Summer dreams

Loopita Bonita lounge chair by Victor M. Aleman

Summer is almost here and we all think of the long days in the open. Most of us have already planned the changes that we want to make to connect our veranda or garden with the interior so that we can enlarge our living space. I just cam across this wonderful addition to any porch or garden:
Loopita Bonita lounge chair created by Victor M. Aleman - it is not only a beautiful furniture, but also encourages conversations or relaxation together. And below are some cool outdoor spaces that caught my attention:

Did these ideas from BHG inspire you, too?

Design Miami/ Basel 2011 - a Glimpse

Design Miami / Basel 2011  is one of the most important design fairs in the world, strictly dedicated to
twentieth and twenty-first century design. It starts in about 3 weeks and will present some of the most interesting new designs. One of them is this remarkable table named Daylight.

HSBC private bank has commissioned dutch designer Hella Jongerius  to create a new piece for the bank's connection collection of limited edition design which first began in 2008. (One of  my favourite designs from which is this Frog table)'

"daylight', a table that explores how daylight changes and influences our perception of colors.
the furniture object consists of a wooden structure with a tabletop covered in multicolored resin blocks that are presented in two layers.
the first is that of semi-transparent colors that reference the changing hues of natural daylight, with the underlying layer made up
of solid color blocks. there is also the contrast of matte and glossy finishes, resulting in a table surface that exhibits how
colors can be versatile, particularly during the day when light is changing continuously."
  more at designboom

 This year, too, Design Miami/ Basel continues its partnership with W Hotels in presenting the 2011 W Hotels Designers of the Future Award which honors up and coming designers and studios that are expanding the field of design. Qualifying candidates for the W Hotels Designers of the Future Award must have created original works in the fields of furniture, lighting, craft, architecture and/or digital/electronic media.. One interesting project that will be presented at the fair is that of award-winner Asif Khan who will be presenting an installation that will incorporate magical clouds - lately he’s been testing the idea of using foaming bubbles as an architectural element. Combined with helium and fishing nets, soapsuds can hover overhead forming a cloud-like ceiling.  via

Konstantin Grcic:" ...on the edge of our field of vision"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table TRAY

Maša Milovac, Mia Bogovac and Dora Đurkesac, Croatia

READING MARKER Ranka Radović, Bosnia and Herzegovina

The quotation is from Young.Balkan.Designers 2011: Interview with Konstantin Grcic who is head of the international jury of the competition Young.Balkan.Designers - a platform for young designers from across central and eastern Europe at Mikser Festival during Belgrade Design Week:

"I think for everyone who goes Belgrade it is more than just “another design week”, because you are brought into a world that you don’t know, that somehow is still exotic. Serbia is not only on the outer edges of Europe but through our ignorance here in Western Europe remains on the edge of our field of vision. But what is happening there has an energy and vibrancy that we have long since lost."

I am expecting to see what his reactions will be when he comes to Sofia for our 3rd Sofia Design Week at the beginning of June.

One of the most noticable trends from Milan 2011

Patricia Urquiola's Foliage sofa

Gentry sofa by Patricia Urquiola

is in fact not new at all - Rough look and Quilted finish have been popular among designers for several years. We saw Inga Sempe's Ruche sofa designed for Ligne Roset in Jan. 2010, also the Bouroullecs' Ploum sofa and so on. Even the not so new Urquiola's Bohemian collection used this technique, but in a very refined form. Tthis year, at Salone, all of her new designs had quilted finish, only she has obviously given up this refined style. Is this a confirmation of the Rough luxe trend that started somewhere at the beginning of the recession? 

Patricia Urquiola's Klara chair

BIKNIT Patricia Urquiola

The Swedish firm Gärsnäs introduced a quilted chair with upholstery that can be easily removed for dry cleaning.

Ligne Roset, 'Ploum', Design Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec

Milan 2011 highlights

Unusual Lamps at ICFF 2011

Lamps by Abovo

Interesting use of the theme of water, clouds and rain in lamps.

