Rugs are Getting Unexpected Forms - Furoshiki rug

Rugs are Getting Unexpected Forms lately - remember the interesting Gandia Blasco’s carpet MANGAS designed by Patricia Urquiola and presented at the Salone in Milan? Now the
Furoshiki rug by TemaHome - its unusual symmetric shape adds an impression of motion, along with an eye-pleasing, three-colour pattern which initially seems random, but is actually a well-constructed puzzle worthy of oriental logic. Its name remounts to the popular Japanese technique of gift-wrapping, which transforms most everyday items into smart-looking presents right from the outside. In reference to the Japanese wrapping technique, that protects objects for transport, the Furoshiki seams like a folded cloth. The rug’s pattern combines 6 different colours and is produced by hand in 100% wool from New Zealand. Created by the Portuguese designer Miguel Vieira Baptista.


Килимите придобиват все по-разнообразни форми. Може би Patricia Urquiola беше една от първите, които започнаха тази тенденция. На панаира в Милано тази година бяха показани много интересни килими MANGAS по неин дизайн за Gandia Blasco. А този килим по-горе с името Furoshiki е заимствал формата си от интересната японска технология за опаковане на подаръци. Предлага се от TemaHome.

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Quite Unusual Bathroom Accessories

I just discovered a series of very interesting bathroom accessories by the Italian company NITOARREDAMENTI srl

Bestiario (left) are stylish hooks in different “ice glass” colours. Design: Altakuota Progettazione

Flutto (below) is a collection of hand made ceramic washbasin and bathroom accessories.




















Collection Eva's Family is the most unusual one: inspired by the shape of female's hand and produced in soft synthetic material it includes a table lamp, a standard lamp, a portable emergency light, a hand-held shower.

Style is the word that connects Fashion and Interior Design

A feast of colors elegantly coordinated in perfect balance and harmony - this, in short, is the description of the interiors
in the new Hotel Missoni Edinburgh that is to be opened in a few days. Matteo Thun & Partners draws on signature Missoni prints and iconic modern furnishings. As Interior Design
magazine notes:

"Style-conscious travelers can now sleep in their favorite labels... as fashion houses branch out into the hotel business."

The boutique hotel is located in central Edinburgh and will feature 136 rooms and suites.

As you can see once again - fashion invades luxury interior design with great success.

DENIM EVERYWHERE Trend

Denim is always fashionable - it is comfortable, elegant and sturdy. You can find it on the spring runway trends previews











































and at furniture shows. The latest trend for upholstered pieces is quilting done up like a Chanel handbag.





You can have both in denim textile - this Kvilt sofa from the Swedish firm Garsnas was presented at this year's Milan Furniture Fair (highlights here).

As always fashion and interior design go hand-in-hand.






But you can make an elegant seating from denim pieces yourself! Like this multifunctional Denim chair by Scrap Lab below.

Inspiration from ICFF 09

In my postThe Feeling of Luxury in Interior Design I wrote that tufting pattern is a preferred approach when a designer intends deliberately to create that subtle feeling of opulence. But here is another way to make this - by using
the Korean designer Chae Young Kim filigree work in print presented at ICFF 09 named Urban Camouflage prints. It is based on a fractal structure. She blends hand drawing and computer graphics that are digitally printed on silk. Can you imagine your walls with such panels? Or parts of them?
image © designboom

Footwear by Zaha Hadid for Lacoste

LACOSTE AND ZAHA HADID LAUNCH LIMITED-EDITION FOOTWEAR

LACOSTE will launch the footwear capsule collection designed in collaboration with Zaha Hadid Architects in September 2009. The project was initially previewed in October 2008 during the Frieze Art Fair in London, and the exciting ‘work in progress’ exhibited there has now become a final design prototype poised for production.

source: Dezeen - Footwear by Zaha Hadid for Lacoste
Has recession some connection with this new destination to Zaha Hadid's creative power? I wonder who is going to wear these shoes?
I have posted many times about the fact that trends in interior design often come from fashion, but here we can see the opposite - fluidity in architecture and interior design applied to fashion.

The most unusual wall treatment - tobacco leaves!

Although I am an interior designer and have seen many and interesting wall treatments, today I have found the most unusual one - hand-applied tobacco leaves! Rita Norona Schrager's Southhampton Home featured in June's issue of ELLE Decor has many other interesting details but for the study she wanted to incorporate a Cuban theme, so the designer Arriaga suggested finding real tobacco leaves and lacqueringthem to the wall. After months of perseverance by a craftsman who experimented with various shellacs and finishes the project ultimately proved successful.
I wonder - what the smell in this cabinet is? And how would one feel in the company of this snake on the coffee table? But the wall treatment is unique!



