Since Edison’s invention 133 years ago little has changed in the world of lightbulbs, aside from the introduction of fluorescents and LEDs of course. Today Philips pushes the evolution with the announcement of Hue, the next step in consumer lighting, and the world’s first Web-enabled LED home lighting system….
Continue Reading…
1. Rain Room One spotlight, 100 square meters, a grid of water spigot panels and an array of cameras enable the profoundly rad experience that is Rain Room. Installed in Barbican’s Curve Gallery in London, the Rain Room uses 3D mapping of moving bodies to give visitors the experience…
Continue Reading…
Laser-cut wooden vases painstakingly assembled by hand, piece by piece
As an architect, Jon Kleinhample explored an “ideal aesthetic” through modern forms and daring techniques. Now, Kleinhample brings the same sense of exploration to Belgium-based fabrication studio LMBRJK, which takes a multi-disciplinary approach to creating custom art objects from natural materials. Drawing on CAD-based methods of fabrication as well…
Continue Reading…
Jakarta-based illustrator Melissa Sunjaya brings Indonesian craft global with totes and more
by Maureen Ferry Cuellar When designer and BlueLounge co-founder Melissa Sunjaya, returned to her beloved but chaotic hometown of Jakarta, she was struck by the disconnect that exists among the country’s population of more than 250 million. As a natural resource and manufacturing-rich nation, Indonesia ships top-quality components and ingredients…
Continue Reading…
The Stockholm-based Scottish artisan introduces a family of candlesticks
Based out of Stockholm, Scotsman David “Superdave” Taylor calls himself a metal craftsman. The self-proclaimed job title doesn’t necessarily do him justice, however, given that his roster of work regularly transcends the boundaries between design, art and craft. Yet, tags aside, the man is a true contemporary artisan in…
Continue Reading…
A table and Airplay-enabled sound system in one
Combining precision German engineering with beautiful Finnish design from their offices in Berlin and Helsinki, multinational studio Mela & Vanamo debuts with the stunning Kaikuuu01 table sound system. Designers Teemu Kurkela, Martti Mela and Päivi Meuronen created the Airplay compatible table with integrated speakers and radio, all encased in a spare, unassuming design.
Constructed of Canadian maple by a specialized cabinetmaker in Berlin, the glass-topped table relies on an audio exciter pressed against the underside of the glass surface that effectively turns it into a loudspeaker—a technique Mela says is commonly used in showroom windows and sound art installations. The boxed wood frame both acts as a natural soundboard to amplify low frequency tones and keeps the electronic innards out of sight. The glass plain rests on a dampening cushion that eliminates the transfer of sound and vibrations to other objects placed on the table.
The Kaikuuu01 is controlled by an Apple Airplay-compatible device within the structure, and powered by an AC cord that runs out of sight through one leg. For more information on the acoustic table and pricing—which can be constructed in any requested size—contact Mela & Vanamo directly. The designers also have a headboard, light and alarm clock in the works.
Our interview with the founder of LA’s new home design and accessories shop
With a style owner Scotti Sitz describes as “modern natural,” the new Los Angeles boutique Garde inhabits a tranquil and airy space stocked with eclectic handmade items.
Summoning her years of experience in fashion and interior design, Stitz filled the richly textured, light-filled shop with merchandise highlighted by carefully selected furnishings like hand-crocheted collars by Nathalie Costes, 2550º Candles and jewelry by Naomi Maslon arranged on tables made by Kristan Cunningham and Scott Jarrell.
We caught up with Sitz to learn more about the store from its opening to the constantly evolving collections she curates.
We are definitely a gift shop with home accessories. I wanted the opportunity to bring in designers and artists who weren’t necessarily represented here. I can mix my reasonably priced quilts and pillows with maybe a more luxurious cashmere throw. When something has a price point here that is a little bit higher, there is a reason for it. There is a process behind it in terms of the work and the material. Not just for the sake of being a luxury good.
I used to live in this neighborhood in the Beverly corridor a few years ago and I have watched it evolve. It’s become a destination for high-end vintage furniture, great restaurants and accessories. We looked at this space. It was a dump. The building is from the early 1940s and it had not been touched. The first business here was a bank of operators. It was the pre-411. So if you wanted to know who sold apple pies in Los Angeles between Fairfax and La Brea, these operators would tell you where to go. When we got this space there were the old phone jacks all along this wall. Then 30 years ago an electronic repair shop opened here. There was linoleum and false ceilings. The skylight was boarded up. We gutted the space.
