Designer Daniela Bianka has completed a renovation of the entrance, reception and exhibition areas at the French National Space Agency (CNES) in Paris. The goal was to integrate the complex technical research conducted at the Space Agency as well as its vision of the future, combining science and imagination, into the physical space at the entrance of the building.The result is a conceptual “space of passage,” which explores the relationship between Man and the Universe. The reception “desk”, a single moulded Corian® form, extends from the floor to the ceiling, in part transparent, in part opaque and looks as if it is being poured from up high. It creates a place for interaction, between the Space Agency and visitors, between material and immaterial, between the present, here, and space.
Dwell always goes big for Dwell on Design, the magazine’s annual festival of aesthetics that’s equal parts conference, product exhibition, and home tour. During the massive four-day event, more than 50 speakers discuss city-planning policies, pre-fab architecture, sustainable living, and everything in between. Full-scale structures landscaped and furnished by Dwell showcase cutting-edge design and construction methods. And, in case the more than 200 exhibitors don’t make you feel at home, numerous residence tours let you examine houses in LA’s Westside and Downtown neighborhoods. Most days are capped off by a cocktail party, where the magazine’s editors mix and mingle with conference speakers and attendees.
Our Friends at Orange 22 released a new teaser for the Botanist Blank Canvas debuting later this month at ICFF. We did a few more in depth posts here and here about the rock star list of designers contributing to this project, and the refreshingly philanthropic twist that convinced them to get on board. To get it straight from the horses mouth you can check out Orange 22’s site.
This new Palm Woven panel from Durapalm is wonderfully textured and snaps together with a simple finger-joint design. These panels, made of coconut palms, are coated with a non-toxic adhesive and a seven-coat finish to create a durable surface. Perfect for interior walls such as fireplaces, kitchen back splashes, and bar fronts, this textured wall also meets LEED criteria in two categories,materials and resources. Check them out at durapalm.com Thanks to Interior Design magazine.
This is the most whimsical set of curtains that we have ever come across. Once you get over the almost too realistic nature of the design you can add a fairy tale/pop art touch to any room that has these. The curtains are made of 100% silk and designed by Dutch designer Nicolette Brunklaus. Imported from the Netherlands, a set of two panels will run you $1,850.00, and remember, blondes have more fun.
Who wouldn’t want a beautiful mermaid motif on their wallpaper, especially one that isn’t reminiscent of 50’s kitsch pop? Carolyn Ray has been creating textiles since the seventies and finds inspiration in the flora and fauna near her minimalist mountain home on the Atlantic coast. As she expresses on her website, “Design is the rush that comes of taking a long ride and finally arriving someplace new.”
What do you do when you buy lovely furniture that becomes a part of the house and you have to leave it when you move? Well wipe away those tears, because Kohler has created a vanity with an innovative hinge system that can be effortlessly assembled and disassembled. Made with a polyurethane finish and moisture-resistant materials to ensure durability and available in four standard sizes, and four distinct architectural styles. You can find examples of the newest creation by Kohler here.
We told told you about the Botanist Blank Canvas project a few weeks ago and we can finally allowed to brake our vow of silence on the impressive list of participating designers. The full list includes-
If you missed last weeks post, the Botanist Black Canvas Project is one of the first ever product design endeavors to incorporate philanthropy. For the rest of the details click here.
Bring some color and design to your drab living space with Nama Rococo Wallpaper Studio. This homespun, family-style studio creates a hand-painted and hand-screened wallpaper, that makes it stand out from all the rest.
While visiting the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, founder Karen Combs became inspired by a Chinese scroll painting. She arrived back at her 3,500 square foot studio and locked the doors for 2 months. The result was a 50-foot paper scroll. Liking the singular designs she had been doing, she distilled and repeated them over and over to come up with some pretty bold ways to dress up your space.
Nama Rococo enjoys asking themselves questions like: “What if Bootsy Collins played Versailles?” and “What if Andy Warhol did the windows at Buckingham Palace?” It is a melding of Old World notion of splendor and craftsmanship with New School sensibility.
We were happy to show you the Botanist from our friends at Orange22 way back when, but they’ve just take it to a whole new level by giving designers the chance to give back. The Botanist is a minimalist indoor outdoor table made from a single sheet of aluminum. The fun comes in as designers use hydrojets to cut or etch designs into the table surface.The Botanist Blank Canvas project has recruited some design heavyweights by giving them a royalty, then giving a match donation to the charity of their choice. This is a new twist for the product design community, and hopefully one that will continue.We promised not to release the list of collaborators until the public launch of the project at ICFF next week, but if we made a list of our top ten favorite product designers, at least five of them are doing this. Place your bets now!For more info you can check out the Orange22 website.
Who wouldn’t want a beautiful mermaid motif on their wallpaper, especially one that isn’t reminiscent of 50’s kitsch pop? 
