Dezeen Showroom: Finnish brand Nikari collaborated with designer Pekka Koivikko on a stackable chair made from solid birch that is designed to be painted.

The Kumu chair comprises a sturdy frame of four cylindrical legs that support a square seat, topped by a backrest that slots onto the extruded back legs.

The chairs can be left in their natural finish or painted in any colour. To demonstrate this, Nikari painted the chairs in muted blue, green and red pigments in reference to artworks by Finnish painter and colourist Helene Schjerfbeck.

A slimline upholstered cushion can be added to the chair for increased comfort.

Kumu is durable enough to be suitable for use in both private and public settings.

Product: Kumu chair
Designer: Pekka Koivikko
Brand: Nikari
Contact: sales@nikari.fi

Dezeen Showroom

Dezeen Showroom offers an affordable space for brands to launch new products and showcase their designers and projects to Dezeen’s huge global audience. For more details email showroom@dezeen.com.

Dezeen Showroom is an example of partnership content on Dezeen. Find out more about partnership content here.

The post Kumu chair by Pekka Koivikko for Nikari appeared first on Dezeen.

In the landscape of mobile phone space, making a significant impact can be challenging unless you belong to the elite trio of Apple, Google, and Samsung. The task becomes even more formidable for an underdog like Vivo. If you are not familiar with Vivo, the company was founded in 2009 and has since become a significant player in the mobile phone industry with a strong presence in Asia and the Middle East with its footprint extended to certain regions in Europe. The company is known for offering devices with innovative features, and its X-series flagship, in particular, has gained attention for its impressive mobile imaging performance, through continual collaboration with the renowned lens manufacturer Zeiss. Vivo’s new flagship X100 Pro, which was launched in China on December 19th last year, is yet another Vivo device with outstanding camera capabilities.

We’ll explore how Vivo continues to push boundaries in the realm of mobile photography and invocation. From its sleek aesthetics to the powerful internals, the X100 Pro promises an immersive user experience. Join us as we uncover the nuances of its design, performance, and unique features, providing you with a comprehensive insight into what makes this smartphone a noteworthy contender in the ever-evolving world of mobile phones.

Designer: Vivo

Aesthetics

A large, circular camera module proudly graces the top of the device and rightly commands attention. Aside from the massive camera module, Vivo does not shy away from splashing X100 Pro’s camera capabilities. At the center of the camera module, the Zeiss logo gleams, accompanied by the red letter T* beneath it to indicate the anti-reflective coating that significantly increases light transmittance and helps accurately reproduce colors, according to Vivo. Made of aerospace-grade stainless steel, the “Sun Halo” or “Moon Halo” Ring surrounds the camera module with lens specs on the ring. Underneath the camera module, you’ll find “Xtreme Imagination” Vivo Zeiss Co-engineering branding. On the bottom, you’ll find big, but subtle Vivo branding. If all these texts on the back of the device are not enough for you, look at the top of the phone, and you’ll find a “Professional photography” sign.

A bit cluttered with texts aside, the X100 Pro is a sleek-looking device. It is available in two color options: Asteroid Black and Startrail Blue. We received the Asteroid Black variant which has a glass back panel with a matte finish, resembling sandblasting. The Startrail Blue variant also boasts a glass back panel but distinguishes itself with patterns that emulate the streaks of light created in the night sky.

Ergonomics

Vivo X100 Pro measures 164.05 x 75.28 x 8.91 mm and weighs 225 g. The display features slightly curved side edges. The side edges of the back panel are also slightly curved. The device fits nicely in the hand and thanks to the curved edges, it does not bite into the palm. In the Asteroid Black variant, the glass back panel offers a velvety touch that is quite pleasing but tends to be a bit slippery. Luckily the textured gray case came with the phone to provide a nice grip, though it tends to show scratches easily.