We named the store Garde, keeping the idea of something new and different, and I also like the definition as it applies to “en garde, the stance in fencing to prepare for your match.
I ask myself, “Would I put it in my house?” “Would I wear that item?” If I have to say no, then it does not belong here. Except for some basics at good price points, everything has to have a story behind it. Everyone I represent has a story to tell. They have a process to tell and a unique and wonderful product. I love a good story.
My new obsession is Christien Meindertsma. She’s from the Netherlands. She is represented by Thomas Eyck. What I love about her is she comes up with a concept for a product design and takes it to an end product. I fell in love with her flax project a couple of years ago. Meindertsma commissioned a farmer to plant the flax seeds. Then she designed her flax collections, the flax ropes she makes into lighting fixtures. I also sell her wool Urchin poufs. If you go on her website you’ll see pictures of the sheep. They are all numbered. I love seeing the photos before and after they have been sheared.
I love Vincent Van Duysen pottery. He is a huge inspiration to me in terms of his look and design. The ceramic canisters with a sand-blasted white oak lid. The first time I got them in they weren’t even here for 24 hours. Something like that you have to touch. It has a softness to it that is just beautiful. It’s the same with Sara Paloma‘s pieces. Right now I am sold out of her work, except for one vase. We had a collection in when I first opened that I would literally make everyone touch because it was so exquisite and feels like suede. I also feel that way about the hand-blown glass vessels with cast brass botanical stoppers by Lindsey Adelman.
They are from a fashion house in India called Injiri. Everything is hand-done—the beading, the tassels, the lace, the buttons, the embroidery. There is a lot of workmanship that goes into these garments. I like the idea of carrying things that are good basics that can cross over. The scarves can be worn by men or women. The shirts are more of a year-round garment.
They are one-of-a-kind. The designer is T Smith Knowles. She’s local. Everything is hand-done, the stitching, the beadings are antique. The workmanship that goes into those bags is just exquisite. They really are unique, all hand-signed and numbered. The leather is the finest and really light-weight. She will even customize the strap for each customer.
I think what is so wonderful about this time is that there are so many amazing artists. It is the best time to do something like this. I can showcase my favorite artists and designers and many people who’s work is not represented everywhere else.
Vintage-inspired lamps with an industrial feel
Anyone who has wrestled with the trauma of a tiny city apartment has had to endure small, dim lights or, at the very least, a lack of accessible outlets. Cooper Union graduate Dennis Murphy combined his love for interior design with what he calls his “industrial palate” of the past to solve such shortcomings in his Brooklyn flat. Designing his own light fixtures based on the architecture around him, Murphy made a living out of his hobby by founding Huckduck with his friend Christopher Garis in 2011.
Based in New York’s Lower East Side, the lighting and design company creates lamps with distinct character, each individually handmade with quality and craftsmanship in mind. The lamps’ eight-foot cords are made of vintage cotton and can include a Leviton in-line on/off switch anywhere in the cord upon request. Each cord can be customized in color and pattern ranging from subdued black or neutral hues to denim, green, houndstooth, or a red and white zig-zag pulley cord.
Huckduck lamps range from hanging single-bulb pendants like the Yellow Bridge and Red Egg Basket to tabletop models like the Renovator and Glass Hemingway lamps. Huckduck also offers four different filament-exposed bulbs to complete the vintage look at a reasonable $18. Whatever the combination, the lamps deliver an old-time feel with contemporary sleekness for indoor or outdoor spaces.
Lamps are available for sale on the Huckduck website, or visit Fab to get a lamp on sale until 4 August 2012.
An Australian couple’s innovative approach to homeware retailing
For many, choosing how to outfit their home has become as important as how they choose to dress. With people like Tom Selby showcasing interesting creatives’ homes and work spaces, and thousands of Pinterest boards dedicated to home décor it’s become the expression of personal style through interiors has reached a fever pitch. Helping Melbournians do this is The SuperCool, a pop-up shop and online store created by Kate Vandermeer and David Nunez (Noonie). Enticed by the quirky goods on offer, we caught up with Kate to discuss retailing, retro styling and the reasons why pop-up shops are here to stay.
