Stuck Up : Candle Pins
This could be really striking on a table or as a centerpiece to a dinner party - such a lovely and unusual way to present burning candles. They are called ‘Candle Pins’ and are the creation of designer Sébastian Bergne, who lives and works in London and Bologna. Check out his site Spunique showcasing his quirky personal projects that he fits in between his commercial work.
Single Candle Pin - 24h x 12 diam. cm - 99 Danish Krone = approx. 12.30 euro
Multi Candle Pin - 24h x 24 diam. cm - 269 Danish Krone = approx. 33.50 euro
HAY in Denmark ships internationally
Website in English and Danish
Neoprene : Prince Chair by HAY
This chair is definitely an eye catcher. It was designed in 2001 by Louise Campbell and has been awarded the Elle Decoration Design Award in 2006 and will take part of the permanent exhibition at MOMA. It has the pedigree and I think it has the looks.
The frame is made of black powder coated steel and the seat is made of soft neoprene rubber with felt covering. Available in black and white.
Prince Chair - 100w x 80d x 35/80h cm - 1998 euro or £1249
Can be purchased directly through HAY in Denmark, Midsommar Shop in Germany or Dansk Design in Sweden
All sites ship internationally and are in English
Redux : Badekappe Bag
Okay… can you imagine the looks when you pull this out of your tote? Whether you ever wore one or not, who doesn’t have a memory, good or bad, of a bathing cap. I think this would be the perfect little sack to hold your lip balm, money, keys, etc…when you are headed off to the pool or beach. Made from rubber and comes in turquoise, pink, orange, red, yellow, black, white or grey. Lovin’ it.
“Badekappe” - 25 x 15 x 12 cm - 18,50 euro
Available through Fair-Kaeuflich
Website in German and English
Shipping internationally
Modern Nomad : Muuto
When I first saw the Muuto shelf I thought to myself, what is it? Mind you, I saw it without the accessories in it. The Muuto shelf can be assembled into any formation you would like - if not used for a shelf then you can use it as a sculptural piece.
Muuto is a Danish design company which handpicks young Scandanavian designers (Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark) to work with to create their product range. Fresh, funky ideas. Check them out.
Muuto Shelf System - white or graphite black - 105h x 160w x 30d cm - 319 euro
Muuto products can be purchased through Adero Design or Midsommar Shop in Germany. Lumi Living of Finland and HAY of Denmark also carries the entire range.
All shops ship international
Website Language:
Adero - German only
Midsommar - English and German
Lumi Living - English and Finnish
HAY - English and Danish
Modern Eating : Tonfisk Design
Tonfisk Design of Finland founded 1999, launching their first products in 2000 at the Ambiente Exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany, are now servicing the world with a variety of tableware designs. The Maku range, as pictured above, includes 3 sizes of wooden plates and 3 sizes of ceramic dishes, which work together in a modular fashion. The ceramic pieces are oven, microwave and dishwasher safe. The wood pieces are walnut veneer with a natural oil coating for protection.
The entire Maku range can be purchased here. Prices ranging from 11 euro to 110 euro.
Lumi Living of Finland serves all of Europe
Website in English and Finnish
Break the Bank : Pour Ma Retraite Piggy Bank
Designer Ionna Vautrin designed this easy to open piggy bank called ‘Pour Ma Retraite” which is produced in glazed porcelain for Industreal of Italy.
As reported at Design Boom, Industreal will be showing the collaborative work of Ionna Vautrin and Guillaume Deligne, at Milan’s Palazzina Liberty from April 16th to the 21st during the Milan Design Week 2008.
Piggy Bank - 2 Sizes - Small: 36.75 euro Large: 73.50 euro
Industreal located in Milan, Italy shipping internationally
Website in English
Coded Message : What’s Your Poison Coasters
Set of 8 Periodic Table of Elements drinkmats designed in 2003 by Frank named “What’s Your Poison?”.
I am a huge fan of ironic products, like the bathing cap bag featured above or the Park Planters by Tristan Zimmermann featured below. I enjoy the wit and cleverness involved to create a product that not only functions but makes you rethink the source of inspiration. These clever drinkmats do just that - how about gold for your favorite person and arsenic for your not so favorite. Contains AU (Gold) / Fe (Iron) / Pb (Lead) / As (Arsenic) / C (Carbon) / Hg (Mercury) / Br (Bromine) / Zn (Zinc). Made of mat board.
8 Drinkmats - 9.4 x 9.4 cm - 69 DKK = approx. 8.50 euro
Hay in Denmark carries these
Shipping internationally
Website in English and Danish
Bright White : SIA Accessory Selection
White is one of my favorite colors, maybe even my favorite color. I find white and all the various shades from taupe, off-white, greyish tones to Zen like bright white, are soothing to my mind and eye. It is an easy color to decorate around and also it is easy to add to an existing interior. So since spring is headed our way think of some bright whites for your interior.