Like numerous other smartphones with an in-display fingerprint scanner, the positioning of the scanner near the bottom edge of the display can present a challenge for swift unlocking and seamless navigation with one hand. Fortunately, the fingerprint proves to be fast and accurate. The arrangement of the physical buttons and SIM tray is also similar to other phones, with the volume control button situated on the right side, and below it, the power button. At the bottom, you’ll find a SIM tray, primary microphone, USB-C port, and speaker. Meanwhile, on the top, there is a secondary microphone and an IR emitter.

Performance

There is absolutely no doubt that the main attraction of the Vivo X100 Pro is its upgraded ZEISS co-engineered imaging system. Before delving into the details, I’ll spill the beans – it is phenomenal. X100 Pro boasts a triple camera setup. The main 50MP camera uses a Sony 1-inch IMX989 sensor with an aperture of f/1.75. However, the true standout in the triple camera setup is the Zeiss APO floating telephoto camera with an aperture of f/2.5. The telephoto camera features an innovative periscope group structure called the Floating Elements Design, enabling sharp focus both up close and at a distance, by allowing individual lens elements to move freely. Both the main and telephoto cameras support OIS. Rounding up the triple camera setting is a 50MP ultra-wide with an aperture of f/2.0.

The main camera produces excellent images with plenty of details and a wide dynamic range. The photos are sharp and color rendering is realistic. The 2x zoom photos, captured with the main camera, are great as well.

The ultra-wide does its job well, and the photos captured are equally impressive as those taken by the main camera. However, it’s not very wide (119-degree field-of-view) compared to some other phones.

Both the main and ultra-wide cameras are also very capable in low-light conditions, capturing images with the right level of exposure, excellent dynamic range, and substantial details even in dark areas.

However, as stated before, 4.3x Telephoto is hands down the star of the triple camera setup, delivering superb photos in nearly every lighting scenario. Even in low-light settings, the handset takes photos with plenty of details, balanced exposure, and minimal noise. With the 100mm equivalent focal length, you can get close to your subject and snap the photos with a nice bokeh, and if you need to get even closer to the subject, the device is capable of digitally zooming up to 100x.

I took the Vivo X100 Pro to Ed Sheeran’s show in Osaka, Japan, and captured many photos and videos using mainly telephoto throughout the show. My seat was located on the first floor of the baseball stadium, which had been transformed into a concert venue with a capacity of 36,447. I was very impressed with the photos and videos I snapped at the show where lighting was constantly changing and tricky.

Given that this is an imaging-focused mobile handset, the device offers an array of shooting modes and styles to cater to your creative vision. There are Snapshot mode, Night mode, and Portrait to name a few. In Photo mode, the users can select from three distinct color treatments: Vivid, Natural, and Zeiss. The Portrait mode offers various styles to choose from, with my personal favorite being Vintage, delivering a film-like output.

With photos captured in Portrait mode, you have the flexibility to adjust the focus point and aperture after the fact, allowing you to customize the desired focal point and level of bokeh.

I usually don’t find much interest in Macro mode as the photos produced are subpar. However, the X100 Pro proves to be an exception. It produces sharp images with a pleasing bokeh effect, as you can see in the sample photo below.

Vivo X100 Pro’s excellent capability does not stop at taking photos. The device takes great videos as well. The phone is capable of taking up to 8K 30fps video with its main camera. The telephoto and ultra-wide cameras can record videos up to 4K at 60fps. Unfortunately, the front-facing camera is maxed out at 1080p at 30fps. Stabilization works very well in well-lit conditions but struggles a bit under low-light conditions.

There is a 4k Cinematic Portrait mode that offers automatic focus switching, similar to Apple’s Cinematic Mode. While its performance can be inconsistent, it takes artistic videos when it gets right.

