table concept is simple: a single piece of furniture that enables you to cook, eat and clean in one place. Sitting on one of the seats, you can reach into the fridge, before preparing any food on the counter integrated cooktop and built-in sink. You can then select something to drink from the designated bottle fridge in the centre of the table. Integrated appliances include a mini-dishwasher, toaster, coffee machine, kettle, cold water dispenser, freezer, mini-microwave and cutlery holder. The table's surface is a touch display screen, with access to the internet – showing daily press, recipe searches and communications, or can be changed to accommodate soothing views or fun games. NIfty.
13 May 09
Nomadic lounging
Dubai's design gallery, traffic, has developed a contemporary collection of lounging pieces inspired by middle eastern culture. Launched at Bidoun magazine's artpark at Art Dubai earlier this spring, the range was developed by in-house industrial designer Katrin Greiling. The sofas, ottomans, benches and tables are the result of studying nomadic arabs (bedouins) their lifestyle and use of furniture, to create a contemporary interpretation of traditional arab seating. The sofa system involves several mattresses on top of a base, fixed by a cord – inspired by tradiitional stacking methods and fixtures of a typical bedouin tent. This results in a flexible, modular format, which can be adjusted in height by removing mattresses and the appearances changed by flipping mattresses to reveal different colours or textures. A variety of upholstery fabrics reflects the random availability of patterns and is a symbol for travelling and the different cultural influences in the middle east. www.viatraffic.org
27 January 09
Living wallpaper
Multi-talented Australian artist Emma Hack launched a wallpaper collection at the recent Adelaide Fringe Festival, based on the notion of human perception and illusion. She creates – or sources from other designs, such as those by Florence Broadhurst – backgrounds against which naked painted bodies or animals are placed. These then blend in with the background and are so successfully merged and camouflaged that it is sometimes hard to distinguish between the backdrop and the subjects. This body art is designed to create the illusion of a flat surface, which makes for wonderful wallpaper. www.emmahack.com.au
16 December 09
Say it with words
With over 10 years experience of working in interiors, graphic and exhibition design – in both the Middle East and Europe – Dubai-based Darren Lyons is currently creating bespoke hand-crafted furrniture pieces. At the recent Pecha Kucha event (see Culture section, Modernising the minaret item) – he unveiled his Emotive series, which celebrates the aesthetic beauty of the calligraphic word and the power of positivity. According to the designer, being surrounded by positive words, has been proven to have great emotional benefit, and can be used to generate positivity in our interior environments. www.tentencreative.com www.pecha-kucha.org/cities/dubai
16 December 09
Geometric calligraphic wall stickers
A collection of vinyl wall stickers, Project Mulsaq, was recently commissioned by the Khtt Foundation and design company, Mosaique. Exhibited at Dubai’s design gallery, traffic, they are now available at various stores across the UAE, including traffic and 50C and online at www.diadiwan.com. The poetic-graphic designs include Mahmoud Hamdy’s Calli-Pat, inspired by Arabic calligraphy in its basic form, in an abstract composition that implies the movement of the hand while writing; Alhamdolillah by Richard Kahwagi, which sees the traditional Square Kufi Arabic script transformed into a 1970s’ vibe, with the letters’ rounded edges and repeating the word (which means ‘thanks be to God’) into rotating mirror-image Arabesque patterns; while Funky Geometry by Edo Smitshudze mixes traditional Islamic geometry with digital algorithms, resulting in ‘contemplative patterns gone wild’. www.khtt.net
Pictures: Funky geometry by Edo Smitshudzen, Alhamdolillah by Richard Kahwagi and Calli-pat by Mahmoud Hamdy; all © khtt foundation
16 December 08
Go with the flow