Frances Ranno's Sneaker Lamp

incorporates a compact fluorescent bulb for long lasting life; can be hung as a pendant lamp, too. (via Inhabitat )
At the International Contemporary Fashion Fair  Molo introduced “Hobo”- part bag, part LED lantern,  a portable luminary or as they call it, - ● heartfelt lantern for Japan · all proceeds to Architecture for Humanity



Design is a fascinating ocupation :) If searching for a way to kick-start your career as a designer, check Online College Degrees.
.

The kitchen is changing its traditional design

Dishwasher raises above the worktop - Indesit's Aqualift redesigns the washing-up zone with an integrated dishwasher and sink, thus eliminating the need to bend down to use the dishwasher and liberates considerable space under the worktop.

Fluid spaces in contemporary interiors require that kitchen blends better with living room and dining room. 'Repeat’ kitchen system, design by Danilo Radice and produced by Elam is part of a multifunctional modular storage system for any room of the house and these cupboards, shelves and drawers fit comfortably in the modern kitchen. With lacquer and wood finishes to mix and match,they are particularly suitable for an open plan space where cooking and living areas blend. Open-fronted units can be arranged as desired and Repeat modules can be alternated with storage units and domestic appliances, plasma screens and enclosed units.

The Process of Creating Urquiola's Glass Fantasies

I have already mentioned many times - I am fascinated with glass . This delicate material can make our homes elegant and exuberant, both as a centerpiece or as decor on windows and doors, as part of our lighting or our tablewear. For those of you who share my fascination I am posting this video showing the process of creating Patricia Urquiola's first glass installation part of the Glasstress 2011 exhibition, a collateral event to the Venice Biennale in the Ventura Lambrate design area of Milan.
 

Fashion Labels at Salone del Mobile 2011

It is a strong trend for several years already that fashion relates more and more directly to interior design. I have been following this relation since my first post in 2007 Fashion and Interior Design - how much in common?

Enzo Mari for Hermes

At the last Milan design Week we saw a lot of new proofs for that. The famous luxury brand Hermes made their debut at the fair with impressive new furniture ranged and accesssories and 'Net' by Philippe Starck for Zegna received a lot of attention. The photo right shows the MY Design/100 Bench by Michael Young for the Milan based fashion label Trussardi, made by hand in wood or plastic and covered in Trussardi leather with a pleated motif, and below is an elegant  table from Versace's new home collection, where metal is used structurally and decoratively. via

Love fashion and design? Learn how you can refine your skills and build a career at Guide to Online Schools.
.

Clever design from Milan 2011

This is the
perfect carrying bag - for clothes or for anything that has to be preserved from getting crushed or from getting creases - that is not heavy and is very comfortable, and that can stand on its own base! Home Traveller Textile Edition garment container by Anne Lorenz made from textile and aluminium, 50x34x60cm 
“Multiple” - RAPHAEL CHARLES The "Multiple" low table is made of a group of repetitive elements in solid beech, "glued" to one another by an invisible magnetic system which enables one to modulate the table infinitely. Depending on the different configurations, they will be assembled in order to form just one low table in variable shapes, or in separate , different islets to best fit the space.

Nature inside our homes

I like very much this continuing trend in interior design - to blur the boundaries between inside and outside. There are so many ways that design can help us bring nature into our homes - have a look at some suggestions from Milan Furniture Fair:

V ertical Garden Carpet by Nuala Goodman

Nectar Lamp by Rebecca Asquith

Monstera by Philip Ahlstrom

Grass Light by Jovana Chris Lei

photos by Inhabitat

Wig by Tania Da Cruz

 This one is my favourite :)

Time to get ready for summer - gardens above zero level

 

It is May already and we begin to think of hot summer days in the open air. But If you live in the city? _ Balconies and roofs are the answer - they can give us the most accessible green escapes or even replace our livingrooms for most of the time. If you have not created yet your summer green retreat within the boundaries of your home, have a look at some examples from Rooftop Gardens: The Terraces, Conservatories, and Balconies of New York and get inspired!

The Japanese garden is my favourite! What is yours?