Powered by MediaTek’s latest and most powerful Dimensity 9300, the device offers a seamless experience whether you are playing graphically demanding games or multi-tasking with numerous apps opened. Despite the phone’s responsiveness and speed, the battery performance can be somewhat underwhelming depending on what you do on the phone. Equipped with an enhanced 5,400mAh battery, the phone provides ample power for normal daily use. If you take tons of photos and videos(which with the phone this good, you will be inclined to do so), topping up during the day might be required. Fortunately, it supports 100W FlashCharge and 50W wireless FlashCharge.

Vivo X100 Pro sports a 6.78-inch AMOLED screen with 2,800 x 1,260 resolution, a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, and is equipped with LTPO technology for dynamically adjusting the refresh rate while saving the battery. With a local peak brightness of 3,000 nits, the screen is ample bright even under direct sunlight. It delivers smooth images with vibrant colors.

Running on Funtouch OS 14 on Android 14, the photo provides smooth performance. There are many customization options for things like lock screen styles and useful features like split-screen and small windows. Another welcoming change is having less bloatware.

Sustainability/Repairability

With its exceptional ability to capture high-quality photos in diverse situations, the likelihood of reaching for the Vivo X100 Pro to snap moments becomes a natural inclination. Considering the exposure to elements like water and dust, it’s comforting to know that the device has an IP68 rating, meaning it can endure submersion up to a depth of 1.5 meters for a duration of up to 30 minutes.

Vivo does not specify the use of sustainable materials for the phone. However, the material used for the ring around the camera module is crafted from aerospace-grade stainless steel, known for its resistance to wear, high temperature, and corrosion, ensuring durability.

Value

Vivo X100 Pro X was launched in China with a price tag of 5,499 CNY (about 770 USD)for the 16GB RAM/ 512GB storage variant. Since then the company has gradually rolled out the device into other Asian markets including India, Malaysia, and Thailand. It has finally reached some European markets. It’s worth noting that the price is higher than anticipated, at 1,199 Euros (about 1230 USD). However, given the phone’s quality, particularly its exceptional and versatile imaging capabilities, it is not excessively expensive.

Verdict

If mobile photography is your priority when choosing a phone, the Vivo X100 Pro currently stands as one of the best camera phones on the market. Whether capturing moments with friends and family, street scenes, or exploring the intricacies of subjects like flowers and bugs in macro mode, this device has the remarkable ability to transform even the most mundane scene into a form of artistic expression, thanks to its exceptional camera features. The images captured by the telephoto camera are just another level, setting the new standard for mobile photography. Beyond its impressive camera capabilities, the Vivo X100 Pro is a solid device with a vibrant and sharp display, responsive software, great build quality, and fast wired and wireless charge capabilities. The handset also offers a well-rounded and high-performing smartphone experience.

The post Vivo X100 Pro Review: A strong contendar for the best camera phone of 2024 first appeared on Yanko Design.

Dezeen Showroom: British acoustic treatment brand Autex Acoustics has developed an acoustic ceiling and wall system designed to absorb sound in busy open-plan spaces.

Created for a range of interior applications including office, retail, education and hospitality settings, the Frontier system consists of a configuration of 3D and 2D shapes made from 100 per cent polyester fibre.

“Comprised of linear, almost skeletal elements, the modular Frontier system congregates to form undulating sculptures and rhythmic slatted features,” Autex Acoustic said.

Treatments are available in two variations – fins or rafts – and the height, spacing and placement of each acoustic element can be customised with an adjustable channel and clip system.

Certified as carbon neutral, the Frontier system is suitable for use across walls and ceilings and can be installed flush, fixed to rails or suspended from extension rods.

There are a total of 21 colour options and nine styles to choose from, which can be combined to complement a space’s interior aesthetic.

Product: Frontier
Brand: Autex Acoustics
Contact: sales@autexacoustics.com

Dezeen Showroom

Dezeen Showroom offers an affordable space for brands to launch new products and showcase their designers and projects to Dezeen’s huge global audience. For more details email showroom@dezeen.com.

Dezeen Showroom is an example of partnership content on Dezeen. Find out more about partnership content here.