The organic flowing surface of Kanera’s 1E basin, looks like silk – inviting you to glide your fingers across its surface. The liquid form personifies its function, bringing to mind the contours of both the landscape and the human body – this fixture adds some sensual drama to the bathroom. Available as a supported, fitted or wall mounted unit. www.kanera.de
16 October 08
Interactive mirror
Daniel Brown’s work is at the vanguard of new media design. Employing complex mathematical programming to create delicate, nature-inspired imagery, he brings a continuum of beauty to the sterile world of digital technologies. The Secret Garden was commissioned by the Libby Sellers Gallery (unveiled at Liberty's Beau Sauvage exhibition – a major highlight of this year's London Design Festival) – is his latest software programme. It continuously captures the portrait of whomever stands in front of the monitor – like a mirror – over which a field of digital flowers slowly blossoms, in response to the viewer’s physiognomy. Like much of Brown’s work, the beauty of the piece belies the technical wizardry behind its creation. Ingenious. www.libbysellers.com
16 October 08
Urban Jellies
Jellies make superb centrepieces. The Victorians used jellies to decorate their tables at dinner parties… as people jogged the table they would wobble entertainingly. (There is arguably an erotic quality to the quiver). Once the other courses were finished the jellies would be moved to a sideboard and served to guests. Gastronomes can now commission quality tinned copper moulds in any conceivable shape. The new service follows the renaissance that traditional English jelly is currently enjoying – as slow food revivalists and molecular gastronomers discover its remarkable qualities. Bompas & Parr is increasingly being asked by private and corporate clients to create one-off jelly moulds for special events. Recent commissions include moulds for developers Urban Splash and CABE's (the UK's Centre for Architecture and the Built Environment) Climate Change Festival. Prices start from $600, depending on scale and technical complexity. www.jellymongers.co.uk
16 October 08
Dune jewels
Working primarily in wood and sustainable materials, designer Anthony Rousseau combines modern technologies with handcraft to create innovative jewellery that draws inspiration from the landscape. www.anthonyroussel.co.uk
16 October 08
Hot shag
At the forefront of smart textiles, Sophie Hedderwick designs interactive fabrics. Trained at RMIT University, Melbourne, where she majored in weave and experimental textiles, Hedderwick's designs are a fusion of the two disciplines. Her work has been exhibited in New York, Tokyo, Cologne and London and her fabrics have been commissioned for TV dramas, films and design programmes. Hot shag is a rug with a golden river of light running through the thick pile. Another new work, Cut it out is a series of gauze curtains that are sound-activated, responding to laughter, music or distant footsteps… www.sophiehedderwick.co.uk
12 August 08
Digital works
In response to modern cities' dwindling nature, ambient designer Simon Heijdens uses technology to create subtle ornamental works that exist and evolve in response to their surroundings. Rather than animating a space, these poetic pieces are animated through their surroundings. Ingenious.
Lightweeds – is a living digital organism growing on to an indoor space. It moves and behaves, dependent on the sunlight, rain and wind being measured outside. Passing human traffic causes them to bend, loose their seeds and pollenate to other walls throughout the space… a constantly evolving wallpaper that reveals the character of the space and it's use. To date, this has been installed at the Erasmus MC hospital in Rotterdam.
Tree – amplifies nature in the urban environment. Computer-generated trees are projected on to building facades, moving in response to the measured wind. Full of leaves at dawn, the tree looses one of its leaves every time someone passes. As the leaf falls, it drops on the ground nearby. Because the leaves are made of light, they slowly brighten the area throughout the evening, revealing an aspect of the city. The leaves roll out when someone walks through them. To date, the installation has been erected in London, Tokyo, New York and other European cities.
