The first of our stories this month is from the Italian Lighting company Prandina. Their new table lamp, Hanoi, has recently been awarded the GrandesignEtico Award 2012. This award not only rewards superb quality of product and manufacturing skills, but also the quality of the workforce and the quality of the workplace. The graceful curves and elegant form creates a statement piece for any table top providing either 2x9w or 1x13w of diffused downward lighting. The smooth matte finish adds to the elegance and is constructed from a delicately folded single sheet of thermoformed methacrylate. Conforming to fire safety regulations and with an IP20 rating it is suitable for commercial use in-particular in high-end hotel schemes or offices. If you are interested in purchasing this lamp for a commercial scheme or domestic use then please click here to be directed to UK dealers. What Prandina say...
The Hanoi lamp by Prandina has received the GrandesignEtico International Award 2012 12th edition. The Award is supported by Associazione Culturale Plana sponsored by Lombardy-Region and Provincia of Milan. It gives its values to designers and firms’ innovative products according to design and ethic standards such as: environmental protection during manufacturing processes, maintaining of good work’s conditions and relationships between employees and, finally, firms’ commitment towards underdeveloped Countries or lower classes. This award is the result of the constant work of a jury composed by designers, architects and companies’ representatives that, in the four sessions of the last two years, checked more than 600 firms and selected the worthy ones of Nomination. Prandina is an Italian brand who started in the interior lighting design in 1982 and it’s member of ADI - Industrial Design Association - since 2005. Since the beginning Prandina’s creative philosophy has fulfilled criteria of simplicity and formal precision, functionality and lasting quality that have enabled the brand to gain a recognised position in the international market. The table lamp Hanoi, conceived by the young Argentinean designer Federico Churba, hides a complex and sophisticated shape. A single sheet of white PMMA becomes a 3-dimensional volume thanks to a delicate folding process, in a sort of exchange between East and West, tradition and modernity. An illuminating object which is characterized by its formal coherence and elegant details and supplies a soft and gentle light. www.prandina.it
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March proves to be an exciting month as we are building strong bonds between companies wanting us to showcase their products. We have two exclusive pieces this month which I am very excited to share with you all.
Accessories is the theme for this month and this ranges from fabrics, lamps, chairs and anything that fits into this area. Any suggestions would be great and if you have a product that you want showcasing then please feel free to 'send us a story' by clicking on the tab above. Keep tuned. As an admirer of not only Kvadrat's textiles but also of their classy, clean cut with a dash of colour brand image, I was not overly surprised by the latest exhibition stand at the 2013 Stockholm Furniture Fair. The Design team at Raw Edges, played on the concept of creating a picnic scene, colourful, whimsical and inviting. The main feature of the stand is the textile straps showing off the superb tonal qualities of the Kvadrat product. 1500 of theses straps create the feature and they are attached to the overhead trusses at staggered heights to create a layered effect of different tonal hues. To complement showing the product off in a creative and charming way, Plywood work benches with angles tops have the sample swatches seductively hanging over them to encourage the visitor to touch and feel. This project further emphasises the importance and usefulness of computer visualisation software throughout the Design process. As the above images show, the Raw Edges Design Team could effectively map the alternating heights of the straps in Elevation. To further show off the whole scheme a perspective view is shown to portray the ambience. In contrast to the digital approaches used their was also a real need to explore with physical scale models. These were produced to explore the design of the Plywood shelving units that span the perimeter of the stand. This is a testament to the versatility and aesthetic qualities of Plywood. The light woody tones are the perfect backdrop for the bright colours of the Kvadrat repertoire.
Conventionally OSB (orientated strand board) has been constrained to the dark abyss of our domestic lofts as a cheap flooring finish. However its use within commercial environments is on the increase and in my opinion quite rightly so. As the above projects show, it can be used for a variety of Interior components and it is slowly becoming the replacement for plywood panels. Why? Well OSB is cheap, rigid and adds a variation in tone, pattern and texture. These very properties means that it easily available and can be cnc cut to create more challenging planar faces as seen in the fame agenda store example above. The manufacturing process sees 'flakes' of wood engineered in an array of orientations (hence orientated strand board) and compressed into mats of conventional sized boards (6, 12 and 18mm) bonded together with a mixture of resin and wax. Plywood does have some advantages over OSB, predominantly that OSB is difficult to treat. Because of the resin mixed into the strands the board is not completely porous, unlike Plywood, and therefore does not absorb the treatment making it extremely unsuitable for exterior use. The video below outlines the manufacturing process of the UK's largest OSB supplier, SterlingOSB, who have the capability of producing over a million square feet of this versatile product each day. What happens when you cross Biffy Clyro, Band of Horses and Belle and Sebastian together? You get Frightened Rabbit. Their infectious first single, Woodpile, off their new album The Pedestrian Verse is a real delight.