The post Frontier acoustic ceiling and wall system by Autex Acoustics appeared first on Dezeen.

There’s an opulent new outpost of the storied French club and cultural hub

Sandwiched between a dollar pizza spot and a legal cannabis dispensary in Hell’s Kitchen, you’ll find a door that leads down a flight of stairs to an alley that comes to another door. When you enter, you’re greeted by opulence. This is Silencio, the latest French nightlife export to land in NYC. Known for their late-night parties in in Paris, Silencio has opened up outposts in Ibiza and a second in the City of Lights, while only dipping their toes in the US market (with an Art Basel pop-up almost 10 years ago). While the original location credits filmmaker David Lynch as the designer, the brand new spot was richly imagined by Crosby Studios‘ founder Harry Nuriev.

On Silencio’s opening night, you could see Swizz Beats holding court, drinking Tres Generaciones tequila, to celebrate his personal art collection, known as The Dean Collection, being displayed at the iconic Brooklyn Museum. On another night, Olivier Zahm—under a plume of smoke and his eponymous baseball hat and sunglasses—was chatting French cinema and the new edition of Purple Fashion Magazine. In between parties, we sat down with bon vivant Arnaud Frisch, Silencio’s founder, to talk all about his NYC plans and what revelers can expect in this hidden gem. 

Location is crucial in NYC, so why did you choose to open in Midtown West rather than a more fashion-forward area?

The Hell’s Kitchen/Midtown area is rich in history and legends. We think of the Studio 54 era and a time when celebration thrived here. For Silencio, the historical dimension of the location is significant, just as it is in Paris, situated in the heart of the second arrondissement in the former offices of L’Aurore newspaper, where J’Accuse from Émile Zola was printed. The location was a gamble. No one thought this area could welcome the likes of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, The Weeknd or Dua Lipa. This concept extends to Silencio des Pres in the former cultural hub of Saint Germain des Pres. In New York, the aim is to embody this unique spirit of celebration and cultural openness and establish a presence in a vibrant cultural ecosystem. We consider our neighbors iconic cultural hubs, places like MoMA, the Met Museum, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and Broadway.

What type of clientele are you hoping will become regulars here?

At launch, the club will open three times a week, from Thursday to Saturday. Our project is to create parties in collaboration with artists and DJs, fashion designers, galleries and film studios. We hope to attract a clientele seeking enjoyment and a connection.

The original Paris location has rich cultural programming for members. Can we expect something similar in NYC?

Our current members cultural programming includes weekly premieres with directors like Ruben Ostlund or Damien Chazelle, literary conversations with writers like Bret Easton Ellis or Roberto Saviano, live music with musicians like Lana Del Rey or Kendrick Lamar, performances with artists like Takashi Murakami or Björk, dinners with chefs like Massimo Bottura or Mauro Colagreco and private openings or launches. We also have access to a co-working space in Saint Germain des Pres and in our international network of partner clubs, priority access to the club and pop-ups at the Cannes Film Festival, the Venice Biennale and exclusive programs for Paris+ by Art Basel. We extended it to Ibiza, and aspire to offer a similarly rich program in New York.

Speaking of membership, the Paris location is technically members-only. Can we expect something similar in NYC?

Silencio clubs and restaurants are open to non-members who appreciate music and the arts.

You’ve had a star-studded launch with The Dean Collection and Purple Magazine. Can we expect more events with your other French collaborators and friends in the future?

We had the chance to host amazing events for the opening, such as The Dean Collection, Purple Magazine and the after-party for the premiere of “One Love” with Rohan Marley and an exclusive YG Marley show. We are planning to host our Parisian collaborators, with 99Ginger and Harry Nuriev this week, as well as international and local talent.

The room itself looks beautiful, with red velvet and gold. Can you speak a little more about the design direction and the feeling you’re looking to evoke among patrons?