Sophisticated Grey-Silver Pillow - has silver stiching & sequins - £14.95
Hypnosis White-Beige Pillow - 50 x 30 cm - £29.95
SIA Filipa Whitewash Mirror - 94h x 75w - £149.95
SIA Prestige Whitewash Arm Chair - £299.95
Theo Table Lamp - glass - 84h cm - £184.95
SIA Perfume Bottle - clear glass - £14.95
All products can be found at VeryNice2 in the UK
Shipping internationally
Website in English
Andalucia : Chest of Drawers
Spaces Interior Collections of Spain is offering this traditional Andalucian handpainted chest of drawers. I really am a fan of handpainted furniture whether done in traditional motifs or flat matt / gloss modern paint.
Chest of drawers - 110w x 52d x 110h cm - 1,541 euro
Spaces Interior Collections is located in Southern Spain and will ship throughout Europe
Website in English
Japanese : Kokeshi Dolls
I was recently given a Kokeshi Doll by a dear friend. My friend went on to explain the significance of the Kokeshi as they are given as tokens of love and friendship in Japan.
She now sits on my bedside table and every day when I awake and see her I cannot but help to think of my friend. What a lovely gift. Being intrigued by her history I have found some places where you can obtain your own little gift of love and friendship.
Traditional Kokeshi began to be made approximately 200 years ago in the Tohoku region (Northeast) of Japan. It is believed that the Kijiya (woodworker) originally made these dolls in the winter to sell to tourists that would come to visit and bathe in the local hot springs. The dolls popularity spread, as tourists upon their return, would pass the ’souvenir’ on to the children with the belief that the gods, seeing children play with dolls, would be duly impressed and would then yield a good harvest.
There are 2 types of Kokeshi on the market today, traditional and modern. Both are made by hand out of local wood. The difference between the two are that traditional Kokeshis are painted with organic dyes and the modern versions are more brilliant because modern polychrome colors are used.
You can find them in the UK at the Japanesey, Victora and Albert Museum Shop, Tokyo Cube or Kokeshi Shop. In Switzerland you can find them through Klang und Kleid.
Prices range from 25 euro to 50 euro
Websites in English
Shipping internationally
Jeff Miller Obo Shelf
Obo Shelf system by Jeff Miller was first introduced in Milan at the 2007 Furniture Exhibiton. The shelf system can be stacked as you wish for all sorts of uses. The shelf cube is made of high gloss scratch-resistent plastic and is available in 7 colors.
Obo Shelf - 39l x 39h x 30d cm - 129 euro
Price per module and two connection elements.
Proform Shop located in Austria with free shipping to Germany and Austria
Website in English and German
Ships internationally
Say It : Tsé & Tsé Ventriloque Clock
The design duo Catherine Lévy & Sigolène Prébois of Tsé & Tsé Associées are the creators behind the Ventriloque alarm clock. The alarm clock allows you to record your own message! Just think you can record anything you like… a motivational message, sounds, another’s voice, the possibilities are endless. Brilliant idea.
As a note, if you have time, check out the website of Tsé & Tsé Associées for they have the most interactive website I have ever personally run across. Lots of fun. To read an interview with the design duo see Three Layer Cake.
Alarm Clock - Digital readout, light-up and snooze function - 5w x 5d x 10h cm - 50 euro
Made In Design ships internationally from France
Website in English and French
Felt : daff feel filz & Burning Love
Felt or filz as the Germans call it, sure has come a long way since I was a child. daff feel filz, the Düsseldorf based company, produces a series of products made from Merino wool felt in the most modern of colors, shapes and designs. Merino wool felt will hold brilliant color for longer and it also resists piling. Love it or hate it with these options I think felt is here to stay.
Laptop Bag - 149 euro
Ottoman - 45 x 45 x 45 cm - 319 euro
You can find many daff feel filz products at Luxury, Basso, Mocavi, Tablewear - all sites are in German only.
In my search I also came across these accessory bags for Laptops and the iPod® from Burning Love. Not only are these stylish but completely practical. I have been traveling quite a bit with my laptop lately and I can say that using a plastic ziplock back to store all my cables is not sexy.
You can choose from 8 colors for both the outside and the inside.
Laptop Accessory Bag - 35 euro
Pod Accessory Bag - 35 euro
Burning Love website only in German but will ship internationally
Surprise Material : Danish Rugs
Innen von Sinnen is carrying these polyester rugs from Demmark. The design is terrific and comes in a variety of colors. Since it is made of polyester it can be used both indoors and outdoors. I think this would be a great floor covering for a bathroom, terrace, wet room or balcony.