Starting off with a slow drumbeat and a gentle clatter of lead guitar it builds up to an anthem of a chorus full of Glaswegian spirit and attitude. They have been around for around 10 years now and I was first introduced to them in the 2nd series of the American Geek Spy show Chuck. Please listen and I implore you to press repeat again and again. T for tune! As I was sifting through this month's ICON magazine I came across a double page advert for Chorus Furniture. I was taken a back by the stunning Theo range by the designer legend Simon Pengelly. He has done a wide variety of furniture for an equally diverse range of manufacturers and his products never fail to please. Available in a variety of finishes including beech, natural oak, stains and solid colours (above) and also available in standard side chair, bench and stool configuration means it is a versatile choice for any Interior situation. Made from veneered Plywood it is strong, lightweight and durable. However what seals the deal for me, and potentially specifying this for use within a commercial environment, is that they can be stacked. This is a major advantage for space saving and allowing for rooms to have a multifunctional use. A useful addition to this is the option of having an upholstered version which adds a splash of accent colour to it. The mix of the beech finish and the lime green upholstery is a fantastic combo and adds a sense of freshness to a variety of spaces especially within an educational environment.
If you would like more information regarding the Theo chair by Simon Pengelly then please click here! Arguably one of the most versatile, interesting and tactile materials available. It can be partially man made, natural, veneered and CNC cut. The wonderful world of timber is this months' focus. Keep posted for wood related features!
In our final green themed post for this month we have a look at Dalziel and Pow's Kids clothing store for Paris in Santiago, Chile. Dalziel and Pow are renowned for their revamping and ultimate 'pimping' Interior skills. They notoriously tried to refresh the HMV brand in certain stores to a good effect no matter how doomed HMV were/are. The area is divided into age and gender which is clearly denoted by a change in colour and pattern. There is an overriding feeling of childlike fun within this space. The display systems are intriguing and have many nooks and crannies like a child's play den. This mix of child like fun translates into the fixtures and fittings. The suspended track lighting isn't in your standard off the shelf colours, they are powder coated to match the colours of that particular area. Vinyl patterns on the wall extend from 2D forms to 3D display units that represent oversized t-shirts and other items of clothing. The stand alone display features vary from tables that have clothes on with legs that extend up and over the table to provide space for hanging garments. Keeping in line with the theme of the space the metal tubes are powder coated to match the colour of the theme. Psychologically this is a clever tactic deployed by Dalziel & Pow because by making the space look like Charlie's Chocolate Factory has extended business to a clothing store, it means children will be excited, amazed and attracted to the items on offer. I find it hard to think of anyone on the UK high-street who has really adopted this style as effectively?
Following up from his hugely successful album Queen of Denmark, former Czars member John Grant has released the first single off his new album entitled Pale Green Ghosts. It is an eerie 6minute track with low pulsating electro sounds and the melancholic Rufus Wainwright like qualities to his vocals, makes for an interesting track and video. The video leaves a lot of questions unanswered and you are left wanting to know exactly what was in the boot of the car. Have a listen for yourself and see what you think, Queen of Denmark is an excellent album and well worth a purchase!
Pale Green Ghosts the Album is available to buy on the 11th March 2013. You can purchase the same titled single from Bella Union from the 5th of February or pre-order by clicking here Wallpaper has had a turbulent history and as quick as it re-emerges itself back into fashion it is then abruptly banished into Room 101. However there is a real desire for intricate wallpapers that are bespoke and add that extra bit of elegance that your average hardware store can't supply. The montage I have created above shows the Kayyam range by Emma Shipley for Osborne & Little. This range is an exotic blend of rare birds and flowers. These floral details, in a monochrome effect, provide the perfect contrast for the bright chromatic background. (see below) The wallpapers are made from pure cotton and will add a splash of colour and a bold statement to any feature wall. You can purchase matching upholstery for cushions and each of these colour ways will blend in well with a contemporary or classic sofa with a grey hessian finish. The one shown in the montage above is the Walton range from Next Homeware.
2013 will see statement wallpapers like this very much being the in trend thing. Be creative with your choices and ultimately don't be afraid of colour! For more info: http://www.osborneandlittle.com/ http://www.emmajshipley.com |
Designer. Did a blog. Starting blog again. Early Thirties. Like Food. Like Drink. Like Music. Like travelling. If you like this blog get involved, comment and send me a story or a product, lifestyle, or way of life to promote.
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