The design, created by Harry Nuriev from Crosby Studios, who is a fan of David Lynch, draws inspiration from the original club on rue Montmartre. The idea is to provide an environment where people feel comfortable, can be themselves and enjoy themselves in a sumptuous setting.

How about the cocktail menu? New York is a city known for its cocktails. Do you have favorite spirits and drinks that made their way here?

We collaborated with Remy Savage, one of the world’s best mixologists, across all our establishments. The menu is articulated around the contrast between the approachability associated with disco cocktails (echoing the Studio 54 era) and the elegance often associated with French products. 

You’ve opened Silencio in various parts of the world. How do you make them feel distinct but still part of the same family? How does NYC fit into this?

Silencio is fundamentally about bringing creative communities together, offering spaces designed for that purpose—our brand’s identity. Each project is designed around the history of the town and the location with David Lynch and Raphael Navot in the right bank of Paris, Studio KO in the left bank, balearic designers More Design in Ibiza and Harry Nuriev, who is based between New York and Paris, for our latest location. 

Japanese design is just so quintessentially functional, thoughtful, and pretty-looking too! I have a soft spot for Japanese product designs as they always manage to be – simple, sophisticated, and high-value. I love incorporating Japanese products in my home space, they have such a soothing effect and can add an elegant touch to any home. I also enjoy using Japanese kitchen appliances and tools. Not only are they adorable to look at and gentle to use, but they’re also high on functionality and very rarely give you any trouble. They’re foolproof designs that you can depend on to tackle your cooking prep and other kitchen tasks, and we’ve curated some top-notch Japanese kitchen tools for you!

1. Mitsubishi Bread Oven

Mitsubishi’s Bread Oven is created to serve you the perfect toast! Looking like an adorable waffle maker, the toaster features a veneer brown look that seems to be straight out of the ’80s. It has a sealed thermal-insulated structure and can toast your bread without releasing any moisture, preparing a soft and fluffy toast for you!

Why is it noteworthy?

The Bread Oven is equipped with two plates that can go up to temperatures as high as even 500 degrees Fahrenheit. These nifty plates seal the piece of bread, transferring heat to it, and creating a slice of toast that is anything but dry.

What we like

• It has four cooking settings – Toast, Frozen Toast, Topping, and French Toast
• Sleek good looks, making it a great fit for your dining table

What we dislike

• You can only toast one slice of bread at a time, which can be inconvenient
• It takes longer to toast bread with low sugar content

2. Slim Fold Dish Rack

Named the Slim Fold Dish Rack, this innovative dish rack has a portable design, allowing you to carry it anywhere with you. It features a patent-pending spring mechanism, that lets you adjust and shrink the rack from 14″ to 1.2″ in no time. The rack can be easily deployed, making it quick to set up and use.

Click Here to Buy Now: $75.00

Why is it noteworthy?

The Slim Fold Dish Rack has a minimalist yet durable design, perfectly capturing the highlights of Japanese design. It ensures adequate ventilation and offers plenty of space for cookware, utensils, and plates of any shape and size. Since it has a convenient portable form, it is great for camping outdoors too.

What we like

• Collapsible and flexible form that ensures clean and dry utensils in the nick of time
• Portable design that is easy to clean and dishwasher friendly

What we dislike

• Since the rack has slim wires, it’s not the best option to hold heavy utensils like pots and plans

3. Black Kitchen Knives

These Black Kitchen Knives are fashionable and sophisticated featuring a sleek black blade that makes them stand out from other typical knives. The black sheen offers the knives a refined look, adding a touch of Japanese class to your kitchen and cooking process. They’re the upgrade you need from your mundane knives.

Click Here to Buy Now: $99

Why is it noteworthy?

The Black Kitchen Knives feature a clean and sleek form, with only a subtle “i” logo, ensuring there are no loud distractions on its body. The knives remind you of a ninja in the shadows, which goes straight for the kill, cutting your ingredients with stealth, grace, and deadly precision.