We both wanted to work together doing something creative and we love stuff for the home/studio spaces. In my own trend research as part of iSpyStyle I’d noticed that pop-up shops were more than just a fad and did some research regarding vintage peddlers. I found the idea of taking your wares to the people was a really relevant retailing style in the current retail revolution we’re having. So we workshopped that idea and then on our honeymoon met with heaps of artists, designers and vintage collectors.
It all began late last year, as a bit of an experiment to see how it would go. After just the first two locations Melbourne Central and Pope Joan we realized we had tapped into something unique. The response from customers and media was pretty overwhelming and we thought that we should go guns a blazing into 2012 with TheSuperCool!
There’s no real strategy; it’s very organic. We look for unusual spaces that have good foot traffic. We like to collaborate with other industries (Pope Joan and St Ali in terms of food, and Great Dane in terms of high-end Scandinavian-style furniture) and we like to move around different neighborhoods.
Literally all over the world. We’ve had product from Norway, Sweden, Germany, France, UK, Spain, USA, Hong Kong, Argentina, Brazil and, of course, Australia. We like to have a healthy mix of both local and international design and we support a lot of small independent designers and makers and work with a variety of vintage collectors. We’ve also started making some product ourselves and hope to do more of this down the track.
So far, I’m the only one full-time in the business, plus I’ve still got a handful of clients from iSpyStyle that I take on project work with and try to fit around TheSuperCool. Like any new business, you put in far more hours than you see profits but we’re starting to see the rewards from this and its definitely given us hope that it will be a full-time gig for both of us soon. Noonie still works full time in the corporate sector alongside working on TheSuperCool at nights and weekends.
I would say 90% of the time I’m pretty lucky—we have really similar taste and views on business. I’m a bit more cautious and he’s more of a risk-taker. So we balance out each other well. He’s awesome at logistics, systems, operations and is a wickedly good researcher and buyer. I handle the branding, social media, online store and admin side, as well as the visual merchandising. We both do the retail side of things and we both enjoy connecting with the customers and chatting about what they’ll do with our stuff.
That other 10% is tough. When we’re exhausted from working 45 days straight and we have to bump in/out of a shop—it’s physically full on and that can test your patience, but we’ve managed to make it work thus far and we can see a light at the end of the tunnel.
We like to think that we offer an interesting curation of unique objects. We put time and effort into the displays of our products online as well as in store. We offer great affordability for people and that they don’t get ripped off. We’ve also tried to make the online store descriptions an echo of how we are in store when chatting with customers. We offer DIY tips, we try to be witty and not take ourselves too seriously and make it fun! The online store still has a long way to go though and we’ve got some big plans for the future.
We’re pretty excited to announce that we have just taken on a six-month lease for a semi-permanent shop at SO:ME Space at the South Melbourne Markets. We did a pop-up there for six weeks earlier this year and it was so well received, so when one of the shops came up for lease we jumped on it.
Create your own miniature world full of beautiful flora and fake fauna with this step-by-step guide
From their Victorian-era genesis to waves of popularity in the ’70s and in recent years, terrariums have taken on a variety of mossy forms. Leading their most recent charge was the uniquely charming, Brooklyn-based Twig Terrariums, whose uncanny ability to build miniature worlds complete with perfectly manicured landscapes and quirky characters breathed new life into the household standby. Twig creators Michelle Inciarrano and Katy Maslow have recently released Tiny World Terrariums, sharing step-by-step instructions on creating your own verdant paradise.
With revealing photography of little dioramic worlds depicting every situation imaginable—from graffiti writers in Manhattan to backpacking adventures in the desert—the DIY manual teaches the average crafter how to transform their own glass jar from a simple dish to an enchanting landscape. The book is filled with dictionary-like descriptions and even suggestions of proper tools for harvesting moss from the wild, making this little book an ideal guide for the novice “terrarer”.
Tiny World Terrariums is now available from Amazon for about $25. The book may also be purchased directly from Twig Terrariums, which also has more information, terrarium inspiration and a list of suggested NYC-based retailers for terrarium essentials.
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