Clean Carpets – using a high-pressure sprayer and template, street grime is removed from the pavement, leaving a clear spot, in the image of a carpet – so providing a place where people can sit. The carpet image is made by taking away, rather than adding… and slowly disappears as the street accumulates fresh dirt. www.simonheijdens.com
22 July
Conversation corner
This playful leopard fur “Safari Sofa” (by Archizoom) and “Sanremo” palm floor lamps (by Poltronova) are just the ticket for that conversation pit you’ve always yearned… The 1960s pieces are available through New York’s R 20th Century – a mecca of mid-century originals. www.r20thcentury.com
22 July
Calligraphic scrawl
The West bench by Amanda Levete for Established & Sons is one of four limited edition pieces which explores the use of empty corners. The piece is carved, using digital technology and then finished by hand. How you sit on what the designer describes as a “wood laminate calligraphic scrawl”, remains to be seen. Available in the Middle East through traffic. www.viatraffic.org
07 July
Totes of the town
Part of It is a company that works with artists and graphic designers to create affordable products for their favourite causes. The resulting expressions and declarations, combined with eye-catching graphics, serve to encourage civic discourse. We like the ‘Make some noise’ bag and matching t-shirt, designed by Wyeth Hansen, in aid of The Fresno Arts Council. The ‘Resistence is fertile’ tote is designed by Adrian Johnson, to support the WWF. Social entrepreneurs making a connection with consumers while making a difference is the way of the future, as people become increasingly disenchanted with the more impersonal experience at large retailers. www.partofit.org
30 June
Tongue in chic lighting
Italian fashion firm Moschino has created a witty lighting range which further celebrates the company’s iconic style. The new lamps are copies of the garments and accessories that inspired them, in true-life size dimensions. The bag, dress, bustier and boot lamps are all available to order. Perfect for interiors that need that extra element of chic. www.moschino.com
04 June
See the Light
This light-emitting wallpaper is by Dutch product designer Jonas Samson. Deceptively simple by day, it can then be switched on to illuminate a room. www.jonassamson.com.
22 May
Tectonic tables
The Tectonic series of tables is based on the idea of movement within the construction of its shape, and the ability to create unexpected freeform geometry by shifting and juxtaposing several small tables, one next to the other. Using a graphic approach, the concept is the result of wanting to create furniture that is non-static, and gives the end user the possibility to create their own 'family', when playing with several pieces. Made of either metal wire or a plain laser cut 4mm steel top, which are then powder coated in a matt textured finish. www.alaingilles.com | www.bonaldo.it
22 May
Skin deep
The Flare is a building facade – comprising tiltable metal flakes powered by pneumatic cylinders, controlled to form any kind of surface animation – that ‘expresses’ itself and interacts with its environment, thereby acting as a living skin or membrane.
22 May
Glowing surfaces
Organic LED’s printed on to wallpaper – comes courtesy of a breakthrough by General Electrics. It opens up a wealth of design possibilities, particularly as the stick-on lights aren’t restricted to walls, but can be applied to any flat surface, such as table tops. www.ge.com
7 May
Wallpaper trailblazer
The wild wallpaper of Florence Broadhurst burst onto the Australian design scene in the 1960s. She was a trailblazer, working exclusively with handprinted paper and a colour evangelist who favoured kaleidoscopic combinations, such as turquoise and gold or orange and silver. Broadhurst's designs are again on a roll - her confections are gracing the walls of nightspots and resorts everywhere from Sydney to Fiji, Reykjavík to Dubai (in the revamped Australian consulate). One of the designer's hallmarks was outsize motifs. "She took 18th century designs and blew them up," explains Mary Frances Benko, vice president of textiles at John Rosselli, the New York distributor of the line. Broadhurst didn't launch her wallpaper business until she was almost 60, but her designs immediately took off like wildfire. "Nobody did what she did in the '60s," says Benko. "Warhol did silk screening but not for wallpaper. Broadhurst had the courage to do it first." The Broadhurst renaissance is being driven by Sydney-based Signature Prints. Of the 500-odd designs cataloged, 10% have been released to date. Recent releases include a collection emblazoned with huge daisies, gardenias and carnations and a range of luxe Jacquard and upholstery fabrics. www.signatureprints.com.au
1 May Milan's Salone del Mobile highlights |
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Jaime Hayon’s modular Elements collection for Moooi was inspired by cacti. Functional, stackable sculpture, that offers a variety of uses: mirror, table, tray, etc. Different colours, materials and finishes can be applied to each vertibra, making the whole richer and more flexible. | |
