Hasta La Ideas

Six designs from the 2011 NY Auto Show we’d love to see in production

Concept cars serve two purposes: To create an allure and desire for a brand and to explore style and technology innovations that influence a maker’s range of cars in a more accessible time frame. Most of these cars had their debut at other recent shows, but all are alluring and insightful in how they will influence upcoming models.

Saab’s PhoeniX combines a sleek sports body with a highly engineered, efficient propulsion system. The all-wheel drive hybrid sports a 200hp, 1.6-litre turbo engine to power the front wheels while the rear is powered by an electrically driven axle. Its sexy lines are an insight into design director Jason Castriota’s vision for the brand we’re all hoping makes its way into upcoming cars. It’s camera-driven rear view mirrors and super-slick butterfly doors provide an accessible yet futuristic feel.

It’s always exciting when a company reinvents a classic. Volkswagen revisits its iconic microbus model with their Bulli concept, a six-seater driven by an electric motor with a 186-mile range. Further enabling drivers to leverage their devices instead of being tied to a car’s tech, the infotainment system is driven by an iPad. VW says this flexible beauty is headed for production in 2014.

Striking lines and a sleek design come together in this nontraditional concept of the age-old touring sedan. The Lexus LF-Gh is probably the boldest hybrid of recent times. Designed for the low emission standards of the future and the style, performance and efficiency demands of today.

Scion‘s FRS-8 is based on a platform that Toyota used for its recently introduced FT-86 II concept and that will power the rear-wheel drive Subaru Boxer when it goes into production in 2012. Scion’s take is our favorite, and one we’d love to see go into production.

Designed specifically for city dwellers, Cadillac’s Urban concept seats four and is driven by a 1.0-liter three cylinder engine. The compact package and use of electric assist technology gets this vehicle an estimated 56mpg in the city, and despite its small size it comfortably surrounds you in Cadillac luxury.

One of the few cars unveiled at the show, the A-class concept maintains its Mercedes-Benz DNA and infuses it with a welcome youthful twist. In addition to its sporty and sleek design the car features a new turbocharged 4 cylinder engine, a dual clutch transmission, advanced collision protection and braking systems.

First off, look what happens when you stick packing tape to frosted glass:

Secondly, you can “cast” an object by wrapping it in two layers of packing tape, one sticky-side out, then sticky-side in:

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Eight wholesome toothpastes to polish up your smile

As most dentists will tell you, any toothpaste that encourages teeth-brushing is a job done. But as a twice-daily activity (hopefully), knowing what it is exactly you’re putting in your mouth is essential. While fluoride or fluoride-free remains a common debate, for those who seek a more natural cleaning experience, below are eight pastes we scoped out that are sure put a healthy smile on your face.

Launching Kingfisher‘s fennel flavored toothpaste at a homeopathic conference back in 1988, founder Richard Austin keeps all-natural ingredients at the forefront of his practice. (He also started the U.K.’s leading whole foods store, Rainbow.) Fluoride- and gluten-free, the vegan toothpaste is made with fennel, lemons, aloe vera and tea tree. While it definitely tastes like fennel, the surprisingly pleasant flavor leaves your mouth feeling clean without the use of intense mint. Kingfisher Fennel sells online and at health stores around the U.K. for around £3 per five-ounce tube.

Super foamy and lightly abrasive, Auromere‘s licorice-flavored Ayurveda herbal toothpaste is one of my favorite among the group. Deep-rooted in holistic medicine, Auromere was founded 30 years ago as a small community-owned business. With a brand name that translates as “the science of life,” Ayurveda is an ancient Indian art centered around disease prevention and healing through the power of nature. Ayurvedic Licorice Toothpaste sells online for $6 per four-ounce tube.

With a mild but intriguing taste, Weleda’s calendula toothpaste is great for anyone who doesn’t like classic flavors like cinnamon or mint. I found that you do have to put an extra dollop on your brush to really get a good lather going (unless you follow their instructions to apply with a dry brush), but it did leave my mouth feeling pretty fresh—considering it is peppermint-free. The calendula flower, known for its anti-viral properties, combines with naturally-disinfecting my to keep your mouth super clean. Weleda Calendula toothpaste sells online for $7 per three-ounce tube.

Nature’s Gate Creme de Anise toothpaste has a strong licorice flavor, not for the flavor fainthearted. As their name implies, their exclusive “AntioxiDental Blend” is made from healthy ingredients like cranberry, pomegranate, white tea, grape seed, aloe and ginger. The all-natural toothpaste sells online and specialty drug stores for around $5 per six-ounce tube.

In our profile of Botot a few years ago, the gillyflower-based blend is likened to the “first few chews of Big Red gum.” Invented by Dr. Julien Botot in 1755 for King Louis XV of France, Botot is often considered the world’s first toothpaste. The old-school polish sells online from Unica Home and Canoe for around $11 per 2.5-ounce tube.

Made with mostly thyme, sage and chamomile, Vademecum’s Fluor & Plantes’ minty mix really gets your mouth feeling sparkly for those in the pro-fluoride camp. Vademecum Director of Research and Design, Claudia Hundeiker tell us fluoride “works by promoting a chemical reaction in tooth enamel that draws in replacement minerals including calcium.” Fluor & Plantes sells online for around €3 per 2.5-ounce tube.

A more commonly known option, Marvis‘ slightly foamy Jasmin Mint toothpaste adds a touch of floral flavor to tone down the mint. The Italian brand doesn’t keep their polish completely natural, but makes it using a “long, precise, traditional method” that gives it a thick consistency and intense flavor. Their nearly four-ounce tube sells everywhere from C.O. Bigelow to Barneys for around $12 per beautifully-designed package.

Made by the luxurious French skincare brand Darphin, Denblan toothpaste ingredients include an appealing mix of papaya, pineapple, lichen extracts, mint, fennel and parsley oils. Containing fluoride, Denblan’s blend promises to whiten teeth with its highly revered anti-cavity formula. A 2.6-tube sells online for $20.

Core77’s retail store, Hand-Eye Supply, is participating in Portland, Oregon’s 2011 Starlight Parade this June. We will be bringing a can-do message to the streets, aiming to fire-up Portland’s next generation of designers, makers and DIYers. Our float will feature some razzle-dazzle lighting effects and two local inspirational maker types.

If you have an interest in Portland’s creative scene, come on over and check out our roster of nominees and cast your vote for our “2011 Maker Overlords of Portland”!

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We got the rundown on some favorite Italian standbys at Piccoli Oggetti Italiani, a pop-up display at 121+, the temporary-turned-permanent outpost of Italian design publisher Corraini. Watch the video tour above for some hand-picked design artifacts from everyday Milanese life, including a light switch by Achille Castiglioni.

LIbreria 121+
via Savona, 17/5
Milano

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