What we like

• The knives are crafted from molybdenum vanadium steel, making them quite durable and sharp
• They’ve been coated with titanium to provide increased wear resistance

What we dislike

• The knives are only available in black, with one uniform design, so there aren’t a lot of colors to choose from to match our kitchen

4. Rassen Chopsticks

Designed by Nendo for Hashikura Matsukan, the Rassen (spiral chopsticks), perfectly marry fun and functionality, to create a product that is quintessentially Japanese. The pair of chopsticks can be attached together to form one convenient single unit, and they can be separated whenever you need to use them.

Why is it noteworthy?

Bringing the chopsticks together and then separating them feels like you’re playing with a jigsaw puzzle. Using the chopsticks becomes a fun and interactive experience, bringing joy to your daily meal. And since you can easily combine the pair, you never have to live in fear of losing one!

What we like

• The perfect culmination of fun and functionality
• Handmade by artisans

What we dislike

• May not be preferred by those who like traditional chopsticks, and could take a while for them to get used to the product’s unique form

5. Iron Frying Plate

If I had to pick one kitchen product that truly captures the sensible yet interesting Japanese design philosophy – I would pick the Iron Frying Plate. This unique kitchen design doubles as a serving plate and a frying pan, all thanks to its innovative removable handle, which allows the product to change forms.

Click Here to Buy Now: $69

Why is it noteworthy?

The Iron Frying Plate marries both a frying pan and a serving plate to create a functional and unique kitchen tool. Made using durable materials, the plate cooks and serves, while facilitating direct-from-the-pan serving. It introduces an ingenious and novel new way of cooking and serving.

What we like

• The plate’s wooden handle can be attached and detached, allowing it to double up as a frying pan and serving platter

What we dislike

• It’s made from iron, making it quite a heavy pan in comparison to traditional frying pans. Hence it could be difficult to store and handle in small kitchens

6. Magemono Tumbler and Bread Tray

The Magemono Tumbler and Bread Tray are beautiful Japanese-style serving dishes. The tumbler features a Hasamiyaki porcelain inner vessel and a Magemono Japanese cedar wood sleeve on the outside. The bread tray is a thin tray crafted from a fir tree and is available in two sizes.

Why is it noteworthy?

The bread tray is perfect for serving those breakfast sandwiches, while the tumbler can hold a brewed cup of coffee. Both the dishes represent the serene and untouched perfection of Japanese craftsmanship, while also providing sustenance to the craftsmen and their families, and also allowing this art to be passed down to younger generations.

What we like

• Preserves and boasts Japanese craftsmanship
• The bread tray can even toast the bread for longer according to the designer

What we dislike

• Available in a single colorway only

7. Precision Chef Kitchen Scissors

Named the Precision Chef Kitchen Scissors, sleek black kitchen shears feature a curved serrated blade that slices through your food in a quick and easy manner. The precise scissors are excellent for cutting up some steak on the dining table, allowing you to showcase your meat-cutting skills.

Click Here to Buy Now: $99

Why is it noteworthy?

The Precision Chef Kitchen Scissors have an aura and image of power and style, owing to their jet-black shade. The position they’ll occupy in your kitchen will be impressive and intimidating, while skillfully chopping through veggies, pizza, steak, and more.

What we like

• The scissors are equipped with a curved serrated blade that cuts meat safely, effortlessly, and swiftly
• Makes cutting an easy and hassle-free step of the food prep process

What we dislike

• The scissors are only available in black, so there aren’t many color options to choose from and match with our kitchens

8. Playful Palm Grater

The Playful Palm Grater is what you need to add some Japanese functionality and whimsical fun to your kitchen or dining table. The little grater can fit perfectly into the palm of your hand, marrying fun and functionality to create a product that is lightweight, full of value, and transforms a simple cooking process into an interesting experience.
Click Here to Buy Now: $25

The post Top 10 Cooking Supplies To Bring True Japanese Aesthetics, Functionality & Style To Your Kitchen first appeared on Yanko Design.