It seems that the craft of furniture making has been all but forgotten. Bucking the trend is De La Espada. The furniture maker spares no expense to create furniture the way it should be. A love of materials, they only use solid wood, and attention to detail, close inspection reveals beautiful joining, are their signature. Combine this with a modern sensibility, and you have beautiful pieces which will last generations. The 538 wide dining table is an example of minimal style warmed by choice of material.
This new addition to the Vitra collection brings sculptural reference to natural beauty we often ignore. Designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec the Vegital Chair draws inspiration from the world’s vegetation. It’s irregular circular seat is embedded with symetrical “branches” creating the impression of growth. Made from fibre-reinforced polyamide, Vegital is stackable and durable enough for outdoor use.
Drawing inspiration from the materials and textures of handmade pieces our great grandparents might have owned, Environment is bringing home furnishing back to it’s roots. Through decades of increased manufacturing productivity and diminishing profits, the quality of materials used in almost all of today’s furniture design is poor at best. Even pieces from the higher end retailers are assembled particleboard puzzles, shipped flat for efficiency. Environment is a refreshing return to quality construction with rustic natural textures and simple contemporary design.
I have never been one to look to Urban Outfitters as a source for home furnishings, but their recent move to expand their inventory did not go unnoticed. This is further indication that urbanites have made the call for more affordable mid century modern accents and the retail establishment is responding. While these may not be pieces of the utmost quality and design, they look to do the trick. For the price they are definately a consideration, with sofas from $450 to $650 and accent tables at around $200.
Donatella Versace designs more than just clothing nowadays. You can bring the luxury of Versace into your home in a new and exciting way with the their Versace Home line of black and white furniture. Splash some pink pillows on the chairs, or place a beautiful vase of assorted orchids on the coffee table. The results will be stunning. Read the rest of this entry »
The armchair made of rollers, hence its name, Roll, is composed of an elegant chromed steel structural frame and removable shaped, expanded polyurethane cushions, covered in soft leather. The cushions, along with the independent steel framework and broad elastic bands, make this chair particularly comfortable. Hand-crafted workmanship increases the value of an object which in itself is unique. A comfortable footrest with the same features completes the armchair. Available in black leather. Designed by Joe Colombo in 1962. Chromed steel, polyurethane cushions, and leather upholstery. Made in Italy.
Skate Study House (SSH) is a concept based on the passion of mid-century design, skateboard culture and California lifestyle. SSH collection pays tribute to the renowned project, Case Study House that took place in Los Angeles from 1945 until 1966. Fifty homes were built and were furnished with new and innovative pieces of furniture from which many claim that “The Birth of Cool“ was created.
Ken Tomita, of Tomita Designs, draws inspiration from traditional Japanese forms and the multi-cultural context of his upbringing when designing his furniture. A majority of his Asian-inspired pieces are custom-made from bamboo plywood and highlighted with a black ink called sumi, a Japanese calligraphy ink. Hard at work in Portland, Oregon, this architect turned furniture designer understands the need and use of more earth friendly materials.
“The potential of bamboo ply as a renewable contemporary building material is only starting to be appreciated” says Tomita. “Bamboo retains the warmth and tradition within the framework of modern design. I think my of my pieces as sculptures. I design each piece specifically for the area in which the client plans to use it, so I always visit the site before I begin.”
We appreciate the use of bamboo as a more sustainable and renewable alternative to wood. With the addition of Tomita’s stylish mix of organic and modernist design sensibilities it just sweetens the eco-friendly deal that much more.
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 table, by Israeli designer Itay Ohaly, Encourages the removal of smaller internal tables to be used separately before being herded back to the larger table. Walnut and Corian. 100 cm x 120 cm x 28 cm. Read the rest of this entry »
