Hasta La Ideas

Japanese designers Nendo will present new additions to their 1% products in Milan this April, including this tea set where the lids double as spinning tops.

New pieces also include stacking vases, a coffee-filter holder that mimics the matching cup it stacks with and a stacking set of saki cups that can be combined to make a tumbler, large cup or jug.

100 of each design will be produced and sold.

Critic Alice Rawsthorn’s spoke to Oki Sato of Nendo about the collection in her interview with him here and you can watch our interview with him on Dezeen Screen here.

The collection will be on show as part of Nendo’s solo show at Palazzo Visconti, Via Cino del Duca 8, Milan from 17-22 April.

Photographs are by Hiroshi Iwasaki.

Here’s some more information from Nendo:

new collection of 1% products will be shown
during the Milano Salone at nendo’s solo exhibition

100 is the perfect amount: they’re neither one-off “works of art” nor mass-produced products made in the millions. Whether its the skill of the artisans or new technologies, we want to make things that are only possible because there are 100 of them. Not more, not less. To give owners the chance to experience the joy of owing 1%.

Win-tea cup

This three-piece set consists of a cup, saucer and coffee filter holder whose form mimics that of the cup and saucer.

With its stabilizing form when placed on top of the cup to pour coffee, and a volume of precisely one cup of coffee, the filter holder provides maximum function with minimal fuss.

The saucer doubles as a tray for the filter holder after coffee has been brewed, and the entire set can be stacked for storage at half its height by placing the filter holder between the saucer and cup.

Top-tea set

A teapot and cup set.

The thick wooden lid provides good insulation to keep the tea warm, and its pointed center condenses steam into liquid and directs it back into the teapot, rather dripping down the sides.

The lid becomes a top, and can be spun on the tabletop for amusement while drinking tea.

Block-vase

A set of small bud vases that can be stacked together like building blocks.

The vase comes in four different sizes, carefully measured to fit together without disturbing the vase on the bottom.

With careful stacking, the cases can accommodate a tall flower by running it through the vase on the top.

Stack-sake set

A sake set consisting of pitcher and cups, in the form of stacks of cups. The different sizes correspond to different types of drinks: one cup is a choko small glass, two cups stacked a slightly larger one, and four cups stacked a tumbler. The stack of five cups is actually a pitcher for sake.

Because all of the cups have the same shape, they can be stacked together when not in use, and the one-cup choko doubles as a lid for the pitcher.

When the pitcher is heated, for drinking warm sake, the cups can be warmed simultaneously, too.

Shrink-plate

A design that takes advantage of porcelain’s characteristics. When ceramics are fired, extreme differences in the thickness of the clay make the other side of the clay shrink away. Potters usually try to prevent this through a variety of techniques such as controlling the thickness of the clay and using curved rather than flat surfaces.

The shrink-plate, on the other hand, makes what’s usually seen as a problem into a design feature.

By increasing the thickness of the decorative elements and making the slab of the plate particularly flat and thin, the plate’s decoration stands out in relief.

Place: Palazzo Visconti
Address: Via Cino del Duca 8, Milan
Transportation: San Babila
Date: April 17- 22, 2012
Opening Hours: 11:00 – 20:00

Art and design studio CTRLZAK have launched a collection of tableware where half of each piece resembles traditional Chinese porcelain and the other side features a European design.

Based on an earlier collection of one-off pieces, the new commercial range for Italian brand Seletti is intended to highlight the mixing of aesthetics between Western and Eastern production.

Unlike the earlier CermamiX range, the plates, bowls and cups in the new Hybrid collection are cast as single objects in bone china.

The two halves of each object are then decorated with different colours and motifs.

You can see more stories about ceramics here and more stories about tableware here.

Here’s some more information from CTRLZAK:

SELETTI & CTRLZAK present: Hybrid

Seletti presents the Hybrid collection designed by CTRLZAK studio.

A line of tableware reflecting on the historical production of Chinese and European porcelain and its’ centuries of cross-fertilisation between Western and Eastern aesthetics.

