A symbol of the new luxury

In the years of heavy economic problems everything changes - including the idea of luxury. It now shows no useless excess or pure glitter and glamour - it is subdued, but still retaining the value of beautiful craftsmanship and achievements of the past. And much more accessible, like British product and interior designer Lee Broom's  Crystal Bulb launched at this year's Milan Design Week:

“I wanted to create a light bulb as a more accessible design product and incorporating cut crystal seemed the most logical design as this has become a familiar style within my product ranges.”, explains the designer.

Kitchen trends from Milan Design Week 2012

- modularity and free standing units:

La-Cornue

I like the idea of the French brand best known for traditional ranges and stoves La Cornue with the new W collecton presented at Eurocucina in Milan from 17 to 22 April to introduce a hob and oven system that look more akin to furniture than electrical appliances.They are free standing and elegant and mix well with the rest furniture we have used to see in our living rooms. 
Design is by French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte.

A little retro look, but that is obviously also a trend, because we can see a similar approach with Diesel Social Kitchen for Scavolini:

image via designboom

 "the diesel social kitchen is made not only on the modularity of each element but also on separate modules to assemble freely with each other.
this aspect of the project is represented by the MISFITS collection, a line of non-modular freestanding objects which fit in the kitchen
such as carts, tables and storage units."source

Doesn't this picture above remind you of your grandma's kitchen dresser?


How do you like this trend? I would prefer to design my kitchen in a similar way because of the freedom to move furniture much more easily and the possibility to merge functions and entertain better in your kitchen-living room.

Design for children at Milan Furniture Fair 2012

Isn't it great to have the chance to live and play in such a surrounding? I can imagine how happy the children who have this possibility are!
The video is from the Child Culture Design exhibit "Play in progress" in Milan 17-22 April, 2012 and the imaginative designs presented are by the students from the unique Swedish master's programme
Child Culture Design, HDK - School of Design and Crafts(Sweden). Find more here http://www.hdk.gu.se/en/nyheter/2012/hdk-plays-milan

And here below is also design for children - Smile collection by the Portugal company Fenabel:

A lot of Copper at Millan Design Week

In addition to the impressive Tom Dixon lighting collection there were numerous other designs with this beautiful warm material - in the last years copper becomes more and more popular. It is one of my favorite materials, too - it is soft and cozy, quite unlike metals. And at the same time it can look quite luxurious.

Nino & Svenja

25-29 by Angie Anakis for Ligne Roset

Francesco Rota, according to Domus,

 "admits to having always been quite curious or even passionate about copper as a design material ("It is an expensive but splendid material that is hugely satisfying. I find its warm pinkish colour really innovative", he explains). What fascinates him most, however, is its changing colour, the fact that it this material oxidises and changes its character, colour and appearance. "

Set of copper trays by Francesco Rota for KME

Suspended lamp in copper by Front for KME

Interesting point of view

Jasper Morrison:

Jasper Morrison, Park Life for Kettal

"Outdoor is rooming because of smoking laws in Europe, you can't smoke in a restaurant so suddenly outdoor becomes more interesting."

says he in his interview for Domus when talking about his new outdoor project for Spanish company Kettal.

 Paola Lenti (image from http://bloesem.blogs.com)

Kettal,VIEQUES, design Patricia Urquiola

Frolla,  SKITSCH

Well, I suppose he is joking, because since 2009 Outdoor is absolutely a booming trend which is current at this year's Milan furniture fair, too. The new designs of outdoor furniture not only grow in quantity, diversity and quality, but also I notice a trend of merging between indoors and outdoors (as you can see in the examples above and right) - which is great! Isn't it so comfortable to be able to use your furniture whenevere and wherever it you need it?

Ideas for your children's room from Milan Design Week 2012

Gallery Kaufmann Repetto, Lily van der Stokker

Gallery Kaufmann Repetto, Lily van der Stokker

(photos from design art news)

Kaufmann Repetto presents the solo show of Lily van der Stokker, Living Room:

"Paintings, sofas, chairs, tables and carpets are overwhelmed by a voluntary childish decoration which recalls a kindergarten and opens doors upon a subversive world made of exuberance, harmony and color. ...the artist forces the sense of welfare playing between the familiar and the inappropriate."

 As an interior designer I like the idea of including this sense of welfare in the rooms of our children - it would be good to grow in such an atmosphere, don't you think?