Small - 95 x 175 cm - 30 euro
Large - 180 x 270 cm - 57.50 euro
Innen von Sinnen ships internationally from Germany
Website in English and German
Sitting Pretty : Lounge Chair Roundup
Finding a lounge chair is hard enough, finding a designer lounge chair that won’t break the bank is even harder. Over at Chic Modern Furniture I found these 4 modern lounge chairs with a nice price - all are under 700 euro.
Wing by Henrik Sorig Thomsen
Chromed steel and split / bi-cast leather. Available in a multitude of colors.
83w x 59d x 85h cm - 508.63 euroLuna Lounge Chair by Paolo Chiantini
Lacquered aluminum with polyurethane foam interior and fabric upholstery.
60w x 60d x 74h - 687.50 euroMeganet Lounge Chair by Paolo Chiantini & Gualtiero Sacchi
Chrome plated welded steel, fabric or leather cushion.
61w x 70d x 85h cm - 353.75 euroNemo Loomtex Lounge Chair
Chromed steel frame with Loomtex seat and back.
79wx 65d x 73h cm - 492.96 euro
Chic Modern Furniture headquarted in the UK but appears to ship from within continental Europe. Various currency choices available.
Website in English
Hanging Out : Alberto Washing Line
So all those lovely designer pieces need somewhere lovely to dry. You may want to think about the washing line designed by Fabrica for Casamania of Italy. As original as they are they do not come cheap and are definitely for the family with disposable income.
It may be used indoors (comes with base plates) or planted in the ground for outdoor use. Five color choices available.
Alberto - polyethylene - 96.5w x 8d x 181h cm - 2 stands 549 euro + 2 base plates 249 euro
Proform Shop located in Austria with free shipping to Germany and Austria
Website in English and German
Ships internationally
Ghostly : Ghost Furniture UK
UK based Ghost Furniture run by Di Overton and Harvey Roll, have a collection of hauntingly beautiful ‘reconditioned’ furniture and art pieces that they have found and restored. Each piece is one of kind that has been refurbished locally using traditional techniques and eco-friendly materials. I am really taken with their ‘Ghostly’ series of accessories. Divine.
Of the pieces shown the prices range from £95 - £150
Ghost Furniture website in English
Shipping internationally with free delivery within the UK
New Romantic : A Palette of Glass & Pastels
Soft mohair, cut glass, flickering candlelight, white wood… this creates such a beautiful mood in a room. Here are some finds for you to create that mood for yourself.
LSA Bullet Tea Light Holders - 8 cm - £9.95
Paravent - solid wood - 120w x 180h cm - 139 euro
Lawrence Mohair Throw - 100% Lambs wool, mohair - 120 x 170 cm - £99
Glass Chandelier - 34 x 34 x 57h cm - £220
Mirrored Angel Wings - 30w x 66h - £169
All websites ship internationally
Note: Car Möbel Website (selling the paravent) is in German only
Double Take : Park Planters by Tristan Zimmermann
Tristan Zimmermann from the Canadian design team Science and Sons is the creative mind behind these scenic plant pots.
As Science and Son states…”Park planters were created to elevate the common household plant to the status of full grown tree. The potted plant becomes the backdrop for an urban park scene. Ranging from dog walkers to flashers and muggers, no two scenes are alike ensuring the autonomy of each piece.”
Park Planter - white ceramic with clear glaze - 15 x 15 x 30h cm - 65 euro
Charles & Marie shipping worldwide
For Europe shipping from Frankfurt, Germany
Website in English
Circular : Mirror Disc and Sunburst Wall Clocks
A clock can be wall fashion and with these 2 timepieces from UK based Really Linda Barker this should be a snap. I think the difficult part is the decision of which of the two to buy.
Mirror Disc Clock - Diam. 47 cm - £42.50
Sunburst Clock - Diam. 45 cm - £27.50
Really Linda Barker ships worldwide
Website in English
Trendy Lights : Aesthetic Studio Dune & Zig Zag
The Thai design company, Aesthetic Studio, are the creators behind the ‘Zig Zag’ & ‘Dune’ pendants, table and floor lamps. The lamps made of polypropylene plastic are flat packed and require self assembly.
Zig Zag Pendant Large - 51 diam. x 27h cm - 85 euro
Dune Pendant - 18 x 18 x 38h cm - 59 euro
Zig Zag Floor Lamp - 34 x 34 x 60 cm - 79 euro
Can be found through Do Lifestyle in Spain
Shipping internationally
Website in English and Spanish
In The Cut : Industreal Stelle Placemats
The Stelle placements designed by Maurizio Meroni for Industreal are really a 2-in-1 product. The center insert can be removed to become a coaster. The placemats made of polyurethane farbric are produced using laser cut technology and come in 6 different colors.