The pieces in the collection are graphically divided between east and west with a coloured line marking the boundary between the two styles and, paradoxically, strengthening at the same time the union.

The Hybrid collection looks at the present while reflecting on the irony of history proposing consequently an evocative contemporary interpretation.

Traditional Dutch porcelain company Royal Delft have launched a new contemporary brand, Blue D1653, including this set by Arian Brekveld that looks as though the blue emblems have slipped down the rim of each dish.

The first collection also features Brekveld’s white bottles with decorative collars, plus tiles for serving tapas or sushi divided into sections that play with Royal Delft motifs and vases that split into two smaller containers by Damian O’Sullivan.

Chris Koens contributed a rounded tea pot with a pebble-like lid and a set of rings decorated with Royal Delft patterns.

See more stories about ceramics here.

Here are some more details from the designers:

Royal Delft

Call it contemporary nostalgia, new originality or the purest form of Dutch Design; Blue D1653 brings together the best design of two eras in one collection.

With the Blue D1653 collection Royal Delft combines the time-honoured trade of the Master Painters with the powerful design of modern Dutch Designers.

Interaction between the present day and history, expressed in a unique collection of decorative objects and consumer products for food, mood & lifestyle.

Royal Delft, The original Blue

Royal Delft was established in 1653 and since then has been the largest and most important producer of Delft Blue.

Today it is the only remaining producer in Delft from the 17th century.

The assortment varies from classic to modern design and tradition is the binding factor.

Through the introduction of Blue D1653, Royal Delft shows that, in addition to tradition, innovation also comes from Delft.

A new idea that feels like a plausible further elaboration of the Delft tradition.

Blue D1653 gives Delft Blue meaning in the lives of a new group of people.

Contemporary Masters

The Blue D1653 products are designed by the (Dutch) guild masters of the 21st century; modern, known Dutch Designers.

They invent and develop new products, taking their inspiration from the Royal Delft Master Painters.

These painters paint the refined guild artwork of the earthenware and have learned through tradition and strict selection.

The cooperation between the Designers and Royal Delft Master Painters results in products which have a distinct character; Delft Blue meets Dutch Design.

Soulful Design

The connection between history and the present day gives Blue D1653 a unique character; design with a real soul.

Reference is also made to that in the name: ‘Blue D’ is a light-hearted reference to Delft Blue which, by adding the year 1653, places its roots in history.

Blue D1653 gives the ancient craft of Delft Blue a contemporary stage for a new audience.

Interaction between the present day and history, expressed in a unique collection of decorative objects and consumer products for food, mood & lifestyle.

Designers: Damian O’Sullivan, Arian Brekveld & Chris Koens
Master Painters: Caroline Hartman, Simon van Oosten & Paul Bartels

The 10-year journey of an ultra-aged tequila, from agave plant to hand-painted bottle

Far from the bars where rowdy patrons slam down shots of pale liquid with a lick of lime and sprinkle of salt lives ultra-aged tequila, meant to be savored like a glass of cognac. In the case of Grand Mayan Tequila the depth of the extra añejo dark amber spirit reveals notes of nuts and chocolate, and a smooth, lingering finish.

Grand Mayan begins its 10-year journey in the agave fields of Jalisco, Mexico, where the agave tequilana weber is grown for 5-7 years before being harvested. The hearts of the plant are then slow-cooked in stone ovens before they go through a slow natural fermentation process. Extra care is taken in the distillation and filtering process, which takes place at the famous La Cofradia distillery. The liquid ages in American oak casks for at least three years before being bottled in their signature ceramic bottle celebrating the history of Mexico.

Created by artisans in Mexico City, the lovely, diminutive decanter is hand-painted with blue flowers and orange designs—an appropriately elaborate vessel for the precious liquid within. The company produces only 3,000 litres of the spirit per year, which has become highly coveted by tequila connoisseurs for its flavor, rarity and special presentation. We experienced the enthusiasm firsthand during a recent visit to K&L Wine Merchants, where mere mention of Grand Mayan received quick notes of approval from every staff member within earshot. Naturally, we felt compelled to pour ourselves a shot and were able to savor it slowly, no lime or salt necessary.