Да - това, което виждате на стените са наистина листа тютюн - залепени и лакирани! Това е кабинет в къщата на Rita Norona Schrager, показана в последния брой на ELLE Decor. Собственичката е искала да има непременно кубинска тема в обзавеждането - и е успяла! Действително уникално решение. Интересно - колко трайно ще бъде това покритие?

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Furniture Guaranteed for 300 Years!

That is what the debuted last month at the International Furniture Fair in Milan brand-new Swedish company Brikolör aims: to manufacture furniture "with a guaranteed emotional and technical durability of 300 years."

It appears that recession and ecological problems may have brought a considerable change in thinking: we again start to value longevity, good quality practical and well designed products that we like to have and keep as long as possible.
source: Springwise



















A very positive trend. For more highlights and other interesting trends from Milan Furniture Fair 2009 read my earlier posts.

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LED - Emotionalize your light

LED - Emotionalize your light is an Idea Contest energized by OSRAM. Everyone is invited to submit ideas and win a prize!
What are "emotional LED solutions" - a special form of LED illumination designs which create an atmosphere that not only positively affects our wellbeing but also gives rise to moods and emotions. Rooms with an individualized and emotional LED light concept spread a feeling of harmony and relaxation. The resident can escape from everyday life and strengthen him or herself for daily challenges. In turn, this energizing promotes health and wellness.
Details are available at: LED - Emotionalize your light

NY Design Week 09 Preview: Playful: New Finnish Design

Core77 have published some pictures of Playful: New Finnish Design that is going to be part of the NY Design Week 09. Playful focuses on play as an important element of well-being, education, and environmental responsibility. I would like to have this ingenious Jazz Chair at home!








Design by Terhi Tuominen's for Powerkiss.


























Ilkka Suppanen for Marimekko: Kivikko Seating

There is anotherICFF 2009 sneak peek below.

ICFF 2009 - Sneak Preview

Some interesting new products that are to be presented at the coming New York Design Week:

This elegant SOLA DESK is designed by Pratt Institute student Talitha James.














Woolly chair - part of Jason Miller’s latest collection which explores what he calls “populist luxury.”

source: Product Placement "













I like this practical Clampology (left) by Jorre van Ast as part of 400 Years Later--CITE goes Dutch, an exhibit that attempts to outline emerging Dutch design and the cultural and geographical forces that shape it.
source: Core77

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home furnishings

MINI Space - Another View to Milan Design Week

MINI and Airstream designed by Republic of Fritz Hansen have been at the Design Week and made a video diary. Have a look:

I have found my favorite desk at Salone del Mobile 2009 !

I just found my favorite working desn on Flickr Photo Download: Salone del Mobile 2009 Milano Gallery 2_8775 - this is SOCIALisBETTER's photostream, but could not identify the supplier or the designer. I will be happy to learn who are they? If you have idea, please write it down here below in the comments.
Isn't it the best of both worlds - to work on your PC and at the same time make your daily work out?

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home furnishings

More African Inspiration from Milan

An inspiring addition to the African influence trend from Milan Design Week:
with a fantastic installation designed by Stephen Burks and commissioned by Patrizia Moroso a culture that has been somehow ignored brought in Milan with its striking colours, patterns and weaves the sun of Africa. Moroso's M'Afrique installation in the Italian Superbrand's showroom on Via Pontaccio showed alongside work by African artists Fathi Hassan and Soly Cissé also iconic pieces of furniture from Moroso's archive covered in African fabrics. I like my favourite designer's Patricia Urquiola works Fjord and Bohemian much more in their African clothes!

source spotd.it

Good Design for Children

Toys are important - they create our children's good taste, stimulate creativity and imagination. That is why good design for children is of great importance. I just came across these beautifully designed toys:

Max Push Car by Sirch - Designed for families with aesthetics in mind, yet still fun for kids, made to be paired with the LORETTE trailer to take your toys with you.

Sibi products have been awarded the prestigious German "Spiel Gut" design award for toys.

Flix Push Car by Sirch



PLAYSAM Xtreamliner Cab
Beautiful handpainted lacquered wooden Xtreamliner car with wooden figures.

Another Favourite from Milan - Evolution or Rococo and Minimalism Together

How do you like the evolution of furniture design for the last centuries? I am curious to see your answers - this exquisite piece of furniture is an example of where we have been and where we are now just in one elegant product!

Evolution - "Unique precious masterpiece, characterized by the combunation of the hand-carved solid oak with the essentiality of contemporary style. Enriched by handles in burnished brass. Available in natural or tinted oak." is the description on the site of Emmemobili. Design Ferruccio Laviani.

So - which part do you like more? I like it as it is - both complement each other!

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