Stelle Placemat + Coaster - diam. 35 cm - 22 euro
Industreal located in Milan, Italy shipping internationally
Website in English
Birds Of A Feather : Etsy & Retail Finds
Stefan, my friend and design guru, loves birds and before I met Stefan I never thought of these feathered creatures as objects of beauty outside of nature. Now with new eyes I am seeing birds everywhere - handtowels, art prints, sculptures, t-shirts, bedding, table trays…. the list goes on. If you have never thought of birds as objects of desire then keep your eyes open you will be pleasantly surprised how charming, sophisticated and down right contagious they can be.
The four prints above are by Aline *Yumi* Yamada the Etsy shop owner of YumiYumi. She is a fine art illustrator hailing from Brazil and transplanted to Ohio, USA. Her giclee prints are of her original illustrations and are printed on museum quality paper, signed and dated. Lovely.
Each print pictured costs $20 - 21.5w x 28h cm - YumiYumi ships worldwide
More birds at Etsy:
Check out Gypsy and Twink for painted and collaged, wooden owls -$60 or birds - $40
3 Gift Cards by Luckychelle7 - $1.85
Vintage fabric plisse pouch “Tweetheart” by McYarnpants. - 14 x 14 cm - $18
Wallpaper covered notebooks by myright2write - $11
Tweed and velvet shoulder bag by PeskyCatDesigns - $55
Retail Finds:
‘Blue Feather Bird’ Decoration - Really Linda Barker - £7.95
‘Birds on the Wire’ Clothes Pegs - Pack of 25 - Pedlars - £7.95
Alessi Kettle - Alessi - 99 euro
‘Owls’ Wall Stickers - Scandinavian Design Center - 34,33 euro
‘Feather’ Wallpaper by Ferm Living - Scandi Living - £39 per 10m
Mini Pouf ‘Bird’ for children - Souk Shop - 74.95 euro
Talk To Me: Table Topic Cards
Now this is a clever idea. Wrappables in the USA is offering these place holder cards to jump start a dinner conversation. As they say “you know great parties begin with great conversations.” Questions include “When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?” and “What’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever seen?” Box includes placecards, each with 12 conversation starting questions. They also offer Party Topic Coasters and Table Topic Cards* containing 136 questions.
Wrappables does not ship outside of the USA but the idea is clever enough that you may have to locate a local printer or letterpress to whip you up some for your next dinner party.
Party Topic Cards - 7.6 x 7.6 cm - $6.95
Website is in English
Shipping only within the USA
*Update: I have been able to find “Table Topic Cards” at I Want One of Those in the UK - 19.99
Purple Haze : Nuala Vase by LSA
Sitting pretty with this Nuala Vase by LSA of England. Also comes in a foam green color. Made of glass.
Vase - 36 cm - £59.50
Sold through Lifestyle Bazaar in the UK
Website in English
Groovy : French Bull Salad Servers
Reminds me of my mom’s summer dresses back in the 70’s. Groovy these French Bull Salad Servers designed by Jackie Shapiro and sold by Urbis in Denmark.
Salad Servers - Choice of 3 different patterns - Melamine - 11.96 euro
Urbis ships internationally from Denmark
Website in Danish, Swedish and English
Bold : Clarissa Hulse
UK designer Clarissa Hulse offers this bold beauty of a pendant lampshade. It is made of 100% hand-printed silk on the inside and 100% plain neon pink silk on the outside of the lampshade, comes with UK/European adaptor fitting.
Fireweed Lampshade - 30 x 35 x 30 cm - £155
Clarissa Hulse ships internationally from the UK
Website in English
Timeless : Ochre
I came across the site of Ochre, a design studio with locations in London and New York. I am soothed by their choice of colors, fabrics and design. Lovely.
Here are some of my favorite products they offer:
Circular convex mirrors in white
Long Snooze sofa
Divine Recline giant club chair
Coco Pendant Lamp
Cherub Lamp
Ochre does not have an online store but can be contacted here for pricing and availability.
Ochre also does bespoke lighting.
Ochre has showrooms in London and New York
Website in French and English
Modern Retro : Tom Dixon Pipe Pendant Lamp
As stated earlier this month I am a big fan of Tom Dixon’s lighting designs. He keeps his designs looking contemporary without becoming too retro. These pendants are sexy.
Pendant light made from extruded aluminium. With contrasting textures the interior is coated in anodised metallic colours whilst the exterior is powder coated to give the shade a smooth finish. Also comes in a table lamp and wall light versions.
Pipe Pendant Lamp - 20dia x 75h cm - £280
TwentyTwentyone shipping internationally from the UK
Website in English
Travel in Color : Tepper Jackson Travel Tags
Raise your hand if you own black luggage. Ever stand at the airport as your luggage rolls around the conveyor belt trying to guess “is that mine?” Well these Travel Tags might do the trick to help you quickly identify your gear, plus if your luggage goes amiss then your contact details are all right there.
Tepper Jackson Travel Tags - 11l x 6w cm - 17.34 euro
Urbis ships internationally from Denmark
Website in Danish, Swedish and English