Hasta La Ideas

The Republic of Fritz Hansen is typically referred to by the name of its founder, a Danish cabinetmaker who established himself as a prominent local craftsman in the second half of the 19th-Century. The company has since evolved from an esteemed local shop to an international brand, though the name has been synonymous with high-quality home furnishings for nearly a century and a half.

Fritz Hansen’s latest design, FAVN (pronounced “fOWn”), a new sofa design by Spanish designer Jaime Hayón, was well-received when it debuted in Milan last month, and the design is now on view at their showroom in Soho, at 22 Wooster St.

We had the opportunity to sit down with Christian Rasmussen, Head of Design at Fritz Hansen, on the occasion of NY Design Week 2011, to discuss the past, present and future of the esteemed Danish brand.

Christian Rasmussen

Let’s start with the basics: how would you characterize Danish design?

Well, it’s difficult because it’s something we don’t think that much about… Actually, it’s much easier for you to say what Danish design is, but if I’m to say how I see it…

You know, Denmark is a very small country; historically, we are a nation of peasants—we’ve never had silver, gold, we didn’t have a mountain of marble like the Italians—but we always had wood. It’s always been about getting the maximum out of limited resources, and somehow that sticks to us.

I think that’s why we ended up with this very minimal, considered and analytical approach to design. We’re always looking for a good reason for doing what we’re doing. I think that’s something that characterizes Danish design: it needs to have a function. There needs to be a strong idea—you need to make the right decisions. You have very limited resources, it’s part of the whole process: designing is making choices, and to make the right choices, you have to have the right set of values. I think they come out of that tradition, that Danish approach to design.

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Thanks to everyone who made it out to celebrate our “Sweet 16” NY Design Week party at the Phaidon Store last night—especially those that stopped by our Hand-Eye Supply stand and modeled the safety glasses for us!! You made our night!

Barbara modeling the Spectacle Smoke Lens safety glasses, Universal Herringbone Eyelet Apron, and the Core77 Sweet Sixteen koozie.

More party safety shots!

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Earlier this year, Kikkerland Designs teamed up with the oldest university in North America, UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México) to hold a student competition highlighting Mexican culture. Keeping in line with Kikkerland’s off-beat and colorful brand, the top 5 contenders were on display for general voting at Kikkerland’s booth at ICFF. Amongst the prototyped options was a Crocodile Cheese Grater (Sarahi Delgado), Luchador Bottle Opener in three different wrestling poses (Andrés Lhima), a Tree-Free Pencil Kit that uses recycled paper similar to those charcoal peel and sketch pencils (Andrea Román), Jurassic Erasers that unearth embedded “fossils” as you erase (Gilberto González) and a Skull Corkscrew (Stephanie Suárez). The design challenge was to create products for a “real-life” sponsor with a Mexican cultural reference. Vote for your favorite online or cast your ballot at the Kikkerland ICFF booth.

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Leon Ransmeier nightstand for PIN-UP Magazine

Beautiful architectural glossy, PIN-UP Magazine toasted a special exhibition yesterday at Phillips de Pury featuring intimate and over-the-top work from 11 American artists, architects and designers. Exploring an oft overlooked piece of bedroom furniture, The Nightstands offers a glimpse at the inner-life of each of the commissioned designers’ works.

Our favorite is from New York-based designer Leon Ransmeier whose rotating 360-degree stool for Established & Sons was unveiled at this year’s fair in Milan. Ransmeier created a beautiful one-off piece using a 5-gallon water jug, hand-pump and unfinished asymmetrical wood stand. Architects Aranda\Lasch constructed a geometric stand using a 10-foot long gold zipper and black leather. Unzipping the stand reveals a lush pink silk interior, a nice nod to bondage hardware and the mystery of other bedroom pursuits. On the opposite spectrum, hometown favorites and Core77 Design Award Trophy designers Rich, Brilliant, Willing constructed their nightstand using the simplest of materials leaving no place to hide a secret stash. Brooklyn designer/fabricators Situ Studio created a leaning dual-toned concrete block casting impressions for items found in a nightstand: water bottle, sex toy, book, clock and numerous weapons! Situ writes on their blog, “These objects, which reside within arm’s reach as we descend into sleep, betray the messy proximity of our values, secrets and needs.” Check the jump for more work, video preview of the magazine spread and party pics!

Situ Studio

PIN-UP MAGAZINE
The Nightstands
Phillips de Pury / 450 Park Avenue
Through the end of June

Aranda\Lasch
Rafael de Cárdenas with Evan Gruzis
Jim Drain
Paul Kopkau
Paul Lee
Shawn Maximo
Richard Phillips
Leon Ransmeier
Rich Brilliant Willing
RO/LU
SITU Studio
Michael Stipe

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Boskke’s “Sky Planter” wall

Although we spotted these before, in terms of “eye catching,” the Boskke “Sky Planter” wall, (above) dominated the ICFF Design Boom exhibition hall. Simple and stark, the Boskke inverted planters dangled down exotic orchids, ferns and edibles, offering up natural beauty—even in a crowded convention center.

Boskke, which means “small forest” in old English; boasts of the Sky Planter’s ability to offer plants and greenery without sacrificing much-needed urban floor space. While floor space is of dire importance to most urban dwellers, the other benefits of indoor gardens aren’t too shabby, either—air purification and improved health are always good.

The upside-down design also conserves water by avoiding evaporation and drainage water-loss, feeding the plants gradually at the roots and filters air impurities. All that, and it still looks way better than a traditional potted Ficus.

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