The London Design Festival 2013

Two trends that I notice and that I like very much: graphic design and
African-inspired design:

Darkroom So Sottsass cushions

A graphic cork installation by FAT architecture for cork producer Amorim lines one of the V&A's walkways. Photography: Ed Reeves source

Lights by Atelier de Troupe

source

Richard Brendon for Paternity

 Ade cushion, made with vintage West African wax cloth and part of a limited edition run. 

Hand-woven basket from Northern Ghana

,  All of these beautiful designs are part of Graphic Africa, an exhibition of African design at London’s Platform Gallery.

Another trend in interior design that is also noticed during London Design festival 2013 is the renewal of eclectic.

Sofia Design Week 2010

 Yesterday was the official opening of  Sofia Design Week 2010.
This is its second edition. The topic of this year’s event is More or Less. The Program  includes exhibitions, workshops and other events, but, like last year, its most interesting event, according to me, is the forum where international designers share their experience and discuss their projects and issues of design.

I was pleased to see the first presentation - it was by Charlotte Cheetham, author of the ManyStuff Design Blog, France. “Every morning I check Manystuff” and “Every morning I do Manystuff “. This summarizes my approach and also the approach of Manystuff’s faithful visitors" - it was good to meet a 'colleague', but it was also interesting to see how blogging can be just a starting point to further practical activities.
A lot is being written nowadays about the power of blogging - Manystuff is a very good example about this. It not only reflects the author's choice of interesting design events, mainly in the area of graphic design, but it also acts as a database for Charlotte Cheetham's projects - exhibitions, publications "promoting the new graphic design scene by curating and publishing".
She considers her blog to be" a catalyst, motivation of her activities and for people to do things". And she obviously achieves results - thousands of international visitors every day, several printed publications, many curated exhibitions and international events promoting graphic design and interesting new designers!

 

I have been quoted...

This blog is not the only place where you can read my posts about the latest in interior and furniture design, the most interesting trends and events in this firld - I am regularly posting also in one of the most interesting new on-line design magazines, Clippings.com. There I have posted about Interior Design Trends for 2013: Graphic Patterns and recently found that Materials Marketing™' - America’s oldest, largest and only fully integrated manufacturer of hand-carved architectural and dimensional stone  have quoted me in their post about The Chevron in Interior Design:

"European blogger, Temenouzhka Zaharieva, echoed these sentiments in clippings.com when she wrote, “patterns, and especially graphic patterns are making a steady comeback in interior design- from chevrons to stripes, and in every combination in between. They are an easy way to make a whimsical, bold statement and transform an ordinary interior into a space special and sophisticated.” "

Go there and have a look at their beautiful chevron like pattern using white marble from Vermont, called Montclair:
 

Complete overlap between trends in fashion and interior design

at least what concerns colours, as we can see from the ELLE's New York Fashion Week trend reports:

- black and white is proving its staying power:

Ralph Lauren Spring 2014 Ready-to-Wear Collection

and GRAPHIC

                                  Diane von Furstenberg Spring 2014 Ready-to-Wear Collection

- pastels:

Tory Burch Spring 2014 Ready-to-Wear Collection

- metallics:

Gucci Kim Metallic Leather Lace-Up Bootie

Diane von Furstenberg Spring 2014 Ready-to-Wear Collection

And in interior design:

Pastels are a major trend in interior design since the beginning of the year, as we have seen from the first design events and untill the latest ones:

designjunction at London Design Festival 2013

designjunction at London Design Festival 2013

Copper Inspiration from Tom Dixon

The same allplies for Graphic design and metallics, too,

 but more posts on the theme will follow soon.

Good Design for Children

It is not only that children deserve good design, but also we should always have in mind that what surrounds them creates their taste and esthetics for their life on. We all have certain memories and images that define our attitudes in life and influence our choices that have their roots in childhood. I have learnt that from experience with clients. So we should be very careful what we choose for their rooms. Safety is the other major factor to consider - if you like the appearance of something, but it has sharp corners or is made of materials that are not known or not sertified for low or no volatile emissions - better not buy them.
I intend to post often my findings for children rooms or well designed objects for kids - come visit my blog.
6-Drawer Storage Unit: Everything from pencils to cosmetics is kept neatly in its place. Metal frame storage units have easy-sliding PVC drawers and casters for portability.






Woody Chalkboard Table by Offi

Kidkraft Kids Modern Toddler Bed Cot 86921

Make the transition from crib to bed easy! This bed frame accommodates a crib mattress and features bedrails for security. And it's built low to the ground to make climbing in and out of bed easy. There's even a bench as the footboard for added versatility.

Aero Bed for Kids

AeroBed for Kids is the portable bed perfectly designed for children ages 3 and up. With Instant-On AC Pump, AeroBed for Kids inflates in 60 seconds. With thick, washable, fitted mattress pad AeroBed for Kids deflates in 15 seconds and rolls up and slides into its matching carry bag for easy storage and transport. * Portable and compact, AeroBed for Kids is perfect for traveling with children * Large 50"x25" sleep surface with 4" surround cushion for added safety * Powerful Instant On AC Pump for hands-free, 60 second inflation * Decorative mattress cover included! * Matching duffle bag for portability and storage * The AeroBed for Kids is made of puncture-resistant, 18 gauge, heavy-duty poly-vinyl chloride (PVC). The material is non-allergenic, and is electronically welded at the seams for superior strength and durability. What's included Each AeroBed for Kids comes with its own Instant-On AC pump, quilted mattress cover and handy duffle bag. Bed and pump are covered by a one year limited warranty. A patch kit is also included for minor repairs.

Giraffe Wall Graphic by Blik The Blik Giraffe Wall Graphic, designed by Wee Gallery, is hand drawn and incorporates repeating patterns that stimulate visual activity in newborns but appeals to babies, older kids and adults alike. The Giraffe decal can be affixed to any flat surface including walls, windows, tables and mirrors and are easily removed


Talulah the Toucan by George Nelson
Talulah the Toucan, designed by George Nelson in 1965, is one of Nelson's more whimsical designs. Talulah the Toucan is perfect for kids' rooms or anywhere you want to add some zoo-timer fun. Screen-printed plastic, quartz movement.

Bongo Buddy Hamper Your Bongo Buddy Hamperwill make putting things away exciting and fun. If you're looking for a new friend, look no further! Choose from Caterpillar, Duck and Frog. Each Bongo Buddy is made of durable nylon and moisture resistant. Cleaning can be accomplished by using a damp cloth. Please note that this item does not have a zipper. Also consider the Bongo Buddy Nest.

All comments and suggestions are welcome.



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Unusual designs at Milan Design Week 2015

I like these artistic and unexpected design solutions presented at Salone 2015:

Kenneth Cobonpue for Hive (source)

Inspiring and inviting, making you think of the endless possibilities design can offer for our everyday living.

Thomas Elliott Burns for Axor

 How do you like this unexpected combination of tap, shelf and mirror all in one?

Exnova

"Grid sofa/daybed by POOL for Petite Friture  – a design that combines a pure graphic outline, simple geometrical elements and a modular design" (source)

Add to Flipboard Magazine.

London Design Festival 2013 starts today

One of the most important design events for the season - London Design Festival is now officially open. And its symbol this year obviously will be the Endless Stair, designed by Architecture firm dRMM:


What I like very much is Habitat's Graphic Africa exhibition:


More interesting design:

 Taiwan traditional stool

 Hive Pendent by Dare Studio at designjunction