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Cappellini's Cirkel carpet, designed by Ilaria Marelli, fearures irregular shaped circles that symbolise hills and mountain tops on a geographic map. www.ilariamarelli.com | |
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A covetable collection of ‘Skyscraper’ vases by Constantin Boym for Gaia&Gino in both clear and coloured crystal versions. | |
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Andrée Putman’s Black and White collection for Bisazza includes this fractured black table, the underside of which is lined with the company’s signature mosaic tiles. | |
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Wyssem Nochi’s table is apparently inspired by science, nature and politics. The Beiruti firm is all about social, affordable design. | |
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This fractured coffee table by Voon Wong & Benson Saw was part of the debut range by new manufacturer Decode London, which has produced pieces by young Brit talents Viable London, Jonathan Prestwich, and Jethro Macey. | |
1 May
Modern collectibles
Meta is a new company dedicated to combining the best of 18th-century techniques and materials and 21st-century design. A group of designers, including Asymptote (Hani Rashid and Lise Anne Couture) and Tord Boontje were commissioned to collaborate with master craftsmen and artisans to create Meta’s debut collection of contemporary objects and furniture. This was launched at the recent Salone Del Mobile in Milan, and will be showcased at New York’s ICFF in May 2008. The timeless pieces range from a precious gold bonbonnière to an elaborate fig-leaf wardrobe. The steel base of Asymptote’s low table is based upon the analysis of a rare piece of Imperial Tula steel from 1780. The same design company’s Mnemos gold boxes mark a reintroduction of the once highly coveted and still highly collectable ‘previous gold boxes’ of the 1700s. Meta was created by Mallett, the world-renowned antiques specialist in 18th-century furnishings, in response to growing interest in living with contemporary objects of similar quality to fine antiques. Said Louise-Anne Comeau, Creative Director, Meta, “Meta is the antithesis of machine-age production. Each object is as rare as the collaboration between the designers, artisans and materials which make it possible.” www.madebymeta.com
3 April
Gilty pleasures
At a time when indigenous skills are disappearing around the world, Beiruti designer Karen Chekerdijian chose to develop her Brass Collection with traditional artisans in Northern Lebanon. The geometric stainless steel pieces (pictured) offer dynamically modern forms which work well in both contemporary and traditional settings. Her designs can be spotted at Dubai's MOMO restaurant, commissioned by interior designer Anabel Kassar, and a new Dubai store, l'O de rose, will stock the Brass Collection later this year. www.karenchekderijian.com
27 March
Fluid furniture
Karim Rashid's new Endless Nile table apparently takes its inspiration from the flow of Egypt's River Nile. The design comprises a fluid amalgamation of more conventional table and seating components. Finished in white Corian, this empasises its clean lines and structure. www.karimrashid.com
Flexible friends
The Nokia Research Center and Cambridge University (UK) have launched a new nanotechnology concept that could lead to stretchable, flexible mobile devices that can transform into different shapes. Launched alongside the Design and the Elastic Mind exhibition in New York (see Diary section), the concept demonstrates how nanotechnology could be used to deliver flexible materials, transparent electronics and self-cleaning surfaces. Elements of Morph could be integrated into handheld devices within the next several years.
Modern prayer rug
Britain-based Turkish designer, Soner Ozenc has created a sajjadah or prayer rug, that uses light as an integral element in its design. Called Sajjadah 1426 (1426 is the year 2005 in the Islamic calendar), it seamlessly combines Muslim culture and 21st century technology. An example of electroluminescent phosphor printing technology, it's also practical: finding the right direction to pray towards, thanks to an imbedded compass module. The closer the rug is turned toward the direction of Mecca, the rug's motifs become brighter. The modern sajjadah introduces a whole new experience to the daily ritual of namaz. www.sonerozenc.com
Cool concrete
A specialist concrete supplier offers architects and interior designers bespoke casting solutions for projects of all sizes. Concrete Blond's designer Eric Barrett has produced a range of concrete innovations, including the Walled Paper, a decorative cladding for internal and external applications. An extensive choice of over 50 patterns are available as standard, or with the option of a customised design.
The bespoke service is thanks to a precast concrete facility that enables a commercial production rate with efficient lead times to meet the most demanding volume requirements. A full installation service is also available. Concrete Blond recently opened a showroom in London and interest in their products has already beckoned from the Middle East. www.concrete